Welcome to your guide to the ultimate 7-day Iceland itinerary through the land of fire and ice! Iceland is out-of-this-world beautiful, and it feels like you are on another planet. It is the most beautiful and unique place I have ever traveled to, and I know you will fall in love with it when you visit.

You can technically travel around the entire country in one week, but I would not recommend it because exploring Iceland should not be rushed. Iceland has so much to see, and the last thing you want to do is feel like you are running from one place to another, not taking in the full beauty!

Each time we have visited Iceland, we have spent a week exploring everything we could fit into our itinerary. A week gave us plenty of time to explore an entire section of the country, go on a few tours, and take our time at each attraction.

I created this 7-day Iceland itinerary to explore my favorite areas in the country, including mountains, glaciers, and many waterfalls. I recommend using this guide as a starting point for planning the best week-long Iceland vacation!

Get your cameras ready because you will want to take a million photos of the land of fire and ice!

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What to Know Before Visiting Iceland

Below are a few things I am glad I knew before we went to Iceland. Trust me, they make a difference for your trip!

The sunlight varies drastically throughout the year. Iceland has about 21 hours of sunlight in June and July, but only about five hours in December and January. As you can imagine, winter brings less tourism, but winters in Iceland are harsh. Summer is the busiest time in Iceland, and many must-see attractions have crowds, but the weather is much better. I have only visited in the summer, and it was perfect because the weather was really nice!
Do not stay in the city during your entire trip. It is a long drive to many places on this Iceland itinerary, and you do not want to waste time in the car. I usually make base camps near Selfoss or Vik because they are closer to the attractions.
Some parking lots require a parking fee. Some trailheads have kiosks, while others use an app called Parka. I recommend downloading it in advance and entering your car information so it is easy to pay once you arrive at the trailhead. It saved us time doing this in advance!
Rent a car that is approved to drive on F roads. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads that lead to some of the most beautiful places in Iceland. Although you can stay on the Ring Road to see many of the highlights, I recommend renting a vehicle approved for F roads if you want to visit the highlands.
Get all of the car rental insurance. I cannot stress enough how important insurance is when you rent a car in Iceland, especially if you will be driving on F roads. It is nice to have peace of mind while exploring!
Get a discount gas card. Gas is expensive in Iceland, so I recommend getting a discount gas card. Some rental car companies will even provide one to you!
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly. It is also crucial to only hike on the designated trails to avoid damaging restoration areas and fragile vegetation.

Where to Fly Into Iceland

Keflavík Airport

The largest airport in Iceland is Keflavík Airport, and it has the most flight options. It is also only about an hour outside of Reykjavík.

We have only flown into Keflavík Airport because it has the best direct flights for us. The airport is relatively small with limited seating, so when you are waiting for your departure flight, it may be difficult to find a place to relax. We ended up grabbing food at a restaurant in the airport to help pass the time and have a place to sit while we waited.

Rental Car

Although you can use public transportation, I recommend renting a car. It gives you far more flexibility during your itinerary.

Many rental car companies will pick you up directly at the airport. We learned that most rental car companies do not have cars at the airport, so they pick up a bunch of people at once and bring them to their office to get their car. It is usually a quick and easy experience!

Also, rental car companies usually have you drop the car off at their office, and then they will drive you to the airport. Make sure to give yourself enough time to include that when you are departing Iceland!

Where You Should Stay in Iceland

Since your itinerary covers Iceland’s southwest coast, you have a few options for where you can stay. I prefer staying in 1-2 places on a road trip, but you always stay in a new accommodation each night if you want to be closer to the attractions on your itinerary.

If you want to stay in one accommodation:

I recommend staying in Selfoss because it is a midpoint for most attractions in this itinerary.

Selfoss is an adorable town with many restaurants, and we loved staying here! We used Selfoss as our basecamp for the entire week we were in Iceland, and it was honestly perfect.

We stayed a little outside of downtown in a small house with a beautiful mountain view. It was super quiet, which we prefer, but we were still a quick drive from grocery stores, shops, and restaurants.

I honestly could not recommend staying in Selfoss enough!

If you want to stay in multiple accommodations:

Nights 1-2: I recommend spending your first few nights near Vik. It is a cute town on the southern coast with accommodations, restaurants, and stores.
Nights 3-6: I recommend staying in Selfoss since it is a good central location to this portion of your itinerary.
Night 7: Depending on what you decide to do on your last day, I recommend either continuing to stay in Selfoss or staying in Reykjavík. If you have an early flight, you can always stay closer to the airport, too!

What to Pack for Iceland

The weather in Iceland is unpredictable, making it crucial to pack the right gear and layers for the season you visit. Both times we visited, the weather changed quickly and unexpectedly throughout the day, and we were glad to have had layers and a rain jacket!

This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:

7 Days in Iceland at a Glance

Below is a quick overview of what your week in Iceland will look like. Then we will dive into the entire itinerary with all the in-depth details you need to know.

Day 1:

Reykjavik
Sky Lagoon

Day 2:

Seljalandsfoss
Gljufrafoss
Kvernufoss
Skógafoss
Dyrholaey Arch
Reynisfjara

Day 3:

Landmannalaugar

Day 4:

Kerid Crater
Gullfoss
Stokkur
Brúarfoss
Kerlingarfjöll

Day 5:

Thingvellir National Park
Silfra
Öxarárfoss

Day 6:

Langjökull glacier tour

Day 7:

Option 1: Háifoss and Gjain
Option 2: Glymur
Option 3: Reykjavik or Blue Lagoon

7 Days in Iceland: My Recommended Itinerary

Each time we have visited Iceland, we have spent a week exploring as much as we could. I created this itinerary to include my favorite places that I think should be on every bucket list! And if this is your first time visiting Iceland, these are some must-see places.

Day 1: Reykjavík and Hot Springs

I recommend a slow first day in Iceland to shake off any jet lag before making the drive south to some iconic Iceland attractions.

We spent our first day exploring Reykjavik and soaking in hot springs, and it was honestly perfect. I mean, what is a better way to kick off a trip to Iceland than relaxing in a hot spring?!

I also recommend grabbing a bite to eat because Reykjavik has so many amazing restaurants. You really cannot go wrong with anywhere you eat.

And then you can do some grocery shopping before heading to your accommodation.

Reykjavík

Reykjavík has so much to offer, from delicious food to beautiful buildings and ocean views. You will love walking around this colorful city and popping into cute local shops.

I recommend enjoying a meal at one of the many great restaurants and visiting Hallgrimskirkja. Hallgrimskirkja is an iconic church that you probably have seen in photos. It is the tallest church in Iceland and is beautiful!

Sky Lagoon

Although the Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most popular hot spring, I recommend visiting Sky Lagoon instead. It is a quick drive from the city, and the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring Reykjavik.

The Blue Lagoon is the most popular of the two because of its beautiful, bright blue waters. Although it is massive (around 8,700 square meters), it is always busy, which is why we have not been.

We loved the Sky Lagoon so much that we visited twice! We arrived just before sunset and watched it from the hot spring. It was so beautiful and relaxing!

I recommend booking your tickets in advance because they can sell out!

beautiful waterfalls near Reykjavik

Day 2: South Coast

Your second day is action-packed, full of some of Iceland’s most popular attractions. I suggest waking up early to have more time to explore because trust me, you will want the extra time!

Iceland's south coast is the most popular place to visit, and you will quickly see why. It has everything, including waterfalls, black sand beaches, and mountains, making it one of the most scenic places!

Each place is popular and will have crowds, but if you start your day early, you will avoid the midday crowds.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss

Seljalandsfoss is the first stop on the South Coast day trip and one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls. It is a short walk from the parking lot to the base of Seljalandsfoss, and you can enjoy the 197-foot, picturesque waterfall from the front or walk behind it!

If you want to walk behind it, be prepared to get wet. I wore my rain jacket to help, and I recommend doing the same.

You will then follow a flat trail to Gljufrafoss, a 131-foot waterfall hidden behind a cliff. You will also get wet when you get near Gljufrafoss, so keep your rain jacket close!

Skógafoss

Next is another iconic waterfall: Skógafoss.

Skógafoss is 82 feet wide and 200 feet tall, and it is epic! You can walk up to the base of the falls or hike to the top. Both offer beautiful views, but I enjoy the views from the bottom more.

And if you want to enjoy more waterfalls, you can hike a 4.1-mile trail on top of Skogafoss. This trail wanders along the river, bringing you to multiple smaller waterfalls.

Kvernufoss

Although Kvernufoss is next to Skógafoss, many people often do not know it exists, and it quickly became one of our favorite waterfalls!

You can hike an easy 1-mile trail into the stunning moss-covered canyon to the base of Kvernufoss. We honestly did not know this waterfall existed the first time we visited Iceland, but we were so happy to have added it to our itinerary for our second trip.

Dyrholaey Arch

Dyrholaey Arch is a beautiful arch on the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, and it is easily one of our favorite viewpoints. The viewpoint is on a cliff you can drive to and offers stunning views of the arch, beach, and mountains.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see puffins! We saw thousands of puffins during our second trip, and it was incredible!

Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara is the infamous black sand beach in Iceland. It is home to the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Hálsanefshellir Sea Cave, and Gardar Cliff.

NOTE: The waves on Reynisfjara are known for being dangerous because they can sneak up on you in a matter of seconds, so please be careful and stay aware.

Vik

After you are done exploring, I recommend walking around the cute town of Vik! You can grab food and enjoy the scenic views.

Vik is one of our favorite towns in Iceland, so I know you will love it!

Day 3: The Highlands

Today is going to be a highlight of your trip because Iceland’s highlands are incredible!

I recommend spending the entire day in the highlands because they offer so much to do! It takes a few hours to drive to Landmannalaguar, so starting your day early gives you more time to enjoy the beautiful area.

Also, make sure to pack warm layers and rain gear. The highlands have unpredictable weather that can change quickly. The first time we visited Landmannalaugar, the day went quickly from a beautiful sunny day to a heavy downpour. I recommend packing warm layers and rain gear just in case!

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar, also known as the People’s Pool, is the land of multi-colored mountains, lava fields, and volcanoes.

The best way to get to Landmannalaugar is to take F208 from the north, which leads you in without any river crossings. I believe all other roads require river crossings, some of which are very deep.

We have visited Landmannalaugar twice, but only hiked during our second trip. The weather was awful on our first trip, with heavy rain, so we soaked in the hot spring. We had beautiful weather during our second trip, so we hiked along its many stunning trails.

Here are a few of the best trails in Landmannalaugar:

Laugavegur Circle - 3 miles
Brennisteinsalda Volcano - 5.4 miles
Mt Bláhnjúkur - 3.8 miles

If you do not have a 4x4 vehicle or do not want to venture into the highlands on your own, you have a few options.

Ride a mountain bus into the highlands
Go on a Super Jeep Tour

Laugahraun Loop Hiking Guide

best hikes in landmannalaugar

Day 4: The Golden Circle

Now it is time to explore the iconic Golden Circle!

I also include a few ways to spend your day. You can easily drive the entire Golden Circle or stop at a few of the highlights before going into another beautiful section of the highlands.

Make sure to start your day early because the Golden Circle becomes crowded midday. I recommend arriving in the morning to avoid most of the midday crowds.

Kerid Crater

Kerid Crater is a beautiful volcanic crater, where you can hike around the rim or lake for a small fee. The entrance fee helps preserve this beautiful area!

We hiked to the top of the crater to enjoy the beautiful views of the lake below and the surrounding landscape. The first section of the trail leading to the rim is steep, but once you are up top, the rest of the loop is relatively flat. If you want to avoid any elevation gain, you can hike around the lake, which is just as beautiful.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is the largest volume waterfall in Europe, fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. It has a 36-foot section and a 69-foot section that flows into the Hvítá River in a 1.6-mile-long canyon.

An easy 1.1-mile hike brings you from the parking lot to the rim above the waterfall, and it will take your breath away!

Stokkur

The Great Geysir, also known as Stokkur, is across the street from Gullfoss and is easily accessible. It erupts every 6-10 minutes and hits over 50 feet high!

If you do not want to go into the highlands: Brúarfoss

Brúarfoss is one of the bluest waterfalls you will see in Iceland! It is glacier-fed, and yes, the water is THAT blue!

The 4.1-mile trail wanders along the river until it reaches Brúarfoss. Although the trail has a few viewpoints of the waterfall, my favorite is from the bridge.

If you want to explore the highlands: Kerlingarfjöll

Kerlingarfjöll is a breathtaking and remote mountain range in the highlands of Iceland. It is one of the lesser-known highland areas, and we were in awe of its beauty when we visited!

Kerlingarfjöll has beautiful multi-colored mountains, a small hot spring, and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. The Hveradalir Geothermal Area was my favorite place because the views were unmatched.

You can explore both areas from various overlooks or hike on its many trails, including the beautiful 7.8-mile round-trip hike from the Kerlingarfjöll resort to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area.

We drove to the geothermal area and hiked along its trails from there. We did not have time to hike the entire trail to the resort, so we stuck close to the parking lot, but the views were still breathtaking!

Tip: Give yourself plenty of time to drive to the highlands. It is about 1.5 hours from Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjöll.

Day 5: Thingvellir National Park

I hope you are up for another epic day of adventuring!

Thingvellir National Park is Iceland’s first national park, where you can enjoy the stunning views, hiking trails, waterfalls, and snorkeling in tectonic plates.

Silfra

If you are up for a once-in-a-lifetime activity (albeit a cold one), I highly recommend snorkeling in Silfra. But if you do not want to, feel free to skip it and explore the rest of the park!

Snorkeling through tectonic plates is easily one of the coolest experiences in Thingvellir National Park! We spent an hour snorkeling through the clearest waters we had ever seen because Silfra has some of the clearest water on earth, allowing us to see up to 390 feet! Many companies offer this experience, but I highly recommend DIVE.IS. We had an incredible time with their guides!

Tip: If you want to snorkel, I recommend reserving the earliest time slot. When we went snorkeling, we reserved the first time slot in the morning, and it paid off! The line for waiting to get into the water was shorter, and we had the water to ourselves and one other tour.

Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss is a 44-foot waterfall in Thingvellir National Park and drops over the Almannagjá Gorge. Although it is not as tall as other nearby waterfalls, it is incredibly picturesque!

You can hike a 2.7-mile trail as it wanders along the river to Öxarárfoss.

Thingvellir Loop

Thingvellir Loop is one of the best ways to explore everything Thingvellir National Park offers! The 6.5-mile round trip hike brings you to basalt columns, Öxarárfoss, and many beautiful viewpoints in the park.

It is my way to experience Thingvellir National Park because you get to see its highlights without worrying about parking at different locations.

Day 6: Glacier Tour

Your second-to-last day will be spent on Iceland’s second-largest glacier. Trust me, it is such an incredible experience!

Langjökull

Langjökull is one of the most popular places to explore a glacier and go into an ice cave. And the best part? You can do this year-round!

You have many tours to choose from, and below are just a few. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of them. Most tours are at least a few hours, so I recommend allocating at least a half-day to your tour!

Into the Glacier: drive on the glacier in monster trucks and explore the largest man-made ice tunnel in the world
Snowmobiling + Ice Cave: snowmobile on the glacier and explore an ice cave
Snowmobiling: snowmobile on the glacier

Day 7: Pick Your Iceland Adventure

It is your last day in Iceland!

I have a few ideas on how you can spend your final day, and what you choose depends on how you are feeling after a week of adventuring and how much time you have. No matter what you choose, you will have an amazing last day in the land of fire and ice.

Option 1: Háifoss and Gjain

If you are up for a short highland adventure, I recommend visiting my favorite waterfall in Iceland!

Háifoss is the fourth-tallest waterfall in Iceland and is easily one of the most beautiful in the country. The coolest thing about Háifoss is your position to view it because you get to gaze down at this 400-foot waterfall on a cliff across from it. It is pretty epic!

You can also hike a 2.6-mile trail to the bottom of the waterfall. If you have time, I highly recommend hiking this trail because I loved experiencing Háifoss from its base. It made me feel small in the best way!

After leaving Háifoss, I recommend visiting a hidden gem in Iceland.

Gjain is hidden in the Þjórsárdalur valley and looks like it is where fairies should live. Although the valley is small, it is magical and beautiful, with waterfalls, volcanic rock, and bright blue pools. When you walk into Gjain, it will feel as if you were transported to a magical fairyland.

Option 2: Glymur

Glymur is the second-tallest waterfall in Iceland and comes in at 650 feet tall!

To get to Glymur, you can hike a fun 5-mile trail that brings you through a cave, up steep inclines, across two rivers, and to viewpoints of the beautiful waterfall.

The first river crossing was fun, and we used a rope and a log to help us cross. After crossing the river, we hiked a few very steep sections, but there were ropes to hold on to while climbing.

Soon enough, we had a view of Glymur! And the views of the surrounding landscape were breathtaking.

The trail continued to climb further up Glymur before crossing over the river. The second river crossing was more difficult than the first because the water was deep and cold. We took our shoes off to cross because we did not want wet hiking boots.

Once on the other side, the trail gradually descended back to the parking lot, providing incredible views of the landscape.

Option 3: Reykjavik or Blue Lagoon

And if you want a slower day or have an early flight, I have you covered.

I recommend heading back into the city to enjoy a final meal before leaving Iceland! You could also go to the Blue Lagoon and soak in a hot spring before beginning your journey home.

Iceland Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iceland worth visiting?

Yes, Iceland is absolutely worth visiting! It is one of my favorite places in the world and truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Iceland has glaciers, waterfalls, lush landscapes, multi-colored mountains, and black sand beaches. It has something for everyone to enjoy!

Trust me, you will quickly fall in love with Iceland when you visit, and it will most likely exceed your expectations. Photos do not do it justice!

Is 7 days enough time to see Iceland?

Yes, 7 days is plenty of time to explore Iceland’s south coast. I recommend spending at least a week in Iceland to give yourself plenty of time to explore.

I have visited Iceland twice, and both times we spent a week there. A week gave us plenty of time to explore the west coast of Iceland and a few of the highlands.

If you only want to visit the Golden Circle and easily accessible spots along the south coast, you can get away with only spending a few days in Iceland. But I will always recommend spending a week instead!

What is the best time of year to visit Iceland?

You can visit Iceland year-round! When you visit will depend on what you want to do.

If you want the most daylight, I recommend visiting in the summer. Iceland has the midnight sun, which provides almost 24 hours of daylight. During the summer months, you will have the longest days to explore. Summer is also the best time to visit the highlands because the highland roads close in the winter.

If your priority is seeing the northern lights, I recommend visiting in winter. Iceland only has a few hours of daylight in the winter, giving you the highest chance of seeing the northern lights.

If you want to explore a glacier, you can do so in any season! Iceland has some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and you can visit them in every season. Even in the summer, you can go on a guided glacier walk or a snowmobiling glacier tour.

Is Iceland expensive?

Yes, Iceland is expensive, but it does not have to be the most expensive trip.

Food tends to be a bit pricier, so I recommend cooking some of your meals instead of eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Groceries can also be expensive, but you will save money if you do not eat out for every meal.

You can also get a discount gas card with most rental cars. Gas is very expensive in Iceland, and although discount gas cards only save you a bit per liter.

If you have more time to spend in Iceland, you can spread these sights out over more days or add even more beautiful attractions to your itinerary! If you only have a week, you can use this guide as a great starting point for planning an incredible 7-day Iceland itinerary!