Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Looking for an Icelandic adventure that won't leave you feeling drained? Look no further! We've crafted a fail-proof itinerary that optimizes daylight hours, allowing you to explore Iceland's wonders without wearing yourself out. From must-see attractions like the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle to delightful hidden gems, we've got you covered! This itinerary doesn't cover everything in Iceland, as that would require at least a few weeks! However, it's designed to maximize your week and ensure you hit the essential spots. We've personally road-tested this itinerary and highlighted all our favorite stops below. And if you're curious about our adventures, including our lessons learned and the places we recommend skipping, check out our blog of our trip to Iceland!

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Packing for Iceland can be tricky due to its ever-changing weather! See our guide for what to pack for Iceland for some handy tips on what to pack for every season!

If you are visiting Iceland for less than a week, we’ve put together a list of 5 ESSENTIAL places to visit!

View from our flight into Keflavík International Airport

The best way to visit all of the Iceland is via road trip! We recommend picking up a rental car at the airport. We also recommend picking up a portable wifi modem at the airport as service can be spotty in the Icelandic countryside. We used Trawire - this is a portable hotspot that will come in handy as you travel throughout the country.

Depending on your flight arrival time, we suggest either promptly checking into your hotel or arranging luggage drop-off. We opted for the Courtyard Marriott in Keflavík. It’s a great place to stay your first day or two in Iceland, given its close proximity to volcanoes, waterfalls, and the renowned Blue Lagoon!

After we dropped off our luggage, we headed to Fagradalsfjall Volcano. This volcano erupted in 2021, and unlike many volcanoes around the world, it offers accessible hiking trails that allow visitors to witness the volcanic activity up close! We highly recommend checking out the weather beforehand as it can get pretty windy. After hiking the volcano, we drove to the Valahnúkamöl cliffs. These cliffs are situated on the edge of the Reykjanes peninsula and offer an incredible sea view. If you have time, we recommend stopping by the Bridge of Continents, which is a 50ft (15m) walkway between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We opted out of visiting this bridge as we were running low on time, but we definitely think it’s a unique spot that would make for a great story!

For dinner, we suggest driving back to Keflavík. The LiBRARY Bistro is a great choice!

Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Gunnuhver Hot Springs

A trip to Reykjanes wouldn't be complete without experiencing the world-renowned Blue Lagoon. We opted for a visit later in the day; it helped us avoid the crowds. While it may have a touristy reputation (some prefer Sky Lagoon instead) we believe it’s an essential stop! Just ensure to secure your tickets in advance, as time slots fill up quickly!

Following a full day exploring in Reykjanes, we suggest indulging in dinner at KEF Restaurant. It was delicious, and to top it off, we were treated to a surprise display of the northern lights as we exited the restaurant!

Our first stop in Snæfellsnes was Kirkjufell mountain (“Church mountain”) and Kirkjufellsfoss. Kirkjufell is a uniquely shaped mountain and was featured in season 7 of Game of Thrones. It’s widely considered to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Kirkjufellsfoss is the waterfall located next to the mountain. It’s a great place to stop for photos of the mountain backdrop. This site does not require a hike as there is a parking lot nearby.

After you check in and freshen up, we recommend walking around the city! Reykjavík isn’t a huge city, so we think a half day is the perfect amount of time to explore the best of what the city has to offer. Notable stops include the Hallgrímskirkja, Rainbow Street, Harpa Concert Hall, and the Sun Voyager sculpture. There are lots of cute boutique shops around here, which make for exciting souvenir shopping! We did not stop to check out the museums and art galleries in the city. If that is more your speed, we recommend adding an extra day or two in Reykjavík to your itinerary!

There is a variety of food options in the city. We chose the Grillmarket, which was very tasty! If you are looking to try Icelandic cuisine, we recommend the hot dogs! Icelandic hot dogs are celebrated are different from traditional hot dogs in that they are topped with raw white onions and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard, and remoulade. The most famous Icelandic hot dog stand is located in downtown Reykjavík and is called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, meaning “Best Hot Dogs in Town.”

Depending on the time of year, we highly recommend a northern lights tour! Witnessing the northern lights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Seeing them was a bucket-list item for us and is an experience that will stay with us forever! Iceland's location near the Arctic Circle offers some of the best viewing conditions for the northern lights. A lot of northern lights tours depart from Reykjavík, so you will have plenty of options! While there's always a chance to catch a glimpse on your own (as we did on our second night!), joining a tour can significantly enhance your chances. Expert guides lead these tours, ensuring you're taken to the best viewing spots and maximizing your chances. We opted for a northern lights yacht cruise. Just remember to check the aurora forecast and cloud conditions before setting out!

After a short stop at Geysir and Strokkur, we recommend driving to the third stop on the Golden Circle: Gullfoss. Gullfoss, literally meaning “Golden Waterfall,” is one of Iceland’s most famous. This waterfall offers plenty of parking and vantage points so that photos can be taken from every angle! We recommend you wear waterproof shoes and a rainproof jacket if you choose to venture up close to the falls. Gullfoss Café sits beside the hiking trails and offers refreshments and souvenir shopping for visitors.

Following your visit to Kerið Crater, we suggest driving to Seljalandsfoss. This magnificent waterfall, situated in southern Iceland, stands among the nation's most renowned attractions. What sets Seljalandsfoss apart is that visitors can walk behind the water, providing an awe-inspiring perspective and an unforgettable experience. Conveniently located right off the highway, no lengthy hike is necessary to reach the waterfall. However, we strongly advise wearing a waterproof jacket, as the mist can be quite intense!

As a bonus, we highly recommend you explore the lesser-known Gljúfrafoss, which is a hidden gem just a short 5-minute hike down the path found on the left of Seljalandsfoss. Gljúfrafoss is a unique waterfall because it is completely hidden behind a canyon! As you approach the canyon, you're greeted by the thunderous roar of water echoing off the rugged cliffs. If you choose to visit Gljúfrafoss, we highly recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots and bringing an extra pair of socks. To truly experience Gljúfrafoss, you must venture into the canyon itself. The canyon contains shallow streams and some slippery rocks, so make sure you exercise caution! Once you are through the canyon, you will come face to face with the waterfall and be surrounded by sheer rock walls and lush greenery, with sunlight filtering through the mist. It’s magical!

After Gljúfrafoss, we recommend spending the night in Vík, which is the southernmost village in all of Iceland. We opted to spend the night at Hotel Katla, a cozy retreat nestled along the coast. One of the highlights of our stay was indulging in the hotel's geothermal hot tub! For dinner in Vík, we can't recommend the Soup Company enough - it's the ideal place to relax after a day of adventure.. We were thoroughly impressed with their red hot lava soup – it's absolutely delicious!

Reynisdrangar Columns

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a must-see if you plan to travel to Iceland. Picture massive icebergs floating in a sparkling blue lagoon, surrounded by snowy mountains. It's like stepping into a scene from a movie! We chose to embark on a Zodiac boat tour while we were here. This tour was about an hour long - it's a thrilling and immersive experience that take you up close to the glaciers. We even saw seals! Iceland is full of captivating imagery, but Jökulsárlón is where we took some of our most stunning photos. The scenery is awe-inspiring!

After the glacier lagoon, we stopped at one of the nearby food stalls for some Icelandic hot dogs and hot cocoa, and then we made our way to Diamond Beach (it’s directly across the street)! Diamond Beach is another one-of-a-kind black sand beach, and it’s dotted with glistening chunks of ice that look like diamonds scattered across the shore.

Diamond Beach

This ice comes directly from the glacier lagoon! Like many places in Iceland, Diamond Beach is the perfect setting for some Instagam-worthy shots. The contrast between the black sand and the sparkling ice creates a stunning backdrop. It's a surreal and mesmerizing sight that you won't find anywhere else. Because we visited in late afternoon, we caught the sunset here, which cast a golden light on the ice and made it glitter. It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Following your visit to Diamond Beach, we suggest settling into your accommodations. Our choice was the Ekra Glacier Lagoon, onveniently located just a stone's throw away from the glacier lagoon! This place was stunning - there was a waterfall directly behind our room! For dinner, we chose Kaffi Hornið in the charming fishing town of Höfn.

Our tour departed straight from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and dropped us off at the foot of the glacier, which was very convenient. Keep in mind that ice cave tours are typically available from September to April when the weather is cold enough for the caves to remain stable and safe for exploration, so make sure to plan your tour accordingly! If you plan to visit Iceland in the summer months, there are plenty of other outdoor glacial activities or tours you can participate in, such as hiking or snowmobiling.

The hike to the caves took around 20 minutes and was on relatively flat terrain. We recommend wearing your waterproof hiking boots, as you may need to cross some streams, and some portions of the glacier may be a bit melted. The caves are shaped in intricate ice formations and are cast in vibrant blue hues, contributing to an otherworldly beauty.

Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cave

Following the ice cave tour, we embarked on the journey back to Keflavík for our flight to New York. However, we opted to enhance our trip by making a few stops along the way, including stops at Skógafoss and Kvernufoss! Skógafoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. It has been featured in numerous movies and shows, from “Game of Thrones,” “No Time to Die,” and “Thor: The Dark World.” The waterfall is framed by black sand at the base and lush green hills on the sides. Whether you're standing at its base, feeling the mist on your face, or admiring it from afar, the sheer magnitude and natural splendor of Skógafoss are sure to leave you speechless.

Skógafoss

Due to its popularity, you can expect crowds during your visit to Skógafoss. That's why we recommend you take the short hike to nearby Kvernufoss, a much lesser known waterfall and hidden gem.The reason why it is often overlooked is because it is half hidden away in a gorge! This hike and waterfall are simply stunning, and it was undeniably one of the highlights of our trip.

To get to Kvernufoss, you will need to take a 1-mile out and back hike from the Skógar Museum through the canyon to the east of Skógafoss. Because Kvernufoss is tucked away from the crowds, it provides a peaceful and serene atmosphere. With the lush greenery and picturesque stream, we consider this a fairy tale setting! Kvernufoss is also one of the waterfalls where you can walk behind the veil of water, but it’s not nearly as busy as Seljalandsfoss. This was the perfect final destination for us to visit during our trip!

Kvernufoss

View from behind Kvernufoss

After departing from Kvernufoss, we suggest making your way back to Keflavík to catch your flight. Depending on your departure time, you might consider stopping in for a meal or opting to stay the night at the Courtyard Marriott!

Thank you for taking the time to read our itinerary! We hope it serves as a helpful guide for your future travels to Iceland or inspires you as you plan your own adventure. For more insights into our experience, including the highs and lows, we invite you to check out our blog.

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