Your Ultimate 7 Day Iceland Itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our 7 days in Iceland itinerary, a meticulously crafted guide to exploring the wonders of this majestic land in just one week. From the awe-inspiring Golden Circle to the serene East Fjords, every day promises a new adventure in the land of fire and ice.

• Protect Iceland’s delicate nature by sticking to marked paths.
• Off-road driving is illegal in Iceland and can damage the fragile environment.
• Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Book everything in advance to avoid high costs and limited availability.
• Iceland is almost entirely cashless, so credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
• Dress in layers and have a waterproof outer layer due to unpredictable weather.
• Only drive on F-roads with a suitable vehicle and check your rental agreement.
• Drive carefully, especially on narrow roads, and watch out for sheep and tourists.
• Visit local pools and natural hot springs for an authentic experience.
• Remember, the emergency number in Iceland is 112.

Going on a 7-day adventure in Iceland, you'll discover a land that changes with the seasons. Winter offers a snowy wonderland perfect for chasing the Northern Lights and exploring mystical ice caves. Although the days are shorter, each moment has the potential for magical experiences.

Summer transforms Iceland completely. The midnight sun stretches days longer, making it the perfect time for exploring. You'll have more hours to venture into the highlands, see wildlife like puffins and whales, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking.

This itinerary is designed to bring you the best of Iceland in any season. From the icy cascades in winter to the vibrant green vistas in summer, it’s a journey through a country of contrasts.

Day one of your Iceland itinerary 7 days adventure is perfect for getting to know the most famous attractions in Iceland. Visit the sites of Golden Circle - Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site is known for its geological, historical, and cultural significance. It is a place where Iceland's first parliament, Alþingi, was held. Established in 930, this parliament is the oldest existing parliament in the world. You'll see the Law Rock, where the person called "Law Speaker" presented the laws to the public. You'll see the Almannagjá gorge, formed by the North American and Eurasian plates drifting apart. This ridge continues beneath the Þingvellir Lake, creating Silfra Fissure, one of the most renowned diving places in the world.

Continuing along the Golden Circle route, you'll find yourself at Geysir, a geothermal hot spring area known for the spouting geysers. Here we'll find Strokkur, a highly active hot spring that erupts approximately every 5-10 minutes. The boiling water shoots up into the sky at an astonishing 30 meters. The Great Geysir, the most famous hot spring in the world, which gave the English word "Geyser", is not currently active.

The final highlight of the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss or the "Golden Falls". Here, you will find yourself standing in front of the mind-blowing two-stage waterfall, falling down from the Hvítá river. Gullfoss waterfall has been an object of many stories throughout the years, and your professional guide will tell you all about it!

Next, we'll continue along the Ring Road, through the scenic South Coast landscape. The next stop is Seljalandfoss Waterfall. It is unique because of the path threading behind the waterfall, allowing us to see it from a completely different perspective.

The next on the agenda is the breathtaking Skógafoss Waterfall. This beautiful 60-meter water cascade attracts visitors with its grandiosity and double rainbows that appear on sunny days. There's a path on the eastern side of the falls leading to the viewing point above the falls. Even if climbing up those stairs may seem daunting at first, we assure you it's worth it!

The final highlight of the day will be the magnificent Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Walking along the beach, you'll come to the beautiful basalt-column cave. In the short distance, you'll see Reynisdrangar rock formations.

Recommended Accommodation: Stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, a serene retreat near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, perfect for exploring natural wonders like the columnar basalt of Kirkjugólf and the majestic Skaftafell National Park.

The second day of your 7 day Iceland itinerary is dedicated to Vatnajökull National Park and its treasures. It starts with a perfect glacier hike on the tongue of Vatnajökull. You'll receive crampons and all the necessary glacier equipment at Skaftafell before heading out on the glacier. An experienced glacier guide will explain everything there is to know about safety on a glacier beforehand. After that, you'll step into the setting like no other - you'll be surrounded by deep crevasses, ridges, and incredible ice formations. Your knowledgeable guide will be there for you every step of the way to ensure your safety and tell you about the history of glaciers in Iceland.

After a thrilling glacier hike, there's another magical experience to come. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the most renowned places not only in Iceland but around the world as well. This lagoon was featured in one of the James Bond movies and appeared in numerous documentaries. What makes it so special? The huge icebergs breaking off the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier fill the lagoon before making their way into the ocean. Some of them reach their destination, but some are washed on the black sand beach, which is our next destination.

Diamond Beach is a black sand beach nearby the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Its unique feature is the chunks of ice that were washed onto it. They lay on the beach looking like mega-sized crystals, creating a beautiful contrast with the black sand.

Recommended Accommodation: Spend your night at the Adventure Hotel Hof, a unique country hotel nestled in the heart of Öræfasveit. This hotel, transformed from historical stables and barns, offers a warm and authentic country vibe with modern comforts.

Your one week in Iceland continues as you explore the unique charm of the East Fjords. Driving to East Fjords by Ring Road, uncover the beautiful scenery with rugged mountains on one side of the road and coastline on the other. You'll notice that each fjord is unique in its shape and features while unfolding landscape after landscape. The East Fjords will be in the background all day while we visit the most famous attractions nearby.

Djúpivogur is a charming little fishing village with a population of 1130. The Atlantic Ocean washes over the black sand beaches, creating beautiful scenery. The area has a rich bird population, so it is a popular place for birdwatchers and hikers who love unspoiled nature.

The journey through East Fjords will get us to Egilsstaðir, where the legend of the giant Worm, Largarfljótasormurinn, was born. According to the legend, the creature lives deep in the water of Lagarfljót lake and even shows himself to people from time to time! We'll have a chance to stretch our legs with an easy 3-hour hike up to the Hengifoss Waterfall. The cliffs which frame this waterfall look pretty unusual. The sequence of volcanic eruptions left layers of red strata. The waterfall falls into the gorge from an impressive 118-meter height. You'll see another waterfall on this inspirational hike. The incredibly huge hexagonal basalt columns flank the Llanes Waterfall. You'll get plenty of amazing photo opportunities during this hike, so don't forget to bring your camera!

Recommended Accommodation: Stay in Egilsstaðir at one of charming bed and breakfast, ideally located for exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

Do you think you've seen everything? Wait for it! The fourth day will take us to the North of Iceland, where plenty of new attractions await us. The road to the north will take us to Möðrudalur, a farming community that sits at 469 m. It has been the highest farm in Iceland for generations, and today, it hosts the most elevated coffee house. Next up is the unbelievably impressive Dettifoss waterfall. The glacier river, Jökulsá á Fjöllum, feeds this waterfall falling from a 44-meter height, making it the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Next up, there is the Námaskarð geothermal area, filled with boiling mud pools, most of them of vivid colors. The nearby Mývatn Nature Baths provide relaxation in mineral and alkaline-rich water. The natural composition of water prevents any need for chemical or chlorine usage.

Continuing on to Hverfjall Volcano Crater, which formed after the eruption 2500 years ago. We'll see troll-like lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the area known as the "dark cities". The roof of the massive lava tunnel collapsed, leaving the Dimmuborgir lava stacks behind.

You can enjoy more of the Lake Mývatn scenery on the way to our next destination, Goðafoss Waterfall. This breathtaking waterfall is called "God's Waterfall" in order to honor the old pagan gods.

Recommended Accommodation: Enjoy a relaxing night at a hotel near Lake Mývatn, offering access to natural hot springs and unique volcanic landscapes.

This day highlights the beauty of the North, a must-see in any Iceland one week itinerary. On this day, an exciting whale-watching trip from Dalvík awaits you. These tours usually have a 98% success rate at spotting animals! Humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other water animals can be spotted here.

The trip to Dalvík will take us through Akureyri. With a population of around 19,000, it is the largest city outside the Reykjavík area. We'll travel along the longest fjord in Iceland, Eyjafjörður. As soon as we get to Dalvík, a charming and traditional fishing village, the whale watching tour begins. We'll spend a while exploring the wildlife by boat and taking in the surrounding views.

Our next destination is the Tröllaskagi peninsula, known for its towering mountains and splendid ocean scenery. We'll pass the tunnel under the mountains between Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður. Before the tunnel was built, the town Siglufjörður was completely cut off from the rest of the island during winter. Despite the isolated location, it became known as the "Herring Capital of the Atlantic" because of the huge shoals of herring. Today, there are fewer herring in its waters, but the history remains embroidered in the town's museums and culture.

Recommended Accommodation: Stay in Akureyri, the vibrant 'Capital of the North,' in a hotel with views of the fjord and easy access to local attractions.

Continue your Iceland 7 days itinerary with a visit to the enchanting Borgarfjörður region. The journey will continue west along the Ring Road. The first stop will be at Grábrók, a volcano crater with amazing views over the lava field. We'll have a short hike with an exceptional view of Borgarfjörður. Borgarfjörður was named the best travel destination by Lonely Planet in 2016.

Later, our path will continue to Europe's strongest hot spring, Deildartunguhver. It works as a wonderful hot water resource for heating houses, swimming pools, and domestic bathing in the nearby areas. We'll stop by at Hraunfossar Waterfall, with lots of tiny smaller waterfalls dropping down the Hallmundarhraun lava field. This set of smaller pieces creates a beautiful and majestic waterfall. After that, we have another waterfall to visit. Barnafoss, meaning "Children's Falls," is linked with a legend ending in a tragic accident.

The next stop is at the historic site of Reykholt. Here we'll see Snorralaug, a hot spring pool where the famous historian and saga writer, Snorri Sturluson, used to bathe. For that occasion, the hot springs are named after him.

Recommended Accommodation: Choose Borgarnes for your stay, a picturesque town known for its captivating views of the Borgarfjörður fjord and close proximity to historical sites like the Settlement Center, making it a perfect blend of scenic beauty and cultural exploration.

Conclude your 7 days in Iceland itinerary with the famous Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its treasures! It is often called "Iceland in a nutshell" because it has it all, from a glittering glacier to small fishing villages and beaches.

A day will start at the charming fishing village of Arnarstapi. Here, you'll have some time to walk around and take in the beautiful coastal scenery. We'll also stop by the unique Miðgjá stone bridge and 19th-century Búðakirkja black church.

We'll continue down the coast to the incredibly beautiful black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur. The back pebbles are so smooth they are often compared to black-colored pearls. They're called Djúpalóns Perlan ('Deep Pool Pearls'). The white-tipped ocean waves rolling over the cliffs create a dramatic effect. All this drama and beauty can be dangerous at times. You'll get to see the wrecks of the British trawler, Epine as a piece of true evidence for that.

A trip to the Snaefellsnes peninsula is not complete without visiting Mount Kirjufell, probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland. The final stop of the day and of this trip will be the geometric basalt columns at Gerðuberg. The wall regularly-shaped columns in the natural scenery look so surreal that it's hard to believe it was by nature, not by human hands.

Recommended Accommodation: End your journey at Adventure Hotel Hellissandur, nestled in the heart of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. With its strategic location, this hotel not only offers a comfortable stay but also serves as a perfect base for exploring the peninsula.

Now you see how much can be achieved in just 7 days! Get the most of your week in Iceland with this 7 Days Around Iceland Adventure tour!

Which one of these attractions would you like to visit the most? Tell us in the comment section below!

Your Iceland 1 week itinerary is a journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. In just 7 days in Iceland, you've witnessed the country's unparalleled beauty, from the eruptive geysers to the tranquil fjords. This Iceland 7 days itinerary is designed to ensure you experience the essence of Iceland, leaving you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

For Iceland itinerary 7 days is a great amount of time to explore the highlights, especially if you follow the Ring Road. However, it may not be enough to cover everything in depth.

Ideally, 10-14 days would allow a more relaxed pace to explore both the popular and off-the-beaten-path locations in Iceland.

Iceland can be quite expensive compared to other destinations. Planning and budgeting ahead for accommodation, food, and activities is advisable.

To drive around Iceland in 7 days, follow the Ring Road, which circles the island. This route covers most major attractions, but be prepared for long driving hours each day.