The Unrivaled 7-Day Summer Iceland Itinerary (Mastered For 2024)

Can you see Iceland in 7 days? Yes, you absolutely can! This article presents the perfect 7-day summer Iceland itinerary so you can see the best of the country in just a week, optimized for 2024. This itinerary will make your trip extra special, and be memorable for a lifetime.

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is among the best and most unique travel destinations in the world. From glaciers and ice caves to erupting volcanoes, Iceland is truly among the most interesting and out-of-this-world places that I have ever been to. If you are looking for your next adventure vacation, then look no further. I’ve compiled the perfect 7-day itinerary for the best trip to Iceland in 2024. I’ve included everything you need to know in this ultimate guide for Iceland travel planning!

If you’ve got just one week in Iceland and you want to see everything you can- then this itinerary is made for you!

Creating this 7-day Iceland summer Itinerary was far more difficult than most destinations, primarily because many underestimate the vastness of the country. When traveling to other countries, let’s say Italy for example, the expectation is to see a city or two, but not the entire country from top to bottom. On the contrary, when traveling to Iceland, travelers often expect to see the entirety of the country and everything it has to offer. Knowing this, Iceland’s diverse landscapes demand thoughtful planning to truly capture its wonders thoroughly. That being said, I have crafted this ideal Iceland itinerary to give you the best taste of what Iceland offers in one week.

Bonus Guide: Refer to my article on Iceland travel tips before you plan your visit! It’s got all the important facts you should know before traveling.

About This 7-Day Summer Iceland Itinerary

There are two main itineraries that are popular in Iceland:

1. The Golden Circle
2. The Ring Road

The Golden Circle is a loop along southern Iceland that offers many amazing attractions in a smaller area, whereas the Ring Road loops the entirety of the country of Iceland. This 7-day Iceland itinerary includes all of the Golden Circle and about half of the Ring Road – which I believe to be the best way to see Iceland in a week.

This is not an itinerary to do the entirety of the Ring Road, as it is way too much to complete in one week in my opinion. The Ring Road is great for travelers who have more time to spend in Iceland. Keep an eye out for my Ring Road Itinerary which I will be posting soon.

This is not a comprehensive list of every possible thing to do in Iceland either- it is an itinerary I created to optimize seeing each of Iceland’s diverse terrains and sights while being in nature as much as possible! I focus mostly on nature sights and don’t put much emphasis on the paid excursions and indoor activities. I made sure to call out any sights or activities that need to be booked in advance.

All of the photos in this article are completely unedited, speaking to the unbelievable natural beauty Iceland offers.

Everything You Need To Know About Iceland Before You Travel

I highly recommend you read this article before planning your trip to Iceland. It provides Iceland travel tips and describes everything you need to know before you visit. Some of the major takeaways that are relevant and important to this 7-day summer Iceland itinerary are as follows:

• Renting a car is the best way to visit Iceland. This one-week Iceland itinerary can be done via paid tours but is written with the assumption that you will be in a rental car. You will be driving a lot.
• The best time of year for this itinerary is the summer for the warmer weather and longer days. However, the same itinerary can be followed with winter travel with minor adjustments to account for darker days and colder weather.
• For current road information and closures check https://www.road.is/.
• I recommend getting cell service by purchasing an Iceland eSim card from Airalo here.
• Iceland is home to active volcanoes- it is important to research if there are eruptions occurring before you travel. Plan accordingly by following the guidelines that are set and respecting any closures to ensure safety. Please refer to https://safetravel.is/ for the most up-to-date information.

A note about accommodations:

This 7-day Iceland itinerary assumes you will move accommodations; however, this is not necessary. I have done this same week’s itinerary staying in one Airbnb in Selfoss and taking day trips for each of these days. Which you choose is up to you and how comfortable you are with driving time in the car. If you prefer less driving time, you will want to move accommodations more frequently, or if you don’t mind extra driving you can stay in one spot and not have to move around at all. Of course, this itinerary takes on a lot and you can always just pick one area and explore it fully instead of trying to see all of it.

Don’t forget that camping is another popular option in Iceland if you prefer that over hotels or Airbnb.

Have more or less time than 7 days in Iceland?

Is less than a week in Iceland still worth it? I think that any amount of time in Iceland is well worthwhile! This 7-day Iceland itinerary can easily be scaled based on the amount of time you are in Iceland. Here are my suggestions:

• <3 days: With this amount of time I recommend sticking to Reykjavík and the Golden Circle (Day 7 and Day 2 of this itinerary)
• 5 days: With this amount of time you can do most things. If you have 5 days, I recommend skipping the Reykjanes Peninsula (Day 1) and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Day 6). Focus on the Golden Circle and the southern coast.
• 10 days: This same itinerary can be followed in 10 days, but you will have more time and flexibility. It fits in more room for relaxing, and some additional hikes or hot springs you may not have been able to do otherwise.
• >10 days: With this amount of time you can pursue the entirety of the Ring Road!

Map Overview of 7-Day Summer Iceland Itinerary

I put the general location of each day of the itinerary on the above map so you can better understand the geography. For some context, the drive from Reykjavík (Day 7) to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Day 5- the farthest activity on this itinerary) is about five hours.

1. Day One – Arrival and Reykjanes Peninsula

This first-day itinerary assumes you have arrived in the morning, as most flights from the United States are red-eye flights that land you at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) very early in the morning.

The Reykjanes peninsula might already sound familiar to you, and that is because it is where the airport is located and where all of the recent volcanic eruptions have been occurring! Although this sounds scary, these eruptions have not affected the airport. You can even consider a tour to the active eruption(s) at the Fagradalsfjall volcano when you visit, but this is not for everyone. If this is something you are considering, please hire a tour so that you have the proper guidance of a professional.

Here is the day one itinerary for the Reykjanes Peninsula

1. Pick up your car rental and then drive into the city of Keflavík to grab breakfast and coffee at Kökulist bakery.
2. Continue to your first sight, the Garður Old Lighthouse. Stretch your legs and take a few pictures of the scenic lighthouse. There is a campsite and bathroom here.
3. Drive along the coastal road until you reach the Bridge Between Continents. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and you can walk in between them as they separate over geologic time. This is a very unique spot for a photo.
4. Continue the drive until you reach the Valahnúkamöl Cliffs and Reykjanes Lighthouse. This is a scenic spot where you can stretch your legs for a short hike.
5. In the same location, you will then find Gunnuhver, a geothermal hot spring that billows smoke from the ground. This is easily accessible and a great intro to Iceland’s many different landscapes.
6. Continue along the coastal road until you reach the town of Grindavík, a small town to grab lunch in. I recommend a casual lunch at Papa’s Restaurant.
   • 2024 Important Update: Grindavík is not currently open due to eruptions. Skip this stop until the town and surrounding roads re-open. Be sure to check road closures on Google Maps to avoid having to backtrack.
7. After lunch, the next stop is the famous Blue Lagoon. I recommend doing this later in the day so that you can go directly to your accommodations afterward if you choose. After swimming in the lagoon it is nice to be able to go to your accommodations to shower.
   • Note: reservations for the Blue Lagoon must be made in advance. Check out my Blue Lagoon tips below.
8. After the Blue Lagoon, Continue to your accommodations to finish the long arrival day- but congratulations because you made the most of it!
9. If you are looking for a good dinner recommendation, try Kaffi Krús in Selfoss.

Alternatively, if you have more time and are eager to see more, some additional and optional activities you can continue onto are as follows:

1. Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs – huge cliffs dropping into the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Seltún Geothermal Area – another colorful geothermal area where you can see energy stored deep in the Earth surfacing.

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide. For the night of day one, day two, and day three of the 7-day Iceland itinerary: consider staying within the area bounded by the city of Reykjavík to the east and the city of Hella to the west.

Blue Lagoon Tips

The Blue Lagoon is undoubtedly very cool and very popular. It is also very expensive! I’m talking like ~$72 USD for the base ticket. It is worth going, but if money is tight you can skip it and go to other hot springs that are free. Here are some tips for the lagoon if you go:

• You must book tickets in advance. You can book tickets here.
• Don’t get your hair in the water! The silica is not good for it.
• You can spend as much or as little time here as you’d like. I personally am not very big into spas and it was pretty crowded, so I didn’t need to spend long here.
• You are required to shower before entry. Some private showers are available, but most are not.
• Bring flip-flops.
• A towel and locker for your belongings are provided in the cost of the ticket.
• Bring a change of clothes to put on afterward.

2. Day Two – Golden Circle 

The Golden Circle is probably the most famous thing, or I should say a collection of things, to do while in Iceland. You can book a guided tour or drive yourself, depending on your preferences. Don’t be intimidated though, it is easy to do yourself. You can rearrange the start and end of the circle based on where you are staying. This loop assumes starting in Selfoss. It is advisable to map out your route ahead of time in Google Maps to make life easier.

Here is the day two itinerary for the Golden Circle

1. The first stop is Kerið Crater, a volcanic crater with a lake at the bottom surrounded by red sands. Stop here for a short hike around it.
2. Have lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Farm. This is an absolute must-do! The tomatoes are grown there and the food is incredible. Make sure to book a reservation in advance, as the tables fill up.
3. The next stop is Faxafoss, a dramatic and wide waterfall spanning a river – the first of many waterfalls along the Golden Circle.
4. Afterward, you should visit the Geysir Geothermal Area, home to the Storkkur Geyser (which erupts every 5 or so minutes). This is a great walk where you can see geysers, mud pools, and more to get a taste of Iceland’s geothermal energy.
5. For our penultimate waterfall of the day, stop at Gullfoss Waterfall. Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic and impressive waterfalls.
6. After much sightseeing, it’s certainly time for an ice cream. Efstidalur II should not be missed! Wonderful ice cream in a beautiful location.
7. The final stop on our Golden Circle day is the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. Stop by the visitor’s center to plan out your stops. This is a large area. Some highlights are Silfra snorkeling between continents, the Þingvallakirkja church, Lögberg rock formations, the various fissures, and the Öxarárfoss waterfall.
   • Note: Silfra snorkeling is a paid tour you can book in advance
8. On the way home, consider stopping at Ölverk for a delicious dinner. If you’ve got some room left for another hard-earned ice cream, check out Bongo right close by to Ölverk.

Optional Activities

If you have time you can also stop at þórufoss Falls. You may recognize this from Game of Thrones.

There are a couple of other notable hot springs in the general vicinity of the Golden Circle. These do not need to be crammed into the same day, but I wanted to include them here if these are your thing. You can check out the Secret Lagoon if you want more of a local’s version of a geothermal bathing hot spring.

Alternatively, there’s a really cool hot spring located in the middle of nature called Reykjadalur Hot Spring. This spring does require a somewhat difficult hike of a little over an hour. It is a cool experience, but not for everyone. Note that there are no private changing rooms at the springs. At the base of the hike, there is a nice shop that sells some coffee and food. This hike and hot spring was a cool experience that I enjoyed.

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide and reduce drive time. For the night of day one, day two, and day three of the 7-day Iceland itinerary: consider staying within the area bounded by the city of Reykjavík to the east and the city of Hella to the west.

3. Day Three – Heimaey Island 

Although often skipped, Heimaey Island is an absolutely stunning addition to your Iceland trip that I personally think should not be missed. This is a small island, but the largest and most populated island off the Icelandic coast. It’s a bit of a hidden gem. It’s also one of the windiest spots in Iceland, but is one of the best spots in the world for puffin watching!

Here is the day three itinerary for Heimaey Island 

1. Drive to Landeyjahöfn, where you can catch the ferry to Vestmannaeyjabæ on Heimaey Island. I recommend booking tickets in advance and taking a morning ferry. You do not need to bring your car, most of what you want to see you can access by foot, taxi, or tour bus. The ferry takes about 40 minutes and offers incredible views of the mainland and the island cliffs as you approach.
2. When you arrive, stop by Vigtin Bakhús bakery for some food and coffee.
3. If you like museums, you can check out the Eldheimer Museum to learn more about the 1970s eruption on the island. If not, consider visiting the Beluga Whale Sanctuary / Puffin Rescue Center. These are fun activities but likely will mean skipping the following hike to ensure enough time.
4. Choose one of these hikes to get some amazing views:
   • Embark on the hike up to Mount Eldfell. This hike offers stunning views and takes 1-2 hours.
   • Visit Stórhöfðaviti, the puffin lookout on the southernmost portion of the island. This is accessible by taxi or tour bus. You can hike around this area and look for puffins, sheep, and goats while taking in the incredible views.
5. Finish the day with a delicious pizza dinner at Pítsugerðin pizza.
6. Take the ferry back to mainland Iceland to return to your accommodations. Alternatively, you can stay a night on the island.
7. Another option if you have extra time is to take a boat tour to Elephant Rock, a basalt formation that perfectly resembles an elephant!

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide and reduce drive time. For the night of day one, day two, and day three of the 7-day Iceland itinerary: consider staying within the area bounded by the city of Reykjavík to the east and the city of Hella to the west. Alternatively for this day, you can stay a night on the island itself to get a more in-depth experience of Heimaey.

4. Day Four – Iceland South Coast Drive

The drive along the south coast of Iceland is absolutely gorgeous and offers a drastically diverse range of sights and landscapes. The drive itself is so much of the beauty, with the ocean and black sand beaches to your right, and waterfalls, cliffs, and lava fields to your left. The day ends at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a serene lake filled with floating ice. The driving distance to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is far, and you may want to reduce the number of stops if needed. It is advisable to map this route before embarking.

Here is the day four itinerary for Iceland’s South Coast

1. The first stop is Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the first of numerous beautiful waterfalls on the south coast. The earlier you arrive here the fewer people you will encounter.
2. Just a short stroll to the left of Seljalandsfoss, you’ll find Gljúfrabúi waterfall. I know what you’re thinking – yes, there really are this many waterfalls.
3. A brief drive and you will find yourself at Skógafoss waterfall, which is probably my favorite spot in Iceland. Marvel in the beauty of the falls, and climb the stairs to continue hiking along the river that feeds the falls. You can even see the glacier in the distance that is the water source.
4. After you’ve hiked to your heart’s content, right below the falls you can get a tasty lunch at the Skógafoss Bistro Bar.
5. Continue the southern drive to visit the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse. Take a quick stop for a panoramic view and picture. The lighthouse offers impressive views of the black sand beach and ocean.
6. Continue to Vík, where you can stop for the bathroom and grab a snack or coffee at Lava Bakery and Coffee.
7. Moving forward on the drive you’ll pass through the Eldhraun Lava Fields. You can get out for a hike, but I think the view from the car is sufficient to save time.
8. The last stop, and one of the most unbelievable, is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. Our goal is to arrive here around sunset, which is the most beautiful time of day to see the glaciers. The Lagoon and Beach are located across the street from one another. The Lagoon has huge broken-off glaciers floating in it that are incredible to witness, and Diamond Beach is a black sand beach where the glaciers wash to the shore, giving the appearance of being laden with diamonds. It is truly a sight to withhold! You can optionally book a boat tour of the lagoon, but it is not necessary.
9. Now we have finished this long day and are heading back to our accommodations.

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide and reduce drive time. For the night of day four of the 7-day Iceland itinerary: consider staying within the area bounded by the city of Hella to the east and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur to the west. There are limited accommodations by the glacier, so consider booking a place early to reduce the amount of driving you need to do. Staying near the glacier makes this itinerary much easier to accomplish.

5. Day Five – Vatnajökull Glacier National Park

The next day we are spending a little more time by the glaciers on the south coast for some additional activities that could not be fit in the previous day. As this day is not as busy as the others, it includes the drive back east so you are closer to Reykjavík for the final two days of the trip. On your way, you can experience the glacier at Vatnajökull Glacier National Park, also known as Skaftafell. The main goal of this day is to return in the direction you came from and take stops anywhere you did not have enough time for previously.

Here is the day five itinerary for Vatnajökull Glacier National Park

1. Today we have some breathing room to play a little catch-up for anything you missed from the previous day(s) or wanted more time at.
2. On the drive back east there are a few options for some additional cool activities to do while on the southern coast in the national park area:
   • Get an up close and personal look at Vatnajökull glacier. You can take a paid hiking tour to the glacier if you are interested. This is a very unique experience. Check out Viator for some popular tour options.
   • Take a hike in the national park. The most popular hiking trails are the Svartifoss Black Waterfall hike and the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon hike.
3. After you finish all of your south coast activities, embark on the (long) drive back towards Reykjavík to your accommodation of choice. You will drive by most of the attractions included on this itinerary thus far, and is therefore a good time to stop anywhere you might have missed or wanted to explore deeper.

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide and reduce drive time. For the night of day five and day six: I recommend driving back closer to the city of Reykjavík and staying there, or staying within the area bounded by the KEF airport to the south and the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the north.

6. Day Six – Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to many of Iceland’s famous attractions. This peninsula gives a wonderful summary of what Iceland has to offer. For context, the drive from Reykjavík to the easternmost end of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is about 3 hours. I recommend doing the loop counterclockwise to avoid crowds.

The peninsula has many attractions to see and is a good summary of everything seen along the way of this 7-day Iceland itinerary. But because you’re on day six, you’ve already seen a lot of Iceland’s beauty. Therefore, it is not important to hit every spot on the peninsula because this itinerary has already stopped at similar sights. I included a list of the top spots to see that are worthwhile.

Alternatively, if you are exhausted and need a rest, it is okay to skip this day and spend a day relaxing.

Here is the day six itinerary for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

1. As you start your drive grab a bite for breakfast at Mosfellsbakarí bakery to fuel your day.
2. The first stop is the Gerðuberg basalt cliffs: a very impressive wall of hexagonal basalt columns.
3. Next up is Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfossar Waterfall. You’ll recognize this mountain because it is one of the first images that pops up when you type in Iceland to Google!
4. Have lunch in the lovely town of Grundarfjörður at Harbour Cafe.
5. Continue along the coastal road loop to the Snæfellsjökull National Park, where you can stop in at the visitor’s center. The park is home to one of Iceland’s active volcanoes and is ice-capped.
6. As you continue onwards you will start looping to the southern side of the peninsula. Take a stop at the Saxhóll Crater, an easy-to-climb volcanic crater with beautiful views from the top.
7. Venture onward to Djúpalónssandur Beach, a stunning black-sand beach.
8. Progress further along the peninsula loop road to the Arnarstapi Cliff viewpoint for a spectacular view of the basalt cliffs. You can grab a snack and use the bathroom in Arnastapi as well.
9. Up next is the Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge, where you can get the unique experience of a short hike into a gorge.
10. Following further along the road you are nearing its end. Consider a stop at the Búðakirkja Black Church, a picturesque black wooden church dating back to the 19th century.
11. Just down the road, you can make a pit stop at the Bjarnarfoss waterfall viewpoint, for one final taste of Iceland’s beautiful falls.
12. For the last stop of the day check out Ytri Tunga Beach, a serene beach that’s excellent for spotting seals!
13. You’ve now finished the loop and can head back to your accommodations for your final night in Iceland!

Note that the peninsula is where Snæfellsjökull glacier is located. Some experienced hikers might enjoy the glacier hike.

Where To Stay

Specific accommodations are up to your preferences! However, I do have geographic area recommendations that will best position you to do the activities in this guide and reduce drive time. For the night of day five and day six: I recommend driving back closer to the city of Reykjavík and staying there, or staying within the area bounded by the KEF airport to the south and the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the north.

7. Reykjavík and Departure

Reykjavík is Iceland’s beautiful capital city located north of the KEF airport. Although this is the biggest city in Iceland with some great restaurants and hotels, I don’t think you need to spend much time here for this 7-day Iceland itinerary. In fact, one day is plenty of time to see the city.

I recommend booking an afternoon/evening departure flight home, and seeing Reykjavík the morning and early afternoon before you leave. This is plenty of time to see the main sights. This lets us spend the most time in the natural sights of Iceland. If cities are more your thing and you like the services they provide, or perhaps you can’t rent a car or want to take tours instead, then you can of course have a wonderful vacation based out of Reykjavík.

Here is what to see in Reykjavík

1. Start the morning with a coffee at Reykjavík Roasters and pastries and bread from Brauð & Co.
2. Walk all around the downtown main portion of the city and enjoy the atmosphere and shopping. You can find the city center on Skólavördustígur street.
3. Check out the famous Hallgrímskirkja church. You can visit the top of the church for $7 USD.
4. Have lunch at Krua Thai.
5. Walk along the harbor and check out the Sun Voyager statue. If you have more time in the city there are many paid tours and museums that leave from the city.
6. Head to the airport to drop off your rental car.

Where To Stay

Congratulations you’ve seen SO much of Iceland! Get some well-deserved sleep on the flight home.

8. Bonus Day: Highlands of Iceland

If either you are incredibly efficient at sightseeing or you have an eighth day to spend in Iceland, I recommend taking a tour of the Icelandic highlands. This is not an activity you should pursue on your own because you need a 4×4 vehicle. There are plenty of tours on Viator that will guide you through the highlands.

Map of the Best 7-Day Iceland Itinerary For Summer Travel

To make life easy, I’ve included a live map of this Icelandic week itinerary here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion – Unrivaled 7-Day Summer Iceland Itinerary (Mastered For 2024)

In conclusion, Iceland really does live up to its reputation as the land of fire and ice, offering an unparalleled adventure for travelers seeking unique experiences. From glaciers to erupting volcanoes, the diversity of landscapes in Iceland is simply mesmerizing.

If you’re considering Iceland for your next adventure vacation, then here are the main takeaways of this article and Iceland travel planning:

I’ve crafted this 7-day Iceland itinerary to ensure you make the most of your time in this captivating country. By combining the highlights of the Golden Circle with the stunning sights along the south coast and a visit to Heimaey Island, you’ll get a comprehensive taste of Iceland’s wonders.

It’s important to note that planning a trip to Iceland requires thoughtful consideration due to the vastness of the country. While the Golden Circle and part of the Ring Road are covered in this itinerary, tackling the entire Ring Road in one week is just not feasible. Don’t worry though, I’ve tailored this itinerary to provide you with the best possible experience within your time frame.

Before you head out on your Icelandic adventure, here are a few things to keep in mind: renting a car is highly recommended, driving is straightforward but pay attention to local rules like roundabout etiquette, and be prepared for varying weather conditions. Additionally, while Iceland can be pricey, there are ways to budget effectively, such as opting for Airbnb accommodations and packing your own meals for excursions.

Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking glaciers, or marveling at volcanic landscapes, Iceland promises a journey like no other. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be for informational purposes only and may contain affiliate links. Refer to the full disclaimer for more information.