ICELAND: OUR 1 WEEK TRAVEL ITINERARY

In this article, you’ll find our 1-week travel route through Iceland! You’ll explore the famous Golden Circle, but we also take you off the beaten path to discover lesser-known gems. From powerful waterfalls and volcanic landscapes to hidden hot springs and dramatic coastlines—read on for the absolute must-visits that made our Iceland adventure unforgettable!

SUMMARY OF OUR 8 DAY ROADTRIP

Day 1: Discovering Snaefellsness

Day 2 Golden Circle Highlights

Day 3: Waterfalls of Iceland

Day 4: Fjaðrárgljúfur and Glacier lakes

Day 5: Stokness and Skaftafell

Day 6: Vik and surroundings

Day 7: Vulcano hike and Blue Lagoon

Day 8: Reykjavic and Whale spotting

THE FULL ROADTRIP

Day 1: Discovering Snaefellsnes

We arrive in Iceland in the morning and immediately pick up our rental car. Since we’re near Reykjavik, we make a quick stop at the supermarket to stock up on groceries. During this trip, we’ll often stay in cozy cabins where we can cook our own meals—an easy way to keep costs down and enjoy some home-style comfort.

Once we’re set, we hit the road toward the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “Iceland in miniature” for its diverse landscapes. Think dramatic coastlines, lava fields, iconic mountains, and charming fishing villages. Read on in the article to discover exactly what we explored in this magical corner of Iceland!

Our hotel for 1 night: Eiðhús Apartments, Vegamót

Day 2: Golden Circle Day

After a restful first night, we dive into one of Iceland’s most iconic routes: the Golden Circle. It’s a full day packed with natural wonders and easy-to-access stops:

Stop 1: Þingvellir National Park We begin with a scenic 2-hour walk through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can literally stand between two tectonic plates.

Stop 2: Geysir Geothermal Area Next, we visit the famous Strokkur geyser, which erupts every few minutes. Parking is available right next to the site.

Stop 3: Gullfoss Waterfall Just 10 km from Geysir, this powerful two-tiered waterfall is a true highlight. You can park directly beside it and enjoy the misty views.

Stop 4: Kerið Crater Our final stop is this striking volcanic crater with vivid red rock and a turquoise lake. Again, parking is right by the site.

We end the day in Selfoss, where we enjoy dinner at the lively food hall—a great spot with plenty of tasty options to wrap up an adventurous day.

Our hotel for 1 night: Hotel South Coast

Day 3: Hot springs and Waterfalls

We kick off Day 3 with one of the highlights of the trip: a hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring. After a scenic walk through the valley, you’re rewarded with a natural warm river where you can soak and relax in the middle of Iceland’s wild landscape. Want to know all the details about this hike? Read more in the next article.

After this refreshing start, we hit the road to visit some of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls:

Seljalandsfoss – The famous waterfall you can walk behind.
Gljúfrabúi – A hidden gem tucked behind a cliff.
Skógafoss – A powerful wall of water, perfect for dramatic photos.
Kvernufoss – Lesser-known, peaceful, and just as beautiful.

Curious about parking, walking paths, and tips for each waterfall? You’ll find everything in the next article!

Our hotel is located in Vik: Farmhouse lodge in Vik

Day 4: Canyons, Icebergs & Glacier Lagoons

We begin Day 4 with a short but stunning hike through Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a winding gorge with dramatic cliffs and lush green views—perfect for a peaceful morning walk.

Right after, we head straight to Diamond Beach, aiming to arrive before noon. With the sun shining, we didn’t want to miss the magical sight of glistening ice blocks scattered across the black sand—some of which can melt quickly in warmer light.

Next, we visit the nearby glacier lagoon Fjallsárlón, a quieter spot where you can often spot seals swimming between the floating icebergs. Don’t forget to grab lunch at the tasty food stalls nearby—definitely worth it!

In the afternoon, we continue to Jökulsárlón, another glacier lagoon with a completely different vibe. Larger, deeper, and filled with massive icebergs drifting toward the sea—it’s a breathtaking contrast to Fjallsárlón.

We end the day in Höfn, where we settle in for the night after a full day of icy wonders and scenic drives.

Our hotel in Hofn: Dima Studio Apartments

Day 5: Stokksnes, Skaftafell & a Star Wars Cave

Today we head to the furthest point of our trip: the breathtaking Stokksnes Peninsula. This dramatic black sand beach, framed by towering mountains like Vestrahorn, is one of Iceland’s most photogenic spots. You can easily spend a few hours here soaking in the views and exploring the area. Don’t skip the cozy café at the entrance, where you pay the small entry fee—it’s a great place for a warm drink and a short break.

Afterwards, we drive to Skaftafell National Park for a scenic hike. We follow trail S2, which takes us past some of the park’s most stunning highlights, including glacier views and waterfalls.

We end the day with a visit to a unique cave that instantly reminded us of something out of Star Wars: the Gígjagjá cave (also known as the Ice Cave near Hjörleifshöfði). With its dramatic rock formations and cinematic atmosphere, it’s the perfect finale to an adventurous day.

Our hotel is back in Vik and we stay for two nights: The barn

Day 6: Sightseeing arround Vík

We’re starting day 6 nice and early with a hike to the DC wreck. You park your car at the following coordinates: 63.491234, -19.363685. From there, it’s quite a boring walk back and forth, as you cross a vast stretch of black sand until you finally see the wreck. That’s why we decided to turn it into a morning jog—it makes the whole thing go a bit faster. Later in the morning, a shuttle bus starts running, but that also means it gets a lot busier. And honestly, seeing this in a big crowd just isn’t worth it, in my opinion.

Later in the day, we’ll visit two more sights: the Dyrhólaey viewpoint and Hálsanefshellir cave. At the latter, it’s really important to pay close attention to the warning signs. The sea can be extremely rough here at times, making it dangerous to step onto the beach.

Do you want to know more about Vík, read the next article.

Day 7: Hiking and Blue Lagoon

On day 7, we head to Reykjanes, the peninsula just south of Reykjavík that has seen quite a bit of volcanic activity in recent years. We went hiking here to visit the volcano that had been active just a few months before our arrival. It’s best to check the most recent websites to find out which trails are recommended—due to ongoing volcanic activity, the safe hiking routes can change frequently.

Before heading to the Blue Lagoon in the late afternoon, we make two short stops. First, we visit Krýsuvík, a geothermal area with bubbling mud pools and steaming vents—it smells strongly of sulfur, so be prepared! Then we stop briefly at the Bridge Between Continents, a symbolic spot where you can literally walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Both are quick visits, but definitely worth it if you're in the area.

In the afternoon, we drive on to the Blue Lagoon. It’s a great way to unwind in these hot springs after a day of hiking.

Our hotel stay for 2 nights in Reykjavic: A Townhouse Hotel

Day 8: Reykjavik

On our last full day, we started with plans for a whale watching tour from Reykjavík. Or at least, that was the idea! Unfortunately, the sea was too rough, so the tour was cancelled. That means I can’t really say whether it’s worth doing or not.

Instead, we ended up spending the whole day in Reykjavík. That turned out to be quite a long stretch—half a day would have been ideal. For tips on what to do in the city, check out the short separate article we wrote about it!

The following morning, we catch an early flight back home.