Iceland is on the bucket list for many, and there are many things people want to see. It can be challenging to find what to do to get the most out of your trip. So we have put together the best 7-day itinerary for a trip to Iceland.
All trips are day trips from Reykjavík, so there is no need to worry about accommodation in many places.
Day 1: The Walk With a Viking Tour and Food Lovers Tour
Your first day of the 7-day itinerary for a trip to Iceland begins with a Walk With a Viking Tour in Reykjavik. The tour is the perfect introduction to Iceland. The tour is designed to help you get your bearings in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. We will show you all the main spots and hidden gems, such as a real elf home. This is a personal, small-group and family-friendly tour that brings the history of Iceland to life. It is the perfect start to your trip.
After the 2-hour walk, it is time for the next tour, the Reykjavik Food Lovers tour. It’s perfect to learn more about Icelanders and this time through their stomach. You will taste ten authentic and traditional Icelandic dishes and learn from our expert guides about our traditions.
Day 2: Golden Circle Small-Group Tour
On your second day in Iceland, we suggest a full day classic Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik. No 7-day itinerary for a trip to Iceland is complete without a Golden Circle tour.
The locations on this popular circle tour are all “must-see” when in Iceland, and the great part is that they’re all close to the capital area. This means you get more time to enjoy the sightseeing locations.
The first stop is Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where Iceland’s parliament was founded in 930 AD. It is also one of the few places to see the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates above ground. They are literally pulling the country apart, and the rift stretches about an inch every year. Just so you know, Iceland is the only place where you can see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge above ground (and walk on it).
The next stop is the Geysir geothermal area. The area is named after the now-dormant Geysir and where the word geyser comes from! But there’s no need to despair; the geyser Strokkur erupts every five minutes. It’s quite the sight!
The next stop on the list is the beautiful and thundering Gullfoss Waterfall, a three-tiered waterfall that falls into a 64m-deep canyon.
If that’s not enough, we will also visit friendly horses in the area, the Efstidalur dairy farm for ice cream and the cows that give their milk for the ice cream. We will stop at Laugarvatn geothermal area, not far from Geysir, to learn how to cook rye bread in the grown and Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse for a nice lunch. Please note that lunch is not included in the tour price.
The last stop of this fantastic full-day Golden Circle tour is Kerið Crater Lake. Maybe you would like to change your Golden Circle Tour up a bit and include a visit to the Secret Lagoon? Here is an option for you with a pit stop for a dip in this Geothermal Pool. Golden Circle & The Secret Lagoon.
Day 3: The Magical Snæfellsnes Tour
For your third day in Iceland, we suggest a trip to the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. The Magical Snæfellsnes Tour is perfect for small groups.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes called “little Iceland” because it has everything Iceland offers in one location: volcanos, beaches, glaciers, hot springs, white and black sandy beaches, spectacular nature and seal colonies.
The tour sees us driving west out of Reykjavik and heading towards the Snæfellsjökull glacier. The glacier is on top of an active stratovolcano of the same name. It was made famous in the Jules Verne sci-fi novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”.
The next stop is Búðarkirkja, the black church in the hamlet of Búðir. It sits in a Búðahraun lava field and has a natural harbour, one of Iceland’s most important commercial hubs in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Other stops are the dramatic coastline of Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur beach, Mt. Kirkjfell (one of the most famous mountains in Iceland), and Berserkjahraun lava fields.
Like the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes Peninsula should not be missed when visiting Iceland. It is a perfect day-tour distance away.
Day 4: South Coast Sagas Tour
The South Coast of Iceland awaits you on your fourth day of travel in Iceland.
The Viking Trail takes you to the beautiful agricultural towns of Selfoss and Hvolsvöllur. Further south, we see the characteristic Icelandic lowlands, giving way to the highlands. On a good day, you will see volcanos Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull in the distance. Looking out to see, you will see the Westman Islands.
The next stop is the popular Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. It is famous for being able to walk behind it, which we will do if conditions allow. We will also visit the nearby and hidden, Gljúfrabúi waterfall. We will also visit the beautiful Skógafoss, which can be seen in Thor: Dark World and is also the start of the hike over Fimmvörðuháls to Þórsmörk.
No trip to the South Coast of Iceland is complete without going to Vík í Mýrdal, the only town in Iceland not to have a harbour. Since the town is the southernmost point of the tour, we will turn back and visit the famous black sand beach Reynisfjara.
Even after all this spectacular sightseeing, we’re still not done, and the next stop will be the fantastic Sólheimajökull glacier. After a short trip towards the glacier and possibly placing a foot on it, we head back to Reykjavik.
Day 5: Taste of Nature or How is Skyr Made?
You can choose between two tours for day five: Taste of Nature in West Iceland or How is Icelandic Skyr made?
Both tours are in West Iceland, which offers spectacular landscapes such as lava fields, salmon rivers, hot springs and waterfalls.
The Taste of Nature tour is perfect for those who want to mix sightseeing and education. Lunch is included in this tour, which consists of local delicacies.
The lunch stop is close to Deildartunguhver hot spring, Europe’s most powerful one. You will meet with farmers, hear their stories and taste their local food. The tour may vary from day to day and the food offered, but you may find lamb meat, goat and cow cheese, skyr, locally grown vegetables and strawberries from nearby greenhouses.
Meat, fish and dairy are important in the Icelandic diet, so that they will be prominent in the food on offer. Guests are responsible for taking care of any allergies or food intolerance they may have. We ask them to e-mail your specification to us at least 24 hours in advance, and we’ll try our best to fulfil your wishes.
On the How is Skyr made tour, we will visit Erpsstaðir Creamery in West Iceland. We will find one of the very few producers of traditional skyr in Iceland. Original skyr is a cheese-like dish, which you had to cut down before mixing with milk and sugar, unlike the version you buy from stores today (which is premixed). Skyr has been an essential part of Icelanders’ diet since the settlement in the 9th century.
The family-run dairy farm Erpsstaðir is a member of Economuseum, a growing international network of more than 70 artisan members worldwide. At the farm, you will learn how typical Icelandic skyr is produced. You will also get to taste it and its byproducts from the farm. After a delicious lunch, we will have an easy hike to the top of Grábrók, an ancient crater nearby, for spectacular views.
This tour allows you to go behind the scenes and actually talk to the people who live, breathe and work in the location you are visiting. You will meet the farmer and the animals and get an introduction to skyr production.
Day 6: Do What You Want in Reykjavik
After five days of fun tours and travel, we suggest the sixth day is a “free day” in Reykjavik. You can visit museums and experience Reykjavik on your own. We recommend getting the 24h Reykjavik City Card for this day because it gives you access to many of Reykjavik’s best museums, Reykjavik swimming pools, bus system and more. You will also get discounts at various shops, restaurants, swimming pools in other municipalities in the capital area and museums.
Please note that admission to the museums is free of charge for children under 18. So, there is not much need to buy a City Card for anyone under 18. However, depending on the child’s age, you might have to pay a small fee for the city bus services, the thermal pools, and the Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo.
Senior visitors (67 and older) do not pay admission to the Reykjavik Thermal Pools. The National Museum, Culture House and the National Gallery of Iceland offer seniors a 50% discount on admission.
Included in the card is admission to the Reykjavik City Buses, the National Museum of Iceland (in three locations), the National Gallery of Iceland, Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, The Reykjavik Maritime Museum, Viðey Island, The Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Reykjavik Art Museum (in three locations), Reykjavik Thermal Pools and the Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park, apart from discounts.
Day 7 – Soak in the Blue Lagoon and Transfer to Keflavik International Airport
On your last day in Iceland, we recommend soaking in the beautiful azure Blue Lagoon before heading out to the airport, a perfect end to a 7-day itinerary for a trip to Iceland.
The Blue Lagoon is a must on your visit to Iceland. It is a little bit pricey but worth every penny. The Comfort package includes entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a Silica mud mask, the use of a towel as well as 1st drink of your choice in the in-lagoon bar.
After enjoying your time in the lagoon, floating in the milky blue water, you simply hop onto a bus from the Blue Lagoon to the airport, relaxing for your trip back home.
So, this is our idea of the best 7-day itinerary for a trip to Iceland. It gives you the best opportunity to experience Iceland to the max.
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