The Ultimate 7-day Iceland Itinerary: Your Perfect Road Trip

Welcome to the land of fire and ice! Iceland has to be one of my favorite destinations to visit: it’s easy to get around, the food is amazing, and there is just so much to see and do. With many incredible gems to discover, it’s no wonder it can be overwhelming when planning your trip. I felt the same way when planning mine! That’s why I created this ultimate 7-day Iceland itinerary, so you can have the trip of a lifetime, too.

From the breathtaking landscapes of the Golden Circle to the mesmerizing beauty of the Blue Lagoon, Iceland has an incredible variety of experiences that make every day feel like a new adventure. The dramatic mix of volcanic landscapes, vast glaciers, and rugged coastlines gives the island a unique and otherworldly charm.

And even with just a week, you can see so much! Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring ice caves, or soaking in a hot spring under the northern lights, this itinerary covers the best of Iceland while helping you navigate the must-see spots.

If you’re looking to maximize your time, avoid tourist traps, and uncover the true beauty of Iceland, this guide is for you. I’ve handpicked a mix of famous attractions and hidden gems to make your journey both exciting and memorable. With helpful tips on where to stay, what to pack, and how to keep costs down, this 7 day Iceland itinerary will take the stress out of planning, leaving you free to enjoy every moment in this stunning country.

Happy travels to Iceland!

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How to spend a week in Iceland

In my opinion, seven days is the minimum amount of time you’ll want to spend in Iceland. With so many incredible sights and experiences, especially outside of Reykjavik, this country deserves a full week to even scratch the surface. Iceland’s volatile weather also adds an element of unpredictability, making it tough to stick to a rigid schedule; having a week gives you flexibility to adapt if a storm rolls in or road closures impact your plans.

In October 2023, I had the chance to explore Iceland over nine days, covering a stunning range of landscapes from the east coast’s hidden gems to the highlights around Reykjavik.

This extra time gave me a chance to dive deep into Iceland’s varied regions, experiencing not only the well-known spots but also a few off-the-beaten-path treasures. I’ve taken my experience and crafted a 7-day version that includes the best of each region, helping you make the most of your time and still enjoy Iceland’s top highlights without feeling rushed.

Iceland Weather (things you should know)

Weather in Iceland is unpredictable. Seriously, on my own trip I experienced a day hiking in a t-shirt followed by a snow storm with 60 mph winds the next day. Keep in mind that being flexible with your itinerary is the best way to experience Iceland and get the most out of your trip. Some days you might not be able to do anything you planned. That’s okay!

That’s why I recommend staying at least 2 nights in each town you visit along the way. If you just stay one evening in a destination you could miss out on being able to do anything at all. Staying two days likely gives you at least one day of good weather at each stop along the way.

The best way to see Iceland in a week: a road trip!

Should you rent a car in Iceland?

Renting a car is a must to see the sites at your own pace. And, instead of buying expensive tours, you’ll be able to see what you want for a far cheaper price or even free. Trust me… the math adds up to a rental car saving you time and money!

If you’re worried about driving in Iceland… don’t be. The roads are safe and easy to navigate. Your largest concern are the weather-related closures because winter conditions can happen at anytime. I recommend tracking the winds and weather forecast every evening and morning to ensure you won’t be stranded. You can use Iceland’s road closure website to see road conditions.

Don’t miss my complete guide to renting a car in Iceland!

7 Day Iceland Itinerary: Your complete one-week trip

Day 1: Land in Reykjavik + drive to the East Coast

Arrive and pick up your rental car

When arriving in Iceland you’ll land at Reykjavik International Airport (KEF). The airport is about an hour south of the capital city. Depending on the company you get your rental car with you’ll either pick up your car in the airport terminal or take a shuttle to the designated rental office. Either way the process is very easy and shouldn’t take more than an hour from getting off the plane to driving your rental car in Iceland.

Want to find cheap flights to Iceland? I booked $400 flights from Minneapolis on Delta! I recommend getting a membership to Thrifty Traveler. and save hundreds of dollars on your ticket by getting alerted to incredible airfare deals around the world.

Most flights land in Reykjavik early in the morning so you’ll have plenty of time to get across the island to your first stop of the trip. 

Drive 6 hours to near Diamond Beach

Though you’re tired, the best way to maximize your 7 days is to spend your first day driving east so you can spend each day working your way back to Reykjavik. 

Where to stay near Diamond Beach

I stayed at the Hali Country Hotel about a 10 minute drive from Diamond Beach. It was a great central location for our time on the east side of the island, with every day’s drive less than 1.5 hours. The hotel was sweet, with free breakfast and a great farm to table restaurant, too. 

After you arrive at your hotel you’ll be pretty tired from the long travel day. I recommend eating something local at your hotel (every hotel includes a restaurant in the area) and taking it easy.

Other hotels near Diamond Beach

• Ekra Glacial Lagoon $$$
• Hotel Smyrlabjörg $$

Day 2: Best things to do near Diamond Beach

Today you’ll explore some of the best highlights, like Diamond Beach, and the surrounding Fjallsjokull glacier activities, too. Since food is so expensive in Iceland, start your day with free breakfast at your hotel before leaving.

• Glacial cave tour / walk
• Off the beaten path viewpoint of Fjallsjokull 
• Jokulsarlon + Diamond Beach
• Dinner in Hofn

If visiting between October and April: Schedule a Glacial Cave Tour

Iceland is full of interesting natural sites but nothing is more magical than a glacial cave tour. Keep in mind the cave tours are only operational during season and even then incredibly weather dependent. High winds, rain, snow, and even temperatures greatly impact tour operations.

No crowds! Glacial views at Fjallsjokull

Iceland is full of amazing, poorly marked hiking trails and viewpoints. While most people take in the Fjallsjokull Glacier at the Lagoon near Diamond Beach you can have a viewpoint all to yourself further down the road. Put this location in your GPS and head down a rocky dirt road to find a secret viewpoint you’ll likely have all to yourself. 

Visit Jokulsarlon Lagoon and Diamond Beach 

Both Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon have a lot of tourists visiting. I recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. 

Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Lagoon can be visited together, as they are separated by a road but you can walk a small path underneath to visit both without moving your car. It’s a pretty amazing experience, watching icebergs float out to sea where the waves polish them into the “diamonds” you see on the beach. 

After visiting Diamond Beach, walk the small path to the Jokulsarlon Lagoon. The Lagoon is a great spot to catch views of seals, icebergs, and the massive glacier as far as the eye can see. Here you’ll find a small gift shop and depending on the season and time a fish and chips vendor. Walk around the grounds and take it all in. 

Dinner in Hofn

If you’re staying near Diamond Beach most likely you’ll find eating at your hotel (or another one) to be your best option nearby. But eating at your hotel is usually $20-30 more expensive than going into town. Hofn is a small and very charming fishing village I recommend visiting anyways. And with some amazing food options it’s a don’t-miss. 

I recommend trying the langoustine pizza and soup at Ishusid Pizzeria but if you’re looking for something more high-end Otto Matur & Drykkur is a fan-favorite serving Iceland classics in a farm-to-table setting.

Day 3: Explore Skaftafell National Park 

With so many places to see in Iceland it’s hard to choose from them. Utilize today to visit some scenic highlights within a 2-hour drive of Diamond Beach. 

• Malagljufur Canyon
• Vatnajökull National Park
• Hofkikja Turf Church
• Grófarlækjarfoss waterfall

Start your morning at Mulagljufur Canyon

First stop: one of the most impressive off-the-beaten-path hikes on the Ring Road. Mulagljufur Canyon’s trailhead is located just a 10 minute drive down a dirt road. At the trailhead you’ll find less than a dozen or so other hikers attempting the short but steep hike to the top of the canyon falls. 

Snag a coffee and muffin at Cafe Vatnajokull

Located on your way to the Vatnajökull National Park, this small cafe is charming and a great place to rest for a quick second before making your way to the national park. The cafe has great coffee and pastries at an affordable price.

Hike to Svartifoss waterfall (My favorite waterfall of our trip!)

Also known as the Black Falls, this was probably my favorite waterfall we visited in Iceland. The waterfall is located in Vatnajökull National Park and is about 1.5 hours roundtrip from the trailhead and back. 

Svartifoss trail sees a lot of hikers. The trail is very easy but steep, with rubber mats along the route. There are even a few benches to sit at along the way to the falls. The Vatnajökull National Park is free to visit but you’ll likely need to pay a parking fee.

Snag a lamb burger lunch at this unassuming gas station

If you’re looking for a quick and cheap bite to eat after your morning hikes, I can’t recommend Veitingasala enough. We paid just $15 per person for a burger, fry and drink meal. In a country where the cheapest meal you can find that’s not a hot dog is around $20 per person, this is a steal.

Take a quick look at the Hofskitkja Turf Church

Located on your way back to the Diamond Beach area the Hofkikja Turf Church is a pretty unique structure. The church was built in the 1880s and is one of the last remaining turf churches in Iceland. 

Head to your final (and easiest) waterfall of the day, Grófarlækjarfoss

Located near the Fosshotel, the Grófarlækjarfoss waterfall is right off the ring road. Like most easy-to-visit waterfalls, this one is heavily trafficked because of its ease to visit. 

Day 4: Drive to Vik

Welcome to the South Coast! Vik, Iceland is probably the sweetest town with many attractions within a 2 hour drive. I recommend staying 2 nights to enjoy the surrounding sites and Vik, too.

Vik is located 2.5 hours from Diamond Beach, so depending on your hotel’s location you’ll be in for a couple hours of driving. I recommend leaving right after breakfast to get to enjoy Vik today. (If you didn’t get a chance to stop at Cafe Vatnajokull yesterday, be sure to stop today.)

Travel Tip! Iceland's weather conditions can change suddenly. Most hotels will include information on the road conditions to help you prepare for changes in your travel plans. You can check Iceland's road conditions website to help you plan your travel days.

• Explore Vik
• Black Beach

Where to stay in Vik, Iceland

I cannot say enough good things about the Black Beach Suites in Vik. The Black Beach Suites are a great hotel located right down the road from (you guessed it) the Black Beach. With incredible views and a full kitchen, you’ll love the set up. 

Other hotel options in Vik

• Skammidalur Cottages $$
• Farmhouse Lodge $$

Dinner in Vik

Vik has a lot of great places to eat right in town. If you don’t feel like cooking with your kitchen (if you plan to stay at Black Beach Suites) you could take the time to eat at one of the many amazing eateries in town. 

Strondin Pub is a great place to snag a local beer and one of the many Icelandic classics in pub food presentation. (I got the seafood chowder here and it was phenomenal.) If you’re looking for something more economical, consider trying The Soup Company or Crepes.is. 

Will you see the Northern Lights? It was in Vik we actually saw them, so maybe they can bring you some luck, too. We used the My Aurora Forecast app to help us find out which evening we'd have the best chance to catch a glimpse.

Day 5: The best secret hike + plane crash

I hope you like today’s Iceland itinerary as much as I did! Today is full of secret, off-the-beaten-path things to do. 

• Nauthusagil Ravine
• DC-3 airplane wreck (skip the solheimasandur plane wreck)
• Mia’s Country Van Fish and Chips
• Skogafoss
• Seljavallalaug hot spring

Start your day with my favorite (secret) hike!

Just an hour’s drive from Vik you’ll find the coolest canyon hike in Iceland. The Nauthusagil Ravine is pure magic and is probably one of my favorite short hikes of all time. The hike itself is easy and mostly flat but you will have the walk along the side of a small river along the route to the waterfall. 

Tip for visiting! Be sure to wear waterproof hiking boots, as parts of the trail go through the small river. I love mine from Sperry! They worked great hiking the ravine. 

See a better plane wreck

Located on the way to Nauthusagil, this plane was added to a farmer’s yard and is a great little stop for a quick photo. Unlike Solheimasandur, which is overcrowded with a long, windy walk to nowhere, the DC-3 airplane has very few people visiting. 

Snag some fish and chips for lunch

Fish and chips are a staple of the food truck scene in Iceland and located right next to the Skogafoss waterfall you’ll find this small polka dotted truck. The fish is great and well seasoned and you can easily share a platter with your travel buddy.

Take the stairs to the top of Skogafoss

Skogafoss is another popular water fall due to its proximity to the Ring Road. At the waterfall you’ll find a steep set of stairs that will take you to the top for views of the ocean which continues into a further hiking trail. If you’re done with walking don’t worry! You can just enjoy the views from below.

Take a dip at the Seljavallalaug hot spring

If you came to Iceland to enjoy the natural hot springs this is a great place to try it out. Like most hot springs in Iceland, Seljavallalaug has become super popular due to magazines and content creators making it look (probably) more magical than it actually is.

The bathrooms and changing area looks like it’s never cleaned and the pool itself is warm but crowded. But it’s close to the Ring Road and easily accessible today, so check it out if you’re interested and make up your own mind about it!

Day 6: Drive to Reykjavik 

It’s your last full day in Iceland so soak it up! Today you’ll drive from Vik back to Reykjavik and you have options. You can choose to spend more time in the capital city or explore Thingvellir National Park. 

Either way you’ll start your day early to give you an entire day to explore.

Option 1: Stop at Thingvellir National Park

This itinerary doesn’t include the entire Ring Road or even Golden Circle however this could be a great stop. Thingvellir National Park is famous for the above sea level view of the tectonic plates. Here you can literally view and touch Earth’s crust! The national park is huge with a lot of (you guessed it) hiking trails. 

If you’re looking for one of the most unique experiences in Iceland, you can actually snorkel between the plates!

The park has a beautiful visitors center where you can learn more about the park and visit some of the easiest, paved trails in the park. Here you can also view an exhibition on the park’s unique geological features for less than $10 per person.

Option 2: Continue straight to Reykjavik

If you travel straight from Vik to Reykjavik it should take you about 2.5 hours. Forgoing Thingvellir National Park will give you more time to explore Reykjavik, which has some amazing activities and places to eat. 

Where to stay in Reykjavik

I utilize my Hilton Free Night Certificate to stay at the Hilton Canopy. There are many more points and miles options in Reykjavik than other parts of Iceland, so it’s a great place to use some points and save on your hotel room. 

What to do in Reykjavik

If you travel straight to Reykjavik I recommend booking this food tour. With just one day to spend in the capital it’s a great way to get to see a lot of the culinary history of Iceland without breaking the bank. Your guide will also give some great recommendations for spending your afternoon and some local places to buy goodies to bring back home.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city with most locations you’ll want to visit within 1.5 miles of one another. I’d recommend starting at the end of the docks and working your way back to the famous Hallgrimskirkja church. 

Some highlights you might want to check out include the Reykjavik Art Museum, the Settlement Exhibition, and Rainbow Street. If you’re looking to take home a unique souvenir be sure to check out Fischersund for some unique Icelandic perfumes, candles, and incense or if you still have an eye on that wool sweater the Handknitting Association of Iceland is a great place to check out for sweaters actually made in Iceland.

Where to eat in Reykjavik

There are plenty of great places to eat in Reykjavik. With only one night in the capital my choice would be Messin. The place is known for its skillet plates of lamb or seafoods with vegetables that are to die for. 

If you’d rather have some other choices, I’d recommend checking out Bæjarins for a cheap (but delicious) hot dog. Or, if you’re done with the lamb and Icelandic meals, you could try Sumac Grill + Drinks, it was recommended by every local I asked.

Day 7: Head home

Most flights out of Iceland are in the morning. The airport is located about 45 minutes away from downtown so be sure to leave plenty of time to get back to the airport and return your rental car. 

Fortunately the airport is pretty easy to get through and should take you less than an hour from arrival to your gate. But that’s just an estimate so be sure to arrive at least 2.5 hours before your international flight.

More Iceland Tips + Inspiration

I hope you found some great recommendation in this seven day Iceland itinerary. I have plenty of other helpful guides to Iceland for you to check out!

• Traveling by rental car? Here’s everything you need to know
• If you’re planning a trip in the fall don’t miss this packing list
• And Iceland is expensive… don’t miss these money-saving tips