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Dreaming of visiting Iceland but don’t know where to start? It can be so overwhelming planning a trip to this rugged country because there’s SO much to see. This Iceland Itinerary for 7 days will take you through 3 amazing regions in Iceland you need to visit for your first time: Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South Coast, and East Iceland. I’ve also added useful information about renting a campervan and what campgrounds are like in Iceland.
Make sure to give yourself 3 additional days to make your way back to the airport and backtrack to places you might miss because of the unpredictable weather; trust me on this one.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
Generally speaking, July-early August is the best time to go if you want to hike and experience the long daylight hours. All roads should be open at this time but prices and crowds will be at their peak.
If your main goal is to see the northern lights, you need to visit Iceland in the winter months of October-February. The ring road will still be open year round but keep in mind that frequent storms can close them at any moment.
Shoulder Season: I personally have visited at the end of August and early May and both have been really great. The weather was fairly decent with a few rainy/windy days. This is a great time to visit Iceland if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and get better deals on hotels/cars.
Renting a Campervan in Iceland
If you want the most flexibility to see Iceland, I highly recommend renting a campervan. I’ve rented the Happy Auto 2 from Happy Campers and I’ve been super happy with both trips. Their campers are fully equipped, super easy to use, and the wifi and heat worked really well.
Finding a Campsite in Iceland
You do not have to reserve campsites in advance which gives you the flexibility to change up your itinerary at any given moment. I loved this because there were times the weather was so bad in one area so it was best to leave and come back another day. Happy Campers provided us with a tablet which has a map with campsites in the area and what amenities they had.
Typical Campsite Fees & Amenities:
The prices of campsites vary but the typical cost per person is $10-$15 (USD). Most take card or you can pay online. The amenities in campsites in Iceland are far better than the ones we have in the US and they are kept very clean. These are some of the amenities you can expect from most campgrounds:
- Flushing toilets
- Showers
- Communal sinks and kitchen
- Washer/Dryer
Day 1: Reykjavik
After you’ve landed in Keflavik Airport, you will drive 45 minutes to spend your first day in Reykjavik. This is where your Iceland adventures begin! Start your trip with a walk around the city. To find the most central location, just find Rainbow Street on your map and you’ll be right at the heart of Reykjavik.
Reykjavik Food Tour
One of the best ways to experience Reykjavik is by going on a food tour. This tour is highly recommended by so many people and it’s a great way to try Icelandic dishes as well as learn where locals go in the city. You can book a tour here.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Grab the famous Icelandic Hot Dog at BBP. What makes this hot dog so unique is that it’s a blend of beef & lamb. The meat is from free range animals and is 100% hormone free. It’s topped with ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, crisp fried onion and raw onion. It’s totally worth the hype.
Rok
There are lots of great dining options in Reykjavik but we decided to give Rok a try. They had small shareable dishes which was perfect for trying Icelandic cuisine. Everything we had was 10/10 and the ambiance and view made our dining experience even better.
Sky Lagoon
No Iceland Itinerary is complete without a visit to one of their many hot springs. Sky Lagoon is definitely my favorite. The view, aesthetic, and the 7 step ritual is hard to beat. I wish it wasn’t so popular because every visit I’ve made, it’s been packed but there’s definitely a reason why so many people visit this lagoon. Make a reservation here.
Day 2: Golden Circle
Get ready to see some geothermal activity and a massive waterfall! The Golden Circle is the closest attraction to Reykjavik and tours like this Golden Circle Full Day Tour are very easy to set up if you’re not up for driving yourself.
Geysir
Take a quick walk around this geothermal area and watch Stokkur erupt every 10 minutes.
Geothermal Bakery
This was one of the coolest things we’ve done & it was only $20 a person! Learn about how Icelandic people bake rye bread underground and taste it for yourself. It’s served with butter & Icelandic Char (a local fish). You might not have a chance to experience something like this elsewhere. Get your reservations here.
Gullfoss Waterfall
There’s truly no words to describe what it feels like to be close to a massive waterfall like this. It’s a short walk from the parking lot and there are several viewpoints to enjoy the views from different perspectives.
Kerid Crater
Just off the side of the road is a crater surrounded by red volcanic rock. There is a path to walk around and down to the lake and the entrance fee is 400 ISK.
Day 3: Reykjadalur Hot Spring
Start your morning off with a hike to Reykjadalur Hot Spring. This is a truly unique experience that you can’t miss. Imagine soaking in a natural hot spring while listening to the river. The hike up is 45 minutes uphill so it is a little bit of a workout but the reward is well worth it.
After your soak I recommend having lunch at the lodge where the trailhead starts. They have the best grilled cheese in the world.
Day 4: South Coast
Out of all the places in this Iceland itinerary, this area has the most waterfalls. The views on this drive are jaw-dropping so you might want to spend one more day here!
Seljalandsfoss
A famous waterfall you can walk behind. Seljalandsfoss is just a short walk from the parking lot and you will want to wear waterproof everything if you plan on walking around this waterfall. Make sure to check out Gljúfrabúi, the other waterfall nearby just a short walk away, it’s inside a cave and most people miss it.
Skogafoss
Skogafoss is quite the sight and you can actually camp right in front of this beauty. There’s also a trail that takes you up to the top which is totally worth checking out.
Kvernufoss
Named a “hidden gem” although I think the secret might be out. This waterfall is less crowded compared to the two mentioned above but I do think you need to get here very early to get it to yourself. The short walk starts through a canyon and you can actually walk behind this waterfall just like Seljalandsfoss.
Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
The long 45 minute walk to this site is a bit boring but it is a unique place to see and get photos of. If you don’t have a lot of time, I would skip it or pay for the shuttle.
Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara
There are two ways to access the black sand beach, one is if you type in “Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara” on google maps and the other is right off the parking lot of Black Beach Restaurant. If you are searching for the black columns of rock, head over to the Black Beach Restaurant Parking lot. During the summer you should have a good chance of seeing puffins on these rocks.
Skool Beans
While you’re in Vik, you have to try Skool Beans. It’s a school bus that’s been converted into a cozy coffee shop. You can also grab souvenirs and bagels here.
Black Crust Pizza
The perfect place to replenish after your adventures is Black Crust pizza. Their signature pizzas are so unique and delicious with toppings like duck, or spicy tuna.
Day 5: Canyons and Glaciers
Just when you thought this drive couldn’t get any more scenic, you start to see glaciers on the horizon. Some of my favorite things in this Iceland Itinerary are the canyon hikes and glaciers.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
A short hike with a big reward. I think I left my jaw on the floor when I got to the viewpoints. You’ve got a view of a gorgeous canyon that looks straight out of a movie with a river carving the middle. I also recommend walking to the very end to see the waterfall.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
If you’re looking for a solid hike, you need to do Múlagljúfur Canyon. A lot of people miss this one since it’s off a bumpy dirt road and there’s no signage. You will be rewarded with a more rugged hike with amazing views. This hike is around 4 miles round trip with a river crossing so it’s best to have waterproof shoes with good grip.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier
Another fun roadside stop is Svínafellsjökull Glacier. If you’re an Interstellar fan, you will looooove this one. This is the glacier where they filmed Dr. Mann’s planet.
Want to do something really adventurous? Hike ON Skaftafell Glacier with experienced guides. You can book this tour through GetYourGuide.
Day 6: Eastern Iceland
By the time you reach the eastern end of Iceland you’re going to notice there are far less tourists and the landscape is very different from the west and south. Here you will find tall black mountains with minerals giving them hints of gold.
Viking Village + Vestrahorn
A lot of people gave this area terrible reviews but I do think it’s a great place to go if you’re into photography or just want to see something unique. Even though the Viking Village is set up for a movie instead of a true historical site, it’s still worth visiting. You do have to pay a small entrance fee at the Viking Cafe if you are visiting.
Vok Baths
This scenic bath is right on a lake so you can alternate a hot and cold plunge in the most natural way possible. The view is gorgeous and the price is almost HALF the lagoons near Reykjavik. Book Your Ticket Here.
Hengifoss
Quite possibly the most unique waterfall you will ever see. Hengifoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and it has layers of minerals that are burnt by lava. The hike is around 3 miles round trip with a decent incline but the views are stunning the entire way.
Seyðisfjörður Town
The most picturesque town to visit in Iceland. We we’re going to skip this one but i’m so happy we did not! It was so much more beautiful than photos and there were great places to eat & shop. The town is very small but the scenery is absolutely stunning.
Day 7 Of Your Iceland Itinerary
Drive back and check out places you might have missed or you can continue to drive the entire Ring Road. I recommend having 3 more days if you want to continue north to finish up the Ring Road.