Iceland 7-Day Itinerary

What This Itinerary Covers

This seven-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the best of Iceland without backtracking or wasting time on logistics. The route runs clockwise from Reykjavik, heading south along the coast before swinging east to the glacial lagoons, north through the East Fjords to Myvatn and Akureyri, then west across the Snaefellsnes Peninsula before returning to the capital.

You will cover roughly 2,000 kilometres of driving over the week, averaging three to five hours behind the wheel each day. The route follows paved roads almost exclusively, sticking to Route 1 for most of the journey with detours onto well-maintained regional roads for the Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes.

Every major highlight of Iceland is included: the Golden Circle geothermal area, South Coast waterfalls, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Myvatn volcanic landscapes, the whale-watching capital of Akureyri, and the dramatic Snaefellsnes coastline. The daily structure balances driving time with sightseeing, ensuring you spend more time outside the car than in it despite the distances involved.

What you will skip: the Westfjords, the interior highlands, and the Eastfjords fishing villages that require half-day detours off Route 1. You will also have limited time for multi-hour activities like glacier hikes or ice cave tours. If those are priorities, consider extending to a 10-day trip instead.

This itinerary suits active travellers comfortable with consistent daily driving who want maximum variety in a single week. It works best from mid-June through mid-September when daylight hours are long and all roads are reliably open. Couples, friends, and solo travellers will find the pace enjoyable; families with young children may want to add a day or two for flexibility and to break up the longer driving days.

Day 1: Reykjavik & Golden Circle

Pick up your rental car early in the morning and head straight to the Golden Circle, Iceland's most famous tourist route located just 90 minutes northeast of Reykjavik. The three stops on this loop -- Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall -- can comfortably fill a full day with time to appreciate each site properly.

Start at Thingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly pull apart. The Almannagja gorge walk takes about 45 minutes and reveals the raw geological forces shaping Iceland. This is also the site of the original Althing, the Viking-age parliament established in 930 AD. The visitor centre provides excellent context on both the geological and historical significance of the site.

Continue to Geysir, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every five to eight minutes, launching a column of boiling water 20 to 30 metres into the air. The surrounding geothermal field of bubbling mud pots and steaming vents is worth exploring beyond the geyser itself. A marked walking path loops through the area in about 20 minutes. The original Great Geysir, which gave all geysers their name, is mostly dormant but occasionally stirs to life.

Finish the Golden Circle at Gullfoss, a two-tiered waterfall where the Hvita river plunges 32 metres into a rugged canyon. The sheer volume of water is staggering, and the mist can drench you from the lower viewing platform on windy days. In winter, the surrounding rocks and spray freeze into elaborate ice sculptures that transform the entire scene.

From Gullfoss, drive south toward the Selfoss area for the night. Selfoss is a practical base with supermarkets, fuel stations, and a range of accommodation from budget guesthouses to comfortable hotels. Stocking up on groceries here at the Bonus supermarket will save you money over the next few days as you move into areas with fewer and more expensive food options. Total driving for the day is approximately 250 kilometres.

Day 2: South Coast

Leave the Selfoss area early and drive east along Route 1 toward the South Coast. The landscape opens up into vast green farmland with glacier-capped mountains on the horizon. Your first stop is Seljalandsfoss, roughly 90 minutes from Selfoss. This 60-metre waterfall is famous for the path that loops completely behind the cascade, giving you a unique perspective through the curtain of water. Bring a waterproof jacket because you will get drenched. The path behind the falls closes in winter when ice makes it dangerous.

Just around the corner, the hidden waterfall Gljufrabui is tucked inside a narrow canyon and worth the short walk through the stream to reach it. You need to wade through ankle-deep water to enter the canyon, so waterproof shoes are helpful. Inside, the waterfall drops into a mossy grotto that feels completely secluded despite being just 500 metres from one of Iceland's busiest tourist stops.

Continue 25 minutes east to Skogafoss, one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls. The 60-metre curtain of water crashes onto a flat plain, and on sunny days the mist produces vivid double rainbows. Climb the staircase beside the falls for a view from the top and a glimpse of the Fimmvorduhals trail stretching into the highlands beyond.

After Skogafoss, make the short detour to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. The hexagonal basalt columns and offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks create an otherworldly scene, but treat this beach with extreme caution. Sneaker waves are unpredictable and have killed visitors here. Never turn your back on the ocean and stay well back from the waterline.

End the day in Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland. The village church on the hill above town offers a beautiful panoramic viewpoint over the black sand coastline and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Vik has fuel stations, restaurants, and a supermarket, making it a practical overnight base. The Icewear and Vikurprjon wool shops in town sell traditional Icelandic sweaters at reasonable prices if you are looking for souvenirs. Book your Vik accommodation well in advance for summer -- the village fills up fast due to its strategic location on the South Coast.

Day 3: Glaciers & Jokulsarlon

Day three takes you through some of Iceland's most dramatic glacial scenery. Head east from Vik across the vast Eldhraun lava field, a moss-covered expanse formed during the catastrophic 1783 Laki eruption. The drive through this eerie, seemingly endless landscape of pillowy green moss is unlike anything else on the route and worth stopping to photograph.

After roughly two hours, you reach Skaftafell, the main visitor centre for Vatnajokull National Park, Europe's largest ice cap. If time allows, the Svartifoss trail is a rewarding 5.5-kilometre round trip to a waterfall framed by hanging basalt columns that inspired the design of Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja church. Guided glacier hikes on Svinafellsjokull depart from Skaftafell and take three to four hours, but you will need to have booked this in advance and it will compress the rest of your day.

Continue east to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the crown jewel of the South Coast. Here, enormous icebergs calve off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier tongue and drift slowly toward the ocean through a deep lagoon. The scale is difficult to comprehend until you stand on the shore and watch a house-sized block of ice rotate silently in the current. Seals often haul out on the bergs, and in summer you can take a boat tour among the ice.

Directly across the road from Jokulsarlon, Diamond Beach is where chunks of glacial ice wash up on jet-black volcanic sand. The contrast of translucent ice against dark sand, especially in low-angle light, is extraordinary. Early morning and late afternoon produce the most dramatic photographs, but the beach is compelling at any time. Take care on the wet sand near the water's edge, as waves can push ice chunks unpredictably.

Spend as much time here as the light allows before continuing to Hofn, roughly an hour further east. Hofn is a working fishing town famous for its langoustine, and several restaurants serve it fresh. The town also offers fuel, supermarkets, and a range of accommodation from hostels to hotels. Total driving for the day is approximately 270 kilometres, but the frequent stops make it feel longer. Get an early night -- tomorrow is the longest drive of the trip.

Day 4: East Fjords to Myvatn

This is the longest driving day of the trip, covering roughly 450 kilometres from Hofn to Lake Myvatn. Leave Hofn early to give yourself plenty of time. The route follows Route 1 north through the East Fjords, a region of narrow inlets, steep mountains, and tiny fishing villages that most tourists pass through without stopping. The scenery is spectacular in a quieter, more intimate way than the South Coast.

Allow time to pull over at viewpoints along the fjords where the road hugs the coastline. The stretch between Djupivogur and Breiddalshreppur is particularly beautiful, with the road winding around deep-blue fjords backed by flat-topped mountains streaked with waterfalls. Several single-lane tunnels punctuate this section of road, so drive carefully and follow the right-of-way signs.

Around midday, you will reach Egilsstadir, the largest town in East Iceland and a good place to refuel both the car and yourself. The town sits on the shore of Lagarfljot, a lake with its own monster legend. From Egilsstadir, the route climbs over a highland pass before descending into the Myvatn basin, one of Iceland's most volcanically active regions. The drive from Egilsstadir to Myvatn takes roughly two hours and crosses a landscape that shifts from green farmland to barren volcanic desert.

Arrive at Lake Myvatn in the evening. If energy permits, take a short walk around the pseudocraters at Skutustadir on the south shore of the lake, formed when lava flowed over wetland and the trapped steam exploded upward. These small, crater-shaped formations are unique to Myvatn and set the tone for the volcanic landscapes you will explore in depth tomorrow.

Check into your accommodation near Myvatn and rest up for a full day of exploration. Accommodation options around the lake are limited, so booking ahead is essential in summer. The small village of Reykjahlid on the northeast shore has the most services, including a fuel station, a small shop, and several guesthouses. If you arrive before sunset, the lake itself is remarkably peaceful and home to one of Europe's richest concentrations of nesting duck species.

Day 5: Myvatn & North

Spend the morning exploring the volcanic wonders around Lake Myvatn. The Namafjall geothermal area, locally called Hverir, is a landscape of boiling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and sulphur-encrusted ground that looks and smells like another planet. Stay on the marked paths here as the ground is genuinely dangerous -- thin crust can conceal scalding water beneath.

Nearby, the Dimmuborgir lava formations create a labyrinth of towering pillars and arches formed when a lava lake drained roughly 2,300 years ago. The walking paths through Dimmuborgir range from 15 minutes to an hour and are well marked. The Kirkjan (Church) formation, a massive lava cave with a cathedral-like interior, is the highlight. If you have time, drive up to the Krafla volcanic area to see the Viti explosion crater, a striking turquoise lake formed during an eruption in 1724.

After Myvatn, drive west to Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. According to saga tradition, the lawspeaker Thorgeir threw his pagan idols into this waterfall in 1000 AD when Iceland converted to Christianity. The horseshoe-shaped falls are 12 metres high and accessible from both sides of the river. Viewing platforms on the east bank offer the classic angle, while the west bank puts you closer to the thundering water.

Continue to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland and the country's second-largest urban area with roughly 19,000 residents. Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjordur, Iceland's longest fjord, and has a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel with botanical gardens, excellent restaurants, and a lively cultural scene. The Akureyri Botanical Garden is free to visit and remarkably lush for a town just 100 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle.

Before dinner, treat yourself to a soak at the Myvatn Nature Baths if you did not visit them in the morning -- they are a quieter, less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon, with milky-blue geothermal water overlooking the lake. Alternatively, the Akureyri public swimming pool is excellent and a fraction of the price. In summer, consider an evening whale-watching trip from Akureyri or nearby Husavik, where humpback whales are frequently spotted in Eyjafjordur. Overnight in Akureyri, where you will find the widest selection of restaurants and accommodation in North Iceland.

Day 6: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Today involves a long but rewarding drive west from Akureyri to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, roughly 370 kilometres via Route 1 and Route 54. The drive takes about four and a half hours without stops, so leave Akureyri early after breakfast. Fill up the fuel tank before leaving town. The western stretch of Route 1 crosses wide valleys and the Hrutafjordur area, passing through the small town of Blonduos where you can stretch your legs. As you turn onto Route 54, Snaefellsjokull glacier appears on the horizon ahead, growing more impressive with every kilometre.

Snaefellsnes is often called "Iceland in miniature" because it packs glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, sea cliffs, and fishing villages into a 90-kilometre strip of land. The peninsula is dominated by Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-capped stratovolcano that Jules Verne used as the entrance to the Earth's interior in Journey to the Centre of the Earth. On clear days, it is visible from Reykjavik across the bay.

Your first stop should be Kirkjufell, the iconic arrow-shaped mountain near the town of Grundarfjordur that is one of the most photographed landmarks in Iceland. The nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall provides the classic foreground for the shot, and the composition works in almost any light. The mountain gained additional fame as a filming location in Game of Thrones.

Continue along the south coast of the peninsula to Arnarstapi, a small coastal village with spectacular sea cliffs and natural stone arches carved by the Atlantic. The walking path between Arnarstapi and the neighbouring village of Hellnar follows the cliff edge for about 2.5 kilometres with views of nesting seabirds and crashing surf. Stop at the Hellnar cafe for a bowl of soup with a view of the ocean -- it is one of the most scenic lunch spots in Iceland.

End the day at Budakirkja, the striking black church at Budir, set against the backdrop of Snaefellsjokull glacier and a vast lava field. The church is tiny and often locked, but the exterior against the dramatic landscape is the real draw. Photographers flock here at golden hour when the glacier glows pink behind the dark wooden church. Overnight somewhere on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula -- Stykkisholmur and Grundarfjordur both offer good accommodation and dining options, while smaller guesthouses dot the coast in between.

Day 7: Return to Reykjavik

Your final day is a relaxed drive back to Reykjavik, covering roughly 180 kilometres from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. If you have a late flight or another night in the capital, use the morning to explore any parts of Snaefellsnes you missed the previous day. The Djupalonssandur black pebble beach on the western tip of the peninsula is worth a stop, with its lifting stones once used to test the strength of fishermen and scattered remains of a British trawler wrecked in 1948.

The drive back to Reykjavik follows Route 54 east to Borgarnes, then picks up Route 1 south to the capital. Borgarnes itself has the excellent Settlement Centre museum if you want one final cultural stop, along with a Bonus supermarket and several cafes. The last stretch into Reykjavik takes roughly 75 minutes through the Hvalfjordur tunnel, which cuts under the fjord and saves an hour compared to the old coastal road.

If you have extra time, consider a detour to Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, located a short drive from Borgarnes. The Krauma geothermal baths nearby offer a relaxing soak using naturally heated water from the spring. This makes for a satisfying final activity before the drive back to the capital.

Arrive in Reykjavik with time to return your rental car, explore the city centre, or simply relax before your departure. If you have a few hours, Hallgrimskirkja church and the view from its tower, the Harpa concert hall, and the Old Harbour area are all worth visiting. The Hlemmur Matholl food hall is a good option for a final meal with a range of Icelandic and international options under one roof.

If your flight leaves from Keflavik International Airport, allow 45 minutes for the drive from Reykjavik. Most rental car companies have their return lots at the airport or provide a shuttle from a nearby location. Top off your fuel tank before returning the car to avoid the premium refuelling charge. If you have an evening flight, the Blue Lagoon sits roughly halfway between Reykjavik and the airport and makes for a memorable final stop -- book well in advance as it sells out regularly.

Practical Tips

Book your rental car and accommodation two to three months in advance for summer travel. Small towns like Vik, Hofn, and Myvatn have limited rooms, and prices spike sharply when availability drops. For shoulder season travel in September or early June, one month ahead is usually sufficient. Winter bookings outside Christmas and New Year can often be made a few weeks out.

Use booking platforms that offer free cancellation so you can adjust your plans if needed. Guesthouses and farm stays often offer better value than hotels and frequently include breakfast. If flexibility is more important than comfort, camping gives you the freedom to adjust your itinerary on the fly, though you will need to be self-sufficient with cooking and sleeping gear.

A standard 2WD car is perfectly adequate for this itinerary in summer since the entire route follows paved roads. However, a compact car will feel cramped after five hours of driving. Choose at least a mid-size vehicle for comfort, and consider a small SUV for the extra ground clearance and storage space. In winter, a 4x4 is non-negotiable -- roads can ice over without warning and Route 1 segments in the north regularly close during storms.

Fuel planning is straightforward as you are never more than 200 kilometres from the next fuel station on this route. Fill up whenever you pass through a town, especially before the long Day 4 stretch through the East Fjords. Most stations accept credit cards at automated pumps, but a few older stations require a PIN-enabled card. Download the N1 or Orkan app to locate stations in real time.

Shoulder season travel in September offers significant advantages: accommodation prices drop 20 to 40 percent, crowds thin dramatically at major sites, autumn colours transform the landscape, and you gain the chance to see the Northern Lights. The trade-off is shorter daylight hours and increased risk of road closures, but for experienced drivers, September may be the best month to run this itinerary.

Always check road.is each morning before setting out, and monitor vedur.is for weather forecasts. Iceland's weather can change drastically within an hour, and wind is often a bigger hazard than rain or snow. Keep your fuel tank above half at all times and carry warm layers, food, and water in the car even in summer.

Budget Breakdown

Accommodation is the largest expense on this trip. Budget guesthouses and hostels run 12,000 to 20,000 ISK per night, while mid-range hotels and farm stays cost 25,000 to 45,000 ISK. For six nights of accommodation, expect to spend 72,000 to 270,000 ISK per person depending on your comfort level. Camping drops this dramatically to around 10,000 to 15,000 ISK total for campsite fees, though you need to invest in gear or rent it.

Food costs in Iceland are notoriously high. A sit-down restaurant meal typically runs 2,500 to 5,000 ISK for a main course, while a simple hot dog from a petrol station is around 500 ISK. The most effective budget strategy is to shop at Bonus or Kronan supermarkets in Reykjavik before you leave and prepare your own meals on the road.

Most guesthouses have shared kitchens, and even basic hotel rooms often come with a kettle and fridge. Budget 5,000 to 12,000 ISK per day for food depending on how much you eat out. Treating yourself to one nice restaurant meal per day while self-catering the rest is a practical middle ground.

Fuel for the roughly 2,000-kilometre route costs approximately 25,000 to 35,000 ISK depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current fuel prices. Diesel vehicles are slightly more economical than petrol for this distance. Car rental for seven days ranges from 40,000 ISK for a basic 2WD to 100,000 ISK or more for a 4x4 SUV. Insurance adds 5,000 to 15,000 ISK per day depending on coverage level. The gravel protection and sand and ash protection add-ons are worth considering for peace of mind on this route, even though you will be on paved roads for most of the journey.

Activities are where you can control costs most easily. The majority of Iceland's natural attractions are free to visit, including all waterfalls, beaches, viewpoints, and hiking trails in national parks. Paid activities like glacier hikes (15,000 to 25,000 ISK), whale watching in Akureyri (12,000 ISK), Jokulsarlon boat tours (6,000 to 10,000 ISK), and the Myvatn Nature Baths (5,500 ISK) add up quickly. Budget 20,000 to 60,000 ISK for activities depending on your interests. Parking fees at popular sites like Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss are typically 500 to 750 ISK per visit.

In total, budget approximately 200,000 ISK per person for a frugal trip using campsites and self-catering, or up to 450,000 ISK for mid-range hotels and restaurant meals. Travelling as a pair and splitting accommodation and fuel costs brings the per-person total down considerably. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Iceland, including fuel stations and small-town shops, so carrying large amounts of cash is unnecessary.