10 Days in Iceland - 5 Winter Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Iceland Winter Discovery: Golden Circle, East Fjords & Reykjanes Peninsula

This 10-day winter discovery tour is perfect for first-time visitors looking to experience the whole of the country as it traverses the entire island on a counterclockwise road trip from Keflavík in the southwest corner and concludes in the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula 10 days later. Trip highlights include the Secret Lagoon, the South Coast Waterfalls, Lake Mývatn, and the Blue Lagoon.

Commence your road trip by joining the Ring Road from Keflavík and head for the renowned Golden Circle route. In Þingvellir National Park, see the Silfra fissure, then continue to the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, and conclude with an evening at Secret Lagoon. On your way to Vík the following day, visit the waterfalls of Urriðafoss, Seljarlandsfoss, and Skógafoss and admire the Svartifoss waterfall, Hof Turf Church, and the beached icebergs on Diamond Beach before spending the night in Höfn. Explore the glacier waters of Jökla and Stuðlafoss waterfall in Iceland's east and hunt for the elusive northern lights from Lake Mývatn that night.

After a soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, journey along the Diamond Circle route, making stops at Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) and the black lava formation of Dimmuborgir, and keep your eyes peeled for 23 different species on a whale watching tour from Húsavík. On Day 8, drive to Reykjavík and hike Mount Strútur, tour the Langjökull ice cave, or head to Hundavaðsfoss waterfall for more impressive views. An hour's drive south will take you to the world-famous Blue Lagoon, where you can luxuriate in its "healing waters." Conclude your trip along the Reykjanes Peninsula, then depart from Keflavík Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Iceland Winter Holiday: In the Footsteps of Vikings

Another classic route that circumnavigates the island, this Iceland winter holiday takes you to all four corners on a self-drive escapade and includes a stop in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Soak up the music and food in Reykjavík, learn Viking history and folklore with visits to ancient homesteads and Viking ships, see the beautiful beaches in Laugarbakki, and attempt a northern lights expedition from Hella—home to the mysterious Caves of Hella.

Begin in the capital city of Reykjavík and choose to visit a range of museums such as the National Museum, the Northern Lights Center, or the Whales of Iceland Exhibition. The next day, your road trip starts. Head north to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then head to the western point of Djúpalónssandur to see the black-sand beach and rugged lava rock formations. Kolugljúfur Canyon is a must-see as you'll spot where the Víðidalsá River meets the gorge that turns into Kolufoss waterfall. Continuing east, stop at the highest farm in Iceland, Möðrudalur Farm, and take a walk along the many hiking trails in the area.

Hop in a Jeep for a 4WD tour in Breiðdalur Valley, then carry on to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and visit the magnificent Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Vatnajökull. After watching the only indoor lava show in the world in the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, make your way to the town of Hella to attempt a sighting of the northern lights. See the 12 ancient human-made sandstone caves known as the Caves of Hella. Resume your road trip on the Golden Circle route with a stop to see Þingvellir National Park and the ancient Law Rock before detouring to Viking World to see the ninth-century Islendigur on your way to the airport. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Iceland Winter Adventure: Reykjavik, Hella & Kirkjubæjarklaustur

This 10-day Iceland winter adventure focuses on the best southern spots in Iceland, so it's perfect for visitors who want slow the pace down and dedicate their time to just one area of the country. Begin and end in Reykjavík, tour the Golden Circle route from Hella, and the South Coast Waterfalls from Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Upon arriving in Reykjavík, head straight for the Reykjanes Peninsula and spend a few hours at one of the most famous hot springs in the world, Blue Lagoon. Unleash your adventurous side and hop on a quad bike tour for 3.5 hours around Sandvík, the Bridge Between Continents, and Reykjanesviti. Embark on an off-road snowmobile excursion near Langjökull, then take a full day to hike between the Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers in the mountain range of Thórsmörk. Chase waterfalls along the South Coast, then commence a four-hour hike on the Skaftafell glacier.

Stop at the entrance to Hjörleifshöfði, also known as "Yoda cave," thanks to its distinctive shape resembling the "Star Wars" character, and admire the dramatic landscape of the Eldhraun lava field. Trade your car for another Jeep tour of the geological area of Landmannalaugar and the Thjorsa Valley. Begin the drive back to Reykjavík on Day 8, covering more of the Golden Circle and stopping at waterfalls such as Urriðafoss and Kvernufoss. Spend the final full day inside the dormant volcano of Þríhnúkagígur. Hike to the crater's rim, then take an elevator 393 feet (120 m) down into the volcano. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Winter Spa Holiday in Iceland

Iceland is the perfect country to indulge in luxury spas and lagoons and soak up every bit of adventure with excursions to erupting geysers and tumbling waterfalls. This 10-day winter spa holiday offers travelers the best of both worlds. Fuel your adrenaline with a Lava Cave Tour, marvel at the natural wonders in Þingvellir National Park, then relax in the thermal hot pools at Secret Lagoon and Blue Lagoon.

Kick off your Iceland adventure by driving north of Reykjavík along the coast to the Borgarfjörður fjord. Continue to Húsafell to spend an afternoon luxuriating in the geothermal springs at Krauma Spa. Visit the largest lava tube in Iceland, Víðgelmir, then stop at the Borgarnes black-sand beaches on your way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Complete the 190-mile (300 km) trip known as the Golden Circle and soak up another afternoon of hot springs and natural steam rooms at Laugarvatn Fontana. Conclude Day 4 with lunch at Fridheimar Farm before heading to the South Coast waterfalls the following day.

Jump in a Jeep on a 4WD tour to a hidden ice cave and spend the evening hunting for the spectacular northern lights. Enjoy the views of the Fjaðrárgljúfur river canyon and Skaftafell and Svartifoss waterfalls on the drive to Jökulsárlón. Check out the magical Diamond Beach, then make your way to Vatnajökull to tour the Crystal Blue Ice Cave. Sky Lagoon, another natural hot spring, is worth visiting to participate in the Seven-Step Ritual, where you alternate between hot springs and cold plunges. Relish in one last soak in the mineral-rich thermal waters of Blue Lagoon before departing. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Wild & Wintry Iceland: Northern Lights, Glaciers & Volcanoes

If you're looking to spend time in Iceland's abundant nature and dramatic landscapes, this 10-day wilderness tour is for you. Take a horseback ride to see the northern lights, go whale watching off the coast of Húsavík, and embark on a guided tour to witness wild reindeer in east Iceland.

Land in Keflavík and immediately transfer to Akureyri in the north. Pick up a rental car and drive to Lake Mývatn via the famous Ring Road. Soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths before embarking on a romantic horseback ride to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis (northern lights). Discover Vatnajökull National Park and Ásbyrgi canyon, then take a guided whale watching tour from Húsavík. Transfer to Egilsstaðir, with a relaxing stop at Vök Baths along the way. Spot wild reindeer along the East Fjords coastline before journeying toward the South Coast.

See the Þjórsárhraun lava field, Gljúfrabúi falls, and the black-sand Reynisfjara Beach. Dedicate a full day to the Golden Circle route to explore the Geysir geothermal area and the Haukadalur Valley, then learn about Iceland farm life at Efstidalur II Farm Bistro. Take a snorkeling excursion into the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park. Back in Reykjavík, head off on another whale watching outing before spending your last day at the Krýsuvík geothermal area or the Gunnuhver Hot Springs along the Reykjanes Peninsula. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Iceland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Iceland? Check out these other 10-day Iceland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.