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When is the best time to visit?
Choosing the right time to visit Iceland depends on what you would like to see and do. To see the Northern Lights, visit in winter—and thus brave ultra-short days and brisk weather. If your goal is to hike, road trip, and otherwise explore outdoors, the best times are late spring and early fall. Summer months bring great weather and long days, but also attract big tourist crowds. Learn more
Looking for inspiration? See our top Iceland itineraries
Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days
If you’re looking for a great one-day hike that combines the best of Iceland into a single trek, this is it. The Fimmvörðuháls trail takes you through some of the most dramatic scenery Iceland has to offer, from a series of canyon waterfalls to a volcanic moonscape. Keep in mind, this day-hike is as long as it is rewarding.
This itinerary packs a lot into 8 days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the journey.
With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire Ring Road and add incredible detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to hike, explore, and soak it all in. This 14-day itinerary covers all the major regions except the highlands, which you can see with a couple more days or by spending less time in some of the areas below.
If you are short on time, or perhaps you are looking for an extended layover on your way from Europe to North America or vice versa, your options in Iceland are limited to closer to Reykjavik. Here is a 3-day itinerary that will still let you experience some of the spectacular beauty of Iceland.
Explore the best of the west and south with this 7-9 day itinerary. Hike through lava fields, along cliffs, and up volcanoes in Snaefellsnes. Walk behind waterfalls, on black sand beaches, and on glaciers in the south, and finish with a tour of the famous Golden Circle with tips to avoid the big crowds.
With 10 days on the road, you can discover a variety of regions and landscapes as you loop around Iceland's famous Route 1 (Ring Road). This moderately paced self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route with stops in its two biggest cities, as well as volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers, as well as major attractions in the Golden Circle. This is going to be one gorgeous ride!
You can have an epic Iceland experience when you spend five days or more in Iceland. Shorter trips are possible but won't give you enough time to explore beyond the Reykjavík...
With seven days in Iceland, hit the road and explore the incredible wonders farther afield from Reykjavik. Explore a variety of landscapes: volcanoes and lava fields, green...
Ten days in Iceland is a perfect amount of time to complete the rightfully famous Ring Road. Alternatively, you have time to explore up to three areas in-depth. A great option...
Glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife like you've never seen: fourteen days is plenty of time to experience Iceland beyond what you'll find in any guidebook—both on and off the...
Given the rapidly increasing popularity of Iceland as travel destination, the question "When is the best time of year to go to Iceland?" has become as much about taking into...
Dubbed the Land of Ice and Fire, Iceland is a delight for all of your senses, from the deep chill of the air to the smoky smell of the volcanoes to the sights and sounds of the...
Don’t just stick to the Golden Circle and South Coast. You may see some great sights, but you’ll spend a lot of time in lines and waiting for people to get out of your pictures....
Travelers love Iceland for its wild landscapes, Reykjavik's cultural charms, and the seasonal magic of the Northern Lights. Work with a kimkim travel specialist to experience it...
The Northern Lights are breathtaking…and elusive. Follow these tips to increase the chances you will see Mother Nature’s glorious display.
The trail to the majestic Glymur Waterfall offers all kinds of challenges - but the stunning views from the top are well worth the adventure. Get to the trailhead prepared for...
Having a great first day in Iceland after a long flight requires a bit of planning. We recommend starting your adventure on the right foot by diving right into all the great...
Planning a trip to Iceland in the high season? Skip the most crowded sights on Iceland's South Coast and along the Golden Circle, and visit these equally breathtaking spots...
Don’t just stick to the Golden Circle and South Coast. You may see some great sights, but you’ll spend a lot of time in lines and waiting for people to get out of your pictures....
Landmannalaugar is a geothermal wonderland in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, home to lava fields, hot pools, and steam puffs that rise from the earth. Hike among vibrantly hued...
Thorsmork is a mountain range nestled between major glaciers Tindfjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. The ridge, named “Thor’s Valley” in Icelandic, is a dramatic...
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a remote wilderness in the northwest claw of Iceland’s West Fjords. A wild gem of green slopes, snow-capped glacier peninsulas, and slate-blue...
Every Christmas, kimkim travelers Jen and Garrison Draper give each other the gift of travel. This year, their goal was to glimpse the Northern Lights - so they headed to...
With grandparents and a six-year-old in tow, kimkim traveler Lesley Santiago needed to plan a trip that was fun, educational, and great for all ages. Iceland proved to be the...
Keith Fentress and his family were on a mission to see the Northern Lights, and enlisted kimkim to plan their winter trip to Iceland. They were lucky enough to catch the auroras...
Ted Walsh and his family were accustomed to spending the holiday season in sunny Australia, and wanted to switch things up with a real White Christmas somewhere beautiful. And...
Twelve to 14 days is the most popular trip length for Iceland travelers interested in visiting Reykjavík, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri, especially when also including the Golden Circle, South Coast, and East Fjords. If you're not interested in the Golden Circle, South Coast, and East Fjords, about 10 days are enough for your Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri trip. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in eight or nine days for travelers with limited time. Read on for the best itineraries including Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri and beyond.
Travelers to Iceland typically plan a trip for 8 to 10 days when combining Reykjavík, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri with South Coast and East Fjords. For travelers wanting to visit Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri exclusively, plan a week to eight days for a well-paced trip. Read on for the best itineraries, including Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri and beyond.
Most travelers will find that 8 to 11 days is perfect for a well-paced Iceland trip with stops in Reykjavík, along the Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Westman Islands. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in seven days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Those with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favorite itinerary extensions include Thórsmörk, Reykjanes Peninsula, or West Iceland. See more ideas for Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Westman Islands itineraries below.
Travel is an experience that enriches our lives and is essential for all of us to grow as individuals. Personally, I love my holidays to be slower paced with time to stop and smell the flowers;...
read more...I am an Italian Travel Designer mostly based in Iceland. Traveling has been my passion since I was young, being always fascinated by other cultures and people. In 2005, after living and...
read more...I am Icelandic-Canadian, working remotely from the west coast of Canada (only a non-stop flight away). I have emphatically embraced my Icelandic heritage, continually learning, and experiencing,...
read more...I love Iceland! I love the people, the scenery and the culture. After living in Iceland and going on many adventures myself, I have the knowledge and experience to work with others to plan a trip...
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Usually, I wouldn't have utilized this service while traveling abroad. But having very little knowledge about Iceland, we decided that a bit of help would make for a more enjoyable experience. 100 percent, we are happy for using kimkim. Kreso was very knowledgeable, asked us what we wanted to see on this 8 day self drive around Iceland. Made reservations for guesthouses and tours we wanted to do. Everyday we had a driving plan link that kimkim had a link to. You can skip a location if... read more
Hanna was communicative and helpful when planning our trip. She kept our preferences in mind when planning sights and locations, as well as our budget. It was really nice to be able to trust a specialist to take off some of the overwhelm of choices during the trip. We loved seeing the black sand beaches and glaciers on the east coast of Iceland. read more
Thank you, Meghan for you wonderful review! Happy that you enjoyed you time in Iceland!
All the best,
Hanna
We had an amazing trip through an incredible Island. We are very grateful to Rinolda for programing a beautiful itinerary that covered all the different landscapes. The vehicle was perfect for us. The accommodations were comfortable with good, friendly service and delicious food. All, except the Baron on our last night. That hotel needs a complete remodel. But, at least a good cleaning. Also, thank you to Olivia for her assistance. read more
