Iceland 9-Day Trips & Itineraries

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Iceland Travel Insights

Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover
Map of Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover
Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover

Iceland is a rugged place, with much of it inaccessible by a standard vehicle. Drive a Land Rover through unique terrain, over lava fields, and through scenic mountain roads. With these modified vehicles you will explore parts of Iceland not possible with a normal rental car. Explore the dramatic landscapes without the big crowds.

Dramatic cliffs at Ljátrabjarg in the Westfjords
Map of Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days
Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days

Experience the best of Western and Southern Iceland on this 9-day tour: volcanoes, fjords, red and black sand beaches, glaciers, hot springs, wildlife and more.

Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days
Map of Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days
Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days

For road trip enthusiasts, it doesn't get much better than encircling Iceland along its infamous Route 1 (Ring Road). This quick-paced, self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route with plenty of detours to work the leg muscles and camera batteries. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience a variety of landscapes, like geysers, hot springs, black sand beaches, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks.

The Northern Lights above snowy Kirkjufellsfoss
Map of Winter Adventures in West & South Iceland - 9 Days
Winter Adventures in West & South Iceland - 9 Days

Explore the wintry side of Iceland on this nine-day, snow-filled adventure. Take in the spectacular frozen waterfalls en route to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Explore several glaciers—go snowmobiling around Langjökull, ice walking in Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and hiking in Sólheimajökull. Stay in the countryside, where there’s minimal light pollution, and enjoy great views of the Northern Lights, while setting aside some time for illuminated, warming soaks in hot springs and lagoons along the way.

Kirkjufell's mountain landscape on the west coast
Map of Iceland Highlights: West to East - 9 Days
Iceland Highlights: West to East - 9 Days

This Icelandic self-drive itinerary covers territory on both horizontal coastlines, from Snaefellsnes to Seydisfjordur, with fun detours along the southern portion of the Ring Road. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks. Start and end the trip in Reykjavík for culture and nightlife in Europe's most northerly capital.

Dynjandi is the most famous waterfall of the Westfjords
Map of Best of Iceland's West Coast - 9 Days
Best of Iceland's West Coast - 9 Days

This self-driving trip takes you to the highlights of Iceland's west coast and the remote Westfjords area. Starting in Reykjavik, you'll drive to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula before taking a car ferry to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland. Here you'll hike along the jagged cliffs at Londrangar, visit black, gold, and red sand beaches, and see the powerful Dynjandi Waterfall. End the trip in Isafjordur—a great base for activities in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, accessible only by boat and trail.

The Road to Adventure
Map of Classic Circle Tour of Iceland - 9 Days
Classic Circle Tour of Iceland - 9 Days

If you want to see Iceland's top natural highlights, a self-drive tour is by far the most popular option. Travel at your own pace with plenty of changes to head off the main road in search of your own adventures. This tour also includes the Snaefellsnes peninsula which many call "mini-Iceland" as almost every natural phenomenon in Iceland can be found there, albeit on a smaller scale than elsewhere. 

Wild Icelandic horses in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Map of Iceland Off the Beaten Path: Snæfellsnes, Akureyri, Lake Mývatn & More - 9 Days
Iceland Off the Beaten Path: Snæfellsnes, Akureyri, Lake Mývatn & More - 9 Days

This 9-day self-drive adventure is a great alternative to the full Ring Road loop, especially during summer months when Iceland tourism hits its peak. With more than a week, you'll experience a range of incredible landscapes all over the island, like rugged peninsulas, hot springs, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and waterfall hikes with only a fraction of the crowds. To shorten this itinerary, skip the East Fjords and fly back to Reykjavík from Akureyri.

Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
Map of 9 Days in Iceland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
9 Days in Iceland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Nine days is a comfortable amount of time to explore two of Iceland's regions. Consider a leisurely road trip around the famed Ring Road, getting off the main route to spend time in Thorsmork and the Highlands or the Westman Islands (a favorite local hideaway). The five itineraries below take you to popular areas, like the Golden Circle and South Coast, while also incorporating lesser-known territories, including the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Iceland
Travel specialist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
active 1 min ago

Guðmundur Óli Pálmason

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents. After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it full...

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Travel specialist Adam Warszawski
active 1 day ago

Adam Warszawski

During several years of my Icelandic adventure, I worked in hotels and got to know the local tourism really well. But most importantly, I've had the chance to explore countless amazing places...

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Travel specialist Emanuela Grieco
active 19 hours ago

Emanuela Grieco

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...

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Travel specialist Jenny Booth
active 5 hours ago

Jenny Booth

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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Trip Reviews for Iceland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

A gorgeous gem of a destination
Iceland | Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2026

R
Rob W.
Solon, OH | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
Iceland in the winter can be a challenge but a wonderful challenge if your guide prepares you!. Gummi was a great guide through KimKim! In a short but action packed week we were able to see the Snaefellsnes peninsula, reykjavik, the golden circle, a lava cave, a glacier, ice caves, northern lights, number of waterfalls, Vik, and a whale watching tour. Make sure your rental has studded tires and use the weather and safe roads apps to check on things everyday. I really can't say enough about... Read more

Iceland in the winter can be a challenge but a wonderful challenge if your guide prepares you!. Gummi was a great guide through KimKim! In a short but action packed week we were able to see the Snaefellsnes peninsula, reykjavik, the golden circle, a lava cave, a glacier, ice caves, northern lights, number of waterfalls, Vik, and a whale watching tour. Make sure your rental has studded tires and use the weather and safe roads apps to check on things everyday. I really can't say enough about our service. We had to make many adaptations but missed on nothing. We got some great personal recommendations and also hit the big attractions. Iceland is a wonderful gem. Next time we will see it in summer!

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Mar 31, 2026

Thank you for the kind review Rob!
You certainly got ALL THE WEATHER 😅 haha! What a week! But I'm so happy you still got to experience everything and we made it all work.
Teamwork is dreamwork!

I'm looking forward to having you back in summer. I'm sure there will be less need for daily modifications then 😊

Take care and all the best,
Gummi

Read all Iceland reviews

From the very beginning, Noga planned an amazing Icelandic adventure.
Iceland | Mar 22 - Mar 30, 2026

Spongie
Spongie K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
From day one, Noga planned an incredible trip with all the sights and attractions we wanted for our first Iceland adventure. From how easy it was to get around Reykjavik to our Blue car rental for the driving part of the trip, everything went smoothly. You can't predict Iceland's unpredictable weather, and some outdoor activities were canceled due to a blizzard. Nick and Maria were quick to adjust our itinerary. Our car rental's AI system still had glitches even after being turned off. I... Read more

From day one, Noga planned an incredible trip with all the sights and attractions we wanted for our first Iceland adventure. From how easy it was to get around Reykjavik to our Blue car rental for the driving part of the trip, everything went smoothly. You can't predict Iceland's unpredictable weather, and some outdoor activities were canceled due to a blizzard. Nick and Maria were quick to adjust our itinerary. Our car rental's AI system still had glitches even after being turned off. I contacted Nick, who immediately reached out to the car rental company, and within minutes, we knew it was safe to drive. Our safety was the top priority, and with our expert team of Noga, Maria, and Nick, every question and concern was answered instantly. We can't praise our dedicated team of Noga, Maria, and Nick enough! 🥰

Hotel Reviews
Blue Hotel Fagrilundur
Bláskógabyggd

We stayed two nights at the Blue Hotel. Our room was nice, clean, and comfortable enough for two people. They offered breakfast, which they called continental-style, but it was definitely more than that. They had a great coffee machine that served everything from lattes to espressos to hot chocolate. They also had bacon, beans, and a scrambled egg station for hot food. The breakfast included the usual cereals, yogurt, meats and cheeses, along with a variety of breads and mini pancakes with different toppings. There were hot tubs outside, and many guests used them. The hotel provided each guest with a fluffy robe and slippers, which was a nice touch.

Authenticity & Character
The Blue Hotel had a typical minimalist Scandinavian style, yet it was comfortable. Their reception area and breakfast room were in a separate building, designed in a more log-cabin style, but very charming.
Location
There was a charming restaurant called Mika across the street, and we dined there both nights. The tomato farm was next door, and we had lunch at the new wine bar and cafe. We shared a delicious appetizer and their famous tomato soup with bread. Location was great as it was within 15 minutes of waterfalls, geysers, and our lagoon to take a wonderful soak.
Staff
All of the staff were friendly and eager to assist.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels
Reykjavík

Our room was sufficient and offered enough space for two. It was clean and comfortable. I still can't get over not having a top sheet or washcloths. It must be a European thing, and I will remember to pack washcloths. The staff was excellent. When we needed a cab, we just went to the front desk; they pressed a button, and a cab driver arrived in the lobby to pick us up within minutes. Breakfast was included with our stay. There was a variety of cereals, yogurts, meats, and cheeses, wonderful bread including their rye bread, a tasty tuna salad, and I happened to like pickled herring, which was available every morning. They also had hard-boiled eggs and some fruit. It was definitely enough to start your day and get you through.

Authenticity & Character
This appeared to be a contemporary hotel. It had an elevator, a breakfast room, and a place for happy hour, but no food was served after breakfast.
Location
It could have been more centrally located. Reykjavik is a walkable city, but we had severe winds and blowing snow, which made it a little more difficult to walk to the areas we wanted to visit.
Staff
The staff was friendly, kind, and personable, and their English was flawless. I needed medication kept refrigerated, and they accommodated me.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Noga Heyman
Noga
Noga Heyman
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 01, 2026

Thank you, Spongie! I loved working with you and am so glad you had a successful trip in beautiful Iceland. We really appreciate your thorough review of the hotels, as we use this valuable information to improve trips for future travelers. I hope you're settling in nicely at home and we look forward to hearing from you when you're ready to plan your next adventure!

Read all Iceland reviews

Iceland Adventure
Iceland | Feb 16 - Feb 21, 2026

C
Cindy H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 30, 2026

Noga and the KimKim team made planning our Iceland adventure effortless and stress-free. The itinerary was well paced, and filled with stunning locations and unique hotels. All of the pre-trip info was clear, organized and incredibly helpful. The KimKim app kept everything organized so we could just enjoy the trip. Noga and the team were very responsive before and during the trip, and they had truly thought of every detail. We would highly recommend working with her and the KimKim team.

Local specialist: Noga Heyman
Noga
Noga Heyman
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 01, 2026

Thank you, Cindy! It was wonderful working with you and Jim and I'm so glad you had a fantastic trip to Iceland. I hope you'll consider kimkim again for your next adventure 😊

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