With one week in Iceland, you have enough time to drive the full ring road around the country, Iceland's classic self-drive trip. A few extra days lets you explore a bit more and add a few popular detours or excursions, such as whale watching in Husavik or another day to explore the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west.
With just 7 days, we reconned maximizing your time by spending just 1 night in Reykjavik preferably on your last night.
If you prefer to keep the driving to a minimum, focus your time exploring the regions closest to Reykjavik: the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, and South Coast. Some travelers pack these regions into as little as 5 days, but there is plenty to keep you exploring for a full week or more.
Those looking to get a bit further from the most-visited areas can explore the remote Westfjords region which offers some of the best natural beauty and hiking trails.
Trekkers can complete the classic Laugavegur hut-to-hut trek in the highlands from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork in 4 to 5 days with enough time to still see the South Coast or Reykjavik area.
You can find more detailed itinerary ideas below, or read from our recommended list of unique ways to explore Iceland in 7 days.
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.
This weeklong itinerary will take you to the north, away from the crowded south coast. On this trip, you will enjoy the volcanic Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the scenic and remote Westfjords.
Drive Iceland's famous Ring Road on this quick, seven-day trip designed for warmer travel (so there are no slowdowns due to weather and lack of daylight in the winter). Head south to the most-visited highlights—massive waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and glaciers. Enjoy the scenic route through the East Fjords, before arriving at Lake Myvatn, surrounded by geothermal and volcanic wonders. Join a whale-watching trip from Husavik, the whale watching capital, and spend time in Reykjavik exploring the best of the city, along with enjoying a soak in the Blue Lagoon.
On this scenic road trip, you'll skip Iceland's busier south coast in order to explore the lesser-known Snaefellsnes Peninsula and northern beauties of Akureyri, Husavik, and Lake Myvatn. This all-season itinerary is especially ideal for anyone interested in the unique geological features of Iceland, with lava fields, volcano hikes, massive waterfalls, and geothermal pools—all there for the taking.
This self-drive tour takes you along Iceland's south and west coasts for those in search of unique family adventure. After a day exploring the capital city, Reykjavik, you'll head west to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in miniature" with a bit of everything (and a fraction of the crowds). You'll then continue to the more popular Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall), and finish with two nights along the south coast discovering glaciers and black sand beaches.
In one week, enjoy three of Iceland's most beautiful regions. Explore the black-sand beaches, cliffs, and fishing towns along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the geothermal geological highlights in the Golden Circle, and the stunning waterfalls and glaciers along the South Coast. The trip closes out with a visit to Reykjavík and a tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula highlights, including several opportunities to soak in natural hot springs and lagoons.
Visit several scenic areas on this weeklong trip to Iceland. Encounter stunning waterfalls, geothermal areas, black-sand beaches, glaciers and more in the Golden Circle and South Coast. Venture to local gem, the Westman Islands, to enjoy the historic beach tours (there’s an active puffin colony in the summer months). Then, embark on an incredible hiking journey through the valleys and peaks of Thorsmork, before returning to Reykjavik for some enjoyment in the capital city.
The Icelandic Highlands are home to some of the most spectacular scenery and breathtaking landscapes on the planet. Trek the famous Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, camp in the Valley of Thor, and walk through volcanic valleys and canyons on this epic week-long adventure.
Lose the tourists crowding the South in the summer, and hit Iceland’s West and North, instead. This weeklong journey is a great second trip plan for those who’ve already visited popular areas (like the Golden Circle and South Coast). Spend time along the Arctic Coast and explore the remote northeast. Go whale watching in Husavik, tour the geothermal marvel that is Lake Mývatn, discover the fishing towns, black-sand beaches, and cliffs along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and more.
This seven-day, self-drive winter adventure in Iceland starts with a visit to the Golden Circle, where you'll hike among waterfalls and volcanic craters. From there, take a guided, off-road ATV tour for a wild ride across tundra fields and unbridged streams, then head to the East Fjords to tour the Streiti coastline via Jeep. Relax in the nature baths at Lake Mývatn before concluding your travels with an evening cruise under the dancing lights of the aurora borealis.
This weeklong trip covers the highlights of the West and remote Westfjords. Travel to some of the lesser-visited areas, with only a fraction of the crowds. Spend a few days in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula before ferrying to the remote Westfjords, home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Iceland. Hike along the jagged cliffs at Látrabjarg, visit a red-sand beach, and picnic at the powerful Dynjandi Waterfall. Spend time in Isafjordur and drive along the eight-fjord system to stop in small towns.
Enjoy the snowier side of Iceland on this seven-day winter adventure. On arrival, head "Into the Glacier" at Langjökull, on the way to discover the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, filled with basalt columns, black-sand beaches, and beautiful cliffs. Then, go on a snowmobiling excursion out of the Golden Circle, and wind down with a warm lagoon soak. Next, visit the spectacular frozen falls along the South Coast, including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, and go on glacier walks at Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón. Wind down with some exploration of snow-topped Reykjavik before heading home.
Embark on the famed Laugavegur Trail on this seven-day Icelandic trek. Journey through active, geothermal lava fields, the Rhyolite Mountains, and snow-covered passes. Cross through a black-sand desert and land in a native forest. Learn about wild and rare plants and animals, and soak in the hot springs along the way. This scenic-yet-basic camping trek allows you to maximize your time in this unique destination. You can choose to travel with just a day pack (luggage storage can be arranged), and you can opt for a guided or self-guided tour, depending on preference.
Venture off the beaten track with this seven-day family road trip that takes you through Iceland's beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula, across the iconic geysers of the Golden Circle, and to the breathtaking waterfalls of the South Coast. Discover orcas as you ride the ocean waves on a whale watching tour, and ride horses along the glittering black sands of Vík before getting up close and personal with the colorful puffins at Ingólfshöfði Cape.
Perfect for active families, this seven-day road trip combines the best child-friendly excursions with Iceland's stunning highlights. Discover lava tunnels, lunar landscapes, and thundering waterfalls as you drive the country's Golden Circle. Set sail to the volcanic island of Heimaey and explore the icebergs, glaciers, and glittering black sands of the South Coast. A day in Reykjavík concludes this family adventure.
Explore the magic of winter in Iceland on this seven-day, self-drive tour. Your journey begins with a drive to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where you'll stop in the picturesque town of Akranes and take a guided tour of Langjökull Ice Cave. Then, it's on to the Golden Circle for a visit to Þingvellir National Park and a snorkeling tour of Silfra fissure. See the wondrous phenomena of the aurora borealis, then close your trip with a soothing dip in the waters of the Blue Lagoon.
If your goal is to reinvigorate your mind and body while connecting with nature, there are few better places for it than Iceland. On this winter getaway, you'll take a road trip along famous circuit routes dotted with stunning scenery like rivers, waterfalls, rugged beaches, geothermal areas, and historic villages. And almost every day of the trip, you'll stop at natural hot springs to relax and recharge.
This weeklong winter adventure in Iceland takes you to the country's most famous natural highlights, including its largest glaciers. Upon arrival, you'll hop in a car and explore the waterfalls and national parks along the legendary Golden Circle route. Throughout this epic journey, you'll stop at glaciers for ice hikes, cave tours, and even snowmobile rides.
Packed full of family-friendly wildlife excursions and exhilarating drives through Iceland's rugged Westfjords region, this seven-day itinerary takes you past waterfalls, mountains, fjords, and red-sand beaches to wind up in the contemporary environs of Reykjavík. Along the way, discover tiny fishing villages untouched by time, remote islands full of seabirds, and the breathtaking landscape of Iceland's lesser-traveled western side.
Discover Iceland's wilder side with this whirlwind, seven-day road trip that takes you through the highlights of the country's north and west. Ideal for active families with older kids, experience thundering waterfalls, glacier volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, and ice caves as you journey from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the shores of Lake Mývatn. With exhilarating excursions aplenty, create treasured memories and enjoy quality family time while uncovering the land of ice and fire.
Perfect for families with older children in search of adventure and a digital switch-off, this seven-day road trip combines breathtaking excursions and a tour of Iceland's remote Eastfjords region. Discover wild reindeer, wintry glaciers, narrow fjords, towering basalt cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls as you venture from east to west. Along the way, you'll ride Icelandic horses, step inside a volcano, and relax in a geothermal infinity pool, ending your holiday restored, relaxed, and refreshed.
Punctuate a week of relaxation at Iceland's best geothermal spas with exhilarating helicopter flights, forays into volcanoes, and plenty of fine dining. In between soothing treatments and soaks, private tours will introduce you to the highlights of Reykjavík. Loop around the famous Golden Circle to glimpse its iconic geysers and waterfalls, then spend your last two nights in the Blue Lagoon's award-winning luxury resort.
This seven-day road trip in Iceland is as much a journey through Viking history as a sightseeing tour of incredible natural wonders. Not only will you see highlight waterfalls, beaches, and geothermal sites, but you'll also visit museums and historic locales like the home of Leif Erikson. As a bonus, you'll do some whale watching and go on a photo tour to see the northern lights.
Discover western Iceland's beauty at your own pace with this weeklong luxury tour that fuses once-in-a-lifetime private tours and experiences with a self-drive itinerary across the Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Discover Icelandic humor with a show at the capital's Harpa Concert Hall, set off by Super Jeep in search of the aurora borealis, and spend a night underneath the Golden Circle's starry skies in a glass lodge. A stay at the exclusive Sky Lagoon Spa completes your memorable trip.
Pack your best outdoor gear and sense of adventure for a week of exhilarating excursions, Michelin fine dining, and downtime in Iceland's premier hotels and spas. With a private guide and Super Jeep at your disposal throughout, you'll discover the Golden Circle's waterfalls and geysers, venture deep into the south coast's famous glaciers and ice caves and finish up in Reykjavík with a private climbing session among black basalt cliffs.
With a private driver at your disposal, a week is plenty of time to relax and unwind while seeing Iceland's varied natural wonders. During the day, you'll visit the famous Golden Circle geysers, the evocative black-sand beaches and waterfalls of the South Coast, and the seaside villages of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Spend the evenings in luxurious comfort with Michelin-starred dining and bookend your trip in the rejuvenating waters of Iceland's premier spas.
With a private helicopter and pilot at your disposal, you can squeeze an awful lot into a weeklong luxury jaunt to Iceland. You'll begin with three nights at the award-winning Retreat at the Blue Lagoon. Tear yourself away from your suite and private lagoon for day trips to the Golden Circle and Reykjavík. Then, it's a helicopter transfer to a secret location for three nights in one of the country's premier private lodges, complete with a private chef and daily helicopter adventures.
