One week in Iceland
Although a one-week stay won't be enough to see every corner of the island, it will be a good showcase the variety of superb landscapes that Iceland has to offer.
Waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, volcanoes, incredible vistas and hikes... Read on for a curated selection of things to see in Iceland.
Going to Iceland for 1 week
7-8 days in Iceland is simply not enough time to see everything the island, which is why many prefer to focus on a particular region. As a result, most of the 1-week trips offered by tour companies focus on one part of the country.
You could simply stay in and around Reykjavík, but we would recommend you focus on the southern or northern parts of the country.
Winter nights or summer days?
Your itinerary will be vastly different depending on the season you travel. In winter for example, Iceland still has it's particular charm, but you won't be able to do the same things as in summer. For example, many roads are closed and some of the most popular sites, inland in particular, remain simply inaccessible. On the flipside, there is no better time to see the famous Northern Lights.
You can find more information on the article the best time to visit Iceland.
It also depends on what you want to do: are you a fan of long-distance hiking? Looking for adventure? Extreme sports? Volcanoes? Glaciers? All of the above?
Our map of tourist sites by region is a good starting point. This will help you pinpoint the region of Iceland that is best suited to your desires based on the tourist sites nearby.
Below are some suggested 1-week itineraries that you can do indepently, or with a self-guided tour put together by a tour company.
South Iceland in 1 week
The surroundings of Myvatn in North Iceland
Whether you are doing a self-driving tour in a rental car or traveling by Bus, this itinerary will serve you well. Even without a car, you can reach these various sites quickly and easily, the BSI company for example offers has lines all over the country.
For additional information, read our article on buses in Iceland.
Organized excursions are another great option, most of which depart from Reykjavík, so be sure to check with Guide To Iceland, our local partner.
Iceland has a staggering variety of landscapes and natural wonders, and this is particularly true in the South. This itinerary is adapted to both summer and winter, and covers most of main sites on the south coast, the Golden Circle, and the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west.
Our map of tourist sites by region will give you tips to fine-tune your itinerary, specifically the tourist map of the south and the tourist map of the west.
Day 1: After arriving at Keflavik Airport, head to the nearby Blue Lagoon, a magical hot spring, before moving on to visit the capital Reykjavik. After strolling through the streets of 101, the capital's tourist district, and visiting the must-see attractions of Reykjavik, why not stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that the capital offers.
Day 2: Drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula and witness its magnificent landscapes. The peninsula is a showcase of Iceland's natual wonders: Buðir, Kirkjufell, Ytri Tunga... There is so much to see. Learn more about the Snaefellsnes peninsula and its points of interest in this article.
Day 3: After a stopover in the Husafell region to see the superb Hraunfossar Falls, maintain your course towards the Golden Circle. It is one of the country's tourist hotspots with 3 major sites: Geysir, the Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. In the evening, stop in the hot baths of the Secret Lagoon in Fluðir.
Day 4: Head south for a scenic drive on the famous road number 1 and after a stop near the Kerið crater, you will find the superb Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, among the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Next stop, the hidden pool of Seljavallalaug before your overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Day 5: Day 5 takes you to Skaftafell National Park with its many hikes across lunar landscapes with glaciers rising in the distance. Then, a stop at the site of Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon will be your change to see the icebergs floating sedately, arguably one of the most beautiful sights Iceland has to offer.
Day 6: For the 6th day, head west but be sure to stop at the canyon with the unpronounceable name Fjaðrárgljúfur. The afternoon will reveal the Vik region and its black sand beaches, the Reynisdrangar and Cape Dyrholaey, which you should take the time to appreciate. Depending on the time of year, this can be a great spot for puffin viewing.
Day 7: On the way back to Reykjavík, stop in the small town of Hveragerdi with its many greenhouses, and the short hike to Reykadalur will be rewarded with a dip in the hot water river. Learn more about hiking in Reykadalur and bathing in the hot water river. Return to Reykjavík to visit what you the sites that you missed the first time around before returning to Keflavik the following day to fly out.
The spectacular Jókulsárlón lagoon in the south
South Iceland has a very rich selection of landscapes and fantastic natural phenomena. After seeing the South, you will most likely want to come back to discover the North.
8-day organized trips to the south
Below are are some alternative itineraries for self-driving tours:
- 8 days in summer in the south and west
- 7 days in the south and south west
- 8 days in the south in winter
- 7 days in the south and south-west in winter
North Iceland in 1 week
This itinerary can be done by Bus or by rental car (you won't need a 4x4 vehicle to manage these roads).
You can find more information in our article on buses in Iceland.
The famous Blue Lagoon
North Iceland's coast is a string of peninsulas and fjords. It is also the region of Lake Myvatn with its famous craters, mud pots, solfatars, and fantastical lava flows.
Myvatn is one of the most visited regions in Iceland because it has a dense array of popular tourist attractions in small radius.
Our map of tourist sites by region will give you options to fine-tune this itinerary with the sites of your choice, specifically the tourist map of the north and the tourist map of the west.
Day 1: After arriving at Keflavik Airport, head to the nearby Blue Lagoon, a magical hot spring, before moving on to visit the capital Reykjavik. After strolling through the streets of 101, the capital's tourist district, and visiting the must-see attractions of Reykjavik, why not stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that the capital offers.
Day 2: Time to strike out for the north of Iceland. A first stop in the Husafell region will take you to the superb Hraunfossar Falls. Then, the small peat houses of Viðimyri and Glaumbaer are well worth a visit before arriving in the charming town of Akureyri, which has no shortage of attractions.
Day 3: Iceland's north coast and Arctic Ocean are famous for whale watching, most notably the fishing village of Husavik. Not far from here, be sure to stop at the Asbyrgi Canyon and then Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, before a relaxing evening in the Myvatn Nature Baths and its 38° waters.
Day 4: A full day will be devoted to Lake Myvatn and its surroundings. There is simply so much to see in the region. The region around the lake is home to a dozen sites, each more interesting than the last: the Viti crater, with its magnificent lake, the Skútustaðir site and its pseudo-craters, the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the Grjótagjá hot spring, Leirhnjúkur's walkable lava field, and finally Namafjall with its fumaroles and sulphurous air and the greens, reds, and yellows of its volcanic soil. And if you make it to the top of Hverfjall, a small mountain that dominates the region, you can see it all laid out before you.
Day 5: Return west via the north coast. Your first stop will be of the most beautiful falls in the country, the Godafoss waterfall near Myvatn, before visiting the villages on the north coast. Siglufjörður, Dalvik, and Ölafsförður are quaint fishing ports typical of northern Iceland. End the day in the Vatsnes Peninsula and snap photos of the local seals with the famous Hvitserkur ark in the background.
Day 6: The Golden Circle is one of the most touristic regions in the country with 3 major sites: Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. In the evening, rest your weary bones in the hot baths of the Secret Lagoon in Fluðir.
Day 7: On the way back to Reykjavík, be sure to stop near the Kerið crater before hiking to Reykadalur. Learn more about hiking in Reykadalur and bathing in the hot water river. Get to Reykjavík early enough in the day to to visit what you visit the sights you missed the first time around before returning to Keflavik the following day to fly out.
The area of Hverir (Namafjall) in Myvatn
8-day organized trips to the north
Below is an alternative self-driving tour if you want other options:
The 1-week Iceland tour
This itinerary is also possible by Bus or by rental car (you won't need 4x4 for these roads).
You can find more information in our article about buses in Iceland.
Arriving in the Eastern Fjords
Day 1: After arriving at Keflavik Airport, head to the nearby Blue Lagoon, a magical hot spring, before moving on to visit the capital Reykjavik. After strolling through the streets of 101, the capital's tourist district, and visiting the must-see attractions of Reykjavik, why not stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that the capital offers.
Day 2: Head south along the famous road number 1 and take in the breathtaking landscapes. After a stop near the Kerið crater, move on to the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, among the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. After an overnight stay in the Vik region with its black sand beaches, the Reynisdrangar and Cape Dyrholaey are worth taking the time to explore. Depending on the time of year, this can be a great spot for puffin viewing.
Day 3: Day 3 takes you to Skaftafell National Park with its numerous hiking trails in lunar landscapes surrounded by glaciers. Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon are a must-see to observe the icebergs, one of the most beautiful shows that Iceland can offer.
Day 4: Time to discover the charming eastern fjords including Djupivogur, Faskruðfjorður and the beautiful Seyðisfjörðdur. This is reindeer region, so keep your camera handy. End the day with a hike to the beautiful Hengifoss waterfall.
Day 5: A full day will be devoted to Lake Myvatn and its surroundings. There is simply so much to see in the region. The region around the lake is home to a dozen sites each more interesting than the last: the Viti crater, with its magnificent lake, the Skútustaðir site and its pseudo-craters, the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the Grjótagjá hot spring, Leirhnjúkur's walkable lava field, and finally Namafjall with its fumaroles and sulphurous air and the greens, reds, and yellows of its volcanic soil. And if you make it to the top of Hverfjall, a small mountain that dominates the region, you can see it all laid out before you.
Day 6: Return to the west via the north coast. First will be one of the most beautiful falls in the country, the Goðafoss waterfall near Myvatn before visiting the beautiful city of Akureyri. You will end the day in the Vatsnes Peninsula with its famous Hvitserkur ark and, of course, the local colony of seals.
Day 7: The last day will be dedicated to the Golden Circle. This region is a big tourist hotspot with 3 major sites: Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. In the evening, stop by the hot baths of the Secret Lagoon in Fluðir, or return directly to Reykjavík to fly out.
Vik and the Reynisdrangar
8-day organized trips around Iceland
Below are some alternative self-driving tours for you to choose from:
- 8-day self drive tour around Iceland
- 8-day self drive tour around Iceland on a budget
- 8-day self driving tour around Iceland in winter
For those who prefer an accompanied trip in a small group, it is also possible:
Other itineraries from 3 days to 3 weeks
