One to Two Week Iceland Itinerary for the Adventurous Traveler
So, you’ve got one week in Iceland and looking for an adventure? Awesome. Two weeks in Iceland? Even better!
Even though it’s small in size, Iceland packs a big punch when it comes to natural beauty, epic road trips, and adventures to be had. With all the waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, hotsprings, and hiking trails, it’s hard to narrow down your list of things to do into just a one or two week itinerary. Trust me, we get it! The struggle was real for us, too.
But we’re here to help. We spent two weeks traveling all over Iceland (and we mean all over). After, we picked some of our favorite, most memorable, and most worthwhile moments in Iceland and thought about how we would squeeze them into a one or two week Iceland itinerary for those looking for some real adventure in the land of fire and ice, and we wanted to share it with you!
While it can be a little overwhelming, we are here to assure you that no matter how much time you have to spend in Iceland, it’s going to be amazing, and even in as little as a week, you can see a ton of Iceland’s highlights. In this post, we’ll give you our humble recommendations for a few awesome itineraries if you have just one or even two weeks in Iceland.
Of course, there are so many different options for how you can plan out your time in this beautiful country, and our Iceland itineraries aren’t the end all be all by any means. But we hope our suggestions give you a good starting point for figuring out what you want to do here and how you might want to spend your time!
Article Contents
About This Iceland Itinerary
When to go to Iceland
Iceland is a year- round destination, but for these one and two week itineraries, you’ll need to come in the summer. These road trips include venturing into the highlands in Iceland’s interior and also involve hiking (of course we can’t leave our favorite activity off of these itineraries!), both of which are only accessible between mid-June and early September when the roads and trails are clear from snow.
How to get around in Iceland
We highly recommend renting a car in Iceland (or better yet, a campervan!) and touring this incredible country on your own.
Here are just some of the benefits renting a car in Iceland can give you:
You’ll have the freedom to go as you please, not constrained by any strict schedules.
You can make stops along your route if you see something cool (trust us, this will happen).
You can spend as long as you wish at each destination.
You’ll have the flexibility to change your plans around based on weather, which is notoriously fickle and unpredictable in Iceland. There were quite a few times where we made last minute adjustments to plans because rain and road closures were in the forecast.
Plus, it’s probably cheaper to do this than relying on public buses and expensive tours to get you around for a week or two.
Have I convinced you yet?!
Where to stay in Iceland
We camped around the country on our two week trip through Iceland, and we would highly recommend it, especially if you’re the adventurous type, which is why you’re reading this itinerary, right?! It’s so great to have the flexibility to just go where the road takes you and set up camp wherever you end up. Plus, you can sleep in some incredible places and save money doing it!
Throughout this itinerary, we will give you general locations/towns of where to stay each night. Campgrounds are generally everywhere in Iceland, including all of the places we list here. You can find them in each major town and all along the ring road, so you’re never too far from a place to pitch your tent or park or van. Use this site to find campsites based on where you are in the country. Easy peasy!
Ok, now that we got some of the logistics down, let’s get to it! Up first, our itinerary for two weeks in Iceland.
Two Week Iceland Itinerary
Ok, you’ve got two weeks in Iceland? Lucky you! There are so many places you can explore in that time, and an infinite number of possible ways you can weave them together into a two week itinerary.
So, where to start? We have two solutions for you.
The first option, and one of the most popular, is to drive Iceland’s ring road. This 828-mile road encircles the entire country, bringing you through some of the best natural features and attractions that Iceland has to offer. Sounds great, right?
Two weeks is a comfortable time frame to make this journey around Iceland, giving you ample time to explore each region without feeling overly rushed.
The good news is we have a whole other post that outlines all of our favorite spots on Iceland’s ring road, with some sample itineraries for different timeframes and some extra suggestions for add-ons to the ring road. So, check out that post if you want to plan a ring road trip!
The second option is to spend your two weeks in Iceland in one area and really exploring all it has to offer. For this article, we’re going to focus on more of an adventure-based itinerary that dives deep into the south coast of Iceland, where a huge concentration of popular and off the beaten path destinations are located. The south coast has so much to offer and you really don’t want to feel rushed travelling through here, so we think that spending two weeks here is absolutely well worth your time.
In this two week itinerary, you’re going to be hiking epic trails, walking across glaciers, chasing waterfalls, and maybe even doing some snorkeling if you’re up for it! Iceland is a true adventurer’s paradise, and we made this itinerary specifically so you can take advantage of it all!
Iceland two week itinerary map
Day 1: Pick up your rental car and head to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Driving time/distance: 2 hr 20 min / 180 km
Where to stay: Grundarfjordur
Day at a glance: Pick up your car and make your way to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, stopping in Reykjavik or at Glymur Falls on your way.
Today is the day you arrive in Iceland. Yay! Get excited!
You’ll arrive at the Keflavik airport, which is about 45 minutes away from the capital of Reykjavik, so we highly recommend arranging to pick up your rental car right at the airport (or nearby – most places that are close to the airport will have free airport pickup and dropoff).
Today, we recommend skipping right through Reykjavik and driving right on to your first adventure! You could spend some time in the city today if you have time (and you also might have time towards the end of this itinerary), but this itinerary is really all about exploring the natural beauty of the country!
To be honest, we didn’t spend any time in the city…we aren’t really city people and we wanted to use as much of our precious little time in the country as we could to see all the natural wonders of Iceland. However, I do kind of wish we took at least a few hours to walk around and see the sights in downtown Reykjavik, and we definitely plan to do so on our next trip. So taking a few hours now or at the end is fine…whatever your preference is!
Whatever your choice, your final destination will be on the northern edge of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, in a tiny fishing village called Grundarfjordur. From Reykjavik, you’ll start off west along the ring road, and it’s about a 2 hour and 20 minute drive.
Grundarfjordur will put you just a few minutes away from a very popular spot on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and in all of Iceland, actually…Kirkjufell. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ll probably recognize the picture…it’s quite famous.
Kirkufell is a famous triangle-shaped mountain standing seemingly on its own, often photographed with the waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss, in the foreground.
This place is always filled with people seeking to get that one hugely fmaous shot, especially at sunrise or sunset. If you have time tonight, you can take a quick drive here to watch the sunset behind Kirkjufell and knock this first attraction of your list!
With extra time: If your flight arrived early and your car rental pickup went smoothy, you’ll have some time to kill today since it only takes a little over two hours to get to your final destination for the night. Our tip would be to check out the hike to Glymur Falls. This is a half day hike that will take you to a viewpoint overlooking Iceland’s second tallest waterfall. Located about an hour from Reykjavik, it would be a slight detour on your drive between Reykjavik and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We recommend this site to learn more.
Day 2: Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Driving time/distance: 3.5 hours / 230 km
Where to stay: Akranes or Reykjavik
Day at a glance: Take a day trip around the entire perimeter of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, hitting all the highlights.
Today is a full day dedicated to exploring the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We think this is a good way to kick-off your two week itinerary through Iceland because it serves as a great introduction of everything to come! This small piece of the country is often called “Iceland in Miniature” because of its ability to squeeze in a lot of Iceland’s unique landscapes into one concentrated area…it’s kind of like driving a short version of the ring road!
On a road trip through the Snaefellsnes, you’ll drive past volcanoes and craters and lava fields, waterfalls, scenic coastline and fishing villages, black and golden sand beaches, and through one of Iceland’s three National Parks.
Phew, that’s a lot for one day! And guys, this is just your first day in Iceland!
For now, here are some of our favorites:
Snaefellsjokull National Park: Sitting at the very tip of the Peninsula, this park is named after the Snaefellsjokull volcano and glacier. On a clear day, the views of this giant are incredible.
Svortuloft Lighthouse: A brightly colored orange lighthouse that makes a stunning contrast to the black lave fields that surround it. A short path along the cliff’s edge provides nice views of the strong Atlantic seas and even a cool rock arch formation.
Djupalonssandur Beach: …yea, we don’t know how to pronounce it either (you’ll have that feeling quite often in Iceland). But despite its name, this was our favorite spot on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula! This is a picturesque black sand beach that showcases the stormy Atlantic Ocean vibe with mesmerizing waves and fun rock formations. Short walks will take you to a couple different viewpoints along the coast or right down to the beach.
Arnarstapi: A small seaside village with coastal walks. From these viewpoints, you can spot scenic rock arches and basalt cliffs.
And of course, before you leave your place in Grundarfjordur, you can stop again at Kirkjufellsfoss in the early morning to try to avoid any heavy midday crowds.
Where to stay: Once you’re done exploring all the cool spots on the peninsula, start making your way back towards Reykjavik. There are plenty of towns along the way you can stay in, or you can just go all the way back to Reykjavik itself.
We personally spent a night at the campground in Akranes. It rained the entire time we camped there so we didn’t leave our van other than to make food and use the bathrooms, but it was a nice quiet place to spend the night, and much cheaper than the campsite in Reykjavik!
Day 3: The Golden Circle
Driving time/distance: 2 hr / 130 km
Where to stay: Along the Golden Circle, close to Gullfoss
Day at a glance: Hit all the highlights around Iceland’s famous Golden Circle.
Today you will be exploring Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. This is Iceland’s most popular tourist route due to its close proximity to Reykjavik, the fact that it can be driven in just one day, and because it has lots of different elements packed into a concentrated area.
The Golden Circle is best known for three famous attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hotsprings, and Gullfoss. Today, you’ll be visiting each of these, plus stopping at one additional more off-the-beaten-path place: Bruarfoss.
Since we have a separate post with much more detail, we will just mention these spots briefly here.
Thingvellir National Park
Your first stop is only about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. One of Iceland’s three National Parks, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir holds both historical and geological importance to Iceland. Not only is Thingvellir the location of the early Icelandic government, but it also sits on the Mid-Atlantic Rift… meaning that when you’re here, you are literally walking in between two continental plates! Say what? Yea, it’s pretty neat! As you walk through the park, you’ll experience a variety of natural features that formed as a consequence of these two plates slowly drifting apart.
Another unique thing you can do is go snorkeling! I bet you didn’t expect us to say that in an Iceland itinerary, did you?
In Thingvellir National Park, a famous ravine known as Silfra sits between the two continental plates. It’s filled with glacial melt, meaning its super clear water with high visibility, making Silfra one of the most famous diving spots in the entire world! You might not see crazy animals like in a normal diving trip, but you can see the underwater workings and geology behind the two tectonic plates…I’d say that’s pretty cool! But don’t take my word for it…it’s been called one of the top experiences in the world!
And by cool, I mean not just because of the geology, but it’s cold. I mean, you are in Iceland after all. Several companies offer guided snorkel trips, and they are worth taking a look for some added adventure for your two weeks in Iceland! If you add this activity onto your Iceland itinerary, the whole experience will only take you about a half a day, so you have plenty of time today to add this in.
Bruarfoss
Bruarfoss was hands-down our favorite stop along Iceland’s Golden Circle. Famous for its milky blue color, this is still a lesser visited stop along this popular tourist route, so it’s a good place to leave the bigger crowds behind.
To get here, though, requires more than just a jump out of the car to get that picture. It’s about a 4.4 mile roundtrip hike to get to Bruarfoss, but you’ll be treated with two more waterfalls along the way that are arguably even bluer, if you can believe it!
Geysir Geothermal Area
Next up is Geysir… this geothermal area is a favorite among many tourists road tripping through the Golden Circle, mainly because of the main attraction, Strokkur. This geyser can be seen from the parking area, erupting about every 5-10 minutes and shooting water about 100 feet into the air…you can’t miss it!
Of course, there are plenty of other geysers, steam vents, and bubbling mud pits to marvel at, and we’d say walking through here is reminiscent of some of Yellowstone’s geothermal areas.
Gullfoss
One of Iceland’s most famous and most visited waterfalls, Gullfoss is not to be missed on a tour of the Golden Circle. Getting up close, you can tell how this waterfall claims the title of Europe’s largest waterfall by volume. Just make sure you wear your rain gear! You will get wet!
What’s our take on the Golden Circle? To be honest, the Golden Circle was a little underwhelming for us… don’t get me wrong, it’s still very cool, but I think it was just overshadowed by all the other amazing things around the country that we had already experienced. Since you are in Iceland for two weeks, though, there’s plenty of time to squeeze this in. But, if you are looking for ways to add more onto this itinerary, we would say this day would be the first one to replace with something else.
Full disclaimer: We did not snorkel at Silfra. So, if you are interested in that activity, then by all means keep this day on your itinerary!
Where to stay: We would recommend staying tonight along this Golden Circle route, close to Geysir or Gullfoss. We stayed at the campground right near Geysir. It was a little pricey due to its location on a popular tourist route, but convenient. The campground was minimalistic, with no indoor kitchen facilities, just indoor bathrooms and an outdoor dish washing station. Wifi and showers were extra charges as well. The camping area was nice, and even had trees to set the tent up near…which is a rarity in Iceland!
Day 4: The Icelandic Highlands: Hveradalir and Hveravellir Geothermal Areas
Driving time/distance: About 4.5 hr / 195 km (if you visit both places)
Where to stay: Fludir
Day at a glance: Explore two off the beaten path geothermal wonders in the heart of the Icelandic highlands.
Today you’ll be venturing into the Icelandic highlands. The highlands are located in the interior of the country, accessed only by rough dirt and gravel roads known as F roads. These roads absolutely require a 4x4 vehicle and can only be driven between late June and early September when they are clear of snow.
The journey to get to these remote locations is long. You’ll spend hours driving rough desolate roads that will definitely make you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere…which you basically are. You’ll also need a fairly confident and really focused driver… trust us, it’s quite mentally exhausting having to stay so sharp and focused and constantly be on the lookout for potholes, rocks, and other obstacles in the road!
But, it’s worth it! This is one of those times where the journey is just as cool as the destination, so (try to) sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
Kerlingarfjoll and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area
Ok, this is one of those “learn from us” moments. Spoiler alert: we never made it here.
Kerlingarfjoll is mountain range in Iceland’s highlands, and also the name of a resort and camping area, both located about an hour and 45 minutes from Gullfoss off the Golden Circle. From Kerlingarfjoll’s resort, you can access, via a hike or short drive, an incredible geothermal area known as Hveradalir – one of Iceland’s largest. Reminiscent of the Landmannalauger landscape, you can hike through this incredibly photogenic area of rolling hills covered in steaming vents and boiling mud pits.
To get here, you’ll drive past Gullfoss on route 35. This road eventually turns into an F road (F35), and you’ll follow this long straight barren road for just over an hour. Around then, you’ll come to a sign telling you to turn right for Kerlingarfjoll. TURN HERE. Don’t be fooled by another sign that indicates Hveravellir straight ahead. That was our mistake. We knew we were looking for a geothermal area that started with an H, and that it was a short drive from Kerlingarfjoll, (and we couldn’t get our SIM card until the next day so had no way to look up the actual name…but that’s a different story), so we figured that H word we saw on the sign was the one and continued straight (but hey, can you blame us? The names of these two areas are way too similar!).
Although we never did make it here, we felt like we couldn’t leave it off our Iceland itinerary…it looks just too cool and we will definitely make a point to visit here on our next trip to Iceland!
Hveravellir Geothermal Area
This is where we ended up. And we weren’t mad! (Ok, I can’t lie, I was a little mad, but we still ended up seeing something cool!)
If you continue straight on F35 past Kerlingarfjoll, you’ll arrive here in about 20 minutes.
Here, you’ll find camping and lodging, a nice restaurant, bathrooms (for a small fee), and some walking trails that weave between steaming vents and geothermal pools.
You can even walk some longer trails that take you pretty far out into the middle of lava fields…basically into the middle of nowhere. And even out here, there were sheep! (These guys are literally everywhere in Iceland and I am all here for it.)
So, not quite what we were expecting, but still a unique stop nonetheless.
We would recommend trying to squeeze a visit into both of these places today if you have the time. We would suggest visiting Hveradalir first. If you drive all the way to the geothermal area rather than hike there from Kerlingarfjoll then you will likely just need a few hours here. Then, if you feel like you have the time, make the quick detour to Hveravellir…you drove all the way out here so mine as well see all that you can!
Where to stay: On your drive back, we recommend staying the night in Fludir, as it will make a good starting point for the drive into Landmannalauger tomorrow.
However, like we said, you do have the option to stay at either of the geothermal sites above. You can easily camp, but if you want to stay in the lodging at either place, just make sure to book well in advance, as space is very limited.
Day 5: Landmannalaugar
Driving time/distance: 2 hr / 120 km
Where to stay: Landmannalaugar
Day at a glance: Venture into Iceland’s most famous highland destination. Explore a few off the beaten spots along the way.
Next up on your two week itinerary is an absolute must-see for any adventurous traveler in Iceland…Landmannalaugar. Filled with colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal vents, and out of this world scenery, Landmannalaugar is definitely a bucketlist-worthy destination for anyone who loves hiking and the outdoors.
Landmannalaugar is another remote destination in Iceland’s highlands, requiring another long drive down bumpy gravel F roads. But it is so worth it!
The drive into Landmannalaugar is super unique. As you leave the ring road and enter the Fjallback Nature Reserve, you will start to be surrounded by desolate black sand deserts punctuated by bright green moss-covered volcanoes. I was so looking forward to seeing this landscape on our trip to Iceland, and it didn’t disappoint!
The drive to Landmannalaugar will be about 2 hours, but we recommend taking your time and making a few stops along the way.
For example, Haifoss, the fourth tallest waterfall in Iceland, is located at the edge of the highlands as you make your way from Fludir. It’s a short detour off the road to Landmannalaugar, but its picturesque setting makes it pretty worth it. Just see for yourself…
Pretty neat, right?
Also, check out this awesome volcanic lake we stopped at!
It was actually raining when we arrived at this spot, called Ljótipollur, and we (not-so) patiently waited in our car for the better part of an hour for the rain to clear so that we could get out and take the short (but steep) hike up to this viewpoint. It’s safe to say that this was one of my most favorite sights in all of Iceland.
You can also stop at Sigoldugljufur, a picturesque series of falls that we missed because of the lack of clear parking, but we did see this small but sweet falls on the way.
As you can tell, driving into Landmannalaugar won’t be a straight shot. You’ll likely be making several stops, even if it’s just to gawk at the scenery around you on the road. So take your time and enjoy this relaxing journey into the highlands.
Once you get to Landmannalaugar, you’ll be greeted with the epic landscape that makes this area so special…colorful rhyolite mountains and black lava fields shrouded in steaming vents surround the valley.
You can set up camp, relax in the People’s Pool (a natural hotspring), or take a short stroll through the nearby lava fields. This evening should be relaxing, as tomorrow you’ll tackle a bigger hike and one of our personal favorites in Iceland.
Day 6: Landmannalaugar hiking!
Driving time/distance: 2 hr 30 min / 134 km
Where to stay: The campground at Seljalandsfoss
Day at a glance: Go on an epic hike in Landmannalaugar!
This just might be your favorite day in your two weeks in Iceland! It was definitely one of ours!
Today you’ll be hiking the Blahnukur Brennisteinsalda Loop, our favorite hike in Iceland!
We loved it so much that we have entire post about how to tackle this epic hike in Landmannalaugar, so be sure to check that out when you are planning out the day. It will go over everything you need to know to prepare for this hike, and give you an overview of the trails you’ll have to take.
But for now, we’ll just tell you that this hike is a great way to get a taste of Landmannalaugar, as it weaves between expansive lava fields, past geothermal vents, and summits two volcanoes with breathtaking views of the rhyolite mountains and lava fields below.
You can do just one of these hikes (either Blahnukur or Brennisteinsalda), but we highly recommend combining them into a larger loop. It’s just under 6 miles, about 2,000 feet of elevation gain, and takes between 4-5 hours.
Overall, this hike was our favorite in Iceland, and it’s not to be missed on your Iceland itinerary! Just be sure to get an early start to avoid the crowds that come in on the daily buses from Reykjavik, and come prepared for all sorts of weather, especially rain.
Where to stay: In this afternoon, you’ll (sadly) have to say goodbye to this epic landscape and head back towards the ring road. You can choose to stay anywhere along the ring road between where route 26 (the road to Landmannalaugar) comes out and Seljalandsfoss, the first destination for tomorrow. This includes the towns of Hella and Hvolsvollur.
Our recommendation: We stayed at the campground right at Seljalandsfoss. It has a nice indoor facility with a kitchen area, bathrooms, and showers and laundry (for a fee). But the best part? Getting to set up your tent so that you get a front row view of the waterfalls flowing down the cliffsides. It’s what camping in Iceland is all about! Plus, you’ll be able to get an early start tomorrow and beat the midday crowds at the falls.
Day 7: South coast highlights between Seljalandsfoss and Vik
Driving time/distance: 2 hr / 90 km
Where to stay: Vik
Day at a glance: Make your way along the southern ring road to Vik, making several stops along the way.
Today you’ll be driving along the first half of the Iceland’s southern ring road, making your way from Seljalandsfoss to Vik, and seeing tons of waterfalls (and other cool things) on the way. For more information on each of these places, make sure to take a look at our ring road post.
Here are some of the highlights of today:
Seljalandsfoss
If you camped here last night, you’ll be first in line at one of Iceland’s most popular falls! From the campground, you can take a 10 minute walk along a path that has several waterfalls gracefully cascading down the cliffsides.
At one end of this walking path lies Seljalandsfoss, hugely popular due to its photogenic appearance and the fact that you can walk right behind it. Be careful here as the rocks are wet and slippery.
Expect a lot of people here. This is a major stop for tour buses, which is why it’s all the better to try to visit here as early as possible.
If you didn’t camp here but drove from somewhere else this morning, there is a small fee to park in the lot for Seljalandsfoss which you can pay using parking machines right in the lot.
Gljufrabuifoss
On the other end of the walking path to Seljalandsfoss is Gljufrabuifoss. This was actually one of our favorite falls in Iceland (which is really saying something, with all the falls to choose from!).
For some reason, it’s less crowded than the neighboring Seljalandsfoss, probably because tour buses don’t specifically stop here. But the lack of crowds makes it that much more special.
The cool thing about this waterfall is that the majority of it is hidden behind the cliffside, and you have to walk through a small rock cave to get to its base. Make sure to have good waterproof shoes and rain gear as you’ll have to rock hop up a small stream inside the cave, and once you’re at the falls, you’ll be getting rained on. So fun!
Skogafoss
Next up on our waterfall tour of Iceland’s south coast is a classic favorite…Skogafoss. We loved this waterfall so much we visited three times!
This falls is quite popular, too, but getting here early in the morning (or later in the evening) may allow you to experience fewer crowds when the tour buses aren’t there. Even if it’s busy, though, most people don’t get too close to the base because of how wet you’ll get, so it’s easy to get some pretty cool pictures without anyone in them…just wear that rain gear (are you sensing a theme here yet?)!
While you’re here, don’t forget to climb the stairs to the top viewing platform. At the top, the trail actually continues inland along the Skoga River as it is the start of the incredible Fimmvorduhals Trail to Thorsmork, which you will be doing later on in this itinerary!
Kvernfoss
This hidden gem is located right next to Skogafoss. It’s located at the end of a short hike that starts just behind the museum in the town of Skogar. It’s much less visited than the other famous falls along the south coast, but looks just as picturesque, lined by a mossy green canyon.
When we tried to visit this falls, we were unsure of where exactly to park. The museum was closed and we saw no cars around and didn’t want to park illegally, and we later read that you have to pay the museum a small fee to park there. We would suggest visiting here during museum hours and inquiring about the falls inside.
Solheimajokull Glacier Lagoon
Ok, finally something that’s not a waterfall! Instead, it’s your first glimpse at a one of Iceland’s many glacial lagoons.
A short ten minute walk from the parking lot will get you up close and personal to the foot of a massive glacier…actually, it will be the closest you get to any glacier on this Iceland itinerary (except when you walk on one later!). You actually can book a glacier tour to walk on this one, but we’re saving our glacier hike for later in the itinerary when you’ll be walking on an outlet of Europe’s largest icecap…no biggie, right?
Dyrholaey Peninsula
A short detour off the ring road, this Peninsula provides a bird’s eye view of Iceland’s famous black beach, Reynisjafara, and of the famously picturesque rock arch from which the peninsula gets its name.
To get to the highest view point and get the famous picture of the arch, you’ll have to drive up a 4x4 road that detours off the road that goes to the tip of the peninsula. Otherwise, you can get a view of the arch from the other side at the end of the peninsula, or you can hike to it from here as well.
Another small black sand beach, Kirkjufara, lies to the west, but access to this was closed when we were here because of dangerous conditions.
This is also a good spot to find puffins if in Iceland at the right time of year! They can be spotted usually around April to mid-August.
We loved the views from here back towards the glacially-capped mountains behind us as well.
Reynisjafara
Included on all Iceland itineraries is the famous black sand beach, Reynisjafara, most known not for its expansive stretch of black sand, but for its iconic basalt columns that line the eastern edge of the beach.
Just use caution on your visit here, as Iceland is known for its dangerous “sneaker waves”. Surprise waves and strong currents can become super dangerous, so don’t get too close to the water, even if it looks deceptively safe.
Vik
You’ll end tonight in the town of Vik, just a short 15 minute drive from the black sand beach. Here, you can explore the quaint coastal village and more black sand beaches, such as Reynisdrangar View.
Where to stay: There are plenty of accommodations in Vik and a nice campground for both tent and campervan camping.
Day 8: South coast highlights: Vik to Skaftafell
Driving time/distance: 2 hr / 150 km
Where to stay: Vatnajokull National Park
Day at a glance: Continue down the ring road, exploring lava fields, canyons, and glaciers.
Today, you’ll leave Vik in the morning and head further down the ring road towards your third and final National Park in Iceland. On the way, you’ll notice that the landscape makes a sudden change and you’ll find yourself driving through vast expanses of moss-covered lava fields.
Fjafrargljufar Canyon
Though we certainly cannot pronounce it (we’ve had many laughable attempts!), this canyon is a worthy detour on your way to Skaftafell.
After being featured in a Justin Bieber music video in 2015, this canyon exploded in popularity, and its fragile landscape became victim to the increased crowds. Now, the canyon is only open to visitors for just a few months each summer in order to allow proper recovery of the area (again, stay on the trails!).
If you get to visit this stunning canyon, a short walking trail follows the eastern edge and ends in a small platform overlook a pretty waterfall that pours into the canyon below.
Vatnajokull National Park
As you drive towards Skaftafell along the ring road, Iceland’s glacier giants will get closer and closer as you make your way to the final destination of the day, Vatnajokull National Park. This is sometimes also still referred to as Skaftafell National Park, and while this was once this area’s name, it has recently been incorporated into the larger Vatnajokull Park.
This National Park encompasses and protects Vatnajokull and its surrounding areas. Vatnajokull is a massive icecap, often designated as Europe’s largest glacier, and makes up 8% of Iceland’s total landmass!
As you drive by this area along the ring road, you’ll pass by several of its giant glacier tongues cascading down the cliffsides. The area of Skaftafell centers around one of these glacial tongues, Skaftafellsjokull. Here, you’ll find an educational visitor’s center with a bunch of scenic hiking trails that will take you either to epic viewpoints over the glaciers or to the base of the glacial tongues.
We highly recommend the Svartifoss-Sjonarnipa hike on your visit to Skaftafell. This is a great option for a 2-3 hour, 7.5 mile hike in the park that could be easily done in the afternoon after you arrive here. This hike will take you to Svartifoss, a picturesque waterfall cascading down a wall of black basalt columns, and then to a beautiful overlook of the Skaftafell glacier.
Where to stay: We recommend staying at the Skaftafell campground right at the park. It’s a little bit pricier than other campgrounds you’ll find along the ring road, however if you stay here, you’re entrance fee into the National Park is waived. It also has free showers…score!
Day 10: South coast highlights: Glacier hike and lagoons!
Driving time/distance: 2 hr / 125 km
Where to stay: Vatnajokull National Park
Day at a glance: Hike on Iceland’s largest glacier and explore glacial lagoons.
The great thing about having two weeks in Iceland is that you have the time to really explore an area and get to do activities you otherwise might skip out on. Today, for example, you’ll be glacier hiking! Hiking on a glacier tongue of Europe’s largest glacier? That’s definitely one for the bucketlist, am I right?
Glacier Hike
There are dozens of tour operators to choose from when it comes to glacier hikes in this area, but they all basically do the same thing and for right around the same price. Tour options range from 3 hours to full day excursions, and some may be combined with other activities like ice climbing or kayaking in the glacier lagoons, so it’s really up to you, your preferences, and your budget.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, check out the Guide to Iceland site to start to get a feel for the different tour companies that operate here, or a simple google search will bring up plenty of trusted and well-known companies as well.
Also, no prior experience is needed for any of these tours. The operators provide you with your helmet, crampons, and ice axe, and instruct you on how to use it, but we recommend wearing warm boots and to dress in light layers.
The tour at a glance: It will likely be a short drive to the glacier you’ll be hiking (probably 10-20 minutes – this depends on what glacier can be hiked based on safety conditions) and then a short 20 minute hike from the parking lot to the base of the glacier where you’ll strap on your crampons, get your instructions, and start your climb onto the snow! For a three hour tour, you’re looking at about an hour and a half on the ice, which is enough time to get a taste for glacier hiking and exploring some of the glacial features, such as crevasses, and if you’re lucky, even ice caves.
Svinafellsjokull
If you opted for a shorter glacier tour, you’ll have all afternoon to explore more of the southern ring road. And don’t worry - if you’ve opted for a full day tour today, you’ll have time to hit up the rest of today’s spots tomorrow!
Just past the entrance to Vatnajokull National Park lies another glacial tongue, Svinafellsjokull. We loved this spot…there were few people here, but the views over the lagoon and its glacier were stunning!
Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon
About 45 minutes up the ring road from Svinafellsjokull is a hidden gem. I say it’s a hidden gem because, despite being totally accessible, right off the ring road, and gorgeous, very few people were here, and I’m still not sure why! I think it’s just so overshadowed by the neighboring and very famous lagoon – Jokulsarlon – right down the road.
In any case, Fjallsarlon is a must-see on your Iceland itinerary. A short walk from the parking lot will lead you to beautiful views with a straight shot out to the Fjallsarlon glacier.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Another 15 minutes up the road is Iceland’s most famous glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon. How popular is it? Let’s just say this place had, by far, the most crowds we had seen anywhere in Iceland. Despite that though, it is still absolutely worth adding this onto your Iceland itinerary.
The views are breathtaking out towards the distant glacial giants, with massive icebergs floating and calving in the huge lagoon. A short walking path has nice vantage points over the lagoon. If it weren’t for the crowds, this place would really have you feel like you’re truly up in the Arctic.
Diamond Beach
Just across the street from the lagoon is Diamond Beach. Here, you can walk around chunks of ice that have floated ashore as they make their way out from the lagoon to the sea. The pretty contrast of the twinkling ice on the dark black sands is what gives this beach its name. Oh, and keep your eye out for seals!
Where to stay: We would recommend just leaving your camp set up at Skaftafell and returning there this evening, as the Jokularlson Lagoon is as far on the ring road as you’ll go on this two week Iceland itinerary. Or, if you decided to do a full day glacier tour, then you’ll be here already!
Day 11: Relaxing day, drive back towards Seljalandsfoss
Driving time/distance: 2.5 hr / 200 km
Where to stay: Seljalandsfoss campground
Day at a glance: Drive back to Seljalandsfoss and prepare for your big hike tomorrow!
If you’ve kept up with this itinerary so far, kudos to you, because this Iceland itinerary is certainly jam-packed! Today is meant to be a relaxing day driving back down the ring road towards Reykjavik. Take your time, stop at any sights you might have missed or just want to see again. Get some rest in today, because tomorrow is the Fimmvorduhals hike, which will be a big day.
You’ll end your day back at Seljalandsfoss, so it’s a good opportunity to see sunset at the falls, which we hear is quite spectacular!
If you opted for more time in the highlands earlier, or for a full day glacier tour, today’s the day to visit the lagoons and glaciers from yesterday afternoon, and then head back to Seljalandsfoss in the afternoon.
Where to stay: We would recommend staying right at the Seljalandsfoss campground again tonight. It’s a good starting point for arranging transportation to and from the start and end of the Fimmvorduhals hike.
Day 12 and 13: The Fimmvorduhals Hike and Thorsmork
Driving time/distance: 0
Where to stay: Thorsmork / Seljalandsfoss campground
Day at a glance: Hike Iceland’s best day hike, over 15 miles through three epic landscapes.
Today you’ll be taking on Iceland’s most epic day hike, the Fimmvorduhals hike, and one of the best adventures you’ll have on this two week Iceland itinerary. It’s a challenging trail where you’ll trek about 15 miles and climb over 4,000 feet in elevation.
During this hike, you’ll walk through three incredible landscapes:
First, you’ll climb to the top of Skogafoss and follow the Skoga River inland where you can spot 25 additional waterfalls as you traverse alongside the lush bright green canyons. On a clear day, you can see glaciers glistening in the distance.
You’ll then traverse across black sand deserts, lava fields, and volcanic remnants as you journey between two giant icecaps, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull. Here, you’ll be walking across some of the newest geologic features on Earth from a recent 2010 eruption!
In the last leg of the hike, you’ll begin your descent into Thorsmork as the landscape drastically changes in front of you yet again. The bright green moss lining the canyons contrasting with the dark black sand plateaus is otherwordly. You’ll end your hike in the Thorsmork, where you can spend the night.
The Fimmvorduhals hike is a challenge, both physically and logistically. Arranging transportation for this one-way hike can be tricky, and will require the use of a series of public buses and/or taxis. Spending the previous night in Seljalandsfoss is the best option in our opinion, as this is the closest bus stop to both the start and end of the trail.
You can also choose to do this hike over two days and spend the first night on a hut about half way down the trail.
Whether or not you choose to stay at the hut on the trail on the first night, or hike the entire length in one day and spend the night in Thorsmork, you’ll have some time on the second day to explore Thorsmork before catching the bus back to your car in Seljalandsfoss. There are a few good short hikes in the area. We recommend checking out Valahnukur for a short hike to a good overlook of the valley.
We think we really saved the best for last, and that this hike through the highlands is an awesome way to wrap up your two weeks in Iceland.
Where to stay: On the first night, you’ll stay either at the hut along the trail or at the Basar in Thorsmork (take a look at our Fimmvorduhals post for information on either of these options).
On the afternoon of day 2, you’ll take the bus back out from Thorsmork back to your car in Seljalandsfoss, where you can spend another night.
Day 14: Head back to Keflavik with some optional detours
Driving time/distance: 2 hr 15 min / 170 km
Day at a glance: Head back to the airport, with some detours along the way.
Unfortunately, every trip comes to an end, and today is that day. It’s ok, you can cry a little, we won’t judge.
Today, you’ll be driving back to the airport to drop off your rental car or campervan and head back home.
But, the good news is, if your flight is not until later in the afternoon, you still have some time to squeeze in some last minute exploring!
In the morning, you can use this time to spend a couple hours touring Reykjavik. Alternatively, you can explore more of the Reykjanes Peninsula (where the airport is). This is a small area that can be visited in just a few hours. It has the oh-so popular Blue Lagoon, but it also has a bunch of natural attractions, including lava tubes and geothermal springs, such as Krysuvik, that a lot of people miss out on. Check this out for some other things you can see on this peninsula in just a half a day.
One Week Iceland Itinerary
Have only a week in Iceland and need a slightly shorter itinerary? Not a problem! You can still explore some of the best sights in Iceland in just a week if you map out your time just right.
Otherwise, with a week in Iceland we would recommend sticking to one area and really exploring it well. Below is how we would recommend shortening our two week Iceland itinerary while trying to keep our favorite experiences in.
Day 1: Land in Iceland, pick up the car/campervan, and hit the road!
Today will be pretty similar to the first day on the two week Iceland itinerary. You’ll land in Keflavik, pick up your rental vehicle, and depending on what time you landed, you might have some time to do some exploring today.
We would recommend spending a couple of hours touring the Reykjanes Peninsula (and maybe hitting up the Blue Lagoon if that’s on your must-do), or sightseeing in Reykjavik.
In the early afternoon, we would recommend starting the drive to your next destination. For tomorrow, you can choose between the Snaefellsnes Peninsula or the Golden Circle. Each makes for a good one day road trip covering several of Iceland’s highlights.
Day 2: Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula or the Golden Circle
Spend the day either driving around Iceland in Miniature, aka the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or touring the popular spots of the Golden Circle.
Where to stay: If coming from the peninsula, we would recommend driving out to Selfoss at the end of the day and spending your night here. It’s a several hour drive from the last stop on the peninsula, but it’s worth it to get out of the way tonight so that you can spend more time in Landmannalauger tomorrow.
If on the Golden Circle, we recommend staying in Fludir after you finish visiting Gullfoss. Or, if you want to continue down the Golden Circle on the other side and visit the Kerid Crater and the Hveragerdi Geothermal Area, then staying in Selfoss would be a good option.
Day 3: Landmannalauger Day Trip
Today will be a long day, but it’s worth it to visit the incredible landscape of Landmannalauger.
You’ll make the several hour drive into Landmannalauger, making stops along the way, such as Haifoss and Ljotipollur. Make sure to head out early to give yourself plenty of time to make these stops and to still get to Landmannalauger at a reasonable time to complete a day hike.
In Landmannalauger, we would recommend the Blahnukur-Brennisteinsalda Loop and a post-hike dip in the People’s Pool before heading back out towards the ring road. Tonight you can stay at Hella, Hvolsvollur, or Seljalandsfoss along the ring road.
Day 4: Southcoast highlights
This will be the same as Day 7 in the two week Iceland itinerary, filled with waterfalls and black sand beaches between Seljalandsfoss and Vik.
Day 5: Skaftafell
This will be the same as Day 8 in the two week Iceland itinerary, making your way from Vik to Skaftafell and going on an afternoon hike in the National Park.
Day 6: Glacial hike and lagoons
This will be the same as Day 9 in the two week itinerary, going on a glacier hike in the morning and checking out the glacial lagoons and diamond beach in the afternoon.
Day 7: Back to Keflavik and fly out
Today, you’ll make your way back to the airport, making any stops along the way that you may have missed or want to spend more time in, including the city of Reykjavik, depending on when your flight leaves.
Suggested alternative to the one day Iceland itinerary
If you really want to include the Fimmvorduhals hike in this one week Iceland itinerary, we would suggest cutting out the Snaefellsnes Peninsula/Golden Circle day. Don’t get me wrong, these are two great places to see in Iceland, but if something had to be dropped from this itinerary to accommodate the Fimmvorduhals hike, that’s what we would recommend.
And that’s a wrap!
There you have it…our one and two week Iceland itinerary suggestions based on our absolute favorite activities. We hope that this helps you pull together your own amazing itinerary so that you can have an unforgettably epic time in this beautiful country. And just remember, no matter how long you’re here…whether it be one or two weeks…you’ll absolutely leave wanting to come back as soon as possible! So don’t get to caught up with squeezing in as much as you can, because you’ll be coming back!
Need more? Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions. We love to help!