Iceland is a breathtaking country known for its natural beauty and interesting landscapes. With limited vacation time, it can be difficult to plan the perfect short trip to Iceland. Thankfully, one week is just enough time to see some of the country's most iconic landmarks, while leaving just enough time to relax and recharge in a stunning place. 

7 days in Iceland is the perfect amount of time to visit for busy Americans. I have visited Iceland six different times, and each trip was 1 week or less.

Commonly known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”, Iceland is a country where you can see waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and active geysers all in one short trip. In this blog post, I am sharing my expert insights and travel knowledge to help you design the perfect 1 week Iceland itinerary. 

How to Plan the Perfect 1 Week Trip to Iceland

When to Visit Iceland

One of the biggest considerations to think about when considering Iceland as your destination is the season. I have visited in 3 out of 4 seasons, and they really are super different but all have their pros & cons.

Spring & Fall

In the spring and fall, Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable. While it is still possible to see many of the main sights, you should be prepared for a mix of sunshine, rain, wind and even snow. It is always best to check the latest conditions before hitting the road, so you can be prepared for the journey ahead.

Summer

During the summer months of June-August, Iceland’s weather is typically mild and sunny, making it the best time to visit. My first trip to Iceland was in July 2016. Plus, abundant day light allows you to maximize your days. Keep in mind that most people visit Iceland in the summer, so there will be a lot more crowds, prices will be higher, and accommodation will be more scarce. 

Winter

the weather can be extremely harsh with heavy snow and strong winds. I have ran into a lot of closures and cancellations due to the weather. As a result, it's not always recommended to visit in winter. But, the winter is also the optimal time for Northern Lights viewing opportunities. The nights are long and clear, so you’ll have the best chances to see aurora during the winter. 

How to Get Around Iceland in 1 Week 

Much of Iceland’s appeal lies in its raw natural beauty, i.e. far away from the city. As such, the next biggest consideration to think about when planning a short trip to Iceland is transportation. I think Iceland is best visited as a road trip, and there are essentially two ways to explore Iceland with a vehicle.

Self-Driving Road Trip

If you rent your own camper van or car, you’ll have complete flexibility and total freedom to visit exactly the places you want. You can plan as many stops as you want and take as many detours as you want. If you go with the self-drive route, I’ve got a separate post detailing everything you need to know about planning an Iceland road trip. 

Organized Road Trip

I totally respect if driving around Iceland doesn’t sound like a relaxing getaway to you. In that case, an organized tour of Iceland is a great option. You can also cobble together a mixture of day trips and multi-day tours to see Iceland’s highlights without the hassle. The benefits of going on an organized group tour are fairly obvious – you don’t have to worry about any of the road trip logistics. I am a trip leader for FTLO Travel in Iceland and one of the major reasons why travelers choose to travel with us is the ease. A few bus companies in Iceland I can recommend are Bus Travel Iceland as well as Teitur Travel.

7 Day Itinerary of Iceland

Day 1: Reykjavik

Practically all international travelers will arrive in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport (code KEF) outside of Reykjavik. If you are arriving early in the morning (most flights from North America land between 6am-9am), you might want somewhere to freshen up and relax before your hotel room is ready. This is the perfect time to visit the Blue Lagoon! It isn’t far from the airport, and it offers shuttle services from the airport and to the city center. Read all about how to prepare for a visit to the Blue Lagoon here. 

Although most people don’t come to Iceland to experience cities, Reykjavik is actually a pretty cool little city. As the capital city, Reykjavik is Iceland’s hub of culture, cuisine, and history. With just 24 hours in Reykjavik, you can explore most of the major highlights. To avoid this post getting too long, I recommend reading some of other content I've written about Reykjavik. These should give you an idea of what there is to see, eat and do in Reykjavik.

• Where to Find the Best Restaurants in Reykjavik
• 2 Day Reykjavik Itinerary
• Reykjavik Street Art Guide: 15+ Murals to See in Reykjavik
• Complete Guide to Delightful Shopping in Reykjavik
• All The Best Reykjavik Bakeries & Coffee Shops

Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

​The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, sometimes referred to as "Iceland in Miniature," because in just 1 day, you can see a diverse array of landscapes that encapsulate the essence of Iceland. It is possible to see the highlights on a 1 day trip from Reykjavik whether you go with a self-drive or organized option. I did this 12-hour day trip with Bus Travel Iceland and had a really nice experience.

A few of the natural attractions & highlights to see on Snæfellsnes Peninsula:

• Kirkjufell mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall: Iconic Islandic attration. There's a good chance you've seen a photo of this mountain before -- it is the most photographed mountain in Iceland.
• Berserkjahraun lava fields: sweeping views of a lava field with a secret waterfall
• Arnarstapi Cliffs: Beautiful ocean view point and natural stone bridge with opportunities to observe local birdlife.
• Djúpalónssandur beach: a rugged black sand beach with leftover pieces of a shipwreck from the early 1900s
• Lóndrangar basalt pinnacles: striking stone pillars jutting out from the sea
• Búðir black church: charming little church next to the sea with a mountain backdrop
• Ytri Tunga beach: one of the few white sand beaches in Iceland that typically as seals swimming nearby, hunting in their natural habitat
• Snæfellsjökull glacier: visible throughout the area and was famously featured in Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth"

In general, this region of Iceland is less touristy, so if avoiding crowds is a priority, you might consider spending a night or two in this area. Although fair warning, accommodation and food options are somewhat limited.

Day 3: Golden Circle Day Trip

The Golden Circle is a 300 km route that offers a density of natural attractions in the southwest corner of Iceland. Similar to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you can easily access the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik. This is a great option with minimal hassle, and you will see about 1293847576 Golden Circle tours available online.

With that said, I think it is well-worth spending the night within the Golden Circle. It will help you visit these gorgeous locations with minimal crowds early in the morning or late in the afternoon, once all the day trippers are gone. The Ion Adventure Hotel offers modern luxury and a unique design inspired by Iceland's natural elements – plus you’ve got good Northern Lights viewing opportunities here. 

The three most important natural wonders to visit in the Golden Circle are:

• Thingvellir National Park
• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Geysir Geothermal area

There are several other notable natural wonders in the Golden Circle, including Kerid Crater Lake, Reykjadalur Hot Spring, and the charming town of Selfoss. You can also add on cool activities like snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure Rift, the divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates.

Because this is a well-trodden tourist circuit, there are a number of nice places to eat in the Golden Circle. Lindin Restaurant is a charming family run restaurant located a little off the beaten trail. Another good option is Fridheimar Farm, offering farm-to-table Icelandic cuisine. This place is fairly well-known, so you should expect crowds. I would definitely recommend getting ice cream at Efstidalur, a sustainable dairy farm where you can watch the cows being milked while enjoying your delicious treat.

Day 4: Chasing Waterfalls

Departing from the Golden Circle, I recommend making your way south along Iceland’s southern coast. Nowhere are Iceland's wonders more clustered than the southern coast. You can see a rainbow ringed waterfall followed by a 4,000 year old glacier followed by a black sand beach all in one day —there is so much incredible natural diversity in Southern Iceland!

For this day, I recommend driving between three major attractions on the southern coast, and then find accommodation somewhere east of Vik (it will make the next day easier). 

The first natural attraction to see is Seljalandsfoss. Visible directly from the ring road, it is one of the most visited waterfalls in all of Iceland. This stunning waterfall drops directly off the side of a cliff into a pool below. What is special about Seljalandsfoss is the hollow cave that allows visitors to walk behind the falls. You’re likely to get wet by some spray if you go behind the waterfalls, so dress appropriately.

A truly Iceland experience you can try in Iceland is a visit to a public swimming pool. This is a popular way that local people relax, and it is a fun cultural experience for visitors. Seljavallalaug public swimming pool, accessible off the ring road via a well-marked hiking trail, is one of the most well-known yet secluded spots to take a dip. Pack yourself a small picnic (and drinks!) for a stunning swim surrounded by Icelandic mountains.

Next up is Skogafoss. A thick curtain of water neatly plunges about 200 feet off a blunt rock face. The cliffs perfectly frame the falls and it is one of the most notorious waterfalls in Iceland. During the summer months, Skogafoss has a near constant rainbow. Perhaps even more impressive in the winter, the water still flows but creates an array of ice and icicles – it is an incredibly picturesque sight unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It was my favorite view of 2022! 

Day 5: Diamond Beach & Glacier Lagoon  

One of the most Instagrammable places in southern Iceland is Diamond Beach. This breathtaking natural attraction gets its name from the stark black sand studded with ice crystals that sparkle like – you guessed it – diamonds. As the nearby Vatnajökull glacier melts, it produces massive icebergs that break off and float into the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Eventually, small and large pieces of ice wash up on the shores, where they are polished by the erosion of the ocean waves.

Take a leisurely stroll along Diamond beach, marveling at the shimmering ice formations and enjoying the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape. Keep your camera handy, because I can almost guarantee you will be snapping lots of photos!

Just across the highway from Diamond Beach is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This large arctic lagoon serves as a catch basin for the calving glacier, filling with floating icebergs in deep blue and white hues. Get up close and personal with the ice on an amphibian boat tour. The ride lasts about 45 minutes, and you’ll need to reserve a time slot ahead of time online. This lagoon is a photographer's dream and you can watch the bergs float out to the sea via the river. If you go in the winter, you will also see seals feasting on the fish that collect in the lagoon for warmth!  

A final thing to do in this part of Iceland is a crystal ice cave tour. Going inside a glacier was one of the most unique experiences I had while traveling in Iceland, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone interested in discovering the magic of glacial ice. Each season, the crystal ice caves fluctuate in position and size as the glacier moves, making every visit a completely different vantage point. It may seem scary, but it is truly incredible to go INSIDE a glacier.

I went on a simple ice cave tour, which picked me up at the Jökulsárlón parking lot. The tour costs included a helmet, spikes for your shoes, transportation and a knowledgeable guide. The entire experience took about 3 hours, with about 2 hours spent on the ice and in the ice caves. Depending on how deep the cave is, you may go down just a few steps or quite a way down.

Also nearby is Hofn, a great little town to enjoy a nice meal in southern Iceland. Located on a tiny peninsula, this surprisingly foodie town is a major fishing hub with lots of restaurants specializing in seafood and fresh food. I would recommend trying either Pakkhaus, a delicious farm-to-table spot in an old barn, or Humarhöfnin Veitingahús, an upscale seafood restaurant renowned for its lobster dishes.

Day 6: Vik & Surroundings

From the glacier lagoon, you’ll want to start making your back towards Reykjavik to conclude your amazing one week trip in Iceland. Thankfully, there are several beautiful natural attractions to visit along the way back, and Vik is a great destination for today. Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of the most beautiful canyons in Iceland. Running about 100 meters deep and 2 kilometers long, sheer rock walls walls are carved through erosion by the Fjaðrá river below. Enjoy views of the canyon on the well-marked hiking trail at the top of the canyon.  

Well-known by travelers, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara is a must-see natural attraction on any drive through southern Iceland. It was ranked by National Geographic as one of the top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world!

Less of a sand beach and more of a rock beach, don’t expect to go barefoot along the shore here. The coarse sand at the beach is made up of crushed volcanic rock, the origin of the black color. On the eastern side of the beach, you will notice a collection of enormous basalt columns in hexagonal shapes. You might also recognize these from the north of Ireland at the Giant’s Causeway. Don’t miss this awesome Instagram spot! On a sunny day, you might be enticed to grab a seat at the patio (along with a sandwich and a beer) at the beachfront Black Beach restaurant for a relaxing afternoon on the oceanfront. 

Day 7: Return to Reykjavik

From Vik, the drive back to Reykjavik will take about 3 hours. A final place to visit on your drive back is the Sólheimasandur airplane crash site. If you’ve seen photos of Iceland in your social media research, you’ve probably seen photos of this iconic sight. In 1973, aUS Navy C-117D airplane crashed on the southern coast of Iceland due to icing. Thankfully all members of the crew survived and were evacuated.

To this day, the wreckage remains largely intact. Until recently, the crash site was closed to the public because it is located on private lands. Nowadays however, they are open to the public. You can park in a nearby lot and walk 40 minutes to the site, or you can book a spot on the shuttle bus which goes there every half hour. 

If you need some relaxation after all the time on the road, make a reservation at Sky Lagoon. This luxurious spa combines the ancient tradition of Icelandic saunas with modern amenities. As a lover of all things spa and sauna, the outdoor lagoon at Sky Lagoon is fed by the nearby geothermal springs which heat the water to a comfortable temperature. Plus, the lagoon has an infinity edge overlooking the ocean and Reykjavik city skyline that is honestly gorgeous.

Where to Stay in Iceland

Choosing the right hotels is one of the top questions I get about planning a 1 week trip to Iceland. It is a key decision to make! I would recommend one of two strategies when it comes to accommodation -- either change hotels nightly (or nearly nightly), or choose one to two places to use as a base, jumping off to the various locations from there. If you go with the base method, I think Reykjavik and Vik make the most sense. Selfoss is also a decent option.

A few hotel options in the area that I like include:

• Hotel Kria (Vik): Great location, rooms are pretty spacious and the restaurant is yummy.
• Hotel Vík í Mýrdal (Vik): Another great location in Vik with a more modern vibe and a nice restaurant. 
• Black Sand Beach Suites: located right on the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with fabulous views.
• Grandi by Center Hotels (Reykjavik): Slightly off the main tourist drag, but rooms are modern and cozy.
• Skuggi Hotel (Reykjavik): Just off the main shopping street. Staff is so hospitable!
• Landhotel Hella (Golden Circle): Modern luxury with nice rooms. Spa is great!
• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon: Lovely spa and quite close to the glacier lagoon. Restaurant is delicious.
• Magma Hotel: Location is random, but convenient. Cozy little cabins!

Do you have any questions about planning the perfect 1 week trip to Iceland? Comment below!