16 Days in Iceland - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Self-Drive Highlights of Iceland's Ring Road

You'll cover a lot of ground, visiting some of Iceland's most popular natural wonders, on this epic Ring Road itinerary. Observe geothermal activity in Geysir, hike near the iconic Gullfoss falls, admire the hexagonal rocks at Reynisfjara, tour the Crystal Blue Ice Cave, visit mud pools at Lake Mývatn, kayak in Ísafjörður, stroll the black sand beach of Djupalonsandur, and stand in awe of the basalt columns at Gerðuberg Cliffs. Round out your experience with whale watching in Húsavík, a hot springs soak in the Vök Baths, a peek into Iceland's history and culture at the Glaumbær open-air museum, and a food tour in Reykjavík.

Grab your rental car in Reykjavík and set off on the Golden Circle, visiting the steam vents and geysers of Geysir and the canyons of Þingvellir National Park along the way. Your home tonight is a bubble hotel where you'll have a chance to see the northern lights (September to April). Your road trip continues to Vík, stopping to snap photos of the 200-foot (60 m) Skógarfoss falls and the hexagonal stacked rocks on Reynisfjara beach en route. In the morning, continue to the Crystal Blue Ice Cave for a guided tour of the colorful ice formations. Next, in the Eastfjords, you'll spot puffins and unwind in the Vök Baths.

Drive to Lake Mývatn and check out the otherworldly landscapes, including the Hverir mud pools and the Skútustaðagígar "pseudocraters." Next is a whale watching stop in Húsavík on Day 8 and a tour of the turf houses at the Glaumbær open-air museum on Day 9. Continue to the Westfjords for a folklore lesson at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, followed by kayaking in Ísafjörður. Afterward, a cliffside hike and a stroll on a black sand beach await on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Admire the basalt columns at Gerðuberg Cliffs before returning to Reykjavík for a pre-departure soak in the Blue Lagoon. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Iceland Super Jeep Southern Highlands Tour

This Super Jeep southern Iceland tour is a fit for active travelers eager to go off-road. Highlights include hiking and kayaking around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a Super Jeep ride and guided trek at the ice tunnels of Langjökull, a snowmobile excursion at Mýrdalsjökull glacier, a Super Jeep adventure across the lava fields in Þórsmörk, a glacier hike near Skaftafell, and ziplining near Yoda Cave. The services provided by private drivers (rather than self-drive) mean you can enjoy the scenery and save your energy for outdoor activities. 

Ease into your adventure with a dip at the Blue Lagoon hot springs. In the morning, your driver will take you to the three-tiered Kirkjufellsfoss falls, featured in the "Game of Thrones" TV show. Then, you're off to Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier, for a Super Jeep excursion and trek through the blue-hued ice tunnels. Back in the car, you'll continue to Kerlingarfjöll for a hike amid mud pools and geysers before making your way to Mýrdalsjökull for a glacier snowmobile tour. A Super Jeep off-roading experience in Þórsmörk on Day 7 takes you bumping along dried lava fields, passing gorges and waterfalls. 

Next, you'll embark on another Super Jeep outing, this time in Landmannalaugar, where you'll find a blue crater lake and an active volcano offering panoramic views from the summit. Following this, you'll don crampons and tackle a hike around an outlet glacier at Skaftafell. As you make your way back toward Reykjavík, you'll zipline over a canyon near Yoda Cave (yes, it's shaped like the "Star Wars" character!) and zoom across rocky terrain and black sand beaches on an ATV adventure near Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Lastly, you'll toast your journey while sampling seafood on a Reykjavík foodie tour. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Iceland's Wild West & Arctic North Road Trip

Culture and nature enthusiasts who prefer the flexibility of a self-drive trip will love this Wild West & Arctic North road trip. In addition to visiting popular sites such as the Kirkjufellsfoss falls and Lake Mývatn geothermal area, you'll also hike in the Westfjords, go whitewater rafting on the East Glacial River, take a mountain biking tour in Ísafjörður, snorkel at the Silfra fissure, and learn about local history and culture at the Maritime Museum and the Borgarnes Settlement Center. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spotting Icelandic horses in Strandir and observing seabirds on a bird-watching tour in a traditional boat.

After touching down in Reykjavík, you'll hop in your rental car and head to the traditional village of Reykholt to learn about the Viking Sagas, then hike around lava fields near the Grabrok crater or enjoy a hot springs soak in Krauma. Next, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you'll visit Vantshellir lava cave, then dive into some more Viking history at Borgarnes Settlement Center. Afterward, catch a ferry to Melrakkaey Island, where you'll board a bird-watching tour in a láki (traditional oak boat). On Day 4, you'll have another chance to observe puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds at the coastal cliffs of Látrabjarg.

Continue to Ísafjörður, where you'll delve into the area's fishing heritage at the Maritime Museum and hear about local life from your guide while biking along avalanche barriers and through the forests, with views of the fjord. Following this, you'll venture to Vatnsnes Peninsula to see the troll-shaped Hvítserkur sea stack and a ridge of basalt rocks in Borgarvirki that Vikings used as a defensive structure. Wrap up your journey with a northern Iceland tasting tour (that includes bread baked using geothermal heat and beer made from Icelandic water) followed by a snorkeling excursion at the Silfra fissure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Iceland Nature, Hiking & Highlights

This Iceland hiking & highlights itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll kayak along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, hike to Glymur Falls, search for orcas on a cruise around Breiðafjörður bay, tackle a multiday hike in Landmannalaugar, ride Iceland's longest zipline, visit sea caves on an RIB tour in the Westman Islands, trek Thor's Valley, traverse glaciers on foot and by snowmobile, unwind at the Sky Lagoon spa, and observe geothermal activity on an excursion to Geldingadalir volcano.

Your Iceland trip starts on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with a trek along the cliffs between Hellnar and Arnarstapi and a kayaking excursion along the coast. Then, you'll take a day trip to Glymur Falls for a hike to the second-tallest waterfall in Iceland before heading to Ólafsvík for a cruise around Breiðafjörður bay, where you might spot sperm whales, orcas, and pilot whales. Drop your rental car off in Reykjavík on Day 4 and board a bus to Landmannalaugar, where you'll spend three days hiking across black lava fields, visiting the azure-colored lagoon at Ljótipollur crater, and trekking Hekla, an active volcano.

Return to Reykjavík for an ATV ride in the nearby countryside, then drive the Golden Circle, stopping to witness the powerful Gullfoss falls. Next, you'll soar over gorges and valleys on Iceland's longest zipline before taking a ferry to the Westman Islands for a RIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) tour to the sea caves. Back in the car, you'll make your way along the Ring Road, stopping at Seljalandsfoss for the unique experience of walking behind the 200-foot (60 m) cascade. Your final adventures include a spa treatment at Sky Lagoon and hiking near Geldingadalir, an active volcano (if conditions allow). Learn more

More Great Iceland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Iceland? Check out these other Iceland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.