Luxury Icelandic Spa Retreat: Reykjavík & the Golden Circle - 7 Days

Highlights

• Indulge in sumptuous thermal spa experiences at the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
• See Iceland's geological wonders from the skies with private helicopter flights
• Discover Reykjavík's innovative dining scene at two Michelin-starred restaurants
• Tour the waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs of the Golden Circle

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon Experience, Dinner at ÓX

Welcome to Iceland! The "Land of Fire and Ice" is home to some of Europe's most dramatic and diverse landscapes, steeped in myth and legends. Upon arrival at the airport, pick up your rental car and head to nearby Reykjavík, the country's refreshingly modern capital, with a first-class dining scene and award-winning contemporary architecture. Check into the 5-star luxury at The Reykjavík Edition, where rooms blend copper details, elegant Scandinavian design, and individual furnishings from local artisans. Suites enjoy uninterrupted views of the harbor, Mount Esja, and the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano.

Your Icelandic getaway starts with a relaxing trip to the award-winning Sky Lagoon geothermal spa, an easy 15-minute drive from your hotel. The next few hours are yours to unwind and immerse yourself in the spa's seven-step Sky Ritual experience. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of centuries-old Icelandic wellness practices, with contrasting water temperatures, heat, steam, and fresh air, while luxuriating in the spa's infinity edge design with expansive ocean views. 

Emerge refreshed and revived, ready for the evening. You'll cap off your first day with a dinner reservation at ÓX, one of the country's most acclaimed restaurants, awarded a Michelin star in 2022. With just 17 seats, you'll enjoy an intimate evening feasting at a chef's table with uninterrupted views of the chefs at work while feasting on a 16-course menu paired with complimentary wines.

Day 2: Scenic Helicopter Flight, Tour of Reykjavík, Dinner at Dill

Discover Iceland's colorful basalt mountains and steaming hot springs this morning with a private helicopter tour over the Hellisheiði plateau, an area famous for its volcanic activity and a key source of Reykjavík's renewable energy. You'll land at Hengill, a geothermal hotspot off the beaten track and away from the tourist crowds. See the bubbling mud pots and hot springs before your pilot returns you to the capital via a scenic pass over the beautiful Bláfjöll mountains and the Kristnitökuhraun lava field and craters.

After a bite to eat and some downtime back at the hotel, set out on a three-hour tour of the capital in the comfort of a private car. Start with the towering 244-foot (74 m) Hallgrímskirkja church, whose modernist silhouette was designed to echo the country's basalt lava flows, and enjoy the sweeping views across Reykjavík from the top of the church tower. Next is the interactive Perlan Museum, where you'll explore the blue-hued frosty interior of the world's first artificial ice cave. Constructed out of snow from nearby mountains, it runs to 328 feet (100 m).

Your journey continues with a scenic drive along the Ægissíða coast, famous for its ancient human-made caves and Iceland's oldest intact archaeological remains (thought to date back farther than the settlement of the Nordic Vikings). Stop at the historic white-fronted Höfði house—the location for Reagan and Gorbachev's 1986 summit, which marked the end of the Cold War era, and the gleaming steel Sun Voyager sculpture, backed by Mount Esja. Return to your hotel, and you'll have more than earned tonight's delicious tasting menu at Reykjavík's Michelin-starred Dill restaurant.

Day 3: Drive to Selfoss & Golden Circle, Farm-to-Table Lunch, Glacier Snowmobiling

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Spend today discovering landscapes dotted with hot springs and woven with dramatic cliffs and waterfalls with a self-drive tour of Iceland's famous Golden Circle. Your first stop is Þingvellir National Park, geologically and historically significant thanks to its tectonic plates that straddle Europe and North America. It's also home to the ancient Law Rock, the birthplace of Althing, the world's first parliament. Stroll the shores of Þingvallavatan, Iceland's largest lake, while keeping your eyes peeled for the park's wildlife, including arctic foxes and reindeer. 

Back in the car, continue on to the icy blue cascades of Brúarárfoss, the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, and the regularly erupting Strokkur Geyser, which can reach heights of up to 131 feet (40 m). Pause for a light lunch at the renowned Friðheimar Tomato Farm and Restaurant, where after a behind-the-scenes tour of the award-winning farm, you'll sample a selection of mouthwatering innovative tomato-based dishes, including their famous soup with sour cream, fresh herbs, cucumber salsa, and freshly baked bread.

Afterward, you'll experience the force of the vast Mýrdalsjökull glacier with an exhilarating private snowmobiling experience. After several hours traversing the slopes, swap the snowy terrain for the comfortable luxury of the Hotel Grímsborgir. Nestled in Selfoss on the banks of the River Sogid with views to the mountains, the hotel's light and airy rooms are decorated in hues of white, while the Scandi chic furnishings bring copper-hued warmth and a sumptuous palette. Suites enjoy tasteful dark wood floors, fireplaces, and private hot tubs for stargazing. 

Day 4: All-Day Super Jeep Tour to Landmannalaugar, Hot Springs Experience

Your destination this morning is the volcanic lava-field-strewn region of Landmannalaugar in Iceland's remote southern highlands. With an experienced guide and driver, you'll embark on an all-day tour of the area, traveling in the comfort of a Super Jeep. Explore the region's dramatic windswept rhyolite mountains and marvel at the soft shades of blue, green, orange, red, and cream that color the contours of the ink-black Laugahraun lava field. 

Pass smoldering volcanoes, zigzag through crystal-clear glacial rivers, and explore thundering coastal waterfalls as your guide takes you off the beaten track and into the rugged highlands. There'll be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and refreshments as you take in the beautiful peaks of Bláhnúkur, Brennisteinsalda, and Suðurnám. Toward the end of the afternoon, you'll reach the Landmannalaugar hot springs, where you can do as the locals do and rejuvenate in the thermal waters after a day of adventure. Refreshed and relaxed, your driver will take you back to your hotel in Selfoss in time for dinner.

If your visit falls between the end of August and mid-April, you'll have the chance the spot the northern lights this evening on another private Super Jeep tour. After the sun goes down, you'll race across the surrounding landscapes in search of this remarkable natural phenomenon, led by a guide who will choose your route based on conditions and weather.

Day 5: South Iceland Highlights Tour, Return to Reykjavík, Relax at the Blue Lagoon

Iceland's southern coast is characterized by vast glaciers, mesmerizing waterfalls, and a glittering coastline of towering basalt rocks and black-sand beaches. See these sights and more with a private tour that begins with a drive to Seljalandsfoss, an extraordinary waterfall along the Seljalandsá River. Follow the footpath behind the cascade (you'll need to bring rain gear) for a unique perspective on one of Iceland's most photographed falls.

Next up is the enchanting Gljúfrabúi waterfall. Tucked away in a crevice, it cascades 131 feet (40 m) into a pool at the bottom of a narrow cylindrical canyon. The surrounding area is dotted with several petite waterfalls, and it's a great place to explore the volcanic landscape and admire the views of the mighty Tröllagil (Troll Gorge). Finally, you'll reach the thundering Skógafoss; at 197 feet high (60 m) and 82 feet wide (25 m), it's one of the country's largest and most formidable falls, shrouded in myths of buried treasure and a wonder to behold from its black, basalt base.

At the end of your tour, you'll drive an hour back toward Reykjavík to reach The Retreat at the famous Blue Lagoon Spa. Carved directly into lava rock, all rooms feature heated floors, sumptuous bathrooms filled with the spa's award-winning skin care products, and unlimited access to the retreat and spa. Opt for one of the two Lagoon suites for floor-to-ceiling views and your own private spa pool. The rest of the day is yours to indulge in a spa treatment, take a yoga class, or unwind in the geothermal waters. Later, choose from one of the hotel's three gourmet restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Moss. 

Day 6: Þríhnúkagígur Volcano Helicopter Trip, Blue Lagoon Spa Treatments

Enjoy a relaxed morning, taking advantage of the spa facilities at your disposal, then prepare to set out on what's sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. The dormant Þríhnúkar volcano last erupted 4,500 years ago and left behind the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Your journey begins with a private helicopter trip to the volcano and a unique opportunity to admire Iceland's lava-strewn landscape from above.

After landing safely on the crater, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide as you descend 400 feet (120 m) into the volcano via an open cable lift. With a vast ground space equivalent to three full-sized basketball courts, there's plenty to explore as you follow a series of pathways toward the magma chamber. Take time to admire the beautiful colors and rock formations before making your ascent.

End an afternoon of adventure with a pampering one-hour massage back in The Retreat's relaxing subterranean massage suite. Afterward, enjoy a private dip in your suite's outdoor geothermal pool or soak in the therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon. Spend your final night in Iceland dining in style at Moss, where your sommelier will guide you on a tour of the wine cellar: a volcanic chamber of centuries-old lava, now lined with vintages from all over the world. 

Day 7: Explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, Depart 

Your luxury getaway in Iceland comes to a close today. However, there's still time for some last-minute sightseeing along the Reykjanes Peninsula as you make your way back to the airport. Stop to discover geological wonders such as the green-hued volcanic crater lake of Grænavatn and the colorful geothermal areas of Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík, where you'll find steam vents, hot springs, and steamy bubbling mud pools.