Travel to Iceland- 6-day itinerary
Before planning your trip to Iceland, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the key facts. You can start by reading the blog posts about Iceland, beginning with A Trip to Iceland – Facts, Tips and Tricks You Won’t Learn Anywhere Else – Part 1. Then move on to A Trip to Iceland – Facts, Tips and Tricks You Won’t Learn Anywhere Else – Part 2. Prepare emotionally and set your expectations with The nature of Iceland, part 3 of the travelogue of the travelogue. Learn what to watch out for while enjoying the natural attractions from What can you do in Iceland? Part 4 of the Iceland Travelogue. Discover how and what to eat without overspending in What to eat and drink in Iceland – facts, advice, and tips & tricks you won’t find elsewhere – Part 5.
I have detailed all the recommended accommodations in this program, including links to the related posts and their ratings from the 5D Sensograph, listed below each recommendation.
Preparation for a Trip to Iceland
Planning a trip to Iceland ideally begins a year in advance, but if you use this summer travel program, you won’t need that much time. Simply book your plane tickets early to take advantage of discounts and reserve your accommodations.
I recommend booking your stays directly here. For your convenience, I’ve included a Booking.com widget. Through it, you can secure all genius discounts and privileges, and I receive a modest commission. Just enter the dates of your stay, the location, and click Search.
One important thing to know before visiting Iceland is that 1 euro equals approximately 145 ISK (Icelandic krona).
Take advantage of store discounts to purchase suitable clothing, whether you’re visiting in winter or summer. Bring waterproof outerwear, a hat, gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen if traveling in summer. Waterproof and sturdy footwear is essential.
For summer visits, dressing in layers is recommended: an outer jacket, a sweatshirt, a vest or fleece, and a short-sleeved shirt. This is necessary because the weather can change rapidly—rain, wind, and cold can give way to sudden sunshine and warmth. If it’s warm and sunny but you’re approaching a glacier, you’ll feel the temperature drop by at least 5-6 degrees, accompanied by cold winds.
Always wear all your layers, carry a comfortable backpack, and tie any removed clothing around your waist if needed to stay prepared and comfortable.
Guidelines before starting your tour in Iceland
Having a paper road map on hand is a good idea, as coverage can be poor in some areas, making Google Maps unusable.
Always prepare food and drinks for the road before setting out. While attractions usually have restrooms and some kiosks or restaurants, there can be queues, and prices in Iceland are quite high, even for a simple sandwich and a soft drink.
Review your itinerary from the previous day, along with weather conditions and forecasts for the next day. Iceland can surprise both locals and tourists with volcanic eruptions, glacier bursts, heavy rain, strong winds, floods, or large ocean waves.
The good news is that locals are well-prepared for such surprises and quickly find solutions. They can pave a road in 10-15 minutes and open it for traffic immediately or construct an entirely new route in a single day—remarkable feats.
During our stay, a glacier burst flooded vast areas and the main road leading to many attractions. A new route was built literally in one day, and our itinerary remained unaffected.
Detailed itinerary for a 6-day tour of Iceland
I’m making a note that this itinerary was implemented from July 27 to August 1, 2024, so if you’re planning a winter trip, be aware that the days are very short compared to the summer when nights last only about 1-2 hours of twilight. Summer temperatures reach a maximum of 15°C, while winter temperatures range from 0°C in the south to -10°C, even down to -20°C in the north. The prices mentioned here are from the summer of 2024, so they may have changed now, and with promotions and different levels of Genius discounts on Booking.com, you might get better deals if you book in advance.
Iceland itinerary: Day 1 and 2
Arrival at Keflavík International Airport.
Pick up the rental car. I recommend Geysir Car Rental, but there are other good local companies. I recommend local ones because their prices are much better, and at the same time, the cars are good and the staff is professional.
Don’t miss the statue Þotuhreiður (Thotureindyur), which means The Jet Nest, just after the exit, the . We named it Dragon Hatching. Well, it looks like an egg from which a dragon hatches, and considering that a lot of GOT (Game of Thrones) scenes were filmed in Iceland, we decided to tie it in that way.
Afterward, head to Reykjavik. Attractions to visit along the way:
Bridge Between Continents (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)
Google Maps Rating: 4.3
5D Sensograph rating: 4.1
Distance: 23 km, 21 minutes
Duration: around 30 minutes
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge divides the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, meaning that western Iceland, most of the north, and large parts of the mountains are considered North American land, while the rest of the country belongs to Eurasia.
Make sure you don’t waste too much time here, I know that as the first attraction you want to fill your phone/camera’s memory with photos, but it’s relatively less interesting here than all the other places on the route.
Google Maps Rating: 4.5
5D Sensograph rating: 4.8
It can be skipped if you plan to visit other baths
Distance: 23 km, 24 minutes
Duration: around 2-3 hours including changing and taking photos, without massages or treatments.
A popular spa destination with an open lagoon of mineral-rich water in solidified lava. A reservation is required. The lowest tariff for one person in 2024 was around EUR 100.
If you’re not ready to change into a swimsuit immediately, although the water in the lagoon is hot, you can visit the Sky Lagoon в Рейкявик later, where the tariff is EUR 350 for 4 people. But it’s definitely worth visiting Blue Lagoon due to the unique milky blue color of the water.
Arrival in Reykjavik (120,000 inhabitants), the capital and main city. Check-in and, if possible, visit more attractions.
Distance: 1 hour and 20 minutes, 80 km
Attractions to visit, divided over two days, based on your preferences (note that the order of visits doesn’t have to be followed):
Google Maps Rating: 4.5
5D Sensograph rating: 5 – a must-see
A museum under a glass dome, restaurant, and bar. Tickets are purchased in advance. Opening hours: 9 AM to 10 PM, the restaurant is open until 6 PM, so if you plan to dine there, be sure to go earlier.
Price for a family: 17,560 ISK, 117 EUR
Duration: 2 hours for the museum and caves, plus extra time for the restaurant and coffee. It’s worth it as the museum is very interesting, and you’ll get caught up in the attractions and before you know it, it’s 6 PM. So, if you plan to eat there, keep track of time.
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating:4. 5 – just stroll along it, take some photos, it’s in the city center.
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Open from 9 AM to 7:45 PM, daily
Inspired by Icelandic traditions, this modern Lutheran cathedral has remarkable architecture and was completed in 1986. It has a 73-meter tower. Access to the cathedral and the tower costs 1,400 ISK, 9.40 EUR per person.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour, including the tower. You can also check their website for organ concerts.
You can have a lunch/dinner at a restaurant nearby. It’s name is Rock. See some photos from the menu.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Open from 10 AM to 8 PM
Various events and tours with a guide.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of visit.
An interesting light show called Circuleight.
Ticket price: 1,500-2,900 ISK, 10-19 EUR. Highly recommended, it’s very meditative and beautiful; you spend 30-40 minutes in warmth, enjoying a lovely spectacle of colors and music.
You can also visit the stand-up comedy show “How to Become Icelandic in 60 Minutes” for 5,850 ISK, or 40 EUR per person, if you have time.
Check also for concerts if you’re a fan.
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating: 4.5
A sculpture, by the seaside. You’ll see many small replicas sold as souvenirs. It’s very close to The Swan House, where we stayed in Reykjavik.
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
Open from 9:30 AM to 7 PM
An attraction with moving seats and an immersive screen simulating a flight over mountains and glaciers. Price: 5,690 ISK, online, per person, which is 40 EUR.
We didn’t catch this show, but we would have gladly visited it. Harpa also has something similar with virtual reality.
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating: 4.8
Price: 294 EUR for a family, 2.5-3 hours.
We bought tickets from Sea Trips and were very satisfied. We were lucky and saw whales. The weather worsened a bit, there was some swell, but the staff handled tourists with weaker vestibular systems very well.
Or the other company for whale watching
Google Maps Rating: 4.5
Price: 302 EUR for a 4-member family, 3 hours, large boat
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
5D Sensograph rating: 5
SPA, swimming in a hot pool with an ocean view, a fantastic experience. If you didn’t get a chance to visit the Blue Lagoon, I recommend doing so in Sky Lagoon.
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Price: 350 EUR for a family of 4. Reservation is also required. It’s different from the Blue Lagoon.
There’s also a museum of phalluses, but I declined to visit it; if you’re interested, you can look it up online.
I recommend staying 2 nights in Reykjavik. First, you’ll acclimatize more easily to civilization, and secondly, you’ll have time to visit the attractions there, which are worth it. Afterward, you’ll be better prepared for exploring the wild nature with the climate and peculiarities of the country.
Also, it’s good to wake up early so you have enough time to see everything you’ve planned.
Hotel options, prices are for 2 nights:
- Center Hotels Arnarhvoll, rating 8, appr.EUR 800 for a family of 4, 2 double rooms, no parking.
Don’t worry about the lack of parking. Iceland has a structured parking policy with a very convenient app called Parka. You can always park on the street, and your car will surely be safe. Crime is virtually nonexistent. - Alva Hotel, rating 8.4, appr.EUR 800 for a family of 4, 2 double rooms, no parking.
- The Swan House by Heimaleiga, rating 8.6, EUR 600 for a family, for 1 night, a studio, with a bedroom and living room with a pull-out sofa. We stayed here. No parking, although their listing states they have parking. You park at a nearby open or covered parking lot, wherever you find space. The hosts send detailed instructions for parking in advance.
Read more about The Swan House in the Apartments in The Swan House, Reykjavik, Iceland listing and decide if you want to stay there. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it much.
- Ódinsvé Hotel Apartments, rating 8.8, no parking, 2-room apartment for EUR 500 for a 4-member family.
- Saga Studios by Heimaleiga, rating 8.4, 2 studios with balconies, each costing around BGN 832, i.e. for a family around EUR 800, parking 13 EUR per day.
- Gerður Apartments, rating 8.2, apartment with 2 bedrooms about EUR 560 for a family of 4, parking for 2 EUR per hour, probably on the street.
- Hotel Reykjavík Grand, rating 8.1, 2 km from the center ЕКИ 900 for a family for 2 rooms. It has parking. It’s the best but the farthest.
Iceland itinerary: Day 3
Departure at 8:00 AM.
Attractions:
For GOT fans, a quick stop at a waterfall can be seen and then continue to the Golden Circle. It was recommended to me by the crew of the ship we sailed on to watch whales. The place is off the beaten tourist path. The waterfall is called Þórufoss (Thorufos).
Its rating is 4.7 on Google maps, time for photos 15 min.
Golden Circle, the most important area, includes 3 natural-historical attractions:
Google Maps Rating: 4.6
5D Sensograph rating: 4.8
This is the place where the Icelandic parliament met from 900-1000 AD. It’s also a protected beautiful place with dramatic rocky landscapes, lakes, and ridges.
Travel: 48 km, 50 minutes
Duration and prices:
Visitor center (museum-like): about 40 minutes, cost for adults 9 EUR, free for children under 17. We didn’t visit it due to lack of time.
Nature attraction: 1-2 hours if you explore the entire area.
- Geysir Hot Springs and Strokkur
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Travel: 60 km, 53 minutes
Duration and prices: 1 hour, free entrance, parking fee as with all attractions.
Here is the geyser that gave the name to this natural phenomenon Geysir. But it has quieted down and erupts every 4-5 years. Next to it is Strokkur, which, to the delight of tourists, erupts every 10-15 minutes and shoots water up to 70 m into the air. It is located in the Haukadalur valley, where there are all such geysers.
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Travel: 9 km, 9 minutes
Duration and prices: 1.5 hours
A large and beautiful waterfall. In the afternoon, if the sun is out, the water looks golden due to the sunlight refraction. It also creates a beautiful rainbow.
Google Maps Rating: 4.5
5D Sensograph rating: 4.6
Travel: 50 km, 45 minutes
Duration and prices: 1 hour, 4 EUR per person.
A lovely lake at the bottom of a crater. It’s a nice place to rest and enjoy the view. The location is on private property, and a small entrance fee is charged.
Overnight stay in Selfoss or nearby, shopping for food in the city. Accommodation options:
- Hotel South Coast, rating 8.6, 2 double rooms with breakfast, family total EUR 407.
- Bella Apartments & Rooms, rating 8.2, 2 double rooms without breakfast, EUR 367 for both families in total.
- Hotel Selfoss, rating 8.4, 2 standard rooms for EUR 455 with breakfast, SPA available for an additional charge. We stayed here and were satisfied. Free parking for hotel guests.
Read more about the hotel in the article about Selfoss Hotel, in Selfoss Town, Iceland.
- Guesthouse Vatnsholt, 17 km from Selfoss, rating 8.5, 2 double rooms, total EUR 675, breakfast available at 33 BGN per person per day.
- Stracta Hotel, 30 minutes from Selfoss, rating 8.2, 4 double rooms for EUR 340 with breakfast, access to hot tub and sauna.
Iceland itinerary: Day 4
Early departure around 8:00 AM.
Attractions:
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
5D Sensograph rating: 5
and
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Travel: 70 km from Selfoss, 1 hour.
Duration and prices: 1-1.5 hours, paid parking 5 EUR.
Waterfalls, close to each other. Waterproof shoes and clothing are required, as the area is slippery and wet.
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
5D Sensograph rating: 5
Another beautiful waterfall, waterproof clothing needed, free parking.
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
5D Sensograph rating: 4.9
Both are within 1-3 minutes from each other.
Travel: 30 km, 26 minutes.
Duration at Skógafoss: 30-40 minutes if viewed from the bottom, but if you climb the 500-step staircase, it takes an additional 45 minutes. Kvernufoss takes 1 hour including a 30-minute walk. If visiting the museum (which we didn’t do), add 1 more hour.
If you decide to end the tour here, do some shopping in Vík and head for a well-deserved rest.
I found a lovely hotel, Hótel Fljótshlíd, with 2 rooms and breakfast, a horse farm, and views of the volcano with the complicated name that shut down European flights for a week, priced at BGN 684. Unfortunately, it was fully booked, and we couldn’t stay there.
During summer, while it’s still light, you can continue the tour instead of resting.
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
5D Sensograph rating: 5
A small peninsula with scenic views, a lighthouse, and a large arch of volcanic rock in the sea. Puffins can also be seen here – amazing flyers with colorful beaks, also called “clumsy-billed kittiwakes.” They nest here. There are two access points, and thus two parking areas. One is at the top, but some stop at the lower parking. The distance between the two parking lots is 17 minutes as it needs to be bypassed.
Travel: 25 km, 21 minutes.
Duration: If parking at the lower lot, 1.5 hours stay + 15 minutes of walking, totaling 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (Game of Thrones filming location)
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
5D Sensograph rating: 4.6
Travel: 17 km, 17 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Yes, this is where scenes from the famous series were filmed.
Shopping in Vík, the nearby town.
Travel: 12 km, 11 minutes.
Duration: 30-45 minutes.
We chose the Kronan chain. Good prices and a wide variety.
Google Maps Rating: 4.3
5D Sensograph rating: 4
A volcanic field, visible along the roadside.
Travel: 38 km, 28 minutes.
Duration: 5-10 minutes.
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
5D Sensograph rating: 4.6
A canyon with waterfalls and a trestle to view nature from above, take pictures, etc.
Travel: 29 km, 24 minutes.
Duration: 1.5 hours with walking.
Overnight at Stracta Apartments, rating 8.4, two-bedroom apartments for BGN 793, fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms, everything. 33 minutes from the canyon. We stayed there and were very satisfied.
Read more about them in the article Stracta Apartments for Rent, Iceland.
Iceland itinerary: Day 5
Wake up at 8:00 AM.
Attractions:
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
5D Sensograph rating: 4.9
A thin, 20-meter high waterfall cascading down the center of a dramatic 3D wall made of hexagonal basalt columns.
Travel: 61 km, 51 minutes.
Duration: 5 km walk, 1.5 hours.
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
5D Sensograph rating: 4.7
A glacier with a glacial lake. Some people decide to take a tour with special equipment to climb here, I categorically refuse, whoever wants to stays there all day and tries it.
Travel: 2 km, 4 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes. Some opt for a guided tour with special equipment to climb, but I personally declined. Those interested can stay there for the whole day and try it out.
Google Maps Rating: 4.8
5D Sensograph rating: 5
A stunning beach with black sand, famous for the large, sparkling fragments of icebergs drifting on the shore.
Travel: 56 km, 43 minutes.
Duration: 2-3 hours, especially if taking a boat ride.
Google Maps Rating: 4.9
5D Sensograph rating: 5
The famous glacier lagoon with floating icebergs and wild seal sightings. It’s wonderful to take a ride on one of the amphibious boats or inflatable Zodiacs. I personally preferred the former. The silence of the icy lake is enchanting, and the proximity to the icebergs is magnetic. They let us taste iceberg ice – thousands of years old, the purest possible.
Travel: 56 km, 43 minutes.
Duration: 2-3 hours, especially with a boat ride.
After this attraction, we decided not to continue further, as we opted to stay at Heima Holiday Homes, which are near Selfoss, meaning about 4 hours of driving back towards Reykjavik to spend the night there.
Read more about Heima Holiday Homes in the review Heima Holiday Homes, Iceland, near Selfoss.
If you have booked accommodation further along the route, you can continue with the following attractions, but then consider how many hours you’ll need to drive back to Reykjavik.
Höfn is an Icelandic fishing town in the southeastern part of the country, near the fjord Hornafjörður. The town, the second largest in southeastern Iceland, offers a scenic view of Vatnajökull. It was previously known as Hornafjörðarbær between 1994 and 1998.
Travel: 78 km, 58 minutes.
Duration: 2-3 hours, especially if taking a boat ride.
Google Maps Rating: 4.7
A long waterway with steep cliffs, connecting two bays with panoramic views of snow-capped mountains.
Travel: 115 km, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Duration: 2-3 hours, especially if taking a boat ride.
Accommodation options:
- Hotel Eskifjörður, rating 8.2, 2 double rooms without breakfast for EUR 410. Breakfast is BGN 33 per person. 1 hour and 30 minutes from the fjord, 118 km.
- Hérað – Berjaya Iceland Hotels, rating 8.2, 2 double rooms for EUR 525 without breakfast, which costs EUR 26 per person. 1 hour and 8 minutes, 80 km from the fjord.
- Hotel Hallormsstadur, rating 8.5, 2 double rooms for EUR 490 with breakfast included, 74 km from the fjord, 1 hour and 12 minutes.
- Studio Apartments in Seydisfjordur, rating 8.3, a studio with a large room for 4 people and a kitchenette for EUR 250, 100 km, 1 hour and 42 minutes from the fjord.
Iceland travel itinerary: day 6, return and finish missed sights, if there is time
Early rise 8 am.
In case you haven’t returned the day before, you have at least 1 hour to the first landmark on the route. Another option is to go back and catch up on missed landmarks. We chose to go back on the 5th day and calmly caught up. We visited Sky Lagoon in peace, we even had time to go to Blue Lagoon and compare.
Landmarks, in case you haven’t returned yet:
Rating in Google maps: 4.6
Travel: 1 and a half hours from the hotels I suggested.
Travel: approx 70-80 km, 1 hour or so
Duration: 2-3 hours, some walking
Rating on Google maps: 4.5
Lagoons, which are outdoor baths with milky blue water, rich in minerals, naturally heated by hot springs. They are similar to the Blue Lagoon. But the road from the fjord to here is 230 km, 3 hours, if you sleep somewhere in the middle, you break it more or less in half.
Travel: approx 130 km, 2 hours
Duration: 1.5 hours
Rating on Google maps: 4.8
An impressive waterfall, descending over a curved, 12 m high precipice, with paths to multiple viewpoints. We can skip it safely
Journey: approx. 58 km, 48 min
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Here is the absolute and most ambitious end of the 6-day program. Keep in mind that from here the road to the airport is 423 km, approx. 5-6 hours, returning along the northern arc. It is light, but nature can always surprise you and the return can be difficult. So plan wisely.
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of things left in the north, but there is no way. In 6 days, that’s all, and it is still full of amazing experiences and impressions.
How to book your stay in Iceland?
I recommend booking your stay directly here. For your convenience, I have included a map widget showing available hotels, apartments and other accommodation options. You support the blog without paying extra and still use all your Genius and other discounts.
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Do you ever wonder how some places differ so much from others in service, environment, and overall experience? This means you are also interested like me in The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine and James Gilmore. I constantly add to my collection reviews about those of them, which practice its principles, regardless of whether intentionally or accidentally. If you are curious to understand which they are, explore the category The Experience Economy.
