Iceland — the land of fire and ice (literally!) My 7 day Iceland road trip itinerary is a bit off-the-beaten path, a bit adventure, a bit of antics, a bit of everything. Iceland was the 26th country I’ve visited in my lifetime, and it BLEW me away with the sprawling, dramatic landscapes and gorgeous hidden gems. I felt like a fairy or elf in another realm — it’s wanderlust in its truest form.
If you have no idea where to start planning a 7 day Iceland road trip itinerary (it’s overwhelming!), use my guide as a rough outline of where to go, what to do, and where to stay! It has volanic craters, waterfalls, mountains, canyons, forests, greenlands, cliffs, bogs, hot springs, hikes, gorges, shipwrecks, black sand beaches, glaciers, AND MORE.
I think Iceland may have the most diverse geographical features I’ve seen anywhere in the world. They literally have anything you could ever think of.
7 day Iceland road trip itinerary
You may ask, ‘do I need a car? like, do I really need a car or can I do day-trips from Reykjavik?’ My answer is YESS you absolutely need a car. It gives you so much freedom and ability to do whatever you want. Iceland is safe and sprawling and rugged — perfect for exploring on your own. If you want to make your own adventure then you absolutely need a car. We rented a car for around $60 / day.
Day 1–3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Waterfalls, cliffs & black sand beaches
Arrive in Iceland:
Fly into Keflavík International Airport, pick up your rental car, and drive toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The western peninsula was so quiet and less touristy than other parts of Iceland. We would go for miles being the only car on the road. If you like this type of vibe then you must take a few days to circumvent the western coast!
Where to Stay:
Tiny towns near the peninsula have quiet & cozy stays—I 100% recommend Berg Horse Farm for ~$200 / night. This place has such a peaceful setting and beautiful Icelandic horses right on the property !!!
Stops along the way:
- Kirkjufellsfossar – The iconic mountain & waterfall combo — our airbnb was a 5 min drive from here so we went twice haha!
- Djúpalónssandur Beach – Black sand beach with shipwreck remains — super busy but worth a visit
- Bæjarfoss – Hidden gem waterfall just outside of town — we were the only ones here
- Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge – Hike into this dramatic mossy gorgeous canyon — one of the highlights of the whole Iceland trip
- Gerðuberg Cliffs – Giant basalt columns along the roadside — very aesthetic & different
- Hvammsvik Hot Springs – Soak by the ocean — less busy hot spring option for ~$50 for unlimited time, total bliss!
- Þórufoss – Underrated, cinematic waterfall tucked in a valley — stop on your way to the pensinsula!
Day 4–5: South Icelandic Coast – Epic waterfalls, turf houses & puffins
Drive South toward Vík:
This stretch is packed with iconic waterfalls, nature preserves, and terrain a bit different from the western coast!
Where to stay:
We absolutely loved The Garage Homestay, located perfectly between major stops. This place was out-of-this-world with the nicest owners, freshly baked pastries waiting for us when we arrived, and a hot tub / cold plunge. I will go back here one day! It cost $245 for a triple room.
Stops to make:
- Kerið Crater – Vivid volcanic crater lake with super blue water
- Ægissíðufoss Waterfall – Serene and often overlooked waterfall — soooo peaceful and lovely
- Seljalandsfoss – Walk behind the waterfall for a magical experience — we went at 10:30pm and were the only ones there!
- Drangurinn Houses – Cute elf houses built into rock — a cool stop along the road!
- Skógafoss – Massive waterfall with rainbow sightings worth a stop — climb up the tower for mountain views!
- Dyrhólaey Nature Preserve – Coastal cliffs + puffin colony — we were lucky enough to see 2 puffins!
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – Winding green canyon that feels like you’re on another planet — two mile hike
Day 5–6: East Iceland – Glaciers, icebergs & canyon hikes
Head east toward the Glaciers:
This is the more remote, surreal part of the trip filled with icy views and the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done.
Where to Stay:
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – Comfy, modern, and close to major sights in Eastern Iceland. A great hot tub & sauna! Around $~250 for a triple room.
Stops to include:
- Skógarreitur – A forested little gem across the street from lunch one day — a quick hike to the most gorgeous landscapes
- Skaftafell Waterfall – Short steep hike to a powerful waterfall — climb over the railing to sit right next to the falls and feel at peace
- Múlagljúfur Canyon – Jaw-dropping hidden 3 mile hike with the most stunning mountain views — I think this may have been the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done — a MUST DO
- Fjallsárlón Glacier Boat Tour – The only tour we did — $70 for a super fun boat gliding through the glaciers — our guides were awesome!
- Diamond Beach – Glacial chunks washed up on black sand — literally looks like sparking diamonds, so beautiful
- Stokksnes Peninsula – A literal Viking film sets and the most dramatic mountain backdrops on the beach
Day 7: Reykjavik, Iceland – Coffee, culture & thrifting
Wind down in the capital:
Return to Reykjavik for a day in this charming, cute, cozy city.
Where to Stay:
Alda Hotel – Super modern and centrally located, perfect for walking to everything. $275 for a triple room.
Don’t miss:
- Brauð & Co – Must-try cinnamon buns and sourdough — my fav was the raspberry tart!
- Verslunahöllin & Spuutnik – Best spots for vintage thrifting — I found amazing pieces here!!
- Hús Máls og Menningar – Super lively and fun band music performances every night!
Good things to know before visiting Iceland: My observations
- Locals are odd / funny / quirky but super friendly!
- The wind is intense, it will literally pull the door hinges off cars. Be careful!
- No trash cans / not a lot of public bathrooms in the west and east.
- The weather changes SO QUICKLY. Be prepared for it all. YOU NEED WATERPROOF PANTS.
- The elves kept stealing things, we kept losing all our stuff lol.
- Yogurt is supreme — get it from all grocery stores.
- Fermented shark is disgusting and don’t try it.
- Tap water is delicious and safe to drink.
- Restaurant service is so fast (but expensive)
- Icelandic people love candy
To conclude: 7 day Iceland road trip itinerary
Thank you for reading my 7 day Iceland road trip itinerary! xx Iceland is a mega adventure with otherworldly views. I hope you enjoy your time there and use this guide as a reference along the way!
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