My 7-Day Iceland Itinerary: Waterfalls, Glaciers & the South Coast
Planning a trip to Iceland? This is the exact 7-day itinerary I used for my first trip, including where I stayed, what I booked, and the South Coast highlights that made the trip unforgettable. If you’re looking for a mix of waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and Reykjavík without driving the entire Ring Road, this route is a great place to start.
Iceland Itinerary at a Glance
Duration: 7 Days
Best For: First-time visitors
Region: South Coast & Golden Circle
Highlights:
-Skógafoss Waterfall
-Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
-Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
-Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
-Diamond Beach
-Reykjavík
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík
After landing in Keflavík, I picked up my rental car and made a quick grocery stop before heading into Reykjavík. Since Iceland can be expensive, stocking up on snacks and breakfast items helped keep costs down throughout the trip.
I spent the afternoon wandering Reykjavík’s colorful streets, browsing local shops, and visiting Hallgrímskirkja Church. The city is compact and easy to explore on foot, making it a great introduction to Iceland.
Highlights
- Hallgrímskirkja
- Sun Voyager
- Harpa Concert Hall
- Reykjavík Harbor
Overnight: Reykjavík at CityHub
Day 2: Landmannalaugar Day Trip
One of the most memorable experiences of my trip was taking a day trip into Iceland’s Highlands to visit Landmannalaugar. Known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, geothermal landscapes, and incredible hiking trails, it felt completely different from the South Coast destinations that Iceland is famous for.
Since I visited in early June, I booked a guided bus excursion from Reykjavík rather than driving myself. The journey into the Highlands included several scenic stops before arriving at Landmannalaugar, where I spent the day hiking through some of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever seen. The weather changed constantly throughout the day, so waterproof layers were essential.
Tour I booked: GetYourGuide Landmannalaugar Day Trip from Reykjavík.
Highlights
- Landmannalaugar Highlands
- Valley of Tears
- Colorful rhyolite mountains
- Highland scenery
- Guided hiking opportunities
- Geothermal hot spring
After returning to Reykjavík, I spent the evening exploring the city and grabbed a famous Icelandic hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, one of the most popular food stops in the country. Despite its simple appearance, it absolutely lived up to the hype.
Overnight: Reykjavík at CityHub
Day 3: Reykjavík to Höfn via the South Coast
Day 3 was my first real South Coast road trip day. After leaving Reykjavík, I spent the day making my way east toward Höfn, stopping at some of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes along the route.
My first stops were Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two of the country’s most famous waterfalls. Although they’re often included on every Iceland itinerary, seeing them in person was still worth it. Skógafoss in particular felt massive up close.
I also stopped at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon before continuing east toward Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Watching icebergs drift through the lagoon against a backdrop of glaciers was one of the most memorable moments of the trip. I spent quite a bit of time here and Diamond Beach before finishing the drive to Höfn for the night.
Highlights
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skógafoss
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- South Coast scenic drive
Overnight: Höfn at this Airbnb
Day 4: Glacier Hiking & Jökulsárlón Kayaking
After spending the night in Höfn, I headed back toward Vatnajökull National Park for one of the most memorable days of my trip. I started the morning with a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull before joining a kayaking tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where I paddled among floating icebergs surrounded by glacier views.
I booked a combined Glacier Hike & Jökulsárlón Kayaking Tour through Artic Adventures, which made it easy to experience both activities in a single day.
Tour I Booked: Glacier Hike & Jökulsárlón Kayaking Experience
After the tour, I spent some time exploring Diamond Beach before heading back to Höfn for dinner at Pakkhús Restaurant. To end the day, I drove out to Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes Peninsula, one of Iceland’s most photographed landscapes.
Highlights
- Vatnajökull National Park
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Vestrahorn
- Stokksnes Peninsula
Overnight: Höfn at this Airbnb
Day 5: Höfn to Vík via Vatnajökull National Park
After checking out of my Airbnb in Höfn, I began the drive back west toward Vík along Iceland’s South Coast. Although this was primarily a travel day, it ended up being packed with some incredible scenery, including various lupine fields, and several worthwhile stops.
My first stop was Breiðárlón Lagoon, a quieter glacier lagoon located near Jökulsárlón. From there, I continued to Múlagljúfur Canyon, one of Iceland’s hidden gems. The hike offers incredible views of dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and glacier-capped mountains, making it one of the most rewarding stops of the trip.
Next, I visited Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park, famous for its striking black basalt columns. The waterfall requires a short hike from the visitor center, but the unique landscape makes it well worth the effort.
The rest of the drive included views of Skeiðarársandur Black Sand Desert and the vast Eldhraun Lava Field before arriving at my Airbnb in Vík for the evening. (Due to erosion on Reynisfjara Beach, I am recommending a stay at a different location).
Highlights
- Breiðárlón Lagoon
- Múlagljúfur Canyon
- Svartifoss
- Skeiðarársandur Black Sand Desert
- Eldhraun Lava Field
Overnight: Vík at this hotel
Day 6: Exploring Vík + The Katla Ice Cave
I spent the day exploring Vík before heading out on one of the most unique excursions of my Iceland trip. I started the morning with coffee from Skool Beans, visited Vík Church and the surrounding lupine fields, then grabbed lunch at The Soup Company. I also spent some time browsing local shops, including Icewear and the Víkurprjón Wool Store.
That afternoon, I joined a guided Katla Ice Cave Tour, where I explored ice formations beneath Katla Volcano. After returning to town, I ended the day with dinner at Black Crust Pizzeria and an evening along the South Coast.
Tour I Booked: Katla Ice Cave Tour from Vík
Highlights
- Vík Church
- Katla Ice Cave
- Lupine Fields
- Black Sand Beaches along South Coast
Overnight: Vík at this hotel
Day 7: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon + Reykjavik
For my final full day in Iceland, I drove the Golden Circle before returning to Reykjavík. I started the morning with homemade ice cream at Efstidalur Farm, then visited Brúarfoss Waterfall, known for its striking blue water.
From there, I continued to the Geysir Geothermal Area before stopping for lunch at Friðheimar, where I had their famous tomato soup served inside a greenhouse. After lunch, I visited Kerið Crater before heading back to Reykjavík to take in the views from the Hallgrímskirkja Observation Tower.
That evening, I grabbed a hot dog from Vikinga Pylsur before ending my Iceland adventure with a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon. Afterward, I checked into Nordic Hostel for my final night before flying home the next morning.
Highlights
- Brúarfoss Waterfall
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Kerið Crater
- Blue Lagoon
Overnight: Reykjavik at this hostel
Final Thoughts
Iceland had been at the top of my bucket list for years, and it somehow exceeded every expectation. From hiking through the colorful landscapes of Landmannalaugar to kayaking among icebergs at Jökulsárlón and watching the sunset at Vestrahorn, every day felt completely different from the last.
If you’re planning your first trip to Iceland and don’t want to drive the entire Ring Road, this 7-day route is a great introduction to the country. It combines some of Iceland’s most famous sights with a few lesser-known stops, while still leaving time to slow down and enjoy the journey.
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What I Booked for This Trip
Rental Car
4WD Recommended
I picked mine up directly from the airport and highly recommend paying extra for insurance in Iceland.
👉 Book Rental Car https://economybookings.tpx.lu/gaU4bWli
Reykjavik Accomodation #1
CityHub Reykjavík
Perfect for solo travelers and budget-conscious visitors.
👉 Check Availability
https://klook.tpx.lu/6lA2QL9s
Reykjavik Accomodation #2
Nordic Hostel
Most aesthetic and fun hostel.
👉 Check Availability
https://klook.tpx.lu/2Rpfn0DS
Höfn Accommodation
Airbnb in Höfn
Great base for exploring Jökulsárlón and the surrounding area.
👉 View Listing
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1142648951133616206?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=9eb0d705-54db-40de-9e07-adb9d8095a67
Vik Accommodation
I stayed in a cottage minutes away from Reynisfjara Beach, but with the recent erosion, I would recommend a stay at the beautiful Hotel Vík í Mýrdal.
👉 Check Availability
https://klook.tpx.lu/Un3bggPW
Camera Gear:
*linked on name*
Sony 7iii: My favorite camera for landscape shots.
DJI Mini 4K: Best way to capture amazing aerials.
Insta360 GO 3S: Perfect for capturing things on the move.
Insta360 2-in-1 Selfie Stick + Tripod
SANDISK 512 GB Memory Card: The only way to hold my million photos.
Flights
Great resource to find the best flights.
👉 View Flights
https://www.aviasales.com/?params=DFWREK1
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