Meanwhile, Iceland is jarringly different from anything else: unbeatable beauty, commonly known as the “Land of Fire and Ice.” From dramatic glaciers through geysers, rough coasts, and volcanic landscapes-Iceland is truly an adventure unlike any other. This well-planned 10-day Iceland itinerary is going to assure a truly exceptional vacation to this very unique destination.
Iceland Itinerary
The Perfect 10-Day Greece Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik – Arrival in the Capital of Cool
Welcome to energetic the capital of amazing Iceland. The day is at leisure in this colorful town with its rich cultural scene and lively art scene. Amongst the very first sightseeing, visit iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church whose tower features a viewing platform with panoramic 360° view of the city.
From there, go towards the concert hall of Harpa-absolutely real architectural miracle for everybody who gets impressed with buildings made of glass. Take an easy walk along the shopping street lined with boutiques, cafes, and galleries-laughvegur. Dinner at a fine restaurant in Reykjavik; there will be an opportunity to try some Icelandic specialties, such as Icelandic lamb or fresh seafood.
Day 2: Golden Circle: Geysers, Waterfalls, and History
The second day starts with the Golden Circle sightseeing, including some of the most breathtakingly beautiful views in Iceland. First, drive to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you will quite literally be able to walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is also one of those very important places where Iceland’s very first parliament, so-called Alþingi, was established back in the year 930 AD.
From here, head on to Geysir Geothermal Area, the original home of the famous Geysir and its more active neighbor Strokkur, spouting every couple of minutes. The day reaches its culmination at the breathtaking Gullfoss Waterfall, where one can see the mighty glacial water thundering down into an incredibly deep canyon.
Day 3: South Coast – waterfalls and black beaches
Day three: Today you drive along Iceland’s dramatic South Coast. Your first stop will be at the breathtaking 60-meter drop of Seljalandsfoss Waterfall-you are actually able to walk behind this waterfall for a unique view. Just down the road is Skógafoss Waterfall-one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls.
Next up comes the Sólheimajökull Glacier; take an opportunity for a guided glacier hike or at least take in the fantastic views of the ice. Finish off at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and its interlocking rock formations of basalt columns with fantastic Reynisdrangar sea stacks. You really find this coastline to be wild.
Day 4: Vatnajökull National Park – Glaciers and Icebergs
Day four: Guided Vatnajökull National Park experience, hosting Europe’s largest glacier. The day starts with morning calls at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs float openly in the lagoon, waiting for their journey out to the Atlantic Ocean. An optional guided boat tour between the icebergs or just enjoy this breathtaking landscape from ashore.
Continuing down the trail just off the front of one, the visitor finds Diamond Beach, where icebergs are washed ashore, lying in the black sand like so many diamonds. The rest of the day is spent exploring the area Skaftafell in the park and hiking up to the Svartifoss Waterfall, placed among basalt columns in hexagonal shapes.
Day 5: East Fjords – Faraway Scenic Beauty and Small Villages
Not toured as much as the rest of the country, the East Fjords call out on day five. Dramatic natural beauty and picture postcard villages dot this area. Begin the day with a scenic drive through fjords: steep-sided mountains plunge into the ocean and tiny fishing villages speckle the coast.
Colorfully painted, wooden houses mark Seyðisfjörður as a very picturesque village with an active arts’ scene. Take an early morning stroll around this town, go into the local galleries, and treat yourself to a coffee in one of these quaint cafes. After lunch, take a hike in the Hengifoss Waterfall area, where this waterfall cascades down, fronting layers of red volcanic rock.
Day 6: Lake Mývatn – Geothermal Wonders and Lava Fields
Probably the most bizarre area of geothermal activity and extra-terrestrial-looking landscape greets you on day six at Lake Mývatn. First up, you’ve got Námaskarð Pass: boiling mud pools, steam spewing from fumaroles – it’s just plain surreal. Then Dimmuborgir appears: a lava field with weird rock formations that have given rise to a treasured cache of local folklore.
Refresh with a soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, which consists of warm mineral water surrounded by lava fields. In the afternoon, visit Grjótagjá Cave – a small lava cave with a thermal spring inside and one of the places for the series Game of Thrones.
Day 7: The North – Whale Watching and Akureyri
Day seven: Today, head north into Iceland and start your tour from what has been unofficially described as the ‘whale-watching capital of Iceland’, which is Húsavík. Go on a boat tour so that these gentle giants come as close to you while playing with your vessel and you get sights of humpback whales, minke whales, and even blue whales.
This morning, head to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city. Get to know the town’s art scene, followed by a visit to the Akureyri Botanical Gardens and then the views from Akureyri Church, designed by the same architect responsible for Reykjavik’s Hallgrímskirkja. Tonight, enjoy an Icelandic/international dinner in one of Akureyri’s best restaurants.
Day 8: The Westfjords –Remote Wilderness
Day eight: Today you will be in the Westfjords-with no question it is the most out-of-the-way area of Iceland and one that has less appeal for visitors. The first stop today will be the biggest town in the Westfjords, which is called Ísafjörður; here, one can find a Heritage Museum of the Westfjords where one can learn more about the rich maritime history.
Drive to the beautiful waterfall Dynjandi, actually a series of waterfalls tumbling down a mountain slope, considered until now the most precious stone in the crown of jewels which is Westfjords. The rest of the day is devoted to exploring the remoter fjords of the area, with their seabirds, Arctic foxes, and possibly seals in their natural environment.
Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Iceland in Miniature
Snæfellsnes Peninsula has often been referred to as “Iceland in Miniature”, and this part of Iceland should feature the most variation in landscapes. Other highlights will be the visits to Kirkjufell-arguably among the most photographed mountains in Iceland-and the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall.
We then make an excursion to beautiful Snæfellsjökull National Park, crowning the peninsula with the mighty Snæfellsjökull Glacier. This glacier-capped volcano is even more famous as the real setting of Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. A little further ahead, we will be taken to Arnarstapi-a small fishing village that just so happens to contain some of the most beautiful columnar basalt rock formations found along any coast.
Day 10: Blue Lagoon and Departure
Spend the last day of your Iceland tour at leisure, proceeding to the airport in due time for your departure flight. The world-famous ‘Blue Lagoon’, where you can take a bath in warm, milky-blue colored water in a rugged lava field awaits. Mineral-rich waters are an ideal end to an action-filled trip.
After having spent your time at the Blue Lagoon and recollected all those unforgettable moments of the journey against one of the most amazing and unique landscapes in the world, you will then be transferred to Keflavik Airport for your return.
Conclusion:
A 10-day round trip to the essentials of Iceland, apart from some of the lesser-known parts-from the hustle and bustle of Reykjavik to far-flung Westfjords through cultures and diverse landscapes that surely will impress any guest.
