Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic rugged landscapes and scenery. The Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls top the list of must-sees. Iceland is also famous for its history and being settled by the Vikings. It is known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” due to its contrasting landscapes.
Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. Iceland is one of those country that always make you want to come back if you love nature and action.
When to Come
Iceland is beautiful all year round and the landscape changes so much from spring, summer, autumn and winter.
The summer months; July and August are Iceland’s warmest, and have long been the most popular time to visit. And June, with its 24 hours of daylight, sees just about as many tourists as the peak of summer. This is the season where everyone will flock to Iceland, renting a car or camper-van and drive around the ring road and highland.
Northern light is the second reason people come to Iceland. Many people come in December and January during winter to see northern light and enjoy winter activity such as ice cave tour and snowmobiling.
How to get around
The best way to enjoy Iceland is thru self-driving either by renting a car and stay at Hotel or guesthouses or renting a camper-van for more flexibility. However if you visit Iceland in winter, self driving may not be an ideal option especially in the month of December and January where you can face snow storm, sleet or icy rain. Daylight in December and January is also very short, so you wouldn’t want to spend your days driving in the dark for hours.
Whether you are coming in winter and you don’t have winter driving experience or you are not comfortable with driving you can still enjoy Iceland by taking tour. Why tour because sadly Iceland public transportation only caters for local to move from one place to another and not for tourist to visit Iceland’s best spots.
Here we’re curating itinerary without car you can copy if you are planning for 4 days, 6 days and 8 to10 days in Iceland. Bear in mind that Iceland weather can change dramatically and when the weather is harsh tour can get cancelled.
4 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Assuming you land Keflavik in the afternoon, you can take flybus or public transport (read here to know how) to take you to your accommodation in Reykjavik. Spend the day strolling thru Reykjavik to beat that jetlag and had early dinner before leaving for Northern light tour. Always book for northern light tour on your first night so if there is no sighting you can try again the next day. Some providers have policy to give second tour for free if there is no sighting.
Day 2: Day tour to Golden Circle Tour and Blue Lagoon. Golden Circle Tour is Iceland Classic tour which takes you to visit Thingvellir national park, geysir and Gulfoss waterfall. This tour can come with many varieties such as snowmobiling in winter, visit to Kerid Crater in summer, Silfra snorkeling in Thingvellir, Visit to Fredheimar Tomato farm, thermal bath in Blue Lagoon/SkyLagoon/Secret lagoon and etc.
Day 3 and 4: Take 2 days tour going to South Coast and Jokulsarlon. This tour will take you to see 2 waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, black sandy beach Reynijsfara, the town of Vik, Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. If you go in winter take the tour which includes saphire blue ice cave in Jokulsarlon. During summer visit to Glacier lagoon usually include zodiac boat tour. You will return to Reykjavik on the second day.
Day 5: Flying back
6 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Assuming you land Keflavik in the afternoon, you can take flybus or public transport (read here to know how) to take you to your accommodation in Reykjavik. Spend the day strolling thru Reykjavik to beat that jetlag and had early dinner before leaving for Northern light tour. Always book for northern light tour on your first night so if there is no sighting you can try again the next day. Some providers have policy to give second tour for free if there is no sighting.
Day 2 and 3: Take 2 days tour going to South Coast and Jokulsarlon. This tour will take you to see 2 waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, black sandy beach Reynijsfara, the town of Vik, Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. If you go in winter take the tour which includes saphire blue ice cave in Jokulsarlon. During summer visit to Glacier lagoon usually include zodiac boat tour. You will return to Reykjavik on the second day.
Day 4: Day tour to Golden Circle Tour. Golden Circle Tour is Iceland Classic tour which takes you to visit Thingvellir national park, geysir and Gulfoss waterfall. This tour can come with many varieties such as snowmobiling in winter, visit to Kerid Crater in summer, Silfra snorkeling in Thingvellir, Visit to Fredheimar Tomato farm, thermal bath in Blue Lagoon/SkyLagoon/Secret lagoon and etc.
Day 5: Day tour to Snaeffelness Peninsula
Day 6: Spend one day in Reykjavik and soak in Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon in late afternoon.
Day 7: Fly back
8-10 Days Itinerary
If you have 8 to 10 days our suggestion is to take 6 to 8 days ring road tour around Iceland and spend the first day and the last day exploring Reykjavik on your own. Stroll around Reykjavik on day 1 when you land and after tour finishes spend the last day in Reykjavik where you can explore more of Reykjavik or take up the Whale watching tour if they are in season from April to September and end your adventure by enjoying a thermal bath in Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
Ring Road Tour has different itinerary in winter vs summer so bear that in mind when you’re browsing thru the program. Below are examples of Tour Operator which offers multi-days ring road tour:
- Six days around Iceland with Arctic Adventure
- Seven days guided Ring Road Tour with Nice Travel
- Eight days around Iceland Summer mini bus Tour with Iceland Adventure Tours
- Eight days around Iceland Summer Tour with Troll Expeditions
- Eight days around Iceland Winter Tour with Troll Expeditions
- Eight Days Ring Road Tour with Marina Travel
Where to book the tours
The easiest way to find available tour is to browse Get your Guide Website. Advantage of booking thru Get your Guide is they usually have 24 hour cancellation policy which is more flexible Vs booking direct. However booking direct to local operator comes at a slightly cheaper price and you get to choose a more recommended local operator. Another alternative is to book thru local aggregator company such as Guide to Iceland.
When booking for tour always go for a smaller group. Even though they cost more than the big bus tour but the experience is so much better.
