7-Day Action-Packed Vacation | The Ring Road of Iceland and Reykjavik

On day two, you will begin your once-in-a-lifetime Icelandic adventure around the country’s Ring Road. 

You’ll be picked up bright and early by your knowledgeable guide and set out to marvel over the countless sites of the South Coast. This region is somewhat of a microcosm of Iceland due to the incredible diversity that can be witnessed in just a few hours.

Inland, you will be exposed to the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and, towards the end of your journey, Vatnajokull, the largest ice cap in Europe.

Eyjafjallajokull is a stratovolcano known for its eruption in 2010 that caused significant disruption in Europe’s air travel. Eyjafjallajokull stands 5,427 feet (1,651 meters) tall, making it one of South Coast’s most imposing features.

Meanwhile, the Myrdalsjokull glacier sits close to Eyjafjallajokull. Myrdalsjokull is Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier, with its highest peak measuring 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) tall. It also covers an impressive 232 square miles (600 square kilometers).

Next is the breathtaking Vatnajokull glacier. Vatnajokill covers an area of 3127 square miles (8,100 square kilometers), making it Europe’s largest glacier.

Thankfully, your friendly guide will take you around the area as you discover one of the finest attractions in the region.

Out to sea, you’ll witness spectacular coastal features, such as the jagged Westman Islands, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and the Dyrholaey rock arch. The black sand beaches are beautiful in and of themselves, particularly at Reynisfjara.

There are also plenty of stunning waterfalls along this stretch, three of which you’ll come to early in your journey. Standing 197 feet (60 meters) tall, Seljalandsfoss is most known for its serenity and the unusual cavern behind it. 

Next is Gljufrabui, hidden in a small gorge and overlooked by most. In summer, you can go through a stream inside a grotto to reach this waterfall.

The third is Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s biggest and most captivating waterfalls. It’s renowned for its incredible power, with a drop of 197 feet (60 meters) and a width of 82 feet (25 meters).

Additionally, its mighty cascade creates a spray, resulting in a rainbow when hit by sunlight.

You’ll discover a fourth waterfall towards the end of your trip when you stop at the spectacular nature reserve of Skaftafell. Though measuring only 66 feet (20 meters) tall, the Svartifoss waterfall makes up for it through its beautiful formation and surroundings.

It’s surrounded by bizarre columns of black basalt rock, lava landscapes, serene lagoons, and many glacier tongues, among many incredible features.

If you’re adventurous, you’re welcome to add a glacier hiking tour in Skaftafell. You can scale the spectacular Svinafellsjokull glacier and enjoy some unbelievable views.

After exploring the incredible sites of South Iceland, you’ll retire for the night in a hotel in the southeast.

On your third day, you will first explore the wonders of the Vatnajokull Glacier, starting at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Its depth is 932 feet (284 meters), making it Iceland's deepest lake. It also spans about 6.9 square miles (18 square kilometers).

This magnificent lake is filled with enormous icebergs, which slowly cruise from a crumbling outlet to the ocean. Many seals call this spectacular place home, only adding to the delightful sights.

A short walk from the lagoon is Diamond Beach, where the icebergs finally wash up on the black sands, glistening beautifully as they slowly melt into the surf. Summer travelers can board a zodiac boat and witness Jokulsarlon from a new perspective.

After enjoying what is sure to be one of your most memorable moments in Iceland, you'll continue your journey along the Ring Road. You will undoubtedly notice a dramatic drop in the number of tourists as you leave the south and enter one of the country's most remote regions.

The Eastfjords boast some of the most stunning views in Iceland. As you drive and stop at the beauty spots, you'll be exposed to magnificent seascapes, towering mountains, and more of the mighty Vatnajokull.

This region is made all the more beautiful with its wildlife. The fjords are full of seabirds, the waters are home to seals, and it is the only place in the country where you can see wild reindeer.

At the end of your exploration of this untouched region, you'll reach the sleepy capital of the East, Egilsstadir. 

Be sure to enjoy the mystical Lake Lagarfljot adjacent to the town before retiring for the night. It's a narrow lake known for its fishing, beauty, and folklore.

Legend has it that the lake hides the Lagarfljot Wyrm, a huge worm-like beast. Considered to be the cousin of the Loch Ness monster, this beast is said to be disrupting the lake's surface.

Your fourth day of this Icelandic adventure will take you to incredible North Iceland. As you leave the Eastfjords, you’ll travel through the volcanic landscapes of the northern reaches of Vatnajokull National Park and marvel over the captivating terrain.

If you’re traveling outside of the winter months, you’ll stop along this route to visit Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Over 328 feet (100 meters) wide and thundering into an ancient canyon, the waterfall is a sight to behold.

It also boasts an average flow rate of 50985 gallons (193 cubic meters) per second, complementing its natural beauty. Interestingly, the waterfall caught the eye of filmmaker Ridley Scott who filmed the opening scene of the 2012 movie “Prometheus” in Dettifoss.

However, the main area you’ll explore today is the diverse Lake Myvatn. Featuring a series of lakes, the site is a hotspot of the country’s unique fauna and flora and its geological and geothermal marvels.

Pseudocraters, towers of basalt, and even the “lava fortress” of Dimmuborgir create a stark contrast with the serenity of the waters. You’ll also see steam seething from many volcanic pockets.

To witness these geothermal forces at their most extreme, you’ll include a visit to the smoking fumaroles that define the barren Namaskard Pass. To experience them in a far more relaxing way, you can organize admission into the luxurious Myvatn Nature Baths, which sit on the edge of a lake, when booking.

After enjoying the diversity of Myvatn, you’ll make your way to the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri. En route, you have another powerful waterfall to enjoy: Godafoss, or the “Waterfall of the Gods.” 

Famous for its beauty, the Godafoss waterfall boasts a height of 39 feet (12 meters) and a width of 98 feet (30 meters). As you witness its impressive cascade, you’ll notice the water resembling the shape of a horseshoe as it splits into two.

In addition, it has a fascinating thousand-year history that you can read about on-site.

Upon reaching Akureyri and before retiring, you can explore the quirky town, famous for its architecture, beautiful nature, and plentiful cultural sites, if you still have the energy.

On the fifth day of your Iceland Ring Road adventure, you'll slowly make your way back to Reykjavik. However, there's plenty to see and do along the way.

The day's first stop will be at the nearby fishing town of Dalvik, one of the country's best places to go whale watching.

If you add such an excursion to your day, you have a great chance of spotting a range of dolphin and whale species. In summer, even rare creatures such as orcas, blue whales, and fin whales are spotted on occasion. There is plenty of birdlife to admire between sightings of these gentle giants, and the surrounding nature is breathtaking.

Following this fantastic opportunity, you will travel to another wildlife hotspot, this time famous for its numerous seal colonies: the Vatnsnes peninsula. You'll be able to learn more about these adorable creatures at the Icelandic Seal Center and explore the charming village it's located in, Hvammstangi.

Despite having only around 600 inhabitants, Hvammstangi is the region's education, tourism, and administration provider. Its main attractions are the seals and its picturesque harbor.

If you get hungry after exploring the Seal Center, you can dine at the nearby seafood restaurant, Sjavarborg. They serve delicious meals featuring local produce and fresh catch from the ocean.

The village is also home to Bardusa, a trade museum revolving around the town's history and its early settlers. You'll also find various locally-made handcrafted items for sale.

The Vatnsnes peninsula is also famous for being home to the fascinating, much-photographed monolith of Hvitserkur. Standing alone in a shallow coastal bay, this basalt rock stack resembles an elephant drinking from the seas with its trunk.

It stands 49 feet (15 meters) tall and protrudes from Hunafloi Bay. Interestingly, folklore says that the Hvitserkur rock stack used to be a troll.

Legend has it that the troll hated Iceland's conversion to Christianity and tried to destroy the bells of a convent. However, because of its anger, it didn't notice the sun's rising, resulting in the latter's rays petrifying the beast. Today, you'll see various birdlife nesting on the rock stack.

If traveling between April and October, you'll also stop at the Kolugjufur canyon to admire its stunning waterfall as you leave North Iceland. The canyon measures 0.62 miles (one kilometer) long and about 131 feet (40 meters) deep.

Otherwise, you'll drive through the rural, idyllic nature of the west and reach Reykjavik, finishing your incredible Ring Road adventure.

On the sixth day of your week-long Icelandic vacation, you have six options for spending it. 

If you want a day to relax after your travels, you can choose to stay in the city and soak up the culture of Reykjavik. You can explore the city streets and shop at the Laugavegur main street.

You have three equally appealing excursions to choose from if you want to pack as many sites and adventures into your holiday,

The Golden Circle sightseeing adventure is an excellent choice if you’re eager to see more of the sites that make Iceland so famous. This route is the most popular tourist trail in the country. 

It boasts the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and the hot springs and geysers of the Geysir geothermal area. Gullfoss features two incredible cascades. The first measures around 36 feet (11 meters) tall, while the second is around feet (21 meters) tall.

Meanwhile, the Geysir geothermal area is where you’ll find the geyser Strokkur. It releases steam blasts that reach up to around 66 feet (20 meters) high. The site is also rich in fumaroles and colorful mud pools.

The Golden Circle route also leads you to Thingvellir National Park, a historical, natural wonderland directly between the tectonic plates or the Silfra fissure. You can snorkel in the fissure’s crystal-clear waters and capture beautiful underwater photos. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

If you prefer a more extended day tour, you can instead immerse yourself in one of West Iceland's most diverse and spectacular areas, the Snaefellsnes peninsula. This region has waterfalls, beautiful stretches of coastline, abundant wildlife, and towering mountains.

You’ll also find historic villages, abandoned hamlets, and the world-famous Snaefellsjokull glacier, which sits in a National Park of its own name.

A final option for today is to embark on the Into the Volcano tour, an excursion only found in Iceland. On this adventure, you'll take a mining lift into what was once the magma chamber of an active volcano to marvel over its scale and vivid coloration. 

These chambers usually collapse after an eruption, making this an incredible experience.

After your final adventures, you'll spend your last night in Reykjavik.

It’s the last day of your action-packed week-long holiday in Iceland. You’ll board the Flybus back to the airport in time for your flight. However, if you didn’t have time for the Blue Lagoon on your first day, you could instead organize it now.

There are also a few better ways to unwind from all the adventure than in the spa’s luxurious pools, saunas, and steam rooms. If you have a later departure and want to continue to pack as much as possible into every day, exploring the capital is a good option. It has a wealth of museums, galleries, parks, and boutiques you can explore and is famous for its public art and architecture. 

If you’d rather enjoy natural beauty, you can still find it in the capital city and places like the Seltjarnarnes peninsula.

Regardless of how you spend your last day, you can depart knowing you covered as much ground as possible over your week in Iceland. You can enjoy your flight while reminiscing over the incredible memories you made.