8-Day Action-Packed Icelandic Adventure | The Ring Road and Reykjavik

On your first day, you will land at Keflavik International Airport, go through customs, and board a convenient shuttle bus to Iceland's capital.

Keep your eyes out the window when traveling, as this 40-minute journey goes along the Reykjanes peninsula. The area is a wonderland of lava landscapes, volcanoes, fishing villages, and spectacular stretches of coast.

On your way to Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, you could stop at the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It is in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.

It will be arranged according to your flights, and if there is no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you. There is still plenty to see and do in Reykjavik if you have extra free time.

You'll be taken to your accommodation in Reykjavik, and once you are checked in and settled, you can explore the city. Iceland's capital is a cultural hotspot, with public artworks, beautiful boutiques, fascinating architecture, world-renowned restaurants, plentiful museums and galleries, and a thriving nightlife.

Before heading to any of the bars, visit the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center, Reykjavik's leading cultural hub. It's the favorite venue for concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. It's also famous for its impressive facade with 714 glass panels and LED lights illuminating the building at night.

Next, about 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) from Harpa, is the Perlan museum. The museum has interactive displays and exhibits revolving around nature and how it helped shape Iceland. The Perlan also has a hemispherical rotating glass dome that doubles as a viewing deck where you can enjoy the cityscape.

Stop at the Hallgrimskirkja church, about 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) from the Perlan museum. At 245 feet (74.5 meters) tall, the church is Iceland's tallest and one of the city's most famous landmarks.

Make sure, however, that you don't go too wild. Tomorrow, you will embark on your four-day, action-packed adventure around Iceland's Ring Road.

Day five marks the end of your Ring Road adventure, though it promises to be packed with excitement.
Your first stop on your way back to Reykjavik from Akureyri will be at the village of Dalvik.

The village is where you’ll find the unique Bjorbodin beer spa. Here, you can relax in a bath of warm young beer while enjoying a cold glass of draft beer instead of soaking in hot geothermal water.

Also, adding a whale-watching tour here is highly recommended when booking, as the surrounding waters boast abundant marine life. Not only are you likely to see humpback whales in summer, but also dolphins, puffins, and even orcas.

Furthermore, the mountains around the fjord in which this tour is conducted are dramatic and spectacular, keeping you in awe between sightings.

After this, you will continue along the beautiful coastline of North Iceland, stopping next at the Vatnsnes peninsula. This stretch of land is the best place in Iceland for finding colonies of seals, and you will be able to learn all about them at the Icelandic Seal Centre.

Vatnsnes is also renowned for being home to a strange, dramatic monolith named Hvitserkur. A photogenic feature, Hvitserkur is often compared to a drinking elephant, a dragon, or a dinosaur, although folklore dictates that it is, in fact, a frozen troll.

The monolith stands 49 feet (15 meters) tall and protrudes from Hunafloi Bay. Interestingly, folklore says that the troll hated Iceland’s conversion to Christianity and tried to destroy the bells of a convent. 

Because of its anger, the troll 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.

After marveling over its unique beauty, you will drive through the scenic countryside of West Iceland back to Reykjavik, where you will be based until the end of your holiday.
 

Though your journey around Iceland's Ring Road may be over, you still have plenty of opportunities for adventure. While you are welcome to relax after four intense days of sightseeing by chilling in the capital, you can still see as much of Iceland as possible through the different tours available.

The first option is a classic Golden Circle tour. The Golden Circle trail is the most popular tourist route in the country, boasting three incredible sites: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

Considering you have fully encircled the country, visiting here would mean seeing all of Iceland's most iconic attractions in just six days.

Alternatively, you could embark on a tour of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. You'll be able to see glaciers and volcanoes, such as the world-famous Snaefellsjokull.

The stratovolcano Snaefellsjokull in Snaefellsjokull National Park is at the peninsula's tip. It stands 4,744 feet (1,446 meters) tall, offering impressive views of Reykjavik from across the bay.

Apart from being one of the country's most stunning glaciers, Snaefellsjokull boasts a rich folklore. It was believed by superstitious Icelanders that the Snaefellsjokull glacier was an ancient source of energy. 

Legend states that the glacier's rock formations used to be trolls petrified by sunlight. Moreover, some believe these rock formations served as homes for the hidden people.

You'll also see other fascinating formations, such as Mount Kirkjufell and the Londrangar sea stacks. You'll encounter countless historic fishing villages and some incredible stretches of coast. Because of its diversity, the peninsula is nicknamed "Iceland in Miniature."

Finally, you could book an Inside the Volcano tour. Available only in one volcano and only in Iceland, this thrilling excursion will have you ride a mining lift into the cavernous magma chamber of a dormant volcano. 
Not only is the scale breathtaking, but the rocks' coloration and the opportunity's uniqueness make this a highly sought-after experience.

After one of these fantastic adventures, you can enjoy the city's culture before retiring for the night.

The penultimate day of your fast-paced holiday in Iceland can also be as relaxed or as action-packed as you like. You could unwind from all the adventures over the past six days by staying in the capital or organizing one final experience.

Two of these options are the same as yesterday: a sightseeing tour around “Iceland in Miniature,” the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or a descent into the magma chamber of a sleeping volcano. However, instead of the Golden Circle, your other option is a helicopter tour, which you will take from the domestic airport in Reykjavik.

This helicopter tour offers a unique experience of enjoying Reykjavik by flying over the city and its surroundings.

This aerial trip will get your adrenaline pumping and provide you with an incredible view of the capital city and its surrounding nature. The focus of your flight will be mainly on the thriving geothermal areas around Reykjavik. It’ll also help you better appreciate the diversity and vastness of the country's nature.

Weather permitting, this adventure will also include a touchdown on one of the nearby mountains. During your stay on the mountain, you can marvel over some incredible vistas. In addition, you’ll appreciate the calmness of the environment as no other tourist will be in sight.

Coming back to the capital, its colorful tin rooftops and striking landmarks will provide you with some fantastic final memories of Iceland.

You will still have an evening to enjoy in the city before returning to your hotel. If you have the energy, you can still explore Laugavegur, the city’s main street and shopping destination. Here, you’ll find different shops and boutiques selling good finds at great prices.

If you wish to unwind after some last-minute shopping, you’ll find a good restaurant or bar along Laugavegur street for a bottle of beer.