Best 5-day Itinerary in Iceland

Your first full day in Iceland will take you to explore the most famous sightseeing trail in the country, the Golden Circle.

Your first stop on this route will take you to the UNESCO world heritage site of Thingvellir National Park. Sitting in the middle of 2 tectonic plates, Thingvellir is a beautiful and diverse location of canyons, forestry, numerous waterfalls, and the largest natural lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn. You'll find plenty of intrigues here, whether it's the history of the world's first parliament (Althingi in 930 AD), the rich geological imprints on the terrain, or the cultural impacts.

Joining a snorkeling tour here will allow you to take advantage of a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Nearby, the immaculate crystal clear waters of the Silfra fissure will enable you to snorkel directly in this otherworldly void between 2 continents. The waters are so clear that guests frequently recount the ability to see nearly 328 ft (100 m) in front of them at any part in the fissure.

Your next stop is the strange and delightful Geysir geothermal area. Known for their variety of steaming vents, bubbling hot pots, and spouting geyser, these natural hot springs are a must for travelers to Iceland. You'll find most visitors surrounding the powerful hot spring named Strokkur, which will erupt boiling water up to nearly 40m every 5-10 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get the perfect shot.

Your last stop of the Golden Circle will take you to the incredibly powerful Gullfoss waterfall. This gigantic waterfall is fed by the meltwater of the nearby glacier Langjokull down the Hvita River before plummeting 105 ft (32m) over two cascading steps into the deep cavern below. The sheer magnitude and sound of the falls will stimulate your senses, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a rainbow protruding down through the mist at the top of the waterfall.

If you're keen on taking an opportunity to try your hand at snowmobiling, you can join a tour from the Gullfoss visitor center. Once your guide has kitted you up and given a safety briefing, you'll head straight for the top of the nearby Langjokull glacier. Once at the top, you'll zoom across the snowy tundra, gazing around at the magnificent mountain peaks surrounding you.

However, if neither snorkeling nor snowmobiling appeals to you, you can instead take the chance to join a horse riding tour through the rugged terrains of part of the Golden Circle. This will also give you the added benefit of getting up close and personal to the charismatic and stylish Icelandic horse.

After your day of adventure, you'll rest up for the night in your accommodation at the nearby town of Selfoss.

Your journey now takes you eastwards across the wondrous South Coast of Iceland.

You will pass by the towering waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss (both 187 ft / 60 m tall) before heading on to the glacier outlet Solheimajokull, where you'll have the opportunity to join a glacier hike. If you choose to, you'll notice the darkened tinge this glacier outlet has on your ascent, which is the resultant ash from the 2010 volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull. On top of the glacier will give you some of the most impressive views of Iceland in panoramic fashion. You can even take the chance to fill up your water bottle and taste some of the world's purest waters.

Alternatively, if a glacier hike doesn't appeal to you, you can instead choose an adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling tour on top of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. The glacier sits on top of the largest volcano in Iceland, Katla.

Just before the village of Vik, you'll stop off at the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. This volcanic setting is blessed with the picturesque basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar and some large darkened caverns dotted along the shoreline, making it a great yet eerie place to visit. Make sure to keep your distance from the powerful waves that could suddenly sweep under your feet.

The next highlight is the Skaftafell nature reserve, which sits by the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. Skaftafell, which is now part of the Vatnajokull National Park, hosts many beautiful hiking trails varying in their difficulty level. One of the better-known trails will take you to the unique Svartifoss waterfall (3.1 miles / 5 km hike), hidden in a canyon and renowned for the volcanic hexagonal basalt columns it pours through.

After leaving Skaftafell, you'll head straight for what has become known as the crown jewel of Iceland, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. As the largest and deepest lagoon in Iceland, this is the best setting to watch gargantuan icebergs break from the glacier tongue of Breidamerkurjokull and head out to sea. This surreal experience is further enhanced by visiting the spectacular glistening Diamond Beach on the other side of the road, where the icebergs wash up onshore and melt in the sunlight hours.

You'll retire for the evening at your accommodation in the incredibly beautiful region of the Vatnajokull National Park area.

Start the day by spending some extra time at Jokulsarlon to watch this incredible act of nature.

We also highly recommend joining a boat ride on your stop if you are visiting during the summer months. You have two main options - take a larger amphibian boat out into the lagoon, which will take you gliding through the pristine blue icebergs floating in the lagoon. Alternatively, if you prefer something more adventurous, try a smaller zodiac vessel where you'll get to speed between the glaciers and get much closer to the icebergs. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for seals that frequently sun themselves on top of the ice.

On your way back to Reykjavik, you can take the opportunity to stop off anywhere you missed on the previous day.

We highly recommend visiting the spectacular Fjadrargljufur canyon near the village of Klaustur. Now better known for its feature in the hit HBO show, Game of Thrones, this deep canyon provides a beautiful hike along its cliffs, offering ample amazing photo opportunities.

We'd also recommend visiting the small lighthouse at the top of Dyrholaey, around a 10-minute drive from Reynisfjara black sand beach. If you're arriving in the summer months, this is one of Iceland's best places to spot puffins that nest in the cliff edges.

A final recommendation worth checking out is the Seljavallalaug pool, hidden in between a mountain and the volcano Eyjafjallajokull just past the village of Skogar. If you're brave enough to take a dip in the waters here, make sure you stay close to the south end of the pool, which is where the geothermal water pipe pumps through the warm water.

Once you're back in Reykjavik, take your time to check out any of the landmarks you may have missed on your previous visit. We recommend Harpa Concert Hall, City Hall, some of the city's beautiful parks, and some late-open museums.

However, if you're more interested in the nightlife scene, take the opportunity to embrace the culture of some of the hustling and bustling pubs and bars in the city center, and make sure to try some of the local beers.

You'll then rest for the night in your Reykjavik accommodation.

It's your last day in Iceland! We hope you've had a blast exploring some of the most incredible sights and sounds of our shores. If you're keen enough to extend your trip, feel free to get in contact, and we can arrange that for you.

If you have a later flight, you could use your time to take a dip in the Blue Lagoon if you weren't able to on your first day. This is the perfect way to unwind and relax after a long trip of adventure. Relax in the warm azure waters and reminisce on your great time in Iceland.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you could use the time to spend in Reykjavik and complete some last-minute souvenir shopping and sightseeing.

If, however, you have an earlier flight, we wish you a safe journey back home and look forward to welcoming you back in the future.