Iceland is a land of fire and ice, where Atlantic breakers meet black-sand beaches and steam rises from the earth. Settled by Norse seafarers in the 9th century, it’s a country of sagas—both literary and geological—written in lava, glaciers, and relentless wind. Today, Iceland leads in renewable energy and preserves a language remarkably close to Old Norse.

Base yourself in Reykjavik for this 7-day itinerary and ride out to the island’s headline wonders: the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls, and Snaefellsnes. From the elegant Harpa concert hall to the soaring Hallgrímskirkja, the capital balances modern design with a deep love of nature. Evenings mean hot pools, stellar seafood, and—if skies oblige—the aurora borealis.

Practical notes: weather is changeable year-round; pack layers, waterproofs, and grippy footwear. Driving conditions and Reykjanes volcanic activity can affect plans—check alerts locally. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, tipping is modest, and prebooking popular baths (Sky Lagoon, Blue Lagoon) and tours is wise, especially in summer and over holidays.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is compact, creative, and easy-going. Colorful corrugated houses line its streets; ocean air curls around the harbor; cafés hum with conversation and excellent coffee. You’ll find modern Nordic kitchens, venerable hot-dog stands, and geothermal pools that are the city’s social living rooms.

Top sights include Hallgrímskirkja church (ride the elevator for sweeping views), the Sun Voyager sculpture facing Mount Esja, Perlan’s interactive “Wonders of Iceland,” and the waterfront Harpa, a honeycomb of glass inspired by Icelandic basalt columns. Food is a highlight: think Arctic char, langoustines, rye breads, and adventurous tasting menus.

• Getting there (KEF → Reykjavik): Fly into Keflavík International. From Europe, compare fares on Omio; from North America or elsewhere, search on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: London 3h, Paris 3h 30m, NYC 5–6h, Boston 5h, Seattle 7–8h. Airport coaches to Reykjavik take ~45 min and cost ~3,500–4,500 ISK; taxis are ~17,000–22,000 ISK.
• Where to stay: Browse apartments on VRBO Reykjavik or hotels via Hotels.com Reykjavik. For specific stays: design-forward Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura (next to walking trails), convivial Kex Hostel (great bar and private rooms), or splurge at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland (for an ultra-relaxing finale).
• Eat & drink highlights: Morning pastries at Sandholt or Brauð & Co; specialty coffee at Reykjavik Roasters or Mokka Kaffi. For lunch, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (iconic hot dog), Kaffivagninn (harbor views; fish of the day), or Messinn (butter-fried Arctic char). Dinner standouts include Grillmarkaðurinn (Grillmarket), Fish Market (Fiskmarkaðurinn), ROK, Apótek Kitchen & Bar, and Dill for Michelin-starred tasting menus. Nightcaps at Session Craft Bar, Röntgen, or Dillon Whiskey Bar.

Day 1: Arrival, Reykjavik orientation, and geothermal sunset

Afternoon: Land at KEF and transfer to your hotel. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Harpa’s gleaming façade, the Sun Voyager’s Viking daydream, and up to Hallgrímskirkja for city-and-sea panoramas. Pop into 12 Tónar record shop for a taste of Icelandic music culture.

Evening: Early dinner—try butter-fried Arctic char at Messinn or lamb at Grillmarkaðurinn. Then sink into Icelandic bathing culture at the oceanfront Sky Lagoon (prebook the 7-step ritual below). Warm waters, a turf-house sauna, and a horizon that glows long after sunset set the tone for your week.

Sky Lagoon Entrance Ticket Including 7-Step Ritual

Day 2: Golden Circle with Kerið volcanic crater (full-day tour)

Classic Iceland in a day: tectonic rifts, erupting geysers, and a thunderous waterfall. This small-group tour adds the russet Kerið crater to the big three—perfect if you want vivid geology with your scenery. Expect hotel pickup, a knowledgeable guide, and frequent photo stops.

Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Tour from Reykjavik

Post-tour, unwind with hearty Icelandic fare at Sæta Svínið Gastropub or share small plates at Sumac (Levantine-Icelandic fusion). If energy allows, a twilight stroll around Tjörnin pond is serene in any season.

Day 3: South Coast waterfalls, glaciers, and black-sand beach (full-day tour)

Trace the foot of Eyjafjallajökull to two spectacular waterfalls—Seljalandsfoss (walk behind the curtain) and Skógafoss—before reaching Reynisfjara’s black sands and basalt columns. On clear days, you’ll glimpse Mýrdalsjökull and outlying sea stacks. This is the postcard coast, delivered.

Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

Back in town, go casual at Reykjavik Street Food or Smiðjan Brugghús’ Reykjavik outpost (if available seasonally), or settle into Fish Market for creative sushi and charcoal-grilled seafood.

Day 4: Culture crawl, harbor flavors, and Northern Lights

Morning: Espresso at Reykjavik Roasters and a flaky pastry at Brauð & Co. Tour Perlan’s “Wonders of Iceland” for an immersive intro to glaciers, volcanoes, and the aurora—its observation deck also frames the city beautifully.

Afternoon: Head to the Grandi harbor district: browse at the Marshall House (contemporary art), sample small-batch chocolate at Omnom’s factory shop, and experience “FlyOver Iceland” for a soaring, cinematic lap of the country. Lunch at Kaffivagninn (oldest restaurant in Iceland) or try langoustine soup at Reykjavik Fish.

Evening: Early dinner at Apótek Kitchen & Bar (Icelandic with a playful twist). Then chase the aurora with a small-group guide—hot chocolate, photos, and the know-how to skirt clouds maximize your chances. Dress warmly; departures adjust to forecasts and may be late.

Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula road-trip (optional full-day)

Often called “Iceland in Miniature,” Snaefellsnes condenses lava fields, fishing villages, sea arches, and the glacier-capped Snaefellsjökull into one peninsula. Self-drive (winter tires and daylight awareness essential) or join a guided excursion. Highlights: Arnarstapi’s coastal cliffs, the black church at Búðir, Djúpalónssandur’s wave-lashed bay, and Kirkjufell mountain near Grundarfjörður.

Fuel up with pastries from Sandholt before departure; aim for a sit-down lunch of fish soup in Stykkishólmur or a café stop in Ólafsvík. Back in Reykjavik, warm up at ROK or cozy into Dill for a tasting menu that riffs on terroir with pickling, foraging, and fire.

Day 6: Reykjanes geology, city pools, and creative kitchens

Morning: Explore Reykjanes Peninsula’s raw beauty: steaming vents at Seltún, the fissure-bridging “Bridge Between Continents,” and ocean-smashed cliffs at Brimketill. Current volcanic activity can cause route closures; check daily advisories before setting out.

Afternoon: Return for a slow lunch in town—Mandi for shawarma, or a seafood stew at Sjávargrillið. Join locals at Laugardalslaug or Sundhöllin (historic) for a soak and a few rounds of hot-cold-plunge chat—this is everyday wellness in Iceland.

Evening: See a concert or recital at Harpa if schedules align. For dinner, Fish Market’s charcoal grill excels, or try Sümac’s wood-fired flatbreads and spiced cod. Nightcap at Röntgen or a quiet whisky at Dillon.

Day 7: Brunch, last strolls, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Sandholt or Deig for bagels and “kleinur” (Icelandic twisted doughnuts). Browse local design at Hrím and the Handknitting Association for lopapeysa sweaters. Pop into the Settlement Exhibition to stand over the remains of a 10th-century longhouse.

Afternoon: Transfer to KEF for departure. If you have a late flight and conditions permit, consider a detour to the Blue Lagoon for a parting soak; prebook well ahead. Otherwise, a peaceful walk along the Sculpture & Shore Walk is a fine farewell to Reykjavik’s sea light.

Optional upgrade: Scenic volcano flyover

When weather and aviation conditions allow, a helicopter flight over the Reykjanes volcanic fields is an indelible memory—smoldering lava, fresh craters, and an otherworldly coast from the sky.

Helicopter Tour over the Reykjanes Volcano Area from Reykjavik

Booking tips and costs at a glance

• Flights: Europe–KEF from ~€120–€350 roundtrip shoulder season; US East Coast–KEF from ~$350–$750 depending on dates. Compare on Omio (Europe) and Trip.com or Kiwi.com elsewhere.
• Tours (per person): Golden Circle day trips typically $75–$120; South Coast ~$90–$150; Northern Lights ~$60–$120; Sky Lagoon from ~$55–$100 depending on package.
• Dining: Coffee and pastry ~1,200–1,800 ISK; casual lunch ~2,500–3,500 ISK; dinner mains at quality restaurants ~4,500–7,500 ISK.

Included Viator experiences in this itinerary

• Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Tour from Reykjavik
• Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik
• Sky Lagoon Entrance Ticket Including 7-Step Ritual
• Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos

In a single week, this Reykjavik-based itinerary weaves Iceland’s essentials: geysers, glaciers, black sands, modern Nordic cuisine, and steamy seaside lagoons. With smart planning and a little weather luck, you’ll fly home with memory cards full and shoulders pleasantly slack from hot pools and sea air.