Iceland is a land where volcanoes, glaciers, and the North Atlantic conspire to create otherworldly beauty. Settled by Norse explorers in the 9th century and shaped by sagas, the island is a living geology lesson: rift valleys split continents, geysers give the English language its name, and lava fields brood beneath moss and sky.

In one week you can taste the country’s signatures: the Golden Circle’s thundering Gullfoss and erupting Strokkur, the South Coast’s black sands and basalt cliffs, and the silky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. Reykjavik layers culture onto nature—design-forward cafes, inventive Nordic cuisine, and a harborfront that hums with whale-watching boats and music venues.

Practical notes: weather changes fast—pack waterproof layers year-round. Winter (Sept–Apr) brings the Northern Lights; summer offers long days for road trips. The Blue Lagoon and some Reykjanes attractions may close temporarily due to volcanic activity; check status close to your visit. Driving is straightforward in good conditions, but buses and guided tours make logistics easy when roads are icy.

Reykjavik

Colorful roofs, creative kitchens, and an ocean breeze—Reykjavik is small enough to feel cozy yet packed with art, design, and history. Start with Hallgrímskirkja’s tower for city-and-sea views, then wander to Harpa’s glass facets that mirror the harbor’s light.

Food is a highlight: think line-caught Arctic char, lamb slow-roasted to tenderness, and pastries that make even locals queue. Cafes double as living rooms; bars pour craft beer and “black death” aquavit with equal ceremony.

• Top sights: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, Sun Voyager sculpture, Old Harbor, Perlan’s viewing deck and ice exhibit, Grandi harbor district.
• Eat & drink: Sandholt (artisan bakery), Brauð & Co (cardamom buns), Reykjavik Roasters (third-wave coffee), Hlemmur Mathöll (hip food hall), Messinn (sizzling fish skillets), Grillmarkaðurinn (Icelandic grill), Dill (Michelin-star New Nordic), Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (iconic hot dog stand).
• Fun facts: Reykjavik runs on geothermal heat; sidewalks in winter are often warmed by hot water pipes.

Where to stay (Reykjavik): Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Standouts: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland (dreamy splurge within the lava field), Kex Hostel (stylish social hub), and Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura (near the forested Öskjuhlíð hill and Perlan).

How to get here: Search flights to Keflavik (KEF) on Omio. From KEF, it’s about 45–50 minutes to downtown by shuttle or car.

Vík

Vík í Mýrdal is the South Coast’s pocket-sized base camp—a village wedged between the sea and volcanic cliffs. The front yard is Reynisfjara’s black sand and basalt columns; the backyard is Katla’s glacier-capped volcano.

Sunrises here gild sea stacks, and puffins wheel above Dyrhólaey in summer. In winter, the darkness turns cooperative: Vík’s far fewer lights mean a better chance at aurora borealis right from the beach.

• Top sights: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, Dyrhólaey Arch and lighthouse, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (en route), Sólheimasandur DC-3 plane wreck, Katla region ice caves (seasonal).
• Eat & drink: Smiðjan Brugghús (house-brewed beers, superb burgers), The Soup Company (bread bowls and Icelandic meat soup), Suður Vík (cozy pizzas and lamb), Halldórskaffi (casual Icelandic fare), Skool Beans (specialty coffee served from a converted school bus).

Where to stay (Vík): Look at VRBO or Hotels.com. Favorites: Hotel Kría (sleek with mountain views), Puffin Hostel Vík (budget-friendly social option), Hotel Katla by Keahotels (hot tubs and countryside calm), and Icelandair Hotel Vík (stylish rooms steps from the shore).

Getting there from Reykjavik: By bus, plan ~3–3.5 hours each way and ~$30–80 one-way depending on service; compare options on Omio. Driving Route 1 takes about 2.5–3 hours in good conditions; always check road and weather updates in winter.

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik + Sundown Stroll

Afternoon: Land at KEF and transfer to your hotel. Shake off the flight with a harbor walk past Harpa’s crystalline facade and the Sun Voyager, a steel “dreamboat” pointed toward Arctic horizons.

Evening: Dinner at Messinn for tableside cast-iron skillets—plump cod with brown butter and almonds is a local favorite—or book Grillmarkaðurinn for Icelandic grill over birch coals. Nightcap at Kaffibarinn for a classic Reykjavik bar vibe.

Day 2: Reykjavik’s Flavors + Blue Lagoon Night Bath

Morning: Coffee at Reykjavik Roasters, then ride the elevator up Hallgrímskirkja’s tower for city views. Browse Laugavegur’s indie shops and Icelandic wool.

Afternoon: Lunch-hop Hlemmur Mathöll—try Skál! for seasonal small plates or fusion noodles at Kröst. Explore Perlan’s observation deck and walk the wooded trails of Öskjuhlíð.

Evening: Soak at the Blue Lagoon with stress-free transport included. The mineral-rich, milky-blue water feels otherworldly after sunset; silica masks and steam billow from the lava field.

Blue Lagoon Admission Including Return Transfers from Reykjavik

Tip: It’s ~45–50 minutes each way from Reykjavik. The lagoon may close temporarily if seismic activity spikes—confirm operating status the day of your visit.

Day 3: Golden Circle Day—Geysers, Waterfalls, and Rift Valleys

Morning & Afternoon: Circle the trio that defines Icelandic sightseeing: Þingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart), the Geysir geothermal area (Strokkur erupts every ~5–10 minutes), and Gullfoss, a two-tiered torrent that roars into an ancient canyon. This small-group tour adds Kerið, a sapphire crater lake in a rust-red caldera.

Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Tour from Reykjavik

Evening: Back in the city, book Dill for a celebratory New Nordic tasting menu (reserve ahead), or try Matur og Drykkur’s modern take on heritage Icelandic dishes near the Grandi docks.

Day 4: Reykjavik to Vík—Waterfalls and Black Sand

Morning: Depart Reykjavik for Vík. Compare bus departures and fares on Omio (~3–3.5 hours), or drive the South Coast on Route 1. If you’re self-driving, stop at Seljalandsfoss to walk behind the curtain of water, and Skógafoss to climb the staircase for panoramic views.

Afternoon: Check in and aim for Reynisfjara Beach. Admire the hexagonal basalt columns and the rumble of the Atlantic—but keep well back from sneaker waves. Warm up with bread-bowl soup at The Soup Company in Vík.

Evening: If skies are clear, take a short, dark-sky stroll toward the beach or out-of-village pullouts—far from lights—for a chance at the Northern Lights. Pack a tripod and wide-angle lens if you’re chasing photos.

Day 5: Vík—Cliffs, Canyons, and Optional Ice Caves

Morning: Catch sunrise at Dyrhólaey for golden light on Reynisdrangar sea stacks and, in summer, puffins. Coffee at Skool Beans (order a flat white and a cinnamon roll from the cozy bus).

Afternoon: Hike to the Sólheimasandur DC-3 plane wreck (about 7 km round trip on a flat gravel path) or, if you have a car and favorable conditions, continue east to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon’s mossy curves.

Evening: Dinner at Smiðjan Brugghús—go for the smash burger and a tasting flight. Another aurora check after 10 pm if the forecast cooperates; Vík’s low light pollution boosts your odds.

Day 6: Vík to Reykjavik—Lava, Lights, and Late-Night Aurora Hunt

Morning: Return to Reykjavik by bus or car (~3–3.5 hours by bus; compare times on Omio). Grab lunch in the Grandi district—The Coocoo’s Nest for sourdough sandwiches or tacos, or fish of the day at Kaffivagninn by the harbor.

Afternoon: Experience real flowing lava, safely, at Reykjavik’s award-winning live lava show—an unforgettable science-meets-spectacle afternoon indoors if weather turns wild.

Lava Show Reykjavik Admission Ticket - Optional Premium Upgrade

Evening: Join a pro-led Northern Lights hunt with photos included. Local guides study cloud cover and solar forecasts to maximize your chance of a sighting, moving to darker skies as needed. Hot chocolate helps on frosty nights.

#1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

Day 7: Reykjavik Slow Morning + Departure

Morning: Brunch at Sandholt (try the smoked trout on sourdough or a warm croissant) and a last stroll for woolens or lava jewelry. If time allows, step into the National Museum for a concise sweep of Icelandic history from settlement to modernity.

Afternoon: Transfer to KEF for your flight. If your schedule is flexible and you want one last soak, consider an express thermal dip earlier in the day at a city pool—most are geothermal and very local.

Extra Options and Local Tips

• South Coast as a day tour: If you’d rather skip the Vík overnight, base entirely in Reykjavik and take a guided South Coast day trip to see Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara. (If you choose this approach, swap it in for Day 4–5.)
• Sky Lagoon in the city: Another gorgeous geothermal lagoon with an oceanside infinity edge and a 7-step ritual—conveniently in the Reykjavik area if you want a second soak.
• Northern Lights timing: Best chances are September–April on clear, dark nights away from city lights. Bring layers, hand warmers, and patience; the show can build over 10–20 minutes, then pulse for hours.

Featured Tours You’re Booking

• Blue Lagoon Admission Including Return Transfers from Reykjavik
• Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Tour from Reykjavik
• Lava Show Reykjavik Admission Ticket
• Northern Lights Tour with PRO Photos

Getting Around—At a Glance

• Flights: Compare international options to KEF on Omio.
• Reykjavik ⇄ Vík bus: Check schedules and prices on Omio (typical journey 3–3.5 hours, ~$30–80 one-way).
• Driving: Route 1 (Ring Road) is well-marked; allow extra time in winter, and never underestimate wind and ice. Refuel often on the South Coast.

With Reykjavik’s culture and cuisine as your base, the Golden Circle’s icons, the South Coast’s drama, and evenings under potential auroras, this week distills Iceland’s greatest hits. Warm lagoons, cool nights, and landscapes that feel moon-made—you’ll leave planning your return.