Best Six-Day Itinerary for Iceland

Iceland is a breathtaking country full of fire and ice – volcano eruptions, massive glaciers, and towering fjords that clash against the ocean. No wonder a visit is on so many people’s bucket lists! If you are planning a trip to Iceland, I have found that six days is a perfect window to see most of the highlights on and beyond the island. Check out my best six-day itinerary for Iceland below!

Eldfell Volcano Loop

Day One: Travel Day + Explore Reykjavík

Depending on where you are flying in from and when you land, you may get the better part of a full day in Iceland! We stayed in Reykjavík, so after picking up our rental car and driving about an hour from Keflavík (Iceland’s international airport) we still had half a day of exploring left to do. Jet lag can be a real thing, so not overloading your schedule this first day is key. After settling into our AirBnb we went to downtown Reykjavík and visited Hallgrímskirkja, did some shopping, and then grabbed a bite to eat before settling down for the night. Keeping this first day low-key worked the best for our group!

Hallgrímskirkja

Day Two: Steam by the Lake, Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, + the Golden Circle

Holy moly, this second day is a VERY long but rewarding day. Starting off with an early morning reservation, our group drove to Steam by the Lake to experience geothermal baking. This experience is fascinating and so worth the $30 (per person)! Our guide was funny and very knowledgeable about the history of geothermal baking in Iceland. After gorging ourselves on bread, we made our way back to Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park. We did the Thingvellir Loop, a 6.7 mile hike that takes you through ethereal scenery, including Öxarárfoss and Þingvallavatn. It POURED on us during this hike, so make sure you have great hiking gear to navigate uneven terrain and slippery mud (I may or may not have eaten it at one point!). From there, it was already 4pm and we decided to still make highlight stops along the Golden Circle! We visited Brúarfoss, Faxafoss (aka Faxi Waterfall), Haukadalur Geothermal Area + Strokkur Geyser, before finally ending at the BEAUTIFUL Gullfoss Falls (this is an absolute MUST for your visit! Finally, at the end of a very long day, we drove back to Reykjavík and had a local dinner at Icelandic Street Food (bread soup bowls with free refills!). This is a looooong day but so worth it!

Gullfoss

Day Three: Horseback Riding + Sky Lagoon

With having SUCH a long day before, our third day was a perfect balance of continued adventure and productive relaxation. We started our morning horseback riding with Ishestar Horse Riding Tours, and right off the bat they provided all necessary information (+ rain riding gear!) to make our group feel safe, prepared, and excited for our hour long horseback riding tour. You get to ride through lupine fields and it was truly one of my favorite activities from our time in Iceland. My only suggestion is make sure you are there no later than 30 minutes in advance of your booking time! We were two minutes late to the thirty minute mark and they called asking where we were. Icelanders do not mess around with promptness! After horseback riding in the cold rain, we quickly grabbed the infamous hotdogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur before heading to the Sky Lagoon. We purchased the Saman level pass, which included “One journey through Skjól Ritual including Mýkt Scrub and Saft Elixir” which was INCREDIBLE. If you don’t need a private changing room nor some lotion, I recommend purchasing this pass. You can purchase drinks and meander around the pool for the rest of the time. We especially loved the sauna! The Sky Lagoon was the perfect way to end our third day in Iceland.

Sky Lagoon

Day Four: Day Trip to Vík + Explore a Lava Tunnel

On our fourth day in Iceland, we did a day trip to Vík that consisted of A LOT of driving, but it was so worth the journey from Reykjavík. The drive itself to Vík is beautiful, I recommend taking the northern route to go through picturesque valleys (see more on my Youtube channel – I even brought my drone out; it was so beautiful!). Once we made it to Vík, we went to the Skool Beans Cafe to grab a quick cup of coffee before taking pictures around the city. Vík is GORGEOUS in June – it has dramatic seaside cliffs with rolling lupine fields – it is an absolute must-add to your itinerary! From there, we stopped at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Skógafoss on our way to the Lava Tunnel. The black sand beach and Skógafoss are absolute must-adds as well – they are some of the most beautiful spots in the southern part of Iceland. We then ended the night exploring Raufarhólshellir (a lava tunnel) with a guided tour. This tour was FASCINATING and added a different flavor to our Iceland itinerary. For the price you pay, this tour is well worth an addition to your explorations on the southern part of the island!

Vík

Day Five: Day Trip to the Westman Islands

Provided the day before was JAM PACKED with activities, I recommend visiting Seljalandsfoss + Gljúfrabúi before catching a ferry to the Westman Islands. It is only a fifteen minute drive from the waterfall parking lot to the ferry! After hiking around this beautiful waterfall and marveling at Gljúfrabúi, we took a forty minute ferry to the Westman Islands. This group of islands were unbelievable, and we filled our time with hikes, food, and a visit to the Beluga Whale Sanctuary! Right after you disembark the ferry, the Beluga Whale Santuary was just a few minutes walk so we went there first. They have rehabilitated puffins and birds and when we went, they also had two rescued beluga whales! The whole “tour” took only about thirty minutes, so it is a quick stop before you can explore the rest of the island. From there, we quickly ate lunch and then hiked Heimaklettur (aka Home Rock). Holllly moly this hike is no joke. If you have a fear of heights or get vertigo (like my poor partner Colin), this hike is NOT for you. You basically scale up the side of a cliff for one of the most rewarding and beautiful views I have seen. We also hiked the Eldfell Volcano Loop which was absolutely breathtaking – you hike through volcanic rock and lupines to the top of a dormant volcano! These hikes made our trip to the Westman Islands magical…I truly could not recommend them more!

Top of Heimaklettur (aka Home Rock)

Day Six: Whale Watching Tour + Blue Lagoon

For your last full day in Iceland, I would recommend booking a Whale Watching Tour (if that suits your fancy) and meandering Reykjavík before ending at the Blue Lagoon! I get incredibly sea sick, so while my friends went on a whale watching tour (+ saw humpback whales breaching!!) I spent my morning walking around Reykjavík getting souvenirs and enjoying the spring blooms. If you have the interest (+ budget) for outdoor gear, Iceland has some of the best brands in the world for outdoor adventures. Personally, basically each time I have been to Iceland I have bought one piece of outdoor wear from Icewear, which is slightly more affordable than some of the other brands such as The North Face and 66°North. Once my friends returned, we grabbed lunch at Pósthús Food Hall & Bar (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and then ended our trip at the Blue Lagoon. In our opinion, the Sky Lagoon is better but it is still definitely a bucket list place for Iceland. 

Blue Lagoon

You truly cannot go wrong with creating your Iceland itinerary – there is SO much to do on this beautiful island and it is a cram to fit in everything! Some additions I would suggest are doing a Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling Tour (I did this on a previous trip and it was SO interesting!) or making your way to the north part of Iceland if you have more time (it is about a ten hour drive ugh). Safe travels + enjoy your Icelandic adventures!