Iceland in Summer day-to-day itinerary

You could even jump straight in with a soak in the famous Blue Lagoon!

Days 2 & 3 The Golden Circle
Today your adventure really begins! Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park of Þingvellir (Thingvellir). Take a walk through the Almannagjá gorge to the former parliament site, from where you can see the tectonic plates and actually stand between two continents – fascinating for budding geologists.

Next, stop is to check out the well-known geysers at Haukadalur – the most active hot spring Strokkur (the butter churn) is reliably erupting every 5-7 minutes so there are plenty of chances for that perfect photo. Finish your visit at the hugely impressive waterfall of Gullfoss, the first of many jaw-droppingly beautiful falls in Iceland.

This afternoon we recommend the Geothermal Bakery Tour at Laugarvatn Fontana. It is amazing to taste such delicious freshly baked bread (with a slice of smoked trout) after it emerges from the hot, black sand.

The next day we suggest you head to the Þjórsárdalur valley, where you can see the beautiful Hjálparfoss waterfall. You might also want to stop at Stöng, an excavated farm that was buried under ash in the Hekla volcanic eruption in 1104. A must-visit is Gjáin gorge which is like stepping into a fairy tale. The magical landscape is straight out of Game of Thrones. Finally, drive through the foothills of the mighty Hekla volcano through a desert-like landscape of pumice before returning to your hotel.

Day 4 The South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier
Waterfalls are the theme of the day today! Start the day with an unforgettable walk behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Going behind a waterfall is so exciting – note you will be sprayed! A few more minutes walking further along the rock face brings you to Gjlufrabúi, another waterfall, hiding inside the gorge. Back into the car to reach the majestic Skógafoss waterfall.

Today you could consider including a Sólheimajökull Glacier tour, when you’d be led by an expert guide on a safe path through the glacier tongue, seeing deep crevasses, water cauldrons, and immersing yourself in blue and white ice. (minimum age 8yrs).

Heading on to the south coast, the landscape evolves with the desert-like black sands of Mýrdalssandur and the lava landscapes of Eldhraun. Your hotel for the next two nights lies beneath Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,114 m).

Day 5 Skaftafell & Glacier Lagoon seal cruise
Start the day by visiting the Skaftafell information centre in the Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður National Park. Hike to the Svartifoss waterfall, which is surrounded by monumental basalt columns and boasts phenomenal views of the surrounding area.

After your hike, consider including the Ingólfshöfði Haywagon Puffin Tour. This fun-filled tour involves a ride in a haywagon across a black sand beach and a hike up to the peninsula, looking out for birdlife including skuas, guillemots and the incredibly cute looking puffins as they crash land in and out of their burrows hunting for fish.

Skirt the foot of the massive Vatnajökull ice cap to the famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Take a walk along the shore of the lagoon and to the beach, where often smaller icebergs are washed ashore. An option to get even closer is to join a boat trip amidst the drifting icebergs, where you have a good chance of spotting seals.

Days 6 & 7, East Fjords
Head to the fjord landscapes of East Iceland characterised by dramatic precipices and narrow coastlines, bursting with birdlife. See the famous giant egg sculptures “The Eggs of Merry Bay” created in honour of 34 species of bird that nest here and learn about the early settlers at the Wilderness Centre at Lake Lagarfljót. We recommend the easy hike to Hengifoss waterfall, an exceptionally lovely waterfall and famous for the very clear layering of the rock surrounding it, and the superb views of the gorge. On the trail, you pass Litlanesfoss waterfall on the way which is surrounded by basalt columns and looks extraordinary.

On your second day in this area, we suggest heading over the Vatnsskarð mountain pass to the remote fjord of Borgarfjörður eystri. For the most incredible views follow the impressively steep mountainside of Njarðvíkurskriður to the village of Bakkagerði where you can visit an easily accessible puffin colony. Also recommended are the fjords of Seyðisfjörður or Mjóifjörður. Seyðisfjörður is a small, but very creative village with an artists’ residency. Mjóifjörður, the “narrow fjord”, is the perfect place to head for some calm and tranquility – and a delicious lunch of hearty lamb stew in one of the cosy cafes here.

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