Top 8-day Iceland Itinerary Ideas

An eight-day Iceland itinerary gives you time for the country’s greatest hits, plus some less-visited stops. From powerful waterfalls and glaciers to volcanic terrain and black sand beaches, we’ve compiled the best Iceland journeys to take. Ready to dive in?

Eight days is a sweet spot for first-timers. It’s long enough to see major highlights without the time and budget commitment of a two-week trip. With eight days, you can tackle the Ring Road on a packed schedule, or slow down and focus on iconic routes.

A week plus one day also gives you breathing room for both adventure and recovery time. It’s especially ideal if you’re planning excursions that require advance booking, such as a glacier hike, a guided ice cave tour, or a geothermal soak. And if you’re visiting in Northern Lights season, you’ll have multiple chances to book an evening hunt.

Most importantly, Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable. Having eight days gives you the flexibility to shift your schedule if strong winds, rain, or road conditions affect your plans.

Best for travelers who want to see everything at a fast pace.

An eight-day Iceland itinerary is just the right length for a jam-packed road trip along the Ring Road (Route 1). This option is ideal for travelers who want to cover as much of the country as possible in a single loop. It does come with long drive days and early starts. Still, the payoff is huge. Few routes deliver such a dramatic mix of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and coastal scenery in just over a week.

Upon landing at Keflavík (KEF) and picking up your rental car, head straight for the Blue Lagoon. Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, it's the perfect place to shake off jet lag with a relaxing soak. Pre-booking is mandatory. Reserve a timed entry with a buffer for baggage claim, car pickup, and the short drive from the airport.

Once you are done, drive east toward the Golden Circle region. Head to the town of Selfoss, about an hour and 15 minutes from the Lagoon. Here, you can check into your accommodation and enjoy a quiet evening.

Hit the road early this morning to dedicate a full day to the famous Golden Circle route. Starting from Selfoss, the route typically takes you first to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage site lets you walk along the rift valley separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Next, visit the Haukadalur geothermal area to see the Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes, followed by the Gullfoss waterfall. If you’d like to add one more stop, Kerið volcanic crater is an easy detour on the Golden Circle drive.

If time and energy allow, keep driving south to visit the South Coast’s famous waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Spend the night farther east, ideally in or near Vík, to shorten your drive tomorrow. (This is a packed day, but it sets you up well for the rest of the route.)

Start the third day of your eight-day Iceland itinerary with the iconic sights near Vík. First, visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, famous for its hexagonal basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising just offshore. Afterward, continue east.

As you enter Vatnajökull National Park, choose your adventure. Take the scenic hike to Svartifoss, often about two hours if you follow one of the loop routes. Alternatively, if you booked ahead, you can join a guided glacier hike in the Skaftafell area. End the day at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where calved icebergs drift through the lagoon toward the sea. Just across Route 1 is Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice wash ashore and sparkle against the black volcanic sand.

Spend the night in or near Höfn to set yourself up for tomorrow’s drive through the Eastfjords.

Today is a long but rewarding driving day through Iceland’s scenic Eastfjords, a region where the route itself is often the main attraction. While there are fewer headline sights than the South Coast, you’ll pass quiet fishing villages, dramatic fjords, and sweeping coastal views.

If you have time, stop in charming towns like Djúpivogur. Consider a detour to Seyðisfjörður, famous for its iconic blue church and the rainbow-painted street leading up to it.

East Iceland is also the only region in the country where you might spot wild reindeer, especially in the colder months. Marvel at the picture-perfect coastline dotted with black-sand coves, basalt cliffs, and rugged viewpoints.

End the day in Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland. It’s the best place in the region to rest before tomorrow’s drive north.

The North Iceland stretch of the eight-day Iceland itinerary comes packed with spectacular natural wonders. Head towards the Lake Mývatn area, known for its intense geothermal activity and striking geology. Start at Dettifoss, often described as one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, before exploring the highlights around Mývatn.

Key stops include Hverir’s bubbling mud pots and sulfur vents, Dimmuborgir’s lava formations, and the pseudo-craters by the lake’s shoreline. On your way west, don’t miss Goðafoss, a beautiful horseshoe-shaped waterfall.

Spend the night near Mývatn, or continue to Akureyri for a shorter drive west the following day.

Spend the morning of your eight-day Iceland itinerary exploring Akureyri, the “Capital of the North.” Take a break from the remote landscapes and explore the city’s beautiful church, botanical gardens, and local coffee shops.

After this brief city tour, it’s time to hit the road for one of the longest driving stretches of this eight-day Iceland itinerary. The drive winds through scenic valleys and coastal landscapes, passing through the Skagafjörður region, often called the "Valley of Horses." This area is famous for horseback riding farms and offers great photo opportunities.

End the day with a push toward West Iceland. Aim to drive until you reach the Borgarnes area, which positions you perfectly for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula detour tomorrow morning.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of Iceland’s best side trips off the Ring Road, packed with coastal cliffs, volcanic landscapes, and stunning viewpoints. From Borgarnes, drive west to the Gerðuberg basalt columns, then continue to Búðakirkja, the famous black church at Búðir. Next, follow the coast to Arnarstapi and Hellnar. Here, you can stretch your legs on the short cliffside walk connecting the two villages.

From here, enter Snæfellsjökull National Park, dominated by the glacial volcano featured in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Other standout sights in Snæfellsnes are Djúpalónssandur black sand beach and the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, and the adjacent Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.

In the evening, begin the final drive back toward Reykjavík.

Wind down your epic eight-day Iceland itinerary at the capital city before your flight out of Iceland from Keflavík. Take the morning to explore downtown Reykjavík, which is very walkable. Essential stops include the Hallgrímskirkja Church, the buzzy Laugavegur shopping street, and the stunning Harpa Concert Hall on the waterfront.

Depending on your flight time, you may also have time for a final relaxing soak. The Sky Lagoon is much closer to Reykjavík than the Blue Lagoon and offers a scenic oceanside thermal experience. It’s a tranquil way to end the Ring Road route.

Best for first-timers who want highlights without constant driving.

This relaxed eight-day Iceland itinerary focuses on the country’s south and southwest. It gives you more time to enjoy the region’s biggest highlights at a comfortable pace. By concentrating on the Golden Circle and South Coast, you can linger at waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and Iceland’s famous glacier lagoon. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who want a classic road trip experience while seeing Iceland’s top sights.

Once you arrive at Keflavík, collect your rental car and proceed directly to the capital. After checking into your hotel in Reykjavík, take the short drive to the highly rated Sky Lagoon. Just minutes from the city center, the luxurious geothermal experience is a laidback way to kick off your eight-day Iceland itinerary. If your pass includes it, don’t miss the Skjól seven-step ritual. 

Wrap up with an easy evening exploring Reykjavík’s restaurants and cafés.

These two days are dedicated to the most spectacular part of your eight-day Iceland itinerary: the South Coast. To reach the eastern highlights comfortably, plan for one overnight away from Reykjavík.

Start early on Day 2 and drive east to see two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Continue onward to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík, famous for its dramatic basalt columns and powerful Atlantic waves. Overnight near Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell to set yourself up for an easier Day 3.

The next day is all about glaciers. Begin in the Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, where you can choose an optional hike to Svartifoss. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the breathtaking Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach.

After exploring the lagoon area, begin the long drive back toward Reykjavík. Ideally, leave in the afternoon so you’re not driving too late into the evening.

These two days of the eight-day Iceland itinerary are dedicated to the iconic Golden Circle. Spreading it across two day trips from Reykjavík lets you soak in the experience without rushing.

Watch the Strokkur geyser erupt every several minutes at the Haukadalur geothermal area on Day 4. Continue to the powerful Gullfoss waterfall, where the Hvítá River thunders into a dramatic canyon. If you still have energy for one more stop, add Kerið crater lake before returning to Reykjavík for the evening.

Þingvellir National Park takes the spotlight for Day 5. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider snorkeling in the crystal-clear Silfra fissure, or diving, if you’re certified.

As the long day trip known as "Iceland in Miniature," the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a must-see loop from Reykjavík. Road trip highlights include the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, the striking black church at Búðakirkja, and the dramatic coastal cliffs near Arnarstapi and Hellnar.

Looking to explore deeper? Add a stop at the Gerðuberg basalt columns or visit the seal colony at Ytri Tunga Beach. You could also join a guided tour into the 8,000-year-old Vatnshellir Lava Cave. Regardless of your chosen route, return to Reykjavík in the evening to prepare for your final full day.

After several days on the road, spend your final full day exploring Reykjavík at a slower pace. Since you are already based here, you can enjoy a leisurely pace on foot.

Start with Reykjavík’s best-known landmarks: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the seaside. Then spend the afternoon browsing Laugavegur for souvenirs, or dive into local history at the Settlement Exhibition.

If you want one final major stop, head to Perlan. The museum features a wraparound 360° observation deck and immersive exhibits on Icelandic nature.

Before heading to the airport, factor in time to refuel, return your rental car, and check in for your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon or evening, you can squeeze in one final excursion on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Lucky for you, the peninsula is packed with sights close to the airport.

Best for seasoned road trippers who want fewer crowds.

This ambitious eight-day Iceland itinerary is best for seasoned travelers who want to explore beyond the classic first-timer circuit. Expect long drives and big distances, with major rewards as you dive deep into the heart of Iceland's less-traveled, rugged beauty.

Remember, distances look short on the map, but road conditions and scenic stops can double drive time. Relax in the experience, soak in the sights, and enjoy the long journey.

Start by driving toward West Iceland, an easy first region to explore from Keflavík and Reykjavík. The first day focuses on the Borgarfjörður area. If you arrive early, you can fit in some of the region’s top highlights. Make sure you visit Deildartunguhver, one of Europe’s most powerful hot springs, and the nearby Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls.

Come Day 2, drive to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in Miniature" for the sheer variety of its natural attractions. Spend the day unearthing the peninsula’s natural wonders, from glacier-capped peaks to coastal cliffs. Overnight stays should ideally be in the Borgarnes or Stykkishólmur area to minimize your driving time north the next morning.

Ready for the biggest transfer day of your eight-day Iceland itinerary in the north? On Day 3, embark on a long drive to Akureyri, with cultural stops like the Glaumbær turf farm along the way.

Meanwhile, Days 4 and 5 focus on the spectacles of the Diamond Circle. Highlights include whale watching from Húsavík, the “Waterfall of the Gods” (Goðafoss), and the geothermal area around Lake Mývatn.

Slow down on Day 6 as you drive the scenic coastal route of the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. This picture-perfect route features narrow fjords, mountain passes, and idyllic fishing villages like Siglufjörður. Overnight near Akureyri or farther south to position yourself for the long drive.

Finally, settle in for the long return drive to the capital. To keep the journey engaging, take the scenic Route 47 around Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord) instead of the tunnel. This beautiful detour adds fjord scenery to your eight-day road trip.

Arrive in Reykjavík with time for a relaxed evening and smooth check-in. Day 8 is your final day in the capital before leaving Iceland. If time allows, visit Hallgrímskirkja Church or enjoy a last geothermal soak at Sky Lagoon before driving back to KEF.

This extensive road trip through Iceland's most remote regions requires careful planning, especially regarding fuel and rest stops. Here are some need-to-know tips, so you can enjoy your eight-day Iceland itinerary to its absolute fullest.

For most travelers, 7 to 10 days is a great amount of time to cover the Golden Circle and South Coast at a comfortable pace. It can also be enough for a fast-paced Ring Road loop.

A great first-time itinerary balances the Golden Circle and the South Coast. It combines waterfalls, glaciers, and black-sand beaches with a few days in Reykjavík for culture, food, and museums.

A strong eight-day itinerary focuses on the Golden Circle, the South Coast, plus an extra day trip such as Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Yes, but it’s very rushed and leaves little flexibility for weather, detours, or longer stops. For a safer and more enjoyable Ring Road trip with time for sightseeing, most travelers aim for 10 to 14 days.

Two things come up again and again: Iceland is expensive, and the weather can change quickly. Build extra room in your budget and plan a flexible itinerary.

For the easiest road trip conditions, the best time is summer (June to August), when daylight is longest, temperatures are mild, and most roads are fully accessible.