Hvalfjörður

This Iceland guide is the accumulation of over 2 years of planning and research with an Icelandic local. In this 13 day itinerary, you will travel to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, the South, the East, the North, and part of the West to visit Iceland's most popular spots as well as hidden gems that few know about. It includes an interactive map with LOTS of hotels, restaurants, and spots to visit in Reykjavik (160 spots), the Golden Circle & the South (255 spots), the East (100 spots), the North (80 spots), and part of the West (150 spots) so that you can customize your own trip. This is the exact itinerary we used during our 2021 Summer trip to Iceland. Follow this guide exactly (weather and conditions permitting) for a guaranteed amazing set of experiences and hotels! Or, combine our insights with your own research to craft the trip of your dreams.

Active volcanoes. Dancing northern lights. Gushing geysers. Massive glaciers. Thermal hot springs. Thundering waterfalls. Iceland is the ultimate adventure destination. How have you not been here yet? It’s finally time. Start in the northernmost capital in the world. Reykjavik is a hip, modern city. Then start exploring the wild coastline, the sheep-filled countryside, the icy interior, and the peaceful islands. There are plenty of black-sand beaches, small fishing villages, turf-roofed houses, and epic hikes along the way. Just remember to pack layers. Sometimes, the Gulf Stream provides moderate temperatures. Other times, it’ll feel like you’re in the Arctic. Also don’t forget the long, dark winters and the 24-hour daylight during the short summers. If you take advantage of Icelandair’s free stopover program—a great excuse to visit Helsinki, Copenhagen, and even Paris—you can keep returning to discover which season you like best. This detailed guide includes: Places: regions, cities, islands, peninsulas, towns, neighborhoods Stay: hotels Eat: bakeries, cafés, coffee shops, food carts & trucks, food halls, ice cream, Michelin stars, pizzerias, restaurants, soup Drink: beer bars, breweries, cocktail bars, wine bars Shop: beauty products, bookstores, Christmas stores, chocolate shops, clothing boutiques, flea markets, knitwear, outdoor wear, record stores, vintage clothing, wool products Do: art museums, bays, beaches, bridges, caves, churches, concert venues, cultural centers, fjords, geothermal areas, geysers, harbors, hikes, history museums, horseback riding, hot springs, lagoons, lakes, lighthouses, memorials, mountains, national forests, national parks, natural wonders, nature reserves, parks, peace stones, ponds, roads, rock formations, rocks, rootless cones, scenic drives, sculptures, shipwrecks, sports venues, squares, streets, swimming pools, thermal baths, tunnels, valleys, viewpoints, volcanoes, walks, waterfalls Transportation: airports, bus terminals, car rentals, ferries, parking lots, transfers Note: I travel to Iceland frequently, so this guide is updated often.

When you head north from Reykjavík, it doesn't take long to leave the Capital Region and enter West Iceland. The city immediately feels very far away. This area is home to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Snæfellsjökull National Park. It's filled with sleeping volcanoes, receding glaciers, thundering waterfalls, lupine-covered valleys, small fishing villages, black churches, and isolated lighthouses. There's a lot to see within relatively short driving distances. It's a good place to start your real Icelandic adventure. This detailed guide includes: Places: cities, peninsulas, towns Stay: hotels Eat: cafés, coffee shops, food trucks Do: beaches, bridges, churches, fjords, horseback riding, lagoons, lighthouses, national parks, natural wonders, rocks, sculptures, shipwrecks, viewpoints, waterfalls Transportation: ferries