Iceland Itinerary 7 Days

Day 2: South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beaches

Day 2 takes you along the breathtaking South Coast on your Iceland ring road trip. This stretch of road has some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes and iconic photo spots.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui

Your morning starts at Seljalandsfoss, a magnificent 60-meter (nearly 200 feet) waterfall that lets you walk behind its cascading water. The Seljalandsá River flows from beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier to create this powerful waterfall. You’ll need waterproof clothing because you’ll definitely get wet during this adventure!

A hidden gem lies just a few hundred meters north – Gljúfrabúi (meaning “one who dwells in the canyon”), which most tourists miss. This secret 40-meter waterfall sits behind a narrow rocky crevice and small stream. You’ll need to venture through them to reach a cave with this magical cascade. The extra effort gives you a more personal waterfall experience. Both waterfalls share a parking lot that costs 800 ISK (about USD 6.00).

Skogafoss and optional hike

The mighty Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, comes next on your 7-day trip. Past its impressive 60-meter drop, you’ll find a great hiking chance – the Skógafoss Waterfall hike (also called Skógá Trail or Waterfall Way). This 16 km round trip follows the Skógá River upstream and reveals 25 more waterfalls among dramatic canyons and views of glacier-capped volcanoes.

The trail climbs about 500 meters and takes 4-6 hours to finish, but you can turn back whenever you want. A short 30-45 minute walk upriver lets you escape the crowds and see stunning views. Most people with average fitness can handle the steady uphill path easily.

Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

Your next stop is the famous DC-3 plane wreck on Sólheimasandur Black Sand Beach. Skip the long 4 km walk each way and take the handy shuttle service that runs daily from 10:00-17:00 for about USD 23 round trip. A quick 15-minute ride brings you to this haunting site – what’s left of a US Navy plane that crash-landed in 1973 (everyone survived).

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach stands out as the most dramatic stop on your 7-day ring road trip. Its basalt columns and jet-black sand create an otherworldly scene, but dangerous “sneaker waves” can appear without warning [47, 48].

Your safety matters here – watch for warning signs, keep away from the water, and always face the ocean. A new color-coded light system from 2022 tells you the risk level: green means low risk, yellow means be careful, and red warns of extreme danger. The beach has no lifeguards, and swimming is strictly forbidden.

Dyrholaey Viewpoint

End your day at Dyrhólaey, a former volcanic island with a natural arch in its cliff. This high point gives you amazing views of black sand beaches, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and on clear days, most of the western coastline. Summer visitors (May-August) can watch puffins make this their home. The area closes between 7 pm and 9 am to protect the birds.

Day 3: Glaciers, Lagoons, and Ice Caves

Day 3 stands out as the highlight of any 7-day Iceland itinerary. The journey takes you into a world of massive glaciers and floating icebergs. This part of the ring road shows off Iceland’s most photographed landscapes.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Your day starts at the breathtaking Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. This natural wonder stretches 2 km (1.25 miles) long and plunges 100 meters (328 feet) deep. Glacial erosion carved out this masterpiece about 9,000 years ago. A simple 2.1-mile out-and-back trail takes about an hour and rewards you with amazing panoramic views. The marked paths are there to protect the environment, so stick to them – the area has faced closures due to damage.

Skaftafell National Park

The next stop is Skaftafell, nestled within the vast Vatnajökull National Park. This spot gives you a chance to see Europe’s largest glacier up close. Adventure seekers can join year-round guided glacier hikes with certified guides who bring all the gear you need. The experience starts with a 30-minute walk to the glacier’s edge before you spend 1.5 hours exploring ice formations.

Svartifoss Waterfall hike

Skaftafell holds another gem – the 2.1-mile trail to Svartifoss (Black Falls), one of Iceland’s most striking waterfalls. The 20-meter cascade stands against black hexagonal basalt columns that look like giant organ pipes. You’ll need about an hour for the round trip, and the path leads past other beautiful falls like Hundafoss and Magnúsarfoss.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The journey east brings you to South Iceland’s crown jewel—Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon grows larger each year as icebergs break away from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and drift across bright blue waters. Visitors can hop on amphibian boat tours from May through September, with about 40 daily trips weaving between massive icebergs.

Diamond Beach

Right across from Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach awaits with its stunning display of icebergs scattered on black volcanic sand. These chunks of ice float down a river from the lagoon to the ocean, and some match the size of a mini-bus when they first land. Photographers should try using a slightly long shutter speed (0.5-2 seconds) with a tripod for the best shots.

Optional: Ice cave tour

Winter visitors should think about booking an ice cave tour between October and April. Nature creates these caves anew each winter as meltwater carves paths through the glacier. Tours leave from Jökulsárlón and last about 3 hours, including a super jeep ride to the glacier. The caves reveal centuries-old ice squeezed under massive pressure, creating magical electric blue colors.

Day 4: East Fjords and Remote Villages

The rugged mountains of East Fjords meet the sea to create a dramatic change in your 7-day Iceland trip. This remote area gives you a welcome break from the bustling south coast attractions with its peaceful atmosphere.

Drive through Eastfjords

Iceland’s eastern coastline features the stunning Eastfjords, stretching 75 miles from Berufjörður to Borgarfjörður Eystri. A scenic drive takes you through deep fjords with towering mountains and quaint fishing villages that look just like they did centuries ago. The roads wind along the coast where you’ll find far fewer tourists than the southern region. Lush green landscapes replace the previous day’s volcanic terrain as you direct your way through the coastal roads.

Stokksnes and Vestrahorn

Locals call it “Batman Mountain” – Vestrahorn rises 454 meters above a beautiful black sand beach. You’ll need to pay 900 ISK (about $6.50) to access this photographer’s dream location. The Viking Café sells 24-hour valid tickets. The wet sand creates mirror-like reflections of Vestrahorn on clear days, especially during sunrise or sunset when light revolutionizes the view. The site features mountain vistas, black sand beaches, rolling dunes, and a Viking village set from Netflix’s The Witcher.

Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss

Iceland’s third-highest waterfall, Hengifoss, towers at 128 meters. The round trip takes about two hours on a 2.5 km trail each way. You’ll spot the stunning Litlanesfoss about 1.2 km into your hike. Red clay layers between basalt rock formations make Hengifoss special – these date back 5-6 million years. Litlanesfoss, also known as Stuðlabergsfoss, stands surrounded by hexagonal basalt columns that create a natural amphitheater.

Seydisfjordur village stop

Seyðisfjörður ranks among Iceland’s most beautiful villages with fewer than 700 residents nestled between mountains. Snow often covers the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass even during summer months as you drive toward the village. Social media loves the village’s iconic rainbow-painted street that leads to a blue church. A short 15-20 minute uphill walk brings you to Tvísöngur, a unique sound sculpture with connected domes. Gufufoss waterfall sits right beside the road back to Ring Road – perfect for a final stop.

Day 5: North Iceland Wonders

Day five of your 7-day Iceland adventure takes you to North Iceland. This region shows nature’s raw power through thundering waterfalls, bubbling mud pools, and stunning geothermal landscapes.

Dettifoss Waterfall

Europe’s most powerful waterfall awaits you at the start of your day. This thunderous natural wonder drops about 150 feet (45 meters) across a width of 330 feet (100 meters). The water volume reaches 6,800 cubic feet per second, creating such force that you’ll feel the ground shake beneath your feet.

You can reach Dettifoss by two routes. The paved Route 862 on the west side works for any vehicle, while Route 864 on the east provides better views but needs a 4×4 vehicle. Both sides give different viewpoints, though photographers might prefer the east side with less water spray.

Hverir Geothermal Area

The ring road leads you to Hverir, a remarkable geothermal area near Lake Myvatn. Steam vents shoot hot vapor into the air while mud pools bubble and release gases from deep underground.

The ground here catches everyone’s eye with its striking mineral deposits in bright orange, yellow, red, and green. “Game of Thrones” fans might spot this location from Season 3, where Samwell Tarly struggled through an “impenetrable blizzard”.

Lake Myvatn and Grjotagja Cave

Volcanic eruptions created Lake Myvatn about 2,300 years ago. This shallow lake averages just 8 feet deep and teems with birdlife, especially ducks.

The nearby Grjotagja Cave features a stunning azure blue hot spring that inspired a famous “Game of Thrones” scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte. Though they filmed the actual scene in a studio, the cave still feels magical. Swimming remains off-limits since volcanic activity from 1975-1984 heated the water above 50°C (122°F).

Godafoss Waterfall

The magnificent Godafoss or “Waterfall of the Gods” appears as you approach Akureyri. This horseshoe-shaped cascade drops 12 meters across a 30-meter width. Legend tells us that chieftain Þorgeir Þorkelsson threw his pagan statues into these falls around 1000 AD when Iceland embraced Christianity.

Akureyri overnight

Northern Iceland’s charming capital, Akureyri, welcomes you for the night. The city provides various places to stay, from luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses. You’ll find great restaurants here and a popular thermal pool just two minutes from some hotels. This vibrant town serves as the perfect spot to rest and reflect on your adventures.

Summing all up

A 7-day Iceland Ring Road adventure shows why this island nation deserves to be called the Land of Fire and Ice. Five action-packed days let travelers witness amazing natural wonders. The trip covers everything from the Golden Circle’s geothermal marvels to the South Coast’s thundering waterfalls, massive glaciers, otherworldly black sand beaches, dramatic fjords, and the north’s bubbling mud pools.

Travelers spend days 6 and 7 exploring Northwest Iceland and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula before heading back to Reykjavik to complete the 1,332 km Ring Road circuit. Seven days is the bare minimum needed to complete the route, but every moment makes the trip worthwhile.

Iceland’s weather changes fast, so packed layers help in any season. Summer brings nearly endless daylight to explore, while winter visitors might see magical Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Booking accommodations ahead saves valuable driving time, especially when tourist season peaks.

The best Iceland road trips mix must-see attractions with hidden gems. Dramatic Reynisfjara black sand beach and the ethereal Diamond Beach rank among the most photographed spots. Yet less-visited places like Gljúfrabúi waterfall and Seyðisfjörður’s charming village create equally unforgettable memories.

Iceland ended up packing more spectacular scenery into its small landmass than almost anywhere else on earth. Most travelers complete the Ring Road feeling they’ve barely scratched this remarkable country’s surface. Memories of standing behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, watching icebergs drift across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and feeling the ground shake beside powerful Dettifoss will without doubt last a lifetime.