Posted: 2/1/2020 | February 1st, 2020
Windswept volcanoes. Black sand beaches nuzzled against rugged coastlines. secret hot springs hidden in misty valleys while majestic waterfalls cascade from every hill.
Welcome to Iceland.
It’s a destination unlike any other in Europe. Its distinct landscapes and natural wonders perfectly complement the modern capital of Reykjavik with its café culture and boozy, rambunctious nightlife.
Iceland is known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of fire and Ice. It’s a country where you’ll find smoldering active volcanoes and vibrant blue glaciers side by side. Horses and sheep dot the countryside, colorful puffins flock along the cliffs, and whales breach the choppy Atlantic waters that envelop this tiny island.
It’s easy to see why Iceland has become such a popular destination in recent years (all those cheap stopover flights have helped greatly too).
And, while it’s not the most budget-friendly country in the world, there are still ways to see the sights without breaking the bank!
If you’re planning a weekend trip or want to drive the entirety of the island, this list of Iceland itineraries will guarantee that you see the best the country has to offer!
Table of Contents
One weekend in Reykjavik
Four Days in the South
Four Days in the North
One Week: golden Circle and southern Iceland
Two Weeks: exploring the ring Road
One Month: Everything!
What to See and do in Iceland: One weekend in Reykjavik
दिन 1
Take a trip of the city
I always like to start my trips with a totally free walking tour. They’re a fantastic way to see a destination, learn about its history and culture, and get all your questions answered by someone who knows what they’re talking about. City walk and totally free walking trip Reykjavik both offer great totally free trips of the city. They’ll help you get a sense of Reykjavik so you can decide what you want to revisit later. The trips are donation based, so just make sure to suggestion your guide!
Explore Laugavegur
When you’re in need of a coffee or snack, opt for a stroll down Laugavegur, a shop- and café-lined street in the center of the city. This is the oldest (and coolest) street in Iceland, and you’ll find everything from expensive couture to dollar stores here. Be sure to stop in a bakery for a pastry or a coffee. My personal favorite is Mokka Kaffi.
Visit a museum
After that, make your way to the national museum of Iceland, where you will learn everything you need to know about this tiny Nordic nation. the most well-known piece in the collection is the Valþjófsstaður door, a piece carved in the middle Ages that illustrates the saga of the lion and the knight. The museum does a fantastic job of giving you a robust history of the country without being boring.
If you’d rather visit a much more unconventional museum, consider a visit to the Icelandic Phallological museum instead. Colloquially known as the Penis Museum, this small institution is home to the world’s largest collection of penises and penis-themed art. Yes, you read that right! There are practically 300 items in the museum, including whale penises and (allegedly) troll penises! It’s a small museum, but it’s actually extremely informative — if you’re not too shy!
National Museum: Suðurgata 41, +354 530-2200, thjodminjasafn.is. open daily 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays in the winter). Admission is 2,000 ISK (1,000 ISK for students/seniors).
Icelandic Phallological Museum: Laugavegur 116, +354 561-6663, phallus.is/en. open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,700 ISK per person.
Go for a swim
Once you’ve gotten exhausted of walking, opt for a refreshing swim in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool. Swimming and saunas are how locals unwind and unwind after work. It’s essentially a national pastime. This pool is Iceland’s largest and was built in 1968. It’s actually a whole complex with hot tubs, a thermal steam bath, a waterslide, and even small golf! If you have extra time, check out the nearby garden and zoo too.
Sundlaugavegur 105, +354 411-5100, reykjavik.is/stadir/laugardalslaug. open weekdays 6:30am-10pm and weekends 8am-10pm. Admission is 625 ISK, though if you have the Reykjavik City Card, it’s free!
Take in the nightlife
End your day enjoying the city’s well-known nightlife back around Laugavegur. This is one of the best party cities in the world, so there’s something for everyone. just make sure to go during pleased hour so you don’t blow your budget (alcohol in Iceland is not cheap!). here are a couple of my favorite hotspots in Reykjavik:
Kaffibarinn – This café transforms into a dance club on the weekend, and it’s a great place to party. The space is divided into three different sections (bar, dance floor, and lounge), so you can find a section for however you want to spend your night out. It’s small, so seats can fill up quickly. Bergstaðastræti 1, +354 551-1588, kaffibarinn.is.
Lebowski Bar – Yes, this is a big Lebowski–themed bar. The inside looks like a vintage American diner and bowling alley. And, because The Dude drinks a lot of White Russians, its menu includes a broad variety of different ones. Its signature Lebowski cheeseburger is pretty good too. spin the prize wheel to win up to 10 totally free beers! objective for pleased hour, which is held daily 4pm–7pm, as drinks are less expensive then. Laugavegur 20b, +354 552-2300, lebowskibar.is.
Slippbarinn — This is the first proper cocktail bar in the city and boasts live music and DJs several nights a week. pleased hour is daily 3pm-6pm. Myragata 2, +354 560 8080, slippbarinn.is.
Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hlemmur Square – If you’re wanting to splash out, this is both a comfortable hotel and an upscale hostel, so you have options for your type of stay. There’s a great bar here, plus conventional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week.
For a much more standard hostel, stay at Kex Hostel. It has a café and bar with an awesome pleased hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio.
Day 2
Explore the golden Circle
The golden Circle — comprising the Gullfoss waterfall, the Strokkur geyser, and Þingvellir national Park — is the most significant traveler draw in Iceland, so you’ll want to start your second day early and head out of town in a rental car (or on a traveler bus). As tourism booms in Iceland, these sites can get a little crowded, so make sure you get there early (especially in the summer and on weekends).
The round-trip journey is around 250km, so plan accordingly when it concerns food and fuel (if you’re driving). If you’re driving, you’ll also be able to stop regularly to see the numerous Icelandic horses that you’ll pass by.
Experience the well-known Blue Lagoon
This is one of the most renowned destinations in Iceland. The pools are quite large, and the whole area is steamy, with the water a spectacular milky-blue color that is rather photogenic (which is why the lagoon is so popular on social media). It’s a beautiful and luxurious way to end the day, and a great place to unwind best before you depart.
Personally, I think the place is a bit overhyped, as there are tons of free, secluded hot springs all around the country. Of course, if you’re short on schedule and don’t plan on leaving the city, then it’s the ideal way to end your trip!
Fun fact: the blue Lagoon is simply runoff from the nearby geothermal plant. Icelanders just found a way to monetize it for tourists! thank you, Instagram? हा!
Norðurljósavegur 9, +354 420-8800, bluelagoon.com. open daily, but hours vary, so check the site for an up-to-date schedule. Admission starts at 9,990 ISK per person, but it can be less expensive if you go during certain hours.
READ MORE: how to save money in Reykjavik
What to See and do in Iceland: four Days in the South
In addition to the schedule above, here are some activities you’ll want to add if you plan on getting even more outside of Reykjavik to explore the southern region of Iceland.
Day 3
Experience nature
Head southeast on the ring road from Reykjavík to scout out some waterfalls. Be prepared and bring swimsuits, towels, a waterproof camera, and a jacket.
Reykjadalur – stop in the town of Hveragerði to visit the Reykjadalur hot spring (or hot pot, as they are known locally). It provides a beautiful backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, and it’s totally free to enjoy. You’ll need to hike a bit to get there (30-40 minutes), but it’s worth it! keep in mind that there’s not a private changing area here, so you may want to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
Seljalandsfoss – continuing on the ring Road, you’ll come to the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It has a drop of 60m and is another highly photographed spot in Iceland, so try to get there early before the traveler buses. You have to pay for parking, but, otherwise, it’s free. If you’re hungry, there’s a food vendor that sells delicious lamb stew (among other things).
Skógafoss – another epic waterfall is Skógafoss. legend says that you can find a treasure chest behind this massive waterfall. This is also the starting point for a long, multi-day hike, but you can also just climb to the top and walk for as long as you’d like before returning. There’s a small museum nearby as well if you want to learn much more about the history of the waterfall.
Seljavallalaug – This hot pot is located a short walk off the ring Road. It’s not very hot, and the change room has seen better days, but it’s secluded and it’s worth it just for the scenery, as it’s located at the bottom of a deep valley.
Make Your way to Vík
Head to the lovely little town of Vík and spend the night there. Vík is a seaside village with a glacier that covers the Katla volcano. It’s also home to some remarkable black sand beaches and a DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur (located on the coast between Skógafoss and Vík).
Where to stay in Vík: Vík HI Hostel – Thiएस सुन्दर होस्टेलसँग क्याफे / बार, एक महिला-मात्र दोब्बर, परिवारहरूको लागि कोठा, र एक भान्छाको लागि यो तपाईंको खाना पकाउन सक्नुहुन्छ यदि तपाईं एक बजेटमा हुनुहुन्छ भने तपाईं आफ्नै खाना पकाउन सक्नुहुन्छ।
दिन 4
समुद्र तटमा चिसो
Vík मा उठ्नुहोस् र अर्कोवर्धक रीन्जेरारारा कालो बालुवाझमा टहलनको लागि अप्ट अप गर्नुहोस्। त्यहाँ केहि अफशोर चट्टान भत्ताहरू छन् जुन तपाईं किनारबाट देख्न सक्नुहुनेछ र क्लिफहरू माथिबाट देख्न सक्नुहुन्छ यदि तपाईंलाई हाइक जस्तो लाग्छ भने। यदि तपाइँ अगस्टमार्फत यहाँ हुनुहुन्छ भने, तपाइँले केहि पफिनहरू हेर्न पनि सक्नुहुन्छ!
दृश्यमा लिनुहोस्
यदि त्यहाँ समय छ भने, सानो Vak म म र्याडल चर्च हेर्न हिंडेको छु। यसले शहरलाई बेवास्ता गर्दछ र Vhk र समुद्रको पूर्ण दृश्य दिन्छ। एक स्थानीय क्याफेमा कफी लिनुहोस् र सुन्दर भिष्टमा खुशी हुनुहोस्।
घरको लागि टाउको
रिर्जोजोकमा फर्कनुहोस्। अधिक थप क्याफेमा चिल्लो हेर्नुहोस्, चिसो हेर्नुहोस्। तपाईं घर अगाडि बढाउनु अघि जे गर्नुहोस् गर्नुहोस्! (दु: खी)
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सबै मेरो सबै भन्दा राम्रो यूरोप यात्रा सल्लाहहरु को साथै पूर्ण रूपमा स्वतन्त्र योजना टूलकीट प्राप्त गर्नुहोस् जसमा तपाईंको इनबक्समा निम्न गाईडहरू समावेश छन्:
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मलाई यात्रा सल्लाह पठाउनुहोस्!
आइसल्याण्डमा हेर्न र के गर्ने: उत्तरमा चार दिन
यदि तपाईं भीडबाट टाढा जान चाहनुहुन्छ भने उत्तरी भाग्नुहोस्। उत्तरी आइस्टल्याण्ड देशको कम्तिमा-भ्रमण गरिएको क्षेत्रहरू मध्ये एक हो र आंकडाइड साहसिक प्रदान गर्नको लागि धनटिक हाईज, धेरै व्यक्ति हेर्ने, थोरै व्यक्ति र उत्तरी बत्तीहरू हेर्नका लागि उत्तम मौका।
दिन 1
उत्तरतर्फ उत्तर अक्षरी
रेखजाइकबाट उत्तरी भाग उडान गरेर आफ्नो साहसिक बन्द गर्नुहोस्। यदि तपाईं उडान गर्न चाहनुहुन्न भने, यो Rekjavike बाट पश्चिम तटबाट 5–6 घण्टा ड्राइभ हो, जुन सजिलै दिनमा गर्न सकिन्छ। तपाईं केवल केहि स्टपहरू हेर्न चाहानुहुन्छ सशस्त्र मार्गमा तपाईं केहि रोक्नुहुन्छ!
अन्वेषण अन्वेषण
शहर को एक आत्म-निर्देशित यात्रा लिनुहोस्, अंडाकार बोटानिकल बगाउनको भ्रमण गर्नुहोस्, तरल लुटे पोखरीमा एस्प्रेसो प्राप्त गर्नुहोस्, वा केहि Kaffi (कफी) मा अपेक्षाकृत सानो शहर र sip अन्वेषण गर्नुहोस् विवाह केक “(Rhubarb जाम-बेस्ट्रेस जाम पास्ट्रीले क्रिस्टजब्याखाखाबाट ब्रोस्टेन्सेनसबखाकबाट। तपाईं जानु अघि तपाईं जति सक्दो चाँडो स्थानीय जीवन भिजाउनुहोस्!
जहाँ अक्रुयरीमा बस्छन्: अक्करेरिका ब्याकप्याकरहरू – यो एक सुस्त पट्टी, महान कर्मचारी, र वास्तवमा तातो वर्षाको साथ होस्टल-पछाडि होस्टल हो!
दिन 2
देवताहरूको झरना भ्रमण गर्नुहोस्
जालहोफ, देवताहरूको झरना, पार्थिव। यो एक राजसी अर्धरलल झरना हो जुन kchirryi को नजिकको घण्टी रोड मा नजिक छ। झरना 12 मिटर अग्लो र m0 मिटर चौडा छ, र (आश्चर्यजनक छैन) अत्यधिक फोटोजेनिक छ! M ývatnn गर्न अघि हेरिंग अघि दृश्यमा रमाइलो।
मोभाटन सम्म टाउको
M ývatnn मा दिन खर्च गर्नुहोस्, ताल M ývatnn को हाइक संग शुरू। त्यहाँ एक सजिलो ट्रेल छ जुन तपाईं अनुसरण गर्न सक्नुहुनेछ कि तपाईंले आफ्नो खुट्टालाई क्षेत्रको प्राकृतिक आकर्षणमा खसाल्नुहोस्। तपाईं सजिलैसँग केही घण्टामा ताल बढाउन सक्नुहुन्छ यदि तपाईं फुर्सत गतिमा जानुभयो भने। त्यसपछि Mývatn ्ग प्रकृति स्नान बाढी जियोथर्मल पोखरी, जुन नीलो लगभोन भन्दा धेरै शान्त (र सस्तो) हो।
यहाँ गर्न अन्य धेरै छैन। यो आराम गर्न शान्त शहर हो, तर बत्तीको अभावले उत्तरी बत्तीहरू हेर्नको लागि उत्तम ठाउँ दिन्छ!
असंख्य एयरबर्गहरू, अनुमानहरू, वा फार्ममा एकमा M ýývatn in मा खर्च गर्नुहोस्।
दिन 3
बहाना गर्नुहोस् तपाईं मंगलमा हुनुहुन्छ
अर्को, तपाईं HúSavíck को समुद्री तटल शहर तिर जाँदै हुनुहुन्छ। त्यहाँ तपाईंको मार्गमा, मार्टेरिया-जस्तो किरेज र तालहरू भएका दुई गेग्रोमी क्षेत्रहरूमा हिम्मइर र कर्रोलामा रोक्नुहोस्। Steaming sulfur fills the air, giving this whole area an otherworldly ambience. You can just stop to take photos or opt for another hike.
Visit Dettifoss
Next, head to Dettifoss, Europe’s many powerful waterfall. The