Huge waterfalls, endless landscapes, and breathtaking natural wonders: this is what awaits you during a road trip in Iceland.
Step out of your comfort zone — all you need is a car, a backpack, and a spirit of adventure to explore one of the most magical places on Earth. A road trip in Iceland is the ultimate way to experience its raw beauty, giving you the freedom to chase waterfalls, cross lava fields, and soak in remote hot springs at your own pace. Here’s a 7-day itinerary designed to help you discover the country’s must-see attractions and immerse yourself in its wild, untamed nature.
Iceland is one of the least populated countries in Europe and boasts some of the cleanest air and lowest pollution levels on the continent. Vast green landscapes and endless horizons create a sense of freedom you rarely find elsewhere. Anyone who has visited knows that magic hides around every corner — in the light, in the silence, in the power of nature itself.
That’s why I’ve selected the most remarkable highlights for those with limited time: 7 days of pure wonder on an unforgettable road trip in Iceland. See it to believe
Day 1 – Golden Circle on Your Road Trip in Iceland
One of the most famous tour of Iceland is the Golden Circle, you can make all the stops in one day. Leaving from Reykjavik, in less than one hour you can reach the first destination: Þingvellir national park, a UNESCO heritage site. You can walk through a canyon and look at the suggestive view. At the Geysir, you can see the inspiring phenomenon of an eruption of hot water and vapour. Continuing with the car, you can see Gullfoss, the first of many waterfalls that are the characterising symbol of Iceland. A unique place is the small Skalholt cathedral, very isolated and with a cute house typical of the Icelandic rural landscape. Going toward Eyrabakky, the small city where you can spend the first night, it is possible to visit Kerið, an unusual volcanic crater, for a fee.
Day 2 – South Coast Highlights of Your Road Trip in Iceland
We start our day ready to see the delights of the deep South. Our first stop is Seljalandsfoss (already mentioned in the 20 spectacular waterfalls of Europe), Singular because in the mildest periods you can walk behind it. Also, nearby, you can go to visit Gljufrabui, a waterfall hidden inside a cave. The next waterfall, Skogafoss, is one of the most majestic in Iceland. You can get to it with stairs, and from the top, you can see all the landscapes (which are green during the summer). Solheimajokull, our next destination, is a glacier where you can walk. There are tours that take you for a walk on the glaciers. Our last sight for today is the unique beach with black sand, Reynisfjara, where there are basalt columns, and at the end of the beach, you can see the Dyrhlaey natural arch. In some periods of the year, if you are lucky, you can spot the puffins, cute birds, a symbol of Iceland. At night, you can find accommodation in the city, more in the south of Iceland, Vik.
Skaftafell: on the biggest Glacier of Europe
Today we are going to walk a little in the national park of Skaftafell, where there is the volcano covered by the biggest glacier of Europe, Vatnajokull. You can hike to get to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall, surrounded by columns in basalt, and you can see the vast glacier from the top. After that, let’s go to visit the spectacular Glacier lagoon and Diamond beach, called that thanks to the many pieces of ice that resemble the diamantes. To finish our intense day, we get to Höfn, a cosy little city where we can spend the night.
Eggin I Gledvik: between beaches, fjords and cliffs
In the eastern part of Iceland, there’s not much to see, but the road near the shoreline and near the beaches along the route offers amazing glimpses of the nature outside. Going toward the North, it starts the picturesque Eastfjords area, and you arrive at the Gledvik village. Here you can see the huge monument in the open air, “Eggin I Gledvik” that represents all the eggs of every bird species that you can find in Iceland. In Egilsraðir, the lovely city where you will spend the night, there’s another waterfall that you can visit.
The moonscape of the Myvatn lake
Today we go ahead to the North, toward Akureyri, the second biggest city of Iceland. Dettifoss is absolutely one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland; its majesty impresses anyone who sees it. Going forward, you pass the geothermal area of Myvatn lake, where you can admire the classic moonscape, with peculiar rock formations because of the volcanic activity. Next to each other, we can see Vity crater, Hverarond – the area with the most geothermal activity, where there is the smell- and the blue lake, with a crystal-clear colour due to the super-hot water that comes from a spring nearby. A must-visit for the lovers of Game of Thrones is the Grjotagja cave, set of the famous tv series. Last but not least, you can visit the wonderful Goðafoss waterfall, also known as the waterfall of the Gods, thanks to a legend, and you can finish your day in the city of Akureyri.
Akureyri, the other face of Iceland
Akureyri is a lovely city to visit. You can find the Christmas house, where they sell Christmas items all year. Today day-off: we reach our next destination, Hvammstangi, from where we’ll leave tomorrow morning again. In this little village, which is 4 hours from Akureyri, there is the Icelandic seal centre, where you can see this sweet animal.
Snæfellsness: between basalt columns, churches and volcanoes
The last day we are going to explore Snæfellsness peninsula, starting from Kirkjufell, in Icelandic the “mountain of the church”, with a singular shape. Our next stop is Öndverðarnes, where we can see a huge orange lighthouse, and the view from the cliffs is amazing. Skarðsvík is the beach that you can visit nearby if you want to enjoy the sea breeze sitting on the golden sand. Another place that takes your breath away, thanks to the tall cliffs with unique shapes, is Arnarstapi. Rauðfeldsgjá is recommended only to the bravest people because it is a tough hike on a glacier between two stone walls. Going further with the car, you can reach through a dirt road, Búðakirkja: a small black church in the middle of nowhere, just near the cliff, is something unreal. Gerðuberg is a suggestive wall made with tall basalt columns. Fun fact: the cathedral of Reykjavik was inspired by the volcanic basalt, a typical Icelandic phenomenon.
The capital, not too big yet full of character, is definitely worth a visit. But if you have more time to explore this stunning country, you’ll quickly discover that in Iceland you never stop uncovering new magical and breathtaking places. Between incredible dive spots, steaming hot springs, dramatic waterfalls, and wild, untouched landscapes, every day feels like a new adventure. A road trip in Iceland is the perfect way to experience this ever-changing scenery at your own pace — and it will undoubtedly become one of the best trips of your life
cover photo by Sara Pescetta
