Iceland 8-Day Vacation: Dive into the Historic & Cultural Past of Iceland

What to expect on this itinerary
Designed for the traveler who wants to seek the ancient and cultural origins of Iceland, this customizable 8-day adventure leads you on an expedition to understand Iceland’s past. Below the snow-capped mountains and long stretches of black sand beaches lies a historical past that begins with the first settlers of Iceland in the 9th century. Iceland is the home to the settings for memorable battles, vibrant trading posts, and many locations that Vikings once settled to tell their story. Book a trip and uncover the historical splendor of Iceland.
Customizable Itinerary
Reykjavik - The Footsteps of Vikings
When you land at Keflavik Airport, your private transfer will drive you to Reykjavik, which is the world’s most northern capital. As you and your guide wander around the city, you will be provided with a relaxing introduction to Iceland. With every step that you take along the cobblestones below the snow-capped mountains, you will feel the history of the Vikings who laid the groundwork for Reykjavik to become a big city with a small-town vibe. After having dinner at the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city, your guide will direct you to your luxurious accommodation for the remainder of the evening.
What's Included:
Reykjavik - Historic Fishing Sites
Akureyri - Back to the Middle Ages
Akureyri - The Oldest Stone-Built Church
Seydisfjordur - The Elemental Power of Iceland
Vik - Iceland’s Fourth-Largest Ice Cap
Reykjavik - The Power of Skalholt
Reykjavik - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Traverse in the same footsteps as Vikings who settled the area of Reykjavik, according to the Book of Settlements
- Transport yourself to the past as you explore Irskrabrunnur or the Well of the Irish that has been standing since the 9th century
- Delight in journeying to the original battlefield of one of the bloodiest battles in Iceland at Orlygsstadir
- Trek to the top of Mount Gvendarskal, where the well blessed by the bishop and Saint Gudmundur Arason lies
- Journey to the mythical capital of Huldufolk, where Odin’s eight-legged steed left a hoofprint at Asbyrgi Canyon
- Luxuriate at Reynisfjara Beach and explore one of National Geographic’s top 100 non-tropical beaches
- Wander back to the 9th century as you venture around the Viking longhouse in Hofsstadir
- Bask in the heated depths of the oldest geothermal pool in Iceland at the Secret Lagoon that was built in 1891
Detailed Description
Iceland is a country that is known for its raw beauty and majestic surroundings, but it has profound roots in its historical and cultural past. As you traverse across the fascinating landscapes, you will be pulled in deeper once you learn the true stories behind all of the magnificent locations that you will be staying. During your stay, you will experience some of the most enthralling historical and cultural landmarks throughout the country. From Reykjavik, which was one of the first places to be permanently inhabited, to wandering around the cobblestones where Vikings laid the groundwork for Iceland to be the country it is today, you will be astonished to feel the history that lies within the city limits.
As you venture to Akureyri, you and your experienced guide will come across the location for one of the bloodiest battles within Iceland: the Battle of Orlygsstadir. When you reach the monument that will be dedicated to the battle, you will be able to imagine the feud that lies within the ground in stark contrast to the peaceful setting of Iceland today. Then, you will visit Gasir, which is home to one of the vibrant trading posts in the country. Afterward, you will indulge in a visit to Siglufjordur, where the infamous Herring Era Museum sits, and you can walk in the same footsteps as the fishermen from the past. The following day, you will drive to Asbyrgi Canyon, where Icelandic legend tells of how the eight-legged steed of Odin stepped upon the land, leaving behind a large horseshoe-shaped canyon. Your breath will be stunned at the striking vistas that you will see from your helicopter ride.
Next, you will climb to the top of the Myrdalsjokull Glacier to capture the gorgeous allure of the country’s fourth-largest ice cap. It will be a thrilling sight for you to see and will remain forever in your heart. On your way to Vik, you will stop at Reynisfjara Beach, which was voted one of National Geographic’s top 100 non-tropical beaches to visit. When you step foot onto the black sand, you will feel transported to another world, and you can stare out into the Atlantic Ocean’s waves as they crash against the rocks. You will travel to Reykholt, which is the cultural and medieval center of the country and where Snorri Sturluson once wrote his famous Prose Edda and the Heimskringla. The cultural nature of this tiny country will capture your heart, and you will want to return for more as your guide drives you to Keflavik Airport for your departure home.
Starting Price
$4,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 80 reviews
Zicasso's travel specialist and her team helped us plan a fantastic family vacation in Iceland. They arranged the rental car, hotels, itinerary, and activities based on our input and desires. It's a beautiful country, with so much to see and experience! Don't miss the Sky Lagoon, glacier boat tour at Diamond Beach, ziplining near Vík, and whale watching in Húsavík. So many stunning waterfalls, canyons, and hikes!
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Iceland did not disappoint! From our arrival in Reykjavík to our final day at the Blue Lagoon, every moment was nothing short of magical.
A huge thank you to Zicasso’s travel consultant at the travel company for creating an amazing itinerary filled with the best Iceland has to offer. Highlights included exploring inside a volcano, marveling at Geysir Park, a full day in Vatnajökull National Park, the breathtaking glacier lagoon, the black-sand Diamond Beach, and the unforgettable waterfalls at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
We ended the trip perfectly with a relaxing soak at the Blue Lagoon—an ideal way to close out an incredible adventure.
Finally, a special thank-you to our guide. This trip would not have been the same without you! The hidden gems and personal touches you added turned a great trip into the experience of a lifetime.
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Iceland is beautiful and makes for the most unique and amazing vacation! Zicasso’s travel company arranged a breathtaking and comprehensive itinerary for our vacation. It included all the big, important stops like the Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights boat tour, and Hallgrimskirkja church. But our trip also took us all the way to the east side of the country to see Diamond Beach, a blue ice-cave tour, and a glacier hike. Our itinerary included all of the beautiful stops in between, so we saw waterfalls, volcanic formations, and museums.
We stayed in our lodge in Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Every hotel selected was cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. And the food was delicious everywhere. A surprising highlight was a tomato farm—a delicious meal in a beautiful restaurant inside the greenhouse! Their wine bar was even more beautiful!
This was our second trip through Zicasso and we are already starting to dream up the next destination...
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We selected Zicasso's tour company to assist us with arranging a 12-day self-driving tour around the entire island of Iceland starting in mid-May. In addition to visiting and hiking the many wondrous geological sites on our own, we wanted to schedule some tours to reach areas we couldn't by ourselves, along with a few stops at the local hot springs.
The trip planner carefully listened to our wants and needs during an initial video call, and then curated a custom travel plan with all event, rental car, and hotel bookings pre-arranged and pre-paid. We just needed to show up, drive around the country, and enjoy, and that's just what we did.
His planned itinerary matched our interests very well, leaving just enough time between regions and sites to cover 95% of his recommendations. I was able to fully indulge in my photography, while the wife and I got to enjoy some spectacular tours (whale and puffin boat ride, a glacier climb, ice lagoon boat ride, ATV tour, super Jeep tour, yet another whale boat ride, and a delicious lunch at a tomato farm). All of the tour operators were friendly, entertaining, and capable, so they were well selected for us.
We stayed at eight different hotels, ranging from the typical chain in Reykjavík to mostly boutique hotels in stunning locations along the Ring Road. Our favorite (for the food) was a cabin operated by a local farmer whose farm-fresh meals were simply extraordinary. All of the hotels were clean and comfortable, and not too distant from the previous accommodation or the activities and sightseeing stops.
Several times, I texted the trip planner for help arranging dinner reservations, finding unique stores, or alerting the hotel of our late arrival or early departure. He came through every time without delay. Having a local Zicasso agent like him, with expert knowledge and 24/7 assistance, is invaluable for the peace of mind essential for a successful trip in a foreign land.
If we had any regrets, it was in not allowing ourselves a more relaxed pace and extended stay in Iceland. The typical tourist to Iceland spends less than 10 days there, so we thought an additional two days was a luxury. However, covering 2,100 miles in 12 days, with numerous and frequent stops, is no easy feat. Sleep was often a luxury, as we often stayed out late for the 10:30 sunset, only to start out early the next morning for a 7:30 breakfast and departure to the next destination. This was certainly no fault of the trip agent, as he made sure our travel was as trouble-free as it was. We will surely use this travel company’s services for a return trip.
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Our trip was fantastic and the variety of stops was perfect! Lava fields dating back thousands of years are unlike anything I have ever seen. Gorgeous, magnificent waterfalls, geysers, canyons, puffins, and beaches. Iceland has it all! And our guides were great and easy to understand. Loved the experience.
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