8 Day Iceland Itineraries

My wife and I are back from seven days of road-tripping along Iceland's south coast from Reykjavik to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and back to Borgarnes along the west coast on a trip planned by our Zicasso travel specialist.

The Land of Fire and Ice truly lives up to its name and the hype. Our itinerary was packed with what felt like two weeks of experiences in a single week. We’re exhausted, but we feel deeply connected to nature and are thrilled to have seen so much of Iceland. The vast volcanic landscapes, moss-covered mountains, and pearl-white glaciers were simply breathtaking.

We visited waterfalls, explored an ice cave, walked black-sand beaches, boated through a glacial lagoon, spotted a rainbow over Vatnajökull glacier, wallowed in hot springs, and enjoyed some much-needed retail therapy in Reykjavík. To top it off, celebrating our decade together alongside a serendipitous waterfall-side wedding was very special. We were also lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights on both clear nights of our trip.

Working with our Zicasso specialist was fantastic. Since we drove ourselves, everything was mapped out in a nifty travel app containing all our tickets, timing recommendations, live Google Maps links, and ongoing support. We never felt rushed, stressed, or confused. Aside from adjusting to driving on the right side of the road (we drive on the left in SA), we didn't have to think about a thing. All activity and hotel bookings were taken care of. We just showed up and had an incredible time.

We will definitely return. Next time to tackle the full Ring Road loop.

Oh, and some top tips from the locals:

Never call an Icelandic horse a pony (and don't feed them).

Hold onto your car door in high winds. Gusts can literally rip them off their hinges.

Respect the Huldufólk (Hidden People). Leave stones where they are so you don't bring home a curse!

Protect the ecosystem and do not walk on the moss.

Skip bottled water. Iceland's tap water is among the cleanest in the world.

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.

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...

Working with Zicasso’s travel designer was incredibly seamless and enjoyable. He created an impeccable nine-day trip to Iceland that allowed me to see different sections of the island each day. From Reykjavík to the Golden Circle to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Silver and Diamond Circles, I covered a lot of ground by renting a car and driving myself.

I really appreciated how responsive, fast, and thoughtful this travel designer was in planning the trip with a quick turnaround i.e., I only booked the trip a month ahead of my scheduled travel. He also checked in throughout the trip to make sure things were going well and helped me immediately rebook a whale watching-tour that was canceled on my first day due to weather. Having everything booked through him made it really easy for me, knowing it was all taken care of. All I had to do was show up.

I highly recommend Iceland as a destination, especially if you enjoy outdoor adventures, hiking, and exploring natural wonders—it's a magical place. I also recommend booking a trip through Zicasso’s travel partner. As a local Icelandic company, it's an excellent resource to guarantee a great experience!

Zicasso's travel specialist listened well to our interests and created a fantastic five-and-a-half-day itinerary. While we largely followed his recommendations, we also added in a couple of excursions not listed. We loved visiting Iceland in September.

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!