Best 5-day Itinerary in Iceland

Your first full day in Iceland involves exploring the most famous sightseeing trail in the country, the Golden Circle.

Your first stop on this route will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park. Sitting in the middle of two tectonic plates, Thingvellir is a beautiful and diverse location of canyons, forestry, numerous waterfalls, and the largest natural lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn. 

The place offers many interesting and intriguing information about the history of the world's first parliament (Althingi in 930 AD), the rich geological imprints on the terrain, and their cultural impact.

Joining a snorkeling tour here will allow you to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Nearby, the immaculate crystal clear waters of the Silfra fissure will enable you to snorkel directly in this otherworldly void between two continents. 

The waters are so clear that guests frequently recount the ability to see nearly 328 feet (100 meters) in front of them at any part of the fissure.

Your next stop is the strange and delightful Geysir geothermal area. It is known for its variety of steaming vents, bubbling hot pots, spouting geysers, and natural hot springs that attract countless travelers to Iceland.

Here, you'll find most visitors surrounding the powerful hot spring, Strokkur, which will erupt boiling water up to nearly 66 feet (20 meters) every five to 10 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get the perfect shot.

Your last stop of the Golden Circle will take you to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. This gigantic waterfall is fed by the meltwater of the nearby glacier Langjokull down the Hvita River before plummeting 105 feet (32 meters) over two cascading steps into the deep cavern below. 

The sheer magnitude and sound of the falls will stimulate your senses. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a rainbow protruding down through the mist at the top of the waterfall.

If you're keen on trying your hand at snowmobiling, you can join a tour from the Gullfoss visitor center. Once your guide has kitted you up and given a safety briefing, you'll head straight for the top of the nearby Langjokull glacier. Once at the top, you'll zoom across the snowy tundra, gazing at the magnificent mountain peaks surrounding you.

However, if neither snorkeling nor snowmobiling appeals to you, you can take the chance to join a horse riding tour through the rugged terrains of part of the Golden Circle. It will also give you the opportunity of getting closer to the charismatic and stylish Icelandic horse.

After your adventurous day, you'll rest for the night in your accommodation in Southwest Iceland.

Your journey now takes you eastwards across the wondrous South Coast of Iceland.

You will pass by the towering waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, which are 197 feet (60 meters) tall, before heading to the glacier outlet Solheimajokull. Here, you'll have the opportunity to join a glacier hike. 

If you choose to join the hike, you'll notice the darkened tinge this glacier outlet has on your ascent, which is the resultant ash from the 2010 volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull. 

Reaching the top of the glacier will give you some of the most impressive panoramic views of Iceland. Interestingly, you can fill up your water bottle and taste some of the world's purest waters.

If a glacier hike doesn't appeal to you, you can choose an adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling tour atop the Myrdalsjokull glacier. The glacier sits on top of the largest volcano in Iceland, Katla.

Another activity to consider is ice caving in Katla. Joining a Katla ice cave tour will take you to a glacier world you've never imagined. You'll see naturally formed tunnels and ice sculptures with stunning shades of blue. 

Just before the village of Vik, you'll stop off at the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. This volcanic setting is blessed with the picturesque basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar. 

You'll also see some large darkened caverns dotted along the shoreline, making it a great yet eerie place to visit. Make sure to keep your distance from the powerful waves that could suddenly sweep under your feet.

The next highlight is the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which sits by the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. Skaftafell, now part of the Vatnajokull National Park, hosts many beautiful hiking trails of various difficulty levels. 

One of the better-known trails will take you to the unique Svartifoss waterfall, about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) away. It's hidden in a canyon and renowned for the volcanic hexagonal basalt columns it pours through.

After leaving Skaftafell, you'll head straight to what is considered the crown jewel of Iceland, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. As Iceland's largest and deepest lagoon, Jokulsarlon is the best setting to watch huge icebergs break from the glacier tongue of Breidamerkurjokull and head out to sea. 

This surreal experience is further enhanced by visiting the spectacular Diamond Beach on the other side of the road, where the icebergs wash up onshore and melt in the sunlight.

By the end of the day, you'll retire for the evening in Southeast Iceland.