My Traveler’s Notebook: My Iceland 7-Day Itinerary

Monday 16 September 2024

For those readers who are curious about or interested in using my Iceland itinerary, I have provided below a detailed daily account of activities.  I have provided addresses; however, you should bear in mind that address name spellings may vary, depending upon the device you use.  For example, if you rent a vehicle in Iceland and use its GPS navigation system to guide you to these spots, the car’s satellite navigation system may not recognize the address you type in.  I strongly recommend that you rent a WIFI device so that you can use your smartphone’s map apps to guide you to your destinations.  

Day One:  Arrive in Iceland; Reykjavík

  • Keflavík International Airport; Pickup rental car
  • Garður Old Lighthouse (38M4+5FV, 251 Garður)
  • Blue Lagoon (Norðurljósavegur 9 240 Grindavík) (geothermal water spa; drive though lava field; parts of the field were active)
  • Sun Voyager Sculpture (Sæbraut) (outdoor work of art; Viking ship/ode to Sun)
  • Harpa (Austurbakki 2) (concert hall, conference centre, shops, restaurants)
  • Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur 10)
  • Hallgrimskirkja (Hallgrímstorg 1) (Lutheran church)
  • Café Loki (Lokastígur 28) (restaurant)
  • Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Tryggvagata 1) (hot dog stand)
  • Reykjavík hotel

Day Two: Snaefellsnes Peninsula; return to Reykjavík

  • Ytri Tunga Beach, Ytri Tunga, Iceland, 356 (seal watching)
  • Búðakirkja, Búðakirkja, 356 Budhir (small wooden black church)
  • Rauðfeldsgjá, Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge, Q9X3+M7V, 356 Hellnar (gorge)
  • Arnarstapi (cliff viewpoint)
  • Samkomuhúsið Arnarstapa, Arnarstapavegur, 356 Arnarstapi (restaurant)
  • Saxhóll Crater, V32G+95F Saxhóll Crater, 356 Hellissandur
  • Kirkjufell, WMRV+M6 Grundarfjörður, (mountain and waterfall)
  • Berserkjahraun (drive through lava field)
  • Jómfrúin – Scandinavian Kitchen, Lækjargata 4, 101 Reykjavík
  • Reykjavík hotel

Day Three: leave Reykjavík; Southern Iceland—overnight in Hella

  • Drive through Thingvellir National Park
  • Snorkeling in Silfra, National Park, Thingvellir national park, 801 Thingvellir (rift formed in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge – the divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates)
  • Friðheimar, 5HH4+225 Friðheimar, 806 Reykholt (restaurant; tomato-based dishes from onsite greenhouses)
  • Strokkur Geyser, 8M7X+3PJ Strokkur Geyser, Hafnartún, 806 Selfoss
  • Gullfoss Falls, Gullfoss Falls, 846
  • Hella hotel

Day Four: Southern Iceland—drive toward Vik

  • Seljalandsfoss (waterfalls), Seljalandsfoss, 861
  • Skógafoss (waterfalls), Skógafoss, 861
  • Dyrhólaey Beach viewpoint, CV2C+HJM, 871 Vik
  • Black Crust Pizzeria, Austurvegur 16, 870 Vik (restaurant; serves black dough pizza)
  • Katla Ice Cave Tour, Austurvegur 20, 870 Vík
  • “Yoda Cave,” also called Gígjagjá, Hjörleifshöfði, 871
  • Vik hotel

Day Five: Southern Iceland—Vik and surrounding area (Höfn, farthest east we reached)

  • Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Fjaðrárgljúfur, 881
  • Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Jökulsárlón, 781
  • Höfn Viewpoint, 7Q2M+3QV, 780 Höfn
  • Pakkhús Restaurant, Krosseyjarvegur 3, 780 Höfn í Hornafirði
  • Skaftafellsjökull Glacier, Skaftafellsjökull, 785
  • Vik hotel

Day Six: Leave Vik; return to Reykjavík

  • Reynisfjara Beach
  • Kerid Crater, 24R7+GW9, 805 Klausturholar
  • Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, Raufarhólshellir, 816
  • Reykjavík walking/shopping
  • Reykjavik Fish Restaurant, Tryggvagata 8
  • Café Babalú, Skólavörðustígur 22 (dessert shop)
  • Reykjavík hotel

Day Seven: Reykjavík; return flight home

  • Saga Museum, Grandagarður 2
  • Whales of Iceland Museum, Fiskislóð 23-25
  • Kaffivagninn Restaurant, Grandagarður 10
  • Viking World Museum, Reykjanesbær, Vikingabraut 1, 260 Njarðvík
  • Keflavík International Airport; return rental car