Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik – The world’s Northernmost Capital City

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and drive alongside lava landscapes to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.

Culinary suggestions:

• Enjoy Cook and Dine at Salt Kitchen School, a hands-on late morning or early evening cooking lesson in English. You’ll learn about Iceland’s unique culinary culture and the New Nordic cuisine using fresh, Icelandic ingredients. The course is in English and led by professional chefs from Salt Kitchen (this course must be pre-booked).
• Get a fantastic introduction to Icelandic culture and indulge in samples of Icelandic food and beer with the Meet the Locals experience at the Tin Can Factory. Two versions are available:  Afternoon (includes lunch and a traditional Icelandic bread/cake buffet) and Evening (includes dinner and learning how to make Icelandic pancakes)
• Pop by Café Loki, a small and friendly family-run café located across from Hallgrimskirkja Church in the center of Reykjavik. The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by traditional Icelandic home recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next. Café Loki offers a variety of combination platters.
• Enjoy “Cheers to Reykjavik” at Bryggjan Brewhouse Microbrewery/Restaurant. Try a selection of craft beers paired with delicious tapas-style courses, many of which use beer as a cooking ingredient
• Discover Iceland’s version of street food:  a variety of upmarket, food-truck style kiosks at two new food halls. Hlemmur Food Hall is near the main shopping street, Laugavegur. Grandi Matthöll is the culinary-rich Grandi neighborhood of the Old Harbour.
• Join a food walk, a small-group guided tour of the old city area. During the trip, you’ll visit several restaurants to sample delicious food. 

Overnight in Reykjavik.
Optional: Meet the locals | Cheers to Reykjavík | Reykjavik Walking Tour

Day 2: Gullfoss, Geysir and the South Coast (approx distance: 299km / 196miles)
Thundering waterfalls – Bubbling geysers – Sea Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black sand beaches of the South Shore

Breakfast at your hotel. Head out of the city, where you’ll explore some of the Golden Circle and South Shore areas. Drive to Gullfoss waterfall and the nearby Geysir hot spring area, highlights of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Continue your trip alongside the south coast, viewing highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. On a clear day, you might glimpse majestic Eyjafjallajokull, the site of the (in)famous volcanic eruption in 2010. This region is one of Iceland’s best farming districts, providing geothermal vegetables and some of Iceland’s best-known dairy and meat products. You’ll pass by many charming farms, some with their own on-site geothermal greenhouses.

Culinary suggestions:

• The small cafe at Fontana Geothermal Baths bakes traditional sweet rye bread using the earth’s natural geothermal heat. At 14:30 (2:30 pm) every day, you can watch as the bread is removed from its cooking tins in the ground and taste it fresh with plenty of Icelandic butter (this experience must be pre-booked). If you don't have time to wait for the tour we still recommend you try a slice of the cafe‘s rye bread topped with smoked trout from the lake.  We also suggest the lunch buffet; it features healthy Icelandic homestyle food with ingredients from nearby farms and greenhouses. (P.S. – The steambaths are also a fantastic and relaxing experience)
• The Efstidalur II traditional dairy farm is just a 10-minute drive from Gullfoss waterfall. The farm’s restaurant overlooks the milking area and offers local beef and vegetables as well as homemade milk products such as ice cream, feta cheese and skyr (a thick, low-fat yogurt-like product). During your stop, you can watch the dairy cows through a big window in the dairy barn. Hloduloftid Restaurant is open Sunday – Thursday from 8:00 – 20:00 (8:00 am – 8:00 pmThe Ice Cream Barn is open daily from 10:00 – 21:00 (10:00 am – 9:00 pm) Both are closed on 24- 26 December, 31 December and 1 January.
• Fridheimar is a charming horse farm and greenhouse facility near Fludir. Clean geothermal and hydroelectric energy provides resources to grow many types of organic vegetables. The farm is most famous for its tasty tomatoes. An on-site restaurant specializes in delicious tomato-based dishes like tomato soup, fresh ravioli and green tomato and apple pie. The restaurant is open daily between 12:00 and 16:00 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm) except for 24-26 December, 31 December and 1 January. In order to guarantee a table, please call ahead in advance for a reservation.
• The town of Fludir is famous for its delicious organic mushrooms.The new Farmers Bistro is a restaurant located on a farm that cultivates mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes and more. The bistro has excellent mushroom soup, home-made breads and spreads, main courses and salads as well as exotic ice cream deserts and cocktails. Open daily from 12:00 – 17:00 (12:00 pm – 5:00 pm) except for 24-26 December, 31 December and 1 January.

Overnight in the Vik area

Day 3: Skaftafell – Jokulsarlon – Vik (approx distance: 395km / 245miles)
Vatnajokull National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe's Largest Glacier

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be in the area of the largest national park in Western Europe, Vatnajokull National Park. First, you’ll drive past the largest single lava flow in the world in recorded history, Eldhraun. You’ll also cross over vast sand plains created by glacial washes. Visit the majestic Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The area is ringed by glaciers offers good winter hiking possibilities. You can even join a guided hiking tour taking you onto a glacier, an unforgettable experience. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.  Nearby is the Diamond Beach, which has become quite famous in the social media community. 

Culinary suggestions:

• Thorbergur Cultural Centre honors one of Iceland’s beloved authors, Thorbergur Thordarson. The centre’s building resembles a giant shelf of books, a very unique photo opportunity. The nearby Hali restaurant on site has become famous among Icelanders for its traditional Icelandic specialties, especially its arctic char (trout) sourced from a nearby farm. The daytime menu has soups, salads, sandwiches, light fish main courses,and homemade cakes.  The evening menu has soups, salads, main courses featuring seafood and locally-sourced lamb and beef, and traditional Icelandic desserts. The centre itself is open daily from 12:00 – 16:00 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm) except for 23 -25 December and 31 December.
• If you’re itching for barbecue and a cold beer the Smidjan Brugghus in Vik specializes in beer crafted on site, along with other Icelandic labels. Their barbecue and grill items include slow-cooked barbecued ribs and pulled pork, great burgers, along with legendary french fries that are possibly made by unicorns.

Return again to your overnight in the Vik area.

Day 4: Thingvellir – Borgarfjordur (approx distance: 325km / 202miles) 
National Park of Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, the site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows on the edge of Iceland's largest lake. You can enjoy the unique experience of walking between continents on a path leading through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Continue to Borgarfjordur fjord and visit the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. We recommend a visit to the nearby Krauma natural geothermal baths, where you can relax in pools fed by a perfect blend of water from Deildartunguhver and nearby glacial springs. The landscape around the spa is peaceful and beautiful.

Culinary suggestions:

• The restaurant at Krauma geothermal baths is dedicated to serving bistro-style courses featuring produce from West Iceland farms. Two signature dishes are an appetizer featuring cheese and cured meats from a traditional goat farm and a colorful salad with vegetables from a nearby greenhouse farm.
• The Settlement Centre in Borgarnes offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Icelandic settlement and the Saga era. After taking a look at the exhibits, check out the excellent restaurant on site. Choose from an assortment of traditional Icelandic dishes such as fish soup and grilled lamb. A local favorite is the daily wellness lunch buffet, featuring home-made soups, salads, pasta courses, and bread (buffet is 11:30 – 15:00 (11:00 am – 3:00 pm). Don’t forget to leave room for a slice of homemade cake.
• Beer aficionados might enjoy visiting the countryside microbrewery, Stedji. Their Visitor Centre’s tasting room gives you the opportunity to see the operations and sample some distinctively different beers. Stedji is open every day except Sundays and holidays between 13:00 and 17:00 (1:00 pm and 5:00 pm)
• The Ljomalind Country Market in Borgarnes is open daily week 12:00 – 17:00 (12:00 pm – 5:00 pm; closed on national holidays). This sustainable country market was created by women from the region. Discover home-made treats like ice cream, candy, cheese, and jams, as well as handicrafts and herbal remedies. This is a nice stop for getting picnic lunch ingredients and tasty souvenirs for friends at home. You can also try the sampler “Taste from the Area” that features samples of delicious food products from the market.

Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Optional: Krauma Nature Baths

Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula (approximate distance: 330km / 205miles)
Sea Cliffs – Rock Formations – Quaint Fishing Villages

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, which also includes Snaefellsjokull National Park. Snæfellsnes has become known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” because it has so many different types of landscapes in one area. A visit here will be a feast for your eyes and for your camera! We recommend you stop at the wind-tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. The beautiful Snaefessjokull glacier-volcano is the crown jewel of the peninsula. Legends say that the mountain is home to a benevolent half-troll guardian.  Drive along the north coast through bustling fishing villages, stopping to take a look at Kirkjufjall, the most photographed mountain in the country.

Culinary suggestions:

• Anyone with an interest in Iceland’s culinary heritage should not miss the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum, run by the country’s last shark farmer. You’ll learn about this unique delicacy and, if you’re brave, have a taste. The museum is open daily from 10:00 – 17:00 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm).
• The House of Food (Bjargarsteinn) in Grundarfjordur is a little restaurant in an adorable renovated early 20th-century house with a lovely view over the seacoast. The menu changes based on the best products each season, with good seafood, lamb, and vegetarian offerings.
• Stykkishólmur town is considered one of Iceland’s most eco-friendly communities.  The town’s Sjarvarpakkhusid restaurant is committed to low environmental impact. They get ingredients from local fishermen, farmers, and breweries. Diners enjoy the view  over the island-filled Breidafjordur Bay and watching the fishing boats and fishermen at work to bring in fresh seafood

Overnight in Borgarnes area.

Day 6: Reykjanes Peninsula – Reykjavik (approx distance: 189km / 117miles)
Volcanic Landscapes – Bubbling Mud Pools – Active Fishing Community – Geothermal Spa

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula and visit the moonlike lava fields around Lake Kleifarvatn. The peninsula is a UNESCO GeoPark, with over 50 interesting sites connected to geothermal activity, volcanoes, and tectonic plates.   One of the most interesting of these is Krysuvik geothermal area with primordial bubbling mud pools. We recommend a stop at Grindavik fishing village, famous for its heritage of producing salt fish (bacalao). Saltfish made a huge impact on the prosperity of the Icelandic nation, particularly during the late 19th  and early 20th centuries.

Perhaps you will also visit the famous Blue Lagoon and enjoy its pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin. After a great trip, it’s time to head to Reykjavik for your last night in Iceland!

Culinary suggestions:

• Salthusid Restaurant (The House of Bacalao) is located in Grindavik, a town famous for its saltfish processing. The menu features beautifully-presented seafood. The specialty is salted cod, but the restaurant also offers salmon, lobster, arctic charr. If you prefer meat courses, you can enjoy Icelandic lamb and beef specialties. The restaurant is open from 12:00 – 21:00 daily. (12:00 pm – 9:00 pm).
• Grindavík is also home to Hja Hollu, a family-owned, cozy restaurant specializing in light, healthy soups, salads, pizza, and main courses. Ingredients are organic and locally-sourced. The menu changes weekly and includes vegetarian, fish, and chicken options. You can also enjoy fresh-made juice and smoothies and home-made desserts. The restaurant is open 8:00 – 17:00 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) weekdays and 11:00 – 17:00 (11:00 am – 5:00 pm) on Saturdays. The kitchen closes at 15:00 (3:00 pm), but people can get sandwiches, beverages, smoothies, and deserts until closing time. (The restaurant is closed on Sundays)
• Lava Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon has a fine dining experience using locally-sourced ingredients. Built into an 800-year-old lava cliff, the restaurant looks out over the Blue Lagoon. The fish of the day comes right from Grindavik’s harbor. Lunchtime Set menus (two and three-course options) give you a great overview of Icelandic favorites with a unique flair. A feature of the restaurant’s dinner menu is the 4-course tasting menu, a very elegant way to experience the range of Icelandic cuisine

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Day 5: Departure from Iceland (approx distance: 50km / 30miles)
Return to Keflavik International Airport (recommended departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure)

Breakfast at your hotel.  Drive back to Keflavik International Airport. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to the city on your first day but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport.

Notes:

• Please note that the package price is based on 6 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental.
• If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 7, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 6-day rental is up and use optional Shuttle Airport Direct Transfer.
• The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.