My 8 Day Iceland Itinerary from a Reykjavik Base: Glaciers, Golden Circle & Greenland

My 8 day Iceland itinerary uses Reykjavik as a base. When planning I got intimidated reading about the weather, so opted out of the Ring Road. However, it ended up being perfect for our first time in Iceland!

My sister, our friend, and I enjoyed this trip to Iceland. It was a great mix of self-guided exploration and tours. Reykjavik made a great base for seeing much of the southern portion of Iceland, though we still have much more to see one day!

If you don’t want to drive the Ring Road, stick around to see how we spent our 8 days in Iceland!

Quick Preview

My full trip was nine days, but nothing happened on the departure day. We arrived on a Saturday and departed on the following Sunday so it’s an 8 day Iceland itinerary.

Our first day was very low key and centered around Reykjavík, which is where we were based. The rest of the week was a mix of tours, renting a car, more of Reykjavík and some time at Blue Lagoon.

While the Ring Road was a consideration, I got nervous as the main driver about the weather changes we could potentially face. I’m a warm weather girl, so reading that you could face four seasons in a day was intimidating, especially since I’m not used to true seasons living in Florida.

As a result, I chose to base our stay in Reykjavík and it worked out well for our first time in this rugged and beautiful island. Though a return trip will likely include the Ring Road when I consider all the things to do in Iceland!

• Day 1 (Sat): Arrival, jet lag, first Reykjavík wander
• Day 2 (Sun): Free walking tour, the most Icelandic encounter of the trip, church tower
• Day 3 (Mon): West Fjords road trip, thermal pools
• Day 4 (Tue): Golden Circle Tour
• Day 5 (Wed): South Coast & Glacial Lagoon Tour
• Day 6 (Thu): Blue Lagoon, booking horseback riding
• Day 7 (Fri): Horseback riding, rain, Perlan, Grill Market
• Day 8 (Sat): Greenland day trip

Day 1 | Arrival Day

Our arrival day was more about recovering from the jet lag and getting acquainted with Reykjavik. We took a taxi from the airport, but should have priced it first! Lesson learned.

The room wasn’t ready on arrival, but we did end up taking a quick afternoon nap once we were able to check in.

We eased into our 8 days in Iceland with a burger for dinner and of course had some dessert after. All in all, it was a relaxed first day.

Day 2 | Reykjavík and The Icelandic Pop Star

Normally I’m a “don’t burn daylight” type of traveler, but we actually slept in this morning. Once coffee-ed up, I organized the rental car for the following day’s adventure and then we headed to the meeting point for the free walking tour.

We walked along the water in direction of the tour and stopped at the viking ship statue (Sun Voyager). As we were taking photos and admiring it, a guy approached us.

The conversation went something like the below, but ended by telling us the nightlife is legendary. Considering I’m not a big partier, it didn’t really land with me, but the interaction was so random.

I’m not sure what happened to the CD, I suppose it’s in a landfill with all other CDs at this point. And even on this trip, CDs were already past their usefulness, but I suppose it was our most random souvenir. That’s one of the great things about traveling is the random strangers and friendly interactions.

Free Walking Tour

If you’ve never done a free walking tour, it’s not truly free. You will need to leave a tip for the guide, so be sure to have cash or find out if credit card is an option with the company.

Some fun facts that emerged from the walking tour include: They used to blame anything that went wrong on elves. Trolls that went into the sub turned to rock, so big rocks were once trolls.

One great thing about city tours is they acclimate you to the area, so aside from the interesting information, you can get a sense for the place. After the tour, we had lunch in a cafe and continued exploring the city.

We wandered into the tourist center and booked a couple more tours on some of the free days we had in our itinerary. I booked the important tours, but left room in our 8 day Iceland itinerary. Somehow we landed on a horse back riding tour with Iceland horses and a day trip to Greenland for our last day!

The Greenland trip wasn’t cheap, but we were all in a very carpe diem mood, so swipe the credit card we did! After more exploring we had dinner and headed back to the accommodation to get ready for a full day tomorrow.

Day 3 | West Fjords Road Trip

We have the most precious overnight desk Clerk. He doesn’t understand English super well, so despite many attempts we couldn’t confirm if the car was going to be dropped off at the hotel. We more or less assumed and indeed it was. 

Pulled out of the garage around 8:30AM and off we were to the west fjords region. It took longer than expected to make it to Holmavik and on several occasions the road went from paved to dirt.

The rental car company specifically said we had to stay on certain roads, so when the road became gravel I was concerned. However, that turned out to be a normal experience.

At Holmavik we were told about two thermal jacuzzis close by. I had read about the natural thermal pools, so we came prepared with swimsuits and towels.

We tried to find the natural one first and traveled down a gravel road that was under construction. Some terrifying moments with a bulldozer and dump truck but we survived. What is an adventure without a little scare.

We never did find that natural pool, so on we went to Drangenes thermal pools overlooking the ocean. The drive there was beautiful and the jacuzzis thermal pools are free.

The outside temperature was cold (to us), but there were primitive bathrooms we could change in. Once we were ready, we walked across the street to the jacuzzis. There was a couple in one and they explained the temperature differences of each of the mini pools.

Even though the jacuzzis are man-made, the water is natural, so be sure to remove any jewelry. We had a nice chat with the Dutch couple there and of course, enjoyed the scenery. 

The drive back was quicker as we took the 61, but it was no less breathtaking! While this was one of our highlights of the trip, enjoying the “natural” jacuzzi, it was further than I had thought. However, if you don’t mind a day of driving, it was a fun experience overall.

Day 4 | Golden Circle Tour

Golden circle consists of three main stops: Gulfoss Falls, Geysir, Thingvellir National Park. It’s a gorgeous route, and popular for a reason. There are many variations of this route offered in a tour, so you can pick one that is right for you.

Our tour happened to be on a day in the mid 50s, but felt like the mid 30s! The winds were 20 to 30 miles per hour! Easily one of the coldest days of my life!

The Gulfoss Falls felt powerful, the geyser was cool, and Thingvellir National Park was stunning! The wind at the falls was especially impactful! I think it almost held me up at one point!

Geological info was interesting. We also saw the tectonic plate area (did not snorkel Silfra), which shows the split of continents. North America on the left and Europe on the right.

Overall, these stops are a must during your 8 day Iceland itinerary, and a tour makes it easier! Pick your favorite version, or rent a car to explore on your own.

Check availability for Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

Day 5 | South Coast & Glacial Lagoon Tour

When researching, I decided the Glacial Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) was something I wanted to experience. Ice in a lake is not something I’m used to after all!

In keeping with my simpler 8 day Iceland itinerary based in Reykjavík, I searched a long while until I found a tour that offered a day trip here.

You can easily rent a car and drive this route yourself. Whether you decide on a very long day trip, or overnighting there. I enjoyed the break from driving, but I also enjoy the freedom it offers. So choose whichever option you prefer, but just know it will be a full day!

The tour guide, Johann, was hilarious with his very dry sense of humor and made the 14-hour tour more fun. Plus, everyone on the tour (British girl, Aussie girl, British couple, Polish mother and son, Bulgarian woman, three Irish guys) offered some form of entertainment throughout the day. That is the gamble when going the tour route, but we had great people on ours.

We started early as this was approximately a 14.5 hour day. The seats were comfortable and if you weren’t taking in the beautiful sights, it was very easy to nod off.

Our first stop was the Volcano Eyjafjallajokull. There is a glacier you can see from a distance sitting in between some mountains. The stop isn’t long and you don’t get very close to the glacier, but it’s enough for admiring the area.

The next stop was the stunning Skogafoss waterfall! Again, not a long stop, but certainly enough time for photos and admiration.

Food stops were long enough, but not long. However, you can always bring snacks and water if needed. None of the food is included in the tour, and the stops are more fast food oriented as opposed to a nice sit-down restaurant. For example, one meal was at a gas station restaurant. Healthier than what you’d find in the States though!

We stopped at the famous black sand beach in Vik. This beach has been in many movies with its interesting rock formations.

The sea stacks add to the stunning scenery as well! While only the glacial lagoon stop can be considered long, I loved being able to see all these gorgeous places along the south coast of Iceland.

Finally we made it to the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón. We were eventually put on a small boat and taken into the lagoon. The guide for this experience was very informative and ensured we were close enough to appreciate the glaciers. It was quite mesmerizing!

After the tour, we spotted some seals in the lagoon as well, which really gave perspective on the size of the glaciers.

I think we actually made two stops at Seljalandsfoss. One on the way to the glacial lagoon and one more at sunset on the return. You can walk behind this waterfall and it offered such a stunning experience with the sunset!

This tour as a whole is very long! I can’t remember the tour company I used either, but I did find a route similar to what I did. However, we didn’t stop at Diamond Beach which looks like a great destination! I do remember it being mentioned, but I can’t remember why we didn’t stop.

Again, you can absolutely rent a car and make all these stops on your own, but if you don’t want to drive, booking a tour is the way to go! We loved this tour and had a great experience overall.

Check availability for South Iceland and Glacier Lagoon: Jökulsárlón with Boat Tour

Day 6 | Reykjavík and Blue Lagoon

After a long day touring the south coast, we chose to keep this day more relaxed. I added Blue Lagoon on this day intentionally knowing a break would be nice.

After enjoying Reykjavík in the morning, we headed to the Blue Lagoon for the afternoon. The experience was certainly interesting, but I have to admit, I prefer more action on my trips. However, this was probably my younger sister’s favorite experience, or at least top three!

We chose the package we wanted, changed clothes in the locker room and headed to the thermal waters. There’s mud you can use, but we got something to drink and enjoyed just being there. My sister was living her best life and I was trying not to seem bored.

Day 7 | Horseback Riding

Icelandic horse back riding tour was a spontaneous add to our 8 day Iceland itinerary. I’m actually afraid of animals being too close to me, and yet I’ve gone horse back riding several times. I suppose that fear is why I will never forget the experience as a kid, or in New Zealand when my horse jumped a creek, and now this one.

It was raining the day we went, so we were given bright orange rain gear. The tour was a very large group, which wasn’t my favorite. The rain gear mostly worked, but I think wasn’t as water tight as it should have been.

With the rain, our views were impeded, but it still proved to be a very memorable experience. Icelandic horses are small, so I wasn’t far from the ground, which I appreciated. They also never forced us to move fast, which my inexperienced self preferred.

After the tour, we removed our rain gear and were ushered into a dining area. The food was reminiscent of tea time, which we enjoyed. Then we were taken back to Reykjavík.

Overall, the tour was enjoyable, but I can’t say I fully recommend it. Of course, we did have rain. If we could have enjoyed the scenery, it would have been better.

Check availability for Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik

Day 8 | Greenland

The costliest day trip of our 8 days in Iceland, but it was worth it for the experience! We got on a small plane, were given some surprisingly delicious food and off we were to Greenland.

G-dundee was a great tour guide and reminiscent of crocodile Dundee. Once we arrived, he walked us to the main town area of Kulusuk and explained some things along the way.

One moment we passed this very tall pole and our guide explained it was there for directional purposes in the winter. I am terrible at estimating things, so I don’t have a guess on the height, but it was mind blowing that most of that pole would be under snow in the winter!

Once we arrived to the village, I noticed a dead killer whale on the shore of the bay. It was mostly gutted, and the guide confirmed they were storing up the necessary food for winter.

Overall, the area felt a little sad. The guide told us depression and alcoholism were a problem and it’s not surprising when you consider the winter months they have to endure.

We walked into the local grocery and as one would expect for a remote town in Greenland, the imported food has a very high price tag.

There was a drum demonstration by one of the locals showcasing some of their culture and then we were allowed to roam around the village.

I’ll never forget the huskies howling throughout the village. One would start, then another, and it eerily echoed what was an otherwise quiet town.

There were some children playing, clothes hung on lines, and old equipment that I suppose can’t be discarded anywhere rusting outside. The houses were spread out, but I imagine everyone knows everyone in this small village.

For the return to the airport, we got to take a boat. I remember the cute young local with I presume his father who drove us. They took us by a huge iceberg, and we could see how deep it goes deep thanks to the clarity of the water.

Overall, I loved this day trip! Not for the beauty of the area, because the scenery didn’t have the wow factor. Rather I loved it for the experience and insight into a way of life so completely different from mine.

It rarely reaches freezing temperatures in Florida, and Barbados NEVER even gets cold. I cannot imagine what the winter must be like in Greenland. Then there’s the sadness of the people, which really impacted me.

The harsh winter. A small village on a small island of Greenland. I could almost feel a lack of hope and purpose. In Fiji, I visited a remote village, but they had a very different existence of faith, community, and seemed to carry a lightheartedness despite a similar bare bones existence.

Anyway, this is partly why I travel. Not just for the breathtaking views or epic landscapes, but for culture, insights, and experiences. This is why I loved this day trip. If you are expecting Iceland type scenery, this isn’t the day trip for you.

I booked this at the tourist office in Reykjavík. Again, it wasn’t cheap, but did include food, round trip flights, a guided tour, and an experience of a remote Greenland village.

When we arrived back in Iceland, we headed to dinner, but my friend and I weren’t very hungry as we were still full from the plane food. Of course, we’ll always have room for dessert, especially when traveling!

Weather in Iceland

We visited the end of August, but it was far more windy and cold than I was expecting. Though I have since visited the Faroe Islands, so I’m much more prepared these days. Temperatures are important to note, but wind and rain are the wild cards and will greatly impact how cold you feel.

If there’s one thing to take from our trip: pack for a wider range of conditions than the forecast alone suggests, layers, something waterproof, and don’t assume a “warm” number on paper means you’ll actually feel warm outside. This unpredictability is part of what made me nervous about attempting the Ring Road on this trip, and part of why basing ourselves in Reykjavík felt like the right call for a first visit.

How to Get Around Iceland

We used taxis, tours with pickup and drop-off, rental car and our own legs. In Reykjavík, we walked a lot and as three females, we never felt unsafe.

The costliest option is a taxi, but they do offer a local app these days. I haven’t used Hopp, but it’s worth familiarizing yourself with it! We paid a lot for transfer to and from the airport and Blue Lagoon, but with three of us we could split the fare.

Booking tours with pickup and drop-off are super convenient and definitely worth doing if you’re basing yourself in Reykjavík like we did!

Final Thoughts on My 8 Day Iceland Itinerary

Iceland is so large that I was both overwhelmed by its beauty and at times underwhelmed. I know, that sounds crazy, but the country is so alive that some landscapes are basically starting over.

Then there’s the otherworldly beauty, that is both mystifying and intriguing. Waterfalls that powerful, beautiful, or both. A lagoon with glaciers in one part of Iceland, and an active volcano in another! Hot springs or a freezing ocean all make up this exciting island nation.

I still have so much more to experience of this thrilling destination and hopefully one of the things to do in Iceland I’ll experience one day is to see the northern lights and explore the Ring Road. However, I think basing Reykjavík was the perfect first trip decision!