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Iceland: The Planet Next Door — My 6-Day Early Summer Itinerary
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items Iceland is extraordinary—like visiting another planet, but colder and somehow even more beautiful.
In the span of a single hour’s drive, the landscape shapeshifts. One minute you’re in a lava field that looks suspiciously lunar. The next you’re pass...
Map
Sections
7
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Katla Ice Caves
Day 3: Vatnajökull
Day 4: Back-to-Back Beauty
Day 5: Golden Circle
Day 6: Reyjiavik
Day 1: Arrival
I made one strategic decision before this trip: sleep on the plane like it was my job. Because I refuse to start an Iceland itinerary feeling feral.
We planned Day 1 around recovery—straight to the Blue Lagoon to soak off any remaining jet lag, then...
After spending the night sleeping on a plane, treat yourself to a spa experience like you’ve never had before. You will immediately forget you didn’t sleep in bed last night. The setting is otherworldly. The lagoon is brilliant blue.
Blue Lagoon Iceland
After sleeping on an airplane we had no plans to go back to Reykjavik or continue along our path. So we stayed a moment away from the lagoon. I only had positive experiences with hotels in Iceland. Northern Light Inn is the most affordable option nea...
Northern Light Inn
The thing about Iceland is that wherever you settle for the night (unless you’re camping), you’re going to have everything at your fingertips. Max’s was conveniently located at the Northern Lights Inn. After the lagoon we showered and dressed and hea...
Max's Restaurant serving Icelandic Cuisine
It only takes about 5.5 hours to fly from NYC to Reykjavik. Delta offers a flight that will have you arriving there at 9 in the morning Icelandic time and ready to start this itinerary.
Cheap Flights to Reykjavik With Delta Air Lines
Iceland is super drivable and easy to navigate. Go Car Rental grabbed us from the airport immediately and put us in a car.
Local Car Rental in Iceland: Rent at Keflavik Aiport or Reykjavik
Day 2: Katla Ice Caves
This is the day you wake up rested and ready.
The jet lag is gone. The soaking did its job. You’ve adjusted to the endless light. Now it’s time to move.
This is where the road trip really begins — and where you realize Iceland doesn’t require hours...
This is a little bit of a hike. You do have to wear crampons over your boots and I remember thinking I’d be a bit nervous if I had younger kids with me. However, it is one of nature’s miracles and one that will not be there forever. You can see in my...
Katla Ice Cave Tour 2026: Super-Jeep, Small Groups
The hotdog is a cultural icon in Iceland. I had to make sure one made its way to my stomach by the second day. It was delicious. P.S. I wouldn’t normally post a picture of myself eating a hotdog on the internet, but I did that for you.
The Ultimate Guide to the Famous Icelandic Hot Dog | Guide to Iceland
We stayed in Hotel Kria in the city of Vik on night two and night three. Like all other accommodations it was clean, comfortable, and had an attentive staff. Check out the picture of us at the breakfast buffet. We were crazy about the European breakf...
Hotel Kría
I was not planning to eat pizza in Iceland, let alone black crust pizza. This really hit the spot though after a day of hiking in glacial cold temps with crampons.
Black Crust Pizzeria
Day 3: Vatnajökull
By now, the awe isn’t occasional—it’s constant.
You wake up, look out the window, and think, Wait—this is real? Iceland’s landscapes stop feeling like bucket-list markers and start feeling like everyday reality (but in a wildly beautiful, surreal wa...
At some point on this trip, we clipped ourselves into a glacier.
We put on helmets, strapped on crampons (because ice is not forgiving), and used carabiners to descend into an actual ice cave like we were casually training for Everest. I would love ...
Ice-Caves in Vatnajökull
After a day of fighting wind and climbing straight down ice tunnels. This hearty Icelandic fish stew was satisfying.
Ströndin • Pub
Lupines grow native throughout Iceland and Vik is a wonderful place to see lush fields of them. After a day of glacier hiking. We rested up for dinner and went on an evening walk through the small town. Note: You have a long window for an evening wal...
Lupines in Iceland: Beauty, Controversy, and Environmental Impact
As part of our evening walk, we climbed the fairly steep hill in Vik that leads to their iconic red roofed church. Red roof churches are common in Iceland. But the church in Vik has a presence on the hill different to others.
Reyniskirkja Church
Day 4: Back-to-Back Beauty
By now you’ve learned that in Iceland, the things you see on the way to the thing you came to see often become the highlight. Today is that on repeat.
Waterfalls seem to appear every 10 minutes. Lava fields give way to rolling hills that immediately...
Feel like you’re on the set of Game of Thrones and visit these stunning basalt cliffs on the sea. These are minutes from Vik, and we stopped to walk and enjoy the views as we made our way (gradually) back to Rejikavik on a Northwestern path vs the oc...
Reynisdrangar basalt sea cliffs | South Iceland
At every location we agreed there was no way to capture the beauty in photos. We still tried. Beautiful sight. A few different walking route options.
The spectacular Skógafoss Waterfall in South Iceland and the Legend of ...
In Iceland… go chasing waterfalls. We did not regret a single stop to see their magnificent falls.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi – Unique Waterfalls with Caves, Iceland
At some point, we pulled over to pet Icelandic horses because obviously we did. A man had a small roadside setup with a few horses and little cups of feed you could buy. It felt unofficial in the best way.
That was more than enough of a mini-horse f...
Icelandic Horses And Where To See Them
We did not miss an opportunity to stop at a thermal bath. Laugarvatn Fontana was the most rustic of the three baths we visited. This didn’t make it any less wonderful. And yes—you do shower before getting into the bath. If you are shy—you will find w...
Laugarvatn Fontana
This hotel is part of the golden circle and was the perfect place to stop as part of our road trippin’ loop.
Blue Vacations
After hiking waterfalls and relaxing in a lagoon, we enjoyed a delightful dinner at Mika, which was around the corner from our hotel.
Restaurant Mika
Day 5: Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is one of those routes that actually lives up to the hype — and June is the perfect time to experience it. Long daylight means you don’t feel rushed, the weather is crisp but comfortable, and the crowds are spread out across those n...
Each waterfall we stopped at I thought, “wow, this is the most amazing waterfall I’ve ever seen.”
Gullfoss Waterfall Travel Guide
It’s like visiting old faithful. It bursts and hot water spews and everyone gets excited. It’s like, you know it’s going to happen but it still surprises you every time.
Geysir Hot Springs and Geothermal Area: Haukadalur Valley in Iceland
A geologists wonderland.
Thingvellir National Park
Like I said. Waterfalls are not a one and done thing in Iceland. See all the waterfalls.
Thorufoss (2026) - All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Reviews)
We stayed our night 5 and 6 in Hotel Exeter and it was a great location. Reykjavik is extremely walkable and we were convenient to everything.
A premium hotel experience located in downtown Reykjavik
After a long day of exploring, we walked across the street from our hotel to the marina and grabbed bowls of their famous lobster soup. Hot soup is super satisfying when you’re in Iceland.
Seabaron
Day 6: Reyjiavik
This was my final thermal hot spring fix — and I made it count.
There’s something about soaking in geothermal water in Iceland that rewires you a little. You emerge calmer. Looser. Slightly smug about your circulation. After multiple lagoons and hot...
Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík is the one you save for last.
If you go there first, everything else will feel like a warm public pool with ambition. It’s quiet, moody, and deeply luxurious — all clean lines, soft steam, and an infinity edge that disappears...
Sky Lagoon
Getting your Rainbow Street pic in Reykjavík is a rite of passage.
You stroll up thinking it’ll be a quick snap… and then someone’s already doing a full photoshoot. The colorful street pops against Hallgrímskirkja in the background, the air is crisp...
Rainbow street in Reykjavík
Order a White Russian in every possible way. Fun vibe. If your husband’s favorite movie happens to be The Big Lebowski (like mine). You don’t want to miss this spot.
Lebowski Bar
Pack Light/Pack Strategic
Iceland is not the place for a fashion show suitcase. It’s the place for waterproof things, warm layers, and items you can wear multiple days in a row without feeling like a survivalist. The weather changes constantly, you’ll be outdoors a lot, and w...
Overpacking is something most of us do. Well, it’s something I do. When traveling to Iceland, I wisened up about overpacking and bought boots I could wear on a glacier or with jeans in the city.
KEEN Hightrail Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots - Women's | REI Co-op
These are the kind of pants that make you feel like you know what you’re doing outdoors even if you’re just aggressively sightseeing. Durable enough for hiking, scrambling around waterfalls, and dealing with Iceland’s unpredictable weather, but flatt...
Rainier Mid Rise Jogger | Athleta
Iceland weather will have you putting layers on and taking them off all day. One minute you’re hiking in sunshine, the next you’re standing in waterfall mist wondering why you didn’t bring waterproof pants.
The trick that worked best for me was wear...
Micro Ripstop Mid-Rise Hike Joggers in Heritage Olive
A great travel jacket for places like Iceland where the temperature changes constantly. It’s lightweight, warm, and packs down small so you can toss it in your backpack when the sun comes out. Perfect for layering over sweaters or base layers when th...
Women's Sienna Hill Quilted Jacket | Columbia
For the colder days. A slightly heavier merino base layer that keeps your legs warm without adding bulky layers under your pants.
Icebreaker Merino 260 Tech Thermal Base Layer Leggings - Women's | REI Co-op