Iceland is a magical country full of mysterious folklore, unique history and mind-blowing beauty. This 10-day Iceland itinerary in winter will let you experience enough of the incredible country to leave you wanting more!
For the most cost-effective and flexible 10 days in Iceland, you should consider renting a car. Since this tour is planned to take place in winter, the safest vehicle is a 4×4, as Iceland’s weather conditions make it difficult to access by car.
If you’re uncomfortable driving abroad, you can easily do all the suggested activities – Iceland knows what it’s doing when it comes to tourists!
One important thing to know about visiting Iceland in winter is that there is very little daylight! From around October, the sun starts to rise around 4 am and set around <>pm! Around February, the days start to get longer, so keep that in mind if you plan on doing a lot of activity throughout the day. Driving in the dark in Iceland is best avoided due to road conditions, so plan your day with the lights on.
The best thing about spending 10 days in Iceland in winter is that you will have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. There are a few apps and websites you can visit to check out your nightly opportunities and make sure to keep an eye on the skies no matter where you are, because you just might be in luck!
Here’s your guide to spending 10 days in Iceland to see the best of the Land of Ice and Fire!
Day 1 – Visit the Blue Lagoon
Just a 20-minute drive from Keflavik, Iceland’s main airport, sits the beautiful Blue Lagoon. It’s a great way to spend your first day in the country, as you can relax after your flight in the mineral and nutrient-rich waters.
Be sure to book your time slot in advance and choose between Comfort, Superior or Retreat packages. All options come with mud masks, towels and drinks from the pool bar!
The water is warm and the silica in it makes the floors soft and supple – definitely a unique experience.
If you want to upgrade your visit, try one of the water massages or the weightless sensation of floating therapy.
Once out of the water, you can shop for products from the Blue Lagoon skincare range, find a sauna and steam room, or dine at the on-site gourmet restaurant.
It is also possible to spend the night at the Blue Lagoon – choose from the Silica Hotel or the Retreat Hotel.
Day 2 – Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Stay on the west coast for your second day in Iceland before heading to Snæfellsnes National Park, where you’ll find a range of spectacular natural attractions.
The peninsula is home to basalt cliffs, volcanic beaches, lava fields, calderas and giant volcanoes, so there’s plenty to see, too, before you even consider exploring the local towns!
Day 3 – Stroll through Reykjavik
Visiting a country’s capital is always a good idea to get a feel for the culture and way of life of the locals.
Reykjavik has a lot to offer, from fascinating museums (the Iceland Museum comes to mind!) and regular happy hours to stunning archaeological designs and quirky streets.
A great way to get a feel for the city is to take a guided tour. You can find lots of great reviews online – try Foodie or Beer Walk for extra fun! Or, if you’re on a budget, you can join a free walking tour. Often these guides want tips at the end in exchange for their knowledge, expertise and guidance on all things Reykjavik!
Don’t miss the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church – it’s almost 75 meters high, so it’s unlikely you will! You can get in for free (remember, this is an active church, so check our events calendar first), and if you want to go up the tower, it costs about $9.
Reykjavik has so many great shops, boutiques and markets – you could spend hours wandering the streets without any plans. Laugavegur is the main shopping street with many bars and restaurants to try.
Day 4 – Visit the Golden Circle
This is probably the most famous place in Iceland – and for good reason. The Golden Circle is made up of three incredible attractions, and the best thing about them is that you can visit them all for free! There are some great tours, but if you rent a car then you only have to pay for fuel as there is no entry fee to any of the major stops.
Thingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a unique location as it sits where two tectonic plates meet, so you can stand in Europe and Asia at the same time! You can also snorkel or dive between the two plates, which is an incredible experience in itself, but be warned, the water will be very cold!
Next stop on the Golden Circle is the Geysers – the pristine hot springs from which all geysers are named! It doesn’t actually erupt very often, but right next to it is Strokkur which erupts more often – you just have to wait a few minutes or so until the water bubbles up from the ground and explodes upwards!
Next up is Gullfoss Falls, well worth the wait! The water gushes over 30 meters, witnessing its unbelievable power. You can stand at the top near the car park (this is where most local tours start, so if you arrive early, come down to catch a glimpse of Gullfoss!) or walk down the steps to get a little closer. Be careful as the spray reaches the steps making them very icy and slippery in winter.
If you have time, you can also take a detour to the Secret Lagoon, the oldest natural swimming pool in Iceland. The water is warm and rich in minerals thanks to the hot springs. The Secret Lagoon is similar to the Blue Lagoon, but cheaper because it’s more basic.
You can also stop at Kerid Crater, a lake that geologists believe was formed by a collapsed volcano. The water is an incredible blue that contrasts with the rich red of the surrounding rocks.
Day 5 – Snowmobile/Glacier Bus Tour
If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, spend an afternoon riding your own snowmobile along the magnificent glacier Zoom!
You’ll drive onto the ice in a huge 4×4 vehicle, followed by a safety briefing by the team. Once you know what you’re doing, you go all out and follow your guide across a massive glacier. You typically have about 10 minutes to stop and marvel at the beauty of where you are before jumping back in again and cruising to watch the incredible sunset.
For those who don’t want to drive, you can stay behind or join a different tour entirely. A great way to explore the vast ice field is on a glacier truck tour. You can ride the world’s largest truck and watch it bump along the terrain from the windows, then you’ll stop at several spots for photos and drinks amidst the extraordinary scenery.
Day 6 – Explore Vic
Depart from the Golden Circle region and head along the south coast, stopping at famous waterfalls such as Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
For a chilly day, explore the coastal town of Vic. There are some unmissable highlights when visiting, including the plane wreck (don’t worry, all passengers went away unharmed in 1973!) and Reynisfjara, a beautiful black sand beach.
There are plenty of guest houses and hotels to stay in, so you might want to settle here for a few nights and use the town as a base when visiting nearby attractions.
Itinerary Day 7 – Experience Glacier Hiking
Today you can get up close and personal with glaciers and take a hike to the majestic Sol Alheima Glacier. For safety reasons, you will need to join a tour, but the guides are very knowledgeable about the local area and it’s a great way to see a landscape that has been there for millions of years!
Choose a tour company that provides you with the necessary safety equipment such as crampons and helmets, and enjoy picking your own way on the ice surrounded by peace and nature.
Day 9 – Visit Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
These are two of the more beautiful natural areas that you can visit absolutely free if you’re driving your own 10-day itinerary in Iceland. They’re very popular on any South Coast tour, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you’re not driving.
Diamond Beach is a gorgeous black-sand beach dotted with giant ice cubes that sparkle like diamonds in the sun. If you’re really lucky, you might spot some seals hanging out on the beach and on the large rocks in the water.
Opposite is another famous landmark – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. It lies at the bottom of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and the meltwater sits in a bay, forming Iceland’s deepest lake. The water is a dreamy azure color due to the mix of sea and fresh water. You can also take boat and kayak tours here.
Day 10 – Experiencing the interior of the ice cave
End your 10 days in Iceland with an epic ice cave experience! The ice caves are reformed every year, so they are always unique.
Most cave tours offer a 4×4 jeep ride to the start of the adventure, after which you will be guided in the cave – if you live in the area, usually the tour will be under Vatnajökull. You can start driving back to Reykjavik as there are many ice cave tours along the way.
This 10-day Iceland itinerary is full of adventure and relaxation, showcasing Iceland’s friendly towns and extraordinary natural beauty. You can easily enjoy all the stops on this itinerary, but adjust to your travels, and if you want an extra day or two in places you really like, choose the best parts!