What to see in a 10 day trip in Iceland?

My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip in Iceland mid-June and we are wondering what are the main sites we should focus on. We are also interested in visiting local farms and learn more about the local culture.

Thanks!

7 Answers

top answer by

Davo from Chicago

My top 3 places were: Skaftafell, Lake Myvatn, and the Westfjords.

I would highly recommend renting a car and driving around the island on the Rte 1. If that's what you decide to do, you should definitely go counter-clockwise because you generally go from more touristy areas to less touristy areas. (I went clockwise and got annoyed by the relative busy-ness after spending a week in relative isolation). Ten days should allow sufficient time to make the drive.

Spend a couple days in Reykjavik, but leaving the city was the best decision I made.

Here's my blog post on it:

https://davoandsara.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/skimping-in-iceland/

And a google map of my route:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=z5cP4IOmuFnk.kXGR0MJ6lRZQ

Mentioned in this answer:

Skaftafell (attraction)
Lake Myvatn (attraction)
Westfjords (state)
Rte 1 (attraction)
Reykjavik (city)

4 thanks

answered by

Joe from Brooklyn

The most unique and amazing thing I saw in my time on Iceland was the island of Heimaey. If you enjoy things off the beaten path, this place is for you. It is a tiny island (population about 4,000) with gorgeous views, small sheep farms, a charming port and not much else. But the best part, in the summer - when you will be in the neighborhood - it is home to an estimated 8 million puffins. I had an amazing 2 days there camping and taking pictures of EVERYTHING.

Mentioned in this answer:

Iceland (country)
Heimaey (attraction)

3 thanks

answered first by

Justin from Phoenix

Wow, a lot of questions about Iceland on trippy today! Funny coincidence since I just published a blog post about it this morning. Have a look!

2 thankscomments (1)

answered by

Ashley from Calgary

We're heading out for 12 days in May so I can't tell you what you should see since we technically haven't been but we are intending on driving the Ring Road. We've had to "finalize" our stops because hotels tend to book up fast so we've decided on the itinerary below for our over nights:

Reykjavik - Grundarfjordur - Olafsfjordur - Lake Myvatn - Höfn - Vík í Mýrdal

*Wanted to stay in Akureyri but the hotels were all booked.

Mentioned in this answer:

Reykjavik (city)
Grundarfjordur (city)
Olafsfjordur (city)
Lake Myvatn (attraction)
Höfn (attraction)
Vík í Mýrdal (city)
Akureyri (attraction)

1 thankscomments (1)

answered by

Brent from Brockville

We traveled the ring road two years ago.

Hope you get some good ideas.

answered by

Janna

Icelandis one of the most beautiful countries. Below I have mentioned some of the sights.

1. Visit Keflavik
2. Go whale watching
3.The geysers
4. Landmannalaugar
5. Maelifell Volcano in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
6. KirkjufellMountain
7. Skaftafell National Park ice cave, Vatnajokull National park
8. Blue Lagoon
9. Aurora Borealis
10.Gullfoss Falls waterfall

You can see these sites. Last year I had visited this country. Happy Journey.

Mentioned in this answer:

Iceland (country)
Keflavik (city)
Landmannalaugar (attraction)
Maelifell (hotel)
Mýrdalsjökull Glacier (attraction)
Kirkjufell (attraction)
Skaftafell National Park (attraction)
Vatnajokull (attraction)
Blue Lagoon (attraction)
Gullfoss Falls (attraction)

answered by

Carolyn from Centreville, Md

I loved Iceland, so jealous you get to spend 10 days there. Definitely rent a car, Reykjavik is a great city, and worth a visit, but you must get out and about to appreciate the country. Driving around is super easy. Our first night we spend in the south close to Vik. We stayed at Hvoll Cottages situated on a farm and walking distance to the black beach. They offer horseback riding on the beach, too. If you go to the south, don't miss basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar.

Comments (1)

Kevin
I have just gotten back from 9 days in Iceland and absolutely loved it! My Mom is a travel agent and she helped plan this trip. Below is the itinerary email.We have a big trip planned, with lots of true adventure, hiking, biking, evenings over beer and wine, and laughs. Here is the basic plan, just so you have some idea of what we’re doing. Of course, in a place like Iceland there are always surprises, weather wise and otherwise, so that’s why it’s a good thing we’re all flexible- types and open to serendipity! We are spending one day/night in Reykjavik, 2 nights on the south coast at a B and B, 2 nights on Westman Island, 1 night at an inland eco-village, and 1 night near the airport/Blue Lagoon. Here is more detail: Aug. 6 Beaches arrive 4 am (!), Smith's arrive 5 am. Someone from Procar, the car rental company, will be standing outside in the customs area with your name on a sign, to take you in the shuttle to the rental place. They have your flight arrival time. We will go on to the rental place, get our car, and wait for you there to get yours. Then it’s off on our adventure! We head into the city, park at our 3 bedroom apartment right near the central harbor, and take our luggage in. They will tell us about when the rooms will be ready. We walk to a nearby café (kids’ choice) to have breakfast. At 9 am we need to be at the bike rental place, just down from the apartment, to start our private guided bike tour of the city, 2 ½ hours. Anyone who wants to keep their bike for the afternoon can just let them know, and put the extra $14 on your credit card. You can keep them until 5 pm in that case. After the tour, we’ll have lunch…lots of great choices. Then the apartment should be ready. Folks can nap, shop, bike, or whatever they want to do. Meet back for dinner, then flop. Aug. 7 This is our longest day of driving of the trip, but it’s the only way to fit everything in. It will be worth it! We have a kitchen, so can bring in coffee and pastries from a nearby café (volunteers?). After breakfast, drive 2 hours to Skogar on the south coast for our 2 night stay. Check in to the B and B, a very cute home in this tiny village, have lunch, then drive about 2 hours more to the glaciers at Jokulssarlon: http://icelagoon.is/. On the way back, hopefully we can stop at Skaftafell National Park for some hiking. It stays light until 10 pm, so we’ll take advantage of that. Aug. 8 Breakfast included at the B and B. This is the day for our big guided adventure to Porsmork, pretty much all day, meeting the guide in a town 30 minutes away at 10 am: http://www.siadv.is/tour/thorsmork-mountain-reserve/. They are taking just us 7, so it’s a private tour with great guides. It’s going to be wild! The guides will drive us in 4 WD vehicles right through numerous rivers (no bridges) to a hiking area where we hike 3-4 hours. Then they bring us back. Total tour will be 8-10 hours. We’ll see the big volcano that exploded a few years ago, as well as lots of other amazing places. Hiking boots a must. Aug. 9 A bit more restful (?), just around Skogar, which has several great places. The main folk museum in the country, black sand beaches, cliff-side hiking, basalt columns, etc. Then at 2:15 we need to arrive at the nearby ferry port for the 30 minute ferry, with our cars, to Westman Island, where we spend 2 nights. Aug. 9 and 10: Westman Island: http://www.visitwestmanislands.com/, has the largest population of puffins in the world, which tend to be on the move in August, heading out to sea. Lots to see on the small island, and we stay right in the central little town of Heimaey. Relaxed island exploring and puffin-watching for the next couple of days. Aug. 11: Ferry leaves Westman Island at 11:00 am, taking us back to the mainland. Drive about 1 hour to Solheimer Eco-Village, our really interesting self-sustaining home for the night: http://www.solheimar.is/en/. Lots to do in the area, within very short distances: Gulfoss: http://www.gullfoss.is/, and Geysir. Aug. 12: On our way back to the Reykjavik area, we spend several hours at Thingvellir National Park: http://www.thingvellir.is/nature.aspx, a UNESCO site. Great hiking and interesting history. We drive on to our hotel, about 1 hour drive, near the Blue Lagoon. The hotel has bikes available, and we can bike on paths through lava fields, nap, or whatever people want to do. Dinner is reserved for 7 pm at: http://salthusid-english.weebly.com/. It’s supposed to be a great dinner spot, and very near the hotel. Get packed up, setting aside a little bag with swimsuits and towels, since we spend the next morning soaking at the Blue Lagoon, just a few minutes from the hotel. Our reservation is for 9 am. We can finish up with lunch at their café, and head out at 12:30for the 20 minute drive to the airport. Fly home Aug. 13. If you like the itinerary you can get more information and book from her here: Connie Beach | Independent Vacation Specialist Member of Signature Travel Network NorthCross Shopping Center 9755-B Sam Furr Rd | Huntersville, NC 28078 Direct: 704.892.9020 ext 281

Mentioned in this answer:

Hvoll Cottages (hotel)