Begin your Icelandic adventure in Reykjavik, the country's capital city. Although it is a city, it has a small-town feel and is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty. Start the day by visiting the Perlan Museum to learn about Icelandic nature and history. After that, take a stroll down to the charming harbour area and walk along the seaside to the Sun Voyager sculpture. End your day by soaking in one of the many geothermal pools in the city.
Embark on a road trip to the Golden Circle, which includes the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. Start by experiencing the powerful Strokkur geyser erupting every 5-10 minutes, then head to the picturesque Gullfoss waterfall, where you can witness a double waterfall plunging into a 32-meter ravine. Finally, enjoy hiking and exploring the continental rift valley at Thingvellir National Park.
Drive along Iceland's stunning South Coast, starting at the black sand beach Reynisfjara with its unique basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Then, continue to the stunning Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, where you can walk behind the falls. Next, visit Skaftafell National Park and hike to the scenic Svartifoss waterfall. Finish the day by witnessing the impressive Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where massive pieces of ice break from the glacier and float out to sea.
Take a day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where you can visit the picturesque Kirkjufell mountain, the Djupalonssandur black sand beach, and the Arnarstapi sea cliffs. For lunch, stop at the charming town of Stykkisholmur to enjoy some local seafood. Finally, explore the magnificent Vatnshellir lava tube cave and finish your day by visiting the Snæfellsjökull glacier, which inspired Jules Verne's novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
If you have more time, add a day trip to the Westfjords, where you can visit Latrabjarg bird cliffs and soak in a natural hot spring. Alternatively, if you have less time, skip the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and add a day to explore Reykjavik's museums and restaurants. Remember to pack warm and waterproof clothing, as the Icelandic weather can be unpredictable!