September 2-8, 2021 (7D6N): My second time visiting Iceland. This itinerary provides a good base that covers the capital (Reykjavik) and the southern coast of Iceland. Iceland is also a great place to visit if you looking for an international destination that allows for social distancing. Game of Thrones (GOT) fans will recognize a few filming locations noted below. If you are short on time, please refer to the Reykjavik & Golden Circle itinerary.

*Highly recommended food & hotel

Day 1:

• Morning flight arrival in KEF from JFK

• Pick up a rental car from Mycar rental* (you can compare prices via Northbound; we didn’t rent a 4x4 since we didn’t need to be on the F-roads, find out more in the Tips section)

• Blue Lagoon (9am-9pm; $53 Comfort Package; suggested duration 2-3 hrs)

• Check-in @ Downtown Reykjavik Apartment

• Walk around Reyjavik:

  • Sun Voyager

  • Rainbow street

  • Reykjavík City Hall

• Cocktails @ Vinnustofa Kjarvals (a private membership club)

• Dinner @ Sargreifinn - The Sea Baron* (try the whale steak) and Baejarins Beztu Pylsur* (famous Icelandic Hot dog stand)

• Drinks @ Kaffibarinn

Day 2:

• Early lunch @ Kjoris* (ask for the daily special)

• Thingvellir National Park (parking fee 750kr, suggested duration: ~2 hrs)

  • Visitor Center (9am-6pm; get a map and inquire about the hiking trails; the gift shop has reasonably priced beanies)

  • Observation Deck

  • Hiking trails to see Law Rock, Oxararfoss, Peningagja, and Thingvellir Church. See hiking trail map.

• Geysir (free parking; if time allows, take the hiking trail to the top for an amazing view)

• Lunch @ Geysir Glima* (try the volcanic sandwich)

• Gullfoss (free parking)

• Secret Lagoon Hot Spring (a local spot; 11 am-7 pm; 3000kr; suggested duration ~1.5 hrs)

• Dinner @ Eldsto Art Cafe* (try the lamb soup)

• Check-in @ Armot (pay special attention when booking to ensure you book the room with the private bath, unless sharing the bathroom is okay)

Day 3:

• Breakfast @ hotel

• Seljalandsfoss (parking fee 800kr; short hike to walk behind the fall)

• Gljúfrabúi (right next to Seljanlandsfoss)

• Skogafoss (free parking; can skip the observation deck if short on time)

• Skogar Museum (2000kr; only the open-air museum was interesting)

• Kvernufoss (park by the museum and follow the path across the field to the falls: 15 mins hike)

• Lunch @ Hotel Skogafoss Bistro Bar*

• Solheimajokull Glacier (free parking; we did the hike on our way, do stay away from the glacier for your own safety)

•  Dyrhólaey:

  • Lighthouse

  • Sea Arch

• Reynisfjara Beach (GOT reference: Eastwatch-By-The Sea)

• Dinner @ The Soup Company (free refill on the 2nd soup bowl)

• Check-in @ Hunkubakkar Guesthouse*

Day 4

• Breakfast @ hotel

• Boat tour @ Jökulsárlón Lagoon* (~45 mins; then spend some time in the area to soak in the beauty)

• Diamond Beach*

• View Svínafellsjökull Glacier (skip if you’ve visited or plan to visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon)

• Lunch @ Veitingasala

• Hike Svartifoss & Hundafoss @ Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park (3km RT; parking fee 750kr)

• Picture of the Broken Bridge

• Hike Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (A MUST DO. a 2-mile RT hike)

• Dinner @ Valhalla Restaurant* at Saga Center (ax throwing and Saga museum)

• Check-in @ Snorri's Guesthouse*

Day 5

• Breakfast @ hotel

• Gerouberg Cliffs (climb to the top for the amazing view)

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula:

  • Snaefellsnes Visitor Center (good information center about local attractions)

  • Sheep’s Waterfall/Selvallafoss

  • Stykkishólmu

    • Sugandisey

    • Lunch @ Finsens fish & chips*

  • Kirkjufell (pic only as it was raining; GOT reference Arrowhead Mountain)

  • Búlandshöfði View Point

  • Drive through the town of Hellissandur (visit the Maritime Museum if time permits)

  • Saxholl Crater (be ready to climb stairs)

  • Hellnar viewpoint (beach access)

  • Arnarstapi viewpoint

  • Búðakirkja (a 20th-century reconstruction of an 18th-century village church) @ Buoir

• Dinner @ Fish Company*

• Check-in @ Hotel Leifur Eiriksson* (amazing view of the church)

Day 6

• Breakfast @ hotel

• Church of Hallgrimskirkja (10 am-5 pm; 1000kr to go up to the bell tower)

• Kvika footbath (free; bring your own towel)

• Reykjanes peninsula:

  • Gunnuhver Hot Springs

  • Valahnukamol (where EuroVision was filmed)

  • Reykjanesviti (the oldest lighthouse in Iceland; pic only)

• Buy lunch & snack @ Netto

• Picnic @ Krysuvik (free parking; not too crowded)

• Sky Lagoon (11am/noon - 10pm/11pm; Pure Pass from 9990kr; suggested duration ~ 2-3hrs)

• Dinner @ Old Iceland* (the best meal we had in Iceland!!)

• Drinks @ Kaldi Bar (ask for the espresso martini)

Day 7

• Breakfast @ hotel

• 9 am: Return rental car

• 11:15 am: Flight to JFK

Other points of interest & food:

• Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck & shuttle bus

• Visit small fishing villages:

  • Stokkseyri

  • Eyrarbakki

• Reyjavik:

  • Thai food @ Ban Thai

• By the airport:

  • Breakfast @ Kokulist bakery

  • Lunch @ Issi fish and chips

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula:

  • Helgafell

  • Vatnshellir Cave (ancient lava tube)

  • Bjarnarfoss

  • Springwater @ Olkelda mineral spring

• Viogelmir Cave Centre

Tips:

• Please consult against the F-roads map when making your rental car reservation. All the places listed on this itinerary were not on the F-roads.

• Amex Centurion Lounge opened up in October 2020 - take advantage of it and visit the speakeasy (1850) if you fly out of JFK T4.

• Be sure to pack waterproof jackets and pants. And since you will be outdoor most of the time, get a bright color jacket to stand out in your photos!

• Make sure to buy alcohol at the KEF Duty-Free before leaving the airport. Things are very expensive on the island.

• Be sure to pay the parking fee at the site to avoid a violation.

• Bring a US debit card to fill up gas at the gas station.

• COVID-19 test is available @ BSI bus terminal (appointment required; FSA/HSA reimbursement)