14 days in Iceland: myths, legends & Vikings

Reykjavik

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland

After arriving at the International airport of Keflavik, pick up your rental car and head to Reykjavik. Enjoy a free day exploring this northernmost capital of the world. Take some time today to visit one of the museums dedicated to the Viking age.

You will receive a detailed list of all the most interesting museums in town with exhibitions displaying fascinating Viking artifacts.

Check into your hotel for a night in Reykjavik.

Reykholt - Hraunafoss - Barnafoss

Day 2: Iceland's Viking heritage

After breakfast this morning, begin your drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Weather permitting, you could stop for a hike to the Glymur waterfall, the highest waterfall in Iceland, before driving to Reykholt, a major Viking site.

Here, you will find the former home of the most influential Icelander ever, the great Icelandic chieftain and historian, Snorri Sturluson. You can visit Snorrastofa, an exhibition about him.

Later, visit Snorri's geothermal pool. This reconstructed pool, first mentioned in the Book of Settlements, is one of Iceland's most beloved heritage sites. Then, venture a bit further to visit Snorri’s grave.

Not far from Reykholt, you will find two of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland - Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (children's waterfall).

Arnarstapi - Grundarfjordur - Eiríksstaðir

Day 3: Explore the majestic Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Today, enjoy a full day dedicated to Snaefellsnes' natural beauty. See Arnarstapi’s cliffs, the lovely fishing village of Hellnar, the black sand beaches of Djúpalónssandur and the beautiful mountain of Kirkjufell in Grundarfjordur.

At Eiríksstaðir, famous among Icelanders for being the place where Erik the Red lived with his wife Þjóðhildur and where their son Leifur Heppni, (Leif the Lucky), was born, you can visit a reconstructed Viking longhouse. Reconstructed next to the foundations of the original, it is considered one of the best-built longhouses in all of Europe. Here, you'll get an idea of how Vikings lived, and get the chance to visit the monument to Leif the Lucky, considered the first European to discover America.

Hvitserkur - Skagastrond - Grettislaug

Day 4: Museums & oceanside hot springs

Venture east to re-join the Ring Road for a while before leaving it again for a diversion into the Vatnsnes and Skagafjörður peninsulas. On Vatnsnes, you can visit Borgarvirki, the Citadel used by Vikings for military purposes.

Along the way, take an hour's detour to visit Hvítserkur, known as the “white shirt” basalt troll who, according to the legend, was caught in the sun and turned into stone.

At the Museum of Prophecies in Skagastrond, you can visit an exhibition about Þórdís, a 10th century Icelandic prophetess. Learn about the prophecy methods used in Iceland such as runes, the reading of guts, palm readings, fortune telling, and more.

If time allows, take a detour north around the entire peninsula and relax for a while in the hot waters of a hot spring next to the ocean before driving back to the Ring Road to overnight near Varmahlid.

Varmahlid - Sturlungar Trail - Akureyri

Day 5: Discover the legacy of the Viking sagas

Pay a visit to Varmahlíð this morning. Famous for its turf houses, this region is home to Glaumbaer, one of the most famous and largest traditional farmhouses in Iceland. It's part of an open-air museum that features a wooden church where the statue of Guðriður Thorbjarnardóttiris and her son Snorri lived. Guðriður is depicted in many ancient Viking sagas as a strong, well-traveled woman who moved to Vinland after marrying the son of Eirik the Red. Her son Snorri was the first European born in the New World.

You could also go for a hike along the Sturlungar trail, the site of some of the blood-curdling events of the civil war that raged in the Sturlung Age.

In the afternoon, head to Akureyri. If time allows, venture north to visit the tiny fishing villages of Dalvik, Olafsfjordur and Siglufjordur that are situated between stunning fjords.

Husavik - Asbyrgi - Dettifoss

Day 6: Whale watching, waterfalls & hot springs

Today, go whale watching in Husavik, one of the best locations in the world for spotting whales.

After the tour, drive along the coast to see Asbyrgi Canyon, a giant horseshoe-shaped canyon, said to be made by Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Odin.

Complete your loop to Lake Myvatn with a quick hike to Selfoss and Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Then, drive to Myvatn where the day ends with a soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths, a smaller “Blue Lagoon”, but just as enchanting as the most famous one (and with fewer tourists, too).

Note: From mid-August to mid-April, the lake Myvatn region is a great location for viewing the Northern Lights.

Lake Myvatn - Dimmu Borgir - Godafoss

Day 7: Scenery straight out of 'Game of Thrones'

Spend your day exploring the volcanic and geothermal activity around Lake Myvatn. Here, you'll discover lava fields, the most famous of all being Dimmu Borgir. It is considered the "Entrance to hell" and is marked by rock formations, geothermal steam vents and mud pits, ice caves, and volcanic craters.

If you are a fan of "Games of Thrones", you will recognize many of these sites that were featured in several episodes.

Take an easy hike along the Hverfjall crater to admire the surroundings before driving to Godafoss waterfall, the “Waterfall of Gods”, named when Iceland converted to Christianity in the year 1000. The last Asatru priest decided to throw all the old gods' idols into the clear waters of this stunning waterfall, one of the most beautiful of Iceland.

Egilstadir - Seydisfjordur - Litlanesfoss

Day 8: The Scandinavian style of Seydisfjordur

Drive east along one of the most beautiful areas of Iceland today and be surrounded by spectacular volcanoes, craters and lava fields.

Spend some time in Borgarfjörður Eystri, an isolated community with hiking trails leading from the valley up into the mountains. During early summer, you may also spot some puffins in the area.

Take a detour to reach Seydisfjordur. The route is one of Iceland's most scenic. Seydisfjordur appears as you reach the mountain peak, tucked into a narrow fjord between high mountains. Today's town was built by Norwegian fishermen who started settling there in 1848. One can clearly recognize the Scandinavian style in the many wooden buildings that still exist in the village as well as in its landmark, a blue wooden church you can’t miss when walking in town.

Eskifjordur - Neskaustadur - Djupivogur

Day 9: Explore the eastern fjords

Today is dedicated to the Eastfjords. Expect spectacular driving routes, waterfalls, mountain peaks, views of the oceans, and tiny fishing villages along the way.

From Seydisfjordur, you could venture to some of the small villages nearby, such as Neskaustadur or Eskifjordur. Alternatively, take a 40-minute hike to Hengifoss waterfall, passing Litlanesfoss on the way. These spectacular waterfalls are framed by huge basalt columns and make for a great activity away from the larger crowds in the south.

Continue on towards Djupivogur, which lies at the foot of the pyramid-shaped Mt. Búlandstindur (1,069 meters). This tiny village is the ideal stop to break up a long drive. Here, you can walk around the harbor, out to the tiny lighthouse at the point, or reach Gleðivík village to see its egg sculpture monument.

Vestrahorn - Höfn - Jokulsarlon

Day 10: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, with its floating icebergs and black sand, is today's highlight.

Before getting there, you can take two detours. The first is to the stunning Vestrahorn black sand beach, a photographer's paradise. Walk to the sea to witness how the wet sands create perfect reflections. You may also spot some seals lounging around on this stretch of sand. 

Take another detour to the Viking Village set, a replica Viking village created for a film that was never shot and is now open to visitors.

For a lunch of local lobster, stop in Hofn before reaching the lagoon.

Upon arrival at Jokulsarlon, you will enjoy a boat trip that will take you around the icebergs. After this incredible experience, continue your drive a bit further for a stop at the turf church at Hof before stopping in the area for the night.

Skaftafell National Park - Fjadrargljufur Canyon - Vik

Day 11: The natural beauty of Skaftafell National Park

Soak up the scenery as you drive across Skaftafell National Park today. Take the time to admire the magnificent landscapes - there are many opportunities for hiking along the park's trails, including one that leads to Svartifoss (“Black Falls”), which is surrounded by black basalt columns.

A detour off Route 1 will bring you to Fjadrargljufur Canyon. Spend about an hour hiking around this windy canyon and its intriguing rock formations.

In the evening, pay a visit to the Icelandic Lava Show, a new exhibition that recreates a volcanic eruption by pouring molten lava (1100°C / 2000°F) into the showroom and over ice.

End the day in the quaint town of Vik for a relaxing evening by the ocean.

Reynisfjara - Skogarfoss - Seljaladfoss

Day 12: The ruins of a Viking settlement

Start your day with a visit to the black sand lava beaches of Reynisfjara and a hike to Dyrholaey Arch for great views of the Southern shore. Continue your adventure with a 2-hour glacier walk on Sólheimajökull.

Afterwards, drive westward to visit Skogarfoss, the filming location of the TV show "Vikings," and Seljaland waterfall, where you can walk behind the water.

Near Mt. Hekla you will find the ruins of a real Viking Settlement called Stöng. Discover a Viking longhouse that was buried under the volcanic eruption of Mt. Hekla around the year 1104 and visit Þjóðveldisbærinn Saga-Age Farm.

End your day with a delicious dinner at the Viking restaurant of Ingólfsskáli near Hveragerdi. Set in a beautiful turf longhouse, it is named after Iceland's first settler Ingólfur Arnarson.

Gullfoss - Geysir - Viking Village

Day 13: Iceland's famous Golden Circle

Head to the Golden Circle to visit some of Iceland's most stunning natural landmarks. Among these is Thingvellir National Park where Vikings from all around Iceland gathered for two weeks every summer for their parliament meeting.

Not far from here, you can visit Skalholt, one of the most important cultural and political centers in Iceland beside Þingvellir where the National Assembly was held. Explore the geothermal area of Geyser and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. On the way back, stop at the Viking village in Hafnarfjordur to dine at the Viking restaurant, a must for Viking culture lovers.

Tonight, enjoy a stay in a Viking hotel.

Blue Lagoon - Keflavik Airport

Day 14: Bathe in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon

On your last day of the tour, drive to Reykjanes Peninsula for a few hours of relaxation in the hot waters of the famous Blue Lagoon before heading to Keflavik for your flight back home.

If time allows, drive around the UNESCO Global Geopark. This is the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible above sea level. It is famous for its volcanic and geothermal activity, hot mud pits and the "Bridge Between Two Continents", which you can cross.

Last but not least, take some time to visit the Viking World Museum close to the airport. This museum is home to the Viking ship Íslendingur (the Icelander) that sailed to New York in the year 2000 to celebrate Iceland's central role in the discovery of America. This may be the best way to end your Viking trip to Iceland before continuing on to the airport to drop off your car and get ready for departure.