Photo: Bob T, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 8-day plan, rearranged for 7 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A long line of small waterfalls pouring out of the edge of a lava field into a milky river. A short path runs along the top of the falls, with the rapids of Barnafoss a little way upstream.
Go when Afternoon, when the light is soft on the water.
Local tip Walk the path along the top of the falls and then go upstream to the rapids. Stay on the path, because the banks are slippery.
Two tall basalt towers rising from the shore, the remains of an old volcanic crater. A short walk from the road leads to a viewpoint above the sea cliffs.
Go when Late in the day, when the low light catches the rock.
Local tip Walk to the viewpoint and look down on the towers from above. Keep to the path, because the cliff edge is loose.
A creamy fish soup, served with a slice of dark bread. A warm, simple lunch after the cool air on the cliffs.
Local tip Ask for the soup of the day, and have a second bowl if you are hungry.
One of the most powerful hot springs in Europe, steaming beside the road and piped to nearby towns. Stay behind the rail, because the water is scalding.
Go when Evening, on the way to the coast.
Local tip Stay behind the rail. The water is near boiling point and the steam can hide the edge.
Many farms along the way serve a simple supper made with their own lamb, fish, potatoes or vegetables. Eat what is on the table.
Local tip Book ahead, because the places are small and the road is long.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A black pebble beach in a bay of lava, with four old lifting stones. Fishermen once lifted them to show that they were strong enough for the boats, and visitors still try the lighter ones.
Go when Morning, when the beach is quiet.
Local tip Try the lighter stones with a straight back and care. Leave the beach as you found it, including the iron pieces from an old wreck.
A tiny fishing village on a rocky shore, with a statue, basalt cliffs and a sea arch. Walk out along the cliff edge on the path and watch the seabirds.
Go when Early afternoon, once you have eaten.
Local tip Walk the cliff path east and west of the village to see the arch and the nesting birds. Stay well back from the edge and keep dogs and children close.
A hamlet under bird cliffs at the end of a coastal path from Arnarstapi. The path crosses a lava field above the sea. Check ahead on its condition, and walk it only in decent weather.
Go when Afternoon, walking from Arnarstapi on a calm day.
Local tip Check ahead on the state of the coastal path before you start, and drive the road between the villages if the wind is strong.
Kjotsupa is a lamb soup with root vegetables and rice, a comfort food that Icelanders eat all year. Look for it at a small cafe or guesthouse.
Local tip Order a bowl and a slice of bread, and ask for a refill if it is on offer.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A volcano capped with a glacier at the tip of the peninsula, the setting for the start of a famous Jules Verne novel. The ice is best seen from the road on a clear day, since clouds often hide the summit.
Go when Midday, if the summit is out of the cloud.
Local tip View the ice from the road and from a short walk. Walking on the glacier itself is for guided groups only, so check ahead.
A pale beach of crushed shell near the tip of the peninsula, a surprise among the black sand coasts. Check ahead on the gravel road that leads there.
Go when Afternoon, when the sand glows against the lava.
Local tip Check ahead on the road in, which is gravel, and walk the beach slowly, because the wind can pick up quickly.
A hot dog on a soft bun, a national snack. Order it with everything, which means fried onions, raw onions, ketchup, sweet mustard and a remoulade sauce.
Local tip Ask for "one with everything" at a roadside kiosk.
A pointed, church-shaped mountain by the sea with a small waterfall in front of it. Walk the short path to the fall and look back at the peak.
Go when Evening, when the light is low.
Local tip The famous photograph is taken from the small bridge below the falls. Do not climb the mountain, which is steep and loose.
A comforting mash of white fish, potatoes and onion in a white sauce, served warm with rye bread. The kind of dish a grandmother makes.
Local tip Eat it with a slice of buttered rye bread, which is the classic way.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A harbor village of painted wooden houses on the north shore of the peninsula, with small islands in the bay. Walk the waterfront and the lanes behind it before you board.
Go when Morning, before the ferry.
Local tip Walk to the small headland by the harbor for a view across the bay to the islands and the ferry you are about to take.
A very long beach with sand of a rosy color from crushed shells, reached by a winding gravel road over a pass. The tide changes the whole look of the shore. Check ahead on the road.
Go when Midday, with the tide going out.
Local tip Check ahead on the gravel road over the pass, drive slowly and watch for sheep. Fog can close the road quickly.
Arctic char, smoked and laid on dark rye bread with a little butter. A light lunch to eat on a bench with a view of the sea.
Local tip Take it with you in a bag, because there are few places to eat on the road ahead.
A tiny island in Breidafjordur with old wooden houses, no cars and a lot of birdlife. The ferry may call here on its way across. Reserve ahead and check the season and the route.
Go when Midday, on a day with calm water.
Local tip Reserve your place ahead and check the season and the route, since the ferry does not always call at the island. Take your own food.
Cod is the staple of the Icelandic table, simply boiled or pan-fried, with potatoes and butter. A plain, good dinner on a harbor.
Local tip Ask what the boats brought in that day.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A small natural hot pool by the shore of a fjord, with very simple facilities. Check ahead on the rules, bring a towel and a bag for wet clothes, and test the water before you step in.
Go when Morning, before the road gets long.
Local tip Test the water with your hand before you step in, since natural pools can be hotter or colder than they look. Leave no litter.
A small town on a fjord, a base for this corner of the region. Fill the tank here and get supplies for the day, because services get scarce on the roads beyond.
Go when Morning, before the long drive west.
Local tip Buy water and food here for the whole day, and check the weather before you set out for the cliffs.
Huge sea cliffs at the westernmost point of Iceland, crowded with seabirds, with puffins in the season. The edges are unprotected and crumbly, so stay back from them and keep children close.
Go when Afternoon, in a spell of clear weather.
Local tip The edges are unprotected and crumbly. Keep well back, never lean over for a photograph, keep children close, and mind the wind.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A small village on the Strandir coast with a museum devoted to Icelandic witchcraft and sorcery. Check ahead on whether it is open, and fuel up here.
Go when Morning, on the drive south.
Local tip The museum of witchcraft is small and unusual. Check ahead on whether it is open, and fuel up before you drive on.
A waterfall that falls in several steps and fans out wide at the bottom, the grandest in the Westfjords. A path climbs beside the lower falls. The rocks are wet, so take care.
Go when Midday, when the spray catches the sun.
Local tip Walk up the path beside the lower falls, and take care on the wet rock. The road over the mountain is closed in winter, so check ahead.
Pack rye bread, cheese, fruit and a flask for the road. In the Westfjords services are far apart, and a picnic by a fjord is a pleasure.
Local tip Buy supplies the evening before, and bring more water than you think you need.
A small village on a fjord with old buildings and a quiet harbor, a place to rest before the next stretch of road. Fuel up and buy snacks if the shop is open.
Go when Late afternoon, before the next stretch of road.
Local tip Walk along the harbor and look at the old buildings. It is a good place for a coffee and to check the weather ahead.
Icelandic lamb grazes freely in the hills and is known for its flavor. Look for it roasted or slow-cooked, with root vegetables.
Local tip Ask for it simply cooked, and share a dessert of skyr.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The main town of the Westfjords, on a narrow spit of land beneath steep mountains. Walk through the old part with its small wooden houses and down to the harbor.
Go when Morning, before the boat trip.
Local tip Walk the old part of town and the harbor, and ask locally about the weather before you plan the boat.
BoatVigur trips leave from Isafjordur harbour a few times a week, about May to August. The whole trip takes about 3 hours. Visiting Vigur
A small island in the fjord with a puffin colony and many eider ducks, reached by a short boat trip. Check ahead on the season and the sailings, and stay on the marked paths.
Go when Midday, on a calm day.
Local tip Check ahead on the season and the sailings. Arctic terns nest on the paths and may dive at your head, so wear a hat and stay on the marked route.
Cod cheeks are a small, tender cut that fishing towns treasure. Lightly fried in butter, they are a favorite of locals.
Local tip Ask for the fish of the day, which is often cod or haddock.
BoatThere is no boat to Sudavik, so the trip goes back to Isafjordur.
RoadSudavik is then a few minutes by road.
A village on the fjord with a small centre about the arctic fox, the only land mammal that Iceland had before people arrived. Check ahead on whether it is open.
Go when Afternoon, on the way back along the fjord.
Local tip The small centre on the arctic fox is a good short stop. Check ahead on whether it is open.
In a fishing town the catch changes daily, so ask what came in. It is usually cod, haddock or plaice, simply cooked with potatoes.
Local tip Ask the staff what they would have, and trust the answer.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, July to August are the most comfortable months for walking around Stykkisholmur. This plan is built for early July, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 7 days in Stykkisholmur, planned for early July. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 15.8 to 248.3 kilometers between its stops, and 618.1 kilometers in all across 7 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 nights in Reykjavik and the Northern LightsAbout 130 km awayAn easy add-on
3 days on the Reykjanes PeninsulaAbout 140 km away
6 days in Akureyri and North IcelandAbout 260 km awayMake it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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