Help with 8 day itinerary June 2026

Posted by danacpolk on 03/01/26 06:02 PM

Hello Iceland experts, I'd love some feedback on our itinerary for June, 2026. We will have 8 full days (arriving 6/23 and departing 7/2). We are a couple in our 50s, physically fit and active. We enjoy hiking and nature, but also like to spend some time in a city. We prefer a slower travel pace and would like to avoid long drives. Here's our trip outline so far (hotels, car and activities are booked, but changeable). Feedback on our locations for overnight stays would be helpful (ie should we switch 2 nights near Skogar for two nights near Golden Circle? Overall will we be doing too much backtracking?) and any restaurants or activities that you'd recommend near our itinerary). Many thanks!

6/23 Arrive Reykjavik 2pm
Hotel: Ion City Hotel,
Activity: Hot springs

6/24 Reykjavik
Activities (depending on how we're feeling and as time allows): Tour Old Reykjavik, Saga Museum, Tour Harpa, Laugavegur Street, 6:30 Dinner reservation at Brasserie Kársnes

6/25 Reykjavik
Activities (as time allows): RIB puffin tour with Elding, Settlement Museum, Sky Lagoon
Depart for Nesjavellir

6/26 ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavelli (Golden Circle)
Activities: 9am Snorkeling Silfra tour with Dive.is, Haukadalur Valley, Blesi pools, Laugarvatn Fontana spa complex

6/27 Skalakot Manor Hotel, near Skogar
Activities: 2 hour Horseback ride to waterfall from hotel
Others to choose from on either day: Skogafoss Waterfall, Guided glacial hike at Solheimajokull, Selkalandfoss, Skogar Museum, Eldheimer museum, Beluga Whale Sanctuary
6:30 Dinner reservation at Skalalot Manor

6/28 Skalakot Manor Hotel
Activities: Ferry to Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar to see Puffins. Either by guided kayak tour or Ribb boat tour

6/29 Magma Hotel,

Activities to spread across the two days: Skaftafall National Park, Vatnajokull Glacier, Blue ice experience Skafatell glacier hike, Ingolfshofoi Puffin tour, other hiking.

6/30 Magma Hotel, near Kirkjubaejrlauster
Activities: 10:30 am Jökulsárlón Glacier Kayaking with Iceguides, followed by one or more activities above.

6/30 Hotel Kria, Vik
Activities: Katla Geopark to hike Fjaorarglufur canyon

7/1 Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavik

7/2 Depart 10:40AM

Posted by mikliz97

Snohomish, WA

03/03/26 01:37 PM

3798 posts

I am copying/pasting my reply from the other forum you asked this:)

Your itinerary looks pretty good. It is heavy on museums in Reykjavik though. Have you looked at the Citywalk "free" walking tour? It is really good, we have done it a few times, and I is all outdoors. You learn a lot about the city/country and the guides are funny and engaging. There is also a food tour that is excellent, and again a great introduction to Iceland.

I personally would skip that 3rd day in Reykjavik and put that towards Westmann Islands. Staying overnight there gives you a much better opportunity to see the puffins. Yes, the Eldheimar Museum there is a must, IMO, as is the rib boat safari ride.

The Skogar Museum has indoor as well as outdoor areas, and IMO, the outdoor areas are better. don't miss Kvernufoss when you are there. It is just past the museum and there are far fewer people than at Skogafoss and often you can see rainbows there.

I would not do 2 nights in the Golden Circle as you would be backtracking too much.

The glacier hike at Solheimajokull is a lot of fun, don't miss that.

In Vik, Black Crust Pizza is definitely worth the hype. The lines are long, but you can call it in ahead of time as well. Skool beans is a great stop there for coffee or hot cocoa.

With an early morning flight, you might consider staying closer to KEF just so you can sleep in a bit more that last morning. The Aurora Hotel is just across the parking lot from the terminal and is perfect for that, or you could stay in Grindavik at the Northern Light Inn which is only about 20 minutes away. I adore the NLI, FWIW. The Aurora Hotel is fine, we have stayed there several times as well, but it is a good hotel, just nothing special. The restaurant at NLI is excellent and perfect for a last night's dinner.

Sky and Blue are both nice. We have done both a handful of times. Blue would work best on your way to Reykjavik and Sky would be best once you are already there. Just less backtracking. Have you considered all of the different lagoons in the GC? I ask because there are several including a brand new one, Laugaras. We are trying that one this week.