What to Do With 6 Days in Iceland

You'll have plenty of options with only 6 days in Iceland. You'll have enough time to go and explore some locations that are not as popular and crowded with other travelers, as many tourists stay only for 3 or 4 days in Iceland. 

If this is your first time in Iceland, we'd still recommend driving the Golden Circle, exploring Reykjavík, and perhaps taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon, but these are three of the most visited locations in the country.

You can also find some suggestions on where you might want to go in our article of What To Do And Where To Go In Iceland or by reading our Top 10 Things To Do In Reykjavík. 

If this isn't your first time in Iceland and you'd like to see something different, then hopefully we can give you some good tips on the more hidden gems that dot the Icelandic countryside.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and you can find all tours available in Iceland here on the site. You could even find tours that are perfect for a shorter trip to Iceland. If you'd like to make up your own itinerary and find your own accommodation, then we can help you find the cheapest rental cars in Iceland.

Summertime in Iceland

Explore Iceland by driving yourself to the destinations you'd like to go. We have a number of self-drive suggested itineraries, but all itineraries can be changed according to your preferences. 

This 6-Day Self Drive Tour | Golden Circle and Diamond Beach goes along the South Coast of Iceland and includes the classic Golden Circle route. You'll see geysers, two national parks, plenty of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, a glacier lagoon and the Diamond Beach on this comprehensive self-drive itinerary.

The Diamond Beach, in reality, has nothing to do with diamonds but is a black sandy beach that's filled with icebergs from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The icebergs look like chunks of gold or diamonds in the glistening sun. All the roads on this route are easy to drive and paved the whole way, and most of the route is along Iceland's Ring Road. 

• See also: Best Attractions by the Ring Road of Iceland

If you want to venture a little further inland, then you might be tempted by this 1-Week Summer Self-Drive Tour of Iceland with Highlands Exploration. These stunning areas can only be accessed during summer―and even then you will need to cross a few unbridged rivers to get there, which requires a 4WD car. 

• See also: Driving in Iceland

Make sure that if you are crossing rivers you do so where the river is at its widest (as the current is not as strong there). Talk to other drivers along the way on the best way to go. You'll be rewarded with incredible and contrasting beauty.

Þórsmörk is green and lush in between black sands and peculiar rock formations, whereas Landmannalaugar is a geothermal area in the Highlands dotted with colourful rhyolite sand mountains and lava fields. You'll also have the time to explore some of the renowned South Coast and bathe in natural hot springs. 

• See also: The 5 Best Hot Springs in Iceland

This 10-Day Summer Ring Road Self-Drive Tour with Central Highlands takes you around Iceland’s iconic Ring Road at your own pace. Along the way, you’ll explore the rugged beauty of the Central Highlands, glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and coastal wonders.

Besides the self-drive tour options, you can obviously go on tours where you're not driving yourself. There are plenty of options available, whether you'd like to join day tours from Reykjavík or go a bit further with a selection of multi-day tours. Typical day tours from Reykjavík would be along the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the Reykjanes Peninsula or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

This 6-day Summer Package includes a 2 day trip to the South―all the way to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon and a full day exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The package also offers some flexibility, as you can choose to add more activities or add an extra day if you want.

Since you've got a bit more time in the country than the majority of Iceland's travelers, maybe you'd like to venture even further, especially if this is your second or third visit to Iceland.

The Westfjords are the most remote area in Iceland, and you'll be able to explore the best of these unspoilt wonders on this 10-day Westfjord self-drive tour with Snaefellsnes & Flatey Island. Explore the bird cliff Látrabjarg, the golden sands of Rauðisandur, the town of Ísafjörður, and the mighty cascade of Dynjandi Waterfall. Book accommodation in the Westfjords and find your place to stay in this incredible part of Iceland.

Ísafjörður town is nestled in amongst high mountains and you can indulge in some of the best seafood in the country there. The stunning waterfall Dynjandi is considered the crown of the Westfjords and when you'll see it, you'll know why.

Wintertime in Iceland

Winter road conditions may be icy and snowy, so if you choose to drive yourself, be prepared for all kinds of weather. In wintertime, you won't be able to drive into the Icelandic Highlands, as the mountain roads are only open in the summer and we'd recommend staying on the busier routes in case your car gets stuck.

You'll find that other drivers on the road are very helpful in those instances. Iceland, however, isn't always covered in snow during the winter season and you may have completely clear roads when driving, depending on the time of year and your luck with the weather gods.

Read our Ultimate Guide to Driving in Iceland and our Drive Iceland Safely articles for more information about driving in Iceland. We also recommend the handy apps Iceland Road Guide and Veður. 

Our number one recommendation in the wintertime, for an attraction that is dependant on cold weather and ice, are the gorgeous blue ice caves within Vatnajökull Glacier in South-East Iceland.

These dazzling natural marvels are all-natural and hunted down each year by a team of experts, as they fill up again with melt-water each spring. This sort of experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the perfect highlight of your trip to the land of ice and fire. 

• See also: Ice Caves in Iceland | The Ultimate Guide

You'll be able to explore an authentic ice cave, as well as see all the gorgeous sights of South Iceland, on this 6-Day Winter Self-Drive Tour with Ice Caving.

Another great itinerary is this 6-Day Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Golden Circle & Snaefellsnes that focuses on the western part of Iceland, where you'll find the stunning Snæfellsjökull Glacier, its surrounding national park and Kirkjufell Mountain, as well as the ancient fishing hamlets of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. 

If you’d rather not worry about winter road conditions, guided tours can be a comfortable and stress-free alternative. Experienced local drivers handle icy roads and changing weather, while expert guides help you make the most of limited daylight hours. This way, you can focus entirely on the landscapes and experiences instead of checking forecasts or navigating unfamiliar terrain.

The 6-Day Guided Adventure Trip Around Iceland’s Full Ring Road lets you do exactly that. Along the way, travelers enjoy highlights from the South Coast, the Golden Circle, and other iconic sights, plus small-group attention, comfortable accommodations each night, and optional add-ons such as glacier hikes or whale watching.

Iceland is full of natural wonders and with the help of its circular Ring Road, there are plenty attractions which you can see during a 6-day trip. Now, all that's left for you to do is start booking and begin packing! 

We hope that these recommendations on what to do with six days in Iceland were of help to you. Please don't hesitate in leaving any further questions in the comments box below, or contacting one of our certified locals to get your trip started.