Intro:
Planning a solo trip to Iceland and don’t want to rent a car? Here’s my actual 8-day itinerary from August — a mix of relaxing days in Reykjavík and small group day tours to explore Iceland’s stunning nature. All while staying in one hotel and using tour pickups and walkable routes.
🗓️ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival + Blue Lagoon
- Arrived in the morning
- Booked a transfer from airport → Blue Lagoon → hotel
- Relaxed at the Blue Lagoon
- Checked into Fosshotel Reykjavík
- Evening: Walked around Reykjavík a bit
Day 2 – South Coast Day Tour
- Full-day guided tour to the South Coast
- Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Weather was stormy but dramatic and memorable
Day 3 – Reykjavík City Walk + Lava Show
- Self-guided day in Reykjavík
- Highlights: Hallgrímskirkja, Rainbow Street
- Watched Icelandic Lava Show
- Food stops: Café Loki, Sandholt Bakery, food halls
Day 4 – Golden Circle + Kerið Crater
- Full-day Golden Circle tour with stops at:
Þingvellir, Geysir area, Gullfoss, Kerið crater - Visited a greenhouse tomato farm for fresh soup
Day 5 – Landmannalaugar Highlands
- Day trip in a 4×4 vehicle to Landmannalaugar
- Explored colorful mountains and lava fields
- Hiking option available (you can choose to do part or just explore at your own pace)
Day 6 – Slow Reykjavík Day + Puffin Watching
- Rest day with gentle sightseeing
- Took a puffin-watching boat tour
- Visited food halls and tried local ice cream
Day 7 – Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Guided minibus tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Highlights: Mt. Kirkjufell, lava fields, cliffs, small villages
- A peaceful, scenic day out of the city
Day 8 – Departure
- Took a booked transfer from hotel to airport
🧳 What Worked Well
- Staying in one place (Reykjavík) made the trip feel calm
- Booking day tours allowed me to see a lot without stress
- Local sightseeing days balanced out the more intense ones
- Reykjavík is walkable, so no public transport was needed
📌 Travel Notes
- Best for solo travelers or non-drivers
- Weather in August is unpredictable — bring layers
- Most tours pick up from central hotels
- All bookings were made in advance (tours, lagoon, airport transfers)
Looking for the full experience?
Read the full story here → A Gentle Escape to Iceland: Serene Landscapes & a Much-Needed Reset
Want to see more? Check out my Iceland Photo Gallery here → Iceland Photo Gallery
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