The Perfect 7-Day Iceland Road Trip for a Girls' Getaway
- Erika Doty
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Some destinations are all about seeing the sights.
Iceland is all about the experience.
Of course, you'll see waterfalls that seem impossibly tall, glaciers that have existed for centuries, and black sand beaches that look like another planet. But the moments you'll talk about long after you've unpacked aren't necessarily the ones marked on the map.
The moments you'll remember most are the ones where you pulled over because the light suddenly turned the mountains gold. Where the wind nearly knocked your whole group over and everyone laughed through the absurdity. Where you warmed up over a hot bowl of soup after exploring all day in the rain. Where you found yourself listening to a live band inside a bookstore, wondering why every city doesn't have something like this.
If you're dreaming of beach cocktails and resort days, Iceland probably isn't your destination.
But if your ideal girls' trip is filled with incredible scenery, cozy cafés, bookstores, geothermal lagoons, epic road trip playlists, and conversations that somehow become deeper every mile you drive, Iceland belongs at the top of your list.
A couple of things to know before you go.
First, Iceland is expensive. And I mean, really expensive. I paid over $10 for a small drip coffee at Starbucks. I wish I was kidding. Gas isn't cheap, and restaurants add up quickly. The good news is that Iceland doesn't have a tipping culture, so you don't have to add another 20% to your sticker shock.
The better news? The landscapes are completely free, even if the parking isn't. (Seriously, pay for parking everywhere. If you don't, you'll get a nice little surprise from the rental car company when you return home. Smile. You and your license plate are almost certainly on camera.)
Second, pack for every season, every single day. Sunshine can turn into sideways rain in minutes, and you'll be grateful for waterproof boots and layers far more than you will for a heavy coat.
Here's the route I'd recommend after spending a week exploring Iceland's unforgettable south coast.
Day 1: Wander Reykjavík
After landing, don't rush to pick up your rental car and start checking attractions off a list.
Give Reykjavík the time it deserves.
Walk Rainbow Road toward Hallgrímskirkja, browse the local shops, grab a coffee, and wander the harbor simply because it's beautiful.
If you're a reader like I am, make time for the bookstores.
One thing I loved was that most Icelandic bookstores only dedicate a small section to English-language books. These aren't stores designed for tourists. They're neighborhood bookstores built for the people who live there. Finding an English title starts to feel less like shopping and more like discovering a little hidden treasure.
That evening, head to Sky Lagoon. I know it's expensive (as previously mentioned, everything is), but trust me, it's worth it.
If you're choosing between Iceland's many geothermal spas, this would be my recommendation. Take your time moving through the Seven-Step Ritual before watching the sun sink toward the Atlantic from the warm water.
It's one of the best ways to ease into the slower pace Iceland naturally encourages.
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Leave Reykjavík after breakfast and make your way to Þingvellir National Park, where you can stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. If you're feeling particularly brave, you can even snorkel between the plates in some of the clearest and coldest water you'll ever experience.
Continue to Geysir to watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes before finishing the loop at Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most iconic and powerful waterfalls.
For lunch, stop at Friðheimar.
This greenhouse restaurant grows tomatoes year-round using geothermal energy, and nearly everything on the menu features them in some way. The tomato soup has become famous for good reason. If you can't get a reservation, don't fret. You can enjoy the bistro on the same property, a cozy wine bar tucked into the greenhouse where the tomato soup is also on the menu. Somehow sipping wine surrounded by tomato vines, books, and warm greenhouse air just works.
Later in the afternoon, soak at Secret Lagoon.
It's quieter and less polished than some of Iceland's larger spas, which is exactly why I loved it.
Spend the night around Selfoss or Hella before heading farther east.
Day 3: Waterfalls and the South Coast
This is one of those days where you'll want to stop every fifteen minutes.
Start with Seljalandsfoss, where you can actually walk behind the waterfall.
Just a short walk up the same path is Gljúfrabúi, hidden inside a narrow canyon. It's easy to miss if you don't know it's there, but it's one of the most magical waterfalls you'll find anywhere in Iceland.
Next comes Skógafoss.
Climb the staircase to the top, catch your breath, and enjoy the view stretching down the valley.
If you have a little extra time and energy, continue along the Skógá Trail. Even the first mile rewards you with several more waterfalls that many visitors never see.
As you continue east, don't rush.
Some of Iceland's best memories happen between destinations.
Finish the afternoon at Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara's famous black sand beach before ending the day in Vík. Sneaker waves here are no joke. Stay well back from the water and always keep an eye on the ocean.
For dinner, head to The Soup Company.
Order the lava soup or lamb soup served inside fresh bread.
Trust me.
After spending the day outside in Icelandic weather, it tastes like the greatest meal on Earth.
Day 4: Canyons, Glacier Lagoons, and Diamond Beach
Today's drive takes you deeper into southeast Iceland, where glaciers begin to dominate the landscape.
Be sure to make time for Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
Carved over thousands of years by glacial meltwater, the winding canyon almost doesn't look real. Pictures don't quite capture the scale of it. Standing on the rim makes you realize just how enormous it really is.
Before reaching Jökulsárlón, stop at Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
It's smaller, quieter, and often overlooked, making it the perfect place to slow down before the crowds.
Then continue to Jökulsárlón.
Watching enormous blue icebergs drift slowly toward the ocean is one of those experiences that's impossible to rush.
Just across the road, walk Diamond Beach, where pieces of glacier ice wash onto the black sand and sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight.
Spend the night nearby.
If the weather cooperates, sunset (or as close as you can get to one during the summer months) here is unforgettable.
Day 5: Take the Long Way Back
Wake up early enough to see Jökulsárlón one more time. Morning light completely transforms the lagoon.
It's also worth another quick stop at Diamond Beach. Some evenings the ice has melted and there aren't many "diamonds" to see, but many mornings bring a fresh batch.
Then begin the drive back west.
Stop anywhere you skipped the first time. Pull into viewpoints that weren't on your map. Walk another trail. Sit beside another waterfall.
Buy another coffee, even if it costs ten dollars. Somehow it tastes better when you're drinking it outside with a glacier in the distance.
Iceland rewards curiosity far more than efficiency.
Spend the night back near Vík or Hella.
Day 6: Puffins and Reykjavík's Best Evening
If you're traveling between late spring and early August, spend today visiting the Westman Islands.
Take the ferry across and spend the day exploring Heimaey.
Watching thousands of puffins nesting along the cliffs is something you'll never forget.
Beyond the birds, wander the harbor, visit the volcano museum, and enjoy lunch overlooking the fishing boats before returning to Reykjavík.
That evening, skip the temptation to simply have dinner and head back to your hotel.
Instead, wander into Hús Máls og Menningar, a beloved bookstore, café, and wine bar in the heart of Reykjavík.
On most evenings, a local band plays live music inside the bookstore, and it's completely free.
This ended up being my favorite thing we did in Reykjavík.
People browsed shelves, sipped wine and coffee, chatted with friends, and lingered while live music filled the room.
It wasn't flashy.
It wasn't crowded.
It wasn't even on most tourists' itineraries.
It just felt wonderfully local.
Sometimes the best memories aren't the famous attractions. They're the ones you stumble into.
Day 7: One Last Slow Morning
Spend your final morning the same way Iceland taught you to travel.
Slowly.
Grab breakfast.
Walk the harbor one last time.
Browse another bookstore.
Pick up some Icelandic chocolate, and maybe a bag of black licorice if you're feeling adventurous, for the flight home.
Look around before you leave.
You'll probably notice the same thing I did.
Somewhere over the last week, you stopped worrying about what time it was.
You started noticing the light instead.
A Few Things I Wish I'd Known
Budget more than you think you'll need.
Iceland is one of the most expensive places I've ever visited. Restaurants, fuel, coffee, groceries, and even parking add up quickly. Build a little extra into your budget so you can enjoy the experience instead of stressing over every purchase.
The weather changes constantly.
I've experienced sunshine, rain, wind, and blue skies all within the same hour. Waterproof boots, rain gear, and layers will serve you far better than packing bulky winter clothes.
Don't overschedule yourself.
Leave time to pull over.
Leave time to wander.
Leave time to stop because the mountains suddenly look different than they did five minutes ago.
Those unscripted moments are the ones you'll remember.
The best souvenirs you'll bring home won't fit in your suitcase. They'll be the stories you still tell years later, the inside jokes born somewhere between waterfalls, and the quiet reminder that the world is far bigger and more beautiful than your daily routine sometimes lets you believe.
That's the real magic of Iceland.
About the Author
Macey Snelson is a travel photographer, storyteller, and the founder of Say Yes Travel Co., where she hosts small-group adventures designed to help women reconnect with themselves through meaningful travel. When she's not chasing waterfalls or wandering bookstores around the world, she's usually planning her next trip, reading a great novel, or encouraging other women to say yes to the experiences that make life feel bigger.
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