Reviewed · GOLDEN CIRCLE TOURS
7 Day Iceland with Reykjavik Northern Light | Blue Lagoon | Golden Circle ……
Reykjavik to glaciers in one tight week. What makes this trip feel smart is the bundled plan (hotels, coach travel, top sights) plus that Northern Lights night has a free rebook option if skies disappoint. I especially like how the days are packed with big names without feeling like a sprint, and I also like having a 24-hour hop on, hop off bus to explore Reykjavik at your own pace. One drawback to keep in mind is hotel quality may vary, and at least one prior traveler flagged a noisier, basic room setup.
If you want Iceland’s highlights with minimal “what do we do next?” thinking, this works. You get coach transport between regions, multiple timed stops for the signature waterfalls and geothermal sights, and a couple of built-in breaks where you can move at your own speed.
Now, the group size can be a bit tricky on paper. The tour is described as limited to 15 for a more personal feel, but the activity listing also notes a maximum of 50 travelers. In practice, you should expect something small compared to the biggest coach groups, but I’d still plan for the fact that you are not traveling with just a handful of people.
Key things that make this Iceland week tick

- Northern Lights with a free rebook if you don’t see the aurora on the scheduled night
- Golden Circle essentials in one day, with Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir stops built in
- Snæfellsnes in a long day (10 hours) for black-sand drama, caves, and glacier views
- Blue Lagoon entry included with a proper 2-hour soak window
- Two transfers are included: Keflavík to Reykjavik on arrival, plus return to the airport
- Reykjavik on your time with a 24-hour hop on, hop off bus pass
The classic loop, run a few other ways
- Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater★ 4.8 · 24,485 reviews
- From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour★ 4.8 · 6,009 reviews
- Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater★ 5.0 · 5,631 reviews
What you’re really paying for: coverage, not just sightseeing

At $3,685.94 per person for about 7 days, you are paying for a package that removes most of the “logistics stress.” That matters in Iceland, where road conditions, weather, and distances can turn a self-planned day into a real headache.
Here’s what the price is mainly buying:
- 6 nights of hotel (so you are not hunting for accommodation each day)
- Coach transfers and included tours across multiple regions
- Hotel pickup and drop in Reykjavik
- Two major paid experiences included: the Blue Lagoon and the Northern Lights tour
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it sometimes good value compared to piecing everything together? Often, especially when you account for the hotel nights, the coach routing, and the included attraction tickets.
One practical note: you get breakfast 6 times, but not other meals. So budget some lunches and dinners, and you’ll avoid the classic “we skipped food because the next stop started” problem.
Day 1: Landing in Keflavík, then Reykjavik’s aurora hunt

Your first contact with Iceland starts with an individual coach transfer from Keflavík International Airport to a bus stop near your Reykjavik accommodation. It’s about a 30-minute ride, and you’re handed ideas for exploring Reykjavik on your own once you settle in.
Later that night is the Northern Lights tour, scheduled daily and set for around 3 hours. This is the part of Iceland that can feel magical or frustrating, depending on conditions, so the rules matter:
- You need to dress warmly. Really warmly.
- Sightings are not guaranteed, because aurora hunting depends on weather and cloud cover.
- Return times can shift with road and weather conditions.
- If you do not see lights on this tour, you can re-book again for free.
That free rebooking is one of the strongest reasons to pick this kind of organized trip. It reduces the stress of gambling your one aurora night on luck.
Day 2: Reykjavik your way with a 24-hour hop on, hop off bus

Day 2 is your built-in “get your bearings fast” day, using a 24-hour hop on, hop off bus pass. You can ride as long as you want within the day and hop off at convenient stops whenever something catches your eye, then hop back on later.
This is a smart choice because Reykjavik is small enough to explore, but big enough that it helps to plan your time. Also, it’s one of the rare places where you can combine modern city life with quick access to nature. The bus pass lets you mix both without committing to a strict tour script.
If you like a plan but also like freedom, this is the sweet spot:
- Go at your own pace
- Spend time where you feel drawn in
- Skip what you don’t care about
Day 3: Golden Circle in three big hits (Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir)

The Golden Circle day is built around three stops, each about 30 minutes. It’s short on purpose: you get the highlights without losing the whole day to driving.
1) Geysir geothermal area
This is where you’ll see spouting springs, including Strokkur, noted as the most active geyser. The big value here is timing: geothermal areas look alive, even when you are not sure when the next eruption will happen, and the short time slot keeps the experience focused.
2) Gullfoss Falls
You get the chance to stand close to the waterfall and watch enormous amounts of water drop into a deep gorge. Gullfoss can be loud and misty, so plan for damp conditions even if the air feels fine.
3) Þingvellir National Park
You spend time around Iceland’s historical and geological significance at Þingvellir. This is the stop where the ground feels more “explained.” Iceland’s tectonic story is visible here, and it’s a good change of pace after geothermal heat and waterfall spray.
Potential drawback on this day: it is three major sites with short timed windows. If you are the kind of traveler who wants long, slow wandering, you might feel mildly rushed. If you want the big landmarks and strong variety, it’s an efficient win.
Other nights out chasing the aurora
Day 4: Waterfalls and the south coast stop, Seljalandsfoss to Þórsmörk area views
Day 4 focuses on two famous waterfalls and then a village stop in the south coast region.
1) Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Seljalandsfoss is famous because you can walk behind it. That single detail changes the whole feel. You are not just watching water fall, you are stepping into the scene. The tour recommends bringing a raincoat or waterproof coat, and I agree with that advice. Even with good visibility, mist can get you.
2) Skógafoss waterfall
Skógafoss is another icon, and it’s also the starting point for the Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail toward Þórsmörk. Even if you don’t hike, the waterfall itself is a strong “I am really in Iceland” moment. It’s also mentioned as a filming location for Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which may or may not matter to you, but it does add fun context.
3) Vík village stop
Vík is described as a charming village with a population around 300, surrounded by dramatic bird cliffs. This gives you a quieter, more coastal sense of Iceland after the heavy drama of waterfalls.
Also keep in mind: your tour package includes other south-coast-type stops (like black sand and a glacier lagoon) even if the text you have here doesn’t tie each one to a specific day. I’d treat Day 4 as the “waterfall plus south coast mood” day where those included extras may show up.
Day 5: Snæfellsnes Peninsula for black sand, Kirkjufell views, and glacier wonder

This is your longest day at 10 hours, dedicated to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Think of it as Iceland in miniature: volcanic forms, black beaches, dramatic cliffs, caves, and the visual magnet of Snæfellsjökull glacier.
The tour notes several strong photo-friendly moments and stops:
- Arnarstapi (small fishing village)
- Views of Kirkjufell
- Djúpálónssandur and its dark cliffs plus black sand
- Numerous views of Snæfellsjökull
It also mentions the Jules Verne connection, since Journey to the Centre of the Earth begins at Snæfellsjökull glacier. Even if you are not a book person, it’s a nice way to understand why people have been storytelling about this place for a long time.
What I like about a Snæfellsnes day like this: it gives you variety without the pressure of multiple overnight stops. You get coast, geology, and the feeling of traveling through different “moods” in one day.
Possible drawback: 10 hours is a long day, and you are on a coach. If you get uncomfortable in vehicles, pack something for warmth and motion.
Day 6: Blue Lagoon, 2 hours of heat and silica mask time

Day 6 is the clear relax day. You visit the Blue Lagoon for 2 hours, and the ticket is included.
The Blue Lagoon is described as warm and comfortable, with lava and moss scenery and state-of-the-art facilities. You can also expect silica masks as part of the experience (that’s part of the standard Blue Lagoon setup, and it’s called out in the tour description). Many people treat it like a once-in-a-lifetime Iceland ritual, and the timing here makes sense because you are coming off a long Snæfellsnes day.
A few practical thoughts:
- Bring swimwear you trust and a small towel if you prefer your own.
- Plan to slow down your pace today. You’re soaking, not sightseeing.
Day 7: Back to Keflavík with an airport transfer
Your last day loops back to Keflavík International Airport with an included transfer. It’s about 30 minutes, and the ticket is included.
The goal is simple: land, see Iceland, and then get you home without last-minute shuttle problems.
Hotel and group-size reality check (the part you should not ignore)
Your package includes 6 nights in hotel, plus hotel pickup and drop. In one provided review, the itinerary and service were praised, but there was a complaint about the specific hotel assignment. The traveler said the hotel was one of the FossHotels in the area, and that they were placed in the oldest and cheapest facility, with a bare-bones feel and noise that disrupted sleep.
That doesn’t mean your hotel will be bad. It does mean you should assume there may be variation in room quality and quietness. If sleep is a top priority for you, consider booking this style of tour only if you know you will sleep well even when rooms are not perfect, or if you are comfortable treating the hotel as a base rather than a destination.
Also, watch the group size mismatch mentioned earlier. The tour is marketed as limited to 15 for a more personalized feel, and the overall maximum in the activity details is up to 50. I’d expect something closer to a small-group experience than a massive crowd, but still, you might not have private space at every stop.
Who this tour suits best
This trip is a strong fit if you:
- Want Iceland’s most famous sights without driving yourself
- Like a mix of scheduled stops and some free time in Reykjavik
- Plan around weather realities, especially for Northern Lights
It might not be ideal if you:
- Want long unstructured time at each site
- Are extremely sensitive to hotel location or room noise
- Prefer total control over daily timing instead of coach schedules
Should you book this Iceland week?
If your top goal is to hit Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes, and the Blue Lagoon in one efficient 7-day stretch, I think it’s a solid pick. The Northern Lights approach is reassuring because it includes a free rebooking option if you miss the lights. And the Reykjavik bus day gives you a chance to breathe and explore without committing to another guided schedule.
I would book with eyes open about two things: the hotel assignment can vary, and the group-size details aren’t perfectly consistent on paper. If you can live with that, you’ll likely love the structure, the included experiences, and the overall value of having so much handled for you in a country where weather can throw curveballs.
If you want, tell me your travel month. I can suggest how to time your Reykjavik day, what to prioritize for aurora chances, and how to pack for the mix of day trips and the late-night cold.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour is approximately 7 days.
What is included with the price?
The package includes 6 nights in hotel, all sightseeing and transfers by coach, hotel pickup and drop, the Northern Lights tour, the Blue Lagoon, and the Golden Circle plus various listed sights. It also includes breakfast (6).
Are flights included?
No. Flights are not included.
Do you get airport transfers?
Yes. You get a transfer from Keflavík Airport to near your Reykjavik accommodation on arrival, and an airport transfer back on the final day.
What Reykjavik activity is included?
You get a Reykjavik hop on, hop off bus tour that is valid for 24 hours.
Is the Golden Circle included?
Yes. The Golden Circle tour includes Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Geysir.
Is Blue Lagoon admission included?
Yes. Blue Lagoon admission is included, with a 2-hour visit.
What happens if you don’t see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights tour depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see any lights on that tour, you can re-book again for free.
What is the group size?
The tour is described as a small-group experience limited to 15, and the activity details also list a maximum of 50 travelers.
What food is included?
Breakfast is included 6 times. Other meals are not listed as included.
Can you cancel for free?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.
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