Planning a vacation to Iceland can be overwhelming for many reasons. As someone who’s visited more than 10 times over the past eight years, I know it’s impossible to get your fill of this country’s magic in a single trip. My advice? Dig into a smaller part of the island. While iconic road trips like the Ring Road, Golden Circle, and Arctic Coast Way lead you to incredible views, breathtaking waterfalls, and cozy villages, my favorite part of Iceland is a special stretch between Reykjavik and the Myvatn region. Here, you’ll find a wonderland of quirky communities and staggering sights, from jagged cliffs and mysterious pseudocraters to more lighthouses than you can count. To maximize your trip to the northern coast, set aside a week’s worth of PTO (bookended by weekends). Then, follow my below itinerary for the best nine-day vacation in Iceland.

Day 1: Keflavik + Reykjavik

You’ll probably land at Keflavik International Airport, located 45 minutes from Reykjavik, in the early morning hours, meaning it’s unlikely you’ll be able to check into your hotel upon arrival. Instead, pick up your rental car (it’ll be necessary for your nine-day journey) and drive straight from the airport to the Blue Lagoon. This iconic hot spring began as a psoriasis treatment center and has since become one of the country’s most-visited destinations for its healing waters and jaw-dropping views. It opens at 8 a.m., so reserve a spot for shortly after your flight lands and relax into the afternoon. From there, make your way to Reykjavik, where there is no shortage of hotels. The Ion City Hotel offers a chic stay, while the budget-friendly Kex has group rooms. Once you’re settled in, take your first day slow—you’ve got a lot of driving ahead of you. Head to Rök for dinner and enjoy Icelandic dishes made with local ingredients. End the night with drinks at Tiu Sopar, a wine bar that often hosts live music, or Einstock Bar for brews made in Northern Iceland.

Day 2: Hvammstangi

Get up early for the three-hour drive to your next destination: Hvammstangi. Grab some coffee from Reykjavik Roasters, take a quick walk to Braud & Co. for one of the world’s best cinnamon rolls, and hit the road. Your first stop on the drive is Snorralaug in Reykholt, about 90 minutes north of Reykjavik. Once the home of Snorri Sturlusson, Iceland’s most well-known poet, it’s now a small museum dedicated to his life and work. Get back in the car for the final 90 minutes to Hvammstangi. The drive is stunning, winding its way through some of Iceland’s dramatic mountainous region. Cap it off with dinner at Sjávarborg Restaurant, which has an incredible view of the bay, then check into the Hvammstangi Cottages above town.

Day 3: Akureyri

Your third day of travel will end in Akureyri, the second-largest city in Iceland. Make the 2.5-hour drive in the morning so you can arrive before lunch, which you should eat at Lyst, a cafe with great tapas and soup at the entrance to the Akureyri Botanical Gardens. Explore the gardens afterward, then grab your swimsuit and head to Forest Lagoon, located right outside of town. The hot spring features a giant pool, sauna, and cold plunge among a small forest (trees are not something you often see in Iceland). There’s a cafe on site if you’re looking for a snack, and swim-up bars for mid-soak cocktails, beer, and wine. When you’re ready to face the crowded sidewalks of Akureyri, walk through the downtown area and take in the architecture of Akureyri Church. Pay a visit to Sjoppan Design Shop, which claims to be the smallest design shop in the world (and they may be right—it’s the size of a large closet), then grab a drink at the Einstöck Brewer’s Lounge before a sushi dinner at Rub 23. There are tons of hotel options in the city—try Hotel Kea or Hotel Akureyri for cozy interiors and amenities like impressive breakfast spreads and Northern Lights wake-up calls.

Day 4: Akureyri + Husavik

Have breakfast at Cafe Berlin before saying goodbye to Akureyri and getting on the road to your next stop: the Laufás Museum. Focused on the past, the open-air museum highlights the turf homes and lifestyle of some of Iceland’s first settlers. From there, it’s a one-hour drive to Husavik. Whether you visit during whale-spotting season (check out the tours from North Sailing) or not, don’t miss a trip to the Husavik Whale Museum, which touches on the town’s history as well as its efforts to protect these incredible animals. Afterward, take a hike up nearby Husavik Mountain—a path lined with arctic lupine and expansive views—or skip the trek for drinks at the Eurovision-themed Ja Ja Ding Dong. Stay for a pizza dinner, or walk over to Gamli Baukur for some catch of the day. Before settling into your hotel for the night—I recommend Fosshotel Husavik, a 2022 Columbus Travel Usa Choice Award winner—pay a visit to Geosea, a hot spring nestled next to a bright-orange, Wes Anderson–esque lighthouse on the edge of town.

Day 5: Myvatn Region

Husavik is located near the Myvatn region—one of the most diverse landscapes in Iceland with everything from waterfalls and craters to basalt columns, hot springs, and more. You could spend several days here without even scratching the surface, but must-dos include wandering around the looming lava formations of Dimmuborgir and hiking the Hverfjall volcanic crater. (If you choose the latter, note that the harder path is a vertical scramble and you’ll need hiking boots.) You might also want to explore Hverir, a highly geothermal area with golden-hued dirt, boiling pits of mud, and sulfur-scented piles of rocks bursting with steam. From there, head to the glacial canyon and forest of Ásbyrgi, stopping for a sweet treat at Skútaís Ice Cream if you’re visiting during the summer. No matter how you spend your day, wind down at Myvatn Nature Baths, a popular spot for soaking with multiple pools and a sauna. Book a room at Fosshotel Myvatn, which is centrally located to all of the Myvatn region’s best sites.

Day 6: Siglufjordur

After a day spent in Iceland’s glorious outdoors, readjust to city life with a stay in Siglufjordur. About two hours from Husavik and only accessible by tunnel, it’s one of the most beautiful waterside communities in the country. Visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum, which offers a history lesson on Siglufjordur’s role as one of the most active herring manufacturers in the world, and the Folk Music Center for more insight into Icelandic culture. Break up your museum visits with something sweet from Fríða chocolate shop, which doubles as an art space. For dinner, go to Torgid for pizza or Siglunes Restaurant, a 2022 Columbus Travel Usa Choice award winner specializing in Moroccan fare. Spend the night at Siglo Hotel—the water views are best enjoyed from the property’s hot tub.