Iceland Fire and Ice: A Craft Beer Saga

Description

August 19 – 30, 2026

Trip Price (Land-only, Based on double occupancy)
$7,795 per person | Single Room add extra $1,195
International airfare not included.

11 days in magical, glorious, volcanic, glaciated Iceland. Waterfalls, lava fields, northern lights, unbelievable scenery, friendly folks and great craft beer await on this BeerTrip around the island.

Siglufjörður | Akureyri | Húsavík | Mývatn | Bakkagerði | Egilsstaðir | Breiðdalsvík | Höfn | Vík | Reykjavík

“Any tour operator that includes dinners and beer in Iceland must be crazy.” — Loki, Founder of Iceland
Apparently, we are crazy. And this trip includes… almost every Icelandic thing.

Beer, Food, History & Local Flavor — Around Iceland’s Ring Road

Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, forming the geologic “border” between the European and North American plates. Among its vast, ever-changing landscapes you’ll find waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches, fjords, cliffs, steaming vents — and an impressive network of small, creative craft breweries.

Traveling from brewery to brewery, we follow much of the famous Ring Road and, just as importantly, detour off it into small enclaves, quiet villages, secluded fjords and an authentic version of Icelandic life. From Siglufjörður at nearly 67° North to the southernmost town of Vík, from the east fjords to the Golden Circle and Reykjavík, this is Iceland seen through the lens of beer, food, and wild nature.

Why We’re BeerTripping Here

For such a small country, Iceland has an outrageous amount of scenery and an equally surprising number of excellent breweries. They tend to be exactly where we want to be: at the ends of fjords, in fishing villages, near hot springs, at the edge of glaciers. That makes for a perfect BeerTrip: a logical route, spectacular drives, cozy hotels and truly local craft beers.

This itinerary strings together whale watching, waterfalls, thermal baths, glacier lagoons, glacier walking, Icelandic horses, black sand beaches, the Golden Circle and Reykjavík’s urban culture — with brewery visits and beer-paired meals woven throughout. It’s a grand loop designed so that each day feels like a highlight reel… with a good beer at the end of it.

Trip Snapshot

• Duration: 11 days / 10 nights in Iceland (plus overnight flight)
• Group Size: Maximum 12 travelers
• Travel Style: Small-group, brewery-focused scenic adventure
• Start / End: Starts in Akureyri, ends in Reykjavík
• Transport: Private driver–guide with 21–30 seat, Iceland-equipped vehicle
• Overnight Stays: Siglufjörður (1) • Akureyri (2) • Mývatn (1) • Bakkagerði (1) • Breiðdalsvík (1) • Höfn (1) • Vík (1) • Reykjavík (2)
• Physical Level: Easy to moderate walking; some uneven ground, optional glacier hike and short horseback ride

Beer Highlights & Brewery Visits*

• Segull 67 – Siglufjörður: Modern craft brewery in a former fish processing plant, perched near the Arctic Circle.
• Bruggsmiðjan Kaldi Brewery – Árskógssandur: One of Iceland’s original craft breweries.
• Húsavík Öl – Húsavík: Whale-watching port with its own small brewery.
• Mývatn Öl – Mývatn: House beers at our lakeside hotel and brewery near the geothermal baths.
• KHB & Landi Distillery – Bakkagerði: Tiny brewery and distillery on the quiet east coast, where “Landi” is still made.
• Austri Brugghús – Egilsstaðir: East Iceland brewery with a local taproom.
• Beljandi Brewery – Breiðdalsvík: Local beers in a small fjord community with big scenery.
• Jon Riki – near Höfn: Craft brews and food on the south coast.
• Smiðjan Brugghús – Vík: Small-town brewery in Iceland’s southernmost settlement.
• Plus many more taps and brewpubs in Reykjavík.

Wine & Spirits Highlights

• Landi and other distilled specialties at KHB in Bakkagerði.
• Opportunities to taste local spirits and aquavit-style schnapps along the route.
• Well-stocked bars in Reykjavík pouring Icelandic and imported spirits.

Included Tours

• Brewery-to-brewery Ring Road BeerTripping on the private Beer Bus — Highway 1 and beyond.
• Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður.
• City tour in Akureyri with a local guide.
• Whale watching excursion in Húsavík.
• Mývatn thermal baths visit.
• Icelandic horse experience near Mývatn.
• Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon cruise.
• Fjallsárlón glacier hike.
• Super Jeep transfer as part of the glacier experience.
• Guided pub walk / orientation tour in Reykjavík.

Other Iceland Highlights

• Goðafoss waterfall.
• Lake Mývatn and the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters.
• Dimmuborgir lava formations.
• Dettifoss waterfall (weather and road conditions permitting).
• Skaftafell Nature Reserve (seen en route in the south).
• Vatnajökull Glacier and associated glacial lagoons.
• Diamond Beach.
• Reynisfjara black sand beach.
• Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.
• Þingvellir National Park.
• Geysir and Strokkur.
• Gullfoss waterfall.
• Aurora Borealis — late August gives us a chance if conditions allow.

Included Meals

10 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches with Beer | 6 Dinners with Beer

Daily Itinerary*

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Day 1 – Wednesday, August 19, 2026 — Fly to Akureyri, Iceland

Fly to Iceland via Keflavík International Airport, then onward to Akureyri via Reykjavík Domestic Airport. Most travelers will route through Reykjavík on Icelandair or a similar carrier.

Overnight: Plane
Meals: –

Arriving in Akureyri
Flights to Akureyri originate from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, about a 45-minute transfer from Keflavík International Airport. You may wish to consider an early night in Reykjavík or Akureyri before the group start time. The trip officially begins at Akureyri Airport on Thursday, August 20, at midday.

Day 2 – Thursday, August 20, 2026 — To Siglufjörður & Segull 67 Brewery (D)

Land in Akureyri, Iceland’s “Northern Capital.” Meet your fellow travelers and our local driver–guide at the airport, load the Beer Bus and head north along Iceland’s longest fjord. The road traverses hills, follows the coast and dips through a series of impressive tunnels before reaching Iceland’s northernmost town, Siglufjörður.

At nearly 67° North, we’re just a short hop from the Arctic Circle. Check in to our hotel on the edge of the world, then walk over to Segull 67 Brewery, set in a converted fish processing plant. A tour and tasting here sets the tone for the trip, followed by an “almost-Arctic” beer dinner near the hotel. If we’re lucky, the northern sky may already be putting on a show.

Overnight: Siglufjörður
Meals: D

Day 3 – Friday, August 21, 2026 — Herring Museum, Kaldi Brewery & To Akureyri (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast with harbor views and take in the isolated beauty of this historic town. Visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum to learn how “silver of the sea” once drove the local economy; smaller museums cover folklore, music and poetry.

We then return along the fjord toward Akureyri, stopping at a superb roadside café with fresh-baked goods and excellent fish soup for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Bruggsmiðjan Kaldi Brewery, Iceland’s original craft brewery, for a tour, tasting and the story of how it all began.

Continue to Akureyri for a weekend in the northern capital. Bars, music venues, cultural attractions and restaurants await. Akureyri’s town center is filled with traditional wooden houses; Hafnarstræti leads to Ráðhústorg square, cafés and shops, while the harbor area centers on Hof Cultural and Conference Center.

Overnight: Akureyri
Meals: B, L

Day 4 – Saturday, August 22, 2026 — Akureyri Walking Tour & Free Evening (B)

After breakfast we meet a local guide for a walking tour around Akureyri. Learn local history, discover out-of-the-way spots and gather ideas for the rest of your day.

The afternoon and evening are free: museums, cafés, harbor walks, botanic gardens, or simply a slow pub crawl through town. Plans will emerge, no doubt.

Overnight: Akureyri
Meals: B

Day 5 – Sunday, August 23, 2026 — Goðafoss, Húsavík Whales & Mývatn Thermal Springs (B, D)

Today is a classic Iceland day. After breakfast we load the Beer Bus and head first to Goðafoss, a stunning horseshoe-shaped cascade said (perhaps apocryphally) to have received idols of the old Norse gods when Iceland adopted Christianity. In good light, it’s a photographer’s dream.

From there we continue to Húsavík, Iceland’s whale-watching capital and one of the country’s oldest settlements. Board a whale-watching boat for a chance to see humpbacks, minkes and other marine life, then enjoy lunch (on your own) in town before a visit and tasting at Húsavík Öl brewery.

Later we drive to the geologically rich Lake Mývatn area. This evening includes a soak in the Mývatn thermal baths and a beer-paired dinner at our hotel, which also houses a small brewery. House beers, hot water and, with luck, a northern lights display round out the night.

Overnight: Mývatn
Meals: B, D

Day 6 – Monday, August 24, 2026 — Icelandic Horses, Dimmuborgir, Dettifoss & To Bakkagerði (B, D)

After breakfast we meet Iceland’s famous small but mighty horses. A gentle ride — perhaps with a glimpse of their unique tölt gait — takes us through a landscape shaped by lava and time. No riding experience required; this is about scenery, not speed.

We then visit Dimmuborgir (“dark castles”), a fantastical lava field of pillars and arches, and — weather and road conditions permitting — drive and hike to Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, in Vatnajökull National Park.

From here we turn east toward the quieter side of Iceland, ending in Bakkagerði on the far eastern edge. Our hotel, its fine restaurant and KHB Brewery & Distillery await. This is likely the only place in Iceland where Landi is still being distilled commercially. Dinner, drinks and (perhaps) the northern lights tonight.

Overnight: Bakkagerði
Meals: B, D

Day 7 – Tuesday, August 25, 2026 — East Iceland to Breiðdalsvík via Egilsstaðir (B, L, D)

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Bakkagerði to walk, take photos or simply look out at the coast. Mid-morning we travel to Egilsstaðir, East Iceland’s regional hub, for a stroll around town and lunch at the local brewery tap.

In the afternoon we follow the Ring Road south toward Breiðdalsvík, a thoughtful little community offering food, lodging, libations and hospitality while keeping things local. Our hotel, restaurant and brewery here make a perfect base to enjoy the surrounding fjord scenery.

Overnight: Breiðdalsvík
Meals: B, L, D

Day 8 – Wednesday, August 26, 2026 — Scenic Eastfjords Drive to Höfn (B)

Today we “turn the corner” around the southeast of Iceland and begin our slow trek toward Reykjavík. The drive along the eastfjords features one stunning coastal and mountain view after another, with stops to stretch our legs and take photos.

We arrive in Höfn, a fishing town known for its views of Vatnajökull and its seafood. The afternoon and evening are free to explore, find a local bar and enjoy dinner at one of Höfn’s renowned restaurants.

Overnight: Höfn
Meals: B

Day 9 – Thursday, August 27, 2026 — Diamond Beach, Glacial Lagoon & To Vík (B, D)

Another epic south-coast day. After breakfast we head to the famed Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon wash up on black sand, glittering like gemstones. Then we continue to the quieter Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon for a boat cruise among icebergs, a glacier walk and a Super Jeep ride back down the hill.

After our glacial adventures we drive southwest along the coast toward Vík, Iceland’s southernmost town. A local brewery (such as Smiðjan Brugghús) and a cozy dinner round out the day.

Overnight: Vík
Meals: B, D

Day 10 – Friday, August 28, 2026 — Waterfalls, Golden Circle & Reykjavík (B, L)

We leave Vík early, with stops at two iconic waterfalls: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, each photogenic in its own way. Then we join the famed Golden Circle route: Þingvellir National Park, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge surfaces and where Iceland’s parliament first met; the geothermal area around Geysir and Strokkur; and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall.

Yes, it can be busy — but these places are busy for a reason, and we make sure you have good views and time for photos. By evening we land in central Reykjavík, check into our hotel and regroup to meet a local guide for a walking / pub-style orientation of the city, including at least one brewpub visit.

Overnight: Reykjavík
Meals: B, L

Day 11 – Saturday, August 29, 2026 — Free Day in Reykjavík & Farewell Beer Dinner (B, D)

Reykjavík — “Bay of Smoke” — is a big little city (or a little big city), with plenty to do: museums, galleries, design shops, street art, harbor walks, geothermal pools, neighborhood bars and brewpubs.

Enjoy a free day to follow your interests, then gather in the evening for a final Icelandic beer dinner to celebrate our loop around the island. Saturday night in Reykjavík can be lively… who knows where the evening might end.

Overnight: Reykjavík
Meals: B, D

Day 12 – Sunday, August 30, 2026 — Departure Day (B)

Breakfast at the hotel is the final official event of the tour. The trip ends today, or you can extend your stay in Reykjavík or elsewhere in Iceland. Airport transfer options to Keflavík International Airport are straightforward; details will be available at the hotel.

Meals: B

Where We Stay

• Siglufjörður (1 night): Almost-Arctic harbor town at the end of a dramatic fjord.
• Akureyri (2 nights): Northern capital with walkable streets, cafés, pubs and culture.
• Mývatn (1 night): Lakeside setting near hot springs, lava fields and local beer.
• Bakkagerði (1 night): Quiet east-coast village with its own brewery and distillery.
• Breiðdalsvík (1 night): Small fjord community with a local brewery and beautiful coastline.
• Höfn (1 night): Fishing town with views toward Vatnajökull and excellent seafood.
• Vík (1 night): Southernmost town in Iceland, close to black sand beaches and sea stacks.
• Reykjavík (2 nights): Iceland’s capital, full of food, culture and beer.

Exact hotel names and details will be provided in your Final Trip Documents.

Cities & Regions

North Iceland — Siglufjörður & Akureyri

Siglufjörður is a former herring capital turned charming end-of-the-road town, and Akureyri is a lively regional hub tucked deep into a fjord. Together they give a great taste of life in the north — harbors, hills, culture and beer.

Lake Mývatn & Húsavík

The Mývatn region is geothermal, otherworldly and full of stories: pseudocraters, lava formations, hot springs and more. Húsavík adds whales, colorful houses and a small harbor town’s pace.

East Iceland — Bakkagerði, Egilsstaðir & Breiðdalsvík

East Iceland feels quieter and more remote: fishing villages, fjords, bird cliffs and a slower heartbeat. It’s a place where local breweries and distilleries feel especially connected to their surroundings.

South Coast — Höfn & Vík

The south coast is glacier and black sand country. Höfn looks toward Vatnajökull and its outlet glaciers; Vík sits near sea stacks, black beaches and waterfalls. Both remind you just how young and dynamic Iceland’s landscape is.

Reykjavík & The Golden Circle

Reykjavík is Iceland’s cultural, culinary and brewing center, while the nearby Golden Circle showcases classic sights: Þingvellir’s rift valley, erupting geysers and Gullfoss waterfall.

Travel Routes, Roads & Beer Connections

We travel in a private, Iceland-equipped coach with a professional driver–guide, making a counterclockwise loop from Akureyri around the north and east to the south coast and finally Reykjavík. Much of the route follows Highway 1 (the Ring Road), but many of the best experiences are found on the side roads leading to small towns, harbors and breweries.

Driving days are designed to be scenic rather than punishing, with regular stops for photos, short walks and food. Brewery visits are spaced so that tastings come at logical times and never interfere with safety.

Practical Notes

Group Size & Pace

This trip is capped at 12 travelers. Days combine coach time, short walks, outdoor activities, brewery visits and free time. Some days are fuller than others, but we’ve built in breathing room for a soak, a stroll or an extra beer.

What’s Included

• 10 nights of accommodation in carefully chosen hotels/guesthouses.
• Private Iceland-equipped coach with professional driver–guide for the main itinerary.
• Brewery and distillery visits and tastings as described.
• Included excursions: whale watching, glacier lagoon cruise, glacier hike, horse experience, thermal baths and more as noted.
• Guided city / pub walks in Akureyri and Reykjavík.
• 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches with beer, 6 dinners with beer.
• BeerTrips trip leader throughout.
• All local taxes on included services.

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to Iceland.
• Flights between Keflavík / Reykjavík and Akureyri (we will advise best options).
• Travel insurance.
• Meals not listed as included.
• Drinks beyond tastings and specified inclusions.
• Personal expenses, optional activities and tips.

Breweries, Glaciers & Mobility

Iceland is rugged. Expect uneven ground, stairs, gravel paths, damp surfaces, and some short but steep sections on viewpoints and trails. Brewery and distillery visits may involve standing for tastings and walking through production areas. The optional glacier hike requires sure-footedness and the ability to follow a guide on icy terrain (with crampons and gear provided).

Travelers should be comfortable walking several miles over the course of a day at a relaxed pace. If you have questions about mobility or whether this itinerary is a good fit, please contact us — we’re happy to talk it through.

You May Also Like

• Scotland: Distilleries & Breweries of the Highlands & Islands
• Ireland: Beer, Music & Culture on the Wild Atlantic Way
• Great Beers of Belgium: Flanders, Festivals & Abbey Ales
• Prague, Bamberg & Oktoberfest: Lager Legends of Central Europe

About BeerTrips

For more than 25 years, BeerTrips has crafted small-group cultural adventures woven through beer, food and history. We travel deeply, laugh often and savor every local flavor — from brewery cellars to family tables, from tiny villages to iconic cities.

*Final brewery and activity lineup and exact timing are subject to confirmation and availability. When substitutions are necessary, they will be at least as good as what they replace.