Self-Drive Classic Iceland

Fly to Iceland and collect your rental car on arrival at Keflavik International Airport. Dive into the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon before heading south to your first accommodation. A visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa could be a good start to your stay in Iceland. Guests renew their relationship with nature, soak up the scenic beauty, and enjoy breathing the clean, fresh air while relaxing in the warm geothermal seawater. Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked ahead of time, and entrance is not included in this offer.

On the roundtrip in Iceland, you will also find other geothermal pools to visit. First night either in Reykjavik or nearby in the south of Iceland.

Drive to the World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland's original parliament was established. Enjoy stunning views of the clear waters of Lake Thingvallavatn. Next, visit the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and the famous Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts regularly, along with numerous other bubbling hot springs. While in the Geysir area, consider stopping at the Efstidalur farm, which features a lovely restaurant and an ice cream shop.

Not far from the Geysir area, you'll find the natural geothermal pool, Secret Lagoon. This pool has been enjoyed by locals for swimming for over 100 years. Here, you can savor a delicious dinner or sample some homemade ice cream. Accommodation is available in the area.

From the foot of Hekla volcano, it is well worth taking a trip to the valley of the Thjorsa River. The earliest settlers in Iceland chose this valley. There you can visit the Viking farm Stong, which is a reconstruction of the farm as it was 1000 years ago. The original farm was destroyed by a major volcanic eruption in the year 1104. Many scenes from the TV series Games of Thrones were taken in Thjorsardalur Valley.

On the route to Vik, the southernmost town in Iceland make sure you stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss. These are two of Iceland's loveliest waterfalls. You can walk to the back of Seljalandsfoss. On the way, to Vik, you will pass Eyjafjallajokull glacier and the area evacuated in the large volcano eruption in 2010.

At Vik, you will find Reynisfjara, Reynisdrangar and Dyrholaey. Reynisfjara is a black lava beach that has amazing basalt rock formations. Outside the sea, you can see the basalt-shaped pillars 

Right next to the Ring Road is the Skaftafell National Park. The mountains are reminiscent of the Alps and have been formed by volcanoes, glaciers, and water. Skaftafell is an area where you can spend a whole day. Go up to the glacier or just for a short trip to Svartifoss waterfall, one of the most popular attractions in the park. Svartifoss is a unique natural gem framed in black lava columns.

Nearby is Europe‘s biggest glacier, Vatnajokull, and the extraordinary Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Without a doubt, these are the highlights of the day. You can join a tour by boat on the lagoon or maybe a kayak tour. Make sure to visit Diamond beach, just by the Glacier Lagoon. Here you will find icebergs from the lagoon that have drifted ashore and created the most magical setting. White melting icebergs on a black beach.

If time allows you, can also take a tour to the coast outside Hofn, and enjoy the views of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes peninsula. Accommodation in the Hofn/Jokulsarlon area.

From the fishing village Hofn you head off through the long valleys of the Eastern Fjords. Geologically this is the oldest part of Iceland. An area of fjords, steep mountains, majestic mountain peaks, rich bird life, and ancient memories. In Djupavogur you will find "Eggene I Gledivik", a stone sculpture consisting of 34 large stone eggs set up by the seaside.

There is the possibility of a boat trip from Djupavogur to the island of Papey, which has a rich birdlife. The boat trip is about 4 hours and runs around 13:00 hours. You can stop at the Stone Museum of Petra in Stodvarfjordur, which is a private collection of Icelandic minerals. Continue on the road to Egilsstadir.

If there is time, then take the road towards Eskifjordur, which some consider the most beautiful fjord in Iceland, with old red wooden houses situated on the seafront. A potential evening hiking tour could be up to the waterfall Hengifoss by Hallormsstadur. Accommodation in the area of Egilsstadir.

From Egilsstadir you drive through the uninhabited and desert-like areas of the Modrudalsoraefi to visit the attractions in the northeast. Explore the area around Lake Myvatn. This is an active volcanic zone with pseudo-craters, sulfuric springs, and bizarre lava formations, as well as lush green, fertile plains. This region is also home to a wonderful variety of birdlife.

A couple of highlights by Myvatn are the lava “town” of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area Namaskard. End your day with a bath in the Blue Lagoon of the north, Mývatn Nature Baths.  Accommodation by Myvatn or Akureyri area for 2 nights.

Drive the Diamond Circle route to pass through the truly impressive landscape of the north. Continue your journey around the dramatic Tjornes Peninsula to Husavik, Asbyrgi, and Jokulsa Canyon and on to Europe’s most powerful waterfall Dettifoss. With a width of 100 meters and a drop of 45 meters, it is a spectacular sight and you can feel the earth shake when you stand by the fall.

Asbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped valley with nice hiking opportunities, as well as a beautiful little lake in the middle of the valley.

Take a trip to the fishing village of Husavik, where you can join a whale-watching excursion. Husavik is known for being Europe's whale capital, and there is a great chance to see whales if you participate in whale watching. The trip out with the beautiful wooden boats gives you a wonderful experience at the sea overlooking the majestic north coast of Iceland.

Visit Godafoss, the impressive “Waterfall of the Gods” is on the route to Akureyri, the largest town in the north.

Drive the ring road toward the west. The Skagafjordur area features a number of intriguing sights. This region is particularly famous for breeding world-renowned Icelandic horses. Nearby is Saudakrokur and the fascinating folk museum at Glaumbaer. 

There are possibilities for horseback riding on Iceland horses, hiking tours and if you want more excitement, there is river rafting. In Vididalur near Hvammstangi, you will find the beautiful Kolugljufur Canyon with its stunning waterfall Kolufossar. In this area, you will also find the amazing cliff of Hvitserkur. Continue west to the Borgarfjordur district, where you spend the night.

Start your day with a drive to Reykholt, the home of Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic author and poet who lived there in the 1200s. He is best known for writing "Heimskringla," a collection of Norse Kings' sagas. 

Nearby Reykholt, you'll find Husafell, where you can join a tour to explore Langjökull glacier and a man-made ice cave within it. Close to Husafell, you can also visit the stunning Barnafossar and Hraunfossar waterfalls. 

On your way to Borgarnes, consider stopping at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s largest hot spring, which produces 40 galons of boiling water per second! The steam rising from this geothermal wonder reveals the Earth’s inner forces. You can also find Krauma Spa located near Deildartunguhver.

In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city in Europe. Take your time exploring the city, where you'll find numerous shops, cafes, and museums. A leisurely stroll through the city center allows you to enjoy the charming atmosphere and unique architecture. From Hallgrimskirkja Church in the city center, you can take in panoramic views of the city from the tower. 

Your journey will conclude with your accommodation in Reykjavik.

Spend the day as you wish, depending on your return flight. Drop off your rental car at Keflavik Airport.