Self-Drive Comfortable Road Trip

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. On the roundtrip in Iceland, you will also find other geothermal pools to visit. First night in Reykjavik.

*Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked ahead of time, and entrance is not included in this offer.

Experience a delightful day in the charming city of Reykjavik. This vibrant destination offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars, ensuring you won't find yourself bored. Icelanders have a keen sense of fashion, so if you enjoy shopping, you'll appreciate the diverse selection of shops in the old town area.

Reykjavik also boasts several warm swimming pools suitable for both adults and children. In addition, the city features a good number of museums and activities to explore and enjoy.

Today the journey starts with a drive north. If you enjoy a good hike, there is a 4-hour hiking path in the deep end of Hvalfjordur. The trail takes you to the fantastic Glymur waterfall, which has an incredible drop of 198 meters. Do not forget sturdy shoes if you take the hike and you may have to cross a small river on the way.

Stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe's largest geometric hot water source. It produces 150 liters of boiling water per second! The steaming water testifies to the inner forces of the earth. You will find Krauma Spa by Deildartunguhver.

Visit Reykholt, the place of Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic author and poet who lived in Reykholt in the 1200s. He is most famous as a writer of Heimskringla, Norse Kings Sagas. Nearby Reykholt, you will find Husafell. Here you have the opportunity to join a tour of Langjokull glacier and into a manmade cave on the glacier. Just by Husafell, you will also find the beautiful waterfalls Barnafossar and Hraunfossar. Accommodation in the Borgarfjordur area.

From Borgarfjordur we drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula, which has some of the country's most famous natural and historical landmarks. Ever since the Viking era, the robust lava landscape at Snaefellsnes has inspired stories of supernatural, mystery, and magic. Some believe that there are "forces" in the Snaefellsjokull glacier and claim that the area is one of the seven largest energy centers on earth.

Some of the highlights of the 90 km peninsula are the beautiful yellow sandy beaches, the glacier Snaefellsjokull, and green mountain areas. Make sure you stop at Hellnar with the small café by the old farm, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur, Budir, and the black pebble beach in Dritvik. Visit the cave Vatnshellir and by Grundarfjordur, you will find the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell.

Continuing across the Laxardalsheidi highland plateau, you arrive at the Skagafjordur region in the northwest of Iceland. This area is known for its intriguing sights and is particularly famous for breeding world-renowned Icelandic horses. 

Nearby, you can visit Saudarkrokur and the fascinating folk museum at Glaumbaer. The region offers various activities, including horseback riding on Icelandic horses, hiking tours, and, for those seeking more excitement, river rafting.

In Vididalur, near Hvammstangi, you will find the beautiful Kolugljufur Canyon, which features the stunning waterfall Kolufossar. In this area, you can also see the impressive cliff Hvithitserkur on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Vatnsnes is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the largest and most accessible seal sanctuary in Iceland, where you can observe common seals (Phoca vitulina) up close.

The ring road (711) around Vatnsnes is approximately 56 miles long and is mostly a dirt road. After exploring, you will drive to the Akureyri area, where you will have a stop for three nights.

In Siglufjordur, you will find the Sildarminjasafnid Herring Museum, the largest marine and industrial museum in Europe. It is housed in three distinct premises, allowing visitors to learn about the pursuit of the "silver darlings" and the processing of this valuable commodity. By the harbor, there are several nice restaurants to enjoy.

Siglufjordur was also the setting for the popular Icelandic crime TV show "Trapped," which gained a significant following throughout Europe. In the nearby village of Arskogssandur, you can visit the only Beer Spa in Iceland, located next to Kaldi Brewery, the oldest microbrewery in the country. There is also a small, beautiful restaurant in the area for guests to savor.

Additionally, tours to the Beer Spa are available by bus from Akureyri. The town of Akureyri is situated on a stunning fjord and is known for its relaxed atmosphere and charming botanical gardens - a rare sight indeed in this land of volcanoes. Akureyri is the second-largest town in Iceland.

Drive the Diamond Circle route to pass through the truly impressive landscape of the north. Explore the area around Lake Myvatn. This is a lovely and intriguing area of pseudo-craters, steaming fissures, lush green plains, and amazingly varied birdlife.

A couple of highlights by Myvatn are the lava “town” of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area of Namaskard. Continue your journey around the dramatic Tjornes Peninsula to Husavik, Asbyrgi, and Jokuls Canyon and on to Europe’s most powerful waterfall Dettifoss. With a width of 328 feet and a drop of 148 feet, 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” on the route to Akureyri.

You can start your day in Akureyri before heading to the Blue Lagoon of the North and the nature baths at Myvatn. From Myvatn, you will drive through the uninhabited and desert-like regions of the Modrudalur valley to explore the attractions in the East. Your next accommodation will be near Egilsstadir.

While in the Egilsstadir area, be sure to visit Hallormsstadur National Forest, which is approximately 15 miles inland from the town. It is one of the largest forests in Iceland, spanning 740 hectares, and is home to the only village in Iceland situated within a forest. The area features over 25 miles of marked trails and footpaths for exploration.

As you travel from Egilsstadir to Hallormsstadur, you'll encounter Lake Lagarfljot, which stretches 15 miles in length. Keep an eye out for the Icelandic Loch Ness Monster, locally known as Lagarfljotsormurinn. The first documented sighting of this creature dates back to 1345, and reports have continued ever since. In 2012, a video was uploaded online claiming to show the monster swimming in the lake.

One of the most popular hiking destinations in the area is Hallormsstadur. A scenic hike will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes to reach the stunning waterfall, Hengifoss, which stands 420 feet tall and is surrounded by striking basaltic formations.

Enjoy your day in the Egilsstadir area! You can take a scenic drive to the Borgarfjordur Eystri area, located about 43 miles from Egilsstadir, which is known for its stunning natural beauty. Borgarfjordur Eystri is famous for the excellent hiking trails called "Víknaslodir" that lead to deserted fjords and coves. This area has become a hiker's paradise, with locals marking numerous trails, providing comfortable hiking huts, and offering an informative hiking map. The marked trails vary in length, ranging from one hour to a full day of hiking.

You can hike up to the hill "Alfaborg," where it is said that the queen of the Icelandic elves resides with her court. Additionally, make sure to visit the fjord Eskifjordur, which many consider to be the most beautiful fjord in Iceland, featuring charming old red wooden houses along the seafront.

From Egilsstadir/Hallormsstadur, you will journey through the long valleys of the Eastern Fjords, which is the oldest geological region of Iceland. This area features stunning fjords, steep mountains, majestic peaks, rich birdlife, and ancient history. 

You can stop at the Stone Museum of Petra in Stöðvarfjörður, a private collection showcasing various Icelandic minerals. In Djupvogur, you will find "Eggin í Gleðivík," a stone sculpture consisting of 34 large stone eggs arranged by the seaside. 

There is also an opportunity to take a boat trip from Djupvogur to the island of Papey, known for its abundant birdlife. This boat trip lasts about four hours and typically departs around 1:00 PM. 

Continue your journey along the road to the fishing village of Hofn, where you will stay for two nights.

Nearby Hofn is Europe‘s biggest glacier, Vatnajokull, and the extraordinary Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Without a doubt a place worth visiting. You can join a tour by boat on the lagoon or maybe a kayak tour.

Make sure to visit the 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.

Take a tour to the coast outside Hofn, and enjoy the views of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes peninsula.

Located right next to the Ring Road is Skaftafell National Park. The mountains here resemble the Alps and have been shaped by volcanic activity, glaciers, and water erosion. Skaftafell is a fantastic area where you can easily spend an entire day. You can hike up to the glacier or take a short trip to Svartifoss waterfall, one of the park’s most popular attractions. Svartifoss is a unique natural gem, framed by striking black lava columns.

From Skaftafell, you can drive through the desert plains of Skeidararsandur, which are primarily composed of volcanic sands. In 1996, a significant volcanic eruption occurred beneath the Vatnajokull glacier, melting a large amount of glacial ice and causing a massive glacial outburst. This event damaged part of the main road and destroyed several bridges across the Skeidara River, and you can find a monument to this event along the route.

After the black sands, you will reach the lush green areas of Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Vik. In Vik, you’ll find Reynisfjara, Reynisdrangar, and Dyrholaey. Reynisfjara is a stunning black lava beach known for its amazing basalt rock formations. Off the coast, you can see the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar rising from the sea. The area is also home to a rich birdlife, including puffins.

Dyrholaey is a small peninsula near Reynisdrangar, offering picturesque views perfect for photography. There are various accommodation options available in the Vik area.

On your journey, you will pass by the Eyjafjallajokull glacier and the area that was evacuated during the significant volcanic eruption in 2010. Be sure to stop at two of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls: Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Both waterfalls have a drop of 200 feet, but at Seljalandsfoss, visitors can walk behind the waterfall into a small cave. Don't forget to bring a raincoat! 

In the town of Hella, you can visit the Lava Center museum, which provides information about the volcanic landscape of the south. As you make your way to the Geysir area, be sure to check out the Secret Lagoon, a natural geothermal pool that locals have been using for swimming for over 100 years. You will stay overnight in the Geysir area.

Visit the impressive Gullfoss waterfall and the renowned Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts regularly and numerous hot springs bubble and steam. While in the Geysir area, consider stopping at Efstidalur farm, which features a lovely restaurant and an ice cream shop.

Next, drive to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of Iceland’s original parliament. The park is situated in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, forming the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Enjoy the scenic views across the clear waters of Lake Thingvallavatn. There is also an option to join a snorkeling tour at the Silfra Rift in the lake.

After your visit to Thingvellir, return to Reykjavík, where you can explore Iceland's vibrant capital. Stroll through the old city, with its charming colorful houses, shops, galleries, and cafes. You’ll have several options for city sightseeing excursions, boat tours from the harbor, and guided walking tours.

Don’t miss the beautiful Harpa concert hall located by the harbor. Laugavegur shopping street is worth a visit, and you can also check out the large shopping center, Kringlan, near the city center. Enjoy your last evening in the city!

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