On arrival to Keflavik Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city centre with its abundance of museums, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. If you’re interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city’s thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes.

Travel to some of the best known natural phenomena in Iceland on the “Golden Circle” route, starting with Þingvellir National Park, where you can actually walk in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Next up is the Haukadalur geothermal area, home of the Great Geysir—the original “geyser”—and its more active neighbour, Strokkur, which spouts water every few minutes. End with visits to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall and the old implosion crater of Kerið.

Spend the night in the Hvolsvöllur area.

Driving distance approx. 210 km / 130 mi.

Head to the south coast and visit the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall—where you can walk right behind the misty cascade—and the equally impressive Skógafoss waterfall. Further along near Vík, make a stop to admire the black volcanic beach and the dramatic Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations. Other sights on the way include the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the quaint village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell area.

Driving distance approx. 190 km / 118 mi.

Enjoy Skaftafell, part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park and a place of great natural beauty with many interesting hiking trails, including a short path to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. This area is also full of opportunities for more adventurous pursuits, such as guided glacier-walking or ice-climbing excursions. Then, head to the amazing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can join a boat ride among the maze of floating icebergs (optional). 

Spend the night in the Höfn or Djúpivogur area.

Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 mi.

Today’s drive in East Iceland takes you along tranquil fishing villages, spectacular fjords and sweeping landscapes. Anyone who enjoys offbeat attractions – particularly geology buffs or garden enthusiasts – may want to visit Petra’s Mineral Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, a small museum of found natural objects and mineral rocks started as a personal hobby by a local resident. End the day in the area of Egilsstaðir, where you will find the monster habitat Lagafljót and Hallormsstaðarskógur forest, the largest wooded area in Iceland.

Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir area.

Driving distance approx. 240 km / 150 mi. 

Today’s drive brings you to the Lake Mývatn area, a hotbed of volcanic landscapes such as the Námaskarð Pass, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations and Mt. Krafla, one of Iceland’s most interesting volcanoes. Later on, take a dip in the soothing geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, the perfect way to relax after a full day of sightseeing.

Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.

Driving distance approx. 170 km / 105 mi.  

Use this day to explore more of Lake Mývatn and its unique surroundings. We recommend a drive through the Jökulsárgljúfur part of Vatnajökull National Park, visiting such sights as the Ásbyrgi canyon and Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Another great option is to join a whale watching tour at the nearby village of Húsavík, “the whale watching capital of Europe”.

Spend another night in the Lake Mývatn area.

Driving distance approx. 250 km / 155 mi.  

Make a stop at Goðafoss (“waterfall of the gods”) before arriving to Akureyri, a charming town with a variety of interesting shops and museums as well as one of the world’s northernmost botanical gardens. Continuing towards Skagafjörður, a valley known for its abundance of Icelandic horses, you will also pass through the beautiful, mountainous area of Tröllaskagi (“peninsula of the trolls”), the old herring-fishing village of Siglufjörður and Hofsós, where you can enjoy wonderful scenery from the town’s thermal pool.

Spend the night in Northwest Iceland.

Driving distance approx. 270 km / 167 mi.  

Drive to the tranquil, remote West Fjords of Iceland. Sights along the way include the countless mounds of Vatnsdalshólar, the Borgarvirki natural fortress and the Glaumbær folk museum. The Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum and the Sorcerer’s Cottage, both in Hólmavík, and hot natural pools in Drangsnes are also well worth a visit.

Spend the night in the Hólmavík area.

Driving distance approx. 240 km / 150 mi.

Today’s journey is characterized by endless but dramatic fjords and towering mountains on your way to Ísafjörður, the “Capital of the West Fjords” and the biggest settlement in the region. There you‘ll find some of the most historic houses in Iceland, dating back to the mid-18th century. You may also wish to drive to nearby Bolungarvík and visit the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a great way to see what life was like for Iceland’s fishermen in the old days.

Spend the night in the Ísafjörður area.

Driving distance approx. 220 km / 136 mi. 

Head to Dýrafjörður, where you will find the trail of the Viking Saga hero Gisli Súrsson as well as the Skrúður botanical garden. Continuing to Hrafnseyri, you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jón Sigurðsson, who was influential in Iceland’s battle for independence. Next, make a stop at the impressive Dynjandi waterfall before heading to the spectacular 444 metre-high cliff of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a good look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, such as puffins and razorbills.

Spend the night in the Patreksfjörður or Breiðavík area.

Driving distance approx. 280 km / 173 mi. 

Start the day with a visit to the golden sands of Rauðisandur, or even a relaxing dip in a natural hot pool at Vatnsfjörður nature reserve, before taking the Baldur ferry across Breiðafjörður Bay to the village of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.* From there, you can explore the area’s unique sights, including the Snæfellsjökull glacier in Snæfellsjökull National Park, the Dritvík cove and the small, charming hamlets of Arnarstapi, Hellnar and Búðir.

Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes area.

*In May and September, the Baldur ferry departs only in the evenings, so we recommend that you drive around the bay to Stykkishólmur village.  The drive adds approximately 280 km / 173 miles to your journey.

Driving distance approx. 150 km / 93 mi.  

Explore West Iceland with its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes and Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe. Further along, make a stop at the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. History buffs may also enjoy a visit to Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute at Reykholt, where the early settler Snorri Sturluson wrote Saga Heimskringla in the 13th century. On the way back to Reykjavik, take a short break at Fossatún, a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa.

Spend the night in Reykjavík.

Driving distance approx. 180 km / 111 mi.  

On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your hotel in Reykjavík and deliver you back to Keflavík International Airport ahead of your scheduled flight.

If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have time for a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or a short guided tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula (optional; not included).