Self-Drive Iceland Tours

DAY 1 Reykjavik Airport - Reykjavik/Hveragerdi
Winter: Driving distance: approx. 50-95 km/30-55 miles
Summer: Driving distance: approx. 100-130 km/62-81 miles
Pick up your car at the airport and start your Iceland experience! From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. You will see unusual and stunning features around the peninsula, including craters, lava cliffs, fissures, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge itself. We recommend a stroll in the surreal Gunnuhver area where you can view quirky colourful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the geothermal waters (Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance).

Winter: Overnight in Reykjavik
Summer: Overnight in Hveragerdi
Meals included: None

DAY 2 Reykjavik/Hveragerdi - Golden Circle - Borgarfjordur
Driving distance: approx. 240 km/150 miles
Enjoy the day exploring the natural wonders of the Golden Circle region. First up is a scenic drive to the legendary waterfall Gullfoss and the bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs at Geysir. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament, before driving through Hvalfjordur fjord to the historic and scenic Borgarfjordur region. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can also take the scenic highland wilderness Kaldidalur track alongside Langjokull glacier to Borgarfjordur. The road generally is open between mid-June and mid-September.

Overnight: Borgarfjordur area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Borgarfjordur – Skagafjordur - Akureyri
Driving distance: approx. 300 km/186 miles
We recommend spending part of your day exploring the local area in Borgarfjordur. This area is well-known for finding authentic handicrafts and tasty local treats including steamed baked bread straight from the hot spring. You can visit the impressive Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall, known for producing glacial water that bursts through lava formations, and the brilliantly blue waters of Barnafoss Falls. Nearby are the enormous hot springs of Deildartunguhver and the lovely Krauma Natural Geothermal Spa where you can relax in a variety of hot pools and see the beautiful scenery. You also have the opportunity for adventure with a visit to the multi-coloured Vidgelmir cave or take a guided trip up Langjokull glacier to the fascinating "Into the Glacier" ice cave. Drive north to the shores of Hunafloi Bay, a great location for seal-watching. The scenery changes as you approach the towering mountains and horse breeding valley of Skagafjordur. Some of Iceland’s best preserved historical buildings are also in this area. Perhaps visit one such as Glaumbaer (Skagafjordur Heritage Museum), where there is a turf manor farm dating back to the 18th century and two charming 19th century timber houses.

Winter: Overnight in Akureyri
Summer: Overnight in Northwest Iceland
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 Akureyri – Lake Myvatn
Driving distance: approx. 190 km/117 miles
Spend the morning exploring the town of Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city at just 20,000 residents. This charming city is home to numerous museums, art galleries and friendly cafes great for a delicious, locally sourced lunch. Also, the botanical garden is open year-round if you feel like exploring the variety of plants. Akureyri is home to the Skogabod geothermal baths where you can relax in soothing warm water while enjoying the views of the nearby woodlands and fjord. In the afternoon, continue your journey towards Myvatn, but first you’ll stop to view the beautiful Godafoss waterfalls, which has a unique connection to Iceland’s Viking Age.

Overnight: Lake Myvatn area
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Lake Myvatn
Driving distance: variable
After breakfast, explore the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and the surrounding area. Stroll along the mystical lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the volcanic area of Krafla along with the otherworldly setting and colourful sulphurous slopes of Namaskard Pass, it’s almost as though you are walking on the surface of Mars. Enjoy the views of the pseudo craters and the strange lava columns rising out of the lake at Skutustadir - an area used in the filming of the HBO series Game of Thrones. After a day of exploration, we recommend a relaxing soak in the spectacular Myvatn Nature Baths.

Overnight: Lake Myvatn area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Lake Myvatn - Husavik - Egilsstadir
Driving distance: approx. 310 km/193 miles
This morning drive north to the charming fishing port of Husavik, where you might stop to enjoy a whale watching boat tour. Then head around the fossil rich Tjornes peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle to the northern entrance of Vatnajokull National Park where you can check out Asbyrgi - a magnificent horseshoe shaped canyon, with trails leading through peaceful forested areas to a hidden canyon lake. If travelling between May and September you can reach the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful one in Europe. Then head across the vast highland plateau to Egilsstadir in the east.

Overnight: East Fjords area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 Egilsstadir - Hofn
Driving distance: approx. 300 km/186 miles
A great way to start the day is with a refreshing swim in the Vok geothermal baths, where you can relax in unique floating pools set in a beautiful lake. Stop by the Wilderness Centre where you can discover and experience Iceland's history and nature in an interactive way. Continue your drive south through the spectacular East Fjords, where towering mountains plunge vertically into the ocean. Leave plenty of time to yourself, both for safe driving and for amazing views of the coast and Vatnajokull glacier. The journey continues to the town of Hofn in Hornafjordur, also known as the lobster capital of northern Europe.

Overnight: Hofn area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 Hofn - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Driving distance: approx. 210km/131 miles
Today you will be in the vicinity of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Visit the shimmering icebergs and the still, milky waters of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. If you wish to see the icebergs up close and personal take a boat tour in the lagoon - it is suggested to book in advance, so you do not miss out. Some of the icebergs from Vatnajokull glacier drift down onto the black sands at the nearby Diamond Beach, this is a fantastic area for photographs. Continue to the Skaftafell area of the park, a beautiful green oasis surrounded by glaciers. There are many great hiking trails to explore in this area, including the most popular basalt rimmed Black Waterfall, Svartifoss. Afterwards, head towards the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, once a medieval convent.

Overnight: Kirkjubaejarklaustur area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9 Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Vik - Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 290 km/180 miles
Drive along the spectacular south coast, a sweeping landscape of sandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains, and the ocean. Drive alongside Eldhraun, a massive and eerily beautiful lava flow covered in moss. It is the largest recorded single flow of lava in world history. Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Dyrholaey. There are vast bird colonies here, including puffins (mid-May - 25 June, Dyrholaey is closed for the bird nesting season). You can visit the beautiful waterfalls of Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss, each with trails that lead you either above or behind the waterfall with amazing views. You will also see the mighty Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption, and Hekla, Iceland's most active volcano. Travel to LAVA Centre in Hvolsvollur to discover how powerful earthquakes and volcanoes formed Iceland. Drive to Reykjavík in the late afternoon and discover the beauty of this unique and colourful city.

Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 50km/30 miles
Your tour concludes with the return of your rental car to the Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport depot.

Meals included: Breakfast