Iceland full circle with Snaefellsnes

Welcome to Iceland! Your journey begins at Keflavík Airport, where you collect your rental car. The surrounding landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula offers a striking introduction to the island, with its vast lava fields, steaming geothermal vents, and the rugged coastline of the Atlantic.

On your way to the capital, you have the option to visit the Blue Lagoon (optional, must be booked in advance). This mineral-rich oasis is set in the midst of a barren lava landscape and offers a relaxing start for those who wish to soak in its famous waters.

Afterward, make your way to Reykjavík. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city’s vibrant streets, local shops, and harbor area.

Overnight: Reykjavík

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula (volcanic landscapes)
• Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa, optional)
• Reykjavík city center

Today is the day for visiting some of Iceland’s most famous and interesting attractions. First stop is UNESCO World Heritage site Þingvellir National Park, where both the history and the geology are fascinating.

We recommend walking in the Almannagjá crack (created by the Eurasian and the North American continental plates sliding away from each other) and on to the area where the Icelandic Alltinget was formed around the year 930. This was the world’s first ever parliament.

Continue on to the famous geothermal area of Geysir, where Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser, spurts its majestic column of water into the sky every few minutes. Close by is the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, ”The Golden Waterfall”, by many regarded the most beautiful in Iceland. The waterfall has two stages and it is possible to get close to the mighty flow of water, which hurls down into the ravine below.

Another worthwhile place to visit nearby is the historic and probably most culturally important place in Iceland, Skálholt, which was the Episcopal seat of Southern Iceland for hundreds of years.

Overnight: Selfoss area

Highlights:

• Þingvellir National Park (historic rift valley)
• Geysir (geothermal area and active geysers)
• Gullfoss (the golden waterfall)
• Skálholt (historical site)

Travel south and along the Southern coast until you get to the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two stops not to be missed. You can walk behind the curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss, and at Skógar you can also find an interesting museum on the history of Iceland.

Drive on towards the town of Vík, where you can visit the beautiful cliffs of Dyrhólaey, richly populated by migrating puffins from springtime to the middle of August. Dyrhólaey is well worth a visit outside the puffin season too.

From Vík you drive over the Mýrdalssandur plain and pass the lava field Eldhraun. It is also possible to drive around Eldhraun to the south of it and pass through the isolated farmland area of Meðalland before hitting the main road again on your way to the area of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

Highlights:

• Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss (waterfalls)
• Sólheimajökull (glacial tongue)
• Dyrhólaey (puffin cliffs)
• Reynisfjara (black sand beach)
• Eldhraun (lava field)

Continue your journey over the magnificent river delta Skeiðarársandur, where you can see the results of volcanic activity beneath Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull. Reaching Skaftafell National Park you can take in both the close by glacier and Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur (6952 feet above sea level).

The glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón can be found at the foot of the glacier. Icebergs released from the glacier float in the lagoon, creating an almost magical atmosphere. The over 1000 year old clear blue ice protrudes the glacial tongues, and if you are lucky some curious seals will poke their heads up between the icebergs.

An approximately 1 km long river leads straight from the lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean, creating what is known as Diamond Beach. It is possible to take a short boat trip on the lagoon amongst the icebergs (optional).

Overnight: Höfn area

Highlights:

• Skaftafell (part of Vatnajökull National Park)
• Jökulsárlón (glacier lagoon)
• Diamond Beach (ice crystals on black sand)
• Vatnajökull (Europe's largest glacier)

Continue along the coast, passing fishing villages like Djúpivogur. The coastal landscape changes and steep mountainsides and fjords take over, interspersed by rock formations worn by the sea to resemble statues reaching for the sky.

To get to Egilsstaðir you either choose ”the fjord route”, which passes fishing villages like Berufjörður, Breiðdalsvík, Stöðvarfjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður – or the main road over the highlands pass of Breiðdalsheiði.

Overnight: Egilsstaðir area

Highlights:

• Scenic East Fjords
• Djúpivogur fishing village
• Petra’s Stone Museum (optional stop)
• Egilsstaðir (main trading town)

Drive through the desert and moonlike landscapes of the highlands in the morning and if you wish to make a short detour a visit the old and welcoming cafe at one of the most isolated farms in Iceland, Möðrudalur, is recommended.

From here you turn north towards the mighty Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The masses of water exudes an impressive mist! After visiting Dettifoss, you can either drive back to Route 1 and continue directly to Mývatn, or you can continue north and drive around the Tjörnes peninsula.

If you choose to do the latter continue on to Ásbyrgi, an escarpment shaped as a horseshoe, believed to be the hoof print of Odin’s horse Sleipnir. From there you drive along the coastal roads until you reach the charming fishing village of Húsavík, the center for whale watching in Iceland.

Overnight: Húsavík or Mývatn area

Highlights:

• Möðrudalur (highland farm)
• Dettifoss (powerful waterfall)
• Ásbyrgi (horseshoe-shaped canyon)
• Húsavík (whale watching, optional)

Spend the day in the nature reserve surrounding Mývatn Lake, one of Iceland’s most fascinating areas. Fantastical volcanic rock formations, geothermal activity and the lake itself with its varying flora and fauna await you.

Options here include visiting the twisted lava formations of Dimmuborgir, exploring the volcanic craters of Skútustaðir, or paying Námaskarð a visit to experience the gases and steam coming from the ground. You can also visit the volcano Krafla, where a 2-hour walk brings you up to Leirhnjúkur, a volcanic crack. There is also an outdoor natural lagoon in the area, well worth a visit to relax after an active day.

In the evening drive on to Akureyri. On the way you can make a stop to see the beautiful Goðafoss waterfall.

Overnight: Akureyri area

Highlights:

• Lake Mývatn and Dimmuborgir
• Námaskarð geothermal area
• Mývatn Nature Baths (optional)
• Goðafoss (waterfall of the gods)

In Akureyri you can see the town’s modern church, the charming old part of town, the amazing botanical garden and its shops and cafés. Follow then the road toward Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður. North of Ólafsfjörður you drive through a tunnel and reach the fishing village Siglufjörður. This beautiful village is situated in a scenic fjord between high mountains.

Two other places in Skagafjörður are of high historical interest; Hólar and Hofsós. Hólar is the former residence of the bishop of North Iceland and was an important cultural center in the middle ages. Hofsós is a small fishing village known as a harbor from which many Icelanders emigrated to the "new world" in search for a better life.

In Skagafjörður you should also visit the turf house-museum in Glaumbær and the turf church Víðimýri. The turf buildings in Skagafjördur are two of the best preserved in the country.

Overnight: Skagafjörður area

Highlights:

• Siglufjörður and the Herring Era Museum
• Hofsós and its scenic views
• Glaumbær turf house museum
• Víðimýri turf church

In the morning you head to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. You can make a short detour to Haukadalur to visit the reconstruction of the home of Erik the Red, who settled later in Greenland with his son Leifur Eiriksson, the first white man sailing to America.

Then you go to Stykkishólmur, a charming town overlooking the Breiðafjörður Bay. Traveling along the north coast of the peninsula you find typical Icelandic fishing villages like Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík and Hellissandur. The Snæfellsnes peninsula is a nature wonder famous for the Snæfellsjökull Glacier that towers above the region.

We recommend a stop at Djúpalónssandur, an old fishing-station now abandoned. Further on you reach Arnarstapi, a village that has a unique natural port where you can see basalt columns of all sizes and shapes. Following the south coast you continue to Búðir, where you can see a beautiful wooden church surrounded by a lava field.

Overnight: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Highlights:

• Eiríksstaðir (Viking museum)
• Stykkishólmur (harbor town)
• Kirkjufell (iconic mountain)
• Snæfellsjökull National Park

Follow the south coast of Snæfellsnes to Borgarnes. You can stop at Gerðuberg basalt columns or take a hike to the picturesque Eldborg crater. Finally you reach Borgarnes, where the Settlement Center museum is worth visiting.

Drive in the direction of Reykholt. This road leads you to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s largest hot spring, and to Reykholt where the famous 13th century author Snorri Sturluson used to live.

Some 12 miles east of Reykholt you should visit the splendid waterfalls of Hraunfossar, where the water tumbles out of the lava into a passing river, and the nearby Barnafoss Waterfall. On your way back to Reykjavík you can either take the underwater tunnel under Hvalfjörður or drive along the scenic fjord.

Overnight: Reykjavík

Highlights:

• Arnarstapi and Hellnar
• Deildartunguhver hot spring
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
• Borgarnes Settlement Center

For those of you on the 10-night trip, today’s the day you head home. Drive your rental car back to Keflavík Airport, return it, and board your flight back to the US.

If you’re staying 11 nights, you have a full day ahead to enjoy Reykjavík at your own pace. Relax in one of the city’s parks, visit the Hallgrímskirkja church, or simply wander and see where the streets take you. Find a cozy café, browse the local boutiques, or take a peaceful walk along the waterfront. Round off your Iceland trip with a great dinner at one of the city’s many fantastic restaurants.

Overnight: Reykjavík (if staying 11 nights)

Highlights:

• Reykjavík city center (culture and shopping)
• Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa (architecture)
• Whale watching or city tours (optional)

Today is departure day for those of you who have stayed for eleven nights. Enjoy a final Icelandic breakfast before driving your rental car to the airport for return, and have a pleasant flight back home!

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula
• Final souvenir shopping in Reykjavík