Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Iceland – Reykjavik – Golden Circle – South Coast – Eastfjords – Myvatn – Westfjords
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Your road trip around Iceland begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some downtime before your three-and-a-half-hour flight to Keflavik. On arrival, collect your hire car and drive one hour to Reykjavik. Your home for the night is a stylish hotel that’s perfectly placed for discovering this vibrant capital.
It’s a small walkable city with a patchwork of village-style districts – each neighbourhood is jam-packed with live music venues, theatres, art galleries, independent cinemas, artist studios, homewares stores and cosy eateries. What’s not to love?
Climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church for panoramic views, hire bikes to explore the 101 district with its colourful houses and visit Marshall House, a former herring factory now home to the Living Art Museum (locally known as Nylo), artist exhibition spaces and La Primavera restaurant. Try Brennivin, Iceland’s signature spirit flavoured with caraway seeds, traditionally paired with hakarl (fermented shark).
Wave goodbye to Reykjavik and drive to Hella for a two-night stay – this small farming town is a great base for exploring the Golden Circle, a 190-mile sightseeing route that loops around Iceland’s most iconic sites.
Although it’s only a one hour-and-30-minute drive to your destination, there’s no shortage of photo-worthy places to stop off en route (we recommend setting aside a full day for the journey).
Favourites are Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the oldest parliament building in the world (the Althing, founded in 930 AD), and Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
And then there’s Strokkur geyser, which shoots water 65ft high every five to eight minutes, and Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall, boasting a dramatic double cascade that plunges 105ft.
On arrival in Hella, settle into your cosy hotel, and as night falls, see if you can spot the Northern Lights.
Tuck into a hearty breakfast this morning before heading out on a three-hour hike through Thorsmork (named after the Norse god, Thor). Nestled between the gigantic Tindfjallajokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers, it’s one of the largest protected areas in the Icelandic Highlands.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, glacier-fed rivers, lava fields, birch-covered slopes and mossy ridges, a local guide will lead the way though this rugged wilderness on under-the-radar trails.
The rest of the day is all yours. Still raring to go? The Landmannalaugar area in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve is one of best areas for hiking and famed for its lava fields, hot springs (bring a swimsuit and towel for a dip), steaming geysers and thundering waterfalls.
If you dare, there’s also Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano that attracts thrill-seeking hikers to its slopes (it can erupt without warning).
Your adventure continues today with a two-hour drive to the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur (known locally as Klaustur). Winding your way along the coastal road, enjoy views of the North Atlantic Ocean, glistening glaciers and steaming lava fields.
Along the way, stop off at Seljalandsfoss, Kvernufoss and Skogafoss waterfalls for postcard-worthy snaps. Fancy stretching your legs? At Skogafoss, take a gentle hike up the path, which leads to hidden waterfalls and panoramic vistas.
Other places not to miss are Skogar Open Air Museum; Dyrholaey, a rocky plateau and huge stone arch rich in bird life and puffins; and Reynisfjara, famous for its black sandy beaches and crashing waves.
If you’re still feeling energic after checking into your cosy guesthouse, visit the nearby Laki Craters (a row of 140 craters formed during the historic 1783 eruption), and Eldgja, the largest volcanic canyon in the world.
It’s back on the scenic coastal road for a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Hofn for an overnight stay in a spacious farmhouse. With dramatic mountain views and black sandy beaches, this harbour town is a great base for exploring Vatnajokull National Park, which is home to Europe’s largest glacier.
After checking in, grab a bite to eat in town (Hofn is known as Iceland’s lobster capital), then go exploring.
Our favourite places include the magical mossy Fjardrargljufur Canyon, Skaftafell National Park (a must-see here is the glacier-fed Svartifoss waterfall) and Jokulsarlon Lagoon where 1,000 year-old chunks of glacier break off into icebergs.
When you’re ready for some R&R, head back to the farmhouse for a delicious evening meal prepared with fresh ingredients.
Rise and shine ready for a four-hour drive to Seydisfjordur, a peaceful fishing village nestled by a narrow fjord. Surrounded by misty-topped mountains and sparkling waterfalls, it’s known for its artsy vibes and colourful 19th-century Norwegian-style houses.
There are plenty of photo-worthy stops en route (you know the drill by now). Must-sees are the Bay of Lonsvik, a vast glacier-fed lagoon, and the Eastfjords, a 75-mile stretch of jaw-dropping views with dramatic fjords, waterfalls, reindeer herds and Iceland’s largest forest.
If you’re a history buff, swing by the French Museum in Faskrudsfjordur that showcases the history of French soldiers in Iceland. Interested in geology? Try the quirky Petra’s Stone Collection in Stodvarfjordur for its beautifully curated museum and garden filled with minerals and stones.
After arriving at your hotel in Seydisfjordur for an overnight stay, grab a locally brewed beer and feast on traditional dishes (lamb and fish reign supreme here) before getting some shut eye.
Ready to hit the road? You’re heading inland today to Lake Myvatn for a two-night stay in a welcoming farmhouse. The drive takes around three hours, passing through arid desert plains and sweeping volcanic terrain.
The next couple of days are yours to enjoy at your own pace. Feeling tired after the drive? Unwind at the Myvatn Nature Baths – nicknamed the ‘Blue Lagoon of the North’, its mineral-rich geothermal pool stays around 40°C and boasts beautiful panoramic mountain views.
Other must-sees include Hverir, a geothermal site with bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles, the Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters (dramatic dimples formed by 2,300 years ago by gas explosions) and the giant lava field at Dimmuborgir (also called the ‘Dark Fortress’ which was a filming location for Game of Thrones). If you’re a keen birder, visit Lake Myvatn, a birdwatching hotspot with one of the world’s largest varieties of nesting ducks.
It’s onwards to Saudarkrokur this morning, where you’ll spend the night in a boutique hotel owned by two cookbook authors who host dinners and share their love for Icelandic cuisine.
It takes about two-and-a-half hours to reach the town on the north-west coast, winding through volcanic deserts and snow-capped mountains. En route, stop off to admire the scenery: the thundering 40ft-high Godafoss waterwall, traditional colourful houses in bustling Akureyri and Eyjafjorour – Iceland’s longest fjord thanks to thousands of years of glacial activity.
For local history buffs, visit the Hofsos Icelandic Emigration Museum and historic Holar, which was an important centre of learning and culture through the centuries. And don’t miss the photogenic turf houses at Laufas – a preserved farm dating from the 1860s that’s now an open-air museum.
On arrival at your hotel, settle in for an evening of enjoying local dishes prepared by your welcoming hosts.
Wake bright and early because you’re hitting the road to Drangsnes, a fishing village in the south-east part of the Westfjords region. Your home from home for the night is a modern guesthouse perched on the edge of a magnificent fjord.
The drive takes around four hours, tracing the coastline of the North Atlantic Ocean, passing through small villages and winding through remote regions dotted with herds of wild horses.
En route, there are some great examples of traditional turf-roofed buildings: the restored 18th century farm at Glaumbaer Heritage Museum and Vidimyri Church, built in 1834 (one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland).
Take snaps of the strange lava formation at Huna Bay that looks like a giant prehistoric creature, and visit the award-winning Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft in Holmavik for multi-lingual displays.
Today, get ready to venture across the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s most spectacular regions brimming with awe-inspiring wildlife, sparking waterfalls, windswept beaches and towering fjords.
Your destination is the historic port town of Isafjordur (considered the ‘capital of the Westfjords’) for a two-night stay. The road winds around the Vestfirdir Peninsula against a dramatic backdrop of snow-covered peaks, labyrinthine fjords and looming black mountains.
It’s around a three-hour drive but allow extra time if you fancy a dip in Heydalur’s rejuvenating hot springs. On arrival, check into your contemporary hotel before venturing into town to soak up the atmosphere.
Once an important trading post in the 16th century, the bustling town’s narrow streets are lined with traditional timber-framed houses that are among the oldest in Iceland. These days, it’s also a hub for adventure sports, with people drawn to the area’s wild beauty.
Birders are in luck today as you’re going to Vigur – a private island, working historic farm and wildlife sanctuary. It might be small (just over a mile long and less than 1,000ft wide), but it’s a haven for thousands of birds including puffins, guillemots, Arctic terns and an eider colony that’s protected under Icelandic law.
The boat trip from Isafjordur takes about 30 minutes and the island has some curious historic sites including the nation’s smallest post office (don’t forget to mail a postcard) and a 200-year-old eight-oared boat that still transports sheep.
The rest of this afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Enjoy some R&R back at your cosy hotel, take a stroll around town and check out the local cafés.
Your journey around the Westfjords peninsula continues today with a two-hour drive south to Vesturbyggd, a small remote town framed by towering black cliffs, deserted beaches and the North Atlantic Ocean.
After checking into your comfortable hotel, head out to explore the sights. Fancy seeing a waterfall? Dynjandi is the Westfjords’ most dramatic, cascading an impressive 328ft. Keen to see more puffins? Grab your binoculars and observe them at Latrabjarg – the largest seabird cliff in Iceland that’s also home to razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots.
More of a history buff? Visit the Jon Sigurdsson Museum in a well-preserved traditional turf building to learn about Iceland’s struggle for independence in the 19th century. Swing by the historic fishing village of Flateyri for a stroll and pop into the old bookshop (now a museum).
Later, back at your cosy hotel, hunker down for the night to the sound of crashing waves.
Today you’re swapping the Westfjords for the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Drive 50 minutes to Brjanslaekur port, then board a ferry for a two-and-a-half hour scenic journey across the North Atlantic Ocean to Stykkisholmur. From here, it’s an hour’s drive to Arnarstapi, a peaceful fishing village, where your hotel for the night lies by a golden sandy beach (a rare find in Iceland). It’s also at the entrance to Snaefellsjokull National Park, one of the peninsula's most beautiful spots.
After relaxing, spend the rest of the day discovering well-marked hiking trails that wind past volcanic craters, lava fields and caves, sheltered coves and along coastal headlands home to seabirds including terns and gulls. If you’re visiting between May and July, you have a good chance of spotting orcas and dolphins, too.
Be up and at ’em this morning, ready for a two hour drive along the coast road to Akranes, a small harbour town. Spend the night in a charming hotel ideally located for exploring the Reykholtsdalur Valley – in Icelandic this means ‘Steam Valley’, aptly named thanks to its hot springs and bubbling mud pools.
Of course, en route, there’s plenty of dramatic scenery to marvel at. Our favourites are the hexagonal basalt cliffs of Gerduberg and the Eldborg volcanic crater that rises to over 196ft-tall. For the ultimate waterfall snaps, capture the ferocious churning pale-blue river that races down Barnafoss, as well as the nearby turquoise waters at Hraunfossar – a series of waterfalls that serenely cascade over 300ft.
After reaching your hotel in Akranes, settle into the hot tubs at the end of the jetty and enjoy the spectacular view.
It might be your last full day in Iceland, but there’s still time to enjoy its breathtaking landscapes. Tonight you’ll be staying in Reykjavik again, about an hour’s drive away, past lava fields, wildflower meadows and views of the ocean.
Why not stop along the way to take in the views? The scenic area around Hvalfjordur Fjord has pristine hiking trails and sparkling waterfalls that include Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall at 650ft. A few miles outside of Reykjavik, call into Arbaejarsafn Open Air Museum to learn how locals lived centuries ago.
After settling into your hotel, enjoy the city’s buzzing streets and find a neighbourhood restaurant for one last blow-out feast of your favourite Icelandic dishes.
Sadly, it’s time to wind up your Icelandic adventure. Drive to Keflavik International Airport and drop off your hire car before boarding your three-and-a-half-hour return flight to the UK. The speedy flight means you’ll be back on home turf in no time, ready to share your favourite memories and photos.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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