From Reykjavik to the Remote North: The Grand Tour of Iceland

Wave goodbye to the bright lights of the capital as you embark on your journey around the remote corners of the island. After a hearty breakfast this morning, hit the road an hour and a half east to Hella, a small farming town that acts as a great base for exploring the Golden Circle, a 190-mile route that loops around three of the nation’s most iconic sites. There’s the sweeping Thingvellir National Park, which houses the oldest parliament building in the world (the Althing, founded in the year 930 AD), as well as Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. The Strokkur geyser, the nation’s most visited geyser, is another major attraction here. Prepare yourself for the dramatic fountain of water that bounds 65ft into the sky every five to eight minutes. The last of the big three attractions here is the Gullfoss waterfall, the nation’s most famous and beautiful waterfall. Then continue on to Hella and to your next hotel: a beautiful, old and cosy farmhouse, where you’ll be hanging up your hat for the next two nights.

Make sure to fuel up at breakfast this morning as today you’ll be setting off on a three-hour hike through the enchanting Thórsmörk reserve, one of the largest protected areas in the Icelandic Highlands. The reserve extends between the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyafjallajökull glaciers and displays its natural splendour through a succession of rivers, gorges, mountains and idyllic countryside. A seasoned guide will lead you off the beaten track, taking you on mountain trails only known to locals. The rest of your day in Hella is yours to spend at your own leisure. If you still have some steam left in the tank after a busy morning of hiking, then you could opt to embark on a fresh adventure. You can head to Landmannalaugar park, a sweeping natural landscape featuring deep valleys, frozen lava flows, multicoloured rocks, hot water rivers and sulphurous mud. There is also Helka Volcano, the nation’s most famous (and active) volcano that attracts thrill-seeking hikers with its otherworldly lava fields and exciting summit.

Your adventure around Iceland continues today with a two-hour drive to Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a serene village surrounded by a mixture of ocean, glaciers and lava deserts. The journey might be short but it’s densely packed with splendid waterfalls worth stopping at along the way. We recommend carving out enough time to enjoy a gentle hike up the side of the Skógafoss waterfall along a path revealing small secondary falls and, in the background, glaciers and black sand beaches. Other sites along the way include the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Kvernufoss, the Skogar eco-museum and the slopes of the ancient underwater Dyrholaey Volcano, the black sand beach of Reynishverf and the enchanting village of Vik i Myrdal. On arrival in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, check in for the night in a cosy guesthouse and spend the rest of today relaxing in your home and taking stock of your rural surroundings.

After a comforting breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and hit the road, driving two-and-a-half hours up Iceland’s rugged southeast coast to Höfn. Nestled between dramatic glaciers and volcanic black sand beaches, this delightful little fishing town gives nature pride of place. Your home for the night here is a spacious seaside farm overlooking the icy Atlantic Ocean and the Vatnajökull glacier. After settling in and freshening up, head out to explore what this lesser-vested sliver of Iceland has to offer. There’s the magical moss-green gorges of Fjardrargljufur; Skaftafell National Park, perched at the foot of Iceland's largest glacier, Vatnajökull; the ice-cold glacial Svartifoss waterfall; and the Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon with its spectacle of polar ice formations.

Your journey further into the heart of Iceland’s remote corners continues today with a four-hour drive along scenic Route 1, which winds between fjords, mountains and serene bays. Break up the journey with stops along the way at the Bay of Lonsvik, an immense lagoon fed by meltwater from a nearby glacier; the Eastern Fjords, a 75-mile stretch of coastline home to a collection of spectacular fjords; the French Museum in Faskrudsfjördur, which details the fascinating tales of French sailors and fishermen in Iceland; and the Petra Museum in Stödvarfjördur, which displays an impressive mineralogy collection. Continue on to Seydisfjördur and settle in for the night in a period home carefully renovated into a stylish and contemporary hotel. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in all of Iceland owing to its colourful collection of 19th-century Norwegian-style wooden houses, Seydisfjördur is the perfect place to simply stroll around, lose track of time and savour the feeling of being so far away from daily demands. Enjoy an evening feasting on Icelandic cuisine before tucking in for a good night’s rest.

Bid a warm farewell to the rugged eastern coastline as you dip inland to your next destination: the idyllic Lake Mývatn. The journey takes around three hours and is very scenic, passing through arid desert plains and sweeping volcanic landscapes. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a warm and welcoming farmhouse located on a working farm. The next two days are then yours to spend enjoying the lake and its beautiful surroundings at your own pace. You can admire the bubbling geothermal pools of Hverir Volvano, walk around the impressive Skutustadir volcanic craters, climb to the summit of the Hverfjall Volcano for splendid panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks, stroll through the lunar lava fields of Dimmuborgir and Leirhnjukshraun and gaze across the bubbling mud pots Námaskard. We also recommend enjoying a swim in the warm turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon in Mývatn. Known as the ‘Blue Lagoon of the North’ this beautiful pool of water is far less touristy, yet just as beautiful, as its sister to the south. Bathe in lovely 40°C waters as you gaze across the surrounding landscapes of towering volcanoes and magical lava flows. Between all the adventures, make sure to carve out enough time to simply kick back and relax on the shores of the lake. The azure waters double up as an exceptional duck reserve, housing 15 different species, including the Barrow’s goldeneye, the harlequin goldeneye and the horned grebe. Our team can also arrange for you to embark on a scenic flight over the dramatic landscapes of the region.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, hop back into your 4x4 and wind your way two-and-a-half hours east to Saudarkrokur, a colourful town nestled on the beautiful shores of the north coast. Passing through volcanic dessert and snow-capped mountains, the journey there reveals extraordinary landscapes. On arrival, check in for the night in a beautiful sea-fronted property and spend the rest of today discovering your new surroundings. Some of our favourite things to do here include visiting the powerful Godafoss Waterfall; admiring the colourful houses of Akureyri, a charming town perched at the base of a fjord; learning about local history at the Hofsos Icelandic Emigration Museum; and checking out Laufá Farm, an eco-museum located in a mid-19th century farmhouse. A busy day of sightseeing will have surely worked up an appetite, so for dinner, settle in for a delicious meal based on Nordic and Icelandic specialities back at your hotel.

Trace your way along the jagged north coast of Iceland to Drangsnes, a small town tucked in at the southeast of the majestic north west fjords region. As you can probably guess, the drive is incredibly scenic, passing along a succession of stunning fjords plunging into the Atlantic Ocean. There are several pleasant points of interest worth stopping at along the way, including the Glaumbaer Museum, which displays a collection of hobbit-like turf-roofed homes dating back to the 18th century, and the colourful village of Holmavik and its curious witchcraft museum. You’ll also pass along Huna Bay on the north coast, where you can stop to admire the so-called ‘Water Drinking Lava Dragon’, the ancient remains of prehistoric volcano perched just off the coast. Your home for the night in Drangsnes is a modern guesthouse nestled on the edge of the picturesque Steingrímsfjörður Fjord. Spend what you have left of today soaking in the serene coastal landscapes of this charming town before settling in for a cosy evening at your hotel.

Continue winding along the remote coast of the north west Fjords region to Isafjördur, a scenic seaside town known and adored for its breathtaking natural surroundings. The drive takes a good three hours but is worth every second for the views. The journey takes you along the renowned Vestfirdir peninsula, with its snow-covered landscapes, wild fjords and ominous black mountains. We recommend making a stop along the way for a dip in the thermal waters of the Reykjanes and Heydalur hot springs. On arrival in Isafjördur, settle in for two nights in a comfortable and cosy hotel in the centre of town and spend the rest of today getting to know your new base in the remote Icelandic north. Considered the capital of the north west fjords, Isafjördur delights visitors with its historic fishing port, quaint city centre and majestic surrounding mountains. Enjoy a stroll through town, admiring the adorable half-timbered houses (which are among the oldest in the country) before finding a local restaurant to feast on a hearty dinner.

On today’s agenda: a sailing trip to the enchanting private island of Vigur, which acts as wildlife sanctuary and protector of a fragile colony of migratory sea ducks. The island might be small (just over a mile long and less than 1,000ft wide), but it packs a punch when it comes to birdlife. Vigur is refuge for thousands of birds, including puffins, guillemots, arctic terns and eiders. You can also visit some curious historic sites, including the nation’s smallest post office and 200-year-old eight-oared boat, which still transports sheep today. The rest of this afternoon is yours to spend as you please. You can kick back and relax in your cosy hotel, enjoy a warming hot drink in a local cafe or embark on a guided hike through the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.

Wave goodbye to the north coast as you journey south through the Vestfirdir Peninsula and the northwest Fjords to Vesturbyggd, an enchanting little village located two hours from Isafjördur. On arrival, check in for the night in a cosy sea-fronted hotel and spend the rest of today discovering the south coast of the west fjords. Lined with dazzling black cliffs, deserted beaches and ocean stretching as far as the eye can see, this sliver of Iceland has a lot to offer. You can head to Dynjandi to admire the peninsula’s largest waterfall, observe nesting birds on the windy cliffs of Látrabjarg, stroll through the picturesque streets of Flateyri village and learn about the region’s struggle for independence from Danish rule in the 19th century at the Jon Sigurosson Historical Museum.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, head to the port of Brjanslaekur and hop aboard a ferry to Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. From here, continue an hour on the road to Arnarstapi, a tiny fishing village located within striking distance of Snaefellsjokull National Park. Your home for the night is a beautiful hotel located right on the edge of a sandy beach. After settling in and freshening up, head out and spend the rest of the day discovering the wealth of natural delights on your doorstep. The park is home to a range of well-marked hiking trails that wind through ancient volcanic formations home to nesting seabirds. If you’re visiting between May and July you’ll also be in for a chance to observe orcas and dolphins swimming offshore.

The penultimate leg of your epic journey around Iceland continues today with a two-hour drive to Akranes, a tiny port town that acts as a great base for exploring the beautiful Reykholtsdalur Valley. The drive, once again, is seriously scenic and offers several points of interest worth stopping at along the way. There’s the basalt cliffs of Gerduberg, the perfectly-shaped volcano crater of Eldborg and the Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, which are among the most beautiful on the island. Your home for the night in Akranes is a warm and welcoming hotel, perfect for relaxing and recharging your batteries after a busy day of sightseeing.

Rise and shine, it’s your final full day in Iceland and there’s not a moment to waste. Make your way back to the capital for one more evening of well-deserved city fun after so many days in the remote corners of the island. Enjoy the final vistas of lava deserts, meadows and pretty bays as you drive one hour back to the capital. We recommend making a stop along the way at the open-air museum of Arbaerjarsafn to learn about the traditions and living conditions of the Icelanders of yesteryear. There is also the Hvalfjördur Fjord, which dazzles with its serene waterfalls and pristine hiking trails. Continue on to Reykjavik and to your final hotel: a stylish property nestled in the heart of the 101 downtown neighbourhood. Spend this evening settling back into the hustle and bustle of civilisation with a stroll through town, an aperitif in one of the many cosy bars and a final feast of your favourite Icelandic specialities.