Iceland Complete Road Trip

Approximate driving distance: 100km / 62miles

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in its geothermal waters. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance. We can help you with that!

Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight.  This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area, and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.” There are plenty of outdoor and wellness activities to enjoy here, and several restaurants with a unique local focus. There is even a restaurant where the different courses are baked in an outdoor geothermal oven!

Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

Exploding Geysers – Waterfalls – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Approximate Driving Distance: 325 km (201 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Head the Golden Circle natural wonders. Explore Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss before continuing to Dyrholaey and the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to the village of Vik.

Overnight in the south coast area.

Lava Fields – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier

Approximate Driving Distance: 279 km (173 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Continue your journey on the Ring Road. Cross Eldhraun, the largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times. Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur town, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeidararsandur sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajokull National Park. Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Throughout the day you will also enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajokull Glacier.

Overnight in the Hofn area.

Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline – Legendary Lake Monster

Approximate Driving Distance: 259 km (161 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. You’ll also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. The road brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine. If you have time in your schedule, we suggest a visit to the Wilderness Center, a living history experience where you can enjoy an interactive exhibit and excellent locally sourced meals.

Overnight in the Egilsstadir area.

Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal & Volcanic Winter Wonderland

Approximate Driving Distance: 255 km (158 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area.

Overnight in the Myvatn area

“Waterfall of the Gods” – Colorful Northern “Capital” – The Beautiful Troll Peninsula

Approximate Driving Distance: 215km (134 miles)

Please Note: The Ring Road route today contains a toll tunnel. More information on the tunnel and fees is here.

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, where you can walk on paths giving you different views of the water. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital „of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur Fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. This is a breath-taking drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjordur, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Siglufjordur is a very picturesque town. Depending on when you arrive in town, we suggest a visit to Siglufjordur’s award-winning Herring-Era Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring.

Overnight in Siglufjordur.

Icelandic History and Horses – Fertile Farmlands – Glacial Rivers

Approximate Driving Distance: 310 km (193 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding. A great place to learn more about Icelandic horses is the Icelandic Horse History Exhibit at Holar University College. Holar was one of Iceland’s cultural centers and has buildings from nine centuries of Iceland’s history that you can visit.

Continue towards the village of Blonduos, built on both sides of the river Blanda.

The town of Hvammstangi’s Seal Center is a great place to learn about seals and perhaps join a guided excursion to look for seals by boat.

Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau through Borgarfjordur to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Overnight in the Borgarnes area.

Europe’s Largest Hot Spring – Picturesque Waterfalls – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)

Approximate Driving Distance: 205 km (127 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. The nearby Krauma Natura Hot Spring Spa is a great place to enjoy a refreshing morning bath surrounded by gorgeous landscapes.

Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls before continuing via Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world‘s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.

After your visit here, head on to Reykjavík, Iceland’s culturally vibrant capital city. Enjoy exploring the city’s many dining options. During the summer you can also enjoy late afternoon and evening activities such as a visit to Wonders of Iceland or FlyOver Iceland or a whale watching tour.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Return to Keflavik International Airport

Approximate distance: ca 50km / 30miles

Breakfast at your hotel.  Drive back to Keflavik International Airport. ** We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon. Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area, which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.