Ring Road and Snæfellsnes: 10-Day Self-Drive

Your Iceland adventure begins the moment you land at Keflavík International Airport, right at the edge of the rocky Reykjanes peninsula. This is your gateway to the Land of Fire and Ice, and when you travel with Iceland Unlimited, you’ll have a dedicated private transfer to the capital. The drive to Reykjavík runs alongside moss-covered lava fields, giving you your first sight of Iceland’s incredible landscapes.

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Once you’ve settled in at your hotel, you’re free to roam Reykjavík’s colorful streets and discover the world’s most northerly capital. Stroll up to the landmark Hallgrímskirkja church, wander the waterfront for marvelous sea views, pose for pictures at the iconic Sun Voyager, and gaze in wonder at glass-fronted Harpa, the city’s gleaming concert hall. Reykjavík is home to some of the best restaurants in northern Europe, and your Travel Consultant will have recommendations ready for you, designed to suit all tastes and preferences.

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If you’re keen to explore further, you can jump right in with a food tour around the city, a relaxing soak in a geothermal spa, or a whale watching trip from the Old Harbor.

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Your road trip adventure begins on Day 2. Head to the rental agency in the morning to collect your vehicle and you’re on the road. The Golden Circle is the ideal introduction to Iceland’s stunning natural wonders, easily reached with a short scenic drive from Reykjavík.

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Heading inland, you’ll visit Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk in an immense rift valley between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. We’ll handpick the best vantage points to make this one of the highlights of your first day on the road. Next comes Geysir, where you’ll see Strokkur shooting superheated fountains of water sky-high every few minutes, thundering Gullfoss cascading more than thirty meters, and the colorful crater at Kerið.

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Your accommodation will be in the lovely riverside town of Selfoss, well placed to get you started along the South Coast on Day 3.

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The South Coast of Iceland is a stunning natural environment, home to magnificent must-see landscapes. Everywhere you look, the views on the South Coast are simply staggering, lined by waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches. The two most famous South Coast waterfalls are Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, which both plunge off the sides of a glacier-capped volcano called Eyjafjallajökull. What’s more, you can walk behind the waters at Seljalandsfoss, an experience you’ll never forget.

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Our itineraries make sure you’ll have a chance to enjoy this exhilarating experience, along with the widescreen wonder that is Skógafoss, which stands on the other side of the mountain. Iceland’s volcanic black sand beaches are wild, dramatic locations, and Reynisfjara is the most famous of them all, decorated with beautiful basalt columns and looming sea stacks just offshore. Often pummeled by fierce Atlantic waves and high winds, your Travel Consultant will ensure you know the beach rules and hazards here. Dyrhólaey is close by, the great rock arch rising from the sea with the whole South Coast stretching behind it.

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Heading east, you’ll discover the ancient Eldhraun lava field, before exploring Fjaðrárgljúfur, a breathtaking river canyon blanketed by velvet-green moss.

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The treasures of South East Iceland include Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, iceberg-filled lagoons, beautiful black sand beaches, and basalt column-lined waterfalls. Once visited by Romans, Vikings, and Barbary pirates, this area is now home to a handful of tiny fishing ports and farm settlements along the coast, and one of the most peaceful places in the country.‍

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Vatnajökull dominates the skyline, a vast glacier that covers a tenth of the country, creating an epic environment for you to explore. Follow the trail through birch woodland to Svartifoss, the waterfall framed by its dark basalt columns. The glacier tongue of Svínafellsjökull is visible from the road on the way through. Take an optional boat tour around one of the glacier lagoons, either at Jökulsárlón, where immense icebergs float serenely towards the ocean, or the quieter waters at Fjallsárlón. Diamond Beach lies nearby, the perfect place for a spectacular stroll amongst the glittering fragments on volcanic sands.

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You can dine in Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital, perhaps with drinks made with pure glacier water too.

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As far away from the capital city as you can get, the Eastfjords promise peace and tranquility, breathtaking scenery, pretty fishing villages, and a unique mix of Icelandic culture and tradition. The Ring Road hugs the shoreline as it winds up and down the steep-sided fjords, passing little farmsteads along the way. The Eastfjords are ideally suited for slow travel, and you’ll find yourself yearning to stay here longer, to soak up the magnificent views.

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Our itinerary takes you from Höfn to Egilsstaðir with scenic stops at Djúpivogur with its astonishing bird egg sculptures, Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, home to a unique geological exhibition built over decades by one local woman, and Fáskrúðsfjörður, where you’ll see signs of a surprisingly longstanding connection with French sailors. The Eastfjords offer even more treasures for those who slow down to find them. Many visitors miss these marvels. Our Travel Consultant will make sure your itinerary includes time to explore all that Austurland has to offer. If your choices allow, you’ll also discover that Seyðisfjörður is worth the side trip, well-known for its beautiful Blue Church, colorful wooden and ironclad houses, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, and hiking trails.

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The lakeside town of Egilsstaðir, the largest in the east, is a welcoming place to spend the evening, with a selection of great restaurants for dinner.

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As South Iceland offers you the Golden Circle, North Iceland gives you the Diamond Circle, a thrilling driving route lined with must-see gems. Leaving Egilsstaðir, the first stop is Stuðlagil canyon: a dramatic gorge lined with extraordinary hexagonal basalt columns, one of Iceland’s most striking and least-visited sights. From there, head north toward Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi. You’ll skirt the edge of the wild Icelandic Highlands en route to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and Ásbyrgi, a mesmerizing horseshoe-shaped canyon so vast that it feels like it’s from another world.

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The natural wonders continue at nearby Húsavík, Iceland’s whale watching capital, where you’ll have the chance to see these marvelous creatures up close, with near-perfect sighting records.

You could stay the night in Húsavík or push on to Lake Mývatn for an overnight stay, with your Travel Consultant picking the best option on your behalf. An evening visit to Earth Lagoon at Mývatn is well worth adding through your Travel Consultant.

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Mývatn is the must-see marvel that will make for a memorable morning on the seventh day of the tour. Whether you wander the burnt earth geothermal area of Námafjall, climb the pseudocraters at Skútuastaðir, or explore the volcanic dark castles at Dimmuborgir, you’ll wonder if you’re touring an alien world. The colorful Krafla volcanic crater and bluewater Lake Víti add to the sense of spectacle here.

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Heading west from Mývatn brings you to Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, famous for a mythic tale of its role in Icelandic history. With viewing platforms on both banks, Goðafoss is a fabulously panoramic sightseeing spot.

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The day ends in Akureyri, North Iceland’s largest town, where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the country. Your Travel Consultant will help you choose the right one for your palate.

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As you wind your way west towards the capital once again, we’ll add some spectacular side trips to reward you for the journey. Hvítserkur is a highlight here, an astonishing 15-metre basalt sea stack that captures the imagination of everyone who visits the Vatnsnes peninsula. Nearby, the Kolugljúfur canyon is a short detour from the Ring Road, where you’ll discover a deep, narrow gorge carved out by the powerful Viðá river, decorated by a gorgeous waterfall.

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Further south, you’ll see the green-tinged Grábrók volcanic craters close to the road, and a short climb to the rim will reward you with wonderful views across ancient lava fields. On the drive into Borgarnes, Hraunfossar waterfalls are worth a stop: spring water seeping from beneath an ancient lava field into the Hvíta river in a long curtain of small cascades. Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, is five minutes further. We’ve picked Borgarnes for your overnight stay, as it’s ideally placed for a circuit of Snæfellsnes.

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Packed into a beautiful peninsula overlooking Borgarfjörður, this area offers stunning views and an excellent Settlement Center full of fascinating Viking history, too.

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Some say that Snæfellsnes is Iceland in Miniature, a peninsula that features its greatest natural marvels in one unforgettable stretch of road. That makes the Snow Mountain Peninsula the perfect way to end your Grand Tour of Iceland, including time to enjoy Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed peak and one of its most iconic sights. You can learn how early Icelanders survived harsh winters at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum and how Snæfellsjökull inspired Jules Verne to write Journey to the Center of the Earth.

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The southern shores of Snæfellsnes offer several stunning photo stops, including the historic fishing cove at Drítvík, the towering rock pinnacles at Lóndrangar, Arnarstapi’s amazing rock arches, and Búðir’s iconic black church. From there, it’s time to close the loop on your Ring Road adventure and return to Reykjavík.

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Once you’ve returned your rental vehicle, you’ll be free to enjoy one last taste of Icelandic cuisine on your final night in Iceland.

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It's your final opportunity to wander the colorful streets of the coolest capital city in the world, or to pick up a souvenir from one of its eclectic design stores. If you'd like to make the most of your last day, your Travel Consultant can arrange a visit to the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport, or an extra night in Reykjavík if you want to go at your own pace.

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If you have a late flight, enjoy a coffee and breakfast with a view from the Old Harbor, or take a last walk along the shoreline, gazing at Esja, Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Sun Voyager one more time.

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When the time comes to leave, your private transfer will convey you to Keflavík in good time for your homeward flight.

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There's only one question: when will you return?

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