Self-Drive – Classic Iceland

Arrival at Keflavik airport. Pick-up your rented vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for your first night stay in Iceland. Depending on the arrival time, we recommend that you make a stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way and have a swim in the geothermal warm water.

Highlights:
Thingvellir National Park
Geysir
Gullfoss
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógarfoss Waterfall
Dyrhólaey

Today you will be visiting some of the most interesting and famous sights of Iceland. Your first stop should be at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the geological wonders of the world. Continue to the famous geothermal area of Geysir where Strokkur is the most active of the geysers, and further on to the “golden” waterfall Gullfoss. On your way along the south coast, you will pass two spectacular
waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss, two stops you must not miss. You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss and at Skógar you will find a folk museum showing how people lived in the past. Your destination for the night Vík/Skógar area. If you have time in the afternoon, you can go to the Dyrhólaey bird cliff where you can usually see puffins. (Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season from May 15 til June 23 and from mid August the puffins will have gone to sea!)

*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season from May 15 until June 23 and as of mid- August the puffins will have gone back to the sea!

Highlights:
Eldhraun Lava
Skaftafell National Park
Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
Vatnajokull

Today you will drive across the impressive black sand plain
Mýrdalssandur, the beautiful Eldhraun lava field and the immense and remarkable Skeidarársandur outwash plains with lovely views of the outlet glaciers of the great Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Make a stop to enjoy the breathtaking sights of the Skaftafell National Park, an oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand with many hiking possibilities and at the spectacular Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. Enormous icebergs drift on the the lagoon and you can take a 30-40 min boat trip around them.

Highlights:
The East Fjords
Petra´s Stone Collection
Egilsstadir

Today’s journey takes you south through the sheltered East Fjords and their small fishing villages and high mountains. You drive through Almannaskarð tunnel to reach the villages Djúpivogur and Breiðdalsvík. In Stöðvarfjörður you can visit Petra’s Stone Collection, one of the most complete collections of Icelandic Minerals.

Highlights:
Dettifoss Waterfall
Ásbyrgi
Tjörnes Peninsula
Húsavik

In the morning you drive through the lunar landscape of Möðrudalur highlands where the road leads you to the mighty waterfall Dettifoss and where you will feel the earth tremble beneath the force of the glacial water. Continuing to Ásbyrgi, this horseshoe shaped gorge with its impressive rock walls and abundant vegetation is the ideal place to take a walk or have a picnic. Drive along the picturesque stretch of coastline of Tjörnes Peninsula until you arrive in the charming fishing village of Husavik.

Highlights:
Lake Mývatn
Dimmuborgir
Skútustadir
Godafoss Waterfall
Akureyri

Today you will have time to explore the marvels of Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve. Mývatn is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s most renowned areas, due to its volcanic activity and its amazing bird life. One of its main attractions is the Námaskarð, a geothermal area where you will find bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents. You must not miss the Krafla area situated north of the Krafla power station with the crater Víti and the Leirhnjúkur area. Later on, you can venture and walk up to the top of Hverfjall crater or dip into the geothermal water of the natural baths located east of the Lake. On the way to Akureyri you must make a stop at the waterfall, Goðafoss “The fall of the gods”.

Highlights:
Skagafjörður
Glaumbær Museum
Hraunfossar Waterfall
Reykholt
Deildartunguhver

Today you drive through the Skagafjörður in the Northeast of Iceland, which is known for horse breeding and many Icelandic horses can be seen on the way. Take some time to visit the museum at Glaumbær, a beautifully restored turf farmhouse, one of the few that has been properly preserved in Iceland. Continue driving through the Holtavörðuheiði moors to the southwest of Iceland. Today you will be discovering an interesting area, rich with cultural and historical heritage Borgarfjörður. You pass the splendid waterfalls of Hraunfossar, where the water flows out of the lava into the river below. Continue and make a stop at Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s Largest hot spring (in terms of water production per second).

Highlights:
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Stykkishólmur
Breidafjördur Bay

Today you will be exploring the natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which is known for the stunning Snæfellsjökull National Park and the Snæfell Glacier that towers above the region. Drive through the north part of the peninsula, passing through Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing village beautifully overlooking the Breidafjörður bay. From Stykkishólmur you will have the possibility to sightsee among the uncountable Islands and explore the unique nature and bird life Breidafjörður has.

Highlights
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Hellnar
Eldborg Crater
Arnastapi

Today’s itinerary takes you through lava fields and fertile farming land. Driving around the unique Snæfellsnes peninsula there are many sights you should not miss, such as Snæfellsjökull glacier, Hellnar, Djúpalónssandur, and the crater Eldborg. Explore the charming village of Arnastapi where basalt columns have been eroded by the pounding waves. There are also bird cliffs, home of kittiwakes and arctic terns. Continue to Reykjavík for your overnight stay.

Drive back to Keflavík airport for your flight back home or book an extra night in Reykjavík, the vibrant capital of Iceland!