Iceland Complete

Welcome to your self-drive holiday in Iceland! Once you arrive at Keflavik International Airport and clear customs, you’ll pick up your car at the rental service area. You only need a short ride with a shuttle bus located outside the arrival hall to get to your preferred rental vehicle. The shuttle bus departs every 10-15 minutes, so you won't be wasting your time waiting for the transfer. The first night will be spent in the heart of Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital.

After breakfast, it's time to explore some of the most beautiful wonders of West Iceland. Hvalfjörður gives an excellent opportunity to enjoy the unique beauty of Icelandic fjords, with its sloops, shores, canyons, and waterfalls and its somewhat controversial history of whaling. The area is especially quiet and tranquil. Don’t miss Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, and the tallest that is easily accessible by foot. It is close to the settlements of Borgarnes, which is a commerce center of the region and a perfect place to refresh at. Not far from these sites, you find Deildartunghver, the most powerful hot spring in Iceland, which sits near the historical settlement of Reykholt. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls are also very much worth visiting. The nearby Krauma natural geothermal spa is a great place for relaxation.

Today you will have a full day to explore the wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Snaefellsnes is truly a magical place, with its volcanoes, glacier, basalt columns, and waterfalls. The peninsula is rich in wildlife, including dozens of species of birds and bays teeming with whales. Snaefellsjokull glacier is a 1446 m high dormant strata-volcano in the middle of Snaefellsnes National Park. It is the main tourist attraction towering over the national park at the far end of the 90 km long stretch of land. It is an ideal road trip to drive around the peninsula, exploring Dritvík Cove, Lóndrangar Cliffs, and Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs with its abundant birdlife and the quaint villages along the coast.

Today you will board the ferry along with your car, and travel to the wonderful West Fjords of Iceland. There are nearly 3000 small islands in the Breidarfjorduy bay and cruises allow visitors to see the unusual rock formations and enjoy the birdlife, whale watching, and spectacular tidal currents. Many of these islands are used by people but very few are inhabited year-round. At Patreksfjordur, you will find a geothermal pool where you can relax in a hot tub in the evening. You will stay the night in the Westfjords. 

Today, you will explore Latrabjarg, the largest known bird cliff in the world and home to millions of birds, hosting nearly half of some species' population. This place is a natural spot to see puffins, so make sure to have your camera. Safe from Arctic foxes, the birds are fearless, providing many opportunities to take wonderful photographs. Afterward, continue your road trip. Raudisandur offers a spectacular view of the golden sands and countless numbers of seabirds and seals. The magnificent hues of the sand differ with daylight and weather.

The Westfjords offer you the opportunity to enjoy Iceland’s beautiful nature as it is meant to be explored, alone and completely free from the crowds. Largely uninhabited, this region is frequently distinguished by travel guides as a destination of excellence and is a must-see for any serious explorer. The dramatic Dynjandi waterfall is one of the pearls you do not want to miss. Small villages will cross your path to Isafjordur who rely on the land and sea for survival and the locals don´t get more authentic than that.

Spend a full free day in the beautiful town of Isafjordur. This town has a range of restaurants and recreation possibilities for all budgets and tastes for the tourist. Countless hiking- and biking trails, horse riding, bird watching, skiing, and kayaking are all within easy reach. Isafjordur is considered the honorary capital of the Westfjords and has a real vibrancy with a thriving harbor, world-class dining, swanky cafes, and an annual music festival that draws fans from all over the world.

Today, the Westfjords await you with its wild, unspoiled nature. The magical Westfjords is where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes come to a riveting climax and where mass tourism disappears. Despite its uniqueness, most travelers miss this oldest part of the island. Today, you will be faced with some challenging gravel roads, but you will also be rewarded with incredible sights. Don't miss to explore Hólmavík where you will find the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum, the Sorcerer’s Cottage. The hot natural pools in Drangsnes are also well worth a visit. 

Enjoy the day exploring the Strandir area, one of the most remote areas of Iceland. The area was once very populated but is now home to only about 50 residents who enjoy living in this beautiful place despite its ruralness. The drive from the area is one of the most scenic drives you will take, besides the breathtaking nature you are bound to be captivated by the tiny settlements that greet you on the way. If you are up for a de-tour, you can take an afternoon tour to the nearby puffin island, Grimsey, where you will get the rare opportunity of walking next to the birds in their natural habitat before returning to the hotel.

Today you visit Skagafjörður, a fjord in North Iceland is an area central to Icelandic history and culture. Make your way to Hvammstangi where you will find the Icelandic Seal Center. It is a research and exhibition center investigating and detailing the lives of seals found in and around Iceland. You can also visit Hvitserkur, a beautiful cliff where many seabirds, especially gulls and fulmars, have made their nests for centuries. Due to the powerful and never-ending onslaught of the tireless sea, the base of the stack has been reinforced with cement, to protect and maintain it.

Today’s drive is a scenic one through the dramatic mountains of Trüllaskagi, the Troll Peninsula. Trollaskagi is a hidden gem in Iceland, a bit separated from the rest of the country by its high mountain range. Driving along the peninsula you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the area. It is an epic fairy tale route leading from Akureyri, along the spectacular coastline, through small fishing communities like Dalvik, Olafsfjordur, and Siglufjordur, with its fabulous herring museum. Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city is often referred to as the ‘Capital of the North. Located only 96 kilometers (60 mi) away from the Arctic Circle, Akureyri is a surprisingly green community with lush vegetation. We recommend exploring the Hlidarfjall mountain, the Botanical Garden, the culture house, and the charming streets.

Today you will have the chance to explore the magnificent Mývatn area. On the way, stop and visit Goðafoss waterfall. Located between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, this picturesque ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ is one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. Lake Myvatn in North Iceland is a geological wonderland that has been sculpted by volcanic eruptions over thousands of years. Bubbling mud flats, volcanic craters, and newborn lava fields are among the sights of the striking Lake Myvatn region, which is a designated nature reserve. One of the most remarkable natural phenomena is old explosion craters such as Skútustaðagýgar, Hverfjall, and Víti. In Húsavík you can join on a big whale safari in a speedboat to see the majestic whales, puffins, and all the while, enjoy a thrilling experience.

It’s time to continue your Iceland adventure. Explore Tjörnes, a small peninsula in North Iceland, close to the town of Húsavík. You can find fossils in abundance at Tjörnes and the strata of fossils are a testimony to the changes in climate for the past 4 million years. Next, visit Ásbyrgi, one of the wonders of nature, a well-forested horseshoe-shaped canyon. After visiting the canyon, make your way down to Dettifoss waterfall, which is the most powerful waterfall in Europe with 500 cubic meters of water per second plunge over the edge.

Today you will be driving through the wild and rugged East Coast of Iceland with picturesque fjords and visit tranquil fishing villages along the way. East Iceland is rich in history and culture, from early settlement to the present. In every fjord, farm, or village, even in the most remote highlands, history reveals itself either in the form of museums, ruins, or other historical sites. Indulge yourself in a trip through history as you drive along the East. Natural landmarks such as Studlagil canyon, Rjukandi waterfall are well worth the visit before you reach your hotel for the night.

Start your day early and travel along the stunning coastline. Make a stop at Vök Baths, a geothermal destination on the beautiful Lake Urriðavatn, and continue your way towards Egilsstadir. It’s the largest town in the region and home to all the services a traveler might need. Visit Skriðuklaustur, an ancient manor estate in Fljótsdalur, and Petra’s stone collections in Stodvarfjordur. Hundreds of thousands of people visited Petra in the last three decades. Many show a very strong reaction to what they experience inside the collection. Some guests have started to cry when they walk into the house and others have said that they had a strong physical reaction when they viewed the stones.

Start your day with exploring Jokuslarlon Glacier Lagoon’s dramatic landscapes, featured in James Bond's Die Another Day. Huge blocks of ice constantly break off the glacier, Breiðamerkurjökull, and the large icebergs float on the lagoon. On Diamond Beach, you can find small icebergs (crystals) that have washed ashore and look like glittering diamonds. Many seals call this beach home, and it is one of the best places in the country to see Orcas from the shore. Afterward, travel along the South coast of Iceland toward Fjaðrárgljúfur, a magnificent and massive canyon. Most people choose to walk along a walking path up on the canyon's edge while simultaneously enjoying the view above the canyon.

Start your day early and continue your journey along the South Coast of Iceland. Make sure not to miss the rugged and moss-covered Eldhraun lava field, towards the village of Vík, the metropolitan hub of Iceland's South Coast. Just beside the village, visit the famous black-volcanic-sand beach of Reynisfjara with a view of the basalt rock formation that sticks out of the sea. Dyrholaey, a naturally formed arch is right before the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. In summer, hundreds of thousands of birds make their nests in the grassy hills of Dyrholaey, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Drive towards Hvolsvollur but on the way, make sure you don’t miss the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. In the afternoon, you will leave the Ring Road and drive towards the Golden Circle route, where you will find the Geysir geothermal area with bubbling mud pools and spouting geyser and the milky waterfall Gullfoss.

It’s time to continue your Iceland road trip. In the morning, make your way towards the fascinating Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can walk on a path in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and learn about the site of Iceland's first parliament. After exploring this beautiful area, head back to Reykjavik. We recommend a leisurely drive to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath in an otherworldly setting in the middle of a recently formed lava field. Filled with mineral-rich warm water, the Blue Lagoon provides a sensational bathing experience out in the open air all year round.

Today, you have a full day to explore the World's Northernmost Capital. Reykjavik city center offers many great sights, and the city is unique in so many ways. You will not find the towering skyscrapers of America or the age-old narrow streets, which time has seemingly forgotten and seemingly unchanged since Roman times, as in Europe. Reykjavik is somewhere in between and yet miles away. With its small quirky houses and both tiny and open spaces, it’s colorful, modern, charming, and old all the same time. So, don’t forget to bring your camera along, and get ready for photo ops at every turn.

The time to say goodbye to Iceland has come. Return your rental car in good time to check in for your flight at the same location as you picked it up from. It is recommended that passengers check-in for their flights 2,5 hours prior to departure time.