Iceland Circle

Your Iceland self-drive vacation is about to begin. 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.

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.

You have the whole day to enjoy the sights of the iconic Golden Circle. The main highlights are Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the great Geysir geothermal area with bubbling mud pools and spouting geyser, and the milky waterfall Gullfoss. Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse is a wonderful add-on to the day along with green and lush farmlands before you reach your hotel for the night.

You surely have an eventful day ahead starting with exploring Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the misty cascade, the picture-perfect Skogafoss, the stunning black beach of Reynisfjara, and the charming village of Vík. Further East you find Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with the Diamond Beach, which is a must, to stop by.

Kick-off with a zodiac boat tour on Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon. It is an isolated glacial lagoon in the realm of the Vatnajökull glacier. Icebergs break off into the lake and drift serenely around before melting truly a magnificent experience getting close to the giants floating quietly around. Driving along the East Fjords of Iceland gives you an insight into tranquil fishing villages and spectacular views. You’ll spend the night in one of those charming towns.

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 lake Mývatn area for the night.

Among all the isolated gems and magical sights, one of the most popular locations in North Iceland is the Lake Mývatn area. You can easily lose track of time stepping into Sleipnirs crescent-shaped canyon at Ásbyrgi, hunt for ancient fossils at Tjörnes peninsula, and get lost in the roar of Dettifoss waterfall. The crown of Myvatn area Dimmuborgir which loosely translated means ‘dark castles’ are thought to have been created about 2,300 years ago in the violent throes of an extensive volcanic eruption. There are three different routes marked for walking in the labyrinth of ethereal lava formations which provide shelter for unexpectedly rich vegetation during summer. The hiking routes are all relatively easy and the longest one only takes a few hours to complete.

Heading towards the Borgafjordur area, stop and enjoy the stunning Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods. This picturesque waterfall is one of the most impressive in Iceland with its ice-blue glacial water. Also recommended to visit Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland, Hvítserkur cliff, and Glaumbaer folk museum in Skagafjordur before ending at your hotel for the night.

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. 

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.

Explore the Reykjanes peninsula on your way to the airport. The peninsula is the home of a UNESCO geopark harboring Pillow lava, curious rock formations in the shape of elves, trolls, and finally the famous Blue Lagoon. 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.