in Iceland itinerary: Road Trip around Iceland

Trip Details

After picking up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport, you’ll begin your journey toward Reykjavík, located about 50 km away. The drive offers an impressive introduction to Iceland’s dramatic volcanic landscapes, with vast lava fields stretching across your entire field of view. If you wish, you can make a stop at the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa known for its warm, mineral-rich waters. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax and recover after your flight before continuing on to Reykjavík, where you will check in to your hotel and settle in for the night.

Visit the country’s best-known sights: Thingvellir National Park, the geysers, and Gullfoss, the two-tier waterfall. Optional: Swim in the hot springs at the Secret Lagoon or the Fontana Laugarvatn Spa. Drive: 2h 15m, 150 km.

On the road today: the superb waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the village of Vík, and a walk along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Cross the Mýrdalssandur desert and the vast Eldhraun lava field, formed by the eruption of the volcano Laki in 1783. Optional: Horseback ride Drive: 3h10, 230 km

On the way to Skaftafell National Park, don’t miss a stop to admire the glacier tongues. You will reach Jökulsárlón, a magnificent glacial lagoon where countless icebergs float, having broken off from the wide glacier tongue Breiðamerkurjökull. Optional: a guided hike on a glacier, or a zodiac or amphibian boat tour in one of the glacial lagoons in the region. Drive: 2h40, 200 km

Discover the Eastfjords. Visit Fáskrúðsfjörður village, which served as a base for French sailors who came here to fish for cod in the 19th century. Optional: Visit the Fáskrúðsfjörður Museum or swim in the hot baths of Vök. Drive: 3 h 20 min, 260 km.

Head to Möðrudalur, the most isolated farm in the country, to try to spot Arctic foxes there. The solfatar fields of Námafjall and the volcanic site of Krafla can be seen just before arriving at Lake Mývatn. You will also see the pseudo-craters of Skútustaðir and the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir. Optional: Swimming at Mývatn Nature Bath. For more comfort, you will spend two consecutive nights in the Mývatn/Húsavík area. Drive: 2h 30min, 200 km

A day devoted to touring the Tjörnes Peninsula. Visit Húsavík, a charming small fishing port known for sea outings to watch whales. Stops at Ásbyrgi Canyon and Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Optional: Sea outing to observe whales. Drive: 3 h, 215 km

Goðafoss—the waterfall of the gods—is located on the route to Akureyri, the picturesque capital of the North. Drive towards Dalvík, further north, to reach the village of Siglufjörður, one of the most beautiful villages in the country. Optional: Sea outing to see whales, or visit the Siglufjörður Herring Museum. Drive: 2h 30m, 170 km

Discover the fertile lands of the Skagafjörður valley, the volcanic rock of Hvítserkur, and, if you’re lucky, spot the seals that live in the surrounding area. Optional: Horseback ride Drive: 2h 30m, 200 km

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers a range of treasures. You can visit Bjarnarhöfn Farm and learn all about making fermented shark. Also to see: the conical mountain of Kirkjufell, the beach of Djúpalónssandur, and the rocks of Lóndrangar. Optional: Sea outing to see whales and orcas, kayaking tour, visit to the Vatnshellir Cave. Drive: 3h30, 250 km

Don’t miss the superb black church of Búðir before leaving the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The Borgarfjörður valley offers unique sights, such as the stunning waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, whose waters come from the glacier Eiríksjökull. They cross the Hallmundarhraun lava field before flowing into the river Hvítá, as well as Europe’s most powerful hot water spring: Deildartunguhver, which supplies all the houses in the fjord with hot water. To reach the capital, you can go along the Hvalfjörður fjord, the whales’ fjord. Optional: Swim in the hot baths of Krauma. Drive: 3h50, 300 km

All good things must come to an end! Return your vehicle at the airport and take your international return flight. Drive: 45 min, 50 km.

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Lukas and their team

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They traveled with Lukas’s agency

Stevesam

January 13, 2020

Comfortable bed. Friendly and welcoming people everywhere you went. Great food. Plenty to see and do. Bus transfer system works perfectly.

Coffeeburner

November 1, 2019

We really enjoyed the Ice Cave tour on the southern coast. It was a sunny day and you could see for miles from the top. Our guide Kiddee was part mountain goat and had us climbing all over.

Cecile

October 25, 2019

The country was stunning, and we saw northern lights, so we were still happy to go. But there are too many tourists now, even in October, and the parkings are too small to welcome them. I wouldn't recommend the destination unless the person would really want to see the landscapes.

Claire@Seb

August 6, 2019

Very nice trip, we were lucky with the weather and the google maps itinerary were so pratical to have! that was a REALLY great service from Nika. All guest houses were good enough, Only one was on the low side: The Stundafriöur cottage, it was really small, we had to make the beds for the kids and the cartains were minimal so we had a lot of light! The BEST guest house was Sÿslo in Stykkishólmur both room and breakfast were GREAT!

Susan

June 6, 2019

I have already told several people about Evaneos and Gunnar in particular. We will book with Evaneos again!

KWT 's Fabulous trip to Iceland

April 30, 2019

• Grateful to have everything arranged for us from rental car which was easy to pick up and drop off- to having accommodations all set for each night and highlights and tours chosen and reserved. Thank you ! Very difficult to chose pictures as there are so many 1st pix- hiking up to Glymur Falls 2nd- enjoying taste of glacier 3rd- glacier - up close on boat with very knowledgable and friendly guide-Vatnajokull glacier 4th- walking behind the roaring falls at Seljalandsfoss 5th - getting a nice soaking from falls -Skogarfoss 6th- everywhere beautiful lava fields

AL,UK

April 9, 2019

1st day in Rejkyavik. Luckily in sunshine. Plenty to see. Hotel F*** B*** looked tired, breakfast room dark and cramped but staff were lovely and helpful and the room spacious and comfy with nice views. 2nd day Golden Circle. A handout would habe helped with names and background. So much of interest. Coach loads of tourista always disappointing but we knew and we are tourist too! Stops too brief. 3rd day afternoon lava tour. I couldnt go (youngest ill) but older 2 said it was ok. Felt a bit toiristy gimiky? Evening food tour by foor around d Rejkyavik. Excellent. Interesting guide, food delicious. Vege in party accomodatee. 4th day. 11 hour trip toouth for ice caves. Could have built in more time at Vik for lunch at nice cafe and time.on beach there. Ice caves fasinating buy different to those shown on the brochure. Stop to collect someone from glacier walk. Guide could have told us a 5 minute walk would give wonderful views of the glacier. Luckily I found it but those who didnt know.and styaied on bus really missed out. Airpot transfers v good. Could have done with another day in Rej to see more museums ans enjoy cafe scene. Also another visit to hot spring - just dont have them in uk! Have rec to friends local agent v helpful. Will return to see more. Airport lovely.

Andrew

March 30, 2019

Unfortunately we weren't able to see the northern lights, but the Golden circle (including secret lagoon) tour, south coast tour, Geysirs, walk in a glacier, waterfalls, food, and plenty of weather made for a very good holiday. Everybody we met was very friendly and we never felt out of place.

Farah

March 24, 2019

we spent 5 nights at different hotels and did many tours including glacier hike, ice caves, waterfalls, hot lagoons etc.