Self-Drive ALONG THE RING ROAD

Fly to Iceland and collect your rental car on arrival at Keflavik International Airport. Dive into the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon before heading south to your first accommodation. A visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa could be a good start to your stay in Iceland. Guests renew their relationship with nature, soak up the scenic beauty and enjoy breathing the clean, fresh air while relaxing in the warm geothermal seawater. Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked ahead, and entrance is not included in this offer.

On the roundtrip in Iceland, you will also find other geothermal pools to visit. The first night is either in Reykjavik or nearby in the south of Iceland. Drive to the World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park. This is the location of Iceland‘s original parliament. Enjoy views across the clear waters of Lake Thingvallavatn. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall and the famous Geysir geothermal area, where the geyser of Strokkur regularly erupts and numerous other hot springs bubble and steam. Nearby Geysir area, we can recommend stopping at the farm Efstidalur (about 10 minute’s drive from the Laugarvatn area, between Thingvellir and Geysir). Here you can enjoy a nice dinner or just have a taste of homemade ice cream. Accommodation one night in the area.

You can start the day by visiting the Secret Lagoon (about 15 15-minute drive from Geysir). Enjoy a morning bath in this geothermal natural pool. You also find the farm Fridheimar which offers lunch between 12 and 16. At Fridheimar, you can enjoy homemade dishes in a Greenhouse sitting area. The farm produces tomatoes all year round in the greenhouses, warmed up by geothermal heat.
From the foot of Hekla volcano, it is well worth taking a trip to the valley of the Thjorsa River. The earliest settlers in Iceland chose this valley. There you can visit the Viking farm Stong, which is a reconstruction of the farm as it was 1000 years ago. The original farm was destroyed by a major volcanic eruption in the year 1104. Many scenes from the TV series Games of Thrones were taken in Thjorsardalur valley.

On the route to Vik, the southernmost town in Iceland make sure you stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss. These are two of Iceland's loveliest waterfalls. You can walk to the back of Seljalandsfoss. On the way, to Vik, you will pass Eyjafjallajokull glacier and the area evacuated in the large volcano eruption in 2010. At Vik, you will find Reynisfjara, Reynisdrangar and Dyrholaey. Reynisfjara is a black lava beach that has amazing basalt rock formations. Outside the sea, you can see the basalt-shaped pillars of Reynisdrangar. The area has a rich bird life and you will be able to see puffins here. Dyrholaey is a small peninsula at Reynisdrangar. Here you should take pictures of the view. Accommodation near Vik I Myrdal.

Right next to the Ring Road is the Skaftafell National Park. The mountains are reminiscent of the Alps and have been formed by volcanoes, glaciers and water. Skaftafell is an area where you can spend a whole day. Go up to the glacier or just for a short trip to Svartifoss waterfall, one of the most popular attractions in the park. Svartifoss is a unique natural gem framed in black lava columns.

Nearby is Europe‘s biggest glacier, Vatnajokull, and the extraordinary Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Without a doubt, these are the highlights of the day. You can join a tour by boat on the lagoon or maybe a kayak tour. Make sure to visit Diamond beach, just by the Glacier Lagoon. Here you will find icebergs from the lagoon that have drifted ashore and created the most magical setting. White melting icebergs on a black beach.

If time allows you, can also take a tour of the coast outside Hofn, and enjoy the views of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes peninsula. Accommodation in Hofn/Jokulsarlon area.

From the fishing village Hofn you head off through the long valleys of the Eastern Fjords. Geologically this is the oldest part of Iceland. An area of fjords, steep mountains, majestic mountain peaks, rich bird life and ancient memories. In Djupavogur you will find "Eggene i Gledivik", a stone sculpture consisting of 34 large stone eggs set up by the seaside.

There is the possibility of a boat trip from Djupavogur to the island of Papey, which has a rich birdlife. The boat trip is about 4 hours and runs around 13:00 hours. You can stop at the Stone Museum of Petra in Stodvarfjordur, which is a private collection of Icelandic minerals. Continue on the road to Egilsstadir. If you have enough time, we suggest that you drive towards Eskifjordur. It is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in Iceland. With its old red wooden houses situated on the seafront.

A potential evening hiking tour could be up to the waterfall Hengifoss by Hallormsstadur. Accommodation in the area of Egilsstadir.

From Egilsstadir you drive through the uninhabited and desert-like areas of the Modrudalsoraefi to visit the attractions in the northeast. Explore the area around Lake Myvatn. This is an active volcanic zone with pseudo-craters, sulfuric springs and bizarre lava formations, as well as lush green, fertile plains. This region is also home to a wonderful variety of birdlife.

A couple of highlights by Myvatn are the lava “town” of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area Namaskard. End your day with a bath in the Blue Lagoon of the north, Myvatn Nature Baths. Accommodation by Myvatn or Akureyri area for one night.

We can recommend a whale-watching excursion from the harbour in Akureyri or the fishing village of Husavik, and there is a great chance to see whales if you participate in whale watching. The trip out with the beautiful wooden boats gives you a wonderful experience at the sea overlooking the majestic north coast of Iceland.

Drive the ring road toward the west. The Skagafjordur area features several intriguing sights. This region is particularly famous for breeding world-renowned Icelandic horses. Nearby is Saudakrokur and the fascinating folk museum at Glaumbær. 

There are possibilities for horseback riding on Iceland horses, hiking tours and if you want more excitement, there is river rafting. In Vididalur near Hvammstangi, you will find the beautiful Kolugljufur canyon with its stunning waterfall Kolufossar. In this area, you will also find the amazing cliff of Hvitserkur.  

Continue west to the Borgarfjorðdr district, where you spend the night.

Start your day driving to Reykholt. The place of Snorri Sturluson, Icelandic author and poet who lived in Reykholt in the 1200s. He is most famous as a writer of Heimskringla, Norse Kings Sagas. Nearby Reykholt, you will find Husafell. Here you have the opportunity to join a tour of Langjokull glacier and into a man-made cave on the glacier. Just by Husafell, you will also find the beautiful waterfalls Barnafossar and Hraunfossar.

On the way to Borgarnes, it is possible to stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe's largest geometric hot water source. It produces 150 litres of boiling water per second! The steaming water testifies to the inner forces of the earth. You will find Krauma Spa by Deildartunguhver.

In the afternoon, you arrive in Reykjavik, where the journey ends. Get to know the most northern Capital in Europe in the afternoon. You will find many shops, cafes and museums in the city. The best way to enjoy the city is to take an easy stroll through the city centre, with the small houses and nice atmosphere. From Hallgrimskirkja church in the city centre, you can take panorama views of the city from the tower. Accommodation in Reykjavik.

Spend the day as you wish, depending on your return flight. Drop off your rental car at Keflavik Airport.