Complete Iceland (Self-drive)

Depending on the time of your arrival, you may like to visit the famous Blue Lagoon, a giant geothermal pool turned spa - accessing the lagoon en route to Hveragerdi involves only a short detour.

Hveragerdi is a small and, at a glance, unassuming provincial Icelandic town, but one with a very special setting! The town is situated on top of an active volcanic zone, and as a result is surrounded by richly fertile plains and geothermal hot springs. Often referred to as the “flower village”, the town is most famous for its rows of greenhouses, which utilise the thermal springs to grow a variety of warm climate plants which are then put on display during the town’s annual flower festival held every August. Beyond its unique setting, Hveragerdi also provides a very pleasant introduction to small-town Icelandic culture. There are lots of restaurants and coffee houses in the town centre, creating a lively atmosphere.

Check-in at your hotel on arrival in Hveragerdi, with the rest of the day free to explore. Several activities can be arranged within the vicinity of Hveragerdi depending on the time of your arrival. These include walking, mountain biking and horseback riding (pre-booking is recommended). A number of walking trails are easily accessible from Hveragerdi and can be explored independently.

We recommend starting with Gullfoss, a dramatic, two-tiered waterfall set within the Hvita River Canyon, approx. 1 hour’s drive north-east of Hveragerdi. The waterfall is located at the end of a 2km walking trail and presents fabulous photo opportunities.

A short drive from Gullfoss is another of the Golden Circle’s attractions, the great geyser of Strokkur, in the Haukadalur Valley. Part of the Haukadalur Geothermal Area, this active geyser pumps out spectacular blasts of water to heights as great as 25 metres. Surrounding it are many smaller geysers, fumaroles, hot springs and mudpits, which can be explored via a network of trails.

After exploring Gullfoss and Haukadalur, return south towards Hveragerdi, then continue along the southern shore of Iceland to arrive at the Dyrholaey Peninsula. Dyrholaey is a natural promontory overlooking the sea, famous for its eroded arch and its dramatic coastal views. Part of a protected nature reserve, Dyrholaey also serves as a nesting ground for a multitude of sea birds, including magnificent puffin colonies.

Your journey today ends in the seafront village of Vik, the most southerly settlement in Iceland, located a short distance from Dyrholaey. Enjoy a walk along the beautiful black-sand beach before retreating to your overnight lodgings.

From the lava fields, continue to the town of Klaustur, whose green pastoral setting contrasts with the nearby lava fields and the black sands of Skeidararsandur; and then on to Skaftafell.

A region of jagged mountain peaks and outlet glaciers, Skaftafell is situated at the foot of the Vatnajokull ice cap, part of the wider Vatnajokull National Park. There is a network of trails around Skaftafell that can be easily explored independently, or you might prefer to spend the afternoon at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, where you can cruise amid the floating icebergs on a scenic boat tour (at additional cost).

When ready, continue your journey along the southern coast to arrive at the fishing town of Hofn, where you stay tonight.

After crossing Almannaskard Pass, the route sees you follow the jagged East Icelandic coastline as the road contours around fjords and past several small coastal settlements. At points, the road diverges, allowing you to continue along the coast or to take to the mountains, both routes offering fabulous scenery. Along the way, you’ll also pass through the coastal settlements of Djupivogur and, optionally, Stodvarfjordur, where you may like to stop and explore.

For a relaxing end to the day, consider a visit to the Vok baths, geothermal spa pools located on Lake Urridavatn, just outside Egilsstadir.

You stay this evening at the fabulous Hotel Hallormsstadur, located in Hallormsstadur Forest, approx. 40 minutes from Egilsstadir.

There are a number of scenic stops that you might choose to make within the Lake Myvatn area, either before or after checking in at your hotel. Highlights include the striking lava formations of Dimmuborgir; the Skutustadir “pseudo-craters”; and the flowing Laxa salmon river, where it is said that there are found more species of water bird than in any other place on earth.

Overnight in the Lake Myvatn area.

When ready, depart the Lake Myvatn area and follow the famous ring road 1 in the direction of Akureyri, a large port town on the northern Icelandic coast. En route, we recommend stopping at Godafoss, located just off the ring road.

Known as “the Waterfall of the Gods”, Godafoss is one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Curved into the shape of a horseshoe, its waters cascade from a height of 14 metres over a width of 30 metres. An easy walking trail allows you to view and photograph the falls from several angles.

From Godafoss, continue to Akureyri.

Despite having a population of fewer than 20,000, Akureyri is often referred to as Iceland’s second city and northern capital. The town has a great buzz and is a pleasure to explore on foot, particularly the harbour area, where you can admire the brightly-painted houses and the views of Eyja Fjord, Iceland’s longest fjord.

After exploring Akureyri, follow the scenic coastal route as it contours around Eyja Fjord and Trollaskagi, or the “Troll Peninsula”, to arrive at the historic fishing town of Siglufjordur, where you stay tonight.

Siglufjordur's harbour area is also a pleasure to explore, with its brightly-painted timber and corrugated iron homes and cafes.

Leaving Siglufjordur, the coastal road continues around the Troll Peninsula and to the Bay of Skagafjordur. This region of Iceland is famed for its horse-rearing; if of interest, this afternoon you might visit the Lytingsstadir Farm, a short detour from the main ring road, to learn more about the Icelandic tradition of horse breeding, including an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed that has a special fifth gait - the “tölt”.

Other sites of interest within the Skagafjordur region include the historic settlement of Holar, which has served as a major centre of Christianity in Iceland over the course of a millennium, housing one of the country’s two bishoprics since the 11th century. This history is visible in Holar’s Hólakirkja Cathedral, with its beautiful church tower. Also of interest is the Skagafjordur Heritage Museum.

Once you have finished exploring Skagafjordur, connect with the main ring road and follow it to Blonduos, a pretty village which straddles the Blanda River and Hrutey Island. Here you might like to stop for a walk in the Hrutey Nature Reserve, before continuing over the scenic Holtavdrduheidi plateau to reach the town of Borgarnes¸ where you stay tonight.

While in the region of Deildartunguhver, you might also like to visit the Krauma Natural Hot Spring for a refreshing morning bath amidst stunning scenery!

When ready, follow the ring road to Thingvellir National Park.

The location of the original Althing, Iceland’s medieval-era governing assembly, Thingvellir has been the setting for many of the most important events in Iceland’s history. Set on the shores of Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, the Althing first sat in the early 10th-century and is considered to be the oldest parliament in the world.

Thingvellir is also notable for its fascinating geology. The national park encompasses a deep rift valley – the Thingvellir Valley – formed where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. Along with the East African Rift Valley, it is the only place in the world where the meeting of two tectonic plates is so clearly visible above sea level, taking the form of deep cracks and fissures in the earth that widen into the Thingvellir Valley.

Beyond its place in Iceland’s history, Thingvellir also boasts fabulous scenery that can be enjoyed as you explore the park’s walking trails, which connect the assembly site, where the meetings of the Althing were once held, to various scenic spots on the northern shore of Lake Thingvallavatn.

Late afternoon, continue to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, where you stay tonight. This evening is free for you to explore Reykjavik independently.