This leisurely road trip around Iceland gives you ample free time and flexibility to explore! Visit the country's renowned waterfalls, geysers, fjords, glaciers, iceberg lagoons and volcanic sites, while experiencing the country's flourishing culture. The package allows you to have the ultimate road trip in Iceland, with plenty of time to roam and enjoy exciting optional activities like glacier walks, horseriding, wildlife watching, and kayaking.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
On arrival to Keflavik Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city centre and its many museums, restaurants and bars for all tastes. If you're interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, to enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes.
Spend the night in Reykjavik.
Collect your rental car in the morning and begin your journey on the classic “Golden Circle” route, home to some of Iceland’s most popular attractions. Start with a visit to 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.
Next on the route is the Haukadalur geothermal area, where you can see Geysir—the original “geyser”—and its more active neighbour, Strokkur, which spouts water every few minutes. End the circle with visits to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall and the old implosion crater of Kerið.
Spend the night in the Selfoss area.
Driving distance approx. 185 km / 115 mi.
Head to the south coast and visit the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall — where you can walk right behind the misty cascade — and the equally impressive Skógafoss waterfall. Further along near Vík, make a stop to admire the black volcanic beach and the dramatic Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations. Other sights on the way include the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the quaint village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell area.
Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 mi.
Enjoy Skaftafell, a place of great natural beauty with many well-marked hiking trails, including a moderate walk to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall (4 km / 2 miles roundtrip). This region is full of opportunities for adventurous pursuits, including guided glacier walks and ice-climbing excursions. Then head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can ride a boat along a maze of floating icebergs (optional).
Spend the night in the Höfn area.
Driving distance approx. 205 km / 129 mi.
Today’s drive in East Iceland takes you along tranquil fishing villages, spectacular fjords and sweeping landscapes. Anyone who enjoys offbeat attractions – particularly geology buffs or garden enthusiasts –will want to visit Petra’s Mineral Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, a small museum of found natural objects and mineral rocks, which began as a hobby by a local resident.
End the day in the area of Egilsstaðir, where you will find the monster habitat Lagafljót and Hallormsstaðarskógur forest, the largest wooded area in Iceland. A visit to the Wilderness Center – Óbyggðasetrið is highly recommended, an old farm turned into a exhibition, guesthouse, café, located at the end of the fjord leading into the deep valley, close to the highlands.
Spend the night in Egilsstaðir or Seyðisfjörður.
Driving distance approx. 256 km / 159 mi.
Drive to Seyðisfjörður, one of the most enchanting villages in Iceland with its well-preserved wooden houses, steep mountains and picture-perfect fjord scenery. Then head to Bakkagerði, one of Iceland’s most isolated and smallest villages. But what it lacks in humans, it makes up for with other “residents” – it is rumoured to have the largest colony of elves and fairies in the country as well as a thriving bird population. Here, you will have the best chance to view the curious and colourful puffins up close, and it’s a great place for hiking!
Other attractions in the region include a hiking trail leading to Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls at 118 metres high.
Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 191 km / 118 mi.
Today’s drive brings you to the Lake Mývatn region, a hotbed of volcanic landscapes including the Námaskarð Pass, Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations and Krafla, one of Iceland’s most fascinating volcanoes. Later, take a dip in the soothing milky blue geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, the perfect way to relax after a full day of sightseeing.
Spend the night in the Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 165 km / 108 mi.
Use this day to explore more of Lake Mývatn and its unique surroundings. We recommend a drive through the Jökulsárgljúfur part of Vatnajökull National Park, visiting such sights as the Ásbyrgi canyon and Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Another great option is to join a whale watching tour at the nearby village of Húsavík, “the whale watching capital of Europe”.
Spend another night in the Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 255 km / 108 mi.
We recommend a visit to Goðafoss (“waterfall of the gods”) on your way to the charming town of Akureyri, where you will find many interesting shops and museums as well as the world's most northerly botanical garden.
After your break in Akureyri, head to Tröllaskagi (“The Peninsula of the Trolls”), where you can enjoy fantastic scenery of beautiful mountains, cliffs and fjords. There you can take a short ferry ride to the island of Hrísey before driving to Dalvík and then to Siglufjörður, which was once the centre of Iceland’s herring fleet. Finally, make your way through the beautiful valley of Skagafjörður. On the way you can visit the folk museum in Glaumbær, a restored turf farmhouse dating from 1750.
Spend the night in Northwest Iceland.
Driving distance approx. 256 km / 159 mi.
Today marks the beginning of your journey around the beautiful West Fjords, one of the most remote, unspoilt regions in Iceland. Sights along the way include the countless mounds of Vatnsdalshólar, the Borgarvirki natural fortress, the Hvítserkur rock formation (which some say resembles a rhino) and Illugastaðir, where you are likely to find seals at play. Continue the drive to Hólmavík where you will find the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum, the Sorcerer’s Cottage and the hot natural pools in Drangsnes are also well worth a visit.
Spend the night in the Hólmavík area.
Driving distance approx. 250 km / 155 mi.
Today’s journey is characterized by endless but dramatic fjords and towering mountains. In Ísafjörður, the biggest settlement in the region, you‘ll find some of the most historic houses in Iceland, dating back to the mid-18th century. In the afternoon, we suggest a drive to Bolungarvík for a visit to the Ósvör Maritime Museum and a visit to the radar station on top of Bolafjall where, on a clear day, you can have amazing views over the uninhabited Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
Spend the night in the Ísafjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 220 km / 136 mi.
Today we recommend joining a guided boat tour from Ísafjördur to the small, charming island of Vigur, where you can see an abundance of birds in their natural environment including eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins, black guillemot, and more (when in season). Today can also be spent enjoying the scenic nature surrounding Ísafjörður, joining optional activities such as a guided walk, kayaking tour and enjoying a unique dining dining experience at the well known Tjöruhúsið restaurant, which serves fresh fish from the local fishermen.
Spend the night in the Ísafjörður area.
Head to Dýrafjörður, where you will find the trail of the Viking Saga hero, Gisli Súrsson, as well as the Skrúður botanical garden. Continuing to Hrafnseyri, you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jón Sigurðsson, who was influential in Iceland’s battle for independence.
Next, make a stop at the impressive Dynjandi waterfall before heading to the spectacular 444-metre-high cliff of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a good look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, such as puffins and razorbills.
You can also visit the rich golden sands of Rauðisandur.
Spend the night in the southern Westfjords.
You’ll leave the Westfjords behind and kick off the day with the Baldur ferry.* It will take you across the Breiðafjörður bay, with a stop on beautiful Flatey, all the way to the village of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The duration of the ferry ride is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
If you have time to explore after your arrival in Stykkishólmur, you could spend the afternoon roaming the region's unique sights, including spotting the Snæfellsjökull glacier in Snæfellsjökull National Park, seeing Dritvík Cove and exploring the charming hamlets of Arnarstapi, Hellnar and Búðir.
Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes region.
*In May and September, the Baldur ferry departs only in the evenings. Instead, we recommend that you drive around the bay to Stykkishólmur. The drive adds approximately 280 km (173 mi) to your journey, but it is very scenic.
Driving distance approx. 140 km / 87 mi.
Explore the magical Snæfellsjökull National Park with its rich birdlife, lush valleys, rugged lava fields and towering glacier-capped volcano. Driving along the coast of this scenic peninsula you can stop to visit such sights as Dritvík Cove, the Lóndrangar Cliffs, Hellnar, the Arnarstapi Cliffs and small fishing villages on the coast.
You may also wish to test your strength at Djúpalónssandur, a black volcanic beach with “lifting stones” that sailors in old days used to prove their strength and determine their roles on the fishing boats.
Spend the night in the Borgarfjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 225 km / 146 mi.
Today is all about exploring West Iceland’s diverse attractions such as the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss along with the Deildartunguhver hot spring, and Háafell Goat Farm. You also have the choice of joining several optional activities such as the Krauma geothermal baths, the lava tunnel Víðgelmir, venturing inside a glacier or experiencing a thrilling snowmobile tour on top of a glacier. For those interested in the Viking history of Iceland, a stop at the Icelandic Settlement Center in Borgarnes is highly recommended.
Spend the night in Reykjavik.
Driving distance approx. 185 km / 105 mi.
On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your accommodation in Reykjavík and transport you to Keflavík International Airport in time for your scheduled flight.
If you are departing in the afternoon, you have the option of enjoying some additional sightseeing, shopping or relaxing in Reykjavik after this long and enjoyable holiday.
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
Everything you need to know about this tour before you book
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this summer self-drive tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.
Please note that for September arrivals, you will be travelling around the island clockwise, heading north and returning via the south coast.
On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!
All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Iceland, along with airport transfers and planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.
And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, leaflets about driving in Iceland, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. You’ll also have in-car Wi-Fi included in your car rental, meaning you’ll be able to stay connected and check things on the go.
Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.
If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.
During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.
On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.
For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.
If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.
By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.
For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.
During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.
If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland.
Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process.
Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.
Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.
Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.
If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.
Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.
In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing.
If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.
The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.
Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.
Driving in Iceland during the summer months might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:
And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!
For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Iceland. Additionally, when you arrive on your tour, you’ll receive a brochure telling you more about driving in Iceland.
Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer.
Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon.
These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn.
Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.
Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F).
It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions.
Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.
Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.
Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:
For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.
There are limited laundry facilities along the Ring Road and in Iceland’s countryside. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning or laundry services for an additional cost.
On your Iceland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around 300-400 ISK per litre.
As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Iceland. For the rest of your meals, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.
Budget between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.
If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.
It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.
Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.
After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip.
At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.
No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.
Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:
After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.
When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.
So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?
After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM.
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.
When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.
You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.
All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland.
Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.
These should tide you over until you’re in Iceland to take your own pictures.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
Our group of six completed the 17 day, self-driving Grand Tour of Iceland. Iceland is a beautiful country with warm and gracious people. Thanks to our Travel Consultant (Zachary) and the Nordic Visitor team, we had an extraordinary experience. All aspects of the trip planning process, arrangements and execution, was handled flawlessly. In fact, when our travel was threaten by an unforeseen Arctic storm early in our trip, the Nordic Visitor team proactively contacted us while we were on the road and spontaneously developed alternative plans to keep us safe and our itinerary intact. Zachary and the Nordic Visitor team definitely earned a 5 Star review!
Outstanding. Everything that Nordic Visitor arranged was exactly as they planned and promised. Daniel was very helpful before our departure.
We enjoyed seeing Iceland as a self-drive 18-day tour. Places to stay were pretty much what I expected. Transportation was excellent.
Our trip to Iceland through Nordic Visitor was amazing! Everything went so smoothly from beginning to end on our 17-day trip! Nordic Visitor took the worry out of planning in a country we knew nothing about. Knowing that we were taken care of allowed us to relax, have fun and enjoy every moment of our trip of a lifetime! Thank you Nordic Visitor!
Overall, we found Nordic Visitor an excellent tour operator that was very easy to work with.
From the first minute in Iceland to the last, everything was organised in a perfect manner that we could enjoy our trip and do whatever our minds and hearts wanted to do. The only fixpoint was the accommodation in the evening.
Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.
Look forward to getting a good night’s sleep after each day of driving in Iceland. All your accommodation will be conveniently located near your driving route, with ample parking. Rest assured that you’ll stay in the best possible properties, which have all received excellent reviews from previous customers.
You can expect rooms in good quality guesthouses, farmhouses, or hostels. Most of the properties are run by small, family-run busi..
ViewIn this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..
ViewWith Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..
ViewEnjoy the journey in the rental car of your choice, with two authorised drivers and free in-car Wi-Fi.
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