Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavik to Reykjavik
You'll land at Keflavik and pick up your rental car for the drive to Reykjavik. Get settled into your accommodation in the capital area for the night.
- Day 2
Walfjord - Snæfellsnes Peninsula
You'll drive along Walfjord toward Reykholt, where you can see Hraunfossar waterfall with its multiple cascades pouring from a lava field into the river. The route takes you through Borgarnes, and if you're interested, there's an optional museum covering Icelandic settlement and the Saga period. From there, continue on to Snæfellsnes peninsula where you'll settle in for two nights in a more tranquil setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive along the Walfjord
- Visit Reykholt historic village
- View Hraunfossar waterfall
- Scenic drive through glacier landscape of Langjökull
Optional Activities
- Museum visit in Borgarnes on settlement of Iceland and the Saga period
Landmarks Walfjord Reykholt Hraunfossar Langjökull Hvita River Borgarnes Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Day 3
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
You'll start by heading out to the Snæfellsnes peninsula to see what makes this area so special. The drive takes you around Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-topped volcano that Jules Verne wrote about in his novel. Along the way, you'll pass black sand beaches, mountains covered in moss, and lava fields that stretch across the landscape. The basalt cliffs at Arnarstapi are worth the hike if you have the energy for it, and the views from up there show off the whole region pretty well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Circle Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Hike to basalt cliffs at Arnarstapi
Landmarks Snæfellsjökull Arnarstapi - Day 4
Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Patreksfjördur
This day focuses on Breiðafjörður and the Westfjords. You'll stop at Eiríksstadir to see Erik the Great's reconstructed house, then continue to the Leif Eriksson Center in Búðardalur. From there, keep driving along the coast to Latrabjarg where you can see the bird cliffs rising 400 meters high. Puffins and guillemots nest there during breeding season. If you're interested, there's an optional ferry crossing on the Baldur that goes through Flatey island and gives you a different perspective of the fjord.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Eiríksstadir (Erik the Great's reconstructed house)
- Visit Leif Eriksson Center in Buðardalur
- Visit Latrabjarg bird cliffs
Optional Activities
- Cross Breiðafjördur on Baldur ferry via Flatey island (approximately 2 hours ferry crossing)
Landmarks Eiríksstadir Leif Eriksson Center Latrabjarg Flatey 
- Day 5
Patreksfjördur to Ísafjördur
You'll drive deeper into the Westfjords today, winding through fjords and over bare mountain passes heading north. Dynjandi waterfall is the main stop, and it's worth taking time to see it cascade down a 100-meter cliff. If you want to add more to your day, the Osvor Fishing Museum in Bolungarvik shows what fishing life was like in this region. The roads are narrow and winding, so pace yourself and enjoy the quiet landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Stop at Dynjandi waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Osvör Fishing Museum in Bolungarvík
Landmarks Dynjandi Osvör Fishing Museum 
- Day 6
Ísafjördur Area to Holmavik
Cross a pass into the eastern Westfjords and reach Holmavik. Spend time learning about this region's historical connection to black magic in Icelandic culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Holmavik
Optional Activities
- Visit wizard museum in Holmavik
Landmarks Holmavik - Day 7
Holmavik to Akureyri
Continue through Strandir to Djupavik, then follow the Arctic Coast Way with coastal views along the way. You'll travel via Skagafj\u00f6rdur and arrive in Akureyri for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through Strandir area
- Drive along Arctic Coast Way
- Drive to Akureyri
Landmarks Arctic Coast Way Akureyri - Day 8
Arctic Coast Way
Today you'll move along the Arctic Coast Way around the northern peninsula. The Eyjafördur fjord is the main feature here. There's a whale watching trip available with North Sailing's sustainably certified partner that you can join if the weather works out. Along the route, you'll find small fishing villages tucked into rocky bays. Holar, the old bishop's seat, and Glaumbaer open-air museum are optional stops if you want to dig into the local history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whale watching trip on Eyjafördur fjord with North Sailing
Optional Activities
- Visit Holar (former bishop's seat)
- Visit Glaumbaer open-air museum
Landmarks Holar Glaumbaer - Day 9
Akureyri to Myvatn
You're heading to Lake Mývatn to check out the volcanic features scattered around the area. Skutuskadir is a pseudo-crater worth seeing, and Dimmuborgir has a maze-like lava field with strange rock formations throughout it. Namaskard has bubbling mud pools in the geothermal area. The mosquitoes you might see here are harmless and don't bite, so don't let that worry you. You'll have plenty of time to walk around and take photos of all these different volcanic landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit pseudo-crater of Skutuskadir
- Explore lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir
- Visit mud pools at Namaskard high-temperature area
Landmarks Lake Myvatn Skutuskadir Dimmuborgir Namaskard - Day 10
Myvatn
This is your day to experience Mývatn the way locals do. Head to the Mývatn Nature Bath to soak in the geothermal water, which is part of how Icelanders spend their time in this region. It's similar to the Blue Lagoon but feels less touristy. If you'd rather do something different, there's an optional highland bus tour that goes into the Icelandic highlands and reaches the Askja volcano caldera. Either option gives you a relaxed day in this geothermal area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Myvatn Nature Bath (thermal bath)
- Highland bus excursion to Askja volcano caldera
Landmarks Myvatn Nature Bath Askja - Day 11
Husavik - Thorshöfn - Arctic Coast
Head north via the fishing village of Husavik along the Arctic Coast Way to reach Tjörnes peninsula and Asbyrgi canyon, which has that distinctive horseshoe shape. You'll then drive to Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls you'll see in Iceland with its sheer force. After that, you'll stay overnight in the Thorshöfn area, which sits close to the Arctic Circle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through fishing village of Husavik
- Travel along Arctic Coast Way
- Visit Tjörnes peninsula
- Explore Asbyrgi canyon
- View Dettifoss waterfall
Landmarks Husavik Arctic Coast Way Tjörnes Peninsula Asbyrgi Dettifoss Arctic Circle - Day 12
Thórshöfn to Egilsstaðir
You'll travel to the Langanes peninsula and Bakkafördur coast, both known for being great spots to watch birds. The drive takes you through Vopnafjördur and over Hellisheidi, which is Iceland's highest pass road. Reaching Egilsstaðir marks the finish of your Arctic Coast Way journey. The landscape here is different from the west, with a feel that's more remote and less visited.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Birdwatching at Langanes peninsula
- Birdwatching at Bakkafördur coast
Landmarks Langanes Peninsula Bakkafördur Vopnafjördur Hellisheidi - Day 13
Egilsstaðir
While you're in the Egilsstaðir area, you have several options for how to spend your time. Hiking around Lake Lögurinn is one choice, and it's supposedly home to a legendary lake monster called Lagaflótsormurinn. Hengifoss waterfall is another option with its distinctive red sediment layers visible in the rock. The Wilderness Center offers a look at early 20th-century country life if you want something quieter, or you can visit Bakkagerði, a small village known for its fairy tales and folklore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike around Lake Lögurinn
- Visit Hengifoss waterfall
- Visit Wilderness Center
- Visit Bakkagerði village
Landmarks Lake Lögurinn Hengifoss Wilderness Center Bakkagerði - Day 14
East Fjords - Höfn
This drive takes you south through the East Fjords with stops in small fishing villages. You'll pass through Seydisfjördur with its colorful wooden houses, then Djupivogur. The route includes time in the quiet Berufnjördur fjord area where there are nice restaurants, and you'll see the harbor along with Bulandstindur pyramid mountain before reaching the Höfn area for your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through East Fjords
- Visit Seydisfjördur with colorful wooden houses
- Stop in Djupivogur
- Explore Berufjördur fjord
- View Bulandstindur pyramid mountain
Optional Activities
- Dining at restaurants in Berufjördur fjord area
Landmarks East Fjords Seydisfjördur Djupivogur Berufjördur Bulandstindur - Day 15
Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon - Skaftafell - Kirkjubæjarklaustur/Vik
You'll head to Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon at the base of Vatnajökull, and there's an option to take a boat tour to get close to the glowing icebergs and ice sculptures, plus you might spot seals on the ice floes. Next, visit Diamond Beach right next to the lagoon where icebergs sit on black sand. After that, continue to Skaftafell National Park and take a walk to Svartifoss, where you'll see the dark basalt column formations that give it its name.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon
- Explore Diamond Beach
- Visit Skaftafell National Park
- Walk to Svartifoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Boat tour on Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon with icebergs and ice sculptures viewing, and possible seal spotting
Landmarks Jökulsarlon Vatnajökull Diamond Beach Skaftafell National Park Svartifoss 
- Day 16
Vik - Black Beach - Skogar - Hella
Start by heading to the black lava beach near Vik, and if you're curious about traditional Icelandic life, the Skogar Folk Museum is optional. You'll make stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss waterfalls, both of which get a lot of photography attention. From there, continue on to the Hella area where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit black lava beach near Vik
- View Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- View Skogarfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Skogar Folk Museum with information about life in Iceland
Landmarks Vik Seljalandsfoss Skogarfoss - Day 17
Westman Islands
Weather permitting, you'll take a ferry to the Westman Islands today. You'll leave your car at Bakki mainland port and travel to Heimaey, the largest island in the group. Exploring on foot, you'll see areas where ash from the 1973 volcanic eruption covered everything. The steep bird cliffs along the coast offer great views out across the island world and the surrounding sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ferry trip to Westman Islands (approximately 45 minutes)
- Explore Heimaey island
Landmarks Westman Islands Heimaey - Day 18
Strokkur Geyser - Gullfoss - Thingvellir National Park - Reykjavik
This day covers three well-known natural features: you'll see Strokkur geyser in action, visit Gullfoss waterfall with its powerful flow, and walk through Thingvellir National Park where Iceland's first parliament was established and where you can actually see the continental plates. By evening, you'll arrive in Reykjavik for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- View Strokkur geyser
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Explore Thingvellir National Park
Landmarks Strokkur Gullfoss Thingvellir National Park 
- Day 19
Reykjavik to Keflavik
You'll drive back to Keflavik Airport to return your rental car and head out. This concludes your trip around Iceland's dramatic coastlines and volcanic regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
