Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavík
After landing in Iceland, you'll collect your rental car at the airport and drive through the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula toward Reykjavik for your first night. The 50 km drive takes you through a volcanic landscape with moss-covered rocks and distant mountains, giving you a real sense of Iceland's raw, otherworldly geology right from the start.
- Start point
- Keflavik International Airport / Keflavíkurflugvöllur (KEF), Keflavíkurflugvelli, Sandgerði, Southern Peninsula Region 235, Iceland (Pick Up Your Car at the Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Reykjanes Peninsula lava fields
Landmarks/POIs Reykjanes Peninsula - Day 2
Reykjavík to Vík
Today you'll drive along Iceland's south coast, heading to Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk right behind the cascading water. From there, continue to Skógafoss and its powerful plunge, then drive past the rugged promontory of Dyrholaey with its ocean views and iconic arched rock formation. Later you'll reach Reynisfjara beach with its black sands and towering basalt columns before finishing in the village of Vik í Mýrdal, which has a striking church set against dramatic cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Visit Dyrhólaey promontory
- Visit Reynisfjara black sand beach
Landmarks/POIs Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Dyrhólaey Reynisfjara 
- Day 3
Vík to Höfn
You'll drive eastward from Vik toward Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest glacier. Stop at Skaftafell to explore glacier views and Svartifoss waterfall, which is framed by basalt columns. Later you'll reach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where icebergs float in the lagoon and wash onto Diamond Beach, sparkling on the black sand. End your day in Höfn, a fishing town with glacier views and known for excellent lobster if you want to grab dinner there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Optional Activities
- Glacier hike in Skaftafell area
- View Svartifoss waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Vatnajökull National Park Skaftafell Svartifoss Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach 
- Day 4
Höfn to Egilsstaðir
Today takes you through the East Fjords, a less-traveled region with dramatic landscapes and winding roads along the coastline. You'll drive through steep mountains and narrow fjords, stopping in fishing villages like Djúpivogur with its art installations and birdlife. After passing through Fáskrúðsfjarðar, where French fishermen once wintered, you'll continue through fertile valleys with salmon rivers before reaching Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland and a gateway to the region's interior including Lake Lagarflót.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop at Djúpivogur village
- Stop at Fáskrúðsfjörður village
Landmarks/POIs East Fjords Djúpivogur Lake Lagarflót 
- Day 5
Egilsstaðir to Akureyri
You'll drive through the black desert of northeast Iceland toward the Lake Mývatn area, starting with a detour to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Then explore Lake Mývatn, which is surrounded by volcanic features and popular with birdlife. Visit Námaskarðar geothermal area with its steaming fumaroles and colorful mud pots, then hike the volcanic crater of Hverfjall for panoramic views. Wander through the lava maze of Dimmuborgir before heading west to Godafoss, known as the 'Waterfall of the Gods' and historically linked to Iceland's conversion to Christianity in 1000 AD. You'll end in Akureyri, northern Iceland's largest town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Explore Lake Mývatn area
- Visit Námaskarð geothermal area
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Hike Hverfjall volcanic crater
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava formations
- Visit Mývatn Nature Baths
Landmarks/POIs Dettifoss Lake Mývatn Námaskarð Hverfjall Dimmuborgir Goðafoss 
- Day 6
Akureyri to Borgarfjörður
From Akureyri, you'll drive west to Skagafjörður valley, known for horse breeding and Icelandic sagas. Check out the Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós and visit medieval turf houses at Glaumbær. After crossing the Holtavörðuheidi highland road to Borgarfjörður, stop at Reykholt, once home to medieval historian Snorri Sturluson, where you can explore his pool and museum. Continue to Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring with impressive volumes of boiling water. From there, see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, which cascade from beneath a lava field. Finish with the Settlement Centre in Borgarnes to learn about Iceland's early history and sagas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós
- Visit medieval turf houses at Glaumbær
- Visit Snorri's pool in Reykholt
- Visit Snorri Sturluson museum
- Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring
- Visit Hraunfossar waterfalls
- Visit Barnafoss waterfall
- Visit Settlement Centre in Borgarnes
Landmarks/POIs Skagafjörður Hofsós Glaumbær Reykholt Deildartunguhver Hraunfossar Barnafoss Borgarnes 
- Day 7
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
You'll drive around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called 'Iceland in Miniature' because it captures so much of the country's geological diversity. Start with Gerbberg's basalt columns and their geometric hexagonal formations. Next visit Ytri Tunga beach with its golden sands and seals on rocks. Explore the fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, which are linked by a scenic coastal path with sea stacks and Atlantic views. Enter Snæfellsjökull National Park, dominated by the glacier-capped volcano, then head to Dúpalónssandur, a black pebble beach with shipwreck remains surrounded by lava and cliffs. Finish with Kirkjufell, a distinctive symmetrical mountain near Grundarfjörður that's one of Iceland's most photographed peaks, along with the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Gerðuberg basalt columns
- Visit Ytri Tunga beach
- Walk coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
- Explore Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Hike in Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Explore Vatnshellir cave
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach
- Visit Kirkjufell mountain
- Visit Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Snæfellsnes Peninsula Gerðuberg Ytri Tunga Arnarstapi Hellnar Snæfellsjökull National Park Snæfellsjökull Vatnshellir Djúpalónssandur Kirkjufell Kirkjufellsfoss Grundarfjörður 
- Day 8
Golden Circle to Reykjavík
Drive south to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant historical and geological importance. This is where the world's oldest recorded parliament was established and where the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates is visible. Explore walking trails, the Almannagja fissure, and Öxarárfoss waterfall. Continue to Geysir in Haukadalur valley where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters into the air. A short drive brings you to Gullfoss, the 'Golden Falls,' cascading down a deep gorge with multiple viewpoints. After exploring the Golden Circle, you'll return to Reykjavik.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Þingvellir National Park
- Explore Almannagja fissure
- Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall
- Visit Geysir geothermal area
- Visit Strokkur geyser
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Walk the trails in Þingvellir National Park
Landmarks/POIs Þingvellir National Park Almannagja Öxarárfoss Geysir Strokkur Gullfoss 
- Day 9
Reykjavík to Keflavík
You'll depart from Reykjavik and drive about 50 km to Keflavik International Airport. Return your rental car at the airport, wrapping up your 9-day Icelandic self-drive adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
