Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavík to Reykjavík
Pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport and drive through Iceland's lava fields on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The moss-covered rocks and volcanic terrain give you a first taste of what makes Iceland so different from other places. By evening you'll be in Reykjavík, settling into the capital for your first night.
- Start point
- Keflavik International Airport / Keflavíkurflugvöllur (KEF), Keflavíkurflugvelli, Sandgerði, Southern Peninsula Region 235, Iceland (Pick Up Your Car at the Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Reykjanes Peninsula 
- Day 2
Reykjavík to Vík
Head south along the coast to see several major waterfalls and geological formations. Seljalandsfoss lets you walk right behind the water, then you continue to Skógafoss, which has a lot more power to it. After that comes Dyrholaey's dramatic cliffs, followed by Reynisfjara Beach with its black sand and basalt columns. You'll end the day in Vik í Mýrdal, a small village with a church that sits against some really striking cliff faces.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss falls
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Explore Dyrholaey promontory
- Visit Reynisfjara Beach
Landmarks Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Dyrholaey Reynisfjara Beach 
- Day 3
Vík to Höfn
Drive east from Vik toward Vatnajökull National Park and Europe's largest glacier. The Skaftafell area has glacier hikes and Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns. Later you'll reach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs float in the water and wash up on Diamond Beach. You'll stay in Höfn, a fishing town with views of the glacier across the bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Glacier hike in Skaftafell area
- Visit Svartifoss waterfall
- Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Landmarks Vatnajökull National Park Skaftafell Svartifoss Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach 
- Day 4
Höfn to Egilsstaðir
Travel through the East Fjords, a less crowded part of Iceland with steep mountains and deep water cutting into the land. You'll pass through fishing villages like Djúpivogur and Fáskrúðsfjörður, each with their own character and history. As you move west the terrain changes and you'll reach Egilsstaðir, the main town in the East, near the mysterious Lake Lagarflót.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop in Djúpivogur village
- Explore Fáskrúðsfjörður village
Landmarks East Fjords Djúpivogur Fáskrúðsfjörður Lake Lagarflót 
- Day 5
Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
Head to Lake Mývatn, which attracts lots of birds and sits among volcanic features. Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, is a key stop. Then you'll check out the Krafla area with its explosion crater and lava fields, followed by the geothermal sites at Námaskarð with their mud pots and steam vents. The Mývatn Nature Baths offer a chance to relax, and you can visit the thermal cave at Grjótagjá. Later hike to Hverfjall crater for views, walk through the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and see the pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Explore Krafla area and Víti crater
- Visit Námaskarð geothermal area
- Soak at Mývatn Nature Baths
- Visit Grjótagjá thermal spring cave
- Hike to Hverfjall crater rim
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava formations
- Visit Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters
Landmarks Dettifoss Krafla Víti crater Námaskarð Mývatn Nature Baths Grjótagjá Hverfjall Dimmuborgir Skútustaðagígar 
- Day 6
Mývatn to Akureyri
Travel north to Húsavík, where whale watching tours operate from the harbor depending on season. The Húsavík Whale Museum has information on the marine life around Iceland. If you prefer something different, Ásbyrgi offers a horseshoe-shaped canyon with high cliffs and some forested areas. Later you'll see Goðafoss, the 'Waterfall of the Gods,' then drive south to Akureyri where you can walk around the Botanical Garden, visit the Akureyri Church, and check out the downtown.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour in Húsavík
- Visit Húsavík Whale Museum
- Drive to Ásbyrgi canyon
Landmarks Húsavík Húsavík Whale Museum Ásbyrgi Goðafoss Akureyri Botanical Garden Akureyri Church 
- Day 7
Akureyri to Borgarfjörður
Leave Akureyri and head west into Skagafjörður valley, known for horse breeding and its Viking history. Stop at the Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós and the old turf houses at Glaumbaer. Cross the highland road to reach Borgarfjörður region. In Reykholt you'll find connections to medieval history and Snorri Sturluson's pool and museum. Then see Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, followed by the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. The day ends at the Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, which covers Iceland's early history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós
- Explore medieval turf houses at Glaumbær
- Visit Reykholt and Snorri's pool
- Tour Snorri Sturluson museum
- Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring
- View Hraunfossar waterfalls
- View Barnafoss waterfall
- Visit Settlement Centre in Borgarnes
Landmarks Skagafjörður Icelandic Emigration Center Glaumbær Reykholt Deildartunguhver Hraunfossar Barnafoss Settlement Centre 
- Day 8
Borgarfjörður to Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, sometimes called 'Iceland in Miniature' because it has so many different geological features and coastal landscapes. Gerðuberg has striking hexagonal basalt columns, and Ytri Tunga Beach is where seals rest on the rocks. You can walk between the fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar along the coast. Inside Snæfellsjökull National Park sits the glacier-topped Snæfellsjökull volcano. Visit Djúpalónssandur's black pebble beach with shipwreck remains, check out lava tube caves, and finish at Kirkjufell mountain near Grundarfjörður, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Gerðuberg basalt columns
- Explore Ytri Tunga Beach and see seals
- Walk coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
- Explore Arnarstapi harbour
- Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Hike trails in Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Explore Vatnshellir cave
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach
- View historic shipwreck remnants
- Visit Kirkjufell mountain
- View Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
Landmarks Gerðuberg Ytri Tunga Beach Arnarstapi Hellnar Snæfellsjökull National Park Snæfellsjökull Vatnshellir Djúpalónssandur Kirkjufell Kirkjufellsfoss 
- Day 9
Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavík
Drive south to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with geological and historical importance. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and where Iceland's early parliament gathered. You can walk through the area, see the Almannagja fissure, and visit Öxarárfoss waterfall. Next stop is the Geysir geothermal area where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting water about 30 metres up. After that comes Gullfoss, a major waterfall that drops into a deep gorge. Then head back to Reykjavík to finish your Golden Circle tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Þingvellir National Park
- Walk Almannagja fissure
- View Öxarárfoss waterfall
- Visit Geysir geothermal area
- Watch Strokkur geyser erupt
- View hot springs and mud pots
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
Landmarks Þingvellir National Park Almannagja fissure Öxarárfoss Geysir Strokkur Gullfoss 
- Day 10
Reykjavík to Keflavík
Leave your Reykjavík accommodation and drive to Keflavík International Airport to return your rental car and wrap up your time in Iceland.
- End point
- Keflavik International Airport / Keflavíkurflugvöllur (KEF), Keflavíkurflugvelli, Sandgerði, Southern Peninsula Region 235, Iceland (Drop Off Your Car at the Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
