Approximate Distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Once you have landed at Keflavík Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs.

Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, we suggest that you take some time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula (a UNESCO GeoPark site) before you head to Reykjavík.

Reykjanes is a great introduction to Iceland’s unique geology and volcanoes, and the site of Reykjanes is a great introduction to Iceland’s unique geology and volcanoes and the site of eruptions between 2021 and 2025. You’ll see unusual and stunning features around the peninsula, including craters, lava cliffs, and fissures. We recommend a stroll in the surreal Krýsuvík area where you can view quirky colourful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away.

Reykjanes is also home to the renowned Blue Lagoon, and you might enjoy the chance to relax in the soothing azure waters. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance. We can help you with that!

Drive to your hotel in Reykjavík, the colourful capital of Iceland. Overnight in Reykjavík.

Please note: check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm).

Approximate Distance: 290 km / 180 miles

Start your day by driving to the area of famous Golden Circle natural wonders.

Explore Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before continuing to the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to the village of Vik.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Approximate Distance: 290 km /180 miles

Continue your journey on the Ring Road. Cross Eldhraun, the largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times.

Visit Kirkjubæjarklaustur town, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over the Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajökull National Park.

Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Nearby is the famous Diamond Beach, where glittering chunks of ice rest on black sand. Throughout the day you will also enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier.

Overnight in the Höfn area.

Approximate Distance: 255 km / 158 miles

Drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline.

Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent Eastfjords. Keep an eye out for possible reindeer sightings; during winter reindeer will sometimes come down the mountains to the coast. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. You might enjoy visiting the town of Djúpivogur, the gateway to the Eastfjords. It is nice to walk along the harbour and view the interesting art installation sculpture depicting seabird eggs.

The road brings you to Egilsstaðir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area also has an excellent reputation for locally sourced cuisine, and you’ll surely enjoy the selection available in restaurants.

Overnight in the Egilsstaðir area.

Approximate Distance: 260 km /162 miles

Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, as you head towards the Lake Mývatn area. The historical Möðrudalur farm and its charming Fjallakaffi café, located at the highest altitude of any working farm in Iceland is worth a tiny detour.

Visit Mývatn’s Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. It’s such a surreal experience!

Walk along the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and peek into Grjótagjá, a cave with underground hot springs. Explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. They look as if they were built by fantasy creatures. Legend has it that elves live here, so be respectful during your visit. You’ll definitely see why the surreal Mývatn area has become so popular as a movie location.

Overnight in the Mývatn area.

Note: It is not possible to visit Dettifoss between October and April, as the roads to the waterfall are not safe for winter travel.

Approximate Distance: 165 km / 103 miles

Start your day by exploring Mývatn’s peculiar lava formations of Dimmuborgir.

Visit the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall, where you can walk on paths giving you different views of the water. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colourful northern “capital” of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjörður Fjord.

After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjörður and the Troll Peninsula. This is a breath-taking drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjörður, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. The town was a filming location for the popular Icelandic television series Trapped.

Overnight in Northwest Iceland.

Please Note: The Ring Road route today contains a toll tunnel. More information on the tunnel and fees is here.

Approximate Distance: 340 km /211 miles

Head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjörður, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding.

Hólar was one of Iceland’s cultural centres and has buildings from nine centuries of Iceland’s history that you can visit. Medieval and military history buffs might enjoy the new 1238: Battle of Iceland exhibit in Sauðákrókur town. Cutting-edge virtual reality technology brings to life the drama and history of a pivotal 13th century battle that changed Iceland’s people forever. The Glaumbær turf manor house at the Skagafjörður Regional Museum is an interesting glimpse into how people lived in Iceland until the early 20th century. Glaumbær was an inspiration for the manor farm in Hannah Kent’s award-winning novel Burial Rites (a movie is now in production). During the winter months, a visit to Glaumbær needs to be arranged in advance.

Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau through Borgarfjörður to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Approximate Distance: 210 km / 131 miles

Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. The nearby Krauma Natural Hot Spring Spa is a beautiful place to enjoy a refreshing morning bath surrounded by gorgeous landscapes.

Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfall before continuing via Hvalfjörður fjord to Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world’s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.

After your visit here, head on to Reykjavík, Iceland’s culturally vibrant capital city. Enjoy exploring the city’s many dining options. You might also enjoy late afternoon and evening activities such as a visit to FlyOver Iceland or whale watching (during the summer). If you’re looking for hot spring bathing why not visit the amazing Sky Lagoon and try the uniquely soothing Seven Step Ritual Therapy?

Overnight in Reykjavík.

Approximate Distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Drive back to Keflavík International Airport.

We recommend departing from your hotel in Reykjavík no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon.

Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area, which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.