Approximate Distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Arrival in Iceland – The world’s northernmost capital city

Once you have landed at Keflavík Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and drive along lava landscapes to your hotel in Reykjavík. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

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

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – Enjoy Cook and Dine at Salt Eldhus, a hands-on late morning or early evening cooking lesson in English. You’ll learn about Iceland’s unique culinary culture and the New Nordic cuisine using fresh, Icelandic ingredients. The course is in English and led by professional chefs from Salt Kitchen (this course must be pre-booked).
• – Pop by Kaffi Loki, a small and friendly family-run café located across from Hallgrímskirkja Church in the centre of Reykjavík. The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by traditional Icelandic home recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next.
• – Discover Iceland’s version of street food: upmarket, food-truck style kiosks at two new food halls. Hlemmur Food Hall is near the main shopping street, Laugavegur. Grandi Matthöll is in the Grandi neighbourhood of the Old Harbour. The new Pósthús Food Hall is in the former post office in the city centre.
• – Join the Reykjavík Food Walk, a small-group guided walking tour of the old city area. During the trip you’ll visit several restaurants to sample delicious food that are typical of everyday Icelandic favourites. (Tour is guided in English.)

Approximate Distance: 300 km / 186 miles

Head out of the city, where you’ll explore some of the Golden Circle and South shore areas. Drive to Gullfoss waterfall and the nearby Geysir hot spring are, highlights of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Continue your trip along the south coast, viewing highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. On a clear day you might glimpse majestic Eyjafjallajökull, the site of the (in)famous volcanic eruption in 2010. This region is one of Iceland’s best farming districts, providing geothermal vegetables and some of Iceland’s best dairy and meat products.

Overnight in the Vík area.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – The small café at Fontana Geothermal Baths bakes traditional sweet rye bread using the earth’s natural geothermal heat. At 14:30 (2:30pm) every day, you can watch as the bread is removed from its cooking tins in the ground and taste it fresh with plenty of Icelandic butter and smoked trout (this experience must be pre-booked). We also suggest the lunch buffet with healthy Icelandic homestyle food made with ingredients from nearby farms and greenhouses.
• – Efstidalur II traditional dairy farm is just a 10-minute drive from Gullfoss waterfall. The farm’s restaurant overlooks the milking area and features cuisine with locally sourced beef and vegetables, as well as homemade milk products such as ice cream, feta cheese and skyr (a thick, low-fat yogurt-like product). During your visit, you can watch the dairy cows through a big window in the dairy barn.
• – Friðheimar is a charming horse farm and greenhouse facility near Flúðir village. Clean geothermal and hydroelectric energy provides resources to grow many types of organic vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers. A restaurant specialises in a buffet featuring Friðheimar’s famous tomato soup, fresh bread, and salsas. In order to guarantee a table, please call ahead in advance for a reservation.

Approximate Distance: 395 km / 245 miles

Today you’ll be in the area of Western Europe’s largest national park: Vatnajökull National Park.

First, you’ll drive past the largest single lava flow in the world in recorded history, Eldhraun. Visit the majestic Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The area is ringed by glaciers and is very scenic. You can even join a guided hiking tour taking you onto a glacier, an unforgettable experience. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Nearby is the Diamond Beach, which has become quite famous in the social media community.

Overnight in the Vík area.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – Þorbergur Cultural Centre honours one of Iceland’s beloved authors, Þorbergur Þórdarson. The centre’s building resembles a giant shelf of books, a unique photo opportunity. The Hali restaurant has become famous among Icelanders for its traditional Icelandic specialties, especially its arctic char (trout) sourced from a nearby farm. The daytime menu has soups, salads, sandwiches, light main courses, and homemade cakes. The evening menu has soups, salads, main courses featuring seafood and locally-sourced lamb and beef, and traditional Icelandic desserts.
• – If you’re itching for barbecue and a cold beer, the Smiðjan Brugghús in Vík specialises in their own craft beer, along with other Icelandic labels. Their barbecue and grill items include slow-cooked barbecued ribs, pulled pork, and great burgers.

Approximate Distance: 340 km / 211 miles

Drive to the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature.

The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows on the edge of Iceland’s largest lake. You can enjoy the unique experience of walking between continents on a path leading through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Continue to charming Borgarfjörður fjord, a region known for local culinary and craft traditions. Visit the remarkably beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls and Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. We recommend a visit to the nearby Krauma natural geothermal baths, where you can relax in pools fed by a perfect blend of water from Deildartunguhver and nearby glacial springs.

Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – The restaurant at Krauma geothermal baths offers bistro-style courses with produce from West Iceland farms. Two signature dishes are an appetiser featuring cheese and cured meats from a traditional goat farm and a colourful salad with vegetables from a nearby greenhouse farm.
• – The Settlement Centre in Borgarnes offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Iceland’s settlement by Vikings. After looking at the exhibits, check out the excellent restaurant on site. Choose from an assortment of traditional Icelandic dishes such as fish soup and grilled lamb. A local favourite is the vegetarian wellness lunch buffet, featuring home-made soups, salads, pasta and bread. Don’t forget to leave room for a slice of homemade cake.
• – The Ljómalind Country Market in Borgarnes is open daily 10:00am – 18:00 (6:00pm); closed on national holidays. This country market was created by women from the region. Discover home-made treats like ice cream, candy, cheese, and jams, as well as handicrafts and herbal remedies. This is a nice stop for getting picnic lunch ingredients for yourself or tasty souvenirs for friends back home.

Approximate Distance: 330 km / 205 miles

Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which also includes Snæfellsjökull National Park.

Snæfellsnes has become known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” because it has so many diverse types of landscapes in one area. A visit here will be a feast for your eyes and for your camera! We recommend you stop at the wind-tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur. The beautiful Snæfessjökull glacier-volcano is the crown jewel of the peninsula. Legends say that the mountain is home to a benevolent half-troll guardian. Drive along the north coast through bustling fishing villages, stopping to look at Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in the country.

Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – The Vegamót Café – Located at a family-owned hotel in the Vegamót area of the peninsula, this friendly café gets high praise from locals and visitors. It is known for its cosy atmosphere and excellent homemade cakes and pastries.
• – The House of Food (Bjargarsteinn) in Grundarfjörður is a little restaurant in an adorable renovated early 20th century house with a lovely view over the seacoast. The menu changes based on the best products each season, with good seafood, lamb and vegetarian offerings. (Note: Restaurant is closed in December and January)
• – Stykkishólmur town is considered one of Iceland’s most eco-friendly communities. The town’s Sjávarpakkhúsið restaurant is committed to low environmental impact. They get ingredients from local fishermen, farmers, and breweries. Diners enjoy the view over the island filled Breiðafjörður Bay and watching the fishing boats and fishermen at work. The restaurant is open for dinner between Wednesday and Sunday.

Approximate Distance: 189 km / 117 miles

Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula and visit the moonlike lava fields around Lake Kleifarvatn. The peninsula is a UNESCO GeoPark, with over 50 interesting sites connected to geothermal activity, volcanoes and tectonic plates. One of the most interesting of these is Krýsuvík geothermal area with primordial bubbling mud pools.

Perhaps you will also visit the famous Blue Lagoon and enjoy its pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin. (Note: Bookings must be made in advance. We are happy to book a time for you.)

After a great trip, it’s time to head to Reykjavík for your last night in Iceland!

Overnight in Reykjavík.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• – Issi Fish & Chips is a favourite food stop for Icelanders. Located in a roadside kiosk near Njarðvík, Issi Fish & Chips uses freshly caught, high quality fish from a Reykjanes fishing fleet. The atmosphere is simple but welcoming. The fish is served fresh and hot, and you can enjoy it with sides like a special sauce created by Issi himself.
• – Lava Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon is a fine dining experience using locally-sourced ingredients. Built into an 800 year-old lava cliff, the restaurant looks out over the Blue Lagoon. The fish of the day comes right from Reykjanes area harbours. Lunchtime fixed menus (two and three-course options) provide a great overview of Icelandic favourites with a unique flair. A feature of the restaurant’s dinner menu is the 4-course tasting menu, a very elegant way to experience the range of Icelandic cuisine.

Approximate Distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Drive back to Keflavík International Airport.

We recommend departing 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.

Iceland Travel Staff Culinary suggestions:

• Keflavík airport has a nice variety of restaurants and kiosks with a focus on Icelandic cuisine, including its very own food hall, Aðalstræti.
• Hjá Höllu (At Halla’s) is a cosy Reykjanes peninsula café that also has a kiosk at the airport. Halla offers healthy food made from scratch such as sandwiches, salads, and fire-baked pizzas. Some options are vegetarian or vegan. They also offer healthy “Grab and Go” options you can purchase for your flight. (The café itself is temporarily closed, but Halla and her staff prepare fresh and delicious foods daily for the airport kiosk).