Experience fantastic Iceland on this 8-day road trip that takes you around the whole of Iceland. Whale watching, car rental, flights and overnight stays included!
Experience the fairytale island of the North Atlantic with your own rental car. We have booked overnight stays and included a whale safari so you get to see all of Iceland’s highlights. Driving yourself in Iceland is a pure pleasure thanks to good roads and clear signage around the well-functioning road network with lots of viewpoints and opportunities for both shorter and longer hikes on the road. See huge lava fields, beautiful fjords. Europe’s largest glacier, charming small villages, rushing waterfalls, the world’s oldest active geysers, jumping humpback whales and much more.
If you want, you can of course extend the trip with more stops and additional overnight stays. In this particular proposal, we have included simpler hotels, but you choose whether you want to stay in lodges, boutique hotels, B & Bs or hostels.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia and arrival in Iceland (92 km)
Departure from Scandinavia to Iceland and arrival the same day. After landing, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel in the town of Hveragerdi on the Reykjanes peninsula. The area is a geothermal monster and this is where you can swim in the Blue Lagoon. In the area there are lots of lighthouses, huge lava fields and a barren and beautiful coastline.
Day 2: From Hveragerdi via Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir to Vik (310 km)
Today, some absolutely fantastic experiences await in the form of Iceland’s three biggest attractions; Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss and Geysir. These three go by the name Golden Circle. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park where you can see the gap between the continental plates. This is also where the world’s oldest parliament was founded in 930. From Thingvellir, the journey continues to Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall, Gullfoss. From here you can hike to various vantage points and enjoy the majestic nature. The last stop for the day is Geysir, a geothermal area with hot springs, bubbling mud and powerful geysers. From Geysir, you then drive along the south coast via the waterfalls Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss to the picturesque coastal town of Vik, known for its lava beaches and the Myrdalsjokull glacier. ( F )
Day 3: From Vik via Vatnajökul and Jokulsarlon to Höfn (270 km)
From Vik, the journey goes over the Mýrdalssandur plain and barren lava fields to Skaftafell. Here you can lace up your hiking boots and go exploring in Europe’s largest national park Vatnajökul. There are many viewpoints with wonderful views of the beautiful glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón. Here the icebergs float in the lagoon with the glacier Vatnajökull in the background. You can book a boat trip in the lagoon that takes you very close to the huge icebergs. From Jökulsárlón you drive to your hotel in Höfn, the city better known as Europe’s lobster capital. ( F )
Day 4: From Höfn via Djupivogur and Reydarfjordur to Egilsstadir (300 km)
Today, a scenic car ride along Iceland’s east coast awaits you with high mountains, long fjords and small fishing communities. You can also make a day trip to Borgarfjarðarhöfn, where you can see puffins between May and August. You spend the night in the town of Egilsstadir.
Day 5: From Egilsstadir via Dettifoss & whale watching in Húsavík to Myvatn (310 km)
From the coast, the journey goes west through the highlands’ desert landscape. Stop at the mighty Dettifoss waterfall where there are also many good hiking trails. From Dettifoss you then go to the peninsula Tjörnes and the charming fishing village Húsavík. Here you have a 3-hour whale safari booked in the afternoon. During the boat trip in Skjálfandibugten, you can with a little luck see humpback whales, whales, killer whales, dolphins and sometimes even blue whales. From Húsavík, the journey continues to Myvatn where you spend the night.
Day 6: From Myvatn to Akureyri (93 km)
Enjoy the day here in Myvatn, an area created by a huge volcanic eruption about 2300 years ago. Here are caves and cavities, some filled with warm bathing water, the shallow lake Myvatn, geothermal fields, cone-shaped volcanoes and much more. When you have seen yourself measured by what Myvatn has to offer, you set course for Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city.
Day 7: From Akureyri to Reykjavik (380 km)
Today the journey goes to Reykjavik. You can drive via the Holtavörðurheiði pass and stop at Iceland’s largest hot spring Deildartunguhver and the beautiful waterfall Hraunfossar. Upon arrival in Reykjvavik, you go to your hotel which is centrally located in the city. From here you are within walking distance of most of Reykjavik’s sights. You are now in one of Europe’s hottest cities with a rich cultural life, lots of concerts, good restaurants and a fun nightlife.
Day 8: Departure from Keflavik (52 km)
You drive out to the airport where you return the rental car and then fly back to Scandinavia.
Overnight stays
One night in Hveragerdi at guesthouse
One night in Vik at hotel
One night in Hofn at hotel
One night in Egilsstadir at hotel
One night in Myvatn at hotel
One night in Akureyri at hotel
One night in Reykjavik at hotel
