Explore Iceland, little and large
Spend 12 days discovering Iceland on this self-drive tour. Venture to the unforgettable Snæfellsnes peninsula, before continuing around the famous Ring Road.
On this trip, you’ll get to explore so much of Iceland in depth. Thanks to the relaxed pace of the itinerary, you have time to get to know each region you visit. And you can stop whenever you like, as you’re the one behind the wheel.
On this tour you will...
Delve into ‘Iceland in Miniature’ on the Snæfellsnes peninsula
Head to North Iceland, home to hot springs and waterfalls
See the classic sights of the famous Golden Circle route
Get up close to glaciers and black sand beaches
Visit unspoiled national parks all round the country
Enjoy a full day in Reykjavík, Iceland’s cool capital city
Top attractions
Djúpalónssandur
Kirkjufell
Arnarstapi
Snæfellsjökull Glacier & National Park
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Deildartunguhver
Akureyri
Lake Mývatn
Dimmuborgir
Goðafoss
Dettifoss
Ásbyrgi
Egilsstaðir
Djúpivogur
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park
Vík í Mýrdal
Seljalandsfoss
Skógafoss
Geysir and Strokkur
Þingvellir National Park
Gullfoss
Downtown Reykjavík
Why book a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours?
Start your tour on the date that suits you
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard
Handpicked local accommodation options
Best Price Guarantee
Your 12-day self-drive itinerary
Your memorable Icelandic adventure begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. After picking up your rental car, you’ll drive to the capital, Reykjavík, for your first night in the Land of Fire and Ice.
Highlights
Downtown Reykjavík
Extra activities
ExtraFlyOver Iceland
ExtraSky Lagoon Pure Pass
Today, you explore the natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. They include the Eldborg volcanic crater, the Gerðuberg basalt columns, the quaint hamlet of Búðir, and Djúpalónssandur beach, with its historical shipwreck remains. Don’t miss the view up the majestic Snæfell volcano and surrounding glacier.
From Stykkishólmur, you will head south-west toward the fjord of Borgarfjörður. This area is characterized by vast lands, sweeping views of the Langjökull glacier, and magnificent waterfalls. All set against a rich cultural background straight out of an Icelandic saga.
Today’s itinerary takes you to North Iceland. You’ll drive through farm fields and the Skagafjörður region known for Icelandic horse breeding. The landscape is dotted with the beautiful Icelandic horses. This will contrast well with yesterday’s experience.
You can take a detour along the way to the Vatnsnes peninsula, where you could spot seals in their natural habitat along the black sand beaches.
Mývatn is rightfully one of the most visited spot in Iceland. It is home to some truly awe-inspiring sights. You could visit the mesmerizing lava field labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, or witness the 2,300 year-old pseudo-craters of Skútustaðir. Here, you’ll also find one of Iceland´s largest sulphurous hot spring areas, the solfataras of Námaskarð. And don’t miss out on the impressive Goðafoss waterfall, known as “the waterfall of the gods”!
You have the day to explore the north of Iceland further. Venture to the Tjörnes peninsula as it offers some amazing experiences. Start in Húsavík, a seaside village known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland. You can then take in the beauty of the lush, horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon. Finally, don’t miss the thundering power of Dettifoss waterfall, which can make the ground shake beneath your feet.
It is now time to explore the east coast! Drive across the Möðrudalur highlands desert to experience its lunar landscape before reaching the fertile valley of Hérað where lies the village of Egilsstaðir. This town is home to the largest Icelandic forest where reindeer roam free. You might be lucky and spot one!
The Eastfjords region is utterly picturesque, with its small villages nestled in the arms of narrow and dramatic fjord coastlines. Start the day by driving through Reyðarfjörður, where you’ll find the local World War II museum, before heading south-east.
Your drive down the east coast will take you through rugged landscape, at times, on high-perched roads on the mountains delivering breathtaking views down below. Finally, you’ll drive through the tunnel of Almannaskarð to arrive in the Höfn region.
Your next stop is Iceland’s scenic south-east. You’ll first pass by various outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. You’ll then arrive at the stunning Jökulsárlón, a lagoon famous for its bogging icebergs. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur, and you could even book an optional boat tour onto the lagoon.
Skaftafell Nature Reserve is another must-see area. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for impressive hikes. Later, continue your drive to Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur for your overnight stay.
Today, you will continue west to see some of the top highlights of the south coast. Start the morning by admiring the powerful Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.
Later, marvel at the attractions of the famous Golden Circle. First, the imposing Gullfoss waterfall, followed by the steaming power of Geysir. Here you can witness the Strokkur geyser propel warm water columns in the air every 5-10 minutes. Last but not least, the Þingvellir National Park. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, creating this impressive landscape.
Later, you’ll reach Reykjavík.
Take the time to discover more of Reykjavík and its stunning surroundings today. In the city center, there are museums and art galleries, plenty of shops to pick up souvenirs, and incredible restaurants and cafés to savor Icelandic specialties. You may also like to go on a whale-watching tour or take a stroll along Nauthólsvík beach.
It is now time to head back home after an amazing journey through one of the world’s most picturesque landscapes. Drive back to Keflavík Airport and return your rental car. If your flight is later in the day, you might want to enjoy a last stroll around Reykjavík or visit one last museum.
What’s included?
Detailed itinerary
Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Rental car of your choice for 11 days
2 authorized drivers as standard
Unlimited mileage
Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
Collision damage waiver
24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
VAT, taxes & service fees
Flights to Iceland
Fuel & parking charges
Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
Personal travel insurance
FAQs about our self-drive trips
On a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be at the wheel of the rental car of your choice and free to go pretty much where you want, whenever you want.
We provide a detailed itinerary to help you plan your route and where you want to stop along the way. But it’s up to you whether you want to stick to it or go your own way. If you do take detours, make sure that you aren’t too far from your accommodation on any given night.
That said, it’s a good idea to stick to the suggested itinerary if you’ve never visited Iceland before. Created by our Reykjavík-based travel experts, it contains plenty of things for you to and see and do on each leg of your trip. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short on ideas!
You also get unlimited in-car Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected and use maps on your phone for navigation.
You have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like jeeps and vans. You’ll need to have held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year and present a credit card when you collect your car.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit unless your license is not in Latin script (for example, Arabic or Chinese).
Find out more about car rental in Iceland.
Yes! It’s possible to add extra activities or extend your trip with additional nights in Reykjavík or the countryside. Check the itinerary above to see what activities are available on what day.
Once you’ve paid your deposit for your trip, we’ll finalize bookings for your accommodation, rental car, and any activities. As soon as we receive confirmation of everything, we’ll email your travel documents to you.
We aim to finalize everything within a few weeks of receiving your booking request, but in busy periods this might take longer. That said, you’ll always receive all of your documents before your departure date.
You’ll be able to pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport from the arrivals hall. Before your trip, we’ll send you information about where to go in the terminal to collect your keys.
Make sure you have your driver’s license and credit card ready when you collect your vehicle.
If you land late at night, you can use the out-of-hours phone at the pick-up desk to contact someone who will be able to help you.
You also have the option to collect your rental car in Reykjavík, if you’re planning to spend some extra days in the city before your trip starts. If you’d like to do this, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.
Don’t take our word for it
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