Combine thrilling activities with blissful hot spring visits
On this 8-day winter self-drive tour of Iceland, you’ll see a huge slice of the country. Get stuck into some unforgettable adventure activities. Trek across a glacier to an ice cave and head underground into a lava tube, before relaxing in a few of Iceland’s geothermal baths.
This itinerary will take you to jaw-dropping waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and an awe-inspiring glacier lagoon. You’ll also get chances to chase the Northern Lights in the evening thanks to the winter darkness.
Because this is a self-drive package, you get to set your own pace and stop as often as you like. And your itinerary is easy to customize with extra activities like a glacier walk or spa experience. What more could you ask for from a week-long winter trip to Iceland?
On this tour you will...
Soak in Iceland’s most iconic geothermal pool – the Blue Lagoon
Tour dazzling ice caves beneath the towering Katla volcano
Road trip around the breathtaking Snæfellsnes peninsula
Visit Vatnshellir cave, where you can walk along an ancient lava tube
Unwind in the warm, soothing waters of Fontana Spa
See the beautiful south coast and travel the famous Golden Circle route
Top attractions
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 8-day self-drive itinerary
You’ve arrived in the Land of Fire and Ice and it’s time for your wintry adventure to begin. Collect your rental car from Keflavík Airport, drive to Reykjavík, and get settled into your hotel.
Then head out into the city and soak up the atmosphere. You could wander Laugavegur, the main street, and stop for a drink or bite to eat at a local café or restaurant. Or take a relaxing dip in a local swimming pool to recharge after your journey.
If your flight lands in the morning, you might have time for one of the optional activities below.
Highlights
Included & extra activities
This morning, make your way out of the city to Iceland’s south coast. Here you’ll come across two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. You can even walk behind the plume of Seljalandsfoss!
In the afternoon, you’ll join a special ice cave expedition from the village of Vík. Hop aboard a super jeep and let your experienced driver-guide whisk you off to the edge of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Now it’s time to gear up (equipment provided) for your hike across the glacier surface!
Once you arrive at the ice cave, you’ll be able to peer and even walk inside. You’ll be blown away by the ice cave’s mesmerizing walls, which appear to glow blue.
Continue along the south coast to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Iceland’s largest glacier. This slice of the country is studded with natural gems. You could take a short hike to the Svartifoss waterfall, set against a backdrop of hexagonal lava columns.
Then stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can watch icebergs drifting slowly out to sea. Some of them wash ashore at nearby Fellsfjara, also known as ‘Diamond Beach’. The sight of the clear-blue ice glistening against the jet-black sand is truly stunning.
In the evening, you’ll head back to Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur for a sound night’s sleep.
Your trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without touring the famous Golden Circle. Today you’ll see two of the legendary natural attractions on this popular route: Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
At Geysir, you’ll witness the powerful Strokkur geyser erupting into the air every few minutes. The surrounding Haukadalur valley is also dotted with boiling hot springs and steaming vents.
A short drive away you’ll find the Gullfoss waterfall, also known as the ‘Golden Falls’. One of Iceland’s most majestic cascades, it’s named for the yellow-tinged waters that flow over it.
After a day of sightseeing, relax at the Fontana Geothermal Baths on the shores of Laugarvatn lake (admission included). If you’re feeling brave, you can dip your toes into the chilly waters of the lake before warming up in the naturally heated ‘hot pots’.
After a restful night’s sleep, thanks to your spa experience, you’ll head to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. This history-laden site is the cradle of Icelandic democracy, where the parliament would meet in Viking times.
The area also has great geological significance: here you can see where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. This is the only place on Earth where you can actually walk this boundary.
In the afternoon, head west toward the Borgarfjörður area. This is Iceland’s largest bay, home to thousands of small islands. You’ll find the star attractions here slightly inland though. Stop at the Deildartunguhver hot spring, perhaps taking a dip in the Krauma baths (optional upgrade).
Then check out by the Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, whose brilliant blue waters are fed by a lava field.
Today you’ll explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. It’s sometimes called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ thanks to its incredibly varied scenery. The peninsula is also dotted with charming fishing villages, including the main town of Stykkishólmur.
Follow the road to the far end of the peninsula and you’ll end up at Snæfellsjökull National Park. Here you’ll find glaciers, lava fields, and yellow and red beaches. There are also otherworldly rock formations along the cliffs, including the Arnarstapi sea stacks.
It’s in the national park that today’s main activity takes place. Descend a spiral staircase into the Vatnshellir lava tube. This stunning cavern was formed 8,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption, and now you can walk where lava once flowed.
Head back to Reykjavík for a day of urban discovery. You could check out the city’s many museums and galleries, including the Settlement Exhibition with its excavated Viking longhouse. Or spend day exploring the old town’s streets, which are lined with traditional multicolored houses.
Once you’ve had a chance to experience the city, make your way to the Blue Lagoon spa (admission included). There you can relax in its bright blue waters, while enjoying a free drink and silica mud mask.
In the evening, it’s time to return to Reykjavík. Before returning to your hotel, why not have dinner at one of the city’s food halls (not included)?
Your last day in Iceland is here. Depending on your flight time, you might be able to squeeze in some more wandering around Reykjavík in the morning.
When it’s time to leave, return your rental car at Keflavík Airport. Go back home with memories of an epic trip, and the photos to prove it!
What’s included?
Detailed itinerary
Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Rental car of your choice for 7 days
2 authorized drivers as standard
Unlimited mileage
Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
Collision damage waiver
Katla Ice Cave – Under the Volcano tour
Laugarvatn Fontana admission
Vatnshellir lava cave tour
Blue Lagoon Comfort admission (includes towel rental, silica mud mask, 1 drink)
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.
Yes, you can easily collect your rental car from Reykjavík instead of Keflavik Airport.
During the booking steps on our website, just let us know you'd prefer your pick-up/drop-off location to be in the city centre. We'll take care of it for you, no problem.
Just a quick heads-up: if you request different pick-up and drop-off locations (e.g. collect from the airport, drop off in the city, or vice versa) there's a one-way fee of around ISK 7.900 ISK (EUR 60). You'll pay this directly to the rental company when you pick up the car.
Although Iceland’s weather can sometimes get in the way, it’s perfectly possible to have a safe self-drive trip in winter. The main roads are cleared regularly and there is good 4G coverage in most of the countryside if you need it.
That said, roads can sometimes close in winter if there are storms or heavy snowfall. When you book with Iceland Tours, you’ll get access to a 24/7 helpline while you’re in Iceland. Rest assured that help is at the end of the phone when you need it.
We’ll often contact you proactively if we think your trip will be affected by bad weather and adjust your plans accordingly. This means you’ll always stay safe and get the most out of your trip, no matter the weather.