Iceland Round Trip - 14 Days at a Relaxed Pace

Your 14-day Icelandic tour begins at Keflavík International Airport, where your personal driver will transfer you to your hotel in the capital. It’s a 45-minute drive on a smooth highway between dramatic volcanic lava fields, and your first view of Iceland’s epic vistas.

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Once you’ve settled in, you’ll have time to explore the world’s most northerly capital, wandering its colorful streets and admiring the majestic mountains across the bay. Reykjavík is full of surprises, packed with high-quality restaurants (including Michelin-starred eateries), stunning sculptures like the Sun Voyager, and beautiful buildings like Hallgrímskirkja and the iconic Harpa opera house.

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You can relax with a drink in one of the welcoming bars downtown, or visit Perlan and the National Museum of Iceland to learn a little about the country before you head out on your road trip.

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We’ll have tips on the best bars and restaurants to visit.

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Your first day on the road in Iceland takes you to the Golden Circle, the most famous trail in the country, easily reached with a short drive from the capital. We’ll arrange your rental car collection from the agency so you can get underway with the minimum of fuss. ‍

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Þingvellir National Park is your first stop, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see a colossal split in the Earth’s tectonic plates. It’s a short, flat stroll from the parking area to an astonishing viewpoint, and you can walk in Viking footsteps further into the rift to the site of Iceland’s first parliament.

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An hour’s drive from Þingvellir brings you to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur shoots superheated fountains high into the sky every few minutes. It’s easily reached from the parking area on flat, well-surfaced paths, and there’s an excellent restaurant right next to the road if you’re ready for a bite to eat.

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A few minutes away by car lies Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s greatest waterfalls, with several spectacular viewpoints at varying levels, all very close to its parking areas. There’s a fine restaurant here too.

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Heading south from Gullfoss leads to Kerið, a multicolored volcanic crater with an easily accessible viewing point right next to the road, and an optional path around the rim, though this is rocky and uneven underfoot.

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Your overnight stay in the Selfoss/Hella area is a peaceful place to rest before the tour’s second stage.

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Staying for a second day in the Golden Circle area means a second night at the same hotel, so there’s no need for packing or an early start. We recommend making a lunch reservation at Friðheimar, one of Iceland’s most intriguing restaurants. Specializing in a single ingredient, Friðheimar is a tomato-centered restaurant and bar in a geothermally heated greenhouse, serving delicious bowls of tomato soup and ravioli.

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After lunch, you can take a relaxing dip in Iceland’s newest geothermal spa at Laugarás Lagoon (included), a short drive from Friðheimar. Set in a scenic location beside the Hvítá river, Laugarás sets the tone for a calming experience from the moment you arrive. The spa has two levels, a “hot waterfall”, swim-up bars, a cold plunge pool, and a dry sauna with expansive window views.

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After your spa experience, you can enjoy a meal at Ylja, the in-house restaurant run by the award-winning chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson. Ylja translates as “warmth,” and that’s the feeling you get when you visit Laugarás.

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The South Coast is a nonstop cavalcade of natural wonders, and most of its greatest sights are very accessible, right next to Route 1, the primary road that circles the country. Seljalandsfoss is your first stop, visible from the Ring Road and accessible via a short walk from the car park along flat gravel paths. There’s a splendid view of Seljalandsfoss right in front of the falls, as crystal-clear glacial meltwater tumbles off a 60-meter cliff. Seljalandsfoss has a remarkable feature - a cave has formed behind the cascade, allowing you to see the waterfall from another perspective. A path leads behind the waterfall for a closer view, though it can be wet and slippery underfoot - entirely optional. Your Travel Consultant will have the latest details before you travel. ‍

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Skógafoss is the next sensational sight, a towering south-facing waterfall, often decorated with rainbows when the sun shines. The parking area is about 500 meters from the falls, a flat walk along good gravel paths into the shimmering spray surrounding Skógafoss. There’s a viewing platform at the top of the waterfall, but you’ll need to handle more than 500 steps to reach it.

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Just before reaching your overnight stay in Vík, you’ll visit the extraordinary viewpoints at Dyrhólaey and the world-famous black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Dyrhólaey is the most southerly point on the mainland, offering panoramic views in all directions. You might see puffins there between April and August, requiring just a short walk from either parking area. A place of great beauty, lined with elegant basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, Reynisfjara is close to its parking area and easily viewed without a long walk. Your Travel Consultant will make sure you’re aware of beach safety and the tides at Reynisfjara, as the waves can be fierce and fast-moving at times.

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Your fourth night will be in the Vík area, well-placed for exploring the South Coast.

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As you travel further east along the South Coast from Vík, you’ll approach Vatnajökull National Park, which covers more than a tenth of the country. The drive east includes the Eldhraun lava field, where a roadside viewpoint offers a view of undulating pillow lava formations stretching as far as the eye can see.

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You can also visit Fjaðrárgljúfur (Feather River Canyon), a magnificent, winding river canyon carpeted in blankets of fragile, velvet-green moss. There are two parking lots here, and you can walk up from the lower lot on a steep path, or drive up to the higher lot for an easier viewpoint. Paths and difficulty vary, so choose what suits you on the day. ‍

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Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, has a visitor centre and is a good stop before the glacier lagoons. From here you could optionally go on a hike to see Svartifoss Waterfall, if you feel up to it on the day.

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There are viewpoints of the Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue visible right from the road if you stay on Route 1 instead. The highlight of the day is the dazzling glacier lagoons at Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, where immense icebergs “calve” from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float around in clear view. You can get up close to these gigantic chunks of ice on an amphibian boat tour, easily boarded from flat ground alongside the lagoon. And you see how these icebergs are reduced to glittering fragments by the wind and waves on Diamond Beach, a short walk from Jökulsárlón.

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From there, it’s a scenic drive to an overnight stay in Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital, where the restaurants focus on high-quality seafood dishes.

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The Eastfjords offer peace, tranquility, and majestic views around every turn of the road, as the Ring Road winds through charming coastal villages overlooked by towering mountains. The route from Höfn to Egilsstaðir is one of Iceland’s most memorable stretches of road, and you’ll have the time to drink in the views at several convenient parking areas along the way. ‍

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Djúpivogur, Stöðvarfjörður, and Fáskrúðsfjörður are ideal places to stop for coffee or a bite to eat, with splendid cafés and restaurants to choose from. There are unique museums to discover along the way, too, such as Petra’s Stone Collection, an astonishing one-woman collection of local gems and minerals, right next to Route 1 as it passes through Stöðvarfjörður. Fáskrúðsfjörður has a fascinating feature: its French Museum tells the story of the village’s long connection with French fishers. Even some of the street signs are written in French here.

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You’ll stay overnight in Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, where you’ll have several restaurants to choose from, and perhaps a sunset walk along the river to round off the day, too.

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A quieter day based around Egilsstaðir, and a good morning for a later start. ‍

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Hallormsstaðarskógur is Iceland’s largest woodland: easy walking on flat paths at whatever pace suits you, in a setting that feels genuinely surprising after days of volcanic landscape.

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The afternoon belongs to Vök Baths. Set in Lake Urriðavatn on the edge of town, Vök is a floating geothermal spa with infinity pools that extend over the water. It is one of the most beautiful bathing experiences in Iceland, considerably quieter than the Blue Lagoon, and very easy to get in and out of. The on-site restaurant serves local east Iceland produce. A second night in the same hotel means no unpacking today.

Included

• Entrance to Vök Baths (included)

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Today you head towards Lake Mývatn and can spend the whole day exploring the wonders of this area at your own pace. Mývatn is a vast volcanic lake surrounded by a series of astonishing sights in an almost otherworldly landscape, quite different in character from other parts of the country. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than fifty little islands and countless creeks and craters where thousands of migrating birds come to nest every summer. There are several sightseeing spots along the 36-kilometer circuit of Mývatn, including the mesmerizing lava-strewn landscape of Dimmuborgir. You can stroll on a series of relatively short paths among towering pinnacles of ancient lava, and imagine the trolls and elves that were once said to live in this wild environment. Further around the lake, you’ll be able to walk around the rims of the Skútustaðir pseudocraters, a short walk from the car park.

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Just beyond the lake, you can explore the fizzing geothermal area at Námaskarð, where steaming mud pools and sulfur vents sit right next to the Ring Road, easily reached from the parking area. And if you want to explore the area’s volcanic features in more depth, you can visit the Krafla volcano and the colorful Víti crater lake. End your day at Earth Lagoon, the recently refreshed geothermal spa that overlooks Mývatn. Warm mineral water, volcanic scenery, and easy access from the car park - a perfect way to end your day.

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You will spend two nights in this area.

Included

• Entrance to Earth Lagoon geothermal baths (included)

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This day focuses on the Diamond Circle, a sensational circuit of North Iceland’s top sightseeing locations, plus a whale-watching trip from Húsavík. The day begins with an unforgettable morning of driving on well-paved roads from Lake Mývatn to Húsavík, often called Iceland’s whale watching capital. ‍

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You’ll set sail across Skjálfandi Bay, where more than a dozen species of whales come to visit, including Humpbacks, Minke, and even Blue whales. The whale watching tour operators at Húsavík are among the most experienced in the country, with near-perfect records, so this is your best chance of a memorable encounter with these charismatic creatures.

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After your whale watching tour, you can either head back to Mývatn for a relaxed afternoon — or you can continue on with two more sensational sights to explore. First up is the astounding horseshoe-shaped glacial canyon at Ásbyrgi, a place that’s almost unbelievable in its scale. You can find different woodland paths here with several viewpoints for appreciating the towering cliffs from different angles.

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Then you’ll visit the most powerful waterfall in Iceland at Dettifoss, which stretches more than a hundred meters across the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, cascading 45 meters into a deep ravine. Dettifoss requires a 1-kilometer walk (each way) from the car park to the viewpoints on the western side of the falls. From here, it’s a relatively short drive to your overnight stay in the Mývatn area.

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Highlights of the day

• Húsavík Harbor

• Skjálfandi Bay

• Ásbyrgi Canyon

• Dettifoss Waterfall

Included

• Whale Watching Tour, Húsavík (included)

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Moving on from Mývatn, the next stop is Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods”, a place of great significance in Iceland’s history. The story goes that the “Law Speaker” of Iceland, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, cast pagan statues into the waters here in the year 1000, declaring that Christianity would be the country’s official religion. Nowadays, Goðafoss is one of the most visited waterfalls in the country and one of the easiest to reach, just off Route 1. There are parking areas on both sides of the falls, and the left-hand bank offers closer views of the cascade. Both perspectives require only a couple of minutes’ walk on paved paths.

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From here, it’s a short drive to Akureyri, Iceland’s “second city” with a couple of routes to choose from. The shorter tunnel route comes with a toll, while the mountain pass takes a little longer to drive. Rich in culture and seafaring history, Akureyri is the liveliest place in Iceland outside the capital. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, Akureyri has a buzzing downtown lined with high-quality restaurants, busy bars, colorful houses, art galleries, and design stores. We’ll give you tips on the best places to go, including the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the oldest public park in the country. Overlooking the city with fabulous fjord views, you can relax with a walk on the winding paths around these glorious gardens, home to more than seven thousand species of plants and trees. Back in the city itself, you can also walk up the 96 steps to Akureyrarkirkja, the impressive Lutheran cathedral that towers over the city.

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From Akureyri, you’ll continue west to Skagafjörður, a rich farming area renowned for its deep connections with Icelandic horses, for your overnight stop.

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Today you leave Skagafjörður on a stunning mountain pass, before joining Route 1 leading you south toward Snæfellsnes. Along the way, you can make a stop at Kolugljúfur, a dramatic gorge where the Víðidalsa river has carved deep into the rock, with waterfalls visible from the canyon rim.

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Another worthwhile stop is the Vatnsnes Peninsula, known for its resident seal colony at Illugastaðir. A short walk from the car park brings you to the beach where grey and harbour seals regularly haul out on the rocks. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery shops where you can stock up on snacks. ‍

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Borgarnes is also home to the excellent two-part Settlement Center museum, where you can learn all about the thrilling Viking history of West Iceland. You’ll spend two nights at a hotel ideally positioned to help you make the most of your time without rushing through its highlights. The first night on Snæfellsnes is a great base for exploring the peninsula over the next two days.

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When Jules Verne wrote “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” Snæfellsnes served as the setting, and it remains a place of grand adventure. You can consider it a bonus “Ring Road” to explore, a 200-kilometer loop packed with phenomenal panoramas and mesmerizing natural wonders.

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Start with seal-spotting at Ytri-Tunga, a golden-sand beach where the seals laze on the rocks just offshore. Ytri-Tunga is very accessible and suitable for almost all ages, provided you wear shoes with grip for the sandy stretches. The beach is about 400 meters away, accessible via flat paths from the parking area.

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Iceland is blessed with many beautiful churches, and Búðakirkja is one of its most popular places of worship, accessible by paved road and ideal for a memorable photo stop. Simple, small, and yet entrancing, Búðarkirkja stands proudly against the backdrop of Snæfellsjökull and the lava fields, perfect for great pics.

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You’ll also visit Arnarstapi, which offers marvelous views of the Atlantic Ocean, stunning sea cliffs with twisting basalt columns, and incredible rock arches. All can be seen on coastal paths leading from the parking area. Circling the peninsula’s tip provides spectacular views of Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano that dominates the skyline.

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Closing the loop on your Snæfellsnes adventure, you’ll return to Stykkishólmur.

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A lovely fishing town with colorful wooden houses lining its harbor, it’s the ideal place for dinner, with great seafood dishes on the menu.

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On the way back, make time to stop at Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain, rising sharply from the water’s edge near Grundarfjörður. The view from the roadside with Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground is one of the most iconic images in Iceland.

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Your last full driving day on Iceland’s Ring Road takes you to the best of West Iceland before returning to the capital city. After returning to Borgarnes, you’ll head inland to the historical Viking heartlands, where many of the country’s first settlers made their homes.

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A short drive brings you to Hraunfossar (the Lava Waterfalls), a magnificent series of waterfalls running nearly a kilometer across the Hallmundarhraun lava field. It’s a rare sight in nature, as glacial meltwaters cascade gently down a series of steps from the middle of the moss-covered lava cliffs, rather than tumbling from the top as you might expect. The falls are right next to the parking area, and there are multiple viewing platforms so you can see this spectacle from various perspectives. ‍

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Barnafoss is a little further upstream, where meltwater from the nearby Langjökull glacier is channeled with great force, carving out rock bridges and arches. As you return to the Ring Road, you’ll see clouds of steam rising from the ground at Deildartunguhver, famed as Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Its output is so incredible that it provides hot water for all the towns and villages in this part of Iceland. You can feel Mother Nature’s raw power here, walking on boardwalks through billowing clouds of vapor. ‍

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A short drive away, Krauma Geothermal Baths (included) make for a perfect end to your last full day on the road, fed directly by Deildartunguhver’s waters. From Borgarnes, it’ll take about an hour to reach Reykjavík, return your vehicle, and check in for your last night in Iceland.

Included

• Krauma Geothermal Baths (included)

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Fourteen days is a long time to spend anywhere on vacation, but you’ll have relished every second spent in Iceland on this tour. There’s still time for more. Enjoy your breakfast and take a last walk along the city’s shoreline, gazing at Esja, Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Sun Voyager one more time.

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If your flight departs in the afternoon, the Blue Lagoon is the ideal pre-flight preparation. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous tourist destination, and you’ll soon see why when you slip into the milky-blue warming waters and feel yourself relaxing. One of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World, it could be your final encounter with Iceland’s stunning lava landscapes, soaking up the views, and soothing your body after exploring the country. Your Travel Consultant will confirm whether a visit to the Blue Lagoon works for your flight time and pre-book it for you.

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For morning departures, your private driver will take you directly to the airport from Reykjavík.

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Iceland has a way of making people want to come back. We will be here to show you more of its wonders when you return.

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