Iceland Ring Road Self Drive Holiday

Discover the best of Iceland on this Extended Iceland Ring Road Self Drive holiday.

You will have the freedom to explore as you wish, with flights, car rental and accommodation all takes care of.

To make everything as easy and seamless as possible you have GPS included, unlimited mileage and the use of the excellent Iceland Travel Companion App which serves as a guide to the destinations you're visiting. You'll have the use of a Tablet with the Travel App included.

This journey is best undertaken between April and September.

This Iceland Self Drive Holiday can be tailored to suit your exact requirements, so just let us know your ideal trip.

Everything can be adjusted to suit your needs and create your perfect Iceland holiday.

Day 1: UK - Reykjavik

Fly directly to Reykjavik from Gatwick with Iceland Air (or with your preferred airline).

Once you have landed in Reykjavik, you'll collect your rental car at the airport.

You can add on a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon here if you wish.

Explore the Mars-like landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula – a UNESCO Global Geopark – and its fishing villages, lighthouse and the colourful geothermal area of Krysuvik.

Continue on to stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi.

This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.”

Overnight in Hveragerdi.

Day 2: South Iceland

Today you can visit many of the must-see sights in Iceland.

Begin your day with the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, famous for its Viking history and geological wonders.

Continue to Geysir Hot Spring Area, with its collection of bubbling pools and spouting geysers.

Drive onwards to the majestic, two-tiered Gullfoss (Golden Falls). Soak in the Secret Lagoon or Laugarvatn Fontana Baths.

Try riding an Icelandic horse. Take a pit stop at Fridheimar greenhouses to see how food is grown in Iceland and sample fresh local cuisine.

Overnight in Fludir area.

Day 3: South Iceland

Today, drive along the spectacular south coast of Iceland and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and Myrdalsjokull glacier.

If the skies are clear, you might even have a glimpse of beautiful Mt. Hekla, Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano. The glacier offers great opportunities for guided snowmobile or ice hiking tours.

Head to Vik, Iceland’s southernmost village. In the area you can view the seabird cliff of Dyrholaey* and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara.

Continue over Eldhraun, Iceland’s largest single lava flow, towards Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a picturesque village that is the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The town is known for its excellent farm-raised arctic char trout, which you might like to try tonight.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Day 4: South East Iceland

Today you will be in the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe‘s largest glacier. You’ll certainly have this magnificent glacier in view as you follow the route.

Visit the park’s amazing Skaftafell area, a green oasis nestled between glaciers that offers many hiking possibilities.

Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, where you should take time to admire the views of the icebergs floating in the cool waters. You might even glimpse a few seals. Nearby is Diamond Beach, an area of glittering bits of glass-like ice scattered across black sands.

Drive through the spectacular East Fjords with towering mountains and charming fishing villages to the fertile Egilsstadir area.

On the way, you might opt to visit the quirky egg sculptures in the harbour of charming Djupivogur village or visit Petra’s famous local stone and mineral collection at Stodvarfjordur.

Drive through Fagridalur (the Beautiful Valley) to Egilsstadir. You might opt to end the day at Lake Urridavatn’s new Vok Baths, where you can unwind in untouched nature in distinctive floating geothermal pools.

Overnight in the Egilsstadir area.

Day 5: East Iceland

Today explore Egilsstadir and the surrounding area, one of the oldest regions in Iceland, shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age.

Although many are uninhabited, each fjord has its own grandeur. The natural harbours in the fjords led to the development of fishing villages that have still hung on to a degree of old-world charm. Each village here has its own character.

Faskrudsfjordur has a historical connection with France. Reydarfjordur is known for World War II history. Neskaupsstadur meanwhile has a wonderful foodie and music scene to enhance its amazing views, plus great boat tours.

You can discover elf legends and local art, as well as great day hiking trails, in the Borgarfjordur Eystri area.

Explore the quaint village of Seydisfjordur, where multi-coloured wooden houses are sheltered by a jaw-dropping backdrop of snow-capped mountains and tumbling waterfalls.

This community has been gaining an international reputation for its excellent focus on art and art education.

Visit Hallormsstadur the largest forest in Iceland set along Lake Lagarfljot, which according to legend contains a monster.

Visit the award-winning Wilderness Center located at the edge of the hauntingly beautiful eastern highlands. Here you can discover Iceland’s pioneer history and highland nature in a clever interactive way.

Take a guided horse riding tour to an abandoned farm or relax in the Wilderness Spa. Or enjoy a chat with the centre’s hosts as they prepare you a meal made from wilderness sourced ingredients.

Overnight in the Egilsstadir area.

Day 6: North East Iceland

Today you will be in the northern area of Vatnajokull National Park, which actually covers 14% of Iceland’s landscape. This region of the park has its own distinctive character. Less visited than the southern area, this area shows Iceland’s wild side to its fullest

Travel across the vast Modrudalsoraefi highlands and into the wilderness. The route takes you to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. A few moments here listening to the heavy thundering water against a surreal landscape is one of Iceland’s most amazing experiences.

Head through the park and its amazing canyon areas carved by the Jokulsar river. Explore the impressive horse-shoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon, said to be formed by the god Odin’s stallion. Several walking trails lead to beautiful viewing areas. You can enjoy hiking here and even guided horse riding tours in the summer.

Drive around the fossil rich Tjornes Peninsula to the Husavik area. A great way to end this exciting day is with a relaxing swim in the warm sea waters of Husavik’s GeoSea Baths.

Overnight in northeast Iceland.

Reykjavik

Located on a bay, presided over by mighty mount Esja, Iceland’s sprawling capital city stands in stark contrast to the quiet fishing villages and minute hamlets found in this remarkable island nation.

It is extremely progressive, yet proudly traditional; exceedingly remote, yet surprisingly cosmopolitan; inextricably tied to its natural landscape, yet embracing of modern technology.

The tiny city centre is characterised by an eclectic mix of brightly painted houses, elegant shops, stylish bars, and highbrow museums.

A slew of restaurants serves up a delicious range of culinary delights as well as an array of exotic treats such as pickled ram’s testicles and putrefied shark meat!

Whether you plan on spending your vacation gallery-hopping while listening to Bjork on repeat, scuba diving between tectonic plates, or relaxing in the myriad geothermal pools, Reykjavik is the ultimate destination for pleasure seekers and adventure junkies alike.

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a popular 300-kilometre circuit in southwest Iceland that takes in three main attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Field.

First stop is Thingvellir National Park, located just under an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, the capital. The park is famed for its exceptional geology: it sits directly over the original splitting point of the North American and Eurasian continents, and you can clearly see the rift valley that was formed by the shifting of the tectonic plates.

The Silfra Fissure, in the park’s Thingvallavatn Lake, offers the chance to go diving or snorkelling between the continents in water that displays exquisite shades of blue.

The Geysir Geothermal Field at Haukadalur is home to bubbling hot springs, fumaroles and two geysers, one of which is extremely active, shooting spouts of steaming water as high as 40 metres into the air every 5 to 10 minutes.

The Gullfoss Waterfall is a place of superb scenic beauty, where you will be amazed by the sheer force and volume of the water that cascades over a 36-metre high drop.

South Iceland

South Iceland is an exquisitely scenic region of ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’.

This volcanic paradise boasts breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and picturesque Icelandic villages.

The south of Iceland is home to the country's most popular natural attractions including numerous volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers.

Explore Europe’s largest glacier at Vatnajokull National Park, take a boat cruise past floating icebergs in the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights.

Visitors can also look forward to exploring other spectacular sites including: Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of the popular ‘Golden Circle’ route; the Great Geysir, one of Iceland’s main attractions; and Gullfoss, a powerful cascading, two-tier waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir is an expansive lava field lying on the banks of the largest natural lake in Iceland – Pingvallavatn.

It is situated directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the European and North American tectonic plates are slowly shifting away from each other.

This was a historical meeting place of the first parliament called the Alpingi where representatives all around Iceland came together in an open-air assembly from 930 to 1798.

It is now listed as a Unesco World Heritage site and the area around Pingvellir has great geological significance because of its unique mineral rich landscape combined with an abundant diversity of animal and plant life.

Vík í Mýrdal

Resting at the base of the magnificent Mýrdalsjökull glacier the remote village of Vik, also known as Vík í Mýrdal rests on Iceland’s exquisite southern coast.

The village of Vík í Mýrdal is a popular stopover for intrepid travellers keen to see all the stunning attractions this remote region has to offer.

The closest village to the majestic Katla volcano and Myrdalsjokull glacier, Vík í Mýrdal is also known for its black pebble beaches and intriguing rock formations.

Visitors can swim in Seljavallalaug, the oldest hot spring pool in Iceland; visit the Reynisfjall mountain, famous for its many bird species; or head to the coast to view the iconic Reynisdrangar – black basalt columns sculpted by the sea and located close to the village.

Kirkjubaejarklaustur

The town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, or just Klaustur as many locals refer to it, lies between Vík í Mýrdal and Vatnajokull Park.

Literally translated, Kirkjubaejarklaustur means ‘Church Farm Convent’ – a reminder that monks and Benedictine nuns lived here many years ago.

Travellers use the town as a base to explore its impressive surroundings, and Klaustur is a service centre, with most basic amenities available year round.

Walking trails from the town lead to the lovely Systrafoss waterfall and Systravatn lake. Klaustur and its surrounds are also a popular area for fishermen looking to enjoy world-class trout and salmon fishing.

View Itinerary in Detail

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All of our Iceland Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.