10-Day Ring Road Road Trip | Self-Drive Tour of Golden Circle, South Iceland, Lake Myvatn & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

As your plane gets ready to land, you can see the vast lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula out of the window. Here is where Keflavík International Airport is located and where your holiday in Iceland begins. 

Once you land, collect your bags and your rental vehicle, and drive across the volcanic landscape towards the city of Reykjavík where you will spend your first night. 

En route, you can see white billows rising from the lava field. Don’t worry; this is not a sign of volcanic activity but the steam from the geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon. You can book a ticket to this luxurious spa during the booking process and stop there on the way to the city. It is a fantastic way to rid you of all jet lag you might have. 

When you arrive in Reykjavík, check into your hotel and unwind. Alternatively, you can explore the city and, perhaps, take in the vibrant nightlife. 

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula – a vast field of moss-covered lava
• Reykjavík City – Iceland’s lively capital
• Laugavegur Shopping Street – filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes

Optional Activities:

• Relaxing at the Blue Lagoon Spa

Now your adventure on the road begins. After breakfast, hop in your car and leave the city behind. Make your way to the first stop on the Golden Circle route, Þingvellir National Park, where Viking settlers gathered to lay the law of the land over a thousand years ago.

The park is not only historically significant, but it is a geographical wonder; it is where the Eurasian and the N-American tectonic plates meet. Silfra is fissure filled with crystal-clear glacial water. It is located on the boundaries of these plates, and today, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim between the continents on a snorkelling tour in Silfra. 

After exploring Þingvellir National Park, drive to Geysir Geothermal Area where you can watch the geyser Strokkur erupt in a large column of hot water and steam. From there, make your way to Gullfoss waterfall to see freezing glacial water plummet down 32 metres into an ancient canyon. 

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush today, consider joining a snowmobile tour on top of Langjökull, the very glacier that feeds Gullfoss waterfall. Children over the age of six can ride as passengers, making this a great action-packed activity for the entire family. 

Another fantastic and family-friendly activity which you can join today is a horse riding tour through the countryside. Icelandic horses are small and friendly creatures, the perfect companions for beginner and expert riders alike. 

After exploring the sites of the Golden Circle — perhaps with a detour to Kerið Crater Lake, Skálholt historical site or Efstidalur farm — head to your accommodation which is located in the area. 

Highlights:

• Þingvellir National Park – A historical site which marks the boundaries of two continents.
• Geysir Geothermal Area – Home of bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers.
• Strokkur – A geyser that erupts every 5-10 metres, reaching a height of 15-20 metres.
• Gullfoss Waterfall – Iceland’s most beloved cascade.
• Kerið Crater Lake – A stunning body of water inside a red crater.
• Skálholt Historical Site – Steeped in religious history
• Efstidalur Farm – A great place to stop for delicious ice cream

Optional Activities:

• Snorkel in Silfra Fissure
• Snowmobile on top of Langjökull Glacier
• Horse riding in the Icelandic nature

On today’s journey, you’ll see glittering glaciers, silvery waterfalls and a black sand beach. 

You can, however, start your day with a morning hike on top of Sólheimajökull Glacier. You’ll meet your guide at the base of the glacier, and they will lead you up, passing blue crevasses and deep glacier moulins. 

You can also join an afternoon hike at Skaftafell, a nature reserve in south-east Iceland. There, you’ll get a fantastic view of Iceland’s tallest peaks, the stunning flora of Sólheimajökull and the surrounding black sand deserts. 

Another option today is to visit an ice cave. Ice caves usually flood in the springtime, making them inaccessible in the summer. Still, the Katla ice cave stays frozen throughout the year. On an ice cave tour, you can enter the cave with a professional guide, seeing the blue ice which is streaked with black ash from past volcanic eruptions. 

You will then reach the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach. At the lagoon, enormous icebergs float on a bright blue lake while seals swim around them. The bergs sometimes wash up on shore at a nearby black sand beach where they glisten like diamonds in the sunlight.

If you wish to get a better look at the icebergs and the seals, you can opt for a boat ride on the lagoon. You have two boat options: a speedy Zodiac boat tour, perfect for thrill-seekers and those who want to get really close to the bergs, and a slower amphibian boat tour; great for families and photographers.

You’ll end the day at a countryside hotel nestled under Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. 

Highlights:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – A high but narrow cascade which falls over a cave in which you can enter.
• Skógafoss Waterfall – Much wider and more powerful than its cousin Seljalandsfoss but equally as beautiful.
• Eyjafjallajökull Glacier – One of Iceland’s smaller ice caps but it covers an active volcano
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – A gorgeous volcanic beach 
• Vík Village – Located by Reynisfjara beach, a great place to stop for lunch
• Skaftafell Nature Reserve – A luscious area, nestled under Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier.
• Svartifoss Waterfall – A stunning cascade surrounded by cliffs of black basalt columns.
• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – A stunning, blue water filled with enormous icebergs which have broken off a nearby glacier.
• Diamond Beach – A black sand beach where icebergs that have washed up on shore glisten like precious stones.

Optional Activities:

• Morning glacier hike on Sólheimajökull ice cap
• Exploring Katla Ice Cave
• Afternoon glacier hike in Skaftafell Nature Reserve
• Zodiac boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón

Start your day by visiting the beautiful Stokksnes Peninsula where the mighty Mt. Vestrahorn watches over the surrounding black sand beaches. 

You will then drive the winding roads of East Iceland, stopping at one or two of the charming villages found there. You can also stop at Vök Baths, a new spa which sits on the banks of Urriðavatn Lake. There you can soak in the geothermal water and admire the beautiful scenery of East Iceland. 

Another adventure possible in East Iceland is a thrilling ATV ride through Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest forest. While traversing rough tracks, crossing small streams and dirt puddles, you’ll get to see some of the East’s most stunning landscapes, including the beautiful Lake Lagarfljót.

Before finding your accommodation in or near the town of Egilsstaðir, you can visit the beautiful Hengifoss Waterfall. The cliffs of this stunning cascade are made of black basalt rocks and layers of red clay which are sandwiched between, giving the waterfall its unusual look.

Highlights:

• Stokksnes Peninsula where black sand beaches make for a perfect photography subject along with Mt. Vestrahorn
• Djúpivogur – A charming village in East Iceland over which the majestic Mt. Búlandstindur looms.
• Hallormsstaðaskógur Forrest – Sits on the banks of Lake Lagarfljót
• Egilsstaðir – East Iceland’s largest settlement and the area’s nerve centre
• Hengifoss Waterfall – One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls at 128 metres high

Optional Activities:

• Unwinding at the Vök Nature Baths
• Racing through a forest on an ATV Tour

Today, you’ll head North, and visit three of the attractions that make up the Diamond Circle, North-Iceland’s answer to the Golden Circle. You will start by visiting the stunning Dettifoss Waterfall, made famous in the opening shot of the Ridley Scott movie, Prometheus. Then it is off to the beautiful canyon Ásbyrgi, believed by Vikings to have been created by Odin’s horse, Sleipnir. 

The third attraction today is the charming town of Húsavík. This small settlement is known as the ‘Whale Watching Capital of Iceland’, and today, you can have your very own adventures searching for the gentle giants of the sea. 

There are two excursions available; the former one is a classic whale watching tour, perfect for the entire family. The second one is a tour on a rib boat which also includes a spot of puffin watching. These adorable birds make Iceland their home in the summer before departing the country in the autumn. 

You can also visit the Geosea Baths in Húsavík. This luxurious spa uses geothermal heat to warm up seawater, which is said to do wonders to your skin. You will have an amazing view of the ocean where you might spot a whale or two. 

You will then spend the night in or near Húsavík.

Highlights:

• Dettifoss Waterfall – Europe’s most powerful waterfall
• Selfoss Waterfall – Smaller than its neighbour Dettifoss but surrounded by beautiful basalt columns
• Ásbyrgi Canyon – A dramatic, horseshoe-shaped canyon 
• Húsavík Town – Whale watching capital of Iceland

Optional Activities: 

• Traditional whale watching in Húsavík
• Whale and puffin watching in a rib boat
• Unwinding at the Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths.

After breakfast, you will explore the otherworldly area of Lake Mývatn. Here, you’ll find a stunning hot spring inside a cave, a natural maze of lava pillars, a geothermal region filled with steam vents and bubbling mud pools, and Lake Mývatn itself. 

Lake Mývatn and its surroundings were created in a series of volcanic eruptions some 2,300 years ago. You can see remnants of these eruptions in the free-standing lava pillars and pseudocraters around the lake. This time of year, the wetlands around the lake are also teeming with birds, and you can spot up to 15 different species there. 

After exploring the region to the fullest, you can unwind at the Mývatn Nature Baths. This geothermal spa is a great way to relax after days on the road, and it provides you with a fantastic view of the surrounding volcanic landscape. 

Make your way to Akureyri where you will spend the night. We recommend stopping at the stunning waterfall, Goðafoss, which is en route. 

Highlights:

• Lake Mývatn – A beautiful lake with pseudocraters, lava pillars, and rich birdlife
• Grjótagjá Cave – A bright blue hot spring inside a cave that was used as the love nest of Jon Snow and Ygritte in Game of Thrones
• Námaskarð Pass – A geothermal area filled with steam vents and bubbling mud pools.
• Dimmuborgir – A natural labyrinth of lava pillars
• Goðafoss – A beautiful waterfall which falls down arch-shaped cliffs.

Optional Activities:

• Taking a dip in the Mývatn Nature Baths

Today, you’ll explore the wonders of North Iceland in-depth by driving the mountainous Tröllaskagi peninsula. Here, you’ll find charming fishing villages with an award-winning museum and a stunning infinity pool. 

Before you leave Akureyri behind, you will have an opportunity to have one last adventure in this vibrant town. There are two options available; the first is a whale watching tour, perfect for those who missed out on this wonderful experience yesterday. 

The second option is a horse riding tour. Icelandic horses can trace its ancestry from ponies taken to Iceland by Viking settlers, which also explains their small stature. However, they have a large personality which makes all who meet them fall in love with their spirited temperament. 

As you travel around the Tröllaskagi region, which is also known as the “Troll Peninsula”, you will have the option to stop by a local brewery and take a bath. Yes, at the Beer Spa, visitors can relax in a tub filled with that amber liquid, while the hops and yeast make your skin silky smooth. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

At the end of the day, you’ll head to the town of Blönduós where you will spend the night.

Highlights:

• Tröllaskagi Peninsula – A beautiful area filled with mountains and fjords
• Siglufjörður – A charming town known for the award-winning Herring Era Museum
• Hofsós – Small fishing village where you’ll find a stunning, infinity swimming pool with an amazing view

Optional Activities:

• Whale watching in Akureyri
• Horse riding around the countryside of Akureyri
• Relaxing at the Beer Spa

Now it is time to explore the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Watching over your journey today is the mighty Snæfellsjökull, a glacier topped volcano which is believed by many to be a great source of mystical energy. 

The area is characterised by desolate lava strewn fields, tall mountains, and countless streams and waterfalls. You will also see some wildlife there; horses and sheep roam the grounds, and the coast is teeming with birds which make the jagged, volcanic rocks their home. 

If you wish to get a closer look at the birdlife of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you can join a Viking Sushi Boat Tour from Stykkishólmur town. Kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, and adorable puffins can all be found around the small island which dot the ocean just offshore. The highlight of the tour, however, is when the bounty of the sea is brought up, and guests get to try fresh scallops and sea urchins straight from the ocean.

Another ocean-option available today is a whale watching tour from Ólafsjörður. Breiðafjörður bay offers the best chance in Iceland to see two of the sea’s top predators: sperm whales and orcas, also known as killer whales. 

You will end the day at accommodations on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Highlights:

• Stykkishólmur – A charming town and a great stop for lunch breaks
• Kirkjufell Mountain – A pyramid-shaped mountain, used as a backdrop in the popular TV show Game of Thrones. 
• Djúpalónssandur Black Pebble Beach – To get to this hauntingly beautiful beach, you have to walk through a natural maze of lava rocks. 
• Lóndrangar – A pair of rock stacks which protrude from the ocean, a great place to go birdwatching. 
• Arnarstapi – A tiny village with a stunning pier and coastline. A path from there leads to another town, Hellnar, and the route makes for a great hiking trip. 
• Búðarkirkja Church – This jet-black church makes for a fantastic photographic stop with the Snæfellsjökull Glacier in the background.
• Ytri Tunga – A white sand beach (a rarity in Iceland) known for its massive seal colony.

Optional Activities:

• Birdwatching and sightseeing on a Viking Sushi Boat Tour.
• Whale Watching from the town of Ólafsvík

Now it is time to head back to Reykjavík. However, you will first explore the wonders of West Iceland before you reach the capital. You’ll see geometric cliffs, stunning waterfalls, and the most powerful hot spring in Europe.  

If you wish, you can pepper the day with an underground adventure. There are three unique options available today; the first one is a visit to one of the largest lava caves in the world, Víðgelmir. There, you’ll get to follow the path hot magma created a thousand years ago to see the bright colours found deep underground. 

The second option is to explore inside a glacier. The Ice Cave Tunnels in Langjökull effortlessly combine a man-made structure with the beauty of the Icelandic nature. The tunnels lead to several different rooms, including a chapel, and provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore deep inside a glacier, something which is usually only reserved for scientists. 

Your last option begins in Reykjavík city. There, you will board a bus which will take you to Þríhnjúkagígur, an inactive volcano in which you will descend. Strapped in a harness and equipped with a helmet, you’ll be lowered into the caldera in an open lift. The journey down will take around five minutes. Afterwards, you get to roam around inside the volcano before being hoisted up again. 

You will then head to your hotel in Reykjavík. The midnight sun keeps the city alive well into the night, so make use of it and enjoy your last night in Iceland exploring the capital’s active nightlife. 

Highlights:

• Gerðuberg Cliffs – A large, natural wall made of hexagonal basalt cliffs
• Reykholt Village – Perfect for those wanting to learn about Norse mythology and Icelandic history.
• Hraunfossar & Barnafoss – Two stunning but vastly different waterfalls
• Deildartunguhver – Europe’s most powerful hot spring

Optional Activity:

• Exploring Víðgelmir Lava Cave
• Learning about glaciers in the Ice Cave Tunnels
• Stepping Inside The Volcano

Now it is time to pack your bags and return to Keflavík Airport. 

If your flight leaves in the afternoon or evening, you will have some time to explore Reykjavík before you go. On top of Skólavörðuhæð hill stands the Reykjavík landmark, Hallgrímskirkja Church. After snapping a few photos of the beautiful building — and perhaps even going to the top — you can walk across the street to the Einar Jónsson sculpture garden. There, you can explore (for free) the works of this famous artist. 

If you didn’t have time on your arrival day, you could fit a trip to the Blue Lagoon in before you depart. It is a great way to unwind after days on the road and you’ll arrive at the airport relaxed and well-rested. 

Once it’s time to leave, you’ll drive through the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, return your car at the airport and check in. 

Have a great flight home and come back soon!

Highlights:

• Hallgrímskirkja Church – A beautiful church whose design was inspired by Svartifoss Waterfall.
• Einar Jónsson Museum & Garden – Many of Einar’s sculptures can be found in the garden, and the entrance to that is free. However, there is a fee for the museum which is located inside Iceland’s first art museum. 
• Laugavegur Shopping Street – Filled with boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and bars.
• Harpa Concert Hall – A stunning glass building which sits by the ocean

Optional Activities:

• Taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon