10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Top Attractions & Snaefellsnes

Day two sends you along the Golden Circle driving route to see some of the country's best-known natural phenomena.

The first stop you can make on your self-drive Golden Circle tour is the Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can walk between the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and explore an area that played a considerable role in Iceland's heritage. Its history as the site of the world's first representative parliament site has warranted its place on the UNESCO world heritage list. 

You can even opt into a snorkel in the crystal clear fissure Silfra, which runs right between the tectonic plates. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

The geothermal valley of Haukadalur is home to the Geysir geothermal area, your second Golden Circle attraction. Here, you can see the geysers Strokkur and Geysir amid many beautiful hot springs and boiling mud pits. Strokkur erupts every 8-10 minutes for a guaranteed picture-perfect photo opportunity.

Iceland's most popular attraction is only a few miles away, a powerful waterfall named Gullfoss. A pathway takes you to the water's edge, where you can get a real sense of the enormous, natural power of the falls. On sunny days, Gullfoss features a rainbow in front, adding to its splendor.

You also have the chance to go on an optional snowmobile tour on Langjokull glacier. You'll be picked up at the Gullfoss waterfall. A snowmobile tour is an excellent way to add adrenaline to your trip and see sweeping glacial vistas. 

You can also book a horse ride on this day if the snowmobiling and snorkeling don't appeal to you. Icelandic horses are known for their calm and friendly temperaments, so you'll love interacting with these adorable animals. They also have two unique gaits, the tolt and the flying pace.

After an incredible day exploring the country's top attractions, you'll spend the night in one of the charming towns of Southwest Iceland.

On day three, you'll take in the sight of two majestic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Each is unique and stunning in its own right. Seljalandsfoss has a path encircling it so that you can walk behind the falls. You can also get up close to the magnificent power of Skogafoss since the terrain at its base is relatively flat.

Further down the coast near Vik village, take a slight detour to admire the black volcanic beach, Reynisfjara, and the dramatic Dyrholaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations. This is also an excellent place for puffin watching. 

Today, you have the opportunity to have a glacier adventure. You can race across the Solheimajokull glacier tongue on a thrilling snowmobile tour. Or, if you'd like, you can visit a natural ice cave in Myrdalsjokull glacier. Only accessible via super jeep, this is the only ice cave you can visit year-round.  

You'll also have the choice of two glacier hikes today. You can start early and breathe in the fresh mountain air atop the Solheimajokull glacier. Nothing will wake you up and get your adrenaline pumping like a morning visit to a glacier.

Or you can end your day with a late afternoon hike at the Skaftafell nature reserve. At Skaftafell, you can walk through the white expanse of an outlet glacier in the beautiful Vatnajokull National Park.

Skaftafell nature reserve is great for any outdoor enthusiast, particularly if you enjoy hiking. There are many excellent tracks and trails. One of them leads to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall, which plunges over a wide cliff of hexagonal basalt columns.

On your way to your accommodation in Southeast Iceland, you'll pass the beautiful Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where enormous icebergs that have broken off a nearby glacier float peacefully on the serene lagoon. Don't worry, you will have plenty of time tomorrow to explore this area further if you are tired after today's adventures.

After a good night's sleep and a nourishing breakfast, you'll explore the awe-inspiring Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, one of Iceland's most beautiful spots.

If you so desire, you can hop on an optional boat tour, which takes you on a meandering path through the lagoon amongst stunning icebergs of all shapes and sizes. You can choose between an amphibious boat or a smaller zodiac.

Make sure you stroll down to the black sandy beach nearby, affectionately named Diamond Beach, due to the number of sparkling icebergs scattered along it. The contrast of the ice chunks glittering like diamonds against the jet-black sand is a sight to behold and a picture-perfect photo opportunity.

Finally, you'll start on a zigzagging journey along the Eastfjords, passing tranquil fishing villages and sweeping coastal landscapes.

The Stokksnes headland is a highly-recommended place to stop en route. This magnificent headland features towering mountains and dramatic black sands, making it an excellent spot for photography.

Djupivogur is another superb place to stop and stretch your legs. Here, you can see Eggin i Gledivik, the 34 granite egg sculptures representing the area's bird species. Enjoy this quirky display of art as you marvel at the pristine waters of the Berufjordur fjord.

The Eastfjords is an off-the-beaten-track destination full of natural beauty. It's an incredible place to escape from a busy life and enjoy solitude and serenity far from the crowds. It's also the most reliable part of the country to see wild reindeer, so keep your eyes peeled for them!

Then, you'll head over to the town of Egilsstadir, which lies on the banks of the Lagarfljot glacial lake and has several restaurants and all the amenities you'll need. If you have time when you arrive, you could head to the lake and see if you can spot the Largfljot worm, a sea creature reported to live in its depths.

You'll spend the night in one of East Iceland's charming accommodations tonight.

After waking up and enjoying your breakfast on day five, you could explore the Egilsstadir area before heading to see the treasures of the northeast. The East Iceland Heritage Museum in Egilsstadir is an excellent place for an authentic taste of Icelandic history, its original artifacts offering you a glimpse back in time.

Your drive today takes you north to Lake Myvatn, which is known for its geothermal landscapes, including the Namaskard hot springs, the Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the Krafla volcano, one of Iceland's most visited volcanoes.

You can explore at your own pace, spending as little or as much time as you wish at each destination and customizing your day to perfectly meet your preferences.

Namaskard boasts an otherworldly and rugged landscape characterized by bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and vibrant mineral deposits. This area offers you a unique opportunity to witness the powerful forces of nature at work.

The Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters are a fascinating natural phenomenon formed by steam explosions when molten lava flowed over the wetlands. These distinct circular structures offer a photo-worthy opportunity with the beautiful Lake Myvatn stretched out before you. 

The Dimmuborgir lava formations are also known as "The Dark Cities." This area is renowned for its striking and intricate lava formations, created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. The rugged landscapes of Dimmuborgir feature towering rock pillars, arches, and caves, creating an otherworldly and eerie atmosphere.

Dimmuborgir has inspired various folklore and legends in Icelandic culture, making it a fascinating destination for both nature lovers and those interested in the country's mythology. Visitors can explore the well-marked trails and immerse themselves in the surreal beauty of Dimmuborgir.

After exploring the many natural wonders around Lake Myvatn, relax by taking a dip in the soothing geothermal waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths. What better way to rejuvenate your body than soaking in Iceland's warm geothermal waters and enjoying your incredible natural surroundings?

After another fun-filled day of exploration, you'll spend the night in a countryside accommodation in North Iceland.

Head to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula today. On the way, you'll pass the rolling hills of Vatnsdalsholar and the beautiful Thingeyarkirkja church.

You might also want to stop at a longhouse at Eiriksstadir, home of the infamous Viking Erik the Red. Erik the Red was the father of Leif the Lucky, the first European to sail to North America.

You can also visit Stykkisholmur, a picture-perfect fishing village overlooking the Breidafjordur bay. Here, you can travel to a small island accessible from the harbor. The island is called Sugandisey, and it boasts a beautiful panorama of the town, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.

The central feature of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the Snaefellsjokull glacier and volcano, nestled in the heart of a national park. Suppose you'd like to add some adventure to your day. In that case, you can add a snowcat tour of this glacier as an extra activity. You'll be taken to the foot of the mountain before you ascend the snowy slopes and eventually reach the top, ready to take some incredible snapshots.

Nearby are many beautiful attractions, such as the Djupalonssandur black pebble beach and the picturesque towns of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. One of the main attractions at Djupalonssandur is the collection of ancient lifting stones used in the past to test the strength of local fishers. Visitors can also explore the remnants of a shipwreck that serves as a haunting reminder of the area's maritime history.

Don't miss the iconic Kirkjufell mountain with its distinctive cone-shaped peak. Photographers flock to Kirkjufell for the perfect shot of its pleasing shape with the beautiful Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in its foreground.

Other top sites on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula include the Budir church, the Gerduberg cliffs, and Ytri Tunga beach, a favorite spot for seal watching.

After a glorious day exploring incredible sights, you'll spend the night at charming accommodations on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

On day nine, you'll wake up in your Snaefellsnes accommodation and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then it's time to head off for another unforgettable day of exploration.

Today, you can explore West Iceland with its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes, and Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe. Marvel at the boiling water and rising steam at Deildartunguhver from the safety of the fenced walkways.

Further along, be sure to visit the captivating Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Hraunfossar features countless clear streams of water flowing gracefully from the lava field, creating a mesmerizing and picturesque effect. Barnafoss, also known as the Children's Waterfall, is powerful and enchanting, known for its turbulent waters and the folklore surrounding its name.

History buffs may also enjoy visiting Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute in Reykholt, where the politician, poet, and historian Snorri Sturluson wrote the Norwegian kings' saga Heimskringla in the 13th century. He's also famous for writing the bible of old Norse mythology, Edda.

At Reykholt, you can visit Snorri's former home and see Snorralaug, the pool he likely bathed in. The surrounding landscape is very picturesque and lovely for a wander.

Today, you can opt for one of two exciting caving tours. You can explore the incredible manufactured ice caves at the Langjokull glacier or take a lava tube adventure into the Vidgelmir cave.

It's also possible to explore the inside of a magma chamber on the incredible 'Into the Volcano' tour. This excursion involves an easy hike to the volcano, where a platform lowers you down a narrow passage into a vast chamber. Inside, you can marvel at an incredible underworld full of magnificent colors.

On the way back to Reykjavik, take a short break at Fossatun, a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa, before spending another night in the capital.