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

Day two sends you off to some of the best-known natural phenomena in Iceland on the Golden Circle route. The first stop on the Golden Circle tour is Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can walk between the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and explore an area that played a huge 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.

Next up is the geothermal valley of Haukadalur, where you can see the geysers Strokkur and Geysir amongst many beautiful hot springs. Only a few miles away is Iceland's most popular attraction, the powerful waterfall named Gullfoss. A pathway takes you right to the water's edge, where you can get a real sense of the enormous, natural power of the falls.

You also have the chance to go on an optional snowmobile tour on Langjokull glacier. You'll be picked up at Gullfoss waterfall. This is an excellent way to add some adrenaline to your trip - and to see some sweeping glacial vistas. You can also book a horse ride on this day if neither of these appeals to you. 

Spend the night in or near the quiet Selfoss region.

On day three, you will take in the sight of two majestic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Further down the coast near the town of Vík, take a slight detour to admire the black volcanic beach, Reynisfjara, and the dramatic Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar rock formations. This is also a great place for puffin watching. 

Today, you have the opportunity to have a glacier adventure! You can race across Sólheimajökull glacier tongue on a thrilling snowmobile tour or, if you'd like, you can visit a natural ice cave in Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Only accessible via super jeep, this is the only cave that is open to visits all year long.  

You'll also have the choice of two glacier hikes today. You can either start early and breathe in the fresh mountain air on top of Sólheimajökull 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 Skaftafell Nature Reserve, where you can walk through the white expanse of an outlet glacier in the beautiful Vatnajökull National Park.

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

On your way to your accommodations in the Vatnajökull area, you'll pass the beautiful Jökulsárlón 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 too knackered after today's adventures.

Explore the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon today, 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 and 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.

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

Spend the night in the secluded Egilsstaðir area.

The driving on day five brings you north to Lake Mývatn, which is known for its geothermal landscapes, including the Námaskarð hot springs, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Volcano Krafla, one of Iceland’s most visited volcanoes.

After exploring these many wonders, relax by taking a dip in the soothing geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. You will spend the night in the Myvatn region.

Use the sixth day to explore a little more of Lake Mývatn and its unique surroundings. A drive through the Jökulsárgljúfur part of Vatnajökull National Park, with a visit to the Ásbyrgi canyon. This is a fascinating horseshoe-shaped indentation in the landscape. Local legends say that this was caused by the Norse god Odin’s eight-legged horse ‘Sleipnir’ planting a giant hoof on the ground.

You could also visit the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Detiffoss is believed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Its giant towering size and mighty rumble make it an impressive stop. Dettifoss was also featured at the beginning of the 2012 Ridley Scott sci-fi film Prometheus.

You could then head to the Northern town of Húsavik. This seaside village is unofficially referred to as the whale watching capital of Europe. From Húsavík, you can take a trip out into the northern waters to spot some of these gentle giants of the sea. If you would like to go whale watching, there are two options. You could take a traditional whale watching tour or opt for a smaller Rib Boat tour, which will allow you to get even closer to these spectacular sea mammals.

If you would love a bit of relaxation in Húsavík, you could choose to visit the Húsavík GeoSea Baths. This spa experience is a little different from other geothermal spas in Iceland. The waters of GeoSea are from the ocean. The warm salty waters have been said to contain reparative qualities, and you will enjoy them with some impressive views of the surrounding landscape.

You will then spend the night in Akureyri.

On day seven, you'll have more time to explore the area around Akureyri.

Before you move on from the area, you could choose to add some activities to your day. If you haven't had the chance yet to go whale watching, you can take a whale watching tour from Akureyri. You could also choose to see some of the natural sites of the area while riding an Icelandic horse on a horseriding tour.

You will then pass through the beautiful, mountainous area of Tröllaskagi, to the old herring-fishing village of Siglufjörður, and then to Hofsós, where you can enjoy the incredible scenery while relaxing in the town's thermal pool.

If you like local Icelandic handicrafts or traveling with children, we recommend a stop at Stórhóll farm, where the gallery Rúnalist is located. Children can play with and pet some sheep, goats, horses, ducks, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats while you browse the crafts showroom, filled with handmade items of natural wool, salmon leather, or cod skin.

Spend the night in nearby Sauðárkrókur.

Head to Snæfellsnes peninsula today. On the way, you will pass the rolling hills of Vatnsdalshólar and the beautiful Þingeyarkirkja church.

You might also want to stop at a longhouse at Eiríksstaðir, home of the infamous Viking Erik the Red, father to Leif the Lucky, the first European to sail to North America. You can also pay a visit to Stykkishólmur, a picture-perfect fishing village overlooking Breiðafjörður Bay.

Here, you can travel out to a small island, accessible from the harbor. This is Súgandisey, and you'll see a wonderful panorama of the town, the sea, and the surrounding mountains from here.

The crown jewel of the Snæfellsnes peninsula is the Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano, nestled in the heart of a national park. If you would like to add some more adventure, you can choose to add a snowcat tour of this glacier as an extra activity. You will 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 Djúpalónssandur beach and the picturesque towns of Hellnar and Arnarstapi.

Spend the night at charming accommodation on Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

On day nine, you can explore West Iceland with its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes, and Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe.

Further along, be sure to visit the captivating Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls.

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 is also famous for writing the bible of old Norse mythology, Edda.

On this day, you can opt for one of two exciting caving tours. You can explore the incredible man-made ice caves at Langjökull, or take a lava tube adventure into Viðgelmir cave. You can also explore the inside of a magma chamber on the incredible 'Into the Volcano' tour.

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

It's time to say goodbye. Today you will drop your car off at Keflavik Airport and head home. For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik; the Whales of Iceland and FlyOver Iceland experience are particularly recommended.

If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.