In-Depth 11-Day Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road with Waterfalls & Hot Springs

You'll spend your first full day in Iceland exploring one of the country's most fascinating regions, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The area is sometimes nicknamed "Iceland in Miniature" because of its rich natural wonders.

You'll have many chances to stop and explore during your drive around Snaefellsnes. In Grundarfjordur fjord, you can marvel at the Kirkjufell mountain, known for being "the mountain shaped like an arrowhead" on the HBO series "Game of Thrones."

The mountain measures 1,519 feet (463 meters) tall and is one of the most prominent landmarks in the area. Moreover, you'll find a lake at the base of Kirkjufell, reflecting the mountain's mirror image during clear days.

You can also explore another natural wonder associated with foreign literature, the Snaefellsjokull glacier. Interestingly, it's the glacier from which the peninsula got its name. It's also known for being the entrance to the Earth's center in Jules Verne's classic novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

The Snaefellsjokull stratovolcano stands 4,744 feet (1,446 meters) tall, while the glacier covering it measures about 4.2 square miles (11 square kilometers). 

In addition, folklore says that the glacier was an ancient energy source. Moreover, superstitious Icelanders believe that the rock formations surrounding the glacier were trolls petrified by the sunlight. Others also claim that these rock formations were homes to the hidden people.

Other attractions include Djupalonssandur, a beautiful black sand beach where you'll see an impressive shipwreck, and the basalt columns off the shore of the small fishing village Arnarstapi. The peninsula also has plenty of charming villages for you to stop in, many of which have swimming pools you can enjoy. Among the towns worth exploring are Olafsvik and Stykkisholmur.

If you crave more adventure, you can add optional activities on this day. If you would like to explore the insides of the Earth, like the characters in Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Vatnshellir cave tour is the perfect addition to your day. On this hour-long tour, you'll descend approximately 115 feet (35 meters) below the surface.

If you prefer culinary adventure, the Viking sushi boat tour in Breidafjordur is better for you. You'll embark on a voyage to experience the beauty of West Iceland by boat. At the end of the cruise, you'll taste fresh scallops and roe like the Vikings would've enjoyed it.

After an exciting day, you'll stay the night on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

It's time for you to head north to new adventures. On your way to Akureyri, you'll encounter many beautiful sights. We recommend stopping along the way and choosing one of the optional activities for an extra special day.

We suggest you visit Hvitserkur sea stack in Hunafloi bay. The sea stack is home to birdlife and plants you can see from the Vatnsnes peninsula. Sometimes called "The Troll of Northwest Iceland," Hvitserkur is believed to be a petrified troll.

It measures 49 feet (15 meters) tall, and you'll see it protruding from the bay. Interestingly, the rock stack is a favorite nesting ground for seagulls, fulmars, and shags.

From one troll to another, the Trollaskagi peninsula, or simply the Troll peninsula, is an area full of awe-inspiring mountains and a beautiful coastline. 

One of the peninsula's most famous mountains is Kerling. Standing 5,064 feet (1,538 meters) tall, Mount Kerling is the area's highest. Moreover, its structure features basaltic rock though its uppermost part is made of rhyolite, extending to Mount Vindheimajokull and Mount Sulur.

Aside from the breathtaking landscapes, the peninsula is known for its Icelandic horses. Trollaskagi is home to many horse farms that offer horseback riding. If you choose to ride an Icelandic horse, you'll notice it has a different gait and tolt than other horses.

Additionally, these horses are intelligent, sturdy, and curious, making them easy favorites of equestrians.

There are also two different but equally fun optional activities that can be added to this day. One is a whale-watching tour departing from Akureyri. Eyjafjordur fjord, where Akureyri belongs, is a picturesque setting to visit the ocean giants. 

You're likely to spot humpback whales and white-beaked dolphins, and you might even be lucky enough to see blue whales, orcas, and fin whales. You can also visit the old churches, heritage museums, and Saga trails that tell stories about Vikings.

Another optional activity available today is the Beer Spa, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Akureyri. The experience you'll have at Bjorbodin Beer Spa is like no other. 

You'll relax in a warm bath of beer and beer yeast, which is good for the skin. You can also sip some beer from a nice cold mug in the tub.

Tonight, you'll stay at a comfortable accommodation in North Iceland.

You've got another packed day in the beautiful Northern Region of Iceland ahead of you.

The day's first stop is at the impressive Godafoss waterfall in the river Skjalfandafljot. Godafoss offers a unique experience revolving around beauty and raw power. 

Its water falls from 39 feet (12 meters) with a width of 98 feet (30 meters). Keep watch of the water as it cascades and splits into two, resembling a horseshoe.

Aside from its majestic beauty, Godafoss also holds a special place in the country's history. In around 1000 AD, the Viking Chieftain threw his pagan idols away into this waterfall, signifying Iceland's conversion to Christianity.

After spending time in the area, you'll drive 29 miles (47 kilometers) to the delightful town of Husavik, sometimes called the "whale-watching capital of Iceland." Two whale-watching tours are among your optional activities for the day, both departing from Husavik. First, you can join a traditional tour where you'll ride a standard boat and search for whales in the bay.

The other option features a RIB boat tour. Compared to a conventional boat, a RIB boat is smaller and faster. It can take you closer to the whales without creating much disturbance.

After enjoying your time with the whales, you can spend your time in Husavik soaking in the Geosea Geothermal Baths if you prefer a more relaxing day. Unlike most pools in the country, the baths feature heated seawater rich in minerals. The waters have a constant flow and are chemical-free.

After a memorable time in Husavik, you'll drive 35 miles (56 kilometers) toward Lake Myvatn. It's a shallow volcanic lake surrounded by incredible flora and fauna. It measures four miles (6.5 kilometers) wide and almost six miles (9.5 kilometers) long, covering an area of 14 square miles (37 square kilometers).

The area has plenty of beautiful views, and there are some exciting activities you can add for the full Lake Myvatn experience. You can dip at the Myvatn Nature Baths, featuring geothermally heated pools near Lake Myvatn. Here, you can unwind before tucking in for the night.

Your accommodation for the night will be in Northeast Iceland.

Today, you'll explore the wonderful Eastfjords region of Iceland, an area with diverse and beautiful landscapes. It's also less visited than many other parts of Iceland.

A great first stop of the day is the town of Seydisfjordur. It sits at the base of a beautiful fjord and is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. 

The town's atmosphere is adorable, the houses are colorful, and the church is one of the most Instagrammable locations in Iceland. In Seydisfjordur, you can also find many lovely places to have lunch. Make sure to visit the blue church, the town's most famous attraction, and take pictures of the rainbow pathway leading to it.

As you continue your drive along the coastline of East Iceland, you can stop at plenty of other picturesque fishing villages. An example of a spot worth visiting is Lake Lagarfljot, which supposedly has a monster living in it. Folklore says that a worm-like creature called the Lagarfljot Wyrm is responsible for disrupting the lake's surface.

After spending time at the lake, you'll drive 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) toward Iceland's largest forest, Hallormsstadaskogur. The forest covers a massive 285 square miles (740 square kilometers). Moreover, it boasts lush trees, abundant wildlife, and hiking trails.

You can also check out The Eggs of Merry Bay in Djupivogur artwork. The outdoor artwork features 34 huge granite eggs created by renowned Icelandic visual artist Sigurdur Gudmundsson. Interestingly, the eggs represent the eggs of the area's nesting birds.

Moreover, the artist imported the granite from China. Each egg is roughly the same size as the others, with only minor differences.

Another increasingly popular East Iceland destination, especially for people interested in photography, is the Stokksnes peninsula. It's slightly off the beaten track but well worth it for the beautiful views of Vestrahorn mountain.

One of the country's most breathtaking mountains, Vestrahorn's peaks can reach up to 454 meters (1490 feet). Its cliffs rise from the sides of a beautiful lagoon while black sand beaches surround it.

Your accommodation tonight will be near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the town of Hofn in Southeast Iceland.

Today is dedicated to the wonders of the Vatnajokull National Park, a wilderness area in Southeast Iceland. The National Park is full of beautiful sights to see, and of course, it's home to Europe's largest ice cap, the Vatnajokull glacier.

The glacier boasts an impressive surface area of around 3,127 square miles (8,100 square kilometers). That's enough to cover about 10 percent of Iceland's landmass.

However, today's star attraction is the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the crown jewel of Iceland. It's a lagoon full of gorgeous blue and white icebergs that break from the glacier and float peacefully to the sea. It has a maximum depth of 814 feet (248 meters), making it the country's deepest lake.

The lagoon's biggest attraction is the towering icebergs breaking off the glacier. As you explore the lagoon, check out the icebergs breaking and floating into the water before finding their way to the sea. In addition, you may spot some seals playing on the ice.

An optional activity you can add while at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is a boat tour of the lake. You can choose the more thrilling Zodiac tour or the more relaxed and family-friendly amphibian boat tour. Both tours bring you closer to the beauty of the lagoon.

Meanwhile, some ice washes ashore on nearby Breidamerkursandur beach, about 0.56 miles (900 meters) from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Because the chunks of ice lying on the black sand beach look like shining diamonds, people called it "Diamond Beach." Seeing the icebergs wash up on the black sands is a visual treat you shouldn't miss.

After admiring the loose icebergs of Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach, it's time to head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Here, you'll find scenic hiking trails to walk and take in the stunning views. If you're feeling ambitious, start the day early to have enough time to hike to Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell.

You can also add a glacier hike at Skaftafell in the afternoon. There's nothing quite like stepping foot on a real-life glacier, making the trek a worthy addition to your adventure.

After an action-packed day, you'll stay in South Iceland for the night.

There is much to see today as you go down the South Coast of Iceland. You can make many exciting stops along the way, including waterfalls and black-sand beaches. There are also some exciting activities you can add to this day.

You can start your day by visiting lesser-known attractions like the waterfall Foss a Sidu and Fjadrargljufur canyon before heading to the must-see attractions around the village Vik.

When driving toward Foss a Sidu, you'll already see the waterfall from a distance. You'll see a beautiful white strip of water falling over the cliffs. Interestingly, the area is rich in folklore, as a dog named Mori is believed to be wandering around it.

Next, you'll head to Fjadrargljufur, a beautiful canyon about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Foss a Sidu. It measures 1.2 miles (two kilometers) long and 328 feet (100 meters) deep. The valleys were formed around 10,000 years ago, but the bedrock is about two million years old.

As you explore Fjadrargljufur, check out its sheer walls and different waterfalls. These elements create a majestic contrast between foaming waters and dark rocks accented by the green moss all around.

Though the village of Vik is worth a visit, the main draw is the gorgeous views of Reynisfjara's black sand beach. There you can see Reynisdrangar sea stacks and Dyrholaey, the peninsula with an arch-shaped hole.

Next up on the South Coast are the legendary waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. The powerful Skogafoss waterfall is up first. 

Make sure you have time to stop here and walk up to the waterfall to feel the mist on your face. Seljalandsfoss waterfall is also impressive, and you can walk behind it due to a small alcove on the cliff wall.

If you'd like a more unusual experience in South Iceland, you could hike to Seljavallalaug pool. It's the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. It's outside under the open skies, and it takes some walking to get there, but the views are well worth it.

You can choose between two options to add an extra activity to this day. The first is a visit to the Katla ice cave, a spectacular frozen cave in Kotlujokull glacier.

The other option is a glacier hike on Solheimajokull glacier, an unforgettable experience.

After a fruitful day of exploration, you'll stay the night in Southwest Iceland.

Day nine will bring you to Iceland's classic sightseeing route, the Golden Circle, a three-part circle with plenty of other stops available along the way. It's indeed an essential day for anyone visiting Iceland.

The first stop on your Golden Circle adventure is the Gullfoss waterfall. It's a powerful and beautiful waterfall that you can admire from the conveniently situated viewing platforms. Alternatively, you can walk down some steps and up to the waterfall to hear and feel its power.

The Gullfoss waterfall features two incredible cascades. The shorter drop measures about 36 feet (11 meters) tall, while the second is about 69 feet (21 meters) tall. It also has 459 cubic feet (140 cubic meters) of water surging down per second, something best experienced during summer.

Next up, about six miles (9.7 kilometers) away, is the geothermal area around Geysir hot spring. Geysir's neighboring hot spring, Strokkur, is the main attraction there, which erupts every five to 10 minutes to the delight of onlookers. Its eruptions can sometimes reach over 66 feet (20 meters) tall.

You can stop at Kerid crater lake or Reykjadalur valley to add more geological wonders to your Golden Circle adventure. Kerid is a relatively young crater at just 3,000 years old. You'll see its bright and vivid red rocks complementing the deep azure blue waters at the bottom.

Meanwhile, thanks to the surrounding hot springs, Reykjadalur lets you dip in a hot river. You'll also see rolling hills with steam vents dotting the area.

To finish up the Golden Circle, you'll stop at the Thingvellir National Park, Iceland's most geographically and historically significant place. The Icelandic parliament gathered in Thingvellir each summer for hundreds of years, and many significant moments in the country's history happened there. 

Thingvellir is also where you can see the rift in the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. On this day, you can also choose to snorkel in Silfra fissure at Thingvellir. With the water's visibility of up to 328 feet (100 meters), you'll see underwater canyons as clearly as possible. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

You can also ride a snowmobile on Langjokull glacier or go horse riding while enjoying the captivating surroundings.

You'll be staying in Reykjavik city in the evening and rest up for another exciting day.