The Perfect 12-Day Nature Drive in Iceland

On your first full day in Iceland, you'll hit the road and head towards the region of West Iceland.

After an hour, driving north, you'll pass through the charming small town of Borgarnes, which sits delightfully at the edge of a bay, offering incredible views of the adjacent mountain across the waters. For the history buffs amongst you, Borgarnes also hosts a great Viking Settlement museum which is the perfect place to educate yourself more on the original settlers of Iceland.

Your first stop of the day will take you off of the ring road towards the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The former is a wide gentle waterfall rich in color due to an ancient lava flow which created beautiful rivulets for the glacier meltwater to trickle through. The latter is a much more powerful waterfall, pouring quickly over a series of narrow craggy rocks into the deep caverns below.

After leaving these waterfalls behind, for those interested in history, it would be worth a quick stop at the village of Reykholt. This village was the home of the medieval writer and chieftain, Snorri Sturluson, without whom we would know very little about the fascinating beliefs of the Old Norse or have a great understanding of the notorious Icelandic civil war.

You will also have a series of extra activities to add to your day exploring the west:

Option 1 - Take a visit to the famous Krauma spa. Fed by natural hot springs and geothermal waters, this is the perfect place to unwind and bath in one of Iceland's most beautiful geothermal pools amid perfect rural nature.

Option 2 - Take a Super Jeep tour from Husafell to the top of the nearby Langjokull glacier. From here, you'll then be taken to visit an incredible man-made glacier tunnel. Your guide will take you through it and give you ample time to explore the many caverns that make this incredible experience.

Option 3 - Explore the Vidgelmir lava cave on a guided tour. On this tour, you will descend through a narrow tunnel into the wide cavern below filled with countless icicles, with a breadth of amazing colors from ancient eruptions and the most spectacular rock formations.

At the end of the day, you will rest up for the night in your accommodation on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

On the third day of your holiday, you'll explore the richly diverse Snaefellsnes peninsula and discover how it earned the name 'Iceland in miniature'.

Your first stop of the day will take you to the famously well-photographed black church of Budir. Framed by the shouldering adjacent mountains, take your time to get the perfect picture of this stunning attraction.

Afterward, you'll head towards the hamlet of Hellnar and the village of Arnarstapi. Once there, you'll take your time exploring the beautiful basalt rock formations that decorate this incredible coastline and feel the raw power of the battering ocean below, creating caverns of volcanic rock all along the cliff edges.

Next, you'll make your way to Djupalonssandur black sand beach. Aside from holding the title as one of Iceland's best lesser-known black sand beaches, this site is also famous for the four lifting stones that have long been used on the beach by fishermen to test their strength for generations.

A short drive away, you will then find the Londrangar rock pinnacles. These beautifully unique basalt columns jet out on the cliff edges of this stunning yet bizarre natural peak in Iceland. Again, this is a wonderful stop for those keen to practice their photography.

Your next stop will take you to the most-photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell. It stands alone as a spectacle against the backdrop of the beautiful ocean waters. Take your time to gaze at this landmark as well as the adjacent waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss. After walking across the bridge along the top of these falls, you'll arrive at the best position to capture a photo of this famous mountain, framed with the waterfall.

Before leaving, why not include a bit of peace and tranquillity with a kayaking tour around the base of Mt. Kikrjufell? These calm waters will give you a great perspective of this charismatic mountain where you can appreciate its sheer scale and unique positioning. These waters are also known to occasionally host some of Iceland's indigenous orcas, giving you another reason to paddle out.

A final stop of the day will take you to the charming fishing village of Stykkisholmur. Surrounded by a selection of craggy points, as well as a quaint harbor, this sleepy town is a great place to spend a few hours exploring on foot. You can even drive around the other side of the harbor, park up and climb to the top of the craggy outstretched point with amazing views of the southern shores of Iceland's Westfjords.

You will then retire for the night in your accommodation on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Today you'll explore some of the best spots in the North by traversing the Trollaskagi peninsula.

First, however, on your way north, you'll take a slight detour onto the often overlooked Vatnsnes peninsula. Here, you'll visit the bizarre basalt rock formation of Hvitserkur. This rock formation stands as the last remaining feature of an old volcano, but travelers now discuss whether it resembles a drinking elephant or a dragon.

Next, you'll head for your first stop on the Trollaskagi peninsula, in the town of Hofsos. The most notable attraction here is the incredible infinity pool, which sits on the edge of a cliff offering the most stunning views for bathers. Take a dip and check it out for yourself.

Afterward, you'll continue north along this peninsula until you reach the town of Siglufjordur. As well as being one of the most picturesque towns in Iceland sitting at the base of a fjord, it's also synonymous with fishing. A notable stop off here would be to check out the Herring Era Museum, which is a great place to learn about the importance of the fishing industry for Icelanders.

As you make your way south past the smaller town of Dalvik, you have the option to stop off at one of the most bizarre yet incredible bathing experiences you'll ever have at the Beer Spa. Sitting in the village of Arskogssandur, this once-in-a-lifetime experience allows visitors to bathe in the fermenting yeast and hops while also enjoying a cold pint (if you're of legal age!).

After this stop, you'll finally make your way to the capital of the north, Akureyri. If you have enough time, why not check out some of the galleries, boutique shops, or botanical gardens? Or, if you're completely exhausted by your day of adventure, make sure to pay a visit to the best ice cream shop in Iceland for a well-earned treat.

You will then retire for the night in your accommodation in Akureyri.

On your fifth day in Iceland, you'll get to explore the dramatic Diamond Circle.

After leaving Akureyri and driving up the northern side of the adjacent fjord, you'll make your way towards your first stop at the fishing town of Husavik. This is the main filming location of the Will Farrell movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Often considered the whale watching capital of Europe, marine life is particularly abundant in the summer months in Husavik.

You will have the option to join a whale watching tour here on either a boat or a more intimate RIB vessel, where you will head out into the open waters in search of these extraordinary creatures of the deep. You will have the chance to spot Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, and even Orcas if you're particularly lucky on your excursion.

However, if whale watching isn't your thing, you can instead take the opportunity to visit the Geosea geothermal baths. Fed by both geothermal water and seawater, these baths are positioned with the most amazing views of the open sea waters to the north. These baths are the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate in true Icelandic style after a few days of adventure.

Alternatively, if you're struggling to choose between either option, you can always choose to do both. This will enable you to enjoy the north of Iceland in the best way possible.

If you prefer to drive a bit further for more remote yet grand nature, you can head to Asbyrgi canyon. Though somewhat bizarrely shaped like a horseshoe, folklore claims that this canyon was created as a result of a stamp in the ground by Odin's 8-legged horse. This tranquil spot is rich in flora and fauna and an incredible off-the-beaten-track stop to enjoy.

Before making your way towards the Myvatn region, you'll next visit the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss. The ominous presence of this powerful waterfall wasn't missed by cinematographers when it appeared in the opening scene of the recent sci-fi classic, Prometheus. If you have time to spare, you should opt to take a 10-minute walk upstream and visit the smaller but no less beautiful Selfoss waterfall.

Before retiring for the night, you have the option of including a dip in the famous Myvatn Nature Baths. Well-positioned amongst this volcanic region, the natural and traditional baths are the perfect place to unwind after a long day of traveling and look across the Myvatn region under the incredible sight of the lowering midnight sun.

You will then rest up for the night in your accommodation in the Myvatn region.

On the morning of your sixth day in Iceland, you'll take your time to explore the beautiful sites of the Myvatn region.

Amongst the great lakes, you'll notice a wide variety of flora and a massive number of nesting birds who make this their residence in the summer months.

While traversing through the landscapes, you'll see a mixture of craters and bizarre rock formations that make up this large volcanic region, synonymous with an almost Martian landscape.

Your first stop will take you to the Dimmuborgir fortress. Though never an actual fortress, these bizarre rock formations bear an uncanny resemblance to a castle, turrets, and walls due to the cooling rock from ancient eruptions. The eerie atmosphere of this location was one of the reasons early Icelanders thought it was one of the gateways to hell.

Your next stop will take you to the geothermal area of Namaskard. Surrounded by numerous plumes of steaming poisonous gases, this bizarre attraction allows you to get up close to these bizarre-looking vents.

Afterward, you'll make your way east to the town of Egilsstadir. However, before checking in to your accommodation, you'll want to check out both Lake Lagarfljot and the forest of Hallormsstadaskogur. The former is easily one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of east Iceland, with folklore believing a rare worm-like creature is said to live in its depths - the Icelandic version of the Loch Ness Monster.

The latter, however, is the largest forest in the whole of Iceland. This incredible territory which borders the enormous Vatnajokull national park is great for hikers to explore some of the untouched wilderness in Iceland. It's also one of the best areas in Iceland to get sight of some of the indigenous reindeer.

However, before retiring for the night, you could choose to partake in 1 final additional activity at the spectacular Vok Baths. These geothermal pools sit amid a lake and make for an incredibly surreal setting as you relax in their mineral-rich healing waters. After a day of travel, there is no better way to end the day.

Afterward, you'll retire for the night in your accommodation in Egilsstadir.

Today, you'll take your time journeying through one of the most overlooked regions in Iceland, the East fjords.

Rich in wildlife, mountains, waterfalls, and quaint fishing towns, this is the perfect way to explore some of the best-kept secrets in Iceland.

On your way south, you'll have the opportunity to take a detour to explore the remote fjord of Borgarfjordur Eystri. It stands as one of the most beautiful spots in Iceland, which is steeped in folklore and offers a great number of fantastic options for those interested in hiking.

A town you'll also want to make sure you visit is Seydisfjordur which sits at the base of a beautiful fjord just a 30-minute drive from Egilsstadir. The town is surrounded by mountains and the most incredible array of waterfalls you won't want to miss. The town's most famous attraction is a blue church with a rainbow pathway leading to it, making it an Instagram favorite.

As you travel further south, you'll pass through numerous fishing towns sitting at the base of each fjord you drive through. Most notably of these are Djupivogur and Faskrudsfjordur. The former is surrounded by an incredible coastline of 3 fjords, making for some dramatic scenery and photo opportunities.

The latter is the easternmost settlement in Iceland, right in the center of the East fjords. Historically this town became a trading post in 1880 with a strong relationship to France's fisherman who would frequently visit. Known as a town of rich french heritage, even a quick walk through the town will leave you confused by the sheer number of french street signs.

Towards the end of your time in the East Fjords, you'll pass by the charismatic peaks of Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn, both of which are well-photographed as the perfect setting for sunsets, Northern Lights, and the midnight sun.

You will then retire for the evening in your accommodation in the fishing town of Hofn.

On your eighth day, you'll take your time exploring the beautiful nature of the Vatnajokull national park.

Your first stop of the day will take you to what is often referred to as the crown jewel of Iceland, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Here you'll get to witness the most incredible array of floating icebergs making their way out to the shore.

Not only this, but if you cross over to the adjacent shore across the road, you can enjoy the famous Diamond Beach. This nickname is earned by the sight of the washed-up icebergs melting and glistening in the long hours of sunlight. Enjoy a walk through this otherworldly paradise where you can get up close and personal with these incredible chunks of the glacier.

During the summer months, you can also join a boat tour out onto the lagoon. You will have two options:

Option 1 - Join an amphibian boat tour and glide amongst the gargantuan icebergs of Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. You will be part of a larger group of people with this option and experience this beautiful, peaceful lagoon up close.

Option 2 - Take a zodiac boat tour out into the lagoon and zoom from iceberg to iceberg in a small-group tour. This exhilarating experience will take you up close to the icebergs, where you will need to keep your eyes peeled for the seals that grace the ice.

After a short trip up the road, you'll have the chance to stop off at a much lesser-known glacier lagoon, Fjallsarlon. This is a great chance to experience the raw beauty of a glacier lagoon away from most tourists.

Your last stop of the day will then take you to Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Known for its abundance of hiking paths through lava fields, mountains, and glacier tongues, this is the perfect place to put on your walking boots and check out a trail.

Most notably is the trail that leads to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. This waterfall is surrounded by a series of volcanic hexagonal basalt columns, making it a unique spectacle to behold and a relatively easy hike to carry out.

For those of you keen to add in some extra adventure to your day, why not include a 3-hour glacier hike on the outlet glacier of Skaftafell glacier. Here your guide will kit you out with a helmet, crampons, and an ice ax, perform a quick safety briefing and lead you out onto the ice. You'll get the opportunity to climb on top of this glacier, pass deep crevasses and experience an incredible rush of excitement as you witness one of the most incredible views of the entire region.

If you opt to join this glacier hike, make sure you remember to bring your water bottle with you so you can sample some of the purest water you'll ever taste.

You will then rest up for the evening in your accommodation in the historical town of VIk.

On the ninth day of your tour, you'll spend your time exploring the very best sites of Iceland's wondrous South Coast.

Your first stop of the day can be a visit the incredible off-the-beaten-track sight of the Fjadrargljufur Canyon. Just a short drive from your previous night's accommodation, these towering cliffs and the winding rapids that flow between them are well worth a stop. Game of Thrones fans may even recognize this spot from a flying dragon scene in the final series, with Jon Snow and Khaleesi.

After leaving Fjadrargljufur canyon behind, you'll continue to travel through the lava fields created by the epic eruption of Laki volcano in 1783. This eruption was said to last for nearly seven months, killing a huge portion of Iceland's population and livestock. The effects of its ash were so strong that it massively impacted the harvests in western Europe and is known to be linked to the eventual French Revolution.

For those keen to add some extra adventure to your day, you can opt to join an ice cave tour. Your guide will pick you up from Vik, kit you out with a helmet and some crampons, and perform a safety briefing before taking you to the top of Myrdalsjokull glacier. Once on top, you'll be guided through the caverns of this beautiful natural ice cave which changes with the glacier's movement that sits up above Iceland's largest volcano, Katla.

Next, you'll check out the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. This charming yet eerie volcanic beach is decorated with a shoreline of cliffs and basalt caves, as well as the well-known sea stacks of Reynisdrangar. The latter formations are said to be the result of 2 petrified trolls caught in the sunlight who failed to find refuge in time.

Afterward, you'll take a visit to the nearby rock arch of Dyrholaey. During summer, aside from being a stunning area to explore, this is one of the best places in the country to spot puffins. Amazingly, Puffins have little fear of humans, giving you a great chance to get up close to these exquisite creatures.

Your final two stops of the day will take you past the stunning waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Though both waterfalls stand at an impressive 197 ft (60 m), the former is a lot more powerful with a huge rising of mist which regularly reacts with the light to create the most beautiful rainbows. Folklore of Skogafoss even suggests there is a treasure chest that has long been hidden behind its falls.

However, the latter is a gentler waterfall, the most obvious feature along a ridge hosting other waterfalls, most notably the hidden Gljufrabui. In the summer months, you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss due to a perfectly sculpted cavern that lies at the back of it.

After another fantastic day of sightseeing and adventure, you'll retire for the night in your accommodation around Selfoss.

Today you'll visit the most popular travelers' trail in Iceland, the Golden Circle.

Famed for its variety of incredible natural attractions and closeness to Reykjavik, this is another day to better understand why they call Iceland the land of fire and ice.

Your first stop of the day will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park. Sitting in the divide between 2 tectonic plates (North American and Eurasian), this location is abundant in forestry, waterfalls, canyons, ravines, and springs. As well as the obviously beautiful nature, this is also a famous historical spot where the world's first parliament was founded (Althingi) in 930 AD.

If you're fascinated by the geology of Iceland, take the plunge to join a snorkeling tour here at the nearby Silfra fissure. This is one of the only places in the world where you'll be able to see the physical divide of 2 tectonic plates right in front of you. Snorkeling in these surreal crystal clear glacier-fed waters gives you the ability to check out the incredible rock formations with a viewing distance of up to 328 ft (100 m).

Next, you'll visit the wonderful volcanic paradise of the Geysir geothermal area. Bubbling and oozing with mud pots and steam vents, much like your visit up north, this place provides a real visible understanding of the volcanic ground beneath your feet. However, you'll find most of the visitors standing around the hot spring named Strokkur, which will erupt boiling water up to heights of 66 ft (20 m) every 5-10 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to witness this spectacle several times while you're there.

Your final stop of the day takes you to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss. Fed by the meltwater of the nearby Langjokull glacier along the Hvita river, this thunderous waterfall plummets 105 ft (32 m) over two steps into an incredibly carved cavern below.

If you're looking to add some adrenaline-pumping action to your day, you can opt to join a snowmobiling tour. You'll meet your guide just outside of Gullfoss visitor center, get kitted up, receive a safety briefing and make your way up on a monster all-terrain vehicle to the top of the nearby Langjokull glacier. Once on top, you'll have a blast zooming across this snowy white tundra with the most incredible mountain peak and valley views all around you.

In the evening you'll rest up in your accommodation in Reykjavik.

Today is your last full day in Reykjavik, and you will have a selection of options depending on how you would like to spend your day.

Option 1 - Take a slower-paced to end your holiday by exploring the bustling city streets of Reykjavik. Take the time to check out some of its famous landmarks and attractions, art galleries, studios, and museums, or simply basque in the downtown ambiance at the cozy local cafes.

This is also a great way to spend the day if you're keen to explore some of Reykjavik's selection of quaint boutique shops or gather some last-minute souvenirs before your flight home the next day.

Option 2 - Take a tour inside the dormant magma chamber of Thrihnukagigur volcano. Uniquely, unlike most other volcanoes in the world, the magma chamber didn't simply implode on itself once it turned dormant. Instead, the magma drained away. As a result, this is the only location on Earth where you can go inside a volcano's magma chamber.

You'll descend on an old mining shaft, deep within this otherworldly ginormous cavern. As you get closer to the base, you'll feel the warmth start to rise onto your face. You'll then have plenty of time once you reach the bottom to explore the many caverns, rock formations, and incredible colors that make this one of the best experiences in Iceland.

Option 3 - Instead of spending an entire day in the city of Reykjavik, you could instead spend half of the day on a 2-hour horse riding tour.

You will head just outside of the city to one of the delightful local stables, where you'll ride one of the famously charismatic Icelandic horses across the local wild terrains. This is a great way to experience a final taste of Iceland's nature and the culture of Icelandic horse riding.

Option 4 - Take some time out of your day wandering the streets of Reykjavik to take a ride on the famous FlyOver ride.

You'll be suspended with feet dangling before a 20m (66 ft) spherical screen and be taken on a 30-minute 4D thrill experience of the most incredible spectacles in Iceland. From the mountain peaks to the base of fjords, this experience will leave you in awe of the natural beauty of Iceland. As you journey through all the terrains and landmarks, keep your eyes peeled for some of the fantastic spots you will have passed and explored on your holiday.

In the evening, you will retire for your final night in Iceland in your accommodation in Reykjavik.

In the morning, you'll drive the short 40-minute distance down the Reykjanes peninsula to Keflavik International Airport, where you will return your car rental and head towards the terminal.

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