13-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland with the Snaefellsnes Peninsula & the Westfjords

Day two begins with a short drive to Iceland's famous Golden Circle.

Spend the first part of your Golden Circle exploration strolling through the gorge. Located at the Thingvellir National Park, this narrow valley marks the separation between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

This site is also rich in history. Here, Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 AD, converted to Christianity in 1000 AD, and declared independence from Denmark in 1944. 

You can also opt for a snorkel tour in the nearby Silfra ravine, a fissure full of crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling in the area combines a thrilling and calming experience, making Silfra one of the world's favorite dive sites. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

After that, head to the geothermal valley of Haukadalur, an area with hot springs, steam vents, mud pools, and geysers. Geysir is the most famous geyser, which lends all the others their name. Interestingly, Geysir is mainly inactive, though earthquakes or other factors can change this.

Another attraction to watch is its neighbor, Strokkur. Unlike the inactive Geysir, Strokkur can erupt every five to 10 minutes and shoot up to over 66 feet (20 meters) tall. As a result, it has become Iceland's most-visited active geyser.

After taking your time in this area, head to the mighty waterfall Gullfoss. You can walk to a platform on its edge to truly appreciate its tremendous power.

The Gullfoss waterfall boasts two incredible cascades. The first is a shorter drop measuring 36 feet (11 meters) tall, while the second cascade is about 69 feet (21 meters) tall.

Aside from the two cascades, the Gullfoss waterfall showcases raw power. If you visit the waterfall during summer, you'll feel 4944 cubic feet (140 cubic meters) of water surging down per second.

Near the Gullfoss waterfall is the Langjokull glacier, where you can add an optional snowmobile tour. You'll be equipped with all the essential equipment like gloves, a helmet, a balaclava, and a snowmobiling suit.

You'll also be guided by an experienced instructor who will teach you how to operate a snowmobile. As you ride the snowmobile, you'll drive toward the ice cap that rises around 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) above sea level.

If you want something less extreme, you can meet and ride a beautiful Icelandic horse. You'll visit one of Golden Circle's horse farms and mount up a friendly horse for two hours.

After a tiring and eventful day, you'll spend the night in Southwest Iceland.

On day three, you begin your journey along Iceland's South Coast. 

Visit the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which offers incredible views from behind the water. The Seljalandsfoss waterfall boasts a drop of 200 feet (60 meters). 

Being part of the river Seljalandsa, Seljalandsfoss traces its beginnings beneath the glacier Eyjafjallajokull. It's a volcano that became infamous in 2010 when it erupted and caused disruption across different airports in Europe.

As you marvel at Seljalandsfoss, you'll notice its cascade to be relatively narrow. You'll also see a pathway that stretches around the waterfall. This distinguishing feature makes it one of the few waterfalls in the world that can be fully encircled.

After relishing the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, you can stop at the equally impressive Skogafoss waterfall. It features a fantastic width of 82 feet (25 meters), complemented by a drop of 197 feet (60 meters).

The great thing about the Skogafoss waterfall is it has flat land underneath. This feature lets you walk right up to its water wall, though there's a risk of getting wet. Alternatively, you can view the waterfall through a staircase that leads to an observational platform.

A little further down the road, you'll reach Solheimajokull, where you can take an optional glacier hike or snowmobiling tour. Solheimajokull is an outlet glacier of the Myrdalsjokull icecap, measuring five miles (eight kilometers) long and over a mile (two kilometers) wide.

Whether you explore the glacier through hiking or snowmobiling, both offer exhilarating experiences.

Further along the ring road, near Vik, admire the black volcanic beach Reynisfjara and the dramatic Dyrholaey rock formations. Reynisfjara is arguably the most beautiful among Iceland's black sand beaches. It features roaring waves and huge basalt rocks accented by stunning panoramic views.

Once you reach Vik, stop for a hot cup of coffee, or stretch your legs in this charming village while refueling.

After resting, you can depart from Vik and join another tour. You can visit a stunning ice cave in Myrdalsjokull glacier. 

After enjoying the sights and the beach, you can make your way east and explore more of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. You can also visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a quaint, historical village with about 120 inhabitants.

In the evening, you can spend the night in one of the villages of South Iceland.

Day four should be spent enjoying the many sights and optional activities within the beautiful Skaftafell area of the Vatnajokull National Park. Skaftafell is a nature reserve area known for its majestic features and diverse landscapes. It also boasts a rich flora amid glaciers and sands.

Hiking enthusiasts will be thrilled with the number of tracks and trails, including one that leads to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. This waterfall only measures 66 feet (20 meters) tall and is not as powerful as other waterfalls in the country. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland because of its beautiful surroundings and natural formations.

Its incredible basalt columns are the main feature that attracts local and foreign visitors. The columns sport a hexagonal shape, surrounding the waterfall.

Alternatively, you can opt for a glacier hike, still in Skaftafell. The walk will take you to the top of the Vatnajokull outlet glacier. During the hike, you'll be mesmerized by a contrasting scenery, where jet-black sands serve as a backdrop for white glaciers.

Next, you'll head toward the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where you can watch icebergs break from a glacial tongue and float serenely towards the ocean. The lagoon has a maximum depth of 814 feet (248 meters), making it Iceland's deepest lake.

It also has a surface area of 11.2 square miles (18 square kilometers), with icebergs that are over 1,000 years old.

It's a place that has attracted keen photographers for years. You'll get an even better view if you decide to book an optional amphibious boat or zodiac cruise to get as close to the ice as possible. Look for seals playing in the water or sunning on the rocks. 

After enjoying the lagoon, head to Diamond Beach. Also known as Breidamerkursandur, Diamond Beach is almost 3,000 feet (900 meters) from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. It features icebergs that wash up on the black sands, creating a sparkling effect that resembles a diamond. 

This unique visual spectacle offers excellent photo opportunities you shouldn't miss. After seeing the beauty of the Vatnajokull National Park, you can drive to the nearby Hofn town to explore its beautiful harbor and streets.

You will spend the night in Southeast Iceland.

On day five, you'll travel through the incredible Eastfjords. It's a 75-mile (120-kilometer) coastline stretch, starting from Berufjordur in the south to the fishing village of Borgarfjordur Eystri in the north.

During the drive, you'll see many idyllic villages hidden at the bottom of deep fjords, nestled between mountain passes and hills. Moreover, you'll likely see many fishing villages on the narrow fjords.

Interestingly, this area has some of the most remote sites in Iceland, offering attractive opportunities to enjoy solitude in nature. The Eastfjords has many dense forests and sparkling lakes, adding color and music to the amazing scenery.

It also has a wealth of wildlife, including reindeer, seals, and different species of migratory birds, like the elusive puffins. Though known for spending most of their lives at sea, these puffins fly toward the cliffs during spring and summer for breeding.

The puffins you'll see in Iceland are the Atlantic puffins. Compared to other puffin species, the Atlantic puffins sport colorful beaks, while the colors of their bodies resemble those of penguins.

Next, you'll zig-zag up and down the mountains and reach Egilsstadir township. Egilsstadir is East Iceland's largest town and is close to two natural gems you shouldn't miss. First is Hallormsstadaskogur, the country's largest national forest, covering about 740 hectares of land.

If you're visiting Hallormsstadaskogur in June, join the Forest Day festivities. It's a weekend of music, art exhibitions, and logging competitions.

You can also visit Hallormsstadaskogur's two camping areas: Atlavik and Hofdavik. Atlavik is inside the inner part of the forest, specifically in the area's tree cover. On the other hand, Hofdavik is in an area offering a more luxurious kind of service.

The second gem near Egilsstadir is Lake Lagarfjlot, known for its natural beauty and fishing opportunities. Lake Lagarfjlot is also famous for its folklore, as it is believed to be home to a beast called the Lagarfljot Wyrm.

Considered to be the cousin of the Loch Ness Monster, the beast is said to be the one disrupting the surface of Lake Lagarfjlot.

By evening, you can spend the night in Egilsstadir or one of the neighboring villages in East Iceland.

On your sixth day, you'll head over to the Modrudalur heights to see one of the gems of Icelandic nature, Lake Myvatn. It is Iceland's fourth-largest lake, featuring many small islands and a calming environment.

Visiting Lake Myvatn allows you to see active wildlife led by the arctic fox, harlequin ducks, and other bird species. The harlequin duck is one of the most popular types of birds that nest in the area. It's sometimes called the "white-eyed diver" because of the unique white markings.

As for the arctic fox, it is Iceland's only native mammal. It features a thick coat that comes in white, brown, or blue color. Interestingly, the coat's color changes depending on the season.

The Lake Myvatn area is also rich in volcanic activity. At Myvatn, you can visit amazing geothermal sites, mystical lava fields, and geothermal baths surrounded by pseudo-craters and tuff volcanos. You can check out Dimmuborgir, an expanse of lava with a lot of folklore.

Also called the "Black Fortress," Dimmuborgir is one of the most famous attractions in the Lake Myvatn area. Its popularity increased when it was featured as one of the filming locations for the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones."

Another must-see stop is the Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters. Formed about 2,300 years ago, Skutustadagigar resulted from gas explosions that occurred when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands.

After marveling at the sights of Skutustadagigar, drive about 51.6 miles (83 kilometers) through the Jokulsargljufur part of Vatnajokull National Park. Here, you can visit natural attractions like Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Dettifoss boasts an average water flow of 6,186 cubic feet (193 meters cubed) per second. It also measures 330 feet (100 meters) wide and falls 150 feet (45 meters) toward the Jokulsargljufur canyon.

After exploring this incredible region, you can take an optional whale-watching tour in the nearby village of Husavik, renowned as the whale-watching capital of Europe. You can even upgrade the tour to include a puffin-watching segment in a little RIB boat.

In the evening, you'll head to the town of Akureyri, the northern capital, where you can visit many shops and stores.

You will spend your night in one of the accommodations in North Iceland.

Today’s journey to the Westfjords is characterized by the seemingly endless fjords and towering mountainsides that flank the road to Isafjordur. You’ll discover a few more beautiful sights during the drive and through the different stops in and around the area.

Along the way, you could stop at Vatnsdalsholar, a cluster of rolling hills along the mouth of Vatnsdalur valley. You’ll notice the hills come in different shapes and sizes, resulting from landslides that are common in the valley.

You’ll also drive about 27 miles (43.6 kilometers) toward the Borgarvirki natural fortress. Borgarvirki is a volcanic plug standing 580 feet (177 meters) above sea level. It also towers above its surroundings by about 33 to 49 feet (10 to 15 meters).

Interestingly, Borgarvirki features a columnar shape, prompting the Vikings to turn it into a fortress. They also added other elements, like walls and stairs, to make it habitable and more durable.

Next, you’ll check out the Glaumbaer Folk Museum, a place rich in valuable information and resources about the culture of North Iceland. The museum was built in an old turf farmhouse dating back to 1750.

Here, you’ll learn about the history of rural Iceland and discover the life of Thorfinn Karlsefni, an Icelandic leader who attempted to colonize North America.

If you love magic, check out the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum in Holmavik. It features two floors telling the history of sorcery in Iceland. 

Also, a short drive away is the Sorcerer’s Cottage, featuring three connected turf houses. It depicts what the living conditions of sorcerers were like. As you enter the cottage, scan for intriguing elements like the woodwork featuring carved magic staves supposedly designed to drive away evil.

Before driving to Isafjordur, you can visit the hot pools in Drangsnes. The place features man-made geothermal hot tubs built along the shoreline between a cliff road and the ocean. Bring your bathing suit if you plan to bathe in the pools.

Once you reach Isafjordur, you’ll see some of the oldest houses in Iceland, dating back to the mid-18th century. As the biggest town in the Westfjords and having a coastal location, Isafjordur was a valuable fishing and trading center during the 16th century.

Today, the residents of Isafjordur are able to preserve the Old Town area where colorful historic buildings are found.

After an eventful day of exploring, you’ll have dinner at Tjoruhusid, a highly recommended restaurant serving the best Icelandic seafood in town. After dining, you’ll spend the night in the Westfjords.

On day ten, take the Baldur ferry from Brjanslaekur across Breidafjordur bay to the village of Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The price of the ferry is included in your tour, and you can even take your car across at no additional fee.

Alternatively, you can choose to stop on the island of Flatey. You can spend a few hours enjoying the peace and tranquility before exploring the peninsula. It is incredibly remote, with only two families staying all year round. 

Flatey measures around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long and 0.6 miles (one kilometer) wide. Interestingly, Flatey has no hills, though it's home to some key attractions like Iceland's smallest and oldest library.

Meanwhile, Stykkisholmur is a small town with an attractive natural harbor. Its location offers residents access to Breidafjordur's fertile fishing grounds. Despite its relatively small size, Stykkisholmur has evolved into a cultural hub.

When exploring the town, check out the Norwegian House museum, Iceland's oldest two-story building. You can also visit the Volcano Museum or see Iceland's oldest weather station, which dates back to 1845.

Discover its scenic bay by joining a boat tour of the Breidafjordur bay, home to around 3,000 small islands. The boat tour will take you to these islands and appreciate them up close.

Alternatively, you can walk around the town and see its colorful houses. After that, visit the Library of Water, a unique art installation featuring a series of glass columns filled with water from Icelandic glaciers. 

From Stykkisholmur, you can explore some of the many wonders of Snaefellsnes. It is sometimes called "Iceland in miniature" because so many of the nation's distinctive features can be found here. From picturesque beaches to hot springs to imposing cliffs, Snaefellsnes has it.

The region is watched over by Snaefellsjokull glacier, at the heart of the national park. The glacier is a volcano standing 4,744 feet (1,446 meters) tall. When the skies are clear, you'll see Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, from across the bay.

After exploring these different attractions, you'll spend the night in the Snaefellsnes area.

For day 12, you’ll explore West Iceland, with its diverse sights and attractions. Your first stop is the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes. This museum features two main exhibits: the Age of Settlement and the life of the Viking and poet Egil Skallagrimsson.

Next, you’ll drive 23 miles (37 kilometers) to Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe. Deildartunguhver boasts a rapid flow rate of 380 pints (180 liters) per second. However, the water at the Deildartunguhver hot springs heats at a constant 207 F (97 C), making it dangerous to get close to.

Nevertheless, you can visit Krauma Geothermal Bath & Spa and relax your muscles. Krauma lets you experience the water of Deildartunguhver mixed with the glacial water of Ok, Iceland’s smallest ice cap.

After enjoying the spa, stop at the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Located 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls streaming from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. As you marvel at the waterfall, you’ll notice the water flowing from the ledges of the rocks in the lava.

Meanwhile, the rapid Barnafoss waterfall is only a few feet from Hraunfossar. Because of its sheer power, you’ll experience the water twisting, turning, and foaming right before your eyes.

If you’re a history buff, visit Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute at Reykholt. It is where the famous chieftain and poet, Snorri Sturluson, wrote the saga Heimskringla in the 13th century.

On the way back to Reykjavik, take a short break at Fossatun. It’s a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa. 

Also, you can opt for one of two caving tours. The first is a traditional excursion, exploring the dark, underground world in the Vidgelmir lava caves. 

The second is anything but traditional. You will walk through man-made channels right into Langjokull glacier. Regardless of your choice, both are beautiful and thrilling activities.

There’s also a third choice if you still have energy. You can descend into the Thrihnukagigur volcano for an unbelievable opportunity to see the inside of a magma chamber.

To end your thrilling self-drive tour, you’ll spend your final night in the capital, Reykjavik.