Epic 7-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Golden Circle & North Iceland

Drive up to the capital of North Iceland with a trip to Akureyri on day two of this seven-day self-drive tour of Iceland.

Start your day with breakfast in Reykjavik or at your accommodation. It's included in the price if you've booked a Comfort or Quality room. Pack up your belongings and load up the car to get ready to start the drive to Akureyri.

The total distance you'll cover is about 240 miles (roughly 388 kilometers), so you have a long way to go but can make stops to see exciting sights. 

The journey takes you around a western section of the Ring Road, Iceland's most extensive road. Most of the road is paved, and councils often spread salt to prevent too much ice and snow. However, driving in Iceland in the winter means you could encounter difficult conditions, so take your time and go carefully. 

When you arrive in North Iceland, you can check into your hotel. You'll now be free to explore at your own pace.

There are plenty of fun and interesting things to do in Akureyri in winter. The Christmas House is always popular and an ideal place to buy souvenirs or gifts to take home to your friends and family.

Visit the Hof Cultural Center and the Akureyrarkirkja church to admire some unusual architecture. You can also dip in the local swimming pool, a fantastic way to refresh yourself after a long drive. Additionally, stroll through the beautiful Botanical Garden, which houses an impressive collection of native and foreign flora, showcasing the surprisingly diverse plant life that can thrive in Akureyri's climate.

Akureyri has several excellent restaurants, so take yourself and your group out for a delicious meal before bed. We also recommend driving a short way out of the city to see if you can spot the northern lights.

Return to your accommodation when you're ready for bed.

Explore some of the highlights of North Iceland on day three of your seven-day self-drive winter tour. 

After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and drive eastward to Lake Myvatn, one of the main attractions on North Iceland's Diamond Circle tourist route. The drive is about 50 miles (roughly 83 kilometers) along the Ring Road.

The lake is the fourth largest in Iceland, but it's more famous for its beauty and geological features than its size. It's also home to birds that nest here throughout the year, so bring your binoculars if you're a keen bird watcher.

While here, we recommend visiting Dimmuborgir, the "Black Fortress." It's an area of dramatic lava sculptures, pillars, and caves formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. You can explore the area and understand more about the sheer power of Iceland's volcanoes. 

You can continue to the Grjotagja cave, home to a natural hot spring. You can't bathe in the hot spring because the water's temperature is unpredictable. However, it's still exciting to visit, especially if you're a Game of Thrones fan. It was used as a set for the hit show.

If road conditions allow and there's not too much snow or ice, you can continue along the Ring Road and take a side road to Dettifoss waterfall, one of Europe's most powerful falls. It's a majestic waterfall that's 330 feet (about 100 meters) wide and 150 feet (roughly 45 meters) tall. 

To round off your day, we recommend a trip to the Myvatn Nature Baths for a soothing soak in the geothermal waters. It's a fantastic place to sit up and watch for the northern lights, but it's magical even if they don't appear. 

You'll spend your night in accommodation in North Iceland.

Spend day five of your seven-day tour driving back to Reykjavik, with stops at spectacular waterfalls and hot springs. 

After you've checked out of your accommodation, you'll start the drive back to the Icelandic capital. Along the way, we recommend stopping at two waterfalls for a break from driving (and to admire the fantastic views!). 

The Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls are very close to each other, so it's easy to visit both during your drive. These picturesque waterfalls are gentler than more sizable falls like Dettifoss, so it's a great way to discover the variety of Iceland's river falls. 

Nearby is the Deildartunguhver hot spring, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. Its rapid flow makes it a fascinating place to visit, and you can explore the walkways to get close to the geothermal waters. You can't swim here, as the water sits at over 200 F (about 97 C) all year. Make sure you don't get too close.

You can add an optional tour if you want some additional excitement today. Head deep into a large lava tunnel at the Vidgelmir lava cave. An expert guide will take you through a narrow tunnel into a vast cave where you can get up close and personal with volcanic rock structures and colors.

Alternatively, prepare for an icy adventure as you head into an ice tunnel within the Langjokull glacier. This exciting tour lets you drive onto an ice cap in a super jeep before heading deep into an artificial ice tunnel to learn more about glaciers and their formation.

You'll get a fantastic combination of adventure and education on whichever tour you choose. When you're ready to return to Reykjavik, you can continue the drive and arrive in time for dinner. Enjoy a delicious meal or walk around the wintery streets before heading to your downtown hotel. 

Explore some of the most famous attractions in Iceland as you travel the Golden Circle route from Reykjavik. 

Start your day with a tasty breakfast in Reykjavik before you head off on the day's adventures. Today, you'll drive to three of Iceland's most famous sights: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

Start with a stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with historical and geological importance. The park is the place where Iceland's first parliament was formed in the year 930. It's also between two tectonic plates drifting apart, allowing visitors to walk between the continents.

If you choose this add-on tour when booking, you can go snorkeling between the plates in the Silfra fissure. The waters here are crystal clear and incomparably beautiful. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next, you'll drive into the Haukadalur valley to visit the Geysir geothermal area. Geysir doesn't often erupt these days, but the nearby Strokkur geyser is very active, shooting jets of water up into the air every few minutes. Bring your camera to try and capture the eruption yourself!

The third attraction on the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall, which gave the driving route its name. The word "Gullfoss" translates to "Golden Falls" in English. This waterfall is probably the best known in Iceland, and you'll be able to enjoy the view of its two-tiered cascade as long as you want.

Another optional tour for today is a snowmobiling tour on the nearby Langjokull glacier. You'll meet your guide near Gullfoss and will head onto the ice for a thrilling adventure on this wintery landscape. 

After a busy day of sightseeing, you can return to Reykjavik to eat dinner. Enjoy your last night in Iceland by visiting a bar or two. Reykjavik is known for its excellent nightlife, and this is your final chance to experience it. 

Return to your accommodation for a good night's sleep before your flight home tomorrow.