Winter 7 Day Self Drive Tour | The Golden Circle & North Iceland

Collect your car at Keflavík airport, and if you're on an early flight and have time, you can explore the Reykjanes Peninsula with its magnificent cliffs and sea stacks at Reykjanestá. Then, you could make an optional visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before driving to your accommodation in downtown Reykjavík - the visit to the Blue Lagoon can also be booked for your last day.

After settling in, the rest of the day is free to explore one of Europe's most vibrant cities. Reykjavík's abundance of museums, galleries, restaurants and bars will be sure to entertain you, in addition to many other quirky tourist sights, is sure to give you something that thrills you!

Day 2 marks the beginning of your journey north as you take the Ring Road and head to Akureyri.

There is plenty to do in the capital of the north. Meet up with some locals, visit the Christmas House in celebration of Christmas (or, as it is called in Iceland, Jól) or explore the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, with more than 6,500 types of flora on display.

You will spend the night in the city centre of Akureyri.

On day three, drive east to your accommodation in Mývatn, before heading out to the lava field of Dimmuborgir, or "the dark cities." Once there, you can explore the eerie, black pillars and caves that dominate the area.

Also, you can take a look at one of Iceland's beautiful hidden jewels, the spring cave Grjótagjá which is near Reykjahlíð.

The hot springs of Námaskarð are not far from Lake Mývatn, as you continue along the Ring Road and take a side road to visit Iceland's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, only if road conditions allow. 

We recommend ending your day with a soothing soak in the geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, before spending the night in the area. Keep your eyes open for Northern Lights.

Today, after exploring a little more in the Mývatn area, you'll head to the nearby village of Húsavík, known for its quaint buildings, such as Húsavíkurkirkja church. This fishing village is also known for the wealth of marine life that dwells in the ocean around, and a trip to Húsavík's Whale Museum is highly recommended.

After that, you'll head back west for a stop at the mighty Goðafoss waterfall before reaching Akureyri again.

Continue towards Skagafjörður, the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people, and head back the same way you drove from Reykjavík towards your accommodation.

You can take this time to linger at your favourite spots or visit any that you may have missed on your way out of the city. The choice is yours, and you can do what you feel!

Spend the night in the northwest area of Iceland and hunt again for the Northern Lights.

On the fifth day, make a stop at the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where the water gently cascades into the river below. Nearby is Deildartunguhver, home of the largest hot spring in Europe.

History buffs may also enjoy a visit to Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute in Reykholt, where the early settler Snorri Sturluson wrote saga Heimskringla in the 13th century.

Another recommended stop on the way back to Reykjavík is at the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes, and at Fossatún, a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa.

Or you can always choose to enter man-made ice tunnels at Langjökull glacier, or explore the natural, large Víðgelmir lava cave.

You'll spend the night in Reykjavík.

From Reykjavík, you can easily access the classic Golden Circle route. It comprises three of Iceland's greatest highlights, unmissable stops during your visit to Iceland.

First up is the National Park of Thingvellir, a historical site with great geological importance, being a valley situated between two tectonic plates. Here you have the option to go snorkeling, in Silfra, Iceland's most famous diving site with crystal clear waters.

The geothermal area at Haukadalur valley will be your next stop, where the geyser Strokkur erupts every 5-8 minutes, so you'll have a few chances to try to catch it on camera.

Finally, you'll arrive at the magnificent Gullfoss Falls, which will probably take your breath away. Here, you can choose to go on an optional snowmobile tour at the nearby Langjökull glacier.

After a full day sightseeing, return to Reykjavík where you can have dinner in one of its fine restaurants downtown.

If you have a flight back in the late afternoon or evening, then you may want to add an optional visit to the Blue Lagoon if you didn't do so on your first day. Alternatively, you can do your last-minute shopping in Reykjavík and soak in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the city.

Just be sure to reach the airport in time to drop off your car, and have a wonderful flight home, having witnessed some of the finest sights that Iceland has to offer.

Come again soon! There's still so much to see!