8-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & Golden Circle

On day one, you'll arrive in Iceland to begin your eight-day winter self-drive on the Ring Road.

Upon landing at the Keflavik International Airport, you can pick up your car with free Wi-Fi and drive to Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital. The drive is 31 miles (50 kilometers) and traverses the moss-covered lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Reykjanes Peninsula is a beautiful region in Southwest Iceland characterized by volcanic and geothermal landscapes. Barren hills, mountains, lava fields, and rugged cliffs dot this peninsula that transforms into a winter wonderland from November to March.

Some of the attractions here include the Gunnuhver geothermal field, Kleifarvatn lake, and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

The Blue Lagoon is a world-renowned spa famous for its mineral-rich waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious facilities. While soaking in the milky-blue waters, you can enjoy a breathtaking view as the lagoon is surrounded by moss-covered black lava fields, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.

If you add the Blue Lagoon to your booking, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there's no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you.

You can choose from the cheaper comfort package or the premium Blue Lagoon package. Both packages entitle you to access the lagoon facilities, silica mud masks, towel or bathrobe use, and a first drink of your choice.

After a relaxing soak in the Blue Lagoon, you'll head to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, where you'll find your accommodations for the night. 

There's plenty to see and do in Reykjavik if you have extra free time. If you want a taste of the local cuisine, you can head downtown to choose from the various cafes and restaurants.

Day two of this winter tour takes you to the Golden Circle, Iceland's most famous driving route that spans 190 miles (300 kilometers). Many travelers visit the area because of its proximity to the Icelandic capital and its three spectacular attractions.

The first stop on this trio of attractions is the UNESCO World Heritage site Thingvellir National Park. This is where Viking settlers founded the nation's parliament, Althingi, in the year 930 AD. The park is also in a rift valley where two tectonic plates are drifting apart, causing cracks and fissures in the terrain as they tear up the surrounding landscape.

One of those fissures, Silfra, is located on the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's filled with crystal clear meltwater from Langjokull, Iceland's second-largest glacier. The fissure is a popular snorkeling site, and during the booking process, you can opt for a tour to enjoy the unparalleled visibility of the blue waters of Silfra. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next is the Geysir geothermal area, home to Iceland's most famous water feature, the erupting hot springs. The geyser Strokkur spouts boiling geothermal water 66 feet (20 meters) high in the air every 5-10 minutes, showing you the full power of Icelandic nature.

From there, you'll move on to the Gullfoss waterfall, where you'll witness glacial water from the Hvita river plunging 105 feet (32 meters) into a dramatic gorge. This Icelandic waterfall is a sight to behold, especially in winter when its sides are adorned in ice and snow.

If you elected to do so during the booking process, you could join a super jeep excursion at Gullfoss, which will take you to Langjokull, the glacier that feeds the Hvita river. Once there, you will race across the snowy plains of the ice cap on a snowmobile.

After a day of sightseeing and adventures, you'll head to your accommodation in Southwest Iceland.

On day three, you'll explore the natural wonders on Iceland's South Coast, where you'll see picturesque waterfalls, stretches of black sand beaches, and magnificent glaciers. It's a long day full of rewarding experiences.

Start the day by driving towards Seljalandsfoss waterfall, a high, narrow cascade that plunges 197 feet (60 meters) over a concave cliff. Seljalandsfoss is easily spotted from the road long before you reach it, so you can feel the excitement grow as you get closer and closer.

You'll then go to another equally impressive waterfall, Skogafoss. This cascade is much broader than Seljalandsfoss and has a more classic look. You can walk at the base of the falling water and feel the cold mist on your face.

As you drive this stretch of road, the infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano and its big brother, Myrdalsjokull glacier, will tower over you. If you'd like to get up close and personal with glaciers, you can opt for a glacier hike on the latter's outlet glacier.

Near Myrdalsjokull lies the small village of Vik. This coastal town is near Reynisfjara, a gorgeous black sand beach with towering cliffs of basalt rock columns. Out in the ocean rise the 217-foot (66-meter) high Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

You'll continue your journey east from Vik toward Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull. This massive ice cap has many features, but the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is the most prominent.

Spend time at Jokulsarlon and marvel at the enormous icebergs that have broken off the Vatnajokull glacier and drifted towards the open ocean. In the winter, many seals gather at the mouth of the lagoon to catch fish or laze on the icebergs. You can also book a boat tour to enjoy the magnificent scenery up close.

A short walk away is Diamond beach, where ice chunks polished by the ocean wash up on shore and glisten in the sunlight, resembling the precious stones that give the beach its name.

You'll spend your night in comfortable accommodation in Southeast Iceland.

On day four of this winter adventure, you'll be able to explore the charming coastal villages of the Eastfjords. The Eastfjords is the farthest region from Reykjavik, so fewer crowds are here. It's also the best place in the country to spot wild reindeer as they roam down the snowy valleys during winter.

Before returning to the road, you can spend a few more hours on the glacier. If you're traveling between October and March, you'll have the rare opportunity to visit an authentic ice cave in the Vatnajokull glacier. 

These caves are only accessible in the winter as they flood during summertime. You can plan a visit during the booking process, descend into one of these caves, and immerse yourself in the crystalline beauty of ice formations.

An experienced guide will be with you during the ice-caving experience to ensure your safety. Also included in the tour is glacier equipment like a helmet and crampons.

Then, you'll head out to the East fjords of Iceland, a large area of vast, untouched beauty. The road will take you past the picturesque Vestrahorn and Eystrahorn mountains, a popular photography destination. Getting a shot of the peaks mirrored in the surrounding seawater is possible.

You'll zigzag through the fjords, past jagged mountains, deserted inlets, and sleeping fishing villages while the mighty Vatnajokull watches over you in the west. Some of the settlements here are Djupivogur, Eskifjordur, and Seydisfjordur.

The largest settlement in the East, Egilsstadir, is the day's final destination. You can enjoy the breathtaking northern lights from here if the skies are free from clouds. If you don't like driving to hunt for the aurora borealis at night, you can explore the town to see its excellent restaurants, shops, cultural landmarks, and vibrant streets instead.

After another fantastic day, you'll retire to your East Iceland accommodation.

Halfway through your winter drive in Iceland, you’ll get to explore the vast wilderness of the Eastfjords further. 

The Icelandic Eastfjords is known for its wealth of diverse wildlife. On your travels in this region, keep an eye out for herds of reindeer, as this is the only region in Iceland where you can find them in the wild and snowy valleys.

Close to Egilsstadir are some of the most popular attractions of the East, the forest Hallormsstadaskogur and the great Lake Lagarfljot.

The forest is Iceland’s largest wooded area. Numerous hiking trails lead to waterfalls, streams, cliffs, moors, and coves. You could also hike to the serene lake Lagarfljot to try to catch a glimpse of its famous resident, the great wyrm monster, which is a cousin to Loch Ness.

After exploring the East to your heart’s content, you’ll move on to the North. Make your way towards the various sites of Lake Myvatn, situated in an area of active volcanism. Freestanding lava pillars and pseudocraters dominate the lake’s landscape. 

The surrounding region is no less spectacular, as an eruption some 2,000 years ago formed the entire area.

You can also visit Dimmuborgir, a vast lava field of cliffs and pillars that create a strange and beautiful labyrinth of oddly shaped rock formations. Close by is Namafjall, a high-temperature geothermal area of bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles.

An excellent way to unwind after traveling is to soak in the mineral-rich waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths. Enjoy your time there, surrounded by nothing but the unspoiled nature of the Myvatn area. 

If the sky is clear of clouds, the aurora borealis might visit you as you soothe aching muscles in the geothermal waters of the baths.

You’ll be spending the night in comfortable North Iceland accommodation.

Before beginning your drive on day six, energize with breakfast, as the day is full of sightseeing adventures in North Iceland. Divine waterfalls, quirky museums, and bustling towns await you in this region. So don't forget to pack and charge your camera to capture these natural delights.

Start your day in the town of Husavik by the picturesque Skjalfandi bay. The ocean around the settlement is home to around 23 species of whales and dolphins, so a trip to the Husavik Whale Museum is highly recommended.

Make your way west from Husavik toward the town of Akureyri. Along the way, you can stop at the Transport Museum of Ystafell. This unusual museum is every auto enthusiast's dream as it has an extensive collection of restored classic cars and a 'graveyard' for derelict cars and trucks.

From Husavik and the museum, you can rest quickly from your drive by stopping at the Godafoss waterfall. This North Iceland waterfall is locally known for its rich history and features a broad cascade of 98 feet (30 meters).

Make another detour just as you reach Akureyri and find Iceland's Christmas House. It doesn't matter if you're traveling in December or April. It is always Yuletide at the Christmas House. 

Learn about Icelandic traditions such as the Yule Lads and the giantess Gryla, or get some presents and decorations for the next festive season.

After getting into the Christmas spirit, you can head to the town of Akureyri, the largest settlement in the North. If you're not tired after a day of diverse attractions, you can go sightseeing or hunt for the beautiful aurora borealis.

When you're ready, retire to your cozy North Iceland accommodation. This area of the country can give you the best chance to see the northern lights as you're closer to the Arctic Circle.

On the penultimate day of this self-drive in Iceland, you'll complete the circle around the country by returning to Reykjavik. Get ready to spend a reasonable amount of time on the road, but don't worry, along the way are some incredible sights in North and West Iceland worth seeing.

Start the day in Akureyri and get to know this town better. You can drive or stroll around the harbor to have an excellent view of the Eyjafjordur fjord, the longest fjord in the country. When you're good and ready, hop in your car and hit the road. 

When you cross over Holtavorduheidi heights, take some time to explore the Borgarfjordur area. There, you can visit two stunning but completely different waterfalls. Barnafoss waterfall cascades down a narrow, twisting ravine while the shorter and broader Hraunfossar trickles down from the edges of a dark lava field.

Always hike cautiously when visiting these locations, as the trails can be slippery during winter.

Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, is just a short drive away. Bright red rocks and massive steam surround this dynamic hot spring, pumping over 48 gallons (180 liters) of near-boiling water every second.

The hot spring covers a vast area, but most are underground. Its powers are harnessed and used to heat houses in nearby towns of Akranes and Borgarnes. The steam from the ground is an excellent reminder of the energy underneath the earth's crust.

With time permitting, you can add more stops in West Iceland, particularly in the towns of Borgarnes and Reykholt. These locales are excellent places to learn about Iceland's deep history because of their local museums and old buildings. Snorri Sturluson, one of the most critical figures in Icelandic history and literature, lived in Reykholt until he died in 1241.

Make your way back to Reykjavik, where you'll spend the night.

Today is your last day in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik.

Depending on your flight, you can start the day and do as the locals by heading to the nearest bakery for a breakfast treat. Try 'snudur,' a rolled-up cinnamon-filled bread bun slathered with chocolate. You can also sample the famous Icelandic hot dog called pylsur by visiting one of many food stalls in the downtown area.

While in the downtown area, don't miss your chance to explore the lively and busy Laugavegur street. This Reykjavik street is the central shopping district of Iceland, boasting many top-rated shops, souvenir stores, and cafes. Depending on your budget, you can find cheap trinkets and more expensive items in this area.

Nearby are many cultural attractions, such as the Hallgrimskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall. While Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest and most famous church in Iceland, Harpa is known as one of the cultural hubs in the city.

If you have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon spa today, you'll finish your stay unwinding before heading to the airport. Bathing in the mineral-rich waters of the lagoon is the perfect way to relax as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. 

Head back out to the black lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to Keflavik International Airport. If you have time, you can visit the gems of the Reykjanes Peninsula, such as Kleifarvatn lake or the Viking World Museum.

Give yourself plenty of time to return your vehicle at the airport before you catch your departing flight. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope to see you again soon.