Incredible 1-week Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland & Golden Circle

Day two sends you to some of the best-known natural phenomena in Iceland via the sightseeing route known as the Golden Circle.

The first stop is the Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can walk along the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, among an area that also plays a huge role in Iceland's heritage.

Iceland's parliament was founded here in 930 AD, and it is also where Iceland converted to Christianity and declared its independence from Denmark. In this beautiful park, you can opt for a snorkeling tour into the Silfra fissure, a crystal-clear ravine of incredible underwater vistas between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

The geothermal valley of Haukadalur is the next stop, where you can see the geysers Strokkur and Geysir, amongst many bubbling hot springs. Strokkur puts on an impressive display every 10 minutes or so, erupting to heights that exceed 66 feet (20 meters).

Just a few kilometers away is Iceland's most popular attraction, the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss. A pathway takes you to the water's edge, where you can get a real sense of the incredible power of these enormous falls. From Gullfoss, those with a good sense of adventure can jump on an optional snowmobiling tour on Langjokull glacier.

If neither snorkeling nor snowmobiling tours appeal to you, you may opt for a horse ride in the surrounding South Iceland nature. Another popular sight of the area is the volcanic crater Kerid, which is well worth a visit before continuing to the South Coast.

The rocks of this crater are colored rusty red and fiery orange, and the water that permanently sits within its basin is an incredible, vivid blue. The color contrast, especially when you add green-growing moss, is simply stunning. As you move onto the Ring Road in the South, you will see Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can walk all the way around for some great photos behind its water curtain.

A little further down the road is the mesmerizing and mighty Skogafoss waterfall, a roaring beast with a drop of 197 feet (60 meters) and a width nearly half its height. Along the coast near the village Vik, take a slight detour to stop and admire the black volcanic beach Reynisfjara, the dramatic Dyrholaey rock arch, and the eerie Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

However, be very careful of the ocean as the waves along this stretch of coast are notoriously unpredictable and dangerous―all part of the allure of traveling in Iceland.

At the end of your first-rate second day, you'll spend the night on the South Coast.

On day three, head to the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve within the greater Vatnajokull National Park.

You can choose to start your day with a visit to the natural Katla ice cave within Myrdalsjokull glacier. These are the only natural ice caves accessible outside the winter season, so don't miss the opportunity to visit. 

In Skaftafell, you can spend your time taking in the many stunning sights and exciting activities that are available. 

If you enjoy hiking, you'll find countless scenic trails and tracks suitable for all levels of mobility and experience. One notable trail leads to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. Though this waterfall is only 66 feet (20 meters) tall and isn't known to have raw power like other waterfalls, the breathtaking formation and surroundings make up for that.

Check out the dark, hexagonal basalt columns that made Svartifoss waterfall an appealing destination. Alternatively, you can snap on some crampons and take a glacier hike.

Continuing your road trip, you'll find yourself by one of Iceland's most famous and dazzling attractions, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Onboard an amphibious boat or a zippy zodiac, you can embark on an optional cruise on the water. You'll see the lagoon's serene floating icebergs of all shapes and sizes.

However, the lagoon is stunning even from the shore, and you have an excellent chance to see seals playing around the ice. After enjoying the lagoon, take a short walk to the nearby Diamond Beach, where many ice flows wash up on the shore and sparkle like gemstones in the sun.

The Diamond Beach is an impressive black sand strip that connects to the greater Breidamerkursandur glacier plain. This shoreline is a particularly great spot for photographers because of its contrasts and surroundings.

After exploring the area, drive a little further ahead and spend the night in Southeast Iceland.

The driving on day four will take you on a rollercoaster ride around the rolling hills and seemingly countless fjords of Iceland's eastern coastline. Each fjord seems to have its own soul and spirit, as each promises to take your breath away.

The great Vatnajokull glacier lies to the west, visible when you cross over the high mountain ridges as you make your way north. The many idyllic fishing villages en route make for perfect little rest stops.

They also present many opportunities to get to know the locals and learn more about Icelandic history and culture.

Upon reaching the East Fjords, you'll see an area full of natural beauty and breathtaking sights often overlooked by visitors. It's a coastline stretching 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Berufjordur, in the south, to the Borgarfjordur Eystri fishing village in the north.

As you explore the East Fjords, you'll see dense forests, sparkling lakes, traditional farms, remote fishing villages, and incredible scenery.

One of the key stops in the area is the town of Egilsstadir. Considered the capital of East Iceland, Egilsstadir is one of the few spots in the region where you'll find vital services.

You'll find museums, shops, restaurants, and petrol stations here. It also has an airport, which allows visitors without a driver's license to explore the East Fjords.

The town offers many activities, such as hiking and exploring cultural landmarks. After hiking, visit the Vok Baths, the largest geothermal spa in East Iceland. It has two pools, overlooking hot pools, and an on-site sauna.

Next, you'll drive to Hallormsstadarskogur, Iceland's largest national forest. Here, you'll find wild animals, hiking trails, and a collection of tree species. These trees cover about 286 square miles (740 square kilometers) of land.

If you're visiting in June, join the "Forest Day" celebration, featuring various activities, accordion music, and birch tree competitions.

The East Fjords are also home to some of the country's most remarkable diversity of wildlife. They have many incredible bird-watching sites and seal colonies. You may go bird-watching in the natural harbor of Borgarfjordur Eystri, a nesting haven for puffins.

Moreover, the east is the only place in the country where you can spot herds of wild reindeer. You can check out Seydisfjordur, the best town to see wild reindeer.

After the drive, you'll stay overnight in East Iceland.

On day five, you will head north to the renowned Lake Myvatn. It is highly recommended to drive through the Jokulsargljufur part of Vatnajokull National Park on the way, visiting Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

The Lake Myvatn area is simply stunning. It is known for its geothermal landscapes, including the Namaskard Pass, the Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Mt. Krafla, one of Iceland's most iconic volcanoes.

The Namaskard Pass is a geothermal area about 8.6 miles (14 kilometers) from Lake Myvatn. It features slopes that don't have vegetation because of the soil's heat and acidity. However, colorful streaks can be seen on the ground and around the springs.

You'll see vivid colors like yellow, green, red, and orange, giving life and character to the area. Additionally, you'll notice the smell of sulfur in the air, which shouldn't cause any health problems since you'll only be staying for a few hours.

Meanwhile, Skutustadagigar is a row of pseudo-craters about 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) from Lake Myvatn. The area's volcanic nature and the lake's presence created these unusual formations.

When the volcanoes Ludentaborgir and Threngslaborgir erupted around 2,300 years ago, the lava flowed through Skutustadagigar. During that time, the Skutustadagigar area was still a swampy wetland. The lava's heat caused steam eruptions that led to the formation of the craters.

Perhaps the most imposing sight in the area is Mount Krafla, one of the country's most iconic volcanoes. It is a caldera that's part of the Krafla volcanic system, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Lake Myvatn.

The caldera measures around seven miles (10 kilometers) wide, while its fissure zone extends for about 56 miles (90 kilometers). Interestingly, the fissure zone is where you'll find the Viti crater and its famous green lake.

As for other activities to consider, you can join a whale-watching tour at the nearby village of Husavik. The area is considered the whale-watching capital of Europe, with 100% sighting rates throughout most of the summer.

Husavik is where you'll find Skjalfandi Bay, a very reliable place to observe the magnificent humpback whales feeding in the shallows. You can also upgrade the activity to a rib boat tour to fit in some puffin watching.

Later on, dip in the soothing geothermal waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths, the perfect way to relax after a full day of sightseeing. The baths are centered around a large lagoon, with temperatures ranging from 97 to 104 F (36 to 40 C).

Afterward, continue to the charming "Capital of the North," Akureyri. You'll spend the town around this area in North Iceland.

On day seven, explore West Iceland with its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic Settlement Center in Borgarnes, which details the history of the settlement of our land, and Deildartunguhver, the hot spring with the highest flow in Europe.

The Icelandic Settlement Center in Borgarnes is a museum that houses two important exhibitions: the Age of Settlement and Egil Skallagrimsson, a Viking poet who was the anti-hero of Egil's Saga.

Further along, be sure to visit the captivating Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. The Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls that stream from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Moreover, the waterfalls flow from ledges of rocks in the lava and pour into the Hvita river.

After checking Hraunfossar, walk toward the Barnafoss waterfall. Barnafoss is a rapid waterfall with a rich history and intriguing folklore.

If you're a history buff, you may enjoy a detour to Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute in Reykholt. It is where Snorri Sturluson, Iceland's most famous Viking poet, politician, and historian, wrote the saga Heimskringla in the 13th century. He is also the author of the bible of old Norse mythology, the Edda.

If you have the time, you can opt for an exciting caving tour at the Vidgelmir lava tubes or adventure into the incredible, man-made Langjokull ice tunnels. You'll find these tunnels in the most stable part of Langjokull, Iceland's second-largest glacier.

Going through the tunnels is like entering a magical place. The glacier's seemingly endless surface will leave you in awe. Once you reach the top of the expanse, you'll see the majestic mountains that are a sight to behold.

You can even take an "into the volcano" tour, where you descend into the colorful magma chamber of the Thrihnukagigur volcano. Thrihnukagigur is a dormant volcano with a huge magma chamber with a depth of 699 feet (213 meters). Interestingly, it's the only magma chamber in the world that people can enter.

On your way back to Reykjavik, take a short break at Fossatun before spending your last night in the capital. Fossatun is a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa.