Amazing 10 Day Game of Thrones Self Drive Tour of Iceland with Filming Locations
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Summary
Description
Book yourself an incredible Game of Thrones-themed adventure in Iceland, circling the country and visiting some of the most well-known locations, as well as partaking in thrilling extra activities such as snowmobiling and horse riding. This is an amazing tour opportunity for travelers to Iceland who also share a deep passion for the Game of Thrones lore.
Iceland was one of the primary shooting locations for HBO's fantasy television series, Game of Thrones, based on the books by George R. R. Martin, making it an extra special travel destination for fans.
With this fantastic 10-day self-drive itinerary, you'll pay a visit to some of the show's most recognizable locations, including The Eyrie, North of the Wall, and the "mountain like an arrowhead", Kirkjufell. Fear not, your itinerary will provide you with detailed instructions as to how to find each location.
Driving around Iceland yourself allows you to set the pace, all the while taking comfort in the fact that you have 24/7 communication with your personal travel advisor. Before arrival, your itinerary will be customized to your liking, meaning you have full say over what activities you'll be engaged in while here.
Hurry now so as not to miss this amazing 10-day quest to discover the incredible shooting locations for Game of Thrones in Iceland. Check availability by choosing a date.
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Day 1 – Reykjavík
- Reykjavík - Arrival day
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Welcome to Iceland, or should we say, Westeros, the land of ice and fire. You'll be arriving at Keflavík International Airport, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you will pick up your rental vehicle for the trip. From there, you will drive to Iceland's capital city, Reykjavík, where you will check in to your accommodation for the evening.
You may wish to spend some time resting for the start of your adventure tomorrow or, if you have the energy, you could check out Reykjavík's exciting nightlife. The city is also a fantastic midnight stroll, with plenty of late-night food options available to keep you satisfied.
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Accommodation
Day 2 – Southwest Iceland
- Southwest Iceland
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- Thingvellir National Park
- Geysir geothermal area
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Kerid Crater
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With your fellow adventurers, you will take off towards Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, the Golden Circle, which comprises three major attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Haukadalur Geothermal Valley, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
This area also happens to be the shooting location for The Eyrie—you will pay a visit to Thingvellir's jagged canyon, Almannagja, known as the entrance to The Eyrie made famous by season 3 featuring Littlefinger and Arya Stark.
The other major highlights are two of Iceland's most popular attractions. You will visit Haukadalur, famed for the geysers, Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, shooting jets of water high into the air to heights of 66 ft (20 m).
Gullfoss waterfall, only a short distance away, sees glacial water cascading over two rocky crags, dropping 105 ft (32 m) in total. Both of these areas will leave you with lasting memories of your second day in the country.
There is also the opportunity to partake in an extra activity on your second day. The choice is entirely up to you. For instance, you could take a snorkeling trip into the glacial spring, Silfra Fissure, known for its dramatic underwater scenery and near 328 ft (100-meter) visibility.
If you plan on joining the snorkeling tour, you need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
Alternatively, you could decide to go snowmobiling on the glittering glacier, Langjökull. This is known to be one of the most exhilarating experiences in Iceland and is sure to put you in the adventurous spirit. Or, to really feel a part of the Game of Thrones universe, you could choose to partake in a horse riding tour, galloping through Iceland's impressive countryside and making you feel even closer to your favorite Game of Thrones character.
You will then spend the night near the southern town of Selfoss. There are very few houses around this settlement, making it a prime location to try and spot the Northern Lights if you are visiting in the winter.
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Day 3 – South Coast
- South Coast
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- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Solheimajokull Glacier
- Dyrholaey
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
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The South Coast is another much-loved area of Iceland and just so happens to be the shooting location for Eastwatch by the sea, the only castle of the great wall that happens to be by the coastline. This location is most recognizable for the dramatic finale of the seventh season!
Your third day will see you visiting some of the most prized attractions on the South Coast, including the likes of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and the black sand beach, Reynisfjara, near the village of Vik, where you will spend the night. These are stapled stops on the South Coast and will do much to make you truly believe you’re staying in a fantasy world.
There is also the opportunity to take part in an extra activity, taking the form of either a glacier hike on the ice cap, Solheimajokull, or a visit to an ice cave at Katla volcano.
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Day 4 – Southeast Iceland
- Southeast Iceland
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- Skaftafell Nature Reserve
- Svartifoss
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Diamond Beach
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Many of the scenes from Game of Thrones were shot within your next stop, Skaftafell nature reserve, itself a part of the much larger Vatnajokull National Park.
Glacier hiking in Skaftafell means that you will be surrounded by the landscapes of Westeros, immersing yourself truly into the scenery that makes both Games of Thrones and Iceland so compelling, and so booking a hiking tour is highly recommended.
The major stop of the day will be at the "Crown Jewel of Iceland," Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, an attraction that boasts enormous icebergs floating on a still and glittering surface. Home to resident seals and with stunning surrounding views characterized by mountains and ice caps, Jokulsarlon is undoubtedly one of the most incredible sites in Iceland.
A short walk away. Guests can also visit Diamond Beach, a stretch of shoreline where icebergs wash up against the black sand on their journey out toward the Atlantic ocean.
If you're taking part in this journey during the summer, it is possible to add on either a speedy Zodiac boat tour or a slower amphibian boat tour on Jokulsarlon. Both tours can take you right up close to the floating icebergs.
Those visiting in the winter could also choose to explore one of the ice caves located inside Vatnajokull. These ice caves are much bluer than those further down the South Coast and make for one of the most unique experiences available during the Icelandic winter months.
You will spend the night in Hofn, a town where every restaurant serves Icelandic lobster. It is a great place for dinner and to search for the Northern Lights in the winter.
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Day 5 – Eastfjords
- Eastfjords
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- Vestrahorn
- Lake Lagarfljot
- Hallormsstadaskogur Forest
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The Eastfjords is one of the lesser-visited regions of Iceland, primarily due to its distance from the capital. However, with ten days on the itinerary, you'll have more than enough time to get to grips with this thrilling location truly. The Eastfjords are known for their sweeping landscapes, herds of wild reindeer, and quintessential fishing villages.
One area you may pay a visit to is Stokknes, known primarily for the mountain, Vestrahorn. Vestrahorn is often referred to as 'Batman Mountain' or 'Iceland's Horniest Mountain' due to its ominous and instantly recognizable peaks.
You'll travel up the coastline, zigzagging the many fjords of the East, until you reach your accommodations in the town of Egilsstadir. While there are no dragons in Iceland, a large wyrm monster is said to live in the nearby Lagarfljot lake.
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Day 6 – North Iceland
- North Iceland
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- Dettifoss waterfall
- Lake Myvatn Area
- Godafoss Waterfall
- Kjarnaskogur
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Today, you will head out from Egilsstadir and continue your journey to the famous Lake Myvatn. The region around the lake was used as the location for the Wildlings Camp in Game of Thrones, an area beyond the wall known for its savage creatures and enduring winters.
In real life, the Myvatn area is characterized by its volcanic hillsides, picturesque scenery, and notable attractions such as Dimmuborgir (Dark Fortresses), Namaskard geothermal pass, and Grjotagja cave, known as the lovenest of Jon Snow and the wildling lass, Ygritte.
As an added extra, you could visit the Myvatn Nature Baths, which are often considered a cheaper and quieter alternative to the more known Blue Lagoon Spa but certainly competes in terms of relaxation and surrounding beauty.
At the end of the day, you will make your way to the northern town of Akureyri, where you will spend the night.
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Day 7 – Snæfellsnes
- Snæfellsnes
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- Hvitserkur Rock Stack
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Snaefellsjokull
- Budir hamlet
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Today, you will make your way west to explore the magical Snaefellsnes Peninsula, also known as 'Iceland in Miniature', due to the sheer range of attractions to be found there. Waterfalls, glaciers, jagged shorelines, mountains, volcanic craters, and fascinating magma fields all lie in wait for the intrepid traveler of Snasefellsnes.
The area around Iceland's most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell on the peninsula's north side, features dominantly in Game of Thrones, both in seasons 3 and 7. In season 3, the area is shown as it appears in summer, luscious and green, and features the Children of the Forest as they create White Walkers for the first time. In season 7, the Hound references Kirkjufell as "the mountain like an arrowhead" as Jon Snow and his party explore 'beyond the wall'.
You will spend the day discovering this fascinating region before making your way to your accommodations in the area.
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Day 8 – Reykjavík
- Reykjavík
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- Deildartunguhver hot spring
- Reykholt historical site
- Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls
- Borg a Myrum church and farm
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Today, you will be making the return journey back to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, but not without making some notable stops on the way.
West Iceland is truly a fantastic region filled with picturesque waterfalls, creeping glaciers, dramatic lava fields, and rich history. The land around the area's Borgarfjordur fjord has been inhabited since the time of settlement, and it is here where many events from the Icelandic Sagas took place.
Once again, there are several options available to you for added extras. Not only was Snaefellsnes a location in Game of Thrones, but the area also played a big role in Jules Verne's classic novel 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'. Today, you can have your own subterranean adventure on Snaefellsnes by visiting Vatnshellir lava Cave.
Another option could be taking some time for yourself at Krauma Spa, where the water originates from Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. To cool it down and create the right bathing temperature, it is mixed with glacial water from Iceland's smallest glacier.
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Day 9 – Reykjavík
- Reykjavík
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Reykjavik is one of those cities that is seemingly made for sightseeing. With several cultural landmarks—including Hallgrimskirkja Church, Perlan Observation Deck, and Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center—and countless galleries, museums, restaurants, and shops, one could easily spend days discovering new facets of the Icelandic capital.
Extra activities on option today are as varied as they are adrenaline-fuelled. One option could be taking a helicopter from Reykjavik Domestic Airport, flying over the city's surrounding volcanic landscape before landing at one of the nearby geothermal areas. Visiting locations such as this, in this manner, not only provides a real insight into Iceland's geothermal underbelly but also allows you to see the country from a bird's eye point of view.
Summer travelers could, alternatively, undertake an Inside the Volcano tour. As the name suggests, you will take a lift into the caldera of one of Iceland's dormant volcanoes, getting a first-hand look at the incredible lava formations and colors that fill this enormous chamber.
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Day 10 – Reykjavík
- Reykjavík - Departure day
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- Kleifarvatn
- Krysuvik
- Gunnuhver
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It is the final day of your Game of Thrones adventure. Depending on your flight time, you may have some time left to explore the city, but if not, you will check out of your accommodation and begin the return journey to Keflavik Airport. There, you’ll return your rental vehicle and depart for home.
Thank you for visiting Westeros, and we hope to see you again.
Experiences
What to bring
Good to know
Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavík City or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license is required, along with a one-year-long on-road experience. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to better fit with your arrival date and time. Gravel protection is not included if you choose a Toyota Aygo or similar.
Some optional activities might require you to have a valid driver's license, or you might need to send additional information to your travel planner. Please note that you might need to present medical documents should you choose to go snorkeling. Participants also need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
Wearing cotton or jeans as the outer layer during your trip to the Þríhnjúkagígur volcano tour is not allowed. Please wear suitable waterproof clothes and sturdy hiking shoes for this trip. It's always the same temperature inside the crater – about 5–6°C (42–43°F). The Þríhnjúkagígur volcano tour involves a hike of approximately 3 km (2 miles) each way. The walk usually takes around 45–50 minutes (depending on the condition of people in the group). A guide will be with you at all times during the walk.
Please note that breakfast may not be included in a few selected hostels and guesthouses.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed. They are only visible during the winter. This itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them if the weather allows.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers when visiting the country in the winter. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is canceled. If your chosen activity is canceled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Please note that this tour is available all year. If you are arriving in winter, we recommend that you upgrade to a 4x4 vehicle.
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