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

Start your seven-day adventure in Iceland with a trip to the Blue Lagoon and a night in Reykjavik.

Collect your car at Keflavik International Airport after you land. If you're on an early flight and have time for sightseeing, you can explore the Reykjanes Peninsula with its magnificent cliffs and Reykjanesta sea stacks. 

On your way to Reykjavik, you can choose to stop at the Blue Lagoon, the world-famous geothermal spa. The milky-blue geothermal pools are in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, so you'll be surrounded by spectacular landscapes as you soak and unwind in the healing waters. 

If you don't have time to visit the Blue Lagoon today, don't worry — you can add it to another day. Talk to your travel agent to organize the perfect time to visit based on your travel plans. 

When you arrive in Reykjavik, you can check into your accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon or evening sightseeing. Take a walk around the city sights and discover the city's buzz. 

Highlights of Reykjavik include the Hallgrimskirkja church, one of the country's tallest buildings. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a beautiful view of the cityscape below. Alternatively, visit the Perlan museum. It's on top of a large hill and offers a fantastic city panorama. 

Other Reykjavik museums include the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Gallery of Iceland, and the Reykjavik Art Museum in Hafnarhus.

Head to the Old Harbor to look out to sea and admire the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center. You can walk through downtown Reykjavik to the Laugavegur shopping street to see the boutique stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants locals love. 

Enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner and return to your city accommodation for a good night's sleep before you drive to North Iceland tomorrow.

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.

Discover the picturesque fishing village of Husavik and the mighty Godafoss waterfall before returning to Akureyri.

Start your day by exploring more of the area around Lake Myvatn to cover any sights you missed yesterday. From here, you can drive northward to the coastal village of Husavik. It's known for its quaint buildings and gorgeous sea views. 

Walk around the village to get a feel for the place and stop at the Husavikurkirkja church. We also recommend a trip to the Husavik Whale Museum. The village is known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, so this is one of the best places to learn more about the aquatic life in the northern waters. 

Then, continue to the Godafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's most magnificent. At 40 feet (roughly 12 meters) high and almost 100 feet (about 30 meters) wide, the waterfall is truly spectacular and is one of the sights of the Diamond Circle.

Regarded as the waterfall of the gods, Godafoss holds a pivotal place in Iceland's conversion to Christianity around the year 1000. It's where statues of the Norse gods were reportedly thrown when the country adopted Christianity. The falls' intertwining streams and cascades, set against a rugged basalt backdrop, make it a photographer's dream.

Traveling on a self-drive tour means you can spend as long as you like at each attraction. You don't have to worry about hurrying off to keep other travelers happy, and you can stop for lunch and dinner whenever you get hungry. Spend as long as you like admiring the Godafoss waterfall before you continue your journey.

From here, you can return to Akureyri to see any sights you've missed on your sightseeing tour.

Spend the evening at your leisure before retiring to your North Iceland accommodation. Drive away from the town to see if you can spot the majestic aurora borealis dancing in the sky above you.

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.

Say goodbye to Iceland and drop your car off at the airport before you head home. 

If your flight is early, you can check out of your accommodation and travel to the airport first thing. If you've got more time, you can explore Reykjavik and buy souvenirs to help you remember your trip.

Consider soaking in the serene atmosphere at one of the city's geothermal pools, a favorite local pastime that provides relaxation and a taste of Icelandic culture.

For those keen on exploring the rich maritime history of Iceland, the Maritime Museum is an unmissable spot that narrates the tale of Iceland's deep connections with the sea.

Nature enthusiasts should make their way to the Botanical Garden, a green oasis showcasing a variety of Icelandic flora.

For a deeper dive into the nation's history, the Saga Museum recreates key moments in Icelandic history and offers a glimpse into the Viking Age.

Don't forget to check out the city's vibrant street art scene, which transforms plain walls into canvases exhibiting the creativity of local and international artists.

Alternatively, this might be the perfect day to visit the Blue Lagoon. Finish your stay unwinding and relaxing in the pale-blue geothermal waters before you fly off. 

As you soak, you can reflect on your trip and remember your incredible adventure in the land of fire and ice. 

Whenever you're ready to go, take your car back to the airport and get ready to say goodbye to Iceland. We hope to see you again!