The Grand Tour of Iceland

DAY 1 : REYKJAVĺK

Arrival in Keflavík, Iceland. Pick up rental car at the airport and drive to Reykjavík for an overnight. Explore the most northerly located capital in the world. A must see are the city hall at the lake Tjörnin, the old harbour area, Harpa concert hall and the city centre with its colourful buildings.

Optional activity: FlyOver Iceland – Admission.

DAY 2 : THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Leave the city in the morning for the UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park Þingvellir. Take a walk through the Almannagjá gorge to the former parliament site and continue to the picturesque waterfall Öxaráfoss. From here your journey takes you farming area to the geysers at Haukadalur. While the old Geysir is rather quiet, the most active hot spring Strokkur (the butterchurn) is erupting every five to seven minutes. The impressive waterfall Gullfoss is only a short drive away. Continue to your accommodation in the Golden Circle area.

Optional activity: Standard Lava Tunnel Tour.

DAY 3 : ÞJÓRSÁRDALUR

Follow the glacial river Þjórsá to Þjórsárdalur valley, where you can see the beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss. You might also want to stop at Stöng, an excavated farm that was buried under ash in the Hekla volcanic eruption in the year 1104, and then go on to visit the reconstruction of the farm, Þjóðveldisbær, located close to Stöng. Make sure you do not leave the valley before visiting the fairy-tale like Gjáin gorge – a true natural gem. Then drive along foot of the volcano Hekla through a desert-like landscape of pumice to your accommodation for a second overnight in the Golden Circle area..

Optional activity: Secret Lagoon – Admission.

DAY 4 : THE SOUTH COAST & KLAUSTUR

Today is the day to see waterfalls! Start the day with an unforgettable walk behind the waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Keep on walking along the rock face where in gorge the waterfall Gjlufrabúi, the gorge dweller, hides. Next stop is Skógar and the impressive waterfall Skógafoss. A visit to the local folk- and transport museum Skógasafn is reccommended. Head on to the south coast and the bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara with its basalt columns and black sand beach. Your journey takes you through the village of Vík, the desert-like black sands of Mýrdalssandur, the lava landscapes of Eldhraun and onwards to the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Stay overnight in the Klaustur / Skaftafell area.

Optional activity: Sólheimajökull Kayaking by the Glacier AG105.

DAY 5 : SKAFTAFELL

While in the Klaustur area you have the option of visiting Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Kirkjugólf basalt columns. Not too far from Kirkjugólf the waterfall Stjórnarfoss is located. On summer days its popular by locals to jump in the cold river by the waterfall. Once in Skaftafell National Park a visiting to the information centre Skaftafell is reccommended. We also recommend the easy hike to the Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell, which is surrounded by monumental basalt columns. If you always dreamed about walking on a glacier, today would be the day to do so! Stay a second overnight in the Klaustur / Skaftafell area.

Optional activity: Skaftafell Blue Ice Experience SKF21

DAY 6 : THE GLACIER LAGOON & VATNAJÖKULL AREA

A drive along the foot of the massive Vatnajökull ice cap, past Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2114 m/6923 ft), brings you to Jöklulsárlón glacial lagoon. Take a walk along the shore of the lagoon and to the beach, where often smaller icebergs are washed ashore. Get even closer on a boat trip amidst the drifting icebergs. You have a good chance of spotting seals in the lagoon and near the coast. If you are interested in seeing more glacier lagoons you might want to check out Fjallsárlón, Heinabergslón or Hoffellslón as well, all offering their own charm despite being smaller than Jökulsárlón. Continue to Höfn area where you will spend the night.

Optional activity: Amphibian Boat Tour – Jökulsárlón.

DAY 7 : TO THE EASTFJORDS

Perhaps visit the Hoffellslón glacier lagoon near Höfn, before heading on to the fjord landscapes of East Iceland characterized by dramatic precipices and narrow coastlines that is rich in birdlife. Visit the sculptures The Eggs of Merry Bay or be impressed by the large mineral collection at Petra´s Stone museum, displayed in her former home. At the Wilderness Centre, a fascinating exhibition showcasing nature and the life of the early settlers of the area of Lake Lagarfljót. The popular and easy hike to Hengifoss waterfall rounds up the day. Overnight in Egilsstaðir area.

Optional activity: Vök Baths – Admission.

DAY 8 – BORGARFJÖRÐUR EYSTRI, SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR & MJOIFJÖRÐUR

Take a tour to the remote fjord of Borgarfjörður eystri via the route over the mountain pass Vatnsskarð, the bay of Njarðvík and along the impressively steep mountain side of Njarðvíkurskriður to the village of Bakkagerði. Near the harbour you can visit an easily accessible puffin colony, and on a walk along the coast you might be lucky enough to come across shards of minerals or beautifully polished rocks and pebbles. Icelandic specialties can be tasted at cozy cafés in the village and should not be missed.

The fjords Seyðisfjörður or Mjóifjörður may also be interesting to visit. Seyðisfjörður is a very small, but very creative village with an artists’ residency. Mjóifjörður, the “narrow fjord”, is situated between Norðfjörður and Seyðisfjörður, and is known for pleasant weather and tranquility. The road leading to the fjord is relatively good, but is usually closed in winter.

The exhilarating road on the north side runs along the fjord-side to Dalatangi, a lighthouse with a most magnificent view out towards the open ocean. There are many attractions in Mjóifjörður, which is considered by many people to be the most impressive fjord in Iceland.

Return to Egilsstaðir area for a second overnight.

DAY 9 – DETTIFOSS

Depart from Egilsstaðir through the Jökuldalur Valley and further through the desert-like lava landscapes towards your destination. We recommend a detour through the valley of Möðrudalur to the old farm Sænautasel, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee at a small café in an original turf house. After having crossed the bridge over the glacier river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, another detour that should not be missed leads to the tremendous Dettifoss waterfall.

Afterwards you cannot miss the foul smelling hot mud springs in Námaskarð and if you want to take a peek into the underworld, check out the crater Víti (literally „hell“ in Icelandic) in the nearby volcanic area of Krafla. Stay overnight in the Mývatn area.

Optional activity: Mývatn Nature Baths – Admission.

DAY 10 – FULL DAY AT LAKE MÝVATN

The fertile land around Lake Mývatn is a large breeding area for ducks, waders, and other bird species. Take a walk in the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir and around the pseudo craters in Skútustaðir or hike the crater Hverfjall for an impressive view over the surroundings of Lake Mývatn. Other attractions in the area include Grjótagjá cave, Mt. Vindbelgur, Leirhnjúkur lava fields, Höfði & Kálfastrandarvogur, and the Bird museum. Plenty of options to keep one busy for more than a day! Stay a second night in the Mývatn area.

DAY 11 – HUSAVIK & ÁSBYRGI

Drive to Húsavík traditional fishing village and now Iceland’s whale watching capital. Whale watching tours are offered from the harbour and within the village a whale museum is to be found. From Húsavík continue along the Tjörnes peninsula to Ásbyrgi national park. Ásbyrgi is a canyon in the shape of a horse shoe with a little pond in the bottom. If you are interested you can also visit Hljóðaklettar, a distinctive cluster of columnar rock formations standing at the entrance to Vesturdalur, down by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. Return to the Mývatn area for a third overnight.

Optional activity: Whale Watching NS-1 (Húsavík).

DAY 12 – TRÖLLASKAGI PENINSULA

Picturesque Goðafoss waterfall is located on the way to Akureyri, the so-called capital of North. The charming city centre has kept its Danish style while Akureyri was long a Danish trading centre. The women of the Danish merchants did miss trees from their homeland, and started to plant them at the hill next to the harbour, this became one of the most northernly located botanical gardens. From Akureyri you drive along the coast of Tröllaskagi peninsula throught the villages of Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður. If you are interested, you can take the ferry to the island of Hrísey.

Near Dalvík a nice detour by Dalvík is to the Svarfaðardalur valley, with its many dramatic mountains and farms. While Siglufjörður is famous for its herring history, Hofsós an old trading post, located on the Skagafjörður side of the peninsula, is now famous for its public “infinity” swimming pool, build in modern style and rewarded for its architecture. Stay overnight in Skagafjörður area.

Optional activity: 1238 Battle of Iceland.

DAY 13 – HVAMMSTANGI AREA

While in the Skagafjörður area you may want to visit Glaumbær Turf farm, Hólar valley and the town of Sauðarkrókur. Leaving Skagafjörður behind you encounter the farmlands of the North West. Highlights of the area include Kolukgljúfur Canyon and Borgarvirki fortress. The Icelandic Seal Centre in the fishing village of Hvammstangi, emphasis on the Seals of the North Atlantic and Arctic, showing the Seals in Icelandic culture and tradition, a documentary and the research, as well as wildlife and marine life of northern Iceland. Along the Vatnsnes peninsula, seals can be spotted at the coast. Stay overnight in Hvammstangi area.

Optional activity: Seal and Nature Watching Boat Tour.

DAY 14 – STRANDIR

Drive along the coast of the Hrútafjörður fjord until you reach the village of Hólmavík, where we recommend a visit to the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. Afterwards you continue your journey into the Strandir area. In the village of Drangsnes you should not miss the opportunity to take a bath in the pools, located just by the roadside. Take drive as far as the road takes you into the desolate, and very sparsely populated Strandir area. Drive along the coast of the fjord Bjarnarfjörður, along the mountains of Balafjöll and into the fjord Reykjarfjörður. There you should stop by the deserted herring processing station in Djúpavík, where you can visit an exhibition about the herring era at the station. In recent years, artists, musicians such as Sigur rós, and theater groups have used this peculiar location for their art and performances. Almost at the end of the road, in Krossnes in the fjord Norðurfjörður, you come across a gem, the very basic outdoor swimming pool of Krossneslaug, located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Stay overnight in the Strandir area.

DAY 15 – ÍSAFJARÐARDJÚP

Again your journey takes you through the village of Hólmavík but now you head for the high plateau of Steingrímsfjarðarheiði into the area of Ísafjarðardjúp. Follow the winding coastline of the many side fjords. In Skötufjörður fjord, you might want to stop by at the old farm Litlibær, where a small café is operated in the summertime. Just a few minutes drive away from the farm you might want to stop again and watch the seals that can normally be found lazing around on the rocks between the road and the sea. You might be interested in taking a tour from the harbour in the town of Ísafjörður to the island Vigur, where you can experience eider duck farming and see how the down is harnessed. Drive further up north to visit the village of Bolungarvík and the Maritime museum in Ósvör. In the town of Ísafjörður, you have a choice of several good restaurants. Overnight stay in Ísafjörður area.

DAY 16 – DYNJANDI & ARNARFJÖRÐUR

Halfway along the tunnel from Ísafjörður, the tunnel forks (You‘ll find a crossing in the middle of the tunnel that lead from the village Ísafjörður.) Here you might want to take a detour to the fishing village of Suðureyri in the fjord of Súgandafjörður before heading futher south to the fjord Önundarfjörður, where you can visit the fishing village of Flateyri. Then drive over the Gemlufallsheiði plateau to the fjord of Dýrafjörður. In the village of Þingeyri, you should stop by at the old blacksmith‘s shop by the harbour for a visit and the belgian waffles at the Café Simbahöllin are extremely tasty. Cross Hrafnseyrarheiði plateau into the beautiful fjord of Arnarfjörður. An absolute must-see is the picturesque waterfall Dynjandi, just next to the road at the bottom of the fjord. From there the road lies over the Dynjandisheiði plateau but midway you will be taking a turn to the right and start descending into the fjord of Trostansfjörður, one of the sidefjords of Arnarfjörður. Don‘t miss the outdoor swimming pool just by the roadside in Reykjarfjörður. You will find your accommodation in the Látrabjarg area.

DAY 17 – LÁTRABJARG & RAUÐASANDUR

You can spend the morning driving to the Selárdalur valley, where farmer and artist Samúel Jónsson decorated his home with his sculptures. On the way back you can find many good places for a walk along the coast. Drive again through Bíldudalur and over the mountain Hálfdán, through the fjord of Tálknafjörður to Patreksfjörður fjord.

Follow the coast to Örlygshöfn, where you will find the folk- and transport museum Hnjótur to be worth a visit before continuing over the mountain Hafnarfjall and the Breiðavík bay to the bird cliff Látrabjarg. Iceland‘s (and therefore Europe‘s) westernmost point, Látrabjarg is home to a vast number of birds that nest in this 14 km stretch of cliffs that reach a height of over 400 m in places. Amongst the many bird species to be found here are the easygoing puffins (May to Mid-August). One of the gems of the Westfjords is in the Látrabjarg area, Rauðasandur beach. Make sure to pay this 10km red sand strip a visit before you leave. Second overnight in Látrabjarg area.

DAY 18 – FERRY TO THE SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA

You catch the car ferry Baldur at 12:15 pm (summer schedule) at the harbour in Brjánslækur. On the way over Breiðafjörður bay, the ferry stops on the island of Flatey. If the weather is nice you can enjoy a magnificent view of the bay’s countless islands as well as the glacier Snæfellsjökull. After your arrival in Stykkishólmur we recommend you proceed to the farm Bjarnarhöfn for a visit at a privately-owned museum dedicated to the tradition of shark catching in Iceland. Tonight’s accommodation is in the vicinity.

Optional activity: Shark Exhibition Admisson.

DAY 19 – SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA

Today you will travel on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, often referred to as Iceland in a nutshell. Highlights include colourful mountains, rugged beaches, sandy beaches, lava fields, a national park and a glacier. Some noteworthy locations Mt. Kirkjufell, Skarðsvík beach, Saxhóll Crater, Djúpalón beach, Hellnar beach, Arnarstapi village and Búðahraun lava field. Stay a second overnight on the peninsula.

Optional activity: Vatnshellir Cave Exploring.

DAY 20 – BORGARFJÖRÐUR

Move on to the Borgarfjörður area and visit Reykholt medieval site, Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar waterfall. Once in Borgarfjörður area consider dipping in to recently opened Krauma baths, situated just by Deildartunguhver hot spring, or taking a monster truck tour from Húsafell Into the Glacier, a man made 600 m / 2000 ft tunnel into Langjökull glacier. From Borgarfjörður you will drive to Reykjavík for an overnight.

Optional activity: Classic Ice Cave Tour with shuttle from Húsafell.

DAY 21 – REYKJANES PENINSULA

The Reykjanes peninsula offers plenty of attractions. Start the day by driving to the south side of the peninsula through Krýsuvíkurleið passing lake Kleifarvatn and eventually Seltún hot spring area. From there its not far to the village of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon. Other attractions include Brimketill rock pool, Gunnuhver hot spring, Reykjanestá bird cliff and the church at Hvalsnes. Near the town of Keflavik you may want to visit Garður and its iconic lighthouse. Stay a final overnight near the airport.

Optional activity: The Blue Lagoon.

DAY 22 – REYKJAVĺK

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Keflavík International Airport, return your rental car, and board your Icelandair flight to Paris.

End of your Iceland self-drive tour, filled with spectacular landscapes and unforgettable memories.