This journey takes you from the wondrous west coast to incredible natural sites of the north to the wild Westfjords and spectacular Snæfellsnes Peninsula. During this 12-day self-drive, you can experience some of the country’s best-kept secrets and natural wonders. Imagine geothermal hot spots offset by looming glaciers, unspoilt scenery, well-preserved cultural traditions and the remote Westfjords that few places on earth can match.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your Nordic adventure.
Upon arrival to Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city centre with its abundance of museums, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. If you're interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes.
Spend the night in Reykjavik.
Begin your journey today by driving through the bountiful Borgarfjörður area. Sights along the way include the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss along with the Deildartunguhver hot spring, and Háafell Goat Farm. You also have the choice to join optional activities such as visiting the Krauma to soak in soothing geothermal baths, exploring the lava tunnel Víðgelmir or venturing inside of a glacier. Continue the drive towards Skagafjörður, known for their Icelandic horses and amazing midnight sun displays.
Spend the night in the Skagafjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 395 km/245 miles
Skagafjörður is a region rich with culture, purebred Icelandic horses and numerous natural sites. You can stroll along a black sand beach, explore the turf houses of Glaumbær, visit the pool Grettislaug, enjoy a horseriding adventure or join other optional activities.
You will continue the day driving to Akureyri, the unofficial capital of north Iceland. There are numerous museums, galleries, and cafes to visit, as well as outdoor areas like the botanical gardens and the harbour area to roam. You could also stroll along the historical town centre on the streets of Hafnarstræti and Aðalstræti to view the old houses and visit the Nonni Museum.
Spend the night in Akureyri.
Driving distance approx. 160 km/99 miles
Today’s drive brings you to the Lake Mývatn region, a hotbed of volcanic landscapes including the Námaskarð Pass, Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations and Krafla, one of Iceland’s most fascinating volcanoes. Later, take a dip in the soothing milky blue geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, the perfect way to relax after a full day of sightseeing.
Spend the night in the Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 105 km/65 miles
Use this day to explore more of Lake Mývatn and its unique surroundings. We recommend a drive through the Jökulsárgljúfur part of the vast Vatnajökull National Park, visiting such sights as the Ásbyrgi canyon and Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Another great option is to join a whale watching tour at the nearby village of Húsavík, “the whale watching capital of Europe”.
Spend another night in the Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 250 km / 155 mi.
After your time in Myvatn, head to Tröllaskagi (the Peninsula of the Trolls), where you can enjoy fantastic scenery of beautiful mountains, jagged cliffs and wide fjords. Then, continue through Siglufjörður, which was once the centre of Iceland’s herring fleet, and make a stop at Hofsós to relax in the thermal pool (optional) before arriving to Skagafjörður, an area known for its abundance of purebred Icelandic horses.
Spend the night in the Hvammstangi area
Driving distance approx. 360 km/223 miles
Today marks the beginning of your journey around the beautiful Westfjords, one of the most remote, unspoilt regions in Iceland. Sights along the way include the countless mounds of Vatnsdalshólar, the Borgarvirki natural fortress, the impressive Hvítserkur rock formation (which some say resembles a rhino) and Illugastaðir, where you are likely to find seals at play.
Continue the drive to Hólmavík where you will find the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum, the Sorcerer’s Cottage and the hot natural pools in Drangsnes are also well worth a visit.
Spend the night in the Hólmavík area.
Driving distance approx. 145 km / 90 miles
Start your day early from Hólmavík and get ready for a splendidly scenic drive to Ísafjörður. The coastal roads weave in between mountains and fjords, allowing you to enjoy awe-inspiring views. The journey is very much part of the adventure. Once in Ísafjörður, explore the bustling downtown area close to the harbour, where there are shops, cafes, and museums. For those seeking a little nature, there are well-maintained trails just outside of town. After a full day, dine at one of the town's restaurants serving fresh fish.
Spend the night in Ísafjörður.
Driving distance approx. 220 km/231 miles
Head to Dýrafjörður, where you will find the trail of the Viking Saga hero, Gisli Súrsson, as well as the Skrúður botanical garden. Continuing to Hrafnseyri, you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jón Sigurðsson, who was influential in Iceland’s battle for independence.
Next, make a stop at the impressive Dynjandi waterfall before heading to the spectacular 444-metre-high cliff of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a good look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, such as puffins and razorbills.
You can also visit the rich golden sands of Rauðisandur.
Spend the night in the southern Westfjords.
Driving distance approx. 300 km / 186 mi.
You’ll leave the Westfjords behind and kick off the day with the Baldur ferry.* It will take you across the Breiðafjörður bay, with a stop on beautiful Flatey, all the way to the village of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The duration of the ferry ride is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
If you have time to explore after your arrival in Stykkishólmur, you could spend the afternoon roaming the region's unique sights, including spotting the Snæfellsjökull glacier in Snæfellsjökull National Park, seeing Dritvík Cove and exploring the charming hamlets of Arnarstapi, Hellnar and Búðir.
Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes region.
*In May and September, the Baldur ferry departs only in the evenings. Instead, we recommend that you drive around the bay to Stykkishólmur. The drive adds approximately 280 km (173 mi) to your journey, but it is very scenic.
Driving distance approx. 140 km / 87 mi.
Experience the geographically diverse Snæfellsjökull National Park, with rich birdlife, lush valleys and lava fields. It's an ideal road trip to drive around the peninsula, exploring Dritvík Cove, Lóndrangar Cliffs as well as Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs with its abundant birdlife and the quaint villages along the coast.
You might wish to test your strength at the stones of the black volcanic beach of Djúpalónssandur like the sailors did years ago to prove their strength and vie for choice roles in ships. In Snæfellsnes, you can choose from a variety of activities such as hiking, taking a boat cruise or simply relax and take in the glacier’s alleged supernatural energy.
Spend the night in Reykjavík.
Driving distance approx. 290 km / 180 mi.
On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your hotel in Reykjavík and transport you to Keflavík International Airport ahead of your scheduled flight. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can fit in a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or even take a short guided tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula (optional; not included).
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this summer self-drive tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.
On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!
All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Iceland, along with airport transfers and planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.
And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, leaflets about driving in Iceland, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. You’ll also have in-car Wi-Fi included in your car rental, meaning you’ll be able to stay connected and check things on the go.
Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.
If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.
During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.
On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.
For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.
If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.
By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.
For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.
During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.
If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland.
Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process.
Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.
Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.
Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.
If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.
Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.
In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing.
If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.
The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.
Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.
Driving in Iceland during the summer months might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:
And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!
For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Iceland. Additionally, when you arrive on your tour, you’ll receive a brochure telling you more about driving in Iceland.
Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer.
Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon.
These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn.
Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.
Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F).
It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions.
Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.
Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.
Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:
For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.
There are limited laundry facilities along the Ring Road and in Iceland’s countryside. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning or laundry services for an additional cost.
On your Iceland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around 300-400 ISK per litre.
As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Iceland. For the rest of your meals, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.
Budget between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.
If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.
It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.
Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.
After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip.
At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.
No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.
Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.
Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:
After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.
When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.
So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?
After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM.
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.
When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.
You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.
All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland.
Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.
Just wait until you see this with your own eyes.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
Our consultant Elena Sofia was great to work with- made some custom alterations to our itinerary, and helped to get us situated with a new plan when the weather didn't cooperate. Also, a shout out to Ari, who also got us to where we needed to be. Good communication before and during the trip made us feel confident in our travels. Thanks!
We had an amazing time together and loved getting to explore the island on our own time, but still have some planned events to do. We loved our trip!
I would not hesitate to use Nordic Visitor again. This is my second time booking a trip to Iceland through your company. The most recent time we had to completely reschedule our trip less than 3 weeks from departure due to a death in the family. Elena Sofia immediately jumped into action and took care of rescheduling everything to our new dates, 4 months later. This would have been a very stressful thing I would have had to do had I not booked through Nordic Visitor. I only had to deal with rescheduling my flights and she took care of everything else. The peace of mind was well worth the cost of booking through Nordic Visitor. You have gained a customer for life!
The staff was wonderful, the tours were well-thought-out and the recommendations on where to visit for the self-drive were perfect. All but one accommodation was perfect and Nordic Visitor was very responsive to our feedback.
This was my second time using Nordic Visitor and the experience was second to none. They are true professionals and I would highly recommend them for a great fun experience.
I've travelled with Nordic Visitor 9 times now and have never had an issue! The customer service is the best in the industry, the staff is awesome, all bookings have been incredible places to visit and stay, plus the recommendations on the map/itinerary are amazing! This is, by far, the best value for the cost! And, we've just booked our 10th trip!
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Enjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.
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Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
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