Just as the name says, this is the ultimate slow-paced road trip around Iceland! Enjoy plenty of time and freedom to explore nearly every corner of the country, including well-known attractions, hidden wonders and off-the-beaten-path areas. Experience a stunning diversity of landscapes and natural phenomena at every turn, and take advantage of the relaxed pace to get into the local culture.
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.
Collect your rental car in the morning and begin your journey on the classic “Golden Circle” route, home to some of Iceland’s most popular attractions. Start with a visit to the fascinating Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can walk on a path in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and learn about the site of Iceland's first parliament.
Next on the route is the Haukadalur geothermal area, where you can see Geysir—the original “geyser”—and its more active neighbour, Strokkur, which spouts water and steam metres into the air every few minutes. Complete the circle with visits to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall and the impressive implosion crater of Kerið.
Spend the night in the Selfoss area.
Driving distance approx. 180 km / 112 mi.
Enjoy the day in the region surrounding Selfoss, where you can spend time hiking or book an optional activity like snorkelling between the continents at Þingvellir National Park, or simply spend the day at leisure.
Other options today include visiting the charming coastal villages of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki or driving the beautiful Þjórsárdalur valley towards Hekla. We recommend visiting the Viking replica farm of Stöng, a historically accurate reconstruction of the three buildings, including a longhouse. The farm is believed to have been buried under volcanic ash in 1104 following the eruption of the nearby volcano Hekla. For those up for some hiking, the walk up to Háifoss, the third highest waterfall in Iceland, is worth the trip!
Spend another night in the Selfoss area.
Start with visits to the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can experience walking directly behind the misty cascade, and the gorgeous 60-metre high Skógafoss waterfall just a short drive down the road. On the way to the village of Vík, you can make a stop at the black sand beach south of the village, from where you can view the jagged rock formations Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar.
The last stop of the day is to the stunning Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, which is a treat to photograph and roam. You also have a chance today to join an exciting guided excursion by foot or snowmobile on a glacier!
Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 mi.
Enjoy Skaftafell, a part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park and a place of great natural beauty with many interesting hiking trails, including a short walk to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. This area is also full of opportunities for more adventurous pursuits, such as guided glacier-walking or ice-climbing excursions. Next, head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can join a boat ride among the maze of floating icebergs (optional).
Spend the night in the Höfn area.
Driving distance approx. 205 km / 128 mi.
Today’s drive in East Iceland takes you along tranquil fishing villages, spectacular fjords and sweeping landscapes. Anyone who enjoys offbeat attractions – particularly geology buffs or garden enthusiasts –will want to visit Petra’s Mineral Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, a small museum of found natural objects and mineral rocks started as a personal hobby by a local resident.
End the day in Egilsstaðir, where you will find the monster habitat Lagafljót and Hallormsstaðarskógur forest, the largest wooded area in Iceland, and a visit to the Wilderness Center – Óbyggðasetrið is highly recommended, an old farm turned into a exhibition, guesthouse, café, located at the end of the fjord leading into the deep valley close to the highlands.
Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 259 km / 161 mi.
Drive to Seyðisfjörður, one of the most enchanting villages in Iceland with its well-preserved wooden houses, steep mountains and picture-perfect fjord scenery. Then head to Bakkagerði, one of Iceland’s most isolated and smallest villages. But what it lacks in humans, it makes up for with other “residents” – it is rumoured to have the largest colonies of elves and fairies in the country as well as a thriving bird population. Here you will find the best chance to view the curious and colourful puffins up close, and it’s a great place for hiking! Other attractions in the area include a hiking trail leading to Hengifoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s tallest at 118 metres.
Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir/Seyðisfjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 143 km / 89mi.
Start the driving toward the beautiful surroundings of Mývatn, region known for unique landscapes, flourishing birdlife, and a hotbed of volcanic activity. Before reaching Mývatn, visit the thundering Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in all of Europe. It stands an impressive 45 metres high and 100 metres across, and it's thrilling to watch the roaring white rapids drop into Dettifoss´ deep gorge. End the day with a relaxing visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths, with its warm, healing, milky blue waters soothing your body after a long day (optional: not included).
Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 165 km / 102 mi.
Get ready for a long day of exploring Mývatn! The geological diversity of this region makes is a favourite for so many travellers. Drive to Dimmuborgir, a fascinating area comprised of caves and rock formations, that was created by lava flows from hundreds of years ago. Krafla is another special highlight you won't want to miss. The impressive caldera stands more than 800 metres tall. The surrounding area of Krafla is home to an active geothermal region with bubbling mud springs and fumaroles. Also check out Leirhnjúkur, an active and colourful volcano, as well as the Viti crater, which has a stunning bright blue lake in its centre.
Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 170 km / 105 mi.
Húsavik is a cute coastal town famous for its whale watching tours. Join an optional tour at the harbour to get a glimpse of these impressive mammals. Meanwhile, a trip to Ásbyrgi canyon is another can't-miss highlight. The lush surroundings in the horseshoe-shaped canyon are lovely to stroll, admiring the diverse birdlife, and rocky landscape. Next, drive to Vesturdalur in Vatnajökull National Park to see Hljóðaklettar, a collection of basalt columns that create an arched cave. There are two well-marked hiking paths around the region.
Spend the night in Akureyri area.
Driving distance approx. 272 km / 169 mi.
Today explor the charming town of 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. If you are interested in Iceland's quirky Christmas traditions, take a drive to Jólahúsið (Christmas House), which is just outside of town and where you can learn about Icelandic Yuletide traditions and the thirteen “Yule lads”, the local Santa alternatives. Enjoy dinner at one of Akureyri's many fine dining restaurants.
Spend the night in Akureyri area.
After your time in Akureyri 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 Skagafjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 155 km / 96 mi.
Today marks the beginning of your journey around the beautiful West Fjords, one of the most remote, unspoilt regions in Iceland. Sights along the way include the countless mounds of Vatnsdalshólar, the Borgarvirki natural fortress, the 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. 333 km / 207 mi.
Today’s journey is characterized by endless but dramatic fjords and towering mountains. In Ísafjörður, the biggest settlement in the region, you‘ll find some of the most historic houses in Iceland, dating back to the mid-18th century. In the afternoon, we suggest a drive to Bolungarvík for a visit to the Ósvör Maritime Museum and a visit to the radar station on top of Bolafjall where, on a clear day, you can have amazing views over the uninhabited Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
Spend the night in the Ísafjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 220 km / 137 mi.
Today we recommend joining a guided boat tour from Ísafjörður to the small, charming island of Vigur, where you can see an abundance of birds in their natural environment including eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins, black guillemot, and more (when in season). Today can also be spent enjoying the scenic nature surrounding Ísafjörður, joining optional activities such as a guided walk, kayaking tour and enjoying a unique dining experience at the well-known Tjöruhúsið restaurant, which serves fresh fish from the local fishermen.
Spend the night in the Ísafjörður area.
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. Finally make your way to your accommodation.
Spend the night in the southern Westfjords.
Driving distance approx. 88 km / 55 mi.
This is a great day to go hiking, bird watching and snapping photos of the incredible landscape.
You’ll want to first stop at 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 also have the opportunity to go for a walk along the rich golden sands of Rauðisandur.
Spend another night in the southern Westfjords.
Driving distance approx. 210 km / 130 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.
You have all day to explore the magical Snæfellsjökull National Park with its diverse birdlife, lush valleys, rugged lava fields and towering glacier-capped volcano. Driving along the coast, you can stop to visit such sights as Dritvík Cove, the Lóndrangar Cliffs, Hellnar, the Arnarstapi Cliffs and small fishing villages on the coast. You may also wish to test your strength at Djúpalónssandur, a black volcanic beach with “lifting stones” that sailors in old days used to prove their strength and determine their roles on the fishing boats.
Spend another night on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Driving distance approx. 194 km / 120 mi.
This morning, catch any sight you may have missed on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, before starting your drive back to the capital city. An optional detour today is to drive along beautiful Borgarfjörður where you will find the largest hot spring in Europe, the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar & Barnafoss, as well as Glanni Waterfall, Háafell Goat Farm, and the large lava tunnel of Víðgelmir.
Spend the night in Reykjavík.
Driving distance approx. 170 km / 105 mi.
If your flight is in the afternoon, use the morning to relax or enjoy one last stroll through the city centre. Transfer by shuttle bus to Keflavík International Airport in time for your departure flight.
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.
Please note that for September arrivals, you will be travelling around the island clockwise, heading north and returning via the south coast.
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.
Everything was organised and we just followed the instructions. I loved the itinerary book with it's short description of where we were going and the map. Our accommodation was varied and very comfortable.
We loved our tour. We had a few days in Reykjavik before picking up our car. We tgen spent 19 travelling beautiful Iceland.Nordic Visitor took extra care and time to advise us of some bad weather in our area. This was greatly appreciated.
Everything was well organised
We chose the 21-night loop of the country, travelling clockwise, and had an excellent tour of Iceland! Our travel consultant, Guðrún, provided exceptional assistance.
Overall I had a great time and got to see the whole of Iceland. I would like to travel Iceland again and given my first experience I think I would be more focused and could spend more time in specific places.
We had a great experience with Clarence. Customer service was at the highest level. The brochures were excellent in deciding what sites were a 'must' to see. Proper spacing of the accommodation allowed us to not rush. Iceland is a beautiful island. We truly enjoyed our 3 weeks.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
You can expect rooms in good quality guesthouses, farmhouses, or hostels. Most of the properties are run by small, family-run busi..
ViewIn this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..
ViewWith Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..
ViewEnjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.
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