Self drive tour north and west Iceland: mountain Kirkjufell, west of Iceland.
reykjavik, iceland
borgarnes, west iceland
djupalonssandur, west iceland
akureyri, iceland
myvatn, iceland
godafoss, iceland
namaskard, iceland
whale watching, husavik, iceland
Hofsos, iceland
hraunfoss, iceland
reykjavik, evening, iceland

Northern and Western Iceland

8 Nights from £1,755

May - September
8 Nights
from £1,755

May - Jul  from £1,755

Aug - Sep  from £1,870

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This is the trip for those who want to explore the magical western and northern parts of Iceland by car. For 8 days you travel between the wonders that this part of the island has to offer. On the way you drive through the Snæfellsnes peninsula with its mighty glacier, the Myvatn area with its bubbling crannies, waterfalls, volcanoes, prickly greenery, and much more.

Departures 202415 May - 15 September; daily.

We offer numerous direct and connecting flights. Please contact our sales team for inquiries.

package highlights:

Experience the natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula
Explore the pearl of northern Iceland: the Myvatn area
Scan the horizon for blue whales in Húsavík
Bathe in the famous Hófsós pools

Package includes

package includes:

Return flights to Iceland, including tax and luggage.
8 nights accommodation (2 nights in Reykjavík, 6 nights outside).
Rental car for 8 days incl. unlimited mileage and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance.
Detailed PDF including tips for activities around all of Iceland.
24-hour access to service hotline in Iceland.
Personal service from our knowledgably consultants.
Travel protection equivalent to ATOL, through Kammarkollegiet, the Swedish statutory travel protection.

add ons:

Accommodation - Choose between accommodation with shared shower/WC facilities, and hotel rooms with a private bathroom/WC.
Rental car – The package price is based on a Hyundai I10 (5-doors) or similar. Other car types available.
Cancellation insurance if illness occurs.

Pay on the spot:

Petrol prices are similar to those in the UK.

About our prices:

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double room. We always give you the best available price for flights, hotels and excursions.
Prices vary according to date and season, so it might be a good idea to search several different dates to get the best price.

Day description

Day
Day 1

Arrive in Iceland

reykjavik, iceland

Welcome to Iceland! After a 3-hour flight, you and your group arrive at Keflavík Airport. You then pick up your rental car and drive through Iceland's barren and rocky terrain to Reykjavík, where you will spend the rest of the day or evening exploring. This evening, make sure to get a good night's sleep in the capital before starting your road trip tomorrow.

Highlights:
Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik

Day
Day 2

Explore natural wonders on the Snæfellsnes-peninsula

djupalonssandur, iceland

Today you will drive from Reykjavík to Stykkishólmur. Head north towards Borgarfjörður through the western region of Iceland, which despite its proximity to Reykjavík almost feels like another world. This area showcases the diverse offerings of the country, including its rich cultural and historical heritage.

Upon reaching Hvalfjörður, you have two choices: either drive through the tunnel under the fjord or take the scenic route around it. We recommend the latter, which takes an additional 45 minutes but offers breathtaking views. Continue your journey to Borgarnes.

Borgarnes is steeped in rich history and offers a small-town atmosphere. Visit one of Iceland's finest museums or soak up the local vibes. From there, head to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, a natural wonder with fjords, volcanoes, beaches, lava fields, and a towering glacier. Explore the southern coast of the peninsula until you reach Búdir with its picturesque wooden church surrounded by lava fields. Further on, you will find Arnastapi, a fishing village with a unique natural harbor and basalt columns of varying sizes and shapes.

At the southern tip of the peninsula, make a stop at Djúpalónssandur, an old fishing station overlooking a black sandy beach. Continue your journey around the island, and if time permits, stop in Bjarnarhöfn to learn about shark fishing and taste the catch. Finally, drive to your overnight accommodation in the charming city of Stykkishólmur.

Highlights:
Borgarnes
Settlement Center
Snaefellsnes
Eldborg crater
Gerduberg
Búdir
Arnastapi
Hellnar
Djupalonssandur
Kirkjufell
Bjarnarhöfn
Stykkisholmur

Day
Day 3

Discover Akureyri

akureyri, iceland

Today you will drive from Stykkishólmur to Akureyri. On the way north, we recommend a stop at the Eiriksstaðir Museum, located on the route to Búðardalur. This museum is believed to be the birthplace of Leifur Eriksson, who is considered to be the first European to set foot in America. Alternatively, we suggest that you drive to Skagafjörður, an area known for horse breeding and adrenaline-fueling activities.

Next, make your way to the village of Varmahlíð. Just outside the village, you can stop at Vídimýri, a small traditional square church. On the road to Akureyri, you should also visit Glaumbaer Museum, one of Iceland's best-preserved peat farms.

In Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland and the country's second-largest city, you can take in the beautiful views and explore its interesting sights. The city boasts a botanical garden, swimming pools, a lovely forest, and despite its small population of 18,000, offers some excellent restaurants and cafes. This is where you will spend the night.

Highlights:
Breidafjördur Bay
Eiríksstadir
Leifsbud
Hvammstangi
Hvitserkur
Vidimyri church
Akureyri

Day
Day 4

Go whale spotting in Husavik

husavik, iceland

Today's drive takes you from Akureyri to Raufarhöfn. On the way, be sure to stop and marvel at Godafoss, the waterfall of the gods. The name itself suggests its beauty, and Godafoss is indeed a sight to behold.

Drive on to the charming fishing village of Húsavík. Húsavik is the whale watching capital of Iceland and is probably one of Iceland's most beautiful fishing villages with colorful houses, museums, and snow-covered mountains. Húsavik is also known from the movie Eurovision. Here we recommend that you stop for a whale watching excursion, Húsavik is considered the best place in Iceland if you want to see blue whales.

Drive along the Tarn peninsula coastline. The landscape offers high cliffs, green hills, lava and fossils. A tip is to make a stop at the far end of the peninsula and look for seabirds.

The next stop is Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped crater that is said to be the imprint of Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipner. Take a walk or have a picnic between the massive cliff walls in the lush vegetation.

If you have time, stop at Jökulsargljufur National Park and take a shorter walk in the Icelandic natural landscape.

Overnight in Raufarhöfn.

Highlights:
Godafoss
Húsavik
Jökulsargljufur National Park
Asbyrgi
Hljóðaklettar
Hraunhafnartangi
Raufarhöfn
The Arctic Henge

Day
Day 5

ICELANDIC NATURE AND DETTIFOSS WATERFALL

dettifoss, iceland

Today, drive to Mývatn for a two-night stay which you will use as a base for excursions. From Raufarhöfn, head south along Iceland's scenic coast, making stops at Þórshöfn, Bakkafjördur, and Vopnafjördur for a glimpse of Iceland's stunning natural beauty.

Continue to the Mödrudalur highlands and drive west towards Mývatn, taking a detour to see the powerful Dettifoss waterfall, formed by melting glacier water.

Overnight stay in Mývatn.

Highlights:
Raudanes
Langanes
Bakkafjördur
Mödrudalur
Dettifoss
Myvatn

Day
Day 6

Own activities

myvatn, iceland

Start your day off right with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Now it is time to make the most of your free time! Explore the wonders of Mývatn at your leisure or take a scenic excursion. If you're looking for a shorter adventure, there are plenty of must-see attractions nearby. We highly recommend visiting the Nature Baths, a geothermally heated oasis that's often referred to as the Blue Lagoon of Northern Iceland.

Do not miss out on the chance to visit the awe-inspiring Dimmuborgir lava area, where you will find caves and rock formations unlike anything you have seen before. It is also where parts of the Swedish film "The Brothers Lionheart" were filmed. Take a leisurely hike around the area or challenge yourself with a longer trek - the choice is yours!

End the day with a comfortable overnight stay in Mývatn.

Highlights:
Lake Mývatn
Dimmuborgir
Krafla och Leirhnjukur
Nature Bath
Grotagja

Day
Day 7

From Mývatn to Skagafjördur

hofsos, iceland

After a filling breakfast at the hotel, you leave the Mývatn area and head west past the beautiful Godafoss waterfall on your way to Akureyri. Drive through Akureyri and continue through charming fishing villages such as Dalvik, Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður. Make a stop in Hofsós, where many Icelanders in the 1800s emigrated in search of a better life and hear their stories at the Emigration Center at the old harbor. In Hofsós, do not miss taking a dip in the famous swimming pool with breathtaking views of the sea and snow-capped mountains.

The road will then lead you to Sauðárkrókur.

Overnight stay in the Skagafjördur area.

Highlights:
Siglufjördur
Hofsós
Hólar
Glaumbaer

Day
Day 8

From Skagafjördur to Reykjavík

grabrok, iceland

Enjoy a filling breakfast at the hotel before setting off towards Reykjavik. As you pass Holtavörduheidi heath and reach the Borgarfjördur area, head east. This road will take you to Reykholt and Husafell. Afterwards, you will again pass by Borgarnes. On the way to Reykjavik, you have two options: either take the underwater tunnel under Hvalfjördur or drive along the Hvalfjördur fjord (approximately 45 minutes longer).

Make sure to take a stop at the Grabrok Crater on the way back to Reykjavik.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Highlights:
Grabrok crater
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt
Hraunfossar och Barnafoss
Borgarnes
Settlement Center
Hvalfjördur

Day
Day 9

Return home

Return flights either early in the morning or in the afternoon. Drive from Reykjavík to Keflavík airport (approx. 45 mins) and drop off the car at the airport in connection with your return flight. Welcome back to Iceland for your next trip!

Rental cars

HL
Doors
Persons
Luggage
Transmission
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i10
highland: No
5 doors
4 persons
1 luggage
Manual transmission
Toyota Yaris Sedan
Toyota Yaris Sedan
highland: No
5 doors
4 persons
2 luggage
Automatic/Manual transmission
Skoda Octavia Sedan
Skoda Octavia Sedan
highland: No
5 doors
5 persons
3 luggage
Automatic/Manual transmission
Skoda Octavia Station Wagon
Skoda Octavia Station Wagon
highland: No
5 doors
5 persons
5 luggage
Automatic/Manual transmission
Dacia Duster 4WD
Dacia Duster 4WD
highland: No
5 doors
4 persons
4 luggage
Automatic/Manual transmission
Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy
highland: No
5 doors
7 persons
2 luggage
Manual transmission
Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4WD
Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4WD
highland: Yes
5 doors
5 persons
5 luggage
Automatic transmission

Accommodation standards

You can choose between two different types of accommodation on this trip. If you book two or more rooms then they will all need to be of the same type.  

Room with shared shower/bathroom

Without

If you choose this option, you will stay at a guest house, farm-stay or basic hotel. Breakfast will be served at all accommodation types. The guest houses usually have a shared common room and often also offer a small restaurant and bar. The hotels usually have their own restaurants where you can order food à la carte. Most of the hotels and guest houses offer free Wi-Fi.

The rooms do not have their own shower/bathroom, but do have a washbasin with hot and cold water. Shower and bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Beds are made and the rooms are furnished with a wardrobe, chairs and table.

    

Room with private shower and toilet

With

If you choose this option, you will stay at a three-star hotel or a better guest house. All the forms of accommodation serve breakfast and many have their own restaurant and sometimes also a bar. The hotels usually offer an à la carte option. Most of the hotels and guest houses offer free Wi-Fi.  

The rooms have their own bathroom with a shower or bath. Beds are made and the rooms are furnished with a wardrobe, chairs, table, telephone, radio and TV.  

We help you with your trip