9 Day Self Drive Iceland Ring Road Classic with Snæfellsnes
Our most popular Self Drive around Iceland! On this trip you’ll navigate Iceland’s legendary and scenic “Ring Road,” and traverse the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Highlights include the Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss waterfall just to name a few.
This self drive is our Iceland best-seller for good reason: it gives travellers the opportunity to see the highlights of each region of Iceland in a short amount of time. In addition to that you explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which offers some great “off the beaten track” gems.
Highlights
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Lake Mývatn
- Goðafoss and Dettifoss Waterfalls
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
- Black sand beaches and waterfalls of the South Shore
- The Golden Circle
Your itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Iceland – Reykjavík (ca. 50 km)
Welcome to your Self Drive in beautiful Iceland! Pick up your rental car at Keflavík International airport and drive to your accommodation in Reykjavík. Enjoy the bizarre, otherworldly volcanic landscape on the way to the capital of Iceland. Velkomin!
Day 2: The Golden Circle – Hella (ca. 320 km)
Start your Iceland exploration by visiting three of Iceland’s best known sights of the famous Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, the site of the first parliament, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of great geological interest; the highly geothermal Geysir area with Strokkur spouting a column of water into the air every 5-10 minutes and impressive Gullfoss waterfall, which flows in two cascades into the deep gorge of Hvítá glacial river.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
- Fontana Geothermal Baths
- Snorkeling in Silfra fissure at Þingvellir National Park
- Snowmobile tour on Langjökull Glacier from Gullfoss Café
Day 3: Seljalandsfoss – Skógar – Reynisfjara – Vík – Skaftafell (ca. 200 km)
Today you explore the best of Iceland’s South Coast: Drive east along the south coast of Iceland with possibilities to stop at the unique and very different waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Driving along the Eyjafjöll mountains there are good views of Eyjafjallajökull glacier, under which rests the infamous volcano of the same name that caused disruption in air traffic all over Europe in 2010.
Continuing east you can stop for an easy short hike at Reynisfjara black beach with a view of the cliffs of Dyrhólaey. Drive on to the village of Vík with its black sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see, with impressive views of the Reynisdrangar cliffs rising out of the ocean. Continue across the sand and moss-covered lava fields towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
- ATV Tour on a black sand beach
- Horse back riding on a black sand beach
- Glacier Walk on Sólheimajökull glacier
- Snowmobile tour on Mýrdalsjökull glacier
- Zipline adventure
- Katla Ice Cave Tour
Day 4: Skaftafell – Jökulsárlón – Eastfjords (ca. 400 km)
Ice Ice baby – another beautiful nature gem is waiting for you today! The drive to Skaftafell national park crosses the volcanic sands of glacier rivers. Skaftafell is a green oasis surrounded by glacial outlets where you can take a walk through the park to Svartifoss waterfall or go on a glacier hike. Driving further east along the ring road with a view of Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull will bring you to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where you can take an optional amphibian boat tour among the icebergs. If you get lucky, you might spot a seal near the shore of the so-called “Diamond Beach” or even in the lagoon itself.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Zodiac boat tour
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon kayaking
- Heinabergslón Glacial Lagoon kayaking
- Glacier Walk from Skaftafell
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon amphibian boat tour
Day 5: Egilsstaðir – Dettifoss – Húsavík – Mývatn (ca. 400 km)
Egilsstaðir is the largest municipality in East Iceland. The route then passes through the green Jökuldalur valley with numerous waterfalls dropping from the top of the hills alongside the road and crosses the desert land of Möðrudalsöræfi. Take the road to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the gorge of Jökulsárgljúfur national park and continue north towards lush and green Ásbyrgi – the horseshoe-shaped canyon – a charming area that offers lots of opportunity for walks and hikes. Finally, drive around the Tjörnes peninsula to Húsavík, the capital of whale watching: We recommend visiting either the Whale Museum or going on a whale watching tour. Afterwards head towards the volcanic area of Mývatn to your accommodation.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
Day 6: Mývatn – Goðafoss – Akureyri (ca. 200 km)
Around Lake Mývatn you spend the day exploring the numerous natural wonders of the Mývatn volcanic area with several possibilities for short hikes and a chance for a relaxing bath in the Nature Baths geothermal lagoon. Take your time to admire the diverse and fascinating volcanic sights – may it be bubbling mudholes, steaming fumeroles, vast lava fields or bizarre lava rock formations.
Late afternoon drive to Goðafoss waterfall, then crossing the pictureques Víkurskard mountain pass and along the eastern coastal road in Eyjafjörður towards charming Akureyri where you stay overnight.
Optional Tours to make your day even more special:
- Puffins and Whales from Húsavík
- RIB whale watching from Húsavík
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Whale Watching from Akureyri
- RIB Whale Watching from Akureyri
Day 7: Akureyri – Skagafjörður – Borgarfjörður (ca. 400 km)
Drive north along the western coastal road of Eyjafjörður with panoramas of the alpine landscape with high mountains, glacial valleys and Hrísey Island. Driving through Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður and three tunnels, we reach the charming fishing village of Siglufjörður where we recommend a visit to the award-winning Herring Era museum. Continue to Skagafjörður with views of the Islands of Málmey, Drangey, then to Blönduós and further south along the fjords and across the Holtavörðuheiði heath towards Borgarfjörður.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
Day 8: Snæfellsnes peninsula – Reykjavík (ca. 420 km)
Drive to one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland, the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Here you can observe many of the natural phenomena that can be found all around Iceland – in a nutshell: lava fields, volcanic craters, Snæfellsjökull glacier, waterfalls, sandy beaches, charming fishing towns, bird cliffs and more. One of the landmarks you pass is Mt. Kirkjufell – one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland; another spot not to be missed is Arnarstapi. From Snæfellsnes continue through Borgarnes and via Hvalfjörður submarine tunnel to Reykjavík for overnight.
Optional tours to make your day even more special:
Day 9: Departure day (ca. 50 km)
Drive to Keflavík airport in time for check in for your international flight. If your flight departs late afternoon, then you have a chance to add an optional whale watching boat tour in the morning, drive around the Reykjanes peninsula or visit the Blue Lagoon before dropping off the rental car at Keflavík airport.
Departures & Prices for 2024:
May: 18 May, 25 May
June: 01 June, 08 June, 15 June, 22 June
July: 29 June, 06 July, 13 July, 20 July, 27 July
August (all departures sold out): 03 August, 10 August, 17 August, 24 August
September: 31 August, 07 Sept
In double room /standard
Price per person: from 191.000 ISK, depending on rental car and travel month, details see below:
Included in the package price:
- 8 days car rental with unlimited mileage, CDW, Mifi, tax included; pick up/drop off at Keflavík airport
- 8 nights accommodation in double/twin rooms with private facilities, breakfast included
- A detailed itinerary with multiple daily options based on pre-booked accommodation
- Service and VAT
Booking and Inquiries:
For questions please send us an email at nonni@nonnitravel.is.
Alternative travel dates other than listed above are possible on request, prices will most likely be higher though.
We are really looking forward to your message.
