Categories Iceland Winter Tours Self Drive Tours

Set your focus on the north and west of Iceland and discover breathtaking landscapes and incredible photo opportunities. Best of all, you’ll enjoy many opportunities to relax in Iceland’s unique hot spring pools on a journey to the Arctic Circle’s edge.

Combine hot spring relaxation, breathtaking scenery and outdoor fun on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Drive through otherworldly landscapes and enjoy incredible photo opportunities in West and North Iceland. Visit the charming towns of Akureyri and Husavik and discover the volcanic wonders of Lake Myvatn. Each day has great opportunities for hot spring relaxation in spectacular settings. This is a great itinerary for viewing northern lights during the winter months!

Itinerary

Arrival Keflavik airport Approximate Distance:

95 km / 59 miles

Volcanic Peninsula – Bridge between Continents – Geothermal Lagoon

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, you might enjoy exploring the unique Reykjanes Peninsula (a UNESCO GeoPark site).

Reykjanes is a great introduction to Iceland’s unique geology and volcanoes. The 2021 and 2022 Geldingadalur volcanic eruption took place here. You’ll see unusual and stunning features around the peninsula, including craters, lava cliffs, fissures, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge itself. You can even walk on a bridge that divides Europe and North America. We also recommend a stroll in the surreal Gunnuhver area where you can view quirky colorful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away. If you are a Viking history buff, we recommend the Viking World museum, famous for the Islendingur, a Viking ship replica that sailed between Iceland and North America in 2000.

Reykjanes is home to the renowned Blue Lagoon, and we recommend visiting here as a great introduction to Iceland’s hot spring culture. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance. We can help you with that!

Drive to your hotel in Reykjavik, the colorful capital of Iceland. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

Our Recommended Hot Spring Experiences: The Blue Lagoon. We’re happy to book this experience for you!

Optionals:

Blue Lagoon Entrance

Northern Lights Boat Tour

Northern Lights and Stargazing

Sky Lagoon Pass

Approximate Distance:

270 km / 168 miles

Magical Waterfalls – Viking history – Hot Spring and Glacier Experiences

This morning head to Borgarfjordur via an undersea tunnel. This region is popular with locals, but it is getting known internationally for its volcanic beauty, local cuisine and handicrafts, and Viking legends.

We suggest a stop in Borgarnes town where you can learn about the first Viking settlers in the area at the interactive Settlement Museum. Visit the beautiful Hraunfossar (the Lava Falls), where melted water from a glacier flows through interesting lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss (the Children’s Falls) and its brilliant blue waters. Make a stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot springs. Nearby (within walking distance) you can indulge in hot spring relaxation at the Krauma Natural Geothermal Baths. Krauma is known for its “fire and ice” experience since it combines Deildartunguhver’s hot spring waters with cool mountain spring water. Krauma’s restaurant serves healthy food using ingredients from local farms and greenhouses.

Langjokull glacier offers exciting adventures such as exploring an ice cave and tunnel built into the icy-blue heart of the glacier. Start with an adventurous ride up the glacier in a monstrous 18-wheeled vehicle. Once in the tunnel, you’ll view a glacier from the inside and learn how these icy wonders are formed. Continue your journey, heading into North Iceland.

Overnight in Northwest Iceland.

Our Recommended Hot Spring Experiences: Krauma Natural Geothermal Baths. We’re happy to book this experience for you!

Optionals:

Krauma Nature Baths

Into the Glacier – Classic Tour (from Husafell)

Approximate Distance:

305 km / 190 miles

Local Hot Spring Experiences – Waterfall of the Gods – Volcanic Wonderland

Continue your journey in North Iceland, passing coastal villages and heading into a region of towering mountains and fertile valleys. If you’re interested in an authentic and rustic hot spring experience we recommend a detour to Fosslaug, a tiny, traditional hot spring bathing area made with stones and earth. It is located in a secluded area near a waterfall, so the free in-car Wi-Fi for your mobile device’s GPS will come in handy! Please note there are no changing facilities. It is important to treat this beautiful, fragile pool with respect and not leave any trash behind.

Today is perfect to live like a local by visiting one of the geothermal public pools in the towns of Hvammstangi, Thelamork or Blonduos. Enjoy experiencing North Icelandic daily life and chatting with the locals as you relax in the hot tubs. You might even pick up a few recommendations about local favorite restaurants and shops!

Drive through beautiful alpine scenery en route to Godafoss (the Waterfall of the Gods). Here, glacial water thunders around surrounding lava to create a beautiful half-circle shaped cascade. Travel to the unforgettable Lake Myvatn area, a geological wonderland that includes the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, and the pseudo-craters at Skutustadir. Some of the most bizarre attractions in the region are the bubbling mud pits and vibrant colors of Namaskard geothermal area. It’s like walking on another planet- perhaps even Mars? Looming over the area is Krafla, the volcano that created this bizarre wonderland and whose energy provides power and hot water to the region. Myvatn’ s fantastical landscapes have made it a filming location for the HBO Game of Thrones series, as well as several Hollywood movies (Star Wars, Oblivion, Fast and Furious).

A great evening activity is a visit to the Myvatn Nature Baths where you can relax in the azure blue waters in a tranquil wilderness setting. Restaurants in the area offer local specialties such as arctic char, locally smoked lamb and geothermally baked rye bread.

Overnight in the Lake Myvatn area.

Please Note: The Ring Road route today contains a toll tunnel.

Our Recommended Hot Spring Experiences: Fosslaug, swimming pools in Hvammstangi, Thelamork, and Blonduos; Myvatn Nature Baths Baths (we can book this for you)

Optionals:

Myvatn Nature Baths

Approximate Distance:

130 km / 81 miles

Whale Watching – Ocean Hot Spring Bathing – North Iceland’s Colorful “Capital”

Start your day by visiting places in the Myvatn area you might not have seen yesterday. Then head to Husavik, a charming fishing town known for its great whale-watching opportunities. This town close to the Arctic Circle has become world famous thanks to the 2020 Netflix film Eurovision Song Contests: The Story of Fire Saga. You might enjoy a whale watcing tour (available between March and November). We also highly recommend a visit to the town’s GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths. Relax in naturally warmed sea water and enjoy a scenic view looking far out to the Arctic Circle. The town also has interesting museums, restaurants, and a local favorite bakery.

After visiting Husavik head to Akureyri, a charming town that has a very lively cultural and dining scene. The locals call it the “capital of North Iceland.” In the winter it becomes a ski resort town with Hlidarfjall ski area just minutes away by car. Akureyri also has a fantastic swimming pool complex with many pools and hot tubs. A visit here is a great way to end your day.

Overnight in the Akureyri area.

Please Note: The Ring Road route today contains a toll tunnel.

Our Recommended Hot Spring Experience: GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths (we can book this for you!), Akureyri public swimming pool

Optionals:

Whale Watching from Husavik

GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths in Husavik

Approximate Distance:

395 km / 245 miles

Forest Geothermal Pool – Local Heritage and Horses – Sky Lagoon

Today you are heading to Reykjavik on a route filled with history and, of course, hot spring bathing. Before you leave the Akureyri area we suggest a visit to the new Forest Lagoon in a small woodland near the town. This is a lovely geothermal experience with pools, a sauna, relaxing room, two in-water pool bars and on-site restaurant. The pools have a nice view of the area’s flat-topped mountains and the fjord.

Drive through Skagafjordur, a region known for interesting historical sites and excellent Icelandic horse farms. Depending on your schedule, you might visit Glaumbaer, an interesting turf manor house. Occupied between the 18th century and the 1940s, Glaumbaer is now a museum showing how rural Icelanders lived. There are also several places where you can enjoy a guided horseback tour through pretty countryside.

Continue to Reykjavik along Road 1, perhaps stopping to visit places in Borgarfjordur you did not see earlier in the trip.

There’s always time for one last hot spring pool and, as you head into Reykjavik, a visit to the Sky Lagoon is a “must.”. This unique hot spring experience blends historical architecture and modern facilities, along with a beautiful view over the sea and mountains. Indulge in a relaxing seven step geothermal experience called the Ritual. It will leave you rejuvenated and in touch with Iceland’s nature. You’ll be invigorated and ready to enjoy the evening in Iceland’s vibrant capital city.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Optionals:

Sky Lagoon Pass

Northern Lights Boat Tour

Northern Lights and Stargazing

Northern Lights Hunt – Super Jeep Tour

pproximate Distance:

50 km / 30 miles

Return to Keflavik International Airport

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport**. We recommend departing from your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and the check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity to enjoy one of these experiences en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time to enjoy hot spring bathing.

*Please note that the package price is based on 5 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 6, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 5-day rental is up and use our airport transfer.

Optionals:

Panorama ATV/Quad tour in Reykjanes

Reykjavik Summit in Helicopter

Blue Lagoon Entrance

Sky Lagoon Pass

Notes