Iceland In-Depth | Two-Week Road Trip

On day two, you'll drive out of Reykjavik to begin your immersive exploration of Iceland's incredible nature. Your main sites for today are along the country's most popular tourist trail, the Golden Circle.

The first of these sites is one of the country's three national parks: Thingvellir. Though it attained its status from its millennium of fascinating history, its nature is just as appealing. Situated in a valley directly between two tectonic plates, the landscapes of lava fields, birch woodland, and crystal-clear springs are breathtaking.

When booking, you'll notice you can plan a snorkeling tour into one of these springs, particularly Silfra. Snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim. The underwater views, defined by unbelievable shades of blue, make this a magical experience, exaggerated because you are swimming between the European and North American continents.

About 37 miles (59 kilometers) away is the second attraction of the Golden Circle, the geyser of Strokkur in the Geysir geothermal area. Surrounded by bubbling hot springs and vibrantly dyed soil, this phenomenon erupts steam and water every few minutes. Sometimes, Strokkur's eruptions reach and occasionally exceed  66 feet (20 meters) high.

This sightseeing route's third and final location is Gullfoss, about six miles (9.6 kilometers) from Geysir. Gullfoss is the most famous waterfall in Iceland. It boasts a unique color caused by the glacier water pouring from the second-largest ice cap in the country. 

It also thunders with stupendous power into a valley carved out in the last Ice Age.

From the car park at Gullfoss, you can set out on a snowmobiling adventure on this glacier named Langjokull. As you rocket across a terrain of snow and ice, you'll see the magnificent landscapes of the Highlands, south, and west. It's a thrilling ride you'll never forget.

If neither snorkeling nor snowmobiling speaks to you, you can take a trip on the back of an Icelandic horse through the majestic landscapes surrounding the Golden Circle. Not only will this allow you to feel like an early settler exploring this untouched, primordial land, but it's an excellent opportunity to get to know Iceland's most famously friendly animal.

After seeing the major attractions in this region and embarking on a thrilling activity, you can revisit your itinerary and find any local hidden gems that most guests will overlook. 

The Solehimar eco-village, the Secret Lagoon, and the Kerid crater lake are just three examples of the many sites that can easily be driven to from Gullfoss.

Once you've explored to your heart's content, you'll retire in a countryside hotel in Southwest Iceland for the night.

On the third day of your two-week summer self-drive around Iceland, you’ll set out to explore another breathtaking and world-renowned region, the South Coast.

Throughout this journey, you’ll have magnificent views of the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean to your right and a never-ending parade of unbelievable features to your left.

The first of these magical sites is the waterfall of Seljalandsfoss, which stands an impressive 197 feet (60 meters) tall. The forces of nature carved an enormous cavern behind it centuries ago, allowing it to be viewed from some unique angles. 

Nearby on a hidden off-the-beaten track, is another beautiful waterfall, Gljufrabui. This waterfall cannot be seen from the Ring Road and is often overlooked. Moreover, you must wade through a stream inside a grotto to reach the waterfall.

Though both are incredible to behold, these falls are gentle and serene compared to the neighboring Skogafoss. Located about 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) from Gljufrabui, the Skogafoss waterfall is renowned for its incredible power. 

Thundering from a cliff face and shattering into a cloud of spray, Skofagoss cascades from a height of 197 feet (60 meters) and 82 feet (25 meters) wide. You can also marvel at this beauty from below and above due to an adjacent staircase. 

After enjoying this site, you’ll leave the Ring Road for a thrilling glacier hiking tour. On the glacial outlet of Solheimajokull, you’ll explore dramatic ridges, ice walls, and crevasses, all under the lead of an experienced guide.

You’ll also be provided a helmet, crampons, and an ice ax. The guide will also brief you regarding safety and other essential reminders. Should the weather be clear, this is also an excellent opportunity to enjoy awe-inspiring views.

Continuing eastward, you’ll soon come to the Dyrholaey rock arch. It’s an impressive natural feature that boasts a resident puffin colony throughout summer. 

Reynisfjara beach sits just by Dyrholaey and is another top coastal attraction. With black volcanic sands, enormous waves, and the fascinating sea stacks of Reynisdrangar, steeped in folklore, the atmosphere here is equally mystical, ominous, and mesmerizing.

The village of Vik sits adjacent to the beach, and from here, you can embark on an alternate tour: a trip inside an ice cave. Rather than hiking a glacier, you’ll be escorted up its slopes in a super jeep, then led into its mysterious chambers and corridors. 

The tour is conducted on the ice cap covering the Katla volcano, one of the country’s most notoriously explosive peaks.

You can find many other attractions just off the beaten track on your itinerary. You may detour to any of them before retiring at your accommodation in South Iceland.

On the fourth day of your two-week holiday in Iceland, you’ll explore the wonders of Vatnajokull National Park in the southeast.

This national park is the country’s biggest, named after its defining glacier, Vatnajokull. Interestingly, Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe and covers almost 10% of Iceland’s surface.

As you approach your destinations for the day, you’ll see many of its tongues creeping between the mountains, spilling over black sand deserts, lava plains, and historic farmland.

To see the wonders of Vatnajokull up close, you’ll first head to Skaftafell, a beautiful nature reserve sheltered by several of its outlets. Many hiking trails allow guests to explore the primal landscapes shaped by millennia of battles between the forces of ice and fire. 

These trails also lead to some breathtaking features, the most famous of which is the black waterfall of Svartifoss. Its raw natural surroundings have heavily inspired modern Icelandic architecture.

You can embark on a glacier hiking tour in Skaftafell and scale the outlet of Svinafellsjokull. Even if you joined this activity the day before, each glacier is different in its landscape. You’ll see new and incredible views from its heights.

After Skaftafell, you’ll drive 35 miles (57 kilometers) to the second magical location in this national park, the glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon. The beauty here nearly defies belief - a vast lake filled with sparkling, giant icebergs and home to countless playing seals. The sights will give you the feeling of seeing a fantasy novel come to life.

You can spend as long as you like marveling as your breath is being taken on the lagoon’s shores. However, if you want an even more immersive experience, you can join a boat tour amongst the icebergs on an amphibious vessel or a zodiac. Because you’ll spend less time on the road today, you can take this boat tour alongside the glacier hike at Skaftafell.

Beside Jokulsarlon is Diamond Beach, your final destination for the day. Hundreds of spectacular, glistening icebergs often decorate the black sands here, washed up after finally escaping the lagoon.

Once you’ve made the most of every opportunity this corner of Vatnajokull National Park offers, you’ll retire at a hotel in Southeast Iceland.

Day six of your two-week summer holiday to Iceland will be packed with action and adventure as you explore the north. 

Setting out from Egilsstadir, the Ring Road will take you across the volcanic, lunar landscapes that define the northern reaches of Vatnajokull National Park. It's also an area where you can take some incredible detours.

For example, the most powerful waterfall in Europe can be found here. Dettifoss waterfall pours with incredible power into a valley of black rock, framed by two similarly impressive falls, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss. 

Dettifoss drops 141 feet (43 meters high and has a width of 328 feet (100 meters). Furthermore, the waterfall boasts an average flow rate of 50985 gallons (193 cubic meters) per second. With its sheer power, it was used in the 2012 film "Prometheus" during its opening scene.

Meanwhile, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) away is Asbyrgi, a canyon shaped like an enormous horseshoe. This canyon is framed by sheer cliffs and filled with lush forest. Old Norse religion says that Asbyrgi was formed after Odin's horse stomped one of its eight legs on Earth.

Once you have explored these sites, your main two destinations today are Husavik and the Lake Myvatn region. Husavik is one of the country's oldest settlements and among the world's most sought-after whale-watching spots. 

If you include the activity upon booking, you can take a comfortable traditional boat tour to see these incredible creatures or a similar but more thrilling trip on a zodiac.

Humpback whales are famous for their dramatic leaps from the water's surface. These lovely creatures are abundant here and regularly joined by white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and Minke whales—even rare species such as Blue whales and orcas.

Husavik is also home to the GeoSea Baths, which provide a great alternative activity to whale-watching. Unlike other geothermally heated pools and spas in Iceland, the water here is from the ocean. It's salty but with equally revitalizing minerals.

About 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Husavik is the Lake Myvatn region, North Iceland's most famous attraction. The lakes are a paradise for those eager to see the country's flora and fauna. 

Species of arctic flowers and freshwater birds can be found in abundance. Furthermore, their geology is dramatic and unique, with rare formations such as pseudocraters and basalt towers found around every corner.

The lava fortress of Dimmuborgir is imposing and not just for its sheer scale. It's also steeped in legend, said to be the home of Iceland's thirteen Christmas trolls and their child-eating mother.

Meanwhile, the Myvatn Nature Baths is a geothermal spa in this area. The therapeutic waters and facilities here make it a great place to relax after a day of adventure and exploration. You can book this as an alternative activity to those above.

You can then head to Akureyri, the largest town in the north. If you still have energy, check out the lively nightlife, an esteemed restaurant, or the beautiful architecture.

You'll spend the night in North Iceland.

On the eighth day of your two-week road trip around Iceland, you'll head to the magnificent Westfjords. 

Few travelers get to this remote region due to its distance from Reykjavik and its vast size, but you'll have several days to explore its hidden gems. As such, you're welcome to make detours to visit some of the final sites of North Iceland en route.

The Vatnsnes peninsula stands out due to its abundance of attractions. It is, for example, home to many seal colonies and the fascinating Icelandic Seal Center. Furthermore, you can find the impressive monuments of the Borgavirki lava fortress and the Hvitserkur rock monolith here.

Standing 580 feet (177 meters) above sea level and 33 to 49 feet (10 to 15 meters) above its surroundings, Borgavirki was turned into a fortress by the early Vikings.

Meanwhile, the impressive Hvitserkur rock protrudes 50 feet (15 meters) from the ocean. It also resembles the shape of an elephant at a certain angle.

As you leave the Ring Road, the enormous mountains of the Westfjords will rise before you. As soon as you enter the region, you'll be awed by the countless waterfalls pouring from the peaks, the sparkling bays, and the breathtaking views around every turn.

While many natural sites and cultural towns are included in your itinerary, visiting Holmavik should be part of your journey, even if you're remotely interested in Iceland's history of magic. 

Home to the Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery, Holmavik is a fantastic place to learn how Icelanders attempted to manipulate the forces of nature through spells for centuries. Many of the artifacts on display are as disturbing as fascinating, such as a pair of necropants made of human skin.

Meanwhile, about 20 miles (33 kilometers) away is the associated Sorcerer's Cottage at Bjarnarfjordur. A turf house decorated to represent the life of a lonely Icelander in the 17th Century, the cottage contains hidden staves on the walls and furnishings, which were said to carry powerful spells.

Other fascinating Westfjords sites you can easily reach today include Reykholar, a town renowned for birdwatching opportunities and spectacular surroundings. Another is Drangsnes, which has energizing hot pools immersed in beautiful nature.

You'll end the day at your accommodation in the Westfjords.

After several days of immersing yourself in the remote Westfjords, you'll depart the region and head to the incredible Snaefellsnes Peninsula. However, you can spend your morning seeking additional local sites.

Getting to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula from the Westfjords is easy, as a ferry large enough to escort your car regularly runs between them. Breidafjordur, the bay separating these regions, is an incredible place to take a relaxing cruise. It has countless islands teeming with birdlife and breathtaking views across the waters.

As you approach Snaefellsnes, it will quickly become apparent why many consider it the country's most mystical and dramatic region. Fifty-six miles (90 kilometers) long, it is lined by enormous volcanic peaks.

The mighty Snaefellsjokull volcano is on its tip, the largest and most impressive. It stands 4,744 feet (1,446 meters) tall and capped by a twin-peaked glacier. It also offers majestic views of Reykjavik from across the bay.

Interestingly, the glacier is also rich in folklore. It is believed to be an ancient energy source. Additionally, some Icelanders claim the rock formations around the glacier are where the hidden people live.

Next, you'll land in Stykkisholmur, about 56 miles (91 kilometers) from Snaefellsjokull. It's the largest town on the peninsula and a center of fishing culture and folklore.

After a stroll around this quaint and mystical place, you'll head to the main road around Snaefellsnes by crossing the haunting Berserkjahraun lava field.

As you'll have all of tomorrow to continue your exploration of Snaefellsnes, there's no need to rush around all the sites. Instead, you can focus on seeing the attractions along the peninsula's northern shore today and the attractions of the southern shore tomorrow.

If you do this, you'll want to prioritize a visit to Mount Kirkjufell. This uniquely shaped peak has been compared to a pyramid, an arrowhead, and a church. It stands alone by the coast, mightily at 1,519 feet (463 meters) tall, mightily commanding the attention of any who passes it.

Moreover, it was featured in Game of Thrones and is the favorite subject of many local photographers. The best angle to appreciate it is by its adjacent waterfall.

The Icelandic Shark Museum is another attraction on the northern shore where you can experience Iceland's culture. Located in the charming village of Bjarnahofn, the museum shows how the revolting Icelandic delicacy of hakarl, or fermented shark, is produced. You can give it a try.

After a fantastic start to your Snaefellsnes adventure, you'll retire for the night on the peninsula.

Your 13th day may be the second-to-last of your Icelandic summer holiday, but the adventure is far from over.

Today, you can explore the rural, idyllic landscapes of the West and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime excursion. Of course, you can double-check your itinerary for any hidden gems in and around the Snaefellsnes peninsula. 

Reykholt, for example, is a tiny picturesque village with a beautiful church and peaceful surroundings. At its Snorrastofa museum, you can learn how it was also the home of legendary medieval historian Snorri Sturluson. He was integral in documenting most of what we know about the Old Norse Gods and was heavily involved in all stages of Iceland's tumultuous civil war.

Borgarnes, meanwhile, was one of Iceland's first settlements. It has since bloomed into a stunning coastal town famous for its Settlement Center exhibition. Here, you'll be enthralled by the interactive displays documenting how wayward Vikings made this hostile land their home over a millennium ago.

One of the most notable natural attractions you can visit alongside these towns is Deildartunghver, 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Borgarnes. It is the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe and a magnificent place to admire Iceland's volcanic forces.

Near this dramatic geothermal area are the twin waterfalls of Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Despite their proximity, the fury and power of Barnafoss' flow, which thunders down a narrow canyon, completely contrasts with the serene trickles of Hraunfossar—the latter streams calmly through a field of lava.

Though there's plenty to sightsee, it's possible to make your final full day in the country even more unforgettable with one of these three tours.

The first is a super jeep tour up the slopes of Langjokull glacier to explore its incredible Ice Tunnel. Carved by hand and machine, it's the only construction of its kind that's open to guests. The intensities of the blues and whites of the ice and the perfect creation of the corridors and chambers make this a unique and mesmerizing experience.

Alternatively, you can join a tour of the spectacular Vidgelmir lava cave. On this expedition, you'll explore a tunnel left over by a dramatic volcanic eruption and stand in awe at the resulting formations and striking colors. 

Finally, you can join the Into the Volcano tour, a lava-caving experience you can only find in Iceland. Using a mining lift, you'll be escorted into the unbelievably vast, kaleidoscopic world inside the magma chamber of a dormant volcano. An incredibly rare formation discovered purely by chance, it is one of the few places in the world as memorable and phenomenal.

Once you've witnessed every nook of West Iceland, you'll return to Reykjavik. If you still have some energy left, make the most of the midnight sun and explore the beautiful streets of this cultural capital.