Full Circle Ireland: The Classic Route

Upon arrival at Keflavík Airport, your self-drive car will be waiting for you at the airport. If you arrive early in the day, you have the option to upgrade and visit the Blue Lagoon (this is optional and not included). 

After checking into your accommodation, explore Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main street, where you can enjoy its diverse shops and cozy cafes.

Overnight stay in Reykjavík.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• The Black Pearl Reykjavik 
• Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavík Keflavík Airport
• Konvin Hotel by Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
• City Center Hotel 3*
• Hotel Cabin 2*
• Hotel Klettur 3*

Pick up your rental car in the morning and set off to explore the iconic Golden Circle route, featuring some of Iceland’s top attractions. Begin at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk along the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to the Haukadalur geothermal area to see the famous Geysir and its active counterpart, Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. Conclude your tour with visits to the stunning Gullfoss waterfall and the ancient implosion crater of Kerið.

Spend the night in the Hvolsvöllur area.

Driving distance: approx. 230 km / 143 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Hótel Drangshlíð – South Iceland
• Boutique Hotel Anna by EJ Hotels
• Brú Guesthouse
• Hótel Fljótshlíð
• Hellishólar & Hótel Eyjafjallajökull

Begin your day with visits to the enchanting Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the misty cascade, and the impressive 60-meter Skógafoss waterfall nearby. Continue to Vík to explore the black volcanic beach, offering views of the dramatic rock formations Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar. Finish your day at the breathtaking Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. Optionally, join a thrilling guided glacier excursion, either on foot or by snowmobile!

Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur/Skaftafell area.

Driving distance: approx. 157 km / 97 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Arctic Exclusive Ranch
• Ferðaþjónustan Hunkubakkar ehf
• Hólaskjól
• Hörgsland
• Klausturhof Guesthouse
• Magma Hotel
• Hotel Klaustur

Explore Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, renowned for its stunning beauty and hiking trails, including a short walk to Svartifoss waterfall. For those seeking adventure, consider a guided glacier walk or ice-climbing excursion. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where you can optionally take a boat ride among the floating icebergs.

Spend the night in the Höfn or Djúpivogur area.

Driving distance: approx. 208 km / 129 mi..

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Berjaya Höfn Hótel / Hótel Höfn 

Embark on a scenic drive through East Iceland, where you’ll encounter serene fishing villages, narrow fjords, and rugged tundra. Upon reaching North Iceland, be captivated by Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, accessible via a 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) gravel path leading to a dramatic viewpoint.

Continue your exploration at Lake Mývatn, discovering the bubbling Námaskarð pass, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, and the impressive pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar. This day promises awe-inspiring geological wonders.

Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.

Driving distance: approx. 435 km / 270 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Fosshotel Mývatn / Berjaya Hotel – Mývatn

Dedicate today to delving deeper into the wonders around Lake Mývatn. Consider driving through the Jökulsárgljúfur region of Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll encounter stunning landscapes including the majestic Ásbyrgi canyon, a horseshoe-shaped formation carved by ancient glaciers. Alternatively, embark on a whale watching tour from the nearby village of Húsavík, renowned as “the whale watching capital of Europe.”

Spend another night in the Lake Mývatn area.

Driving distance: approx. 250 km / 155 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Fosshotel Mývatn / Berjaya Hotel – Mývatn

Begin your day at Goðafoss, the stunning “Waterfall of the Gods,” before heading to the charming town of Akureyri. Here, explore unique shops, intriguing museums, and a beautiful botanical garden. Next, travel to Tröllaskagi (the “Peninsula of the Trolls”), renowned for its dramatic landscapes featuring majestic mountains, rugged cliffs, and expansive fjords. Continue through Siglufjörður, historically a hub for Iceland’s herring fleet, and if time allows, relax in the thermal pool at Hofsós. Finally, arrive in Skagafjörður, famous for its purebred Icelandic horses, and keep an eye out for these elegant animals.

Spend the night in the Skagafjörður area.

Driving distance: approx. 255 km / 158 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• Hótel Blönduós – Laugarós

Travel to Snæfellsnes Peninsula today, passing by the intriguing mounds of Vatnsdalshólar and the picturesque Þingeyrakirkja church. Along the way, consider visiting the living museum at Eiríksstaðir, the historic home of the Viking Erik the Red, and the geothermal pool of Guðrúnarlaug. Alternatively, stop by Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing village overlooking Breiðafjörður Bay. Climb the small hill of Súgandisey for stunning panoramic views of the town, the bay, and the surrounding mountains.

Spend the night on Snæfellsnes Peninsula or in the Borgarfjörður area.

Driving distance: approx. 335 km / 208 mi.

Explore the captivating Snæfellsjökull National Park, renowned for its diverse birdlife, lush valleys, and rugged lava fields. Spend the day driving around the peninsula to visit notable sites such as Dritvík Cove, Lóndrangar Cliffs, and the dramatic Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs, all teeming with birdlife. You might also want to test your strength at the ancient stones on the black volcanic beach of Djúpalónssandur, much like seafarers did in the past.

Return to Reykjavík for the night.

Driving distance: approx. 219 km / 136 mi.

HOTEL OPTIONS & STAR RATING

• The Black Pearl Reykjavik 
• Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavík Keflavík Airport
• Konvin Hotel by Reykjavik Keflavik Airport
• City Center Hotel 3*
• Hotel Cabin 2*
• Hotel Klettur 3*

As your unforgettable Iceland adventure comes to a close, enjoy a smooth and stress-free final day behind the wheel. If time allows, consider stopping at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to soak in its warm, mineral-rich waters—surrounded by a stunning lava field. It’s the perfect way to unwind before heading home (optional and not included).

After your visit, continue your drive to the airport, return your rental car, and prepare for departure—ending your journey with ease and flexibility.