West Iceland and Golden Circle Road Trip

Upon your arrival at Keflavik airport, pick up your rental car and drive 45 minutes to reach the city for an overnight stay. At Reykjavik, you will have the chance to explore the Icelandic capital at your own pace. You could begin your day with a visit to the splendid Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral and enjoy beautiful views of the city from the observation deck at the top of the cathedral. Or head to Harpa Concert Hall, one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks, for a private guided tour or a live performance. Laugavegur street is worth a visit thanks to its boutique stores and hip restaurants. Don't forget to check out the quirky street art lining the paths along the downtown area.

After breakfast, drive yourself from Reykjavík to Hvolsvöllur. En route, you have the chance to stop and enjoy the Golden Circle at your own pace. Begin your exploration at the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park and visit the Haukadalur valley which is home to the Great Geysir and the intensely active Strokkur Geysir. Afterward, drive on to the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall that gushes down into the Hvita river canyon. This glacial waterfall with its dual-layer cascade offers ample opportunities for you to test your photography skills. Continue on to the small town of Hvolsvöllur where you will be staying for the night.

On your next day, hop onto a purebred Icelandic horse in Skálakot and enjoy the picturesque surroundings. Fresh mountain air and stunning views await you and a little distance away you can visit Írárfoss waterfall as well. Back in Skálakot, there is lunch and a cup of refreshing coffee at the restaurant on the farm and then return to your hotel or Hvolsvöllur town.

In the morning, leave Hvolsvöllur behind and drive yourself down the scenic road to Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Also called ‘Iceland in Miniature,’ this picturesque region is dotted with charming fishing hamlets, historic villages, and towns along the rugged yet beautiful Atlantic coastline. En route, discover the diverse landscape at Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls and Kirkjufell Mountain, Skardsvik beach with its golden sands, and the hexagonal Gerduberg Basalt Columns, a cluster of geological formations formed thousands of years ago by lava flows. You'll be staying overnight in the town of Stykkishólmur.

On the next day, enjoy sailing down the iconic Nordic coastal landscape, passing the rugged islands around Breiðafjörður. Look out for sea birds, including arctic terns, puffins, shags and eider ducks. If you’re lucky, you could spot a white-tailed eagle soaring above. Afterward, you can choose to drive back to the hotel or linger in town for a hot meal.

From Snaefellsnes Peninsula, drive 1.5 hours to reach Borgarfjörður, a stunning fjord in West Iceland. Here, you will explore Langjokull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier! Board a special glacier vehicle at Husafell Center and journey up the white snow-covered slopes with an experienced guide leading the way. Venture deep into man-made ice tunnels and reach the blue heart of the glacier, where you can spend some time admiring the rare sight. Stroll through the many ice caves and learn about glacial environments from your guide. Afterward, head back to Husafell where you will be staying overnight.

This morning, bid adieu to Borgarfjörður and make your way to Reykjanes in Southwest Iceland, towards the airport where you can leave your rental car and board your flight home.