The Untamed Edge of Iceland – Winter
Experience Iceland’s untouched northern charm and iconic western wonders in this immersive 8-day self-drive tour. From the geothermal magic of Mývatn and whale-filled bays of Húsavík to the dramatic cliffs of Snæfellsnes and iconic Golden Circle, this winter escape combines nature, culture, and relaxation—all at your own pace.
Guided
Self-Drive (Not Guided)
Custom Dates /Fixed Dates
November - April
Price
Starting from £1,200 - £1,700 per person
Price Detail
7 nights accommodation with breakfast
Flights
Rental car with unlimited mileage
Detailed itinerary, driving map
24/7 emergency support line
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland
Your memorable adventure in Iceland begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Once you have picked up your rental vehicle, you will head directly for Reykjavík, the colorful capital city of Iceland. If your flight arrives early enough, we have a great suggestion for starting your trip off the right way: plan a visit to Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon (book online at www.bluelagoon.com) or to the Sky Lagoon, the newest spa and wellness attraction situated just a short drive from Reykjavík. Be sure to pack your swimsuit, so you can take a relaxing dip in either of those spa’s soothing geothermal waters before heading to your hotel.
Driving distance / time: approx. 50 km / 45 minutes
Overnight: in Reykjavík
Suggested add-ons, on request: Sky Lagoon; FlyOver Iceland
Day 2: Reykjavík – Akureyri
From Reykjavík, you drive along road n°1 towards Borgarnes and the Borgarfjördur region. Continue over Höltavörduheidi mountain pass to reach the North coast. The road winds between the waters of the Arctic Ocean and landscapes shaped during the last ice age. Marshy moorlands, rounded mountains, and farmland succeed each other until you reach the Skagafjördur fjord area, known for exceptional horse breeding. Continue along road n°1 and over Öxnadalsheidi mountain pass to reach Eyjafjördur fjord and the town of Akureyri, the “capital of the North”. Depending on local weather conditions, this first night away from the light pollution of Reykjavík, will give you your first best opportunity to observe northern lights, this mesmerizing natural phenomenon also known as aurora borealis (until mid-April).
Driving distance / time: approx. 380 km / 5 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Forest Lagoon
Day 3: Mývatn & Húsavík
Head towards Lake Mývatn and its many natural wonders, including fantastic volcanic formations, geothermal activity, and the lake itself. Depending on snow condition and accessibility of sites, take a walk around the pseudo-craters of Skútustadir, or through the labyrinthine lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the “dark citadel.” Next, visit the geothermal area of Námaskard, where numerous solfataras, fumaroles, and bubbling mud pots emit strong sulfuric odours. Alternatively, you can head to the village of Húsavík in Skjálfandi Bay. From there, you can go on a winter whale watching cruise (in November
or March-April) and/or enjoy GeoSea geothermal baths. Halfway between Akureyri and Mývatn or Húsavík, plan a stop at Godafoss waterfall, a beautiful site where the Skjálfandi river has created a magnificent arrangement of cascades.
Driving distance / time: approx. 200 km / 2,5-3 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Dog sledding; Snowshoeing hike in
Mývatn; Mývan Nature Baths; Whale Watching from Húsavík; GeoSea
Day 4: Eyjafjördur & Tröllaskagi
Drive along the shores of Eyjafjördur and Tröllaskagi, the “Peninsula of the trolls”, with its majestic mountains and deep valleys, sculpted a long time ago by the glaciers of the last ice age. From the harbour of Árskógssandur, you can go on a whale watching tour (except from Dec. 15 until Jan. 31) or soak in a beer bath at the local Beer Spa. In Siglufjördur, you can visit the Herring Era Museum (by appointment in winter: www.sild.is/en/hours/), a fascinating exhibition dedicated to the glorious era of Iceland’s herring fisheries and industry, from the early to mid-1900s.
Driving distance / time: max. 150 km / 2,5 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Whale Watching Cruise from
Árskógssandur; Beer Spa
Day 5: Skagafjördur – Borgarfjördur
West of Akureyri and Öxnadalsheidi mountain pass, explore the neighbourhing fjord of Skagafjördur. In the charming village of Hofsós, go for a swim at the local swimming-pool. Overlooking the fjord of Skagafjördur, it is one of the most scenic in Iceland. In Glaumbær, visit a restored traditionnal turf farm from the 19th century (by appointment in winter: www.glaumbaer.is/is/en). Continue back along road n°1 towards the Borgarfjördur region, in the western parts of Iceland. Take some time exploring this area. You can make a detour to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Further away, discover Hraunfossar waterfalls where the water flows out from underneath a lava field into the river below.
Driving distance / time: approx. 400 km / 4-5 hours
Overnight: in Borgarfjördur area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Krauma Spa
Day 6: Snæfellsnes
From Borgarnes, make your way to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for the majestic Snæfell volcano. Spend the day exploring the numerous places of interest including the basalt pillars of Gerduberg, the lovely wooden church of Búdir, and Arnarstapi, a small fishing village, where basalt columns have been eroded by the pounding waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. Take a stroll at Djúpalónssandur black sand beach and at Skardsvík, its white sand counterpart. Then drive along the north shore of the peninsula, passing through fishing villages and discovering beautiful mountains such as Kirkjufell. Return to Borgarnes and Borgarfjördur area.
Driving distance / time: approx. 300 km / 4 hours
Overnight: in Borgarfjördur area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Vatnshellir lava cave
Day 7: Borgarfjördur – Golden Circle – Reykjavík
Complete your visits in Borgarfjördur area before heading back to Reykjavík and explore some of the attractions that Iceland’s capital has to offer.
Alternatively, especially if this is your first trip to Iceland, do take some time to discover the Golden Circle area and some of the most famous natural sites of Iceland. Drive to Thingvellir National Park, one of the geological wonders of the world. Here, you can see the effects of the movements of tectonic plates. Observe various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. Continue to Geysir geothermal area where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. Afterwards you only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, surely one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Driving distance / time: approx. 150-280 km / 2-4 hours
Overnight: in Reykjavík
Day 8: Departure
It is now time to head back home, after an amazing journey through some of the world’s most picturesque landscapes. Drive to Keflavík International Airport and return your rental car before your flight home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to enjoy your last day strolling around Reykjavík or discover some of its attractions.
Driving distance / time: approx. 50 km / 45 minutes
This self-drive itinerary is ideal for winter travelers seeking both adventure and comfort. Weather may affect route accessibility; flexibility is key. Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed, but this tour gives you excellent chances to witness them away from city lights.
Overview
Guided
Self-Drive (Not Guided)
Custom Dates /Fixed Dates
November - April
Prices
Price
Starting from £1,200 - £1,700 per person
Price Detail
7 nights accommodation with breakfast Flights Rental car with unlimited mileage Detailed itinerary, driving map 24/7 emergency support line
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland
Your memorable adventure in Iceland begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Once you have picked up your rental vehicle, you will head directly for Reykjavík, the colorful capital city of Iceland. If your flight arrives early enough, we have a great suggestion for starting your trip off the right way: plan a visit to Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon (book online at www.bluelagoon.com) or to the Sky Lagoon, the newest spa and wellness attraction situated just a short drive from Reykjavík. Be sure to pack your swimsuit, so you can take a relaxing dip in either of those spa’s soothing geothermal waters before heading to your hotel.
Driving distance / time: approx. 50 km / 45 minutes
Overnight: in Reykjavík
Suggested add-ons, on request: Sky Lagoon; FlyOver Iceland
Day 2: Reykjavík – Akureyri
From Reykjavík, you drive along road n°1 towards Borgarnes and the Borgarfjördur region. Continue over Höltavörduheidi mountain pass to reach the North coast. The road winds between the waters of the Arctic Ocean and landscapes shaped during the last ice age. Marshy moorlands, rounded mountains, and farmland succeed each other until you reach the Skagafjördur fjord area, known for exceptional horse breeding. Continue along road n°1 and over Öxnadalsheidi mountain pass to reach Eyjafjördur fjord and the town of Akureyri, the “capital of the North”. Depending on local weather conditions, this first night away from the light pollution of Reykjavík, will give you your first best opportunity to observe northern lights, this mesmerizing natural phenomenon also known as aurora borealis (until mid-April).
Driving distance / time: approx. 380 km / 5 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Forest Lagoon
Day 3: Mývatn & Húsavík
Head towards Lake Mývatn and its many natural wonders, including fantastic volcanic formations, geothermal activity, and the lake itself. Depending on snow condition and accessibility of sites, take a walk around the pseudo-craters of Skútustadir, or through the labyrinthine lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the “dark citadel.” Next, visit the geothermal area of Námaskard, where numerous solfataras, fumaroles, and bubbling mud pots emit strong sulfuric odours. Alternatively, you can head to the village of Húsavík in Skjálfandi Bay. From there, you can go on a winter whale watching cruise (in November
or March-April) and/or enjoy GeoSea geothermal baths. Halfway between Akureyri and Mývatn or Húsavík, plan a stop at Godafoss waterfall, a beautiful site where the Skjálfandi river has created a magnificent arrangement of cascades.
Driving distance / time: approx. 200 km / 2,5-3 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Dog sledding; Snowshoeing hike in
Mývatn; Mývan Nature Baths; Whale Watching from Húsavík; GeoSea
Day 4: Eyjafjördur & Tröllaskagi
Drive along the shores of Eyjafjördur and Tröllaskagi, the “Peninsula of the trolls”, with its majestic mountains and deep valleys, sculpted a long time ago by the glaciers of the last ice age. From the harbour of Árskógssandur, you can go on a whale watching tour (except from Dec. 15 until Jan. 31) or soak in a beer bath at the local Beer Spa. In Siglufjördur, you can visit the Herring Era Museum (by appointment in winter: www.sild.is/en/hours/), a fascinating exhibition dedicated to the glorious era of Iceland’s herring fisheries and industry, from the early to mid-1900s.
Driving distance / time: max. 150 km / 2,5 hours
Overnight: in Akureyri area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Whale Watching Cruise from
Árskógssandur; Beer Spa
Day 5: Skagafjördur – Borgarfjördur
West of Akureyri and Öxnadalsheidi mountain pass, explore the neighbourhing fjord of Skagafjördur. In the charming village of Hofsós, go for a swim at the local swimming-pool. Overlooking the fjord of Skagafjördur, it is one of the most scenic in Iceland. In Glaumbær, visit a restored traditionnal turf farm from the 19th century (by appointment in winter: www.glaumbaer.is/is/en). Continue back along road n°1 towards the Borgarfjördur region, in the western parts of Iceland. Take some time exploring this area. You can make a detour to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Further away, discover Hraunfossar waterfalls where the water flows out from underneath a lava field into the river below.
Driving distance / time: approx. 400 km / 4-5 hours
Overnight: in Borgarfjördur area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Krauma Spa
Day 6: Snæfellsnes
From Borgarnes, make your way to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for the majestic Snæfell volcano. Spend the day exploring the numerous places of interest including the basalt pillars of Gerduberg, the lovely wooden church of Búdir, and Arnarstapi, a small fishing village, where basalt columns have been eroded by the pounding waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. Take a stroll at Djúpalónssandur black sand beach and at Skardsvík, its white sand counterpart. Then drive along the north shore of the peninsula, passing through fishing villages and discovering beautiful mountains such as Kirkjufell. Return to Borgarnes and Borgarfjördur area.
Driving distance / time: approx. 300 km / 4 hours
Overnight: in Borgarfjördur area
Suggested add-ons, on request: Vatnshellir lava cave
Day 7: Borgarfjördur – Golden Circle – Reykjavík
Complete your visits in Borgarfjördur area before heading back to Reykjavík and explore some of the attractions that Iceland’s capital has to offer.
Alternatively, especially if this is your first trip to Iceland, do take some time to discover the Golden Circle area and some of the most famous natural sites of Iceland. Drive to Thingvellir National Park, one of the geological wonders of the world. Here, you can see the effects of the movements of tectonic plates. Observe various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. Continue to Geysir geothermal area where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. Afterwards you only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, surely one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Driving distance / time: approx. 150-280 km / 2-4 hours
Overnight: in Reykjavík
Day 8: Departure
It is now time to head back home, after an amazing journey through some of the world’s most picturesque landscapes. Drive to Keflavík International Airport and return your rental car before your flight home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to enjoy your last day strolling around Reykjavík or discover some of its attractions.
Driving distance / time: approx. 50 km / 45 minutes
Need to Know
This self-drive itinerary is ideal for winter travelers seeking both adventure and comfort. Weather may affect route accessibility; flexibility is key. Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed, but this tour gives you excellent chances to witness them away from city lights.
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