A 12-Days Round Iceland Self-Drive Trip Itinerary

Day 1 

Moscow-Riga-Reykjavik : all necessary preparations

I took AirBaltic, a budget airline which serves indirect flight from Moscow with transit in Riga, Latvia before reaching Keflavik International Airport. 

Upon reaching in the late noon, we settled our car rental and visited the petrol stations, shops for groceries, internet and then we basically just wandered around Keflavik area and the capital.

Read More: How to rent a car in Iceland with these 7 tips

Guess what, you may choose to explore either clockwise or anticlockwise around Iceland and as for us, anticlockwise!


Here we go!!!

Day 2 

Golden Ring Road -Pingvellier - Geysir - Gullfoss - Kerio Crater

The famous Golden Ring Road in Iceland which serves major tourist attractions. A must-to-go in Iceland!!!
Don’t put too high hope on Pingvellier National Park as I found it a bit boring, at least to me!



Day 3 

Seljalandsfoss - Gljufurarfoss - Skogafoss - Hella - Solheimajokull - Solheimasandur - Dyrholaey - Vik

We basically covered much of South Iceland on Day 3 with many waterfalls (Foss means waterfall in Icelandic!) and also the famous Solheimasandur plane crash site. We walked for almost approximately 3 km to the site in harsh weather conditions as the day was stormy and cold.

Day 4 

Reynisfjara (Black Sand Beach)-  Vik Church - Kirkjugolfid   Stjornafoss - Fjadrargljufur - Skeidararsandur - Fjallsarlon  Solheimajokull - Jokulsarlon Lagoon - Diamond Beach - Hofn  -Seyoisfjordur 

Black Sand Beach is good for a stroll to see the growling Atlantic Ocean and Fjadrargljurfur is definitely a canyon with cascading streams that worth a visit.
Day 4 was a day of Ice (sarlon means Ice/Glacier in Icelandic) where we witnessed most of the amazing glaciers and ice, not to mention the Diamond Beach where ices were spread widely across the beach, even though in the summer season.
As we crossed by Hofn (a seafood city) to reach Vestrahorn, a famous photography site for mountains, we decided not to venture into Vestrahorn as the weather was misty and rainy, hence making it worthless to travel there. Do make a point to visit here for you!!!



Day 5 

Gufufoss Walk - Seyoisfjordur’s fjords and city sight-seeing - Snaefellsnes(for puffin-watching)

Gufufoss is the famous waterfall in the northeast city of Seyoisfjordur, a peaceful and beautiful town, greatly endowed with Scandinavian fjords capped in snow. 
In case you couldn’t reach Westfjords, make a point to go Snaefellsnes for puffin-watching!

Day 6 

Dettifoss - Selfoss -  Namafjall - Viti Crater - Grjotagja - Husavik

Northeast region is warmer compared to other regions due to its abundant geothermal energy.  Here, we visited different waterfalls. 

For more details please read : 5 Must Visit Destinations in NorthEast Iceland


Day 7 

Myvatyn Bath - Godafoss - Akureyri - Hvitserkur Dynjandi - Solheimasandur (plane) - Latrabjarg - Brunna

For more details about places in northwest Iceland, please read: 

The Uncharted Region of Iceland: Westfjords and North 

Latrabjarg is a must-go place for puffin-watching in Iceland, and in fact, in the world.
We stayed in Brunna, a free camping site and were offered free grilled sausages by a couple from Sweden. Thanks!!! What a splendid evening we have spent on Day 7.

Day 8 

Stykkisholmur - Kirkjufell  Londrangar  Hellisandur Fisherman’s Park Pufubjarg Hellnar  

For day 8, we finally reached the west region of Iceland and to be frank, west region of Iceland is a bit dull as compared to other regions as you are getting more accustomed to the landscapes and nature sights of Iceland. 


Day 9 

Barnafoss - Hraunfossar - Akranes 

Barnafoss and Hraunfossar are two beautiful waterfall lying side by side and I basically prefer Hraunfossar than Barnafoss. We made a pitstop in Akranes and spent half free day in Akranes. It was time to rejuvenate ourselves as we were getting tired already after days of camping and staying in the car with low sleep quality.



Day 10 

Reykjavik City Tour

We finally reached the capital and it’s time to explore this city at its best!
City Hall, a stroll around the city, Perlan for city view, Hallgrimskirkja Church, LodrangarChurch and Kringlan Shopping Centre, just to name them about where we went in the city!

Day 11 

Blue Lagoon - Viking Museum - Viking World - Icelandic Feast 

We didn’t spend to enter Blue Lagoon but just to visit and take pictures of this beautiful place. It was time for us to explore some Viking-ness in Iceland and we ended the day with Icelandic Gourmet Feast before leaving Iceland.

Read more: Icelandic Gourmet Feast

Day 12 

Iceland  Keflavik International Airport

We returned our car early in the morning and headed our ways to the airport.
Thanks for the wonderful memories, Iceland!!!

Going to Iceland? 

Learn how to

Find the cheapest Flight Tickets to Iceland 

budget an independent Iceland Trip (Renting a Car)

📌For more travel tips, like Eat Love Travel Breathe with Miss HappyFeet. 

📌Subscribe to the monthly newsletter for exclusive travel deals, tips, free E-books, monthly giveaway and travel coupons! 

________________________________________________________________________________

Thank You for Reading! 

This post is written by MHF Contributor, Wong Wai Hoe. 

Feel free to share your thoughts with us by commenting below!