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9 days - Self Drive highlights of Iceland, done simply.
Experience Iceland with the kids on an unforgettable drive, being your own master to decide stops and highlights. You self-drive the detailed itinerary with unlimited mileage and all accommodation is arranged in local small hotels.
Highlights include the Golden Circle region, National parks and family friendly places to visit. Whale watching, cave tour and lots of swimming (hot springs and pools) can make this a great family holiday.
Highlights include
- Spot seals basking on the beach at Vatnsnes peninsula
- Explore the caves at Vatnshellir
- Silent Whale Watching Safari
- Visit Akureyri town, the capital of the north!
- Drive through spectacular scenery and visit volcanic sites by lake Mývatn
- View the tall mountains and friendly fishing villages of the East Fjords
- Marvel at the floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and explore the Fjallsárlón Glacier on a zodiac boat tour
- Day 1
- Arrive Reykjavik and pick up hire car
- Day 2
- West Iceland with the Vatnshellir cave tour
- Day 3
- Northwest Iceland & Akureyri
- Days 4 - 5
- Lake Mývatn and Whale Watching
- Day 6
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Day 7
- Vatnajökull National Park
- Day 8
- South Iceland with a Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon boat tour
- Day 9
- Explore the Golden Circle
- Day 10
- Return car to the airport and depart
- Start/End Place
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Country Visited
- Iceland
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Code
- 50DN0445
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Details
Transportation
Skoda Octavia Combi, family size or similar (Category DD1). Upgrades to 4WD are possible.
Included
- 8 nights accommodation, rooms with private facilities incl. breakfast.
- Rental manual car for 9 days, with unlimited milage and CDW insurance, pick up & drop off in Reykjavik Airport.
- Whale watching tour (3 - 3.5 hours)
- Vatnshellir Cave Tour
- Mývatn Nature Baths admission
- Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fees
Not Included
- Flights to and from Iceland
- Meals other than specified
- Personal travel insurance
- Extra car insurance, such as S-CDW and gravel protection
- If you wish to hire an automatic car, these are 'on request' and can be difficult to obtain. Please seek further advice with us.
- If you are planning on visiting the Blue Lagoon, book early for your final day or we can help you.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Reykjavik and pick up hire car
Arrive in Reykjavik and pick up hire car. Drive into tour and settle into your hotel.
Explore the city's attractions: Tjörnin Lake, Hallgrímskirkja church tower, the old harbour and Harpa Concert & Conference Centre. Or head to one of the many pools in town or even the artificial beach, Nauthólsvík which has hot tubs next to the water- be brave and jump from one to the other. Reykjavík Art Museum is free for under 18's and has a lovely cafe.
Restaurants
Optional Add Ons
Day 2 - West Iceland with the Vatnshellir cave tour
Today, explore the pearls of West Iceland, starting with Borgarfjörður, whose every single corner is tied to a surfeit of sagas and stories, adding depth and mystery to the region. Depending on how much you want to drive, you can visit Reykholt, one of Iceland's most notable historical sites, housing a cultural centre dedicated to medieval studies, along with a nice quaint church and an ancient geothermally-heated pool. Let your mind wander to the magnificent contrasts of the blue waters of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls and surrounding snow-covered lava cliffs.
Join the Vatnshellir cave tour, an hour long exploration of this 8000 year old lava tube created during a volcanic eruption in a crater in the Purkhólar crater family. The cave is right next to the volcanic crater, which is just 500 meters away.
If time allows, you can visit the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum before arriving at your hotel in Stykkishólmur.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Accommodation for one night family room at Fosshotel StykkishólmurDay 3 - Northwest Iceland & Akureyri
View the majestic Hvítserkur Cliff off Vatnsnes peninsula that legend claims is a petrified troll. Seals can be seen basking on the shore but the area is one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. Tour Skagafjörður, an area known for its horse breeding so keep an eye out for the Icelandic horse, visit the old farmhouse museum at Glaumbær and the old turf Víðimýrarkirkja Church. End the day at Akureyri, a charming town that has beautiful landmarks and great restaurants.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Accommodation at the Berjaya Akureryi Family RoomDays 4 - 5 - Lake Mývatn and Whale Watching
Head to the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park, which includes some of the most spectacular and diverse sights in Iceland such as Ásbyrgi Canyon, Hljóðaklettar Cliffs and the stunning landscapes before driving onwards through the mystical barren landscape of Möðrudalsöræfi on your way to Egilsstaðir town.
Today you will also join a Húsavík Silent Whale Watching tour. Discover the magnificent nature of Skjalfandi bay observing whales, dolphins and sea birds in their natural habitat. Enjoy the smooth, safe sailing of a traditional Icelandic oak boat and treat your self to a cup of hot cocoa and traditional Icelandic scones.
Meals
2 BreakfastsAccommodation
Accommodation in Lake Mývatn areaDay 6 - Mývatn Nature Baths
Slow down for the day and spend time relaxing together at the Mývatn Nature Baths, admission included. Drawing on a centuries-old tradition, Mývatn Nature Baths offer bathers a completely natural experience that begins with a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the Earth's surface, and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2.500 meters.
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 7 - Vatnajökull National Park
The drive along the Eastfjords is truly beautiful and breathtaking with dramatic mountains, narrow fjords and quaint fishing villages. Visit Djúpivogur from where you can view Papey Island a nature reserve of seabirds and eider ducks, Seyðisfjörður, surrounded by sheer mountains, or Fáskrúðsfjörður, which has a great view of a hollow cliff island, Skrúður. Continue southward to Höfn town set in stunning scenery and famous for its delicious lobster.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Accommodation in Vatnajökull areaDay 8 - South Iceland with a Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon boat tour
This morning, continue your drive towards the southern town of Vik. On the way stop by the Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the biggest glacial lagoon of its kind with its towering icebergs on the lagoon. Stop at the less crowded Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon for an exciting zodiac boat tour, before continuing to Skaftafell National Park, Iceland’s most popular wilderness area. This is the ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities as there are both short and easy trails that lead to Svartifoss Waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull Glacier.
Relish in the marvellous views of the south coast and one of the country’s most beautiful attractions including Vík village and Dyrhólaey Peninsula.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Accommodation in family rooms near VíkDay 9 - Explore the Golden Circle
Discover the inland by driving through the fertile farmlands and settings of famous sagas. Spend the day exploring the Golden Circle area which comprises of the beautiful Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir hot spring area and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to visit Skálholt one of the most important places in Iceland throughout the Middle Ages and Kerið, a volcanic crater lake.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hótel Grímsborgir 2 bedroom apartmentDay 10 - Return car to the airport and depart
This morning, return to the airport and deliver your hire car.
Meals
1 BreakfastAdult prices are twin share per person unless otherwise specified. Please ask us for your child price which will apply when travelling with 2 adults between the age of 2 & 11 years of age. Due to the current volatility of the Icelandic Króna (ISK), this price is indicative. We are happy to individually tailor make and quote this tour for you
30 Sep 2025
Important Information
Activities included are for 5 years old and up.
Please let us know if you wish to prebook any optional activities before departure; some get very busy during the peak summer period. This itinerary is fast moving with considerable driving so if you wish to slow down and add a few more days with children friendly activities, please let us know.
- Horse-riding
- Inside the Volcano
- Blue Lagoon
- Fly Fishing
- Glacier walks
- Kayaking
- Seal Safaris
- River Rafting
- Bird Watching
Driving in Iceland:
In regards to gravel roads; technically you’re not recommended to take a hire car on gravel roads, but in Iceland you may not have a choice. Some guesthouses are located on gravel roads. Consider getting extra car insurance with gravel protection if it is something that might worry you.
The hire car cannot be driven in the Highlands area. If you wish to 4WD, please ask us about our Highlands Self-Drive itinerary.
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Travel Safe
Travel Insurance and Safety
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.