Iceland Ring Road and Westfjords trip

Kick off your Iceland travel adventure on the Golden Circle with tailor-made experiences that introduce the country’s geology and energy from the very first day. Visit Thingvellir National Park in the rift between tectonic plates, continue to the Geysir geothermal area to see Strokkur erupt, and stop at mighty Gullfoss waterfall before finishing at the vivid Kerid crater lake.

Add a visit to Hveragerdi for hot springs and local culture, then personalize the day with your choice of geothermal baths, a lava cave tour, snowmobiling, horse riding, or Silfra snorkeling.

Visit two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Walk behind the curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss, then continue to Skogafoss, where rainbows often appear in the mist.

Carry on to Reynisfjara to explore the black sands and view the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, then finish at Dyrholaey’s cliffs for sweeping coastal panoramas and possible puffin sightings in season. As you follow Route 1, keep an eye out for views of Eyjafjallajokull, Hekla, and Katla.

Explore Southeast Iceland, home to some of the best places to visit in Iceland for glaciers, waterfalls, and dramatic coastal scenery. In Skaftafell Nature Reserve at the foot of Vatnajokull, enjoy scenic hikes to Svartifoss and the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue.

Continue to the moss-covered Fjadrargljufur canyon, then end at the glittering Jokulsarlon lagoon and nearby Breidamerkurfjara Diamond Beach for unforgettable iceberg views.

Travel through the dramatic Eastfjords, where towering mountains drop into quiet fjords and small fishing villages feel wonderfully local. Make time for a detour to Seydisfjordur, then continue to remote Mjoifjordur for peaceful roads and sweeping coastal views.

Stop in Egilsstadir beside Lake Lagarfljot, home to the region’s famous monster legend, and wander Hallormsstadaskogur forest. For a more active day, hike to Hengifoss waterfall or visit Studlagil canyon to admire its basalt columns and bright blue glacial river.

Experience the volcanic wonders of Lake Myvatn. Walk through the steaming geothermal fields at Hverir and across the lunar Leirhnjukur lava plain, then wander among Dimmuborgir’s dramatic lava towers and the Skutustadagigar pseudo craters.

Finish at Grjotagja, a lava cave with a geothermal spring made famous by Game of Thrones.

Drive the Diamond Circle to some of North Iceland’s most dramatic sights. Start at Dettifoss, often described as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, then follow the 25 km Jokulsargljufur canyon to Asbyrgi’s horseshoe-shaped cliffs and the turquoise Botnstjorn pond.

Continue into Vesturdalur to explore Hljodaklettar’s striking basalt columns and the colorful Raudholar hills. End in Husavik, a charming fishing village known as Iceland’s whale watching capital, and unwind in the GeoSea geothermal sea baths overlooking the bay.

Spend the day in the historic valleys of Dalir, linked to Eirikur the Red and his son Leifur Eiriksson. Follow the quiet coastal roads of Fellsstrond and Skardsstrond for sweeping views across Breidafjordur, with Snaefellsnes and the Westfjords stretching on the horizon.

Continue into remote Strandir, a region known for its dramatic emptiness and enduring folklore of sorcery.

Explore the dramatic fjords of Isafjordur Bay and spend time in the charming town of Isafjordur. Stop at Hvitanes cape to spot curious seals, then savour famous waffles at Litlibaer, the cosy turf-roofed cafe.

Continue to Sudavik to meet the arctic fox, and finish with a scenic hike through Valagil gorge.

Isafjordur, the heart of the Northern Westfjords, is an ideal base for authentic, tailor-made experiences on your Iceland itinerary. Visit Bolungarvik and the Osvor maritime museum, then stroll through Flateyri and along golden Holt beach with views over Onundarfjordur.

Continue to Sudureyri and the remote shores of Sugandafjordur, and end the day dining at Tjoruhusid, the renowned fish restaurant set in a heritage house.

Drive through the dramatic fjords of Arnarfjordur, Dyrafjordur, and Onundarfjordur, crossing high mountain passes and pausing in small fishing villages for short walks, local flavour, and photo stops. The day’s highlight is Dynjandi, a stunning tiered waterfall with easy trails that bring you close to the cascades and the sweeping fjord views.

Continue into the Southern Westfjords for unforgettable coastal scenery. Walk along Latrabjarg, Iceland’s westernmost cliffs, for outstanding birdwatching and close-up puffin photos in season. Then head to Raudasandur to stroll the red sands and look for seals, before ending the day unwinding on the golden beaches of Breidavik and Orlygshofn.

Explore the 90 km long Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often called Iceland in miniature for the variety of landscapes packed into one route. See the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano, stop at photogenic Kirkjufell and its waterfall near Grundarfjordur, and visit the striking black church at Budir.

Continue along the coast to Djupalonssandur’s beaches and rock formations, with scenic stops in Hellnar and Arnarstapi, then drive through the lava fields of Berserkjahraun and Budahraun to round out the day.

Discover West Iceland’s lava landscapes and waterfalls. Visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, feel the geothermal heat at Deildartunguhver, and stop in saga-steeped Reykholt.

Continue through Borgarfjordur’s lava expanse to walk around Grabrok crater. For adventurous hikers, add a detour into Hvalfjordur to reach Glymur waterfall, plunging 198 m.

Experience Reykjavik at an easy pace. Visit the towering Hallgrimskirkja, stroll Laugavegur and the nearby town squares, then slow down by Tjornin city pond and the charming old harbour.

Continue along the waterfront to admire Harpa Concert Hall and the Solfar Sun Sculpture, and if time allows, add Perlan plus the city’s museums, galleries, and design shops.

On departure day, enjoy a relaxed final morning in Reykjavik. After breakfast, take a short walk through the city center or along the old harbour for a last coffee and any final shopping on Laugavegur. Then transfer to Keflavik Airport in good time for check in and your flight home.