Do you dream of volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers and nature with a strong character? Head for the Land of Ice and our selection of Iceland self-drive tours!
Iceland is 400 million years old. An isolated land, free and promised, where nature is king and its elements are kings. It’s also a geological spectacle in its own right, making the country undeniably unique. Dressed in earth and fire, Iceland captivates, surprises and amazes all who encounter it.
Today, we invite you to discover this Land of Ice in a different way, behind the wheel of freedom. Are you ready? Then fasten your seatbelts, and let’s hit the road for a memorable journey.
1. The Golden Circle
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / ZinaidaSopina
Ah, the Golden Circle… A must-see, this is an emblematic stage on any Icelandic self-drive tour. It can be reached in just one day from Réykjavik.
Start with the Thingvellir fault, also the seat of Iceland’s first parliament, and get drenched by the Strokkur geyser amid the fumaroles. The final star of the Golden Circle: the mighty Gulfoss Falls. Finish off the day with a soak in the thermal waters, then drive back to Fludir and its Secret Lagoon.
2. The Reykjanes peninsula
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Michal Balada
From Keflavik, you head north towards Gardur. Here, you’ll find lighthouses, typical churches and pretty white-sand beaches. Birds, seals, dolphins and perhaps whales invite you to get to know the local fauna.
A little further south, opt for a hike to the Hafnaberg cliffs. You’ll reach the Bridge between Continents, which passes over the legendary fault! Further on, the impressive fumaroles of Gunnuhver draw your attention. Why not take a refreshing dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, or dine on lobster soup in Grindavik? Then head up Route 42 to Krysavik and take a breath of sulfur air at the Seltún geothermal site.
3. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / jo Crebbin
Take the time to visit Reykjavík, a must on any Icelandic tour! Stroll through its traditional city center, visit the Hallgrímskirkja church, recognizable from afar with its architecture reminiscent of Iceland’s basalt organs.
From here, your next loop is the Snæfellsnes peninsula. This is famous for its many waterfalls, including Grundarfoss, Kerlingarfoss and Kirkjufellsfoss. Along the way, don’t miss the fabulous glacier-volcano Snæfellsjökull. At the far end, try your hand at climbing the Saxholl crater and look for puffins along the Londrangar cliffs.
4. Western fjords
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / attilio pregnolato
Along with the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Westfjord region was the first to be sculpted by volcanic eruptions. Because of its isolation, Westfjord retains a very wild character. It’s a real birdwatcher’s paradise, with over twenty-five species of bird listed. The winding roads are full of surprises at every turn, and there are plenty of them! And with good reason: Iceland’s self-guided tours here outline two of the three regions, bounded by a multitude of fjords. The third can be discovered on a long hike.
5. South Iceland
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / LouieLea
In one week, you can do a South Iceland loop. It starts at the Golden Circle and ends on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
After Gulfoss, discover the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which is also… a glacier! Next, head for the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, at the gateway to Vatnajökull National Park. Then retrace your steps to conquer the Reykjanes Peninsula.
6. Vatnajökull National Park
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Smit
The ideal winter tour in Iceland, the one to Vatnajökull Park can be done in three days.
Follow the black sand beaches along the south coast, then visit an ice cave on one of the glaciers. And don’t forget the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, a favorite of explorers. In the evening, hunt for the Northern Lights, which are a frequent sight in this region.
7. Eastern Fjords
Photo credit: Wikipedia -Christian Bickel
This tour takes you from Höfn to Egilsstaðir or vice versa. Both towns have airports, and are easy to reach from the capital as part of a self-drive tour of Iceland.
During your tour, you’ll hardly come across any tourists! So you can enjoy the beauty of a dozen or so fjords at your leisure. Among them is Fáskrúðsfjörður, a reminder of the French fishermen who set up their base here in the 19th century. A special feature: bilingual Icelandic/French signs.
8. Northern Iceland
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Mikael Ernhake
Head north to Akureyri. You can take Route 1 to Viðimyri and its charming peat-roofed church. A little further on, Akureyri nestles in the hollow of a fjord. From here, or from Dalvik, some forty kilometers further north, you can set off on an expedition to observe blue or humpback whales. Then continue your North Iceland self-drive tour to volcanic Lake Mývatn. Choose a hike in this region of hot springs and mud pots and end the day at the spa complex.
Depending on the time you have available, these different Iceland self-guided tours can be combined with each other. By combining them, you can opt for a complete circuit around and within the island.
How to book a self-guided tour in Iceland?
Where can I pick up my rental car?
The vast majority of international flights to Iceland arrive at Keflavik airport, some 50 kilometers from the capital, Reykjavik. From France, the flight takes just over three hours, and from Montreal around five hours.
Depending on your arrival time, you’ll be able to collect your rental car from the branch of your choice. For the sake of convenience, we advise you to choose an agency close to the airport. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to move around freely as soon as you arrive. If, on the other hand, you use an agency specializing in Iceland self-drive tours, it’s highly likely that you’ll have to travel all the way to Reykjavik. If this is the case, remember to book your bus to the capital.
Book your car for a self-drive tour in Iceland
Which vehicle to choose for a self-drive tour of Iceland?
Depending on the season and the tour you have planned, you can choose between a city car, a 4×4 or a motorhome.
- The city car will take you around the island, on mostly asphalted roads;
- The motorhome invites you to stay in some unusual places;
- The 4×4 will enable you to access more difficult trails, giving you access to remote and wild corners.