Best of Iceland in Winter

Your journey today takes you toward the northern part of Iceland, ending in the north’s capital, Akureyri.

You'll head towards Borgarfjörður, an area rich in cultural and historical heritage. We recommend stopping by the magnificent Hraunfossar waterfall, where the water seems to magically flow from the lava bed into the Hvita river below. Above Hraunfossar is scenic Barnafoss (Children’s Fall). According to legend the waterfall was named Children’s Fall after two boys disappeared, while their parents went to church for Christmas Mass. The parents searched for the children, but their tracks disappeared by the waterfall, leaving everyone to conclude that the children must have fallen into the river and drowned. The waterfall was named Children’s Fall in their memory.

You’ll then continue your journey toward Akureyri, passing through Skagafjörður, which is known for horse breeding - many Icelandic horses can be seen on the way.  Continue until you reach Akureyri the major town in the North of Iceland.

Stay in Akureyri area.

Driving distance approx. 420 km/260 miles

Highlights

• Akureyri
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls

The whole day is dedicated to the Lake Myvatn Nature Reserve known as one of Iceland’s most fascinating areas of natural beauty. On the way to Myvatn we recommend that you make a stop at the impressive Godafoss waterfall “the fall of the gods”. Then continue to the Mývatn area to spend the day exploring the area around the lake, one of Iceland's most interesting regions with volcanic formations, geothermal activity and the lake itself which teems with bird life, particularly ducks. Later on you might like to venture out for a walk up to the top of Hverfjall crater or dip into the geothermal waters of the natural baths to the east of the lake. 

Stay in Mývatn area.

Driving distance approx. 250 km/155 miles

Highlights

• Lake Mývatn
• Godafoss waterfall
• The Mývatn Nature Baths

This morning continue your journey to the east of Iceland. You can start your day by taking a walk to the Dimmuborgir lava formations and also have a look at the Skutustadir pseudocraters.

According to legend, 13 Yule lads (elves) live in Dimmuborgir, and 13 days before Christmas Eve, the Yule Lads, one after the other, come to town and put gifts into children shoes that have been placed on their windowsills. Dimmuborgir means “dark cities” and, according to Icelandic folklore, the area is the connection between earth and hell and is thought to be where Satan landed when cast out from Heaven.

Visit the lively, boiling mud pools and steam vents of Námaskard, and then the Krafla area, where a series of volcanic eruptions took place from 1975-1984. Then continue your trip through the desert highlands of Mödrudalur to the village of Egilsstadir. If you are lucky you might see reindeer or an artic fox.

Stay in Egilsstaðir area.

Driving distance approx. 340 km/211 miles

Highlights

• Dimmuborgir
• Námaskarð
• Krafla

Today is the day to discover the East Fjords. Starting towards the fjord Reydarfjörður, where a small World War II museum is situated, continue along the fjords towards south-east Iceland. At times the road hangs precariously high on the mountain slopes. Finally drive through the tunnel of Almannaskarð to arrive in the Höfn region where you will stay for the night.

Stay in Höfn area.

Driving distance approx. 270 km/168 miles

Highlights

• East Fjords
• Almannaskarð
• Höfn

After passing various outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you will arrive at the stunningly surreal beauty of Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur. Skaftafell National Park is another area worthy of a visit. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for great hiking. Continue through Kirkjubaejarklaustur village, the Eldhraun lava field and the Mýrdalssandur plain, before you arrive in the Vík area.

Stay in Vík/Hvolsvöllur area.

Driving distance approx. 280 - 365 km/ 174 - 227 miles

Highlights

• Vatnajokull glacier
• Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 
• Skaftafell National Park
• Skaftafell glacier tongue
• Eldhraun lava field
• Vík

Continue westbound to the south coast of Iceland and explore the Golden Circle, which takes you to the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland: Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall; Geysir, where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 – 10 minutes and where numerous small springs boil and bubble; Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park considered one of the geological wonders of the world where you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. It was here that the Icelandic Parliament was founded in the 10th century. On your way back to Reykjavik you will pass the magnificent waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Your day will end in Reykjavík.

Stay in Reykjavik.

Driving distance approx. 300 km/186 miles

Highlights

• Skógarfoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls
• Geysir hot spring
• Gullfoss Waterfall 
• Thingvellir National Park

Now it's time to head back home, driving back to Keflavík Airport for your flight. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to squeeze in a last day in Reykjavík or perhaps you would like to book an extra night there to experience all that the city has to offer.

Driving distance approx. 50 km/30 miles