Iceland at Leisure | Winter



Iceland at Leisure | Winter

Embrace slow travel on this classic road trip gathering Iceland’s highlights along with a few extra detours for a complete picture of Iceland, without any hassle and speeding. Discover Iceland’s diverse and enchanting wintry scenery including black sand beaches, waterfalls, geothermal areas, geysers, and glaciers, as well as some of Iceland’s best kept secrets. Available from 1 October to 30 April. 

View summer version of this tour

Enter your travel dates
From:1,420 EUR
per person
Book

Included

  • Accommodation for 11 nights, budget or comfort rooms with breakfast
  • Rental car for 12 days, with unlimited mileage and CDW insurance (pick up & drop off in Reykjavik)
  • Hey Guide app - your personal assistant, mapping and navigating your personalized journey and highlights of surrounding areas. Including a GPS Navigation system, recommendations along the way, Wi-Fi hotspot, helpful information, a messenger system to stay in touch with us, our Hey Guide will instantly become your best travel mate
  • Two authorized drivers
  • Flybus transfer to and from airport
  • E-Itinerary with the tour map, location points, and pictures for you to view before you arrive.
  • Free Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Taxes and service fee 
  • Emergency phone line service

Highlights

  • Tour West Iceland Saga country
  • Discover the countless natural wonders of Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  • Photograph Mount Kirkjufell in its winter outfit
  • See the land of ice and fire in all its glory at Lake Mývatn area
  • Visit the stunning Stokksnes Peninsula
  • Experience the charm of quaint fishing towns
  • Drive through the mystical landscape of the Eastfjords
  • Walk around Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
  • Visit most of the country’s top waterfalls
  • Witness the iconic attractions of the Golden Circle
  • Staff recommendations for excellent activities

Included - Your Personal Assistant

The Hey Guide

Hey Guide was designed to assist you on your journey to Iceland, guiding you through your personalized day-to-day itinerary. The guide also gives you recommendations along the way, and helpful information regarding driving conditions, weather forecast, and more. How does it all work?

Learn more
  • Personal Wifi hotspot

  • Safe Travel Information

  • Digital Vouchers

HeyGuide mynd vefur.png

Itinerary

Arrival day | Reykjavík

Start your holiday by strolling the picturesque and lively streets of Reykjavík and get a taste of the Icelandic cuisine in one of the city’s top-notch restaurants. Discover its most artsy corners, from art galleries and concept stores, to cosy cafés and welcoming museums. No visit is complete without a stop at the city’s landmarks: Hallgrímskirkja Church, Harpa Concert, and the Sun Voyager. The Airport Direct shuttle will transfer you to your accommodation in Reykjavík from Keflavik Airport upon arrival. Optional, and not included in the price, is to pick up the rental car at the airport when you arrive.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in the tour price).

Day 1 | The West

Discover the gems of West Iceland, in Borgarfjörður region, where natural wonders and stories related abound, including Egil’s Saga, giving your journey another dimension and making you travel through time. Admire the sheer beauty of Hraunfossar and Barnafossar Waterfalls, whose hues of blues are nothing to be compared with. Feel the Earth rumbling at Europe’s most powerful hot spring Deildartunguhver before visiting Reykholt, once home to one of Iceland’s most prolific poets, Snorri Sturluson, and the pool named after him: Snorralaug. Alternatively, explore one of the world’s largest lava caves at Víðgelmir (must be booked in advance in winter).

Accommodation in the Borgarfjörður area.

Day 2 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Enter a fascinating and mystical world of wonders by exploring Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often referred to as a mini-Iceland for that it has it all! Take your time today to explore the Southern shore of the peninsula, from Eldborg Crater and Búðir quaint black church, to Arnarstapi old harbour and Djúpalónssandur black sand beach, all under the watchful eye of the mighty Snæfellsjökull Glacier. The latter is known for being one of the Earth’s seven energy points, and starred a prominent role in Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”.

Accommodation in the Snæfellsnes area.

View entire itinerary

Day 3 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Head North of Snæfellsnes, where Mount Kirkjufell will take your breath away no matter the season or time of the day you visit. Get a glimpse of the port activity at the fishing towns Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur, and be charmed by the bright colourful timber houses overlooking the sea. For a unique perspective, sail around the scenic Breiðafjörður Bay, dotted with countless islands, a haven of peace and paradise for bird enthusiasts (limited in winter).

Accommodation in the Húnaflói/Skagafjörður area.

Day 4 | The Northwest and Akureyri

Today, meet the impressive petrified troll Hvítserkur Cliff on Vatnsnes Peninsula, where seals can often be seen basking in the sun in large numbers. We also recommend a stop at the Seal Centre in Hvammstangi, Iceland’s number one destination for seal watching. Visit the landmarks of Skagafjörður, famous for horsebreeding, including the spectacular Glaumbær turf farm houses, the old turf churches at Víðimýri and Gröf, and the scenic infinity pool in Hofsós. Spend the evening in Akureyri town, the Capital of the North that surely knows how to charm you!

Accommodation in the Akureyri area.

Day 5 | Lake Mývatn

Soak in the view at the waterfall of the Gods, Goðafoss, that turns into a real pristine gem in its winter coat. Reach the Lake Mývatn Area, rich in spectacular sights, including Dimmuborgir lava fields, Grjótagjá lava cave, the geothermal field at Námafjall, and Krafla Crater. Unwind your trip in the milky waters of Mývatn Nature Baths, from where you can enjoy priceless views over the surrounding lava fields and iconic mountains. Under the northern lights, who knows!

Accommodation in the Lake Mývatn area.

Day 6 | The Northeast

Visit Iceland’s capital of whale watching (limited in winter), Húsavík, its charming harbour, and recently opened temple of relaxation, GeoSea, Geothermal Sea Baths known for their healing powers, overlooking the Greenland Sea. Enjoy the local food culture in one of the city’s best restaurants. We also recommend a stop at the fossil collection at Tjörnes and the beautiful Öxarfjörður Bay, whose woodlands and wildlife – birdlife, Arctic foxes – are worth checking out.

Accommodation in the Lake Mývatn area.

Day 7 | The Northeast

Reach the Northern Part of one of Iceland’s jewels, Vatnajökull National Park, home to Ásbyrgi Canyon, Odin’s horse alleged horseshoe mark, Hljóðaklettar cluster of peculiar rock formations, and the mighty Dettifoss Waterfall, whose thunder and mist can be felt some distance away. Explore the intriguing yet enchanting moonscapes of Möðrudalsöræfi to reach Egilsstaðir town.

Accommodation in the Egilsstaðir area.

Day 8 | The East

What makes East Iceland so special and enjoyable is this slow travel feeling that comes over you once you step in the region. Take the time today to explore Egilsstaðir surroundings, starting with the Lake Lagarfljót, home to the sea serpent “Lagarfljótsormur”, Iceland’s very own Loch Ness Monster. Soak in the beauty of Hengifoss Waterfall and its layers of history, Iceland’s largest forest Hallormsstaður, and Skriðuklaustur Centre of Culture and History.

Accommodation in the Egilsstaðir area.

Day 9 | The Eastfjords

Embark on a scenic drive along the Eastfjords, with spectacular and diverse landscapes, shaped by abrupt mountains, roadside waterfalls, and picturesque fishing towns like Fáskrúðsfjörður, whose history and heritage can be felt in every street. The rocky island Skrúður covered with snow is a sight to behold in winter time. After a walk along the marvelous beach Stokksnes, time to reach Höfn, a beautiful town praised for its lobster dishes, and rightly so!

Accommodation in the Höfn area.

Day 10 | Vatnajökull National Park

Marvel at the gigantic Vatnajökull Glacier whilst driving along the Southeast coast in quest of its main highlights. Discover a mesmerizing world of icebergs at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Beach, a place of real photographic appeal at any time of the day. Spend time within Skaftafell Nature Resort, where hiking paths will take you to the end of glacier tongues or to Svartifoss Waterfall, one of nature’s geological masterpieces, enhanced with snowfalls and icicles.

Accommodation in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 11 | The South Coast

Make a stop at the pretty Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, not far from Vík village. Admire the panoramic views from Dyrhólaey Peninsula, a 120-meter high promontory where you can feel the power of the elements, also home to large bird colonies during the Summer months. Visit the two most famous waterfalls of the South, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, both stunning in their winter outfit. Take a leap into the Icelandic past at Skógar Folk Museum before reaching your accommodation for the night.

Accommodation in the Gullfoss/Geysir area.

Day 12 | The South - inland

End this trip on a high note by exploring the famous Golden Circle sights. Start the day with a stop at the historic Skálholt cathedral, followed with a visit to Kerið, a 3.000 year old explosion crater featuring an otherworldly colour palette. Marvel at the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall, wait for Strokkur geyser to erupt at Geysir hot spring area and walk between two continents at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of both historic and geological importance.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in the tour price).

Accommodation in Reykjavík

Optional and not included in the tour price.

 

TripAdvisor reviews

Hey Iceland is the company to use for a worry free adventure. What a great trip! Our family, of six adults, wanted to travel around Iceland in our own vehicle. After spending hours on the internet, getting nowhere, we found Hey Iceland. After contacting them, our dreams were made into plans. We fully enjoyed staying in each Hey Iceland Farm accommodation. We realized that if the proprietor offered dinner there, it was often the best meal around!
jcwingit, Austin, Texas

In the area



Signup
Please see our Privacy policy.