Circle Iceland in a Week
Circle Iceland in a Week
from £1,128 excluding flights
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Highlights
See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route
See the black-sand beaches and waterfalls on the South Coast
Experience the ice wonders of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn
Explore Vatnajokull National Park, home to Iceland's largest ice cap
Drive the spectacular coast road in the East Fjords
Why this trip...
Tailor made
This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Nordic Heritage
With over 39 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out
Overview
Drive around Iceland in just one week? Why not! The Ring Road is a delight to drive – well maintained and largely free of traffic. Barely an hour will pass on this slick self-drive when you won’t be pulling over to admire a stunning stretch of coastline or thundering waterfall. You’ll stay in seven must-see locations and have our iDiscover digital guide to enhance your trip.
Seven days to drive the Ring Road
Two weeks would be better as per our Around Iceland holiday, but if time is limited, and you want to see as much of Iceland as possible, this holiday features several key highlights. Some drives are lengthy, but if you enjoy a road trip this itinerary is incredibly rewarding – offering fabulous scenery, comfortable accommodation, optional excursions and even time for relaxing in a geothermal lagoon or two.
The Magnificent Seven
After a night in Reykjavik, your first full day takes in the Golden Circle – Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir World Heritage Site. Next, you’ll explore the sublime South Coast with its black-sand beaches, bird cliffs, waterfalls and glaciers, before spending time at Vatnajokull National Park – famous for its colossal icecap and the iceberg-strewn lagoon of Jokulsarlon. You will then take a world-class coastal drive through the East Fjords before heading west towards Lake Myvatn where you can relax in the geothermal Nature Baths or visit Husavik for a whale-watching trip. A long drive the following day ends at the magnificent Hotel Husafell. All too soon, perhaps, you’ll be returning to Keflavik airport – but not before a chance to take a dip in the Blue Lagoon.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Keflavik - Reykjavik
Fly to Keflavik Airport. Collect your rental vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for an evening of exploration and an overnight stay in Iceland's capital city which blends modern with traditional. Overnight at Hotel Klettur.
Fly to Keflavik Airport. Collect your rental vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for an evening of exploration and an overnight stay in Iceland's capital city which blends modern with traditional. Overnight at Hotel Klettur.
Day 2 Reykjavik - Fludir
Explore the natural wonders on the famed Golden Circle route: the tectonic rip in the earth's crust at Thingvellir, the thundering falls of Gullfoss and the bubbling Geysir geothermal area. Overnight at Hotel Flúðir.
Explore the natural wonders on the famed Golden Circle route: the tectonic rip in the earth's crust at Thingvellir, the thundering falls of Gullfoss and the bubbling Geysir geothermal area. Overnight at Hotel Flúðir.
Day 3 Fludir - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Continue along the south coast and admire the views, including Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's best-known waterfalls and the Myrdalsjokull icecap, where you may wish to take an optional snowmobile trip (pre-bookable - please contact our team). You may also choose to visit the little museum at Skogar and the famous waterfall with an impressive 60 metre drop (perhaps walk the path to the top). Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with its caves and basalt formations. Investigate the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey, (closed from 1 May 25 June so as not to disturb nesting birds), and walk along its black sand beach. Overnight at Hotel Klaustur.
Continue along the south coast and admire the views, including Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's best-known waterfalls and the Myrdalsjokull icecap, where you may wish to take an optional snowmobile trip (pre-bookable - please contact our team). You may also choose to visit the little museum at Skogar and the famous waterfall with an impressive 60 metre drop (perhaps walk the path to the top). Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with its caves and basalt formations. Investigate the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey, (closed from 1 May 25 June so as not to disturb nesting birds), and walk along its black sand beach. Overnight at Hotel Klaustur.
Day 4 Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Skaftafell
You will be spoilt for choice today as there is much to see and do in the area: walking in the stunning Skaftafell National Park; discovering the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its immense icebergs (boat trips are pre-bookable - contact us for further details). Perhaps take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull - one of many excursion options. Overnight at Hotel Skaftafell.
You will be spoilt for choice today as there is much to see and do in the area: walking in the stunning Skaftafell National Park; discovering the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its immense icebergs (boat trips are pre-bookable - contact us for further details). Perhaps take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull - one of many excursion options. Overnight at Hotel Skaftafell.
Day 5 Skaftafell - Egilsstadir
Spend the day exploring the sweeping fjords of the east coast and the delightful fishing villages of Djupavogur and Seydisfjordur. Overnight in the nearby town of Egilsstadir. Overnight at Hotel Eyvindará.
Spend the day exploring the sweeping fjords of the east coast and the delightful fishing villages of Djupavogur and Seydisfjordur. Overnight in the nearby town of Egilsstadir. Overnight at Hotel Eyvindará.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £1,128 excluding flights
Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play or EasyJet. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.
UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
- No charge for additional driver
- Exclusive use of iDiscover app
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
From prices per person
Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.
| Departure | Duration | Car Category * | Twin Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,128 |
| Jun - Aug | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,428 |
| Sep | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,154 |
* Choice of Vehicles
We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.-
4WD
We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person, per day. -
Go electric
With a selection of electric cars now available including the Kia Niro and Volkswagen ID.3, you can choose to upgrade from as little as £12 per person, per day. We recommend this option for summer only, due to the colder temperatures in winter affecting battery range.
Meet our expert
One of our specialists
Meet Eric10 Visits to Iceland
5 Successful whale watching trips
34 Countries visited
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Tailor made trips
As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.
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