With the freedom of a hire car, it’s tempting to keep moving every day or so – but sometimes less is more. This go-slow fly-drive links just three special locations in Iceland, allowing you to unpack, relax and enjoy the stylish comfort and superb cuisine of a trio of exceptional countryside hotels – each one in a prime spot for exploring some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes. To finish it all off, spend a night in one of the most trendy hotels in the capital, the Canopy hotel by Hilton.
A room with a view
Sitting pretty on the green plains of Southwest Iceland, Hotel Ranga is your first three-night base. Most rooms at this friendly rural retreat have views across a sparkling river or towards Mt Hekla. Next is Husafell, a sleek eco-hotel slipped into the forested hinterland of Borgarfjordur, with the Langjokull icecap looming nearby.
Your final base in the countryside is the classic-styled Hotel Siglo, right on the waterfront in North Iceland’s Siglufjordur, with dreamy window-seat views across a fishing marina to the mountains beyond. Before you return home, spend a night in a prime spot in the capital at the chic hotel Canopy by Hilton Reykavik City Centre.
Explore South, West & North Iceland
Of course you’ll want to linger over the delicious meals at each of the hotels on this trip, and enjoy their hot tubs, saunas and idyllic settings. But each property also lies at the heart of fantastic touring country. As well as iconic sights like Geysir and Skogafoss, your personalised iDiscover digital travel guide will guide you to less-visited spots like the enchanting Gljufrafoss waterfall and the seabird cliffs of Dyrholaey.
Itinerary
Arrive at Keflavik Airport, collect your rental vehicle and set off across the spectacular Reykjanes Peninsula. Just a 15-minute drive from the airport, the Blue Lagoon provides a perfect opportunity to ‘dust off’ and become acquainted with the Icelandic tradition of relaxing in natural geothermal water. Please note that due to its popularity, entry to Blue Lagoon must be pre-booked. Continue along the rugged south coast of the peninsula, stopping to admire hot springs, volcanic craters, black-sand beaches and sea cliffs. Arrive at Hotel Ranga for a 3-night stay, enjoying the property
Hotel Ranga, near Hella
Optional Experiences
Blue Lagoon
Spend a leisurely day exploring three of Iceland’s iconic natural wonders: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area and Thingvellir National Park. For an unforgettable experience, take an optional snorkelling trip in the startlingly clear waters of the Silfra Fissure between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates – all equipment, including drysuits is provided. At Fludir, meanwhile, you can soak in the gently steaming Secret Lagoon.
Optional Experiences
Snorkelling Silfra Day Tour
Secret Lagoon
Visit the breathtaking waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – and discover nearby Gljufrafoss, a hidden gem cascading into a mossy cavern concealed behind cliffs. It is also possible to plan a visit to Thorsmork – a remote and beautiful glacial valley in the southern Highlands – ask us about arranging a superjeep trip (we strongly advise you not to attempt driving there yourself due to the difficult river crossings). Other highlights near the South Coast include a guided glacier hike on Solheimajokull, the vast black-sand beach at Reynisfjara and the seabird cliffs at Dyrholaey. If you’re prepared for a long drive, you can also head to Skaftafell and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Optional Experiences
Thorsmork Valley by Superjeep
Drive towards Reykjavik, before heading north to Hvalfjordur and Reykholt. Visit Europe’s most powerful hot springs at the geothermal area at Deildartunguhver and marvel at the curious Hraunfossar waterfall which flows from under an ancient lava flow. Nearby at Snorrastofa, you can delve into Iceland’s medieval history and culture. Continue to Hotel Husafell for your next three-night stay. If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, you can drive via Thingvellir and the highland track of Kaldidalur to reach the hotel and check in for your 3 night stay. After checking in, head to the bar for your complimentary welcome drink.
Hotel Husafell
Take an optional ‘Into the Glacier’ tour, travelling by 8WD truck across the Langjokull icecap before walking through an extraordinary man-made tunnel deep in the blue-ice heart of the glacier. Back at Husafell, spend time relaxing in the outdoor geothermal pools (currently closed for renovation).
Optional Experiences
Into the Glacier - Ice Cave in Langjokull
Snowmobiling on Langjokull
Drive north to the dramatic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, following the coastline to Arnarstapi. From here, a short but spectacular hike leads to Hellnar and back, with sea arches, caves, and blowholes on one side and snow-capped Snaefellsjokull looming on the other. Return to Husafell for your final night at Hotel Husafell, enjoying the property’s excellent cuisine and stylish interior.
Heading north from Husafell, make a detour to the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Highlights include a seal colony and the dragon-shaped sea stack of Hvitserkur. Continuing on the ring road, arrive in Siglufjordur for a two-night stay.
Siglo Hotel, Siglufjordur
Take a boat trip on the fjord, visit the herring museum and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque village. Hotel Siglo has an outdoor hot tub and a wonderful restaurant overlooking the marina. There are also some excellent cafés in the Siglufjordur’s historic and colourful harbourside buildings.
Enjoy a leisurely drive along the shores of Eyjafjordur before spending some time exploring Akureyri. The ‘capital’ of North Iceland, this interesting town has a good range of shops and restaurants, as well as botanical gardens and a busy fishing port. You can join a whale watching boat trip from here, before driving to the airport, dropping off your rental vehicle and flying back to Reykjavik. On arrival in Reykjavik, take a taxi (payable locally) to your hotel.
Optional Experiences
Classic Whale Watching, Akureyri
Express Whale Watching, Akureyri
After breakfast, transfer to Keflavik Airport for your return flight home.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Daily breakfast
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Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
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No charge for additional driver
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £2610
9 Nights
May-Sep
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Bruno
Different months visited Iceland in
Whale species seen
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.