The Iceland Grand Circle Tour takes you around the entire island, stopping at all the most celebrated sights that Iceland has to offer while taking in breathtaking scenery. This 8 day tour of Iceland is a customizable trip can easily be extended or amended to match your number of days and desires.
Join our Iceland Grand Circle Tour for the ultimate ring road trip experience! Iceland’s unbroken ring road was only completed in the 1960s, finally giving the locals unencumbered access to the entire country. At over 1,200 km (approx. 800 miles), we can understand why it took so long. Let’s explore it together.
Throughout this expansive 8 day Iceland tour itinerary, we will visit the popular Golden Circle with its erupting geysers, thunderous waterfalls, and tectonic boundaries. We will travel the entire South Coast, making sure to stop at Vatnajökull National Park, home to glaciers, icebergs, and black sand beaches. In the East fjords, we will navigate winding roads flanked by towering mountains and dramatic coastal cliffs. As we travel north, we will visit Iceland’s largest and most stunning waterfalls and explore the geothermally active sites of Mývatn. In the north and west, we will glimpse rural life and ever-changing landscapes before finishing in the southwest with the Blue Lagoon and recently active volcanoes. Achieving Iceland’s Ring Road is truly experiencing it all.
The proposed itinerary spans a total of 8 days of touring, but we always recommend longer to ensure more time for exploring and less hotel moves. If your timeframe is on the shorter side, then days can be adjusted to tailor the itinerary to your preferences. Arrival and departure days, as well as any additional days, will be meticulously planned by our Travel Experts to ensure a seamless experience. We also recommend allocating at least one full day in Reykjavík before or after your tour to explore the vibrant city and its surroundings.
If you have less than 8 days of travel (not including arrival and departure), then we recommend itineraries focused on parts of Iceland, like our Iceland Must See 6 Day Summer Tour or Wild Westfjords Exploration. We can come up with custom itineraries to fit your preference, please just get in touch!
Day 1 | The Golden Circle
Today you’ll be picked up after breakfast by your private guide to start the Private Grand Circle Tour around Iceland. On this first day, we’ll see all the popular sights of the Golden Circle area with unique twists to make the day special. We head first to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site, to witness the effects of constant tectonic movement in an area rich in history and beauty. From there, we’ll go to Friðheimar for an all-inclusive lunch at this unique restaurant. Tomato ice cream, anyone? Next up are the erupting geyser, Strokkur, its neighbour, Geysir, and the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. Then we’ll start heading towards our South Coast accommodation.
Where do we stay? Choose from various options in the area, including Skálakot Luxury Manor or the pristine Hotel UMI (or equivalent), based on your preferences.
Day 2 | South Coast Highlights
Today we will drive along the entire South Coast with its many beaches and waterfalls. We will have the opportunity to walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall when conditions allow, and try to get as close to Skógafoss waterfall as possible before admiring the basalt columns and taking a walk on the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Here we can have lunch before continuing our drive through the seaside town of Vík. As we reach Vatnajökull National Park, the landscape starts to change dramatically due to the effect of Europe’s largest glacier and volcano. We will stop at one of the numerous outlet glaciers here for views of these icy giants.
- The Icelandic Lava Show in the town of Vík, where locals share tales of past eruptions before pouring re-melted lava over ice just meters from your face. A great family-friendly experience on a cold day.
- Take a horse ride on the famous Icelandic horse with its smooth 5th gait. These docile animals are as friendly as they are fast. This is a great way to see Iceland’s hidden landscape off the beaten path.
- Go for an exhilarating ATV tour through rivers and remote wilderness.
Where do we stay? There are many lovely accommodation options in the southeast, such as Hotel Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon or Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
Day 3 | Vatnajökull National Park & East fjords
Today is all about the ice! We start the day at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where we witness giant icebergs floating in the 8 km long lagoon. If you’re lucky, you’ll be greeted by curious seals that live in the lagoon. Afterwards, we’ll pop over to the Diamond Beach, where smaller icebergs wash up on shore. From here, we drive through the East fjords. Often hailed as the best views in Iceland, the winding roads, towering mountains, steep cliffs, and dramatic coastlines will leave you in awe. As you head north through the East fjords, you’ll want to stop every 5 minutes to take in the breathtaking views. Don’t worry, your guide knows the best places to stop today.
Where do we stay? This evening we will stay on the east coast of Iceland, in one of the quaint villages that are scattered around the coastline. Options include the charming Fosshotel East fjords located in Fáskrúðsfjörður which is a unique French settlement in the East fjords.
Day 4 | Lake Mývatn & Dettifoss Waterfall
Heading into the north of Iceland, we drive through a desert-like landscape. This apparent barren tundra is secretly bursting with life and activity. In the afternoon, we continue into the mystical landscape around Lake Mývatn, stopping at Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Here, we explore the Mars-like landscape by Námaskarð and Hverir, with their steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. We’ll then peek into Grjótagjá cave, made famous by Game of Thrones.
Optional activities
- What better way to end the day but at the recently opened Forest Lagoon, right on the town’s edge with stunning views over Eyjafjörður fjord.
Where do we stay? We stay in the city centre of Akureyri.
Day 5 | North Iceland
It’s time to depart the North and head west. This will be the longest driving day of the trip, but don’t worry, you’ll have great scenic views as we drive through rural Iceland, passing through small farming towns of northwest Iceland while driving through the Arctic Coastway. We will stop by Glaumbær farm, where we can walk through and see the restored old turf houses and farms and get a sense of life in early times in Iceland. We will then head to our accommodation in the fishing village of Stykkishólmur, located by Breiðafjörður bay.
Where do we stay? Tonight we spend the night in the charming fishing village of Stykkishólmur at Hotel Egilsen, our premium option in the area. We can look to bypass Stykkishólmur and head to Hótel Búðir for an accommodation upgrade. For a more exclusive option, we can stay at Dalur Luxury Resort for the ultimate stay in West Iceland.
Day 6 | The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today we explore Snæfellsnes, a miniature of Iceland where you’ll see fjords, mountains, volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, and dramatic coastal cliffs. From our accommodation, we head around the peninsula made famous by Jules Verne and visit Kirkjufell mountain, known as Arrow Mountain in Game of Thrones. We’ll explore the lava formations and black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur. As we continue around Snæfellsjökull glacier, we head to the stunning Lóndrangar basalt spires and the village of Arnarstapi, surrounded by impressive sea cliffs. We’ll make a photo stop at Búðakirkja black church before heading back to our accommodation for the night.
Optional activities
- Join a whale watching tour out to Breiðafjörður bay to see humpbacks, Minke whales, and pilot whales, among others
Where do we stay? Stay a second night in the same hotel as the night before.
Day 7 | West Iceland & Hvammsvík Hot Pool
The lush countryside inland from Breiðafjörður bay is renowned for its beautiful waterfalls Barnafoss and Hraunfossar and is also known for being the home to Snorri Sturluson, who wrote the Edda Prose. There are many options for walks and hikes in this area through the lowland forests. By the end of the day, what better way to end it than at the newly opened Hvammsvík Hot Springs, where the lagoon’s water levels move with the tide of the Atlantic Ocean.
Where do we stay? Tonight, the choice is yours: journey onward to the renowned Blue Lagoon for a luxurious two-night stay at the 4-star Silica Lagoon or the 5-star The Retreat. Alternatively, opt for an evening of exploration in Reykjavík, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and culinary delights of Iceland’s capital city. We’ll spend the next two nights here.
Day 8 | Lava Tunnel & Blue Lagoon
The Reykjanes Peninsula and LAVA Tunnel tour focus on the island’s tectonic effects. We’ll spend our final day visiting the UNESCO Global Geopark of Reykjanes Peninsula, home to incredible sights. We start with a visit to Raufarhólshellir, also known as the Lava Tunnel, one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland. Here, we will explore the depths of this colourful lava tunnel and witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption from 5200 years ago.
As we journey back, we’ll meander along the scenic route flanking Lake Kleifarvatn, offering stunning vistas of its tranquil waters. Our next destination is Krýsuvík, where you’ll embark on a captivating stroll through otherworldly geothermal hot springs, reminiscent of the Martian landscape. Time permitting, your guide will unveil additional hidden gems along the way, ensuring an enriching and unforgettable exploration of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Looking for a little something extra? Consider swapping out the Lava Tunnel for an unforgettable journey Inside The Volcano. Plunge into the depths of Þríhnúkagígur, a dormant volcano, and venture into its awe-inspiring, otherworldly chambers. Experience first-hand the ancient geological marvels of our planet in a once-in-a-lifetime exploration.
Iceland Grand Circle Tour Highlights
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OPERATES |
DURATION 8 days, 7 nights excluding arrival & departure days |
MINIMUM AGE This depends on the selected activities |
| LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY This depends on the selected activities. |
STARTING POINT |
END POINT |
| Inclusions • Accommodation with breakfast all mornings • Activities as listed in the proposed itinerary • Private transportation with Wi-Fi • Led by one of our guides for the duration of the tour |
Exclusions • International flights • Meals unless otherwise specified |
Accommodation options on your Iceland 8 day tour
Premium: Primarily 4-star hotels, offering high-quality amenities and services, comfortable and stylish rooms, and excellent locations with easy access to attractions.
Luxury: Combination of 4-star and 5-star hotels and lodges, providing superior amenities and exceptional service, elegant and spacious rooms, and often feature on-site fine dining and wellness facilities.
Exclusive accommodation & private lodges: Exclusively 5-star hotels and private lodges, offering unmatched luxury and personalised service, luxurious suites and private accommodations, with top-tier amenities including private pools, spas, and gourmet dining options.
Ready to make this Iceland Grand Circle Tour your dream trip?
