Step 1
Reykjavik
Reykjavik, the capital city, is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of modern culture and natural beauty. Located on the southwest coast, it offers stunning views of mountains and the sea.
Discover the fjords and coastal region of western Iceland on a self-drive tour, with the highlight being a total solar eclipse!
Deep fjords and mountains, villages and typical atmospheres, waterfalls and immense beaches, cliffs and volcanoes… Discover all this and more, from Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland, via the cliffs of Látrabjarg in the island’s northwest, to the thousand-faceted peninsula of Snæfellsnes. It combines some of the country’s most isolated spots with the island’s must-see sites. You’re in the heart of authentic Iceland, where time seems to have no hold on the locals. And to top it all off, there are numerous hot springs lost in the wilderness, freely accessible!
This itinerary will satisfy birdwatchers, families looking for adventure and discovery, as well as those wishing to recharge their batteries in the midst of preserved wilderness. And, of course, all the lovers of the breathtaking spectacle that nature will offer us when the moon completely covers the sun during the total eclipse on August 12, 2026!
Regions visited during this trip to Iceland : Reykjavik & The Golden Circle | Westfjords | Snaefellsnes | Highlands & The North
Step 1
Reykjavik, the capital city, is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of modern culture and natural beauty. Located on the southwest coast, it offers stunning views of mountains and the sea.
Step 2
Akureyri is the country's second-largest urban area. Known as the "Capital of the North," it is surrounded by stunning fjords and mountains. Akureyri offers a charming small-town atmosphere with vibrant cultural spots, botanical gardens, and easy access to natural wonders like waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
Step 3
Sauðárkrókur is a charming town, known for its rich history, it offers a mix of cultural landmarks, traditional Icelandic horse breeding, and stunning landscapes. The town is also a gateway to outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and exploring nearby geothermal pools.
Step 4
Hólmavík is a small coastal village in the Westfjords, known for its ties to Icelandic witchcraft history. Surrounded by rugged landscapes, Hólmavík is also a great base for exploring the scenic Westfjords and enjoying outdoor adventures.
Step 5
Ísafjörður is a picturesque town located in the Westfjords of Iceland, known for its stunning fjord views and maritime heritage. As a cultural hub of the region, it offers a lively arts scene, charming old houses, and access to outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching.
Step 6
Látrabjarg is a cliff in the Westfjords of Iceland, renowned as one of the largest bird cliffs in Europe. It is a haven for birdwatchers, with puffins, guillemots, and other seabirds nesting on its steep cliffs.
Step 7
Flatey Island is a peaceful and scenic destination known for its charming old houses and vibrant birdlife. The island offers a serene escape, where you can explore its historic buildings, enjoy coastal walks, and spot various bird species, including puffins.
Step 8
Arnarstapi is a picturesque coastal village located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its dramatic cliffs and striking rock formations. The area offers stunning coastal walks with views of basalt columns, sea arches, and abundant birdlife.
Step 9
Reykjavik, the capital city, is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of modern culture and natural beauty. Located on the southwest coast, it offers stunning views of mountains and the sea.
Arrive at Keflavík international airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation in Reykjavík. This is the start of an incredible journey, where the beauty of Iceland’s landscapes will be sublimated by a rare and unforgettable phenomenon: the total solar eclipse! You’re free to enjoy the capital, where you’ll spend your first evening.
Overnight in Reykjavik
Short transfer from your accommodation to Reykjavík domestic airport. Domestic flight to Akureyri and pick-up of your rental car. Discover the main city of Iceland’s northern region. Akureyri is a lively and pleasant little regional capital, with a botanical garden, beautiful 19th and early 20th century mansions and an excellent municipal swimming pool. You can also take advantage of this day to explore the Eyjafjörður fjord, at the head of which the town sits comfortably: visit the beautiful Laufás farm, take a ferry to the beautiful island of Hrísey, or why not take a plane to the island of Grímsey, the only land in Iceland to be crossed by the Arctic Circle?
Overnight in Akureyri
From Akureyri, you’ll reach the neighbouring Skagafjörður fjord region, skirting the beautiful Tröllaskagi peninsula. This could be the perfect opportunity to embark on a whale-watching cruise from the port of Dalvík, or to visit the excellent herring museum at Siglufjörður. Once in the Skagafjörður region, be sure to visit the Glaumbær eco-museum, a renovated 19th-century farmhouse, and take a detour to bathe in the delightful Grettislaug spring, lost at the end of the world!
Overnight in Sauðárkrókur surroundings
We’re headed to the North-West Fjords, kingdom of witchcraft and a region untouched by tourism – perhaps one explains the other? On the way, you can make a detour to the Vatnsnes peninsula to discover the fortified hill of Borgarvirki, the pierced rock of Hvítserkur and its seal colonies.
Overnight in Hólmavík surroundings
At the foot of mountains carved out by glaciers from another time, the road undulates between steep coasts and small beaches where seals often come to be admired. There are also several hot springs along the way for those who like to bathe in nature. Arrive in the small town of Ísafjörður, near the mouth of the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord, Iceland’s largest. Offshore, the island of Vigur can be visited on a very pleasant excursion. Colonies of puffins, common guillemots and Arctic terns can be found here, as well as numerous eider ducks. What’s more, Vigur is home to the country’s only windmill, built in 1860, and Iceland’s smallest post office. All for the island’s 5 inhabitants!
Overnight in Ísafjörður surroundings
Continuing along the coast, passing from fjord to fjord over small passes that link fjords carved out by Ice Age glaciers. Stop at the spectacular Dynjandi Falls and Látrabjarg cliffs, the largest in Europe.
Overnight in Látrabjarg surroundings
As you explore the Látrabjarg region, take the opportunity to walk along the red sandy beach of Rauðisandur and observe a colony of seals. You’ll then reach the Brjánslækur embarcardere on the Barðaströnd coast. From the port of Brjánslækur, take the ferry across the Breiðarfjörður fjord, disembarking on Flatey Island after a 1-hour crossing. Vehicles are not allowed on the island, so you walk a few hundred meters to the island hamlet and your hotel. You’ll pick up your vehicle at the port of Stykkishólmur the following day.
Overnight in Flatey Island
Morning at leisure on Flatey Island. Take the opportunity to stroll along its shores and observe the many birds that nest there, such as kittiwakes, puffins (until mid-August), black guillemots… Most of the island is a protected nature reserve, and its location in the middle of the bay offers magnificent views of the coastline on the horizon. In summer, you’ll enjoy the (relative!) hustle and bustle of the small fishing village. Departure from the island by ferry in the early afternoon. A 1h30 ferry crossing before docking and collecting your vehicle at the port of Stykkishólmur, on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Spend the rest of the day discovering the wild coastline of Snæfellsnes, dominated by the glacier-volcano Snæfellsjökull, where Jules Verne imagined the beginning of his Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Overnight in Arnarstapi surroundings
Return to Reykjavík along the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula to Borgarnes. From Borgarnes, you can detour via the Húsafell valley and Reykholt, home to the Deildartunguhver hot springs, said to be the largest in the world. Stop at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Or continue along the Hvalfjörður, the impressive “Whale Fjord”. You’ll have the chance to walk to Glymur Falls, Iceland’s highest waterfall (198m).
Overnight in Reykjavik
Today is the very last day in the land of fire and ice, you drive back to Keflavík international airport and return your rental car. It is then the camera full of unforgettable memories that you board on the plane that will bring you back home.
