From Glaciers & Waterfalls to Hot Springs

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an adventure taking you to the West via Mosfellsbær town heading towards Hvalfjörður Fjord (Whale Fjord).

This beautifully scenic drive around the fjord will then continue to Borgarnes, a historic town stretching all the way back to the time of the Vikings that played an important role in Iceland’s settlement. Here, you will visit the Settlement Center— devoted to recreating Iceland’s earliest days and introducing visitors to one of the country’s most iconic heroes, Egil Skalla-Grimson. The center also houses a restaurant, a café and a souvenir shop. 

Later, continue inland to Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring. Drive further to the historic Reykholt, home of a 13th-century chieftain, writer, poet and scholar, Snorri Sturluson. Make your way to Hraunfossar and Barnafossar, some of Iceland’s most scenic waterfalls and finally head to Húsafell, a small birch forest at the edge of the highlands. Overnight stay in Borgarnes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and explore the natural wonders of this location that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Start by visiting the northern part of Mýrar, home to an array of volcanic craters, including Eldborg, the largest one.

Next, head west towards the tip of the peninsula, passing the small fishing towns of Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur. You will also be passing by the Snæfellsjökull National Park, full of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites. Among many places of interest are Dritvík, Djúpalónssandur and Öndverðarnes, a former fishing station. Make a short detour to Djúpalónssandur and take a short walk along a marked path to the beach.

From here, you will drive around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated volcano where the famous novel “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth” by Jules Verne is set in. Visit Þúfubjarg, a spectacular cliff and a nesting colony for many seabirds. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view the beautiful coast and impressive variety of birdlife. Stop by Búðir, a charming little site located on a natural inlet.

Finally, make your way to the east along the south coast of the peninsula where seals can often be seen on land or in the water at Ytri Tunga farm before returning back to Reykjavik via Hellisheiði and the village of Hveragerði. Overnight stay in Snaefellsnes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a full-day excursion to the South Shore. Start by visiting Seljalandsfoss, a gorgeous waterfall that drops 60 m and is part of the Seljalands River.

From here, visit the Skógar Museum and then pass by Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers before stopping by Sólheimajökull glacier where glacier walks are available. Continue on to Dyrhólaey nature reserve home to the nesting colony of numerous seabirds.

Finally, drive to Reynisdrangar, known for its spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations. Continue to Vik, a small town on the black beach. Overnight stay in South Shore.