Iceland 9-Day Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 7 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to Iceland.

Enjoy nine days in Iceland with one of kimkim's carefully selected itineraries for self-drive tours. The Ring Road excursion takes you along the famous Route 1 and offers opportunities to see geysers, hot springs, black sand beaches, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks. You could also spend nine days exploring Western and Southern Iceland and still enjoy volcanoes, fjords, red and black sand beaches, glaciers, hot springs, and even spot wildlife. If you love land rovers, use this chance to go on the ultimate Iceland Land Rover experience, which goes on special terrain over lava fields and through scenic mountain roads. 

See more Iceland Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries.

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Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days
Map of Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days
Ultimate Ring Road Adventure - 9 Days

For road trip enthusiasts, it doesn't get much better than encircling Iceland along its infamous Route 1 (Ring Road). This quick-paced, self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route with plenty of detours to work the leg muscles and camera batteries. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience a variety of landscapes, like geysers, hot springs, black sand beaches, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks.

Dramatic cliffs at Ljátrabjarg in the Westfjords
Map of Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days
Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days

Experience the best of Western and Southern Iceland on this 9-day tour: volcanoes, fjords, red and black sand beaches, glaciers, hot springs, wildlife and more.

Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover
Map of Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover
Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover

Iceland is a rugged place, with much of it inaccessible by a standard vehicle. Drive a Land Rover through unique terrain, over lava fields, and through scenic mountain roads. With these modified vehicles you will explore parts of Iceland not possible with a normal rental car. Explore the dramatic landscapes without the big crowds.

Kirkjufell's mountain landscape on the west coast
Map of Iceland Highlights: West to East - 9 Days
Iceland Highlights: West to East - 9 Days

This Icelandic self-drive itinerary covers territory on both horizontal coastlines, from Snaefellsnes to Seydisfjordur, with fun detours along the southern portion of the Ring Road. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks. Start and end the trip in Reykjavík for culture and nightlife in Europe's most northerly capital.

The Northern Lights above snowy Kirkjufellsfoss
Map of Winter Adventures in West & South Iceland - 9 Days
Winter Adventures in West & South Iceland - 9 Days

Explore the wintry side of Iceland on this nine-day, snow-filled adventure. Take in the spectacular frozen waterfalls en route to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Explore several glaciers—go snowmobiling around Langjökull, ice walking in Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and hiking in Sólheimajökull. Stay in the countryside, where there’s minimal light pollution, and enjoy great views of the Northern Lights, while setting aside some time for illuminated, warming soaks in hot springs and lagoons along the way.

Wild Icelandic horses in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Map of Iceland Off the Beaten Path: Snæfellsnes, Akureyri,  Lake Mývatn & More - 9 Days
Iceland Off the Beaten Path: Snæfellsnes, Akureyri, Lake Mývatn & More - 9 Days

This 9-day self-drive adventure is a great alternative to the full Ring Road loop, especially during summer months when Iceland tourism hits its peak. With more than a week, you'll experience a range of incredible landscapes all over the island, like rugged peninsulas, hot springs, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and waterfall hikes with only a fraction of the crowds. To shorten this itinerary, skip the East Fjords and fly back to Reykjavík from Akureyri.

Dynjandi is the most famous waterfall of the Westfjords
Map of Best of Iceland's West Coast - 9 Days
Best of Iceland's West Coast - 9 Days

This self-driving trip takes you to the highlights of Iceland's west coast and the remote Westfjords area. Starting in Reykjavik, you'll drive to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula before taking a car ferry to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland. Here you'll hike along the jagged cliffs at Londrangar, visit black, gold, and red sand beaches, and see the powerful Dynjandi Waterfall. End the trip in Isafjordur—a great base for activities in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, accessible only by boat and trail.

Other durations: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days