Day 1: Keflavik to Snæfellsnes

After you pick up your rental car, take the scenic route north to ensure you don’t miss tranquil Hvalfjörður. If you stick to the ring road, you’ll miss this delightful destination altogether which would be a pity. That’s especially the case since the opening of Hvammsvik Hot Springs, a luxurious lagoon that manages to combine a rustic vibe with sophisticated architecture. Soaking in one of its hot tubs right on the black sand beach is a must-do for any road tripper.

Whether you’re following a golden circle drive iceland route, the south coast drive 3 days iceland, or venturing west like in this itinerary - we recommend this spot.

Suitably refreshed, you can continue with your driving tour of Iceland. With more than a week to play with, you can afford to split your Snæfellsnes sightseeing over two days so there’s no need to rush. We’d recommend you start with the south coast today, taking in the dramatically eroded arches and stacks from Arnastapi to Lóndrangar. It’s the ideal place for a hike.

Be sure not to miss the beach at Djúpalónssandur. Here you’ll find a number of lifting stones. In the past, these would have been used to test the strength of those wanting to work on ships. Today, they no longer have the same function but are preserved as part of the area’s cultural heritage. Not far away you’ll see why the place is nicknamed Black Lava Pearl Beach as evidenced by its rounded stones.

Overnight: Arnarstapi

Day 2: Snæfellsnes

As there’s no need to hurry this morning, you have plenty of time to better understand the landscape here, perhaps by hiking into breathtaking Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge. Another option is a tour of Vatnshellir, a lava cave that was formed almost 8000 years ago during a volcanic eruption. Descending down the spiral staircase into this geologically wonderful space is a real treat.

Cutting across the peninsula to the north coast – or looping around Snæfellsjökull National Park on the quieter ocean road – you can set about working your way through a variety of sights. An essential stop is at Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. The name translates as “Church Mountain” and this iconic landmark boasts a waterfall as well. No wonder it’s such a popular spot for aurora chasers during Northern Lights season (late August to early April).

Those with an adventurous palate can call in at the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhöfn. Preparing Greenland shark so that it can safely be consumed is a painstaking process which lasts up to six months. Toxins have to be drained from the flesh and even so, there’s a whiff of ammonia for those who manage to chew on a cube of this pungent dried meat.

For those extending their trip beyond Snæfellsnes, the tröllaskagi peninsula in North Iceland also offers unique culture and landscapes.

Overnight: Stykkishólmur

Day 3: Snæfellsnes to the Westfjords

Rounding out your time in Stykkishólmur means you are in the right place to jump on a ferry to reach the Westfjords. This cuts down on the driving time and enables you to maximise opportunities for sightseeing. Driving onto the ferry isn’t a daunting prospect and you’ll start the day in a relaxing way as you sail north to one of Iceland’s less-visited but utterly captivating regions.

If you’re prepared to drive all the way to the region’s south western tip then the Látrabjarg cliffs are sure to impress. These enormous sea cliffs are home to a plethora of birds, including guillemots, fulmar, kittiwakes, razorbills and the eternally popular puffins. Some species are seasonal – the comical clowns being one example – so time your visit carefully if you are hell-bent on seeing something in particular.

Further east are the stunning red sands of Rauðasandur. The two places are about an hour and fifteen minutes’ drive from each other. The road down to the beach is winding and gravelled, so you might feel more confident tackling it if you’ve rented a 4x4 from us. The reason for the unusual colour: crushed scallop shells instead of the usual volcanic material.

Overnight Patreksfjörður

Day 4: Patreksfjörður to Þingeyri

The Westfjords is the kind of place where time moves slowly and you’ll want to savour each and every view. From Patreksfjörður, set your sights on the area’s most famous waterfall, Dynjandi. The multiple layers and way that the water cascades is often compared to a bridal veil.

Take the scenic route to reach Dynjandi and pass through Bildudalur. There, you’ll find a curious collection of exhibits in the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum (open seasonally in summer). From Dynjandi it’s about a half-hour drive to Þingeyri, where you should follow your nose to Simbahöllin (open throughout the summer).

The owners can organise a horse riding tour for you and you’ll need to be there by 1pm to join the Valley to Sea tour. You’ll follow the Sanda River and enjoy both mountains and black sand beaches on this varied excursion. Prefer two wheels to four legs? They’ll sort you out with a fat bike, helmet and map instead.

Overnight Þingeyri

Day 5: Þingeyri to Ísafjörður

Pay a visit to Flateyri this morning where you’ll find the oldest bookstore in Iceland. This quirky store is well worth the detour, and a couple of the side rooms have been staged as you would have found them in the past. Check out the original ledgers too if you’re keen to see what people bought in days gone by.

Continue on to charming Ísafjörður. Outdoorsy types can join kayaking tours to remote beaches where the only company you’re likely to encounter might be seabirds and seals. Make the most of the area’s natural beauty on a hike to Naustahvilft, a 150m tough-ish climb to reach a troll seat – a hollow in the landscape. Cross country skiing is a popular pastime in winter.

Learn more about the traditional way of life in this part of Iceland at the Westfjords Heritage Museum, housed in a building dating from the 18th century. Other well-preserved timber buildings can be found on Tangagata. Dine on the catch of the day at seafood specialist Tjöruhúsið, which prides itself on the quality of its food.

Overnight Ísafjörður.

Day 6: Hornstrandir

As you’re based in Ísafjörður, why not take advantage of your location and book a guided tour to Hornstrandir by boat? The place is no longer inhabited as the logistics of provisioning became too difficult. Instead it’s an unspoilt nature reserve and one of the best spots in the country if you’re hoping for a sighting of the elusive Arctic fox.

Nothing’s guaranteed, but if you don’t try you’ll never know. If you’re unlucky, there’s always the Arctic Fox Centre just outside the town at Súðavík where you can learn about the way of life of these beautiful creatures and take a look at captivating video footage. It’s also a hub for scientific research into the Arctic fox and its habitat.

Overnight Ísafjörður

Day 7: Ísafjörður to Borgarnes

It’s a four and a half hour drive between Ísafjörður and Borgarnes, which leaves sufficient time to visit the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik along the way. In centuries past, people held some strange beliefs, in large part because science couldn’t yet offer the answers for unexplained events and illnesses. Some of the exhibits on display here will challenge your sensibilities but will hold a morbid fascination for anyone with a passing interest in history.

Start to make your way south, picking up the ring road at its junction with the 60. Depending on how the time is going, you might do a detour to Deildartunguhver, a powerful hot spring whose boiling water is used to heat Krauma geothermal baths. Another twenty minutes or so to the east is Hraunfossar, a pretty waterfall whose vegetation makes it especially pretty in the autumn.

At this point, many travellers combine their journey with an iceland ring road itinerary 10 days, while others opt for shorter options such as an iceland ring road itinerary 5 days or an iceland ring road itinerary 7 days, depending on time available.

Overnight Borgarnes

Day 8: Reykjanes

Many travel experts will tell you that the last day of a great holiday is hard, but luckily, Keflavik Airport is on the Reykjanes peninsula which is home to a UNESCO Global Geopark. So, why not finish up in style at the Blue Lagoon. This upscale spa has been altered and improved over the years but one thing remains constant: the opaque blue water is still a mineral-rich by-product of the neighbouring geothermal power station.

In fact, Reykjanes has several geothermal areas and you don’t have to travel far to find hot springs and steam rising from the ground. In fact, Gunnuhver is the largest mud pool in the country with a diameter of 20 metres. Another place where it’s evident that nature hasn’t finished her work quite yet is at the Bridge between Continents which spans the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

By the time you return your MyCar rental car at the airport you’ll have had the adventure of a lifetime, making memories you’ll treasure for years to come – for an investment of just eight days. Now isn’t that a good trade?