Welcome to the Iceland Self-Guided Driving Tour
Take the Iceland self-guided tour through the most breathtaking landscapes the country offers. Start in Reykjavik and drive the famous Golden Circle, home to astonishing vistas, sparkling waterfalls, and historic structures dating back to the Viking age. As you drive, learn the history of this fascinating nation, including legends of Vikings, elves, and magic! If you want to experience Iceland truly, there’s no better place to start than here.
About the Tour
Your Iceland self-guided tour begins in the capital city of Reykjavik. As you leave the city and drive out into the island’s rural splendor, you’ll hear about the original inhabitants of Iceland… and what they did when they realized the Vikings were coming. You’ll also get familiar with the famous mythological figures of Odin, Thor, and Loki.
The first major landmark you’ll reach is Helgufoss, a brief hike leading to a lovely waterfall. Beyond that, you’ll get a crash course in Icelandic culture, from Nobel Prize winners to poetry and dancing! You’ll then arrive at Vinaskógur, one of the only forests remaining on the island after that is Thingvellir, which served as the home to the oldest parliament in the entire world.
Thingvellir National Park is up next, featuring gorgeous hikes, great fishing and snorkeling opportunities, and a huge waterfall called Oxararfoss! Continuing, you’ll learn about the Aurora Borealis, both the truth of it and the various legends and myths it has produced over the years. Then you’ll have the chance to check out the mysterious home of a mythical figure.
Looking for a relaxing break from driving? You’ll find that next, at the geothermal baths—a perfect place for a peaceful soak!
Once you’re done with that, you’ll be introduced to one of Iceland’s most famous sagas, a blend of fact and fiction loaded with adventure. Next, you’ll arrive at one of Iceland’s best attractions: a huge geyser that you’re almost guaranteed to see erupt! Then there’s Gullfoss, a towering waterfall reaching over 100 feet in height.
After that, you’ll come to the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest natural pool, followed by a unique restaurant based in a greenhouse!
Your route takes you next to Skálhol, an important religious center dating all the way back to the year 1106! Then you’ll pass the Sólheimar Ecovillage, which offers a unique look at how a town can operate. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Kerid Crater and learn about the wild volcanic history of Iceland. The Iceland self-guided tour concludes beyond this crater, just outside Reykjavik.
Starting point: Tourist Information and Booking Centre, Laugavegur 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
What You'll See
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Welcome to Iceland!
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Reykjavik Pier: How This Tour Works
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The Legend of the Raven
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Vikings vs Monks
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Iceland’s Settlement
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Vikings, everywhere?
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Odin & Thor
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Loki the Trickster
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Thor & Loki at Utgarda
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Baldur & Ragnarok
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Vikings on Horseback
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Helgufoss
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Icelandic Horses
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Helgufoss
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Halldór Laxness
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Icelandic Music
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Vikivaki Dances
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Bjork
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Vinaskógur, the Friendship Forest
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Thingvellir & Althing
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Geology of Thingvellir
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Thingvellir National Park (detour lines of hikes through here) (Silfra, Ocararfoss)
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Seat of Parliament: Walking Detout
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Oxararfoss: Walking Detour
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Silfra Dive Site: Walking Detour
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Geothermal Baths
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Strokkur & Geysir
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Waterfalls
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Coming Up: Secret Lagoon
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Friðheimar
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Skálholt Cathedral
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Sólheimar Ecovillage
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Kerid Crater
Additional Information
Lifetime Validity
Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.
Works Offline
The tour works offline, so you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we suggest you download the tour on WiFi at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc., before heading out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket to any of the attractions along the way.
Not a Car Rental
We do not provide car rental services. You must arrange for a car yourself. Our self-guided driving audio tours will work in any car via an aux cable or Bluetooth.
How many tours should I buy?
Since this is a driving tour, we suggest you buy one tour per car for the best experience.
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!