5-Day South Iceland Summer Self-Drive Tour | Golden Circle, Black Sand Beach & Glacier Lagoon

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula – An ancient lava field
• Reykjavík – Iceland’s vibrant capital city

Optional Activities:

• Visiting the Blue Lagoon Spa

Before landing, you might spot the dramatic lava fields of Reykjanes Peninsula from your airplane window. Keflavík International Airport is located amidst these rocky outcrops, making your very first experiences in Iceland unforgettable from the get-go. Here, you will collect your bags and rental car before making a scenic drive across this volcanic landscape to Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavík. 

Of course, there is always the option to stop at a rejuvenating geothermal spa; The Blue Lagoon. Bathing in the aquamarine waters of Iceland’ premier visitor’s attraction, you will discover relaxation and luxury like never before. Surrounded by billowing white pillars of steam, you’ll be able to shake off the stress of travel with ease. 

Once in Reykjavík, you will drop your bags off the hotel, then be free to explore the capital at your leisure. Why not visit one of Iceland’s many fine-dining establishments, or enjoy a few drinks down at one of the local bars? If you’re in a more reflective mood, you could choose to walk between some of the city’s better-known landmarks, including Hallgrímskirkja Church and Harpa Concert Hall. 

Highlights:

• Þingvellir National Park – A historical site which marks the boundaries of two continents
• Geysir Geothermal Area – Home of bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers
• Strokkur – Iceland’s most dramatic erupting geyser
• Gullfoss Waterfall – A stunning 32 m cascade
• Kerið Crater Lake – A small lake in the heart of a crater
• Skálholt Historical Site – Rich in history and beauty
• Efstidalur Farm – A fantastic stop for ice cream and coffee

Optional Activities:

• Snorkelling in Silfra Fissure
• Snowmobiling on top of Langjökull Glacier
• Horse riding in the Icelandic countryside

Today, you will experience Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route, The Golden Circle. Composed of three major attractions—Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Valley and Gullfoss waterfall—this dramatic trail provides brilliant insights into this land’s culture, nature and history. 

Þingvellir National Park is where Iceland’s parliament (Alþingi) was founded, way back in the 10th Century. It also covers a geological anomaly known as the Mid-Atlantic rift; this continental no man’s land is found between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. For the best panoramas, a viewpoint atop the Almannagjá gorge provides compelling views over this entire UNESCO World Heritage site, including Lake Þingvallavatn. 

Þingvellir is also where Silfra Fissure is located. Snorkelling in this cold, crystal clear canyon is one of Iceland’s most popular and exhilarating activities. It is sure to provide you with incredible underwater views while keeping you warm inside a thermal drysuit. Snorkelers will experience what it’s like to swim between two tectonic plates which only adds to the novelty. 

Next up, you will visit a geothermal valley most famous for the geyser, Strokkur. This mighty natural feature erupts every five to ten minutes, shooting a frothy stream of water up to twenty-five metres in the air. After witnessing this spectacle firsthand, you will then pay a trip to the nearby Gullfoss waterfall. This cascading giant can be viewed from two different platforms, both of which show off the raw and beautiful drama of Icelandic nature magnificently. 

If you’re looking to spruce your itinerary up with a little more adventure, you are free to participate in additional activities today. These include riding a purebred Icelandic horse through the stunning countryside of the west, or snowmobiling on the gargantuan glacier, Langjökull. Both of these add-ons reveal different sides of Iceland’s culture and landscapes, all while providing memories that are sure to last a lifetime. 

Given that this is a self-drive tour, you are also free to make a detour to other nearby attractions like Kerið Crater Lake, Efstidalur farm or the Skálholt historical site. At the end of your day, you will retire to your accommodation in the area. 

Highlights:

• Seljalandsfoss – A waterfall with a cave behind the cascade
• Skógafoss – A wide and beautiful waterfall, viewable from above and below
• Eyjafjallajökull Glacier – A stunning ice cap hiding a volcano beneath it
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Iceland’s most famous shoreline
• Vík Village – A quaint village that’s excellent for a lunch stop

Optional Activities:

• Glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull ice cap
• Ice caving in Katla
• ATV Riding across black sands beaches towards the DC-3 Plane Wreck

On your third day in the country, you will be travelling down Iceland’s south coast. En route, you will discover beautiful promenades, fantastic waterfalls and stunning coastlines. 

The more adventurous among you can begin your day with an invigorating hike on one of the country’s prettiest ice caps, Sólheimajökull Glacier. Hiking across the vast ice gives you time to appreciate the exquisite moulins and crevasses that dot the glacier.

Another way to get your adrenaline pumping today is with an ATV ride across the black sand beaches of South Iceland. You’ll speed across rivers towards your destination; a wreck of a navy plane which crashed on the beach in 1973 (don’t worry, nobody was hurt). 

You will be paying a visit to two of South Iceland’s most famous natural features, the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Afterwards, you will make a stop at the sublime Reynisfjara black sand beach, where the dramatic rock stacks Reynisdranagar poke up out of the ocean. 

While you’re in the Vík village area, you could choose to partake in a tour of the nearby Katla Ice Caves. Under the leadership of a professional guide, you will explore these vivid and glassy cave networks by climbing through narrow crevasses and tunnels, ever on the lookout for intricate and naturally-formed ice sculptures. 

After a hard day’s adventuring, you will spend the night at a country hotel in the Vatnajökull area. 

Highlights:

• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – An aquamarine water body filled with floating icebergs
• Diamond Beach – A black sand beach nearby to Jökulsárlón where icebergs wash ashore
• Skaftafell – A beautiful nature reserve beneath Vatnajökull Glacier
• Svartifoss Waterfall – A gorgeous waterfall enclosed by black basalt columns
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – a twisted canyon of green cliff sides
• Dyrhólaey Promenade – Famous for its lighthouse, rock arch and puffins

Optional Activities:

• Amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón
• Glacier Hiking in Skaftafell

Start the day by visiting one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Surrounded by the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, Jökulsárlón is famed for its floating icebergs, ethereal ambience and happy seal population. Nothing beats following the icebergs on their journey from the lagoon down to the black shorelines of the Diamond Beach. 

Before heading back west, you will have an opportunity to take a boat tour on Jökulsárlón. Aboard an amphibious vessel, you will be taken right up next to the icebergs, allowing for fantastic photography opportunities. Alternatively, you could choose to go hiking in Skaftafell Nature Reserve. With its steep cliff sides, lush vegetation and panoramic views over South Iceland, Skaftafell has the well-deserved reputation as one of the country’s prettiest locations.  

You will now be making the return journey back to Reykjavík, though there’s still plenty of time left en route to see more of Iceland’s natural wonders such as Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Dyrhólaey Promenade.

Finally, you will arrive back to Iceland’s capital city where you are free to enjoy the rest of your evening. Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of Iceland’s many downtown pools, or instead, catch a live show at one of the many venues found across the city.

Highlights:

• Hallgrímskirkja Church – Reykjavík’s most iconic landmark
• Laugavegur Shopping Street – Home to Reykjavík’s shops and nightlife
• Harpa Concert Hall – An architectural marvel in Reykjavík 
• Perlan Museum & Observation Deck – A great place to learn about Iceland’s nature and get a panoramic view of the city

Optional Activities:

• Taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon

Alas, your final day in Iceland has drawn in. Depending on the time of your flight, there may still be room for you to explore Reykjavík a little more in the morning. You could stroll through the city’s downtown parks, visit a local cafe or walk up the forested Öskjuhlíð Hill to Perlan Observation Deck for a final panoramic over the city. 

Alternatively, you still have time to visit the Blue Lagoon if you chose not to do so on your arrival day. Making the Blue Lagoon your last stop has several advantages; it leaves with you an incredible last experience in the country, and also makes you nice and relaxed for your travels ahead. 

Until next time, we hope you’ve had a fantastic trip to the land of ice and fire..