7 Day Self Drive Tour | South Coast, Snaefellsnes & Golden Circle

The first day is dedicated to West Iceland—one of Iceland's most popular and inhabited parts. You’ll start with the guiding light of Akranesviti Lighthouse, whose white beauty attracts tourists from all over the world. 

Next, it’s time to head north to the Silver Circle attractions. The pair of Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls, majestic cascades found right by each other. Down the road are the bubbling waters of the most powerful European hot springs, Deildartunguhver. Waters here reach temperatures of 100 °C (212 °F). 

The day's final attraction is the Gerðuberg cliff. These basalt columns, shaped to perfection, reach 14 m (45.9 ft) in height. If you hike up to the top, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the quiet surrounding landscapes opening up. Additionally, the remote location guarantees crowds will be small and not so annoying.  

On top of them, panoramic views of the quiet surrounding landscapes open up. The remote location guarantees you’ll enjoy this sight with barely any crowds to disturb you. 

The day ends in Borgarnes, the gateway city between Snaefellsnes National Park and the capital region.  

The theme of the day will be the Snæfellsnes peninsula, a place that has often been nicknamed “Iceland in a nutshell” - as it has everything from waterfalls to grand mountains to lava fields and black sand beaches. You can drive the peninsula clockwise or counterclockwise but here the drive will be described clockwise. The first stop is at the amazing Ytri Tunga, where you will find a seal paradise, where they relax and play at the beach, surprisingly unafraid of the humans who often stop by to admire these cuties. 

From Ytri Tunga you will make your way to Búðakirkja church, a lone some structure in the middle of wild Snaefellsnes beauty, and then Arnarstapi. The drive is very beautiful and you will want to make extra stops here and there just to take it all in (make sure to park well off road). Arnarstapi is a tiny, charming fishing village on the coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula, and close by is another similar one called Hellnar. Between those two, you will find a café, located down by the ocean with a great view and excellent food options. Perfect for a lunch stop! 

Prepare for a ravishing vista as you make your way along the coast of the peninsula first stopping at the alluring Lóndrangar sea cliff and then at the movie looking Djúpalónssandur pebble rock beach with its high basalt columns. This place was once home to sixty fishing boats and was at that time one of the most prolific fishing villages in the West of Iceland but today it remains uninhabited. 

Along the coast, you will continue driving up and down graceful hills and beautiful roads, over bridges, and past dazzling, unnamed waterfalls. During the drive, you will see Snæfellsjökull glacier from all directions, the famous stratovolcano that Jules Verne wrote about in his book Journey to the Center of the Earth. 

The reason for the next stop is hard to hide since as soon as you reach the town’s border you will see the towering mountain of Kirkjufell standing tall out on a peninsula. Right next to the mountain you will find the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss which adds a magical charm to the scene and makes the overview otherworldly. 

A dinner at Stykkishólmur, the neighboring town is a great idea before settling at the hotel for the night which will be in the area. 

Today we wake up and enjoy our complimentary breakfast before continuing the route through the Hvalfjörður fjord. Whale fjord a fascinating drive in complete serenity. The drive will take you over a hill and into the valley where the National Park Þingvellir is located. Þingvellir, often spelled Thingvellir is a world-famous geological wonderland and a home to waterfalls, lakes, and stunning lava formations. It is where the continental plates meet and drift apart in an intriguing way adding to the charm of this historical site where one of the world’s first democratic parliaments was founded in the year 930. The park is a UNESCO protected world heritage site as it is truly unique and fascinating on a global scale.

Back on the route, you will drive past the local favorite Laugarvatn lake home to the Laugarvatn Fontana spa, where many like to make a stop and bathe. Other great stops before you get to the Geysir Hot Springs is at Reykholt, Flúðir geothermal village, the Secret Lagoon oldest swimming pool in Iceland or Friðheimar a tomato plantation where you can taste delicious greenhouse-grown tomatoes or tomato soup, a fantastic lunch or café stop!

Next up on the 7 day Iceland itinerary is one of Iceland’s most famous landmarks, the Geysir Hot Springs. This must-do stop will bring you a memory that you will never forget as the geyser Strokkur bursts up into the sky like a rocket every 4-10 minutes creating a synchronized but unavoidable awe with the crowd watching. This is a moment you will remember forever.

Last but not least on the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall stop. The Golden Falls, as the name would translate, is a two-story water force that originates from Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull. People who book snowmobiling tours to Langjökull snowfield can start from the Gullfoss waterfall parking lot.  

Your hotel for tonight is located near Hella on Route 1.  

After breakfast at the accommodation, the adventure continues this time driving along the South Coast heading East. Along the route, you will be greeted with a view over the acclaimed Hekla volcano and the stratovolcano which so famously erupted in 2010, Eyjafjallajökull. You will drive through the town Hella and later Hvolsvöllur before getting up close and personal with a waterfall that originates in Eyjafjallajökull, Seljalandsfoss. This picture-perfect waterfall drops down a mountain hill that is carved underneath giving you a chance to walk behind it. It is a magical feeling to walk behind a glacier waterfall, an experience you never forget.

Right next to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a hidden gem, in a gorge in the same hill you can find the eerie Gljúfrabúi waterfall. Prepare to get a little wet when exploring it but it’s fully worth it!

After a short drive, you will have the chance to join a 3-hour glacier hike tour. You'll meet a glacier guide for an exciting glacier hike on Sólheimajökull glacier. There is yet another experience that you will hold on to and cherish. 

After a short drive, you will have the chance to join a glacier hike tour. (Please note that this is an optional extra. Instructions are presented in the itinerary after purchase.) You'll meet a glacier guide for an exciting glacier hike on Sólheimajökull glacier. There is yet another experience that you will hold on to and cherish.

After your glacier adventure, you will find the powerful and marvelous waterfall Skógafoss, located at the historical Skógar. There you can hike up to the top of the waterfall but don’t do it without a stop in the middle to see the fairy-tale-like troll face that sits on the hill.  Legend says that the troll lost track of time admiring the waterfall and its beauty and as a result turned into stone. Skógar also has a fantastic museum.

The drive will to you in the direction of the village Vík but before you reach it take a right turn towards the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. This mystical and staggering volcanic sand utopia is home to divine basalt columns that stand tall and strong against the ocean's strong waves. Be careful not to go too close to the ocean as the waves are known to be intensely powerful.

Dyrhólaey cape is not far off and for many a welcomed extra stop to make. From there you can see Reynisfjara and its columns, Reynisdrangar from a whole different angle. It is a place of angelic views and is known to capture people’s hearts and souls.

The night will be spent in the village of Vík.

Today the drive takes you from Vík over the lava, moss, and sand fields towards East. The landscape is sublime and you will want to stop a few times to take it all in. Today you will be making your way to the Glacier Kingdom of Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National parks. You will drive through the town on Kirkjubæjarklaustur about an hour from Vík and onwards until you reach the National Park Skaftafell.

We recommend hiking up to the Svartifoss waterfall where you are in for a true visual treat. Fun Fact: Svartifoss was an inspiration for the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík.

Next up is a location not to be missed, the stop that you have likely been waiting for. It’s the mighty, heavenly Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where celestial aqua blue icebergs float around and seals and arctic terns roam the area. There are no real words that can explain this vision. You simply must see the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Both Zodiac and Amphibian boat tours are available in the glacier lagoon. On the other side of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, you have the Diamond Beach another must-visit where glistening icebergs have drifted ashore on a pitch-black sand beach and sit perfectly creating a supernaturally beautiful scene.

The night is spent at a hotel in the Klaustur, Skaftafell, Höfn area.

You’ll start your day with Lómagnúpur, a subglacial mountain resembling Devil's Tower in the Black Hills of America. From this viewpoint, you’ll see the rock in all its glory. Adding to the beauty is the black sand and glacier rivers around the raised monument of nature. 

Follow this up with another rock formation—Dverghamrar—cliffs whose name translates to Dwarf Rocks. Despite its small name, this geological wonder is a monumental masterpiece composed of columnar basalt formations. 

Believe it or not, Kirkjugólf floors, though organized, are completely natural! It’s a complete work of nature, like the nearby Stjórnarfoss waterfall. Here, the small tranquil fall fits the serenity and calm of the surroundings. 

Try pronouncing Kirkjubæjarklaustur? Not a lot of people can, but that doesn’t stop you from visiting this small South Coast village. There is a glacial river, a lake, and a moss-covered lava field to gawk at on your visit. Just nearby, Systrafoss, “Sister Falls,” trickles down to Systravetn, “Sister Lake.” True sisterhood. 

Next up is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a place even locals have a difficult time pronouncing, but everyone can agree on its insane beauty! 

The day winds down in Stokkseyri or Eyrarbakki—two towns on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The first hosts a spooky Ghost Center, magical Elves and a Northern Lights Museum. If grounded reality is more to your taste, visit the Maritime and Árnessýsla Folk Museums in Eyrarbakki for a cultural experience. 

Head to Sellfoss for some urban sightseeing in the late evening before calling it a night in the city.  

The final day focuses on the Reykjanes Peninsula, home to the capital and international airport. This is where the smoky landscapes and the tectonic rift reside, and where your week-long journey ends. 

When you return from the South Coast, your first stop is Kleifarvatn crater and the blue waters it houses. Icelanders believe that a monster, similar to the one in Loch Ness, resides in these depths. While that might be far from the truth, the surrounding beauty is a reality you have to see for yourself. 

Seltún Geothermal Area is up next. The otherworldly landscape here originates from the tectonic movement below the Earth’s surface. You can walk the winding path to feel the warmth of bubbling hot springs or enjoy the vibrant colors from one of the two viewing platforms.  

You started with a white Akranesviti and today you’re expanding the color palette with Hópsnes, an orange lighthouse. Hópsnesviti was constructed as a response to ships wrecking onto the island, some of whose skeletons you’ll see on a walk through the beach. 

Though not included in your paid package, the Blue Lagoon is a nice stop to unwind after seven days of driving. The warm waters here remain at a comfortable temperature, delivering the ultimate relaxation experience all year round. 

Nevertheless, the next stop is the final lighthouse of the tour, Reykjanesviti—the oldest and most famous of such structures in Iceland. Originally constructed in 1878, it was destroyed but rebuilt in 1929 and has been standing tall ever since. 

The bridge between two continents is the final stop of the adventure. The small straight structure unites Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, so by crossing it you’ll be taking a big leap—a symbolic small end to a grand 7-day long trip across South and West Iceland. 

When you arrive at the airport again, you drop the rental car off, free from the hassle of buses or challenging luggage transfers. 

Your glacier hike on Sólheimajökull's outlet glacier is included in the specified price, but entry to the Blue Lagoon is not. You will need to book in advance on their website.

To offer the best price possible, this self-drive package is fixed and cannot be changed or altered. The package has been optimized for the best experience.

Your detailed itinerary includes:

√ Detailed map of Iceland with all stops
√ Easy-to-follow daily travel plans
√ Mobile-friendly design
√ Descriptions and photos for all major stops
√ Approximate time needed at each stop
√ Tips on the best nearby restaurants
√ Exclusive locations not included in the tour description

Information about your rental car

Pick-up: Choose between pick-up locations at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) or the Reykjavik City office in downtown Reykjavík. It is very centrally located and easy to reach on foot for those staying in downtown Reykjavik. Picking up from the downtown office is from 08:00-18:00.

For the best experience, we recommend that you pick up your car early on your arrival day and return it in the afternoon or evening on your last day.

Drop-off: Pick-up and drop-off are in the same location (changes only available upon request).

This package includes comfortable accommodation in prime locations. Breakfast is included, and each room features a private bathroom.

When booking for 2 or 4 persons, twin or double rooms will be provided. 

For bookings of 3 or 5 persons, a combination of double/twin rooms and triple rooms will be arranged. 

Additionally, a single room can also be arranged for an extra fee.

To ensure the best possible price and experience, this self-drive package is fixed and cannot be modified.

By default, the tour includes a mini/economy (Toyota Aygo or similar) vehicle option. However, when you make your booking, you can upgrade the vehicle to a Standard (Toyota Avensis or similar), Economy SUV (Dacia Duster or similar), or Full-Size SUV (Mitsubishi Pajero or similar) car model. 

Please note: All rental cars have automatic transmissions. If an automatic transmission is not available, the van option can come with a manual transmission.