6-Day South Coast, Golden Circle and Westfjords Highlights

Pickup starts in Reykjavík, and after everyone’s on board, we’ll drive to the Golden Circle tourist route and explore its famous attractions. First is Þingvellir National Park, where you’ll walk through the rift valley between two continents and see the birthplace of Iceland’s first parliament (Alþingi). Next up is the Geysir Geothermal Area. Here, you’ll pass by one of the world’s oldest geysers, Great Geysir, and witness Iceland’s most active, Strokkur, erupting every 4–10 minutes. After that, we’ll stop by Gullfoss waterfall and observe its powerful, two-tiered cascade, which sends mist into the air. 

In the afternoon, we’ll head south. If the weather plays along, you may spot Hekla volcano on the horizon. The day finishes with a visit to Seljalandsfoss falls. When conditions allow, you can take the path behind the waterfall for a different angle. You’ll spend the night at a hotel on the South Coast.

After breakfast, we’ll head east toward Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and black-sand Diamond Beach inside Vatnajökull National Park. The lagoon is filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes that wash up on the shore and shimmer in the sun like little treasures. This area is inhabited by seals, and you might spot them swimming in the lagoon or resting on the icebergs if you’re lucky. 

From Jökulsárlón, we’ll continue to Skaftafell Nature Reserve. In summer, we’ll take an easy trail to Svartifoss waterfall. Then, you’ll follow your guide into the mesmerizing Katla ice cave and witness blue or black glacial ice, streaked with ash from volcanic eruptions. We’ll spend approximately 2 hours inside, walking across easy terrain, and you’ll have plenty of time to take pictures. Overnight accommodation will be at a hotel along the South Coast. 

After a morning meal, we’ll start the day with a quick detour to moss-covered Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, if the weather allows. Then, you’ll visit Iceland’s second-largest lava field, Eldhraun, and continue to Reynisfjara black-sand beach. The powerful waves of the Atlantic show their true force here. Keep in mind, sneaker waves can arrive unexpectedly, so don’t turn your back on the ocean. Before leaving, we’ll look at the basalt columns on the beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks just offshore. 

We’ll continue to Skógafoss, a waterfall that drops 60 m (197 ft) into a pool below. There are 527 steps to the top, and if visibility is good, you may catch views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. After this last stop, we’ll return to Reykjavík for your overnight stay before the Westfjords departure the next morning.

The next part of the adventure begins in Reykjavík, with a hotel pickup and a drive north along Route 1 (Ring Road). The first stop is Eiríksstaðir, a reconstructed Viking longhouse. Inside, the dim timber interior gives a glimpse into the world of Leifur Eiríksson, explorer and settler of Iceland. 

After that, the road carries you deeper into the Westfjords through Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve, where the coastline turns rugged and quiet. Not far ahead is the Garðar shipwreck, its rusted hull sitting on a black-sand shore with green hills rising behind it. 

From there, we’ll continue to Látrabjarg, the largest seabird cliff in Europe, perched above the meeting point of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. You might see a large puffin colony that has come here to nest. The day wraps up at Breiðavík, a wide stretch of golden sand framed by blue water and green hills. You’ll spend the night at a comfortable hotel in the area. 

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Rauðisandur beach, a 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch of red- and gold-tinted sand that’s rare in Iceland. The color comes from crushed scallop shells, giving the shoreline a warm tone you don’t usually see on the country’s black-sand coasts. 

From there, our journey continues into the Fossfjörður valley, then to the tiered cascades of Dynjandi waterfall. This is followed up with Önundarfjörður pier, a simple wooden walkway that reaches into the fjord. With turquoise water, pale sand, and mountains all around, it’s an easy place to slow down and take it all in. 

Later, the route climbs to the Bolafjall viewing platform. Sitting 636 m (2,086 ft) above ground, it looks straight out over the ocean-facing fjords, with steep slopes dropping away below. The day ends in Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. It’s home to only around 1,600 people, and the small streets make for a good evening walk. Overnight hotel in Ísafjörður.

We’ll begin the day by driving to Ósvör Maritime Museum, a restored 19th-century fishing station. Its turf huts and preserved rowboats show how Icelandic fishermen lived and worked in the past. Just nearby is the Óshólar lighthouse, with its red-orange tower marking the edge of land before the sea takes over. 

From here, the drive follows the Seven Fjords Route, twisting through one fjord after another as the coastline and mountain ridges keep changing outside the window. Then, we’ll reach Arctic Fox Center, a research site dedicated to Iceland’s only native mammal, where you can learn about the species’ biology and history. Soon after, there’s a stop at the Hvítanes seal colony, where seals gather on coastal rocks between Hestfjörður and Skötufjörður fjords. 

Our journey continues to the Gervidalsá valley stream, your last stop within the Westfjords. After that, we’ll head back to the capital. On our way back to Reykjavík, we’ll take the scenic route via Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord). You’ll return to Reykjavík between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, depending on the road and weather conditions. 

Pickup starts at 9:00 AM from your hotel or at a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Keep in mind that the process may take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is much appreciated. 

Available locations: Arctic Adventures’ pickup list.

Your safety is our priority. Sometimes the itinerary or hotels may change slightly due to weather conditions. Your guide always chooses the safest, best possible route based on weather and road conditions. 

This experience combines two separate tours. If one part (either the South Coast or the Westfjords) is canceled, you can still join the other part. 

We cannot guarantee that the view during your ice cave visit will match the photographs, as ice caves are natural phenomena that constantly change. How they look can vary depending on the season, time of day, lighting, and other factors.