Let’s get exploring! This self-guided adventure is the perfect way to spend three days in Iceland in the comfort of your own car but an itinerary that will make sure you don’t miss out on any of the must-dos.
Get a history lesson at Thingvellir National Park, get amazed by nature’s powers at Geysir hot springs, and be mesmerized at Gullfoss waterfall. Continue the tour of Iceland along the South Coast to experience beautiful waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. See the mystical Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara, and to top it all off, join a glacier hike on Solheimajokull glacier.
Explore Iceland’s top sights on a three-day self-drive tour.
You’ll see and experience the excitement of these regions in just three days! See natural wonders found nowhere else but in the Golden Circle. Walk on black sand beaches and ice-climb a glacier down the South Coast of Iceland. Finally, spend the third day on leisure activities - sightseeing around the capital and relaxing in a geothermal pool.
At the start, you'll get a package with everything you need: pre-booked hotels, a rental car, and a Sólheimajökull Glacier tour, plus a map, itinerary, and detailed guidebook for the three days.
Look below for a more detailed idea of what awaits you!
The day kicks off at one of Iceland's most renowned attractions - Þingvellir National Park, most commonly known as Thingvellir. This natural wonder is a UNESCO Heritage Site and comprises incredible lava fields, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and even a rift valley. It’s a location where two different continental plates meet, meaning it's one of the rare places on Earth where you can walk across two continents at once. Geology isn't the only thing that makes Thingvellir a point of interest. It is also the site where the world's first parliament was founded. Walk the grounds of this impressive park and find informative signs alongside the stunning views.
Thingvellir isn't the only main highlight of the day. Your itinerary includes all the Golden Circle stops, which include the Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall.
The Geysir region is home to the Great Geysir, Iceland's first world-famous attraction, and still boasts several active geysers today. Finish off your day with the cascading waters of Gullfoss Waterfall, or "Golden Falls," one of Iceland's most iconic sights.
Don't forget to take time along the way to enjoy some additional attractions included in your customized guide!
Over the years, the South Coast has become one of the most visited places in Iceland, and for a good reason. Driving along the coast, you will encounter charming villages, impressive volcanoes, craggy cliffs, vast glaciers, stormy black sand beaches, and photogenic waterfalls.
In addition to your highlighted stops, today's itinerary includes a guided glacier tour at Sólheimajökull Glacier. As you trek across this giant ice cap, your guide will teach you all about the glacier's history and geology, as well as some fun facts about Icelandic nature. It's truly an unforgettable experience.
After the glacier hike, you’ll proceed to see more gems of the South Coast. You'll stop at famous attractions such as Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the set of numerous movies and TV shows - including Game of Thrones and Star Trek. With an expanse of jet-black sand framed by basalt columns and crashing waves, you’ll be taking photos every second!
The South Coast is a treasure trove of hidden gems, so you won't want to miss out on our other suggested stops.
The last day of the tour will look a little different for each traveler. Whatever suits your taste, there are endless possibilities. Want to end your nature adventure by sampling city life? Explore the famous landmarks of Reykjavík, such as Harpa Musical Hall, the Icelandic Parliament, and Hallgrímskirkja Church, or buy some souvenirs on the Laugavegur shopping street.
Those who want to discover more natural wonders can continue onto the lava-covered Reykjanes Peninsula, located right by Keflavík International Airport. Another famous geothermal region of Iceland, the peninsula boasts a scenic spread of tectonic rifts, hot springs, lakes, mud pools, cliffs, and lagoons.
Just want to relax? Head over to the iconic Blue Lagoon and enjoy a relaxing soak. The parking is free, and it is on the way to the airport, midway between Reykjavík and Keflavík airport, making it the perfect “stopover.”
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 at 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 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 at 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.
Detailed Itinerary Included
√ Detailed map of Iceland with all stops
√ Easily follow daily travel plans
√ Mobile friendly design
√ Descriptions & photos for all major stops
√ Print your itinerary or share it with friends
Information for Your Rental Car
Detailed Itinerary Included
√ 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 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 your car up 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.
Self-drive tour is a package tour that includes accommodation, car rental and suggested itinerary. The tours are self-guided but we provide you with information to make sure you know where to go and what to see, as well as general practical information about Iceland.
Included with our tours are accommodation and car rental, as described for each tour, itinerary with suggested points of interest along the way, GPS points for each stop (accommodation, activities, points of interest), and a detailed self-drive handbook with lots of practical information.
We use a very varied mix of local accommodations.
Comfort rooms are private rooms with private bathroom in guesthouses, hotels, motels, lodges, etc. Approximately 3-star rating.
4WD vehicles are recommended during winter months (October – April) but it doesn’t need to be a jeep, it is safest to drive a vehicle that you are comfortable with so if you’re not used to driving large cars then a smaller, but 4WD, might be a better option. In summer any vehicle is good, depending on how many are traveling together, how much luggage you carry along and how much you’re willing to pay.
This depends on the itinerary, some are faster paced while others are more relaxed. Days can range from 200-400 km, though very few days exceed 350 km. Of course you are your own driver and guide while on a self drive tour so you are free to make detours as you wish.
It is always a good idea to make sure you have good travel insurance, as you never know what might happen while in a foreign country. Sure it costs a bit extra, but it can take a load off the mind and end up being totally worth it in case something should happen.
Take a look at what type of insurance is provided with your credit card, alternatively buy special travel insurance from an insurance provider.
As for the car rental, you can opt to buy extra insurance at the time of collecting the car. It may be wise to buy extra insurance such as windshield protection, as a cracked windshield from a stone being thrown off another car is among the most common incidents on Icelandic roads.
Other extra car insurances would be for example sand and ash protection, or additional insurance to lower the self-risk in case of an incident.
Our self drive adventures have been optimized for the best value experience, which includes doing some thrilling activities in the amazing Icelandic nature. As the packages are offered at the best possible price no partial refunds or modifications to the itinerary can be permitted. That includes opting out of an included activity and getting a refund for that activity. You can, of course, choose not to do the activity but as mentioned there would be no partial refunds of the package price.
You should contact the service provider in question: If there is a problem with the car, contact the car rental. If you have troubles finding the hotel (which shouldn’t happen as you will be provided with the address and GPS coordinates), you should call the hotel.
If you have questions about an activity, contact the activity provider. You will receive all the necessary contact information from us.
We cannot guarantee twin beds but a large majority of our hotels can accommodate twin bed arrangements and clients can contact the hotels directly after purchase to request a twin bed arrangement.
