Iceland is open for travel: Volcanic eruption in Iceland 2024
The South Coast is a must-see whether it's your first time visiting Iceland or your hundredth.
In under a week, you will see beautiful waterfalls, majestic volcanoes, black sand beaches, and glacial lagoons showcasing Iceland's diverse landscapes. You will visit the iconic Golden Circle route, hike on a glacier, and pass by some of the best views in the country.
On this road trip, you have the freedom to explore Iceland at your own pace. We handle all the planning, routes, comfortable accommodations, and car rental. Your only job is to enjoy the journey and capture lots of photos!
Your trip is meticulously planned to showcase the best natural wonders in each area. With a detailed itinerary, map, and self-drive handbook provided, you'll have everything you need for an unforgettable tour.
Start with the famous Golden Circle, featuring powerful waterfalls and geothermal wonders. Continue to the fascinating South Coast, with its breathtaking glaciers, charming villages, and dramatic black sand beaches.
Then, explore the tranquil beauty of Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest glacier and the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Conclude your journey with a fascinating exploration of the Reykjanes Peninsula's unique geological features, including volcanic craters and wild lava fields.
Ready to explore Iceland's attractions? Check the details below.
Start your road trip with a scenic journey to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its geology and history. The park was most notably the site of the Althingi, the first Icelandic Parliament back in 930 CE, which makes it the oldest continuously operational parliament in the modern world.
Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Thingvellir straddles the continents of Europe and North America and visitors have the chance to gaze upon the gap that separates the two continents. Witness fascinating rock formations crafted by the volcanic activity and picturesque green valleys.
From Thingvellir, the route takes you through the picturesque village of Laugarvatn and to the Geysir area, where Iceland’s iconic geysers spew boiling streams of water into the air. The final stop on the tour is the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall (golden falls), where rushing streams of cascading water crash over three stages of lava rock into the lush green valley below.
Day two will take you to Iceland’s legendary southern coast, taking you past the notorious and beautiful Eyjafjallajökull glacier. The glacer’s snow-carpeted icecap grounded the majority of Europe’s air-fleet when it erupted in 2010. The perk of a self-drive tour is that you have the option to stop wherever you wish, but you’ll have itinerary suggestions to help you make the most of each region.
We recommend that you begin at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is famous for its cylindrical jet of powerful water that crashes down into the valley below. Its unique cave allows visitors to travel behind the fall and enjoy it from a completely different perspective. The Skogafoss waterfall is equally beautiful and has a rushing cascade that vaults 60 meters down the cliff face into the pool. A winding path is cut on the hill beside it, offering visitors the chance to climb the hill and be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Along this path are two fascinating rock formations nicknamed “the trolls.” Local legend is that the rocks are two petrified trolls that were turned to stone by the sun.
As you continue toward the mighty Solheimajokull glacier, we recommend stopping off at Dyrholaey, a craggy rock arch that is like a deep blue window into the sea.You’ll get to marvel at the magnificent black beach at Reynisdrangar, where white-crested waves contrast beautifully with the dark volcanic sands. Stunning basalt cliffs have been cut into incredible cylindrical rock formations. The unique landscape will leave you breathless. Another option is stopping off at the picturesque village of Vik, which is nestled at the foot of a mighty glacier.
Day three begins with a traditional Icelandic breakfast at your accommodation before you continue your journey through Iceland’s magical countryside. We strongly recommend making the short hike to the spectacular Svartifoss Waterfall where a cylindrical stream of cascading water crashes over round basalt columns into the luscious valley below. The stunning contrast of the frothing white water bouncing over the black basalt stone is a truly profound sight.
The next part of the route will take you to the legendary Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. It is renowned for the gleaming chunks of glassy ice that float across its turquoise surface, a spellbinding sight that words really don’t do justice. Film buffs may recognize it from films like Die Another Day, Batman Begins, Tomb Raider and more. This incredible natural wonder might even be topped by the iconic Diamond Beach which lies just below it. Here gleaming diamond-like icebergs sparkle like jewels on the dark black volcanic sands.
The night will be spent near Skaftafell in Iceland’s south.
On day four, you’ll explore even more of Iceland’s stunning South Coast. As you proceed down the road you will find the photogenic Lómagnúpur Mountain, which rises 690 meters above sea level and towers above a crystal-clear lake, before arriving at Núpsstaðir, which is famed for the grass-carpeted buildings that are literally built into the hillside.
Next on the itinerary is Dverghamrar (the Dwarf Rocks), a series of cylindrical basalt columns that stand on a lonely hill and are strangely beautiful. It is believed that they were formed at the end of the last Ice Age when sea levels were much higher, which would explain their strange location.
As you approach the famous Icelandic highland region, you will see the capricious Katla, a powerful volcano that is hidden beneath the ice-cap of the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. The road passes through Mýrdalssandur an otherworldly volcanic desert with magical scenery and the gargantuan Eldhraun lava field, which was formed after the eruption of 934 that produced the largest lava flow that the planet has ever seen.
For those who want to explore more areas around Reykjavik, we suggest visiting the coast. The idyllic villages of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki are both excellent choices. The traditional villages boast rustic wooden houses that visitors are sure to appreciate. Another option is the seaside village of Þorlákshöfn, which is perched on the deep blue Atlantic Ocean and is steeped in authentic Icelandic culture.
The iconic Reykjanes area is conveniently situated near Iceland’s International Airport. With its convenient location and stunning natural beauty, it’s the perfect place to end your stay in Iceland. It is packed with moss-carpeted lava fields, craggy volcanic craters, spectacular rock formations and the legendary Keilir, a distinctive cone-shaped mountain, which has come to symbolize the area.
The famous (and supposedly haunted) Gunnuhver hot springs and the bridge that crosses the continents of Europe and North America are also well worth a look. Further afield you’ll find the secluded fishing village of Grindavik, ideal for those who really want to experience true coastal Icelandic life.
If you have more time or would prefer a more relaxing final stop, then we highly recommend soaking in the Blue Lagoon. Famous for being the world’s finest natural spa, its milky turquoise and geothermally heated waters are renowned for their healing properties, making them the ideal place to relax amidst some truly stunning scenery.
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 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 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.
Budget rooms are private rooms with shared bathroom at guesthouses, hostels, hotels, etc. Approximately 2-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.
