7-Day Campervan Self-Drive: West and South Iceland

Land at Keflavík, take the included shuttle to the Happy Campers base near Reykjavík, and pick up your 4x4 camper. From there, drive northwest to Snæfellsnes. The peninsula earns its nickname, "Iceland in miniature," by packing glaciers, lava fields, fishing villages, and wild coastline into a single day's drive. You might catch seals basking on the rocks at Ytri-Tunga beach, walk the cliff path at Arnarstapi village, see the Lóndrangar sea stacks rising from the coast nearby, and crunch across the black pebbles of Djúpalónssandur beach. Save the cone of Kirkjufell for last. It’s one of the most photographed mountains in the country. In the evening, pick a campsite from the provided map (campsite bookings aren’t included), settle in, and look for the Northern Lights.

Today, you explore West Iceland, a quieter region with many waterfalls and hot springs. Your first stop is Hraunfossar, a waterfall that trickles straight out of a moss-covered lava field in hundreds of little streams for nearly a kilometer. A few minutes' walk upstream, Barnafoss is the opposite: loud and fast, squeezing through a narrow rock gorge. Close by, Deildartunguhver is the most powerful hot spring in Europe, pumping out enough near-boiling water to heat towns for miles around.

Booked activity: Krauma geothermal baths. The pools are filled straight from Deildartunguhver, then cooled to a temperature that's just right for a long soak. Sink in, watch the steam rise, and let the day wind down. Then, find a campsite and settle in for the night.

Three of Iceland's best-known sights sit on the Golden Circle, an easy loop you can drive in a day. First is Þingvellir National Park. Walk in a valley in the rift where the North American and Eurasian plates are slowly pulling apart, and where the first settlers founded one of the world's oldest parliaments over a thousand years ago. Next is the Geysir geothermal field, where the Strokkur geyser shoots a column of water into the air every few minutes. Last is Gullfoss, a wide, powerful waterfall that drops down two steps into a deep canyon. You’ll also visit hidden gems, such as Kerið crater lake.

Booked activity: Silfra snorkeling with a certified guide. In a dry suit, you'll float along the Silfra fissure between the two continents, over water so clear you can often see 100 m (328 ft) ahead. The water is glacial melt filtered through lava for decades, so it's clean enough to drink as you go.

The South Coast lines up its sights along one easy stretch of road, so there's plenty to see between stops. Seljalandsfoss is the rare waterfall you can walk behind, with the water falling just past your shoulder. A short drive east, Skógafoss is wide and powerful, throwing up rainbows on sunny days. Further on, Reynisfjara, near Vík village, is a black-sand beach with tall basalt columns and sea stacks offshore. Stay well back from the water here, and don’t turn your back to the ocean, because the sneaker waves are strong and come unexpectedly.

Booked activity: Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull. With a certified guide and crampons on, you'll walk out onto a real glacier. Its ice is streaked black with ash from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Your guide will explain how the glaciers form and move as you go.

Day 5 is all about ice. You'll reach Vatnajökull National Park, home to the largest ice cap in Europe. Here, a short walk at Skaftafell brings you to Svartifoss, a narrow waterfall framed by dark basalt columns. After that comes the part most people remember best: Jökulsárlón, a deep lagoon where chunks of ice break off the glacier and drift slowly out to sea. Right next to it is Diamond Beach, where those same pieces wash up on the black sand and sit there like glass in the low winter sun.

Booked activity: Crystal ice cave from Jökulsárlón. From the lagoon, a modified Super Jeep drives you out onto the glacier, where you step inside a natural cave of deep, see-through blue. Your guide will lead you through ice formations and explain all about Iceland's ice caves.

Set your own pace as you drive back west along the coast. The main stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur, a deep, winding canyon with a path along the rim that looks down on the river far below. On the way, you'll cross the Eldhraun lava field, a wide stretch of green moss left by one of the largest eruptions in recorded history. You’ll pass through Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small village and a good place to fill up on fuel and food. In the evening, choose a cozy campsite from the list to settle in and wait for the Northern Lights to paint the sky.

Your last day runs across Reykjanes, a volcanic peninsula of craters, lava fields, and steam rising straight out of the ground. Here, you’ll find one of the few places on earth where you can stand on a footbridge between two tectonic plates. On the way, stop at Reykjadalur, where an uphill hike brings you to a warm river you can bathe in, with hot springs all around.

Booked activity: Guided Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel tour. Head underground into one of Iceland's longest lava tubes, along the path molten rock carved out around 5,000 years ago. In winter, ice forms at the entrance, and streaks of red and purple minerals glow under the lights. A good last stop before you hand back the keys.

Pickup

Your trip starts at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). An airport shuttle to the Happy Campers base is included, and you collect your camper there. Pickup and drop-off are at the same location.

Campervan 

Your campervan is a four-wheel-drive Volkswagen with automatic transmission, an insulated interior, and a heater to keep it warm on cold nights. Inside, you'll find a gas stove, a cooler, and a full set of cookware, dishes, and bedding. The camper has no shower or toilet on board, so you'll use the facilities at the campsite.

• You'll need a valid driver's license to collect the camper, and you should be comfortable driving a 4x4 in winter conditions.
• The route is planned for you, but the attractions are suggestions, not obligations. You decide which to visit, how long to linger, and where to camp each night.
• The booked activities are the only fixed points, so you just need to arrive on time for those. You can reschedule any of them as long as you let us know at least 24 hours ahead.
• Campsite bookings are not included.
• Winter weather and roads change fast. Check safetravel.is for road conditions before each drive, and leave extra time. The aurora forecast helps you plan your Northern Lights nights.
• Campsite fees and meals aren't included.