South and West Iceland

Welcome to Iceland! Upon arriving at Keflavík Airport, your rental car awaits you. The journey into the capital takes approximately 45 minutes. Reykjavík offers trendy shops and excellent restaurants where the food is inspired by the Icelandic landscapes and made from local fresh produce.

Explore the capital city on your own at a pace that suits you during the afternoon and evening. On your way from the airport, you can also choose to visit the Blue Lagoon (optional, must be booked in advance), a mineral-rich oasis set in the midst of a barren lava landscape.

Overnight: Reykjavík

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula (volcanic landscapes)
• Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa, optional)
• Reykjavík city center 

After breakfast, leave the capital and travel south following Route 1. You will pass through the towns of Hveragerði, Selfoss, and Hella. East of Hvolsvöllur, you reach the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two stops not to be missed. At Skógar, you can find a museum giving interesting insights into how Icelandic people lived in the past.

You can also explore the glacial tongue Sólheimajökull and the bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey, where puffins nest during spring and summer. Take a walk along the black lava beaches of Reynisfjara, but be careful near the waves—their powerful pull can be dangerous. After Vík, you cross the black sand desert Mýrdalssandur and the enormous Eldhraun lava field before reaching Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

Highlights:

• Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss (iconic waterfalls)
• Skógar Museum (heritage and history)
• Sólheimajökull (glacial tongue)
• Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara (puffin cliffs and black sand beach)
• Eldhraun (moss-covered lava field)

Today you follow Route 1 east toward the glacier and then back again to Vík. Start by driving to the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier. On the way, stop at Dverghamrar, a belt of basalt columns. Continue east over Skeiðarársandur for views of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull.

Visit Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis where you can hike to Svartifoss waterfall, famous for its basalt columns. Further east lies the magical Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs float in the still blue water. You can take an optional boat trip to get closer to the ice. Don't miss Diamond Beach nearby. After your visit, drive back via Kirkjubæjarklaustur to the Vík area.

Overnight: Vík area

Highlights:

• Skaftafell (part of Vatnajökull National Park)
• Svartifoss (waterfall with basalt columns)
• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach (glacier lagoon and ice crystals)
• Glacier Boat Tour (optional)

Some of the most beautiful and interesting places in Iceland are at your fingertips today. Start driving toward the famous volcano Hekla, which was known during the Middle Ages as “the door to hell.” Near the Búrfell power station, you can visit an interesting reconstruction of the Viking farm Stöng, which was destroyed during a volcanic eruption in 1104. The beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss is also close by.

Further south, you can visit Skálholt, the historic Episcopal seat and once the most important cultural center in Iceland. The journey continues to the world-famous geothermal area of Geysir, where the Strokkur geyser spurts its column of water into the sky every few minutes. Only a short drive away lies the majestic Gullfoss, “The Golden Waterfall,” widely regarded as the most beautiful in Iceland.

Overnight: Golden Circle area

Highlights:

• Hekla (famous volcano views)
• Stöng and Hjálparfoss (Viking farm and waterfall)
• Geysir and Gullfoss (hot springs and waterfalls)
• Secret Lagoon and Friðheimar Farm (optional)
• Skálholt (historic cultural site)

Þingvellir National Park is a site of immense historical and geological importance. This is where the world’s first parliament, Alltinget, assembled as early as 930 AD. Additionally, you can clearly see the escarpment formed where the European and North American continental plates slowly glide apart. We recommend a walk in the Almannagjá crack. Continue to Hvalfjörður (the whale fjord), an important naval station during World War II, and then toward Reykholt.

Visit Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe, and the stunning Hraunfossar waterfall, where the water tumbles out of the lava rock. In Reykholt, you can see where the famous 13th-century author Snorri Sturluson lived. End the day in Borgarnes, where the Settlement Center museum is worth a visit.

Overnight: Borgarnes area

Highlights:

• Þingvellir National Park (historic rift valley)
• Hvalfjörður (the whale fjord)
• Deildartunguhver (Europe's largest hot spring)
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss (lava waterfalls)

• Borgarnes Settlement Center (history museum)

Head toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the picturesque Eldborg crater. We also recommend a visit to the Gerðuberg basalt columns, found near the southern coast. Follow the shore toward Búðir, an earlier trading port where a wooden church is surrounded by a magnificent lava field. Further on is Arnarstapi, a beautiful fishing village where the unique natural port features basalt columns in all shapes and sizes.

While driving around the peninsula, stop at the black beach of Djúpalónssandur. Typical fishing villages like Hellissandur, Ólafsvík, and Grundarfjörður are dotted around the northern coast. If you have time, stop at Bjarnarhöfn farm to learn about traditional shark fishing and taste this local delicacy (optional).

Overnight: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Highlights:

• Snæfellsjökull National Park (glacier and volcanoes)
• Arnarstapi and Hellnar (coastal walks and rock formations)
• Djúpalónssandur (black pebble beach)
• Kirkjufell (iconic mountain)
• Bjarnarhöfn Shark Farm (optional)

Today you return to Reykjavík. We recommend you take the tunnel underneath the Hvalfjörður fjord on your way back. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the world’s most northern capital city. Stroll around the city with its many restaurants, cafes, and shops. For the culturally inclined, a wide range of museums exist, and if you want the night to go on, visit one of the inviting pubs or bars. Reykjavík is renowned for its lively atmosphere and world-class dining.

Overnight: Reykjavík

Highlights:

• Reykjavík (shopping and city exploration)
• Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa (architecture)
• Local galleries and museums

If you booked a 7-night trip, it’s time to get ready for your flight home. Drive your rental car to the airport, return it, and board your flight back to the US.

If you're staying 8 nights, you have a full day to enjoy Reykjavík however you like. It's a great chance to unwind. Visit a local geothermal spa, explore the city's parks, or simply wander and discover hidden gems. If the weather’s good, take a walk along the waterfront or head to Öskjuhlíð forest for scenic trails.

Wrap up your trip with a final dinner at one of Reykjavík’s many fantastic restaurants. If you’d like to add a guided day tour (optional), we’d be happy to help set that up for you.

Overnight: Reykjavík (if staying 8 nights)

Highlights:

• Reykjavík city at your own pace
• Local geothermal pools (optional)
• Guided day tours (optional)

Today is departure day for those who have stayed for eight nights. Drive your rental car to the airport for return, and have a pleasant flight back home!

Highlights:

• Reykjanes Peninsula (final views)