Southern Iceland and Reykjavík

Welcome to Iceland. Upon landing at Keflavik airport pick up the rental car here. Drive towards Reykjavík and then on eastwards on road 1. We recommend that you choose road 41 (Reykjanesbraut), as this road takes you around the city rather than through it. You will pass nice places to stop like Hellisheidi and Selfoss on your way to you accommodation for the night in the area of Hvolsvöllur. The countryside around the town is full of history and many of the Icelandic sagas are set here.

Highlights along the way
• Blue Lagoon
• Sky Lagoon
• Reykjavik

Travel south along the coast past the two waterfalls Seljandsfoss and Skógafoss, two stops not to be missed. At Skógar you will also find a museum giving interesting insights into how Icelandic people lived in the past as well as in current times. You can also explore the glacial tongue Solheimajökull and the bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey, where many migrating sea birds nest, among them the famous puffin during spring and summer.

The black lava beaches on the South Coast are nenowned, and you can take a walk along the Reynishverfi beach or the little beach in the village Vik. Be careful when walking too close to the waves, their powerful pull can easily drag a person out to sea!

After Vik you pass through the black sand dessert Mýrdalssandur and later the enormous lave field Eldhrayn, which was formed during the big volcanic outbreak in 1783. You later arrive at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small town in beautiful surroundings. You can stop here to take a look at the so-called ”church floor”, formed by strange basalt cliff formations reminiscent of a lime floor, situated just east of town. Drive back to your hotel in Hvolsvöllur area for your overnight stay.

Highlights along the way day 2 & 3
• Lava Center
• Seljalandsfoss
• Skogarfoss
• Skogar museum
• Solheimajökull glacier
• Dyrholaey
• Reynisfjara "Black beach"
• Vik

These to days are left free for relaxation and own activities. Options for activities include taking a horseback ride from Hestheimars riding centre, near town, or travel up to the Myrdalsjökull glacier, where you can take a guided walk on the glacier, or even a snowmobile ride on it! Daily coach tours to the Thorsmörk valley are also available, where you can experience ”Iceland off road”. There are even several interesting golf clubs around, test out the ones near Fludir and Hella.

Another interesting excursion is to the beautiful valley of Þjórsá. You can experience the beautiful Hjálparfoss waterfall here, and near this is a reconstruction of a Viking farm. A bit further into the valley is an actual ruin of an original Viking farm, Stöng. From here you can take a walk to Gjáin, discovering beautiful rock formations and waterfalls along the way. Overnight in Hvolsvöllur area.

If these excursions do not appeal, you can travel onwards to Heimaey – an Icelandic island and one of the islands that makes up the Westman Islands. In 1973, Heimaey, which is the largest of the islands, suffered a huge volcanic eruption that left much of the local settlement buried under lava. Traces of this old community and its fateful end can still be seen today. Enjoy the fascinating scenery and stunning vistas. Remember that the local ferries are dependent on the weather.

These excursions are only available in the summer due to closed roads and poor weather conditions at other times of the year. Exactly when the roads open for the season varies from year to year, but it is generally possible to visit Thorsmörk from the beginning of May through to September. Landmannalaugar is usually accessible from the end of May through to September. Excursions into the highlands require a car which is approved for driving on F-roads and in the Icelandic highlands. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions about your booking.

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On the way back to the capital you pass some of the most interesting and famous attractions in Iceland. We recommend a visit to the historically important Skálholt, which was the Episcopal seat for Southern Iceland for hundreds of years and an important cultural centre. A beautiful modern church resides there today.

Afterwards you visit the majestic waterfall Gullfoss, “the golden waterfall”, Iceland’s best know waterfall. Continue on to the world famous geothermic area of Geysir, where Strokkur, the most active geyser spurts its column of water into the sky every 5 minutes. Close by is Thingvellir National park, an interesting area both historically and in terms of its geology. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Highlights along the way
• Skálholt
• Stöng / Þjóðveldisbær
• Gjáin
• Hjálparfoss
• Secret Lagoon
• Geysir
• Gullfoss
• Fridheimar Farm
• Laugarvatn
• Thingvellir

The last three days are spent in Reykjavík, the world’s most northern capital city. Stroll around at your own leisure. We suggest you start by visiting Hallgrimskyrkan, where you can climb the church tower to view Reykjavík from above (small fee payable). For those interested in the arts, several museums are on offer. Reykjavík houses everything from large art museums to the national gallery, where you can get a real look into the country’s history. Of course, there is even a museum about Iceland’s many volcanoes and the city also has an array of designer shops and clothes shops selling excellent pure wool products.

Make sure you eat well at Reykjavik’s wide range of restaurants. Icelandic cooking is of high quality and is inspired by the Icelandic landscapes and scenery. If you want to prolong your evening, we recommend spending the evening in a cosy pub or strutting your stuff on one of the city’s many dance floors. Reykjavík is well known for its hot nightlife, but also offers lots of other activities during the day like whale watching.

Your options when it comes to relaxation and well-being are vast in Iceland. You can relax at some of Reykjavik’s many naturally heated outdoor pools, popular by the locals. We recommend that you visit he famous Blue Lagoon(must be booked in advance) during your days in Reykjavík, an inviting warm oasis in the midst of the barren Icelandic lave landscape. The lagoon gets its water directly from geothermic springs as deep as 6561 feet below the Earth’s surface, and the facilities also offer an indoor pool and a geothermic sauna.

In the heart of Reykjavík you can also find Laugar Spa, the largest spa in the Nordics. Laugar offers beauty treatments and massage salon, fitness centre, outdoor and indoor pools and an exclusive spa. Warm pools are a must in Iceland and will definitely leave memories for life. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Highlights along the way
• Reykjavik
• Krysuvik
• Fagradagsfjall
• Reykjanes lighthouse
• Blue Lagoon

If your trip is 6 nights, it’s time to head back to the US. Drive from Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport (about a 45-minute drive), return your rental car, and check in for your flight.

If you’re staying 7nights, today is yours to enjoy Reykjavík however you like. Take a stroll along the harbor, stop by the Sun Voyager, or admire Harpa’s glass facade as it catches the light. Don’t miss Hallgrímskirkja—climb to the top for some of the best views of the city.

Prefer to spend time in nature? Öskjuhlíð has peaceful trails winding through lava fields and trees, offering a quiet escape from the city. For those interested in history or art, Reykjavík’s museums and galleries are well worth exploring. If shopping is more your thing, the city is full of hidden gems—from handcrafted Icelandic designs to one-of-a-kind vintage finds.

Wrap up your Icelandic road trip with a memorable dinner in Reykjavík. And if you’d like to add a guided day tour, just let us know—we’d be happy to help.

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