Explore Iceland’s famous destinations, including the Golden Circle route and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, at your own pace by booking this 7-day self-driven tour exploring West and South Iceland. If you want to explore on your own without worrying about tour guides or other people in a group, you should book this package now.
The South Coast is an astonishing blend of glaciers, waterfalls, and famous black beaches, a gateway to some of the most beautiful hikes, and home to the biggest glacier in Europe. It's truly a treasure trove of natural wonders. Here you can walk behind waterfalls, visit ice caves, go on glacier hikes, and stroll along black sand beaches—all that is possible in the south. We recommend you take your time because there is a lot to explore, and this guide will help you plan your itinerary in a way that you don't miss out on anything.
While the South Coast of Iceland certainly gets the most attention in terms of tourism, West Iceland has its hot spots and hidden gems too. It benefits visitors who avoid traveling in larger crowds. It is sometimes referred to as “little Iceland” because it combines the most diverse landscapes of Iceland: stunning glaciers, lava rocks, volcanic craters, towering mountains, adorable fishing harbors, iconic lighthouses, and jagged cliffs, all on a tiny peninsula.
Continental breakfast on all days
Dinner at the hotel
A new rental car for 7 days
Personalize Your Itinerary
On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will drive you to your hotel in the city center of Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore a vibrant city that beautifully blends modernity with the richness of culture and history. Despite being the capital city, it has a major small-town feel with walkable streets, colorful buildings, cozy cafes, and a relaxed pace of life. Being the center of major landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja Church and the historic Reykjavik Harbor. If you’re an art enthusiast, do visit the National Gallery of Iceland. This gallery is renowned for its diverse range of art pieces, paintings, and visual arts featuring the works of the nation’s most distinguished artists.
On day 2, you’ll be exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often called "Iceland in Miniature," as it offers such varied landscapes as the running Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano, surrounded by vast lava fields, picturesque mountain craters, waterfalls, black and white sand beaches, and caves.
Witness the spectacular views along the coastline, with rugged rock formations jutting out from the Atlantic waves.
Arnarstapi and Hellnar: a charming fish village situated along the rugged coastline
Snaefellsjokull National Park
Stykkishólmur and Breiðafjörður
Kirkjufell and Grundarfjörður mountains
You can also explore Breiðafjörður, a nature reserve and bay between the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords in West Iceland. It is famous for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and captivating natural wonders. Around 3000 islands and rock outlets are littered throughout Breiðafjörður. Very few of these are inhabited year-round; many used to be. Some of the islands are home to old fishing villages, historic lighthouses, and archaeological sites.
Breiðafjörður is also home to diverse wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and marine mammals. Visitors will be delighted by the abundance of species, including puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes.
You can spend the night in comfortable accommodation in the region or head back to the hotel.
Driving distance: 330 km (205 mi).
On the third day of exploring the Golden Circle, the main attractions include:
Thingvellir National Park
Geysir geothermal area
Gullfoss waterfall
The Golden Circle is the most famous tour in Iceland, which combines historical landmarks with spectacular landscape views in a scenic sightseeing tour. Popular but significantly higher in temperature is the water in the geothermal area in Haukadalur. Here, you can observe active geysers very closely. There are many more things to explore, like the Great Geysir, steam vents,hot springs. Strokkur is the small geyser that gushes out hot, boiling water every 8–10 minutes, so always have your cameras ready.
Thingvellir is renowned as the geographical as well as historical treasure of Iceland and for its remarkable volcanic landscape of waterfalls, lakes, and more. Being one of the favorite stops on Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour. It offers endless recreational activities, from hiking and camping to snorkeling, diving, and fishing. It is a perfect location to explore historical sites, marvel at its geological formations, or simply soak in its scenic beauty. It has something to offer everyone.
There is no doubt that Iceland is a land of numerous waterfalls, but Gullfoss is considered the king of them all. You’ll witness a breathtaking waterfall cascading in two tiers down a big canyon. Its thunderous roar and the picturesque scenery leave you captivated by the power of nature.
Spend the night in Selfoss.
Driving distance: 230 km (143 mi).
Start with a visit to the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, which are a black sand beach found between Vík í Mýrdal village and Dyrhólaey. It is renowned for its dramatic scenery with black sand and powerful waves, and the nearby Reynisdrangar sea stacks make this place a truly unique place to visit and a popular filming location (Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and more). This place is one of the most well-known black-sand beaches in the whole world. Take in some magnificent views, but do not stand too close. Those masterful waves deserve your respect and can be quite dangerous if you get too close!
Visitors can also explore Hálsanefshellir Cave, a large sea cave carved into the cliffs of Reynisfjara, providing shelter from the elements and offering unique photo opportunities.
Driving distance: 200 km/124 miles
Tour around The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, are a group of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks off the south coast of Iceland. Vestmannaeyjar is comprised of 15 islands and around 30 sea stacks and skerries and is thought to have formed 10,000–12,000 years ago. The largest island, Heimaey, is the only one within the archipelago that is inhabited, with a population of approximately 4200 people. The other islands are completely untouched by humans, only taking visitors in the summer months.
Vestmannaeyjar attracts thousands of tourists. It is renowned for its natural biodiversity. Here, you'll find every one of Iceland's seabird species, including puffins, Icelandic gulls, guillemots, skuas, Arctic terns, and kittiwakes. Around ten million puffins nest in Iceland between May and September, and more of them come to the Westman Islands than anywhere else; therefore, the Atlantic Puffin has been officially adopted as the emblem of Vestmannaeyjar.
Visit Heimaey Island.
Visit Eldfell volcano.
Visit the Eldheimar Museum.
Visit the Sæheimar Aquarium.
Visit the Herjólfsdalur Valley.
Enjoy the local cuisine.
Driving distance: 149 km
Dinner at the hotel
Another day, another adventure. Explore Skógafoss one of Iceland’s biggest and most splendid waterfalls, with a width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet) along the Skógá River. Visitors can walk right up to where the cascading water crashes into the ground. Its thundering cascades create a mesmerizing phenomenon. Due to the amount of spray cascades produced, at least one rainbow is present when the sun emerges. It's the perfect spot, with a backdrop of lush greenery and rugged cliffs, making it a favorite spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts. You can also explore nearby places such as Skógasafn Folk Museum, an open-air museum with a diverse collection of artifacts of Icelandic culture offering insights into Iceland's history and rural life.
A part of the Skógasafn Regional Museum also showcases the history and evolution of transportation, communication, and technologies in Iceland. The museum also includes a café and a museum shop, and in the village of Skógar, you will find both a hotel and a restaurant. On the eastern side of Skógafoss, you will find one of Iceland’s most famed hiking routes, the Fimmvörðuháls pass.
Driving distance: 153 km
Dinner at the hotel
Today, drive to the most famous destination and a must-visit in Iceland. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of Jökulsárlón, the largest glacial lagoon in Iceland. Speckled with light blue and milky-white icebergs, it is a stunning glacier lake in southeast Iceland on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. The spectacular landscapes have been made famous by many Hollywood films like A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Batman Begins, and Game of Thrones. Here you can explore stunning blue/green water full of blue, white, and turquoise icebergs, diverse wildlife, and surrounding attractions. No Iceland trip is complete without visiting this beauty.
A guided boat tour of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Dinner at your accommodation
When it's time for your Iceland trip adventure to end, you will be picked up from the hotel for your airport transfer. Check out the formalities and free time. Depending on the flight back home, you'll be picked up 3–4 hours before your departure flight.
Do spare a few minutes to share your feedback with our representative or via email, as your valued suggestions will be most appreciated. Arrive home with pleasant memories of your overseas tour, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime.
• Private Transfer From Keflavik Airport To Reykjavik
• Accommodation (Economy/Comfort Plus/Superior) For 7 Nights
• Daily Breakfast
• Rental Car Of Your Choice With Unlimited Mileage, Cdw And Vat For 6 Days
• Free Unlimited In-Car Wi-Fi & 2 Authorized Drivers For The Duration Of The Vehicle Rental Period
• One Semi-Private Transfer From Reykjavik To Keflavik Airport On Departure
• Information Meeting With Your Travel Consultant (Optional)
• Carbon Offsetting The Package
• One Map Of Iceland And Detailed Personal Itinerary
• Driving In Iceland Pamphlet
• 24/7 Helpline
• Taxes & Service Fees
• Flights To/From Iceland
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Gasoline/Petrol
• Driving-Related Fees And Expenses
• Meals & Drinks (Unless Otherwise Stated)
• Any Services Not Listed Above As “Included”
• Extras
• Cancellation Protection
• Private transfer from airport on arrival
• Handpicked hotels by local travel experts with breakfast included
• Reliable rental cars from our trusted partner Hertz
• Comprehensive itinerary, personalized map and travel guide
• 24/7 helpline throughout tour
• Local travel experts with firsthand experience
• Carbon offset included
Iceland Packages provides you with a high-quality rental car and a personalized itinerary when you go on a self-drive trip. You get to choose the music for your road journey and serve as your own driver and tour guide! Iceland Packages will assign your personal travel consultant to handle the pre-booking of all services. This covers your rental car and lodging in Iceland, as well as airport transportation and the activities that are scheduled and detailed in the itinerary. And know that we will be by your side the entire time. You will receive personalized information when you arrive, such as our very own Iceland Travel Guide, a map, an itinerary, and pamphlets about driving in Iceland. Additionally, your car rental will include in-car Wi-Fi, soincluded in your car rental, meaning you’ll be able to stay connected and check things on the go. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
Yes, you always get airport transportation to and from Keflavík Airport when you book your Iceland holiday with Iceland Packages. Depending on your plan, your transfer will be either private, shared, or via bus. To be sure, please review the tour's specifics. Should you choose to extend your stay beyond the prearranged dates, we will reschedule your transfers to accommodate your updated schedule. Please do not hesitate to contact your travel consultant with any special requirements for extra services or activities.
Your self-drive tour will include lodging that has been personally selected by our knowledgeable local Iceland travel advisors. Our selection of hotels and guesthouses is based on comfort, great ratings, and our own personal experience. We have worked with local businesses. We offer single, double, and triple rooms on our self-drive packages. Note that room types in Iceland are smaller than those in North America because they are based on European standard sizes. For instance, two single beds put together frequently make up a double bed. Two distinct single beds make up a twin room. A double bed plus an additional bed, rollaway, or sofa bed are included in triple rooms. Additionally, single rooms are frequently smaller than double accommodations. If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.
You may travel with confidence knowing that someone will always be there for you if you book with Iceland Packages. You can contact our office during the day for assistance and guidance. In addition, our helpline is open around-the-clock in case something unforeseen occurs after business hours. A travel consultant from Reykjavík will be available to handle any unanticipated circumstances, including unusual weather or events, during your tour.
You won't require a visa to enter Iceland if you're traveling from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand. Are you traveling from another nation? The website of Iceland's Directorate of Immigration has the entire list of nations whose citizens need a visa in order to enter Iceland. They have a list of regional embassies that can help you with the application procedure if you do need a visa. Additionally, your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after you leave Iceland. In case you need to renew your passport, it's a good idea to verify the expiration date in advance. See our travel guide's section on getting to Iceland for more information on visas, airports, and airlines.
• Rebook your tour on one occasion
• Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit
See what makes our Iceland trips special with testimonies from our lovely customers.
A truly amazing experience! With Iceland Packages, I reserved an Iceland trip package for my honeymoon, and it well above all my expectations. Everything about the experience was beautiful, from the breath-taking scenery to the flawless setups. Strongly advise anyone organizing a romantic gateway to use their services.
A Memorable Iceland Journey! I had the most amazing holiday ever with my family. All the must-see locations and activities were included in the thoughtfully designed tour package. The local guides were immensely informative, and the accommodations were excellent. I'm eager to make another reservation with them.
A Fantastic Trip to Iceland! I am so grateful to Iceland Packages for planning the ideal trip for me. Everything was handled perfectly from the time I landed until I left. I was able to take my time discovering Iceland's hidden treasures because I could alter my schedule to suit my needs. Absolutely once in a lifetime!".
Easy Reservations and Top-Notch Support! It was really easy to book my flights and vacation package to Iceland. Their customer service team was really helpful throughout the entire process. The trip itself was excellent; every aspect had been carefully thought out. Strongly advised for hassle-free trip preparation!.
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