Summary
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Vehicle – All types are suitable
- Season – All year round
Main areas of this itinerary:
Golden Circle, Iceberg Lagoons, Snæfellsness Peninsula, Lava Falls
This great itinerary for winter and summer alike covers all the major sites in the south and west Iceland, including the Snæfellsness peninsula. The tour includes the Golden Circle route and beautiful areas along the way.
Itinerary Map
Day 1 – Landing at Keflavik Airport – Reykjavik
Car pick up is at the airport. After check-in at the hotel and quick arrangements, it’s recommended to take a walk in the downtown of Reykjavik.
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Optional Activities: FlyOver Iceland, Perlan, Sky Lagoon
Day 2 – West Iceland – Saga Valley – Hraunfossar Waterfall
You will pick up the car in the morning and leave Reykjavik behind. You will head west toward the fjord Hvalfjörður also known as Whale Bay.
In the inner edge of the fjord is located waterfall Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland. From there you will enter the Borgarfjörður district and from there head to the main city in the area – Borgarnes. In Borgarnes you will visit the settlement center that tells the saga of the Norsemen settlement in Iceland. Visitors Center dramatically recreates the birth of the Icelandic nation.
After stopping at Borgarnes, you will continue toward the beautiful crater Eldborg, the most perfectly shaped crater in Iceland.
On our way to the Snæfellsness peninsula you will have an opportunity to see the magnificent views. Estimated driving distance: 180 km.
Accommodation: Stykkishólmur
Optional Activities: Into The Glacier, Husafell Canyon Bath
Day 3 – Snæfellsness Peninsula – Snæfellsjökull Park
You will continue to ride west along the northern coast of the peninsula, through fisherman’s villages Rif, Ólafsvík, Grundarfjörður and Hellissandur. You will complete the tour around the peninsula with spectacular views of the volcano Snæfellsjökull and many other sights around.
You will go for a walk on the beach Djúpalónssandur, you will visit the picturesque villages Hellnar and Arnarstapi and walk along the basalt cliffs on the beautiful beach.
You will continue to the eastern part of the southern coast of Snæfellsness. In the farms in this area colonies of seals can be seen often. The next stop will be the Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest geothermal spring.
You will continue to historic site Reykholt, home of the famous poet and researcher Snorri Sturluson. Estimated driving distance: 180 km.
Accommodation: Borgarnes
Optional Activities: Lava Cave
Day 4 – Geysir – Gullfoss – Park Thingvellir (Golden Circle)
Continue toward the beautiful waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, toward Húsafell, a beautiful resort of bungalows made of wood in a forest of birch trees.
You will climb up one of the highest highland roads in Iceland toward the Kaldidalur pass, a dirt road which will take us to the National Park Thingvellir, geologically unique place.
Research has made it clear that Þingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale, the place was recognized by the UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 2004.
Cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust can be seen here all over the place.
Thingvellir is also one of the most important historical sites in Iceland, it is the establishment site of the world’s first parliament Alþingi.
After you’ve seen the beautiful sights of the park You will continue to the other side of the Lake Thingvellir – to the park of geysers and hot springs.
You will see the Strokkur – one of the active geysers that erupts every few minutes. You will continue to the Gullfoss waterfall “Golden waterfall” one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland.
You’ll continue south to see the waterfall Faxi and the volcanic crater Kerið where you will climb up to see the view of the lake harbored in the crater of the mountain.
Estimated driving distance: 250 km.
Accommodation: Hella
Optional Activities: Silfra Diving, Secret Lagoon
Day 5 – The south coast of Iceland
You will continue our way eastward along the southern coast of Iceland.
You will stop to admire the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
In the summer you can walk behind the waterfall Seljalandsfoss and see the water wall falls from above, a unique experience.
In Skogar there is an interesting museum that shows how Icelanders lived in the past, in small wooden houses with roofs made of grass.
The whole area is dominated by glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjokull rising above.
On March 20th, 2010 there was a volcanic eruption of Fimmvörðuháls, which is a mountain ridge between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjokull. Eruption of Fimmvörðuháls lasted for a few weeks.
When this eruption came to an end, a new one began, but stronger this time, beneath the ice of glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The eruption ended on May 23rd, 2010.
You’ll continue driving along the southern coast to the Dyrhólaey nature reserve, the southernmost point in Iceland and nesting place for many birds, including puffins.
In Reynishverfi you will be able to walk on the beach with black sand and enjoy the view of the cliffs.
At the village Vik you’ll make a U-turn and go back to Reykjavik.
Estimated driving distance: 250 km.
Accommodation: Hella
Optional Activities: Ice Cave, Horse Riding
Day 6 – Reykjanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon – Reykjavik
You will leave Reykjavik and head to the village Hafnarfjörður, famous for its Viking village.
You’ll cross the Vopnafjörður toward the Reykjanes Peninsula to the Lake Kleifarvatn with the lunar landscape.
From here a short drive will take us to Krýsuvík, very geothermal active area with many bubbling mud pools, hot springs and boiling water coming out of cracks in the ground!
You will continue on the road that crosses lava fields to fisherman’s village Grindavik. Blue Lagoon is located near the village of Grindavík.
The Blue Lagoon is known worldwide as one of the top ten spas in the world, an exceptional place.
You highly recommend to have a relaxing bath in the unique water of the Blue Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavik.
Estimated driving distance: 150 km.
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Optional Activities: Blue Lagoon
Day 7 – Reykjavik – Keflavik Airport – Flight
ou’ll spend the rest of the day in beautiful Reykjavik. You will return to the airport Keflavík where you will return the vehicle before the flight.
Among our collection of 50+ itineraries, the ‘South & West – 7 Days’ itinerary stands out as a perennial favorite, securing its place on the ‘Top Itineraries’ list of ‘Take Me There Iceland’. Explore the beauty of Iceland at your own pace, guided by our app for an unforgettable road trip experience.
