Best of the South Coast: Self-Drive Iceland Tours

Do you have waterfalls, glaciers and lava fields on your must-see list? Then a south coast self-drive Iceland tour will check many boxes! A road trip along Iceland’s south coast promises jaw-dropping scenery and opportunities for adventure around every corner.

If you don’t have time to drive the entire Ring Road around Iceland, you can still see many of Iceland’s most famous attractions in under a week on a South Coast self-drive holiday from Reykjavik. Visit iconic sights like the Golden Circle route, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the black sands of Reynisfjara beach, the glaciers of Vatnajökull National Park and much more.

Whether you’re coming to see the northern lights in winter or experience the long daylight of the midnight sun in summer, Nordic Visitor offers holiday packages for all seasons. 

The pace of your sightseeing and the level of physical activity is all up to you on your driving journey along Iceland’s southern coastline. Plus, with all self-drive tours, we provide a road map marked with your route, accommodations and highlights, unlimited in-car Wi-Fi and more. We also provide 4x4 car rental options, which we especially recommend for winter driving. And while you're on your tour, we're always a phone call away as you'll have access to our 24/7 helpline.

With the freedom and flexibility of a self drive tour in southern Iceland you’ll also have the option to experience Icelandic nature from up-close on short guided excursions such as glacier walks, horse riding tours and iceberg boat trips. 

Wondering about how to rent a car, where to book accommodations, and which attractions to see? Relax, we do all that for you! With your own custom driving itinerary designed by an experienced local travel consultant at Nordic Visitor, you’ll experience the best that South Iceland has to offer. 

Ready to start planning your South Iceland road trip? Check out our suggested tour packages below for an amazing self-drive vacation along Iceland's south coast. And don't hesitate to get in touch via our toll-free numbers or live chat to get advice and tailor your itinerary.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DRIVE ALONG ICELAND’S SOUTH COAST?

The south coast is Iceland’s most visited region, and with good reason. Waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, towering mountains, deep canyons, rugged sea cliffs, barren volcanic deserts and lush mossy lava fields define this region… sort of implying that you can’t really define Iceland's southern coast at all!

South Iceland is indeed a region of extreme contrasts. Many Nordic Visitor travellers return from their south coast self-drive Iceland tours amazed at how the landscapes seem to change around every bend. One moment you’re driving alongside verdant green hills with waterfalls tumbling over the sides, the next moment you’re travelling through barren, volcanic plains with tall, ice-capped peaks towering in the distance.

• Don’t take our word for it! Our clients can tell you about their favourite highlights from Iceland’s south coast

If some of South’s Iceland’s scenery looks oddly familiar to you, there’s a reason for that: several Hollywood productions have used Iceland’s south coast as a filming location. For example, if you’ve kept up with the Game of Thrones series, you’re likely to see the same otherworldly terrain on your drive along the south coast. Even pop stars like Justin Bieber and Bon Iver have filmed music videos in South Iceland.

Seeking an adventure in South Iceland? You won't be disappointed, with endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits – from leisurely, family-friendly activities to more challenging excursions for thrill seekers. Nordic Visitor offers an exciting range of optional activities on Iceland’s south coast that can be easily added to any tour package in the online booking steps.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A SOUTH COAST SELF-DRIVE TOUR IN ICELAND?

As one of Iceland’s most accessible regions, you can drive along Iceland’s south coast any time of year.

Want extended daylight for your driving and sightseeing? Iceland’s peak summer months – June, July and August – give you the longest daylight hours, the warmest weather and the best availability of scenic hikes and optional day tours. In late June you can even experience the white nights of the midnight sun phenomenon, when the sun never fully sets below the horizon.

• Best time to visit Iceland? See our complete guide to Iceland's different travel seasons

Want more of the road and attractions to yourself? And lower prices to boot? Iceland’s shoulder season – May and September – are a great time to visit as the weather is still mild but there are fewer visitors.

Want to see the northern lights? Iceland’s winter months – October to April – are best for seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis) twinkle at night as the days are shorter. Sure, Icelandic winter weather can be unpredictable, but the frosty conditions make the waterfalls and beaches all the more beautiful. Plus, there’s nothing like soaking in one of South Iceland’s fabulous thermal pools while the snow in falling.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN NORDIC VISITOR’S SELF-DRIVE ICELAND TOURS?

It’s easy to get to South Iceland’s stunning attractions, but Nordic Visitor simplifies the process even further. We provide everything you need for a stress-free south coast self-drive Iceland tour.

At Nordic Visitor you’ll have your own dedicated travel consultant from when you book your tour online to when you’re travelling in Iceland. You can take comfort in the fact that all your local logistics have been taken care of, so all you have to do is enjoy the adventure!

• Relax! We also provide you with information about driving in Iceland

Here’s what we provide for all self-drive tour packages in Iceland:

• Accommodations with daily breakfast
• Rental car with Wi-Fi and 2 authorised drivers
• Map of Iceland & detailed personal itinerary
• Nordic Visitor's Iceland Travel Guide
• Airport transfers between Reykjavik & Keflavik Airport
• 24/7 helpline, manned by our staff in Reykjavik

Planning to celebrate your honeymoon in South Iceland? Let us know! Nordic Visitor specialises in bespoke Iceland holidays, so we can add extra special touches to any tour package.

WHAT CAN YOU SEE & DO ON A SOUTH COAST SELF-DRIVE ICELAND TOUR?

The south coast of Iceland is a wealth of wonders, most of which are easily accessible just off the Ring Road, Iceland’s Route 1. How many days you spend on your self driving holiday along the southern coast of Iceland depends on many factors. For example, how much daily driving you’re comfortable with, how many hikes or activities you wish to enjoy and how many sights you want to visit.

For a classic South Iceland experience, we recommend 5 days or longer for a road trip along Iceland’s south coast. If you’re travelling with small children, driving in wintertime or planning on lots of outdoor activities, give yourself a few extra days.

• Come prepared for your road trip. See our list of what to pack for Iceland

To give you an idea of what each day could offer, below is a sample itinerary for a 5-day south coast self-drive Iceland tour.

Day 1 – Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city
Kick off your vacation in Reykjavik and get acquainted with Iceland's culture scene. Weary from a long flight? Grab a kaffi (coffee) and snack at one of the cosy cafés on Laugavegur, the city’s high street. How about a refreshing walk? Take a stroll alongside the fishing boats and colourful buildings in the old harbour.

To see as much of the city as you can in a short time, why not get an aerial view? Head up to the bell tower of the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, or enjoy the panoramic scenery from the Perlan viewing deck, just outside the downtown.

• Bonus: Go for a short whale watching cruise from the old harbour, a helicopter sightseeing tour or a guided city walk.

Day 2 – Iceland’s waterfall country & black sand beaches
Heading south-east out of Reykjavik, you soon reach the most photographed part of Iceland. Have you ever taken a selfie at a waterfall? How about behind a waterfall? Today is your lucky day! Southern Iceland contains some of Iceland’s most popular – and unique – waterfalls.

• Go chasing waterfalls. See where the south coast ranks in our list of Iceland's top 10 waterfalls

Take a walk on the footpath behind the majestic waterfall Seljalandsfoss, where a rainbow might appear in the mist on a sunny day. You can also follow a trail to the 'hidden falls' of Gljúfrabúi nearby. Not far down the road is another gem, Skógafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland‘s most photogenic landmarks. For a blast from the past, check out the old-fashioned turf house and turf farm at the Skógar Folk Museum next to the falls.

Had enough waterfalls for one day? (Is that possible?) Head toward the town of Vík and make a pit stop at the Reynisfjara black sand beach. With its volcanic black sands, smooth pebbles, basalt columns and jagged sea stacks off the shoreline, it's a great attraction to end the day.

• Bonus: Explore the black sands via ATV tour and see the popular DC-3 plane crash wreckage, or take a guided crampon hike on Sólheimajökull glacier.

Day 3 – Glaciers & icebergs of Vatnajökull National Park
Travelling in the area of Vatnajökull National Park, you might get the impression that you’re in Greenland or Antarctica. TNamed for Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland and all of Europe, this is prime iceberg-spotting territory. Here you’ll find Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its clusters of floating icebergs and – just across the road – the otherworldly Diamond Beach, where large pieces of glacier ice sit atop black sands before drifting out to sea.

• What can you do with all that ice? Here are 7 ways to experience Iceland's glaciers

For a slightly quieter place to watch the icebergs, check out the smaller Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon nearby Jökulsárlón. Want to take a spectacular hike in the area? Follow a hiking trail in Skaftafell to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall, named “Black Falls” for the dark basalt columns etched in the cliff.

• Bonus: Take an iceberg boat tour at Jökulsárlón, or join a glacier walk among the blue ice at Skaftafell.

Day 4 – The famous Golden Circle route
Head for the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route serving up an incredible array of geological formations. This journey includes the Geysir hot springs area, where you can watch the Strokkur geyser erupt, and the stunning two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall.

• What makes it golden? Find out everything you need to know about the Golden Circle

The route also features the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, which is located in a rift valley where two tectonic plates are slowly separating. Characterized by unusual rock formations and deep fissures, Þingvellir is definitely a place you’ll want to spend some time exploring on foot.

Back in Reykjavik for the evening, why not cap your last night in Iceland with a fine dinner of delicious local cuisine?

• Bonus: Join an Icelandic horse riding tour, or snorkel “between continents” in Silfra at Þingvellir.

Day 5 – Blue Lagoon geothermal baths
Wind down in the Blue Lagoon surrounded by black lava fields on the Reykjanes Peninsula. This geothermal spa is one of Iceland’s must-see attractions, known for its radiant blue waters and skin-smoothing white silica mud. It’s conveniently located on the way to Keflavik Airport, so it’s easy to fit in a few hours of thermal bathing before catching your flight.

• Geothermal is so hot right now. See our favourite hot springs sites in Iceland

Nordic Visitor offers a wide range of tours in Iceland that can be customised to your liking, with extra nights and optional activities added to your itinerary on request.