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Reynisfjara in South Iceland

South & West Iceland Classic

(8 days / 7 nights)

4.9
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A scenic slice of South Iceland at your own pace

Take a journey into the Icelandic countryside on this 8-day self-drive adventure. Starting and ending in Reykjavík, your drive brings you to historical locations of the Icelandic Sagas, with plenty of time to spend at many of Iceland’s best known natural attractions, including the magical Snæfellsjökull glacier; beautiful waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and the famous “Golden Circle” route. You will also have a lot of opportunities to explore the icy side of Iceland—the glorious glacier lagoon, glacier walks, ice caves and snowmobiling tours.

Looking for the winter version of this tour?
Want to travel on this itinerary with a like-minded group of travellers, led by an expert guide?

4.9

8 days / 7 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 247292 ISK

— Why book this tour

  • 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, personalised map and travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline throughout tour
  • Local travel experts with firsthand experience
  • Carbon offsetting included

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • See the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice
  • Drive the famous Golden Circle route
  • Enjoy the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
  • Walk the quaint streets of the capital city, Reykjavík
  • Traverse Iceland’s beautiful national parks – Vatnajökull, Þingvellir and Snæfellsnes
  • Enjoy the striking nature of Snæfellsnes and its charming fishing villages
  • Photograph jagged basalt columns & sweeping black sand beaches
  • Explore the waterfalls and hot springs of west Iceland
  • Discover the volcanic wonderland of the Reykjanes Peninsula

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Active i, Best Seller i, Classic i, Family i, Golf i, Midnight sun i

Season

Apr - Sep

Departure

Daily

Interest

Active i, Best Seller i, Classic i, Family i, Golf i, Midnight sun i

Driving distance

1555/966 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Arrival & Leisure Day in Reykjavik

    On arrival to Keflavik Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to Reykjavík where you can check into your accommodation and relax after the journey. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city center at your own pace. 

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: West Iceland: Hot Springs, Waterfalls & Glacier Adventures

    Begin your journey today by driving through the bountiful Borgarfjörður area. Sights along the way include the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss along with the Deildartunguhver hot spring, and Háafell Goat Farm. You also have the choice to join optional activities such as visiting the Krauma to soak in soothing geothermal baths, exploring the lava tunnel Víðgelmir, venturing inside of a glacier or experiencing a thrilling snowmobile tour on top of a glacier. For those interested in the Viking history of Iceland, a stop at the Icelandic Settlement Center in Borgarnes is highly recommended.

    Spend the night in the Borgarfjörður area.

    Driving distance approx. 185 km / 115 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: Wonders of Snæfellsnes

    Today you drive to the magical Snæfellsnes peninsula. The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the Snæfellsjökull glacier, believed by many to be one of Earth’s seven major energy centers. It was also used as the backdrop to Jules Verne’s famous novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth.”

    Your drive along the coast here also offers such sights as the Dritvík Cove, the Lóndrangar Cliffs, the Arnarstapi Cliffs, the hamlet of Hellnar and various other small fishing villages. For a fun photo opportunity and to experience a blast from the past, you can also visit Djúpalónssandur, a pebble-filled beach with four famed “lifting stones” that were used in old days to test men‘s strength for jobs on fishing boats. Do you have what it takes to lift the stones? 

    Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area. 

    Driving distance approx. 330 km / 205 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: The Golden Circle

    Today's journey brings you up close with some of Iceland’s most popular attractions on the classic “Golden Circle” route. If you’ve selected a 4x4 vehicle you can take the Kaldidalur route. Once within the Golden Circle, start with a visit to the fascinating Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can walk on a path in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasion tectonic plates. Next on the route is the Haukadalur geothermal area, where you can see Geysir—the original “geyser”—and its more active neighbour Strokkur, which spouts water every few minutes.

    End the day’s adventure with a visit to the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most memorable sights. 

    Spend the night in Selfoss area.

    Driving distance approx. 230 km / 143 mi.  

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: Roaring Waterfalls & Black Lava Beach

    Start with a visit to the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can have the unique experience of walking behind the misty cascade. Just a short drive brings you to yet another gorgeous waterfall, the 60-meter tall Skógafoss, which is beautiful to photograph and roam the surroundings. Your next stop is at the vast black volcanic sand beach south of Vík, where you can see the jagged basalt rock formations of Reynisdrangar and Dyrhólaey. Continue the scenic drive along the South Coast to the charming village Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

    Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Please note that there is a high demand for summer 2023. For that reason, if we can't book 2 nights in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area, you will be relocated to the Vík area for 1 night.

    Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: Skaftafell And Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

    Explore Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park and a place of great beauty with many well-maintained hiking trails, including a short walk to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. In this region, you can embark on a glacier walk or try your hand at ice-climbing with an optional guided tour. Then head to the glorious Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Fjallsárlón ice lagoon where you can ride a boat along lagoon, gazing at the floating icebergs. You can also view the icebergs on the black sand beach by Jökulsárlón, known as the diamond beach. Head back to your accommodation for the night.

    Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Please note that there is a high demand for summer 2023. For that reason, if we can't book 2 nights in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area, you will be relocated to the Vík area for 1 night.

    Driving distance approx. 240 km / 149 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 7: South Coast To The Volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula

    Drive along the south coast to the Reykjanes peninsula, visiting worthwhile stops along the way like Fjaðrarárgljúfur canyon and the Dverghamrar "elf cliffs". Once you have traversed the road under Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, you will continue to the volcanic wonderland of the Reykjanes Peninsula, which reminds you that Iceland is very much alive with natural geothermal energy.

    We recommend visiting the bubbling mud pots at Seltún and Lake Kleifarvatn before reaching the world famous Blue Lagoon geothermal Spa (entrance not included)*. The Blue Lagoon´s water is rich in silica and blue-green algae, giving the lagoon its reputed healing powers and characteristic milky blue colour. In-water massages are available (must be booked in advance) but you can also unwind in a sauna and steam bath or get a soothing massage under the mini waterfall. Head to the capital city where you will drop the rental car off in the late afternoon before relaxing at your accommodation for your last night in Iceland.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Driving distance approx. 370km / 230 mi.

    *Reservations are required well in advance at the Blue Lagoon for both entrance and in-water treatments.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 8: Departure

    On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your hotel in Reykjavík and deliver you back to Keflavík International Airport ahead of your scheduled flight.

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Day One

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this summer self-drive tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Iceland, along with airport transfers and planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, leaflets about driving in Iceland, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. You’ll also have in-car Wi-Fi included 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, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Driving in Iceland during the summer months might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

  • We drive on the right-hand side of the road
  • Sheep sometimes roam onto the roads
  • Most roads and motorways are single carriageways
  • The first car to arrive at a single-lane bridge has right of way
  • Iceland has quite a few tunnels, including one of the longest underwater road tunnels in the world
     

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Iceland. Additionally, when you arrive on your tour, you’ll receive a brochure telling you more about driving in Iceland.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer. 

Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon. 

These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F). 

It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket
  • Rain gear, including sturdy wind and waterproof layers, like a jacket and trousers
  • Robust walking shoes with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and eye mask for the summer sun
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.

On your Iceland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around 300-400 ISK per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Iceland. For the rest of your meals, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

Budget between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Phenomenal

My tour with Nordic Visitor was great! I had a wonderful time travelling and their recommendations about good and hidden spots were phenomenal. Everything was well planned and I didn't need to worry about one thing. Highly recommend and I would and will book another tour with Nordic Visitor.

Great days in Iceland

We had great days in Iceland carefully accustomed by Nordic Visitor.

We got to see everything we wanted to see

Our itinerary was crafted so that we never felt rushed, got to see everything we wanted to see, and then some. While on the road on a Sunday, we called the office to see if we could get our Blue Lagoon reservations changed, and it was done within an hour. Great pivot and customer service.

Seamless and simple

This was my first time using Nordic Visitor and they made every step of the way seamless and simple.

Professionally organised

Loved everywhere minute. So professionally organised. Didn't have to worry about anything. Loved Iceland.

Fast and reliable customer service

At the beginning of planning, I was hesitant to use Nordic Visitor, however I opted to use them for ease of mind, and ease of mind I got, everything was planned out. I received my itinerary through email, and once I arrived the received it in detail with a map that showed everything with suggested areas to visit. Overall it was a great experience and fast and reliable customer service that I didn't anticipate.

Accommodation

Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.

Look forward to getting a good night’s sleep after each day of driving in Iceland. All your accommodation will be conveniently located near your driving route, with ample parking. Rest assured that you’ll stay in the best possible properties, which have all received excellent reviews from previous customers.

Economy

You can expect rooms in good quality guesthouses, farmhouses, or hostels. Most of the properties are run by small, family-run busi..

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Comfort Plus

In this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels, guesthouses or charming country hot..

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Superior

With Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey in the rental car of your choice, with two authorised drivers and free in-car Wi-Fi.

Toyota Yaris
(Manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • M

Toyota Yaris
(Manual)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual*
  • *upgrade to automatic available upon request

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard SUV, AWD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Tesla Y (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • M

Tesla Y (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: Midsize SUV Electric Car
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Range: Up to 530 km/ 330 m

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium SUV, 4WD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: 4x4
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x5
  • x6
  • A

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 6-7
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 247292 ISK

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