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Golden Circle and South Coast Summer Getaway - 4 Days

4 days / 3 nights

Explore Friðheimar Farm, Black Sand Beaches, Geysirs and Waterfalls Day Tours from Reykjavík

Whisk yourself off to Iceland for a short break with a difference, staying in the buzzing Icelandic capital of Reykjavík and enjoying a variety of thrilling day trips into the otherworldly landscapes surrounding the city. This 4-day multi-day tour offers the perfect combination of urban exploration and natural wonders, all without the stress of driving yourself.

With your base in Reykjavík, you'll be able to take full advantage of what the capital has to offer during your evenings and free time. Think delving into culture in the city's top museums and galleries, sampling delicious food at innovative restaurants, and making the most of the thriving nightlife and cafe scene. Return to the same comfortable hotel each night, avoiding the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking. 

On your first full day, you'll explore the must-see sights on the famous Golden Circle route by comfortable bus: Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park. While another day's excursion will take you along the jaw-dropping south coast, where black sand beaches, massive glaciers, and plunging waterfalls await your discovery. Your expert guides will share fascinating insights about Iceland's geology, history, and culture throughout both tours.

Spend your evenings soaking up Icelandic culture in Reykjavík, with time to explore at your leisure. See natural wonders like powerful geysers shooting water skyward and tumbling waterfalls cascading into canyons. Marvel at geology in action in the beautiful surroundings of Þingvellir National Park, where you can literally walk between continents. Visit Friðheimar's geothermal greenhouses, where cucumbers and tomatoes grow using volcanic heat. Try extra activities like snowmobiling on glaciers or walking through ancient lava tunnels if you want more adventure. Have the chance to add a Blue Lagoon experience to your trip for ultimate relaxation.

With airport transfers included and the flexibility to customize, this 4-day stopover delivers Iceland's highlights with maximum convenience. 

Travel styleMulti-day
Trip length4 days / 3 nights
VibeShort & sweet
SeasonSummer
(1 Apr–30 Sep)
TransportBus
Starts fromReykjavík
Tour codeCB05

On this tour you will...

  • Spend your evenings soaking up Icelandic culture in Reykjavík

  • See natural wonders like powerful geysers and tumbling waterfalls

  • Marvel at geology in action in the beautiful surroundings of Þingvellir National Park 

  • Visit Friðheimar’s geothermal greenhouses, where cucumbers and tomatoes grow

  • Try extra activities like snowmobiling or even walking along a lava tunnel

  • Have the chance to add a Blue Lagoon experience to your trip

Top attractions

Downtown Reykjavík

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park

Geysir and Strokkur

Skógafoss

Seljalandsfoss

Vík í Mýrdal

Why book a multi-day trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Start your tour on the date that suits you

  • Stay at the same place in Reykjavík for your whole trip

  • Travel on comfortable buses with free Wi-Fi

  • Effortlessly customize your trip with extra activities

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

Your 4-day bus itinerary

Staying inReykjavík

Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík is included, starting your vacation stress-free.

 

Welcome to Iceland! Reykjavík offers a wide range of sights to visit and activities to enjoy, and after your arrival, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring Iceland's capital. The compact city center is ideal for walking exploration. Walk around to immerse yourself in the local culture, discovering colorful streets and charming neighborhoods. Visit one of the numerous museums showcasing everything from Viking settlement history to contemporary art. Go shopping along Laugavegur and surrounding streets, hunting for unique Icelandic souvenirs, design items, and traditional wool products. Have a taste of the local cuisine at one of the many delicious restaurants and cafes, sampling everything from traditional Icelandic fare to innovative Nordic fusion dishes. 

 

Alternatively, relax in one of the city's geothermal swimming pools, a beloved local tradition. Settle into your hotel for the night, knowing you'll be based here for your entire stay. 

Highlights

Downtown Reykjavík

Included experiences, upgrade options & extra activities

Upgrade

Upgrade - Arrival via Blue Lagoon

Extra

Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show

Staying inReykjavík

The Golden Circle needs little introduction: it's home to some of the most stunning and famous sights in Iceland, and today you'll experience them on a guided bus tour. You'll witness Strokkur hot spring shoot an impressive column of water up to 30 meters into the air every 4 to 8 minutes. This thrilling natural display never gets old, and your guide will explain the geothermal forces creating this spectacle. Stop to admire the magnificent Gullfoss, the 'Golden Falls' waterfall, created where the glacial river Hvítá tumbles and plunges into a crevice approximately 32 meters deep. The power and scale are awe-inspiring. 

 

This tour also includes the historical and geological wonder of Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year. Walk through the dramatic rift valley where continents separate, and learn about the Viking parliament that met here. Included with your package is a visit to the idyllic Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation center, a uniquely Icelandic experience. Here you and your group will learn about the magic behind growing delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes and cucumbers with the aid of geothermal heat that Iceland has in abundance. The greenhouses are warm and fragrant. 

 

Alternatively, you can upgrade to a different adventure on this day, such as snowmobiling or lava caving (upgrades available at additional cost). All upgrade options include the Golden Circle tour, so you won't miss this classic route. Return to your Reykjavík hotel this evening. 

Staying inReykjavík

The South Shore Adventure Tour is ideal for nature lovers and showcases Iceland's dramatic coastline. Join your guided bus tour departing Reykjavík. You'll have an opportunity to stand behind the plummeting Seljalandsfoss waterfall, experiencing the unique perspective from inside the cave behind the cascading water. Walk up close to Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's most powerful, and gaze at the majestic rock formations surrounding it. Your guide will share stories about the area. Travel along the spectacular South Coast of Iceland as far as Vík í Mýrdal, a charming small village surrounded by beautiful high bird cliffs and dramatic scenery. 

 

The highlights of the day include stunning views of massive glaciers like Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, black volcanic sand coastlines creating striking contrasts, and impressive rock formations including the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean and the hexagonal basalt columns at Reynisfjara beach. Your guide will point out geological features and share local legends. Return to your Reykjavík hotel this evening, where you can enjoy dinner at one of the city's restaurants on your final night, perhaps celebrating your Icelandic adventure. 

Transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport is included, ensuring smooth departure. 

 

Depending on your flight departure time, you might be able to fit in a stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport if you haven't already made the visit during your stay (available at additional cost, pre-booking required). Relax in the spa's naturally heated waters, rich in nourishing silica minerals, and prepare for your flight feeling completely rejuvenated. If you add this stop, you'll be picked up at your hotel and dropped off at the Blue Lagoon, where luggage storage facilities are available for a fee. After soaking, transfer continues to the airport. 

 

Good to know: Most airlines require you to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, so bear this in mind when booking. The drive to the airport takes around 20 minutes from the Blue Lagoon. If not adding the spa visit, enjoy your final morning in Reykjavík before your included transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of the Golden Circle's geothermal wonders and the south coast's dramatic beauty. 

What’s included?

Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

Airport transfer

Golden Circle & Friðheimar guided bus tour

South Shore Adventure guided bus tour

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

Carbon offsetting of your tour

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Personal travel insurance

Customer reviews

Read what real customers had to say about Golden Circle and South Coast Summer Getaway - 4 Days.

Overall rating for this trip
4.8
based on 12 reviews
L
Laura, Canada
July 16, 2025
Verified booking
Everything came about as planned. Good communication of dates, times, expectations. Would recommend more detail on the bus pick up/drop off process. Everyone waiting, for the first time, was anxious about which bus was theirs to board. Once we found out that the bus drivers had passenger
J
Juliana, United States
July 12, 2025
Verified booking
Before going I was able to speak directly with staff and get my questions answered. There was very clear communication through email also. I printed out vouchers ahead of time which I found helpful. They had the pick up information and itinerary. I was a bit nervous when we were at the BSI
D
Daniel, Australia
May 22, 2025
Verified booking
I joined two day tours, returning to Reykjavík each night. This worked well. The tours were professionally run and well-organised. There is quite a lot of driving, of course, but the sights are worth the trip!

FAQs about our multi-day trips

Throughout your multi-day trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be based in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík or Akureyri the capital of the North. From here, you can join guided tours into the surrounding countryside to soak up the mind-blowing scenery. Your package will include at least one day trip, and depending on the length of your tour package you can opt to add more.

It’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t have the same guide throughout your trip. In fact, on each escorted group day trip from Reykjavík or Akureyri, you’ll get to meet a new guide and new fellow travelers.

What’s more, spending each night in the same accommodation means you don’t need to worry about unpacking and repacking during your trip. It also gives you the chance to experience more of the city’s restaurants, food halls, and bars. And you’ll have time to browse the local shops and visiting the city’s attractions.

When you opt for a multi-day package, you won’t be traveling with the same guide and group throughout your trip. This means that number of fellow travelers you meet on your guided excursions will vary depending on the activity.

For instance, if you’re going on an ice cave tour, your group could include a just a handful people. Meanwhile, a tour of the Golden Circle by bus will often be a larger group as you’ll likely be traveling by coach. And you’ll find evening Northern Lights tours are usually by coach too, although you have the option to upgrade to a small group, super jeep, or boat tour.

Depending on the excursion, your bus could be either a minibus or coach. Most buses will have free onboard Wi-Fi and charging points for your phone. Larger buses also have overhead compartments for stowing your bag and jacket.

It’s good to know that although there’s no restroom on the bus, your guide will make sure to include regular breaks throughout the journey.

Yes, all of these multi-day trips include airport transfers by bus from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík on arrival and departure.

On each morning of your trip, you’ll get a tasty continental breakfast at your accommodation. In most places, this is served buffet-style in a communal dining room.

With most packages, lunch and dinner are not included so you’re free to choose from all of the options available. In Reykjavík and Akureyri, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to eat.

Some festive packages include special meals. Check the ‘What’s included?’ section for the individual package to find out exactly what you’ll get.

If your package features longer day tours, you’ll find that the guide will factor in lunch and restroom stops. But it’s still good to come prepared by packing a few snacks and plenty of water. And if you prefer, you could bring a picnic lunch rather than eat out.

Absolutely! You can customize your package by:

  • Picking your level of accommodation (Budget, Comfort, or Quality)
  • Extending your stay with extra nights in Reykjavík at the start or end of your trip
  • Adding optional activities, such as a food tour or glacier hike

Enter your dates and the number of people in your group on the tour package page. Here you can also choose your accommodation level.

At checkout, you can customize your trip with extra days and activities. Afterwards, follow the steps to finalize your booking and you’ll get a confirmation from us via email.

There’s one more thing that’s great to know: all it takes is a 5% deposit to secure your booking today.

Because a multi-day trip is made up of different excursions every day, you won’t always be with the same group. That said, Iceland is small enough that you might just bump into someone from the day before!

If you’re looking for the kind of experience where you can hang with the same group and make new friends, we also offer guided group tours of Iceland. These are led by local experts who will take you and your travel buddies all over the country.

Once you’ve decided roughly when you want to visit Iceland, you can start searching for flights online. Iceland is well connected to major airports in Europe and across North America.

It makes the most sense to book your package with Iceland Tours first. Once your booking is confirmed, go ahead and purchase your flights. Then all you need to do is think about what to pack! In fact, you can read all about that below.

On all of our multi-day tours from Reykjavík, you’ll stay at the same hotel or guesthouse in the city for the length of your trip. This is great if you prefer to stay settled in one place and explore by day.

If you’d rather get to stay in different places in the countryside, you could go for an Iceland self-drive tour, where you can set your own pace. Another great option is a guided group tour, where you’ll travel with the same awesome fellow travelers for your whole trip.

On a multi-day package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from 3 levels of accommodation:

  • Budget – Guesthouses and hotels, with shared bathrooms
  • Comfort – Hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars, with private bathrooms
  • Quality – Hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars, with private bathrooms

Each accommodation level offers different types of rooms. We’ve described them below to help you choose the best one for you. Just keep in mind that not every hotel has all these room types available.

  • Single room: one single bed in a room, perfect for solo travelers.
  • Double room: a full-sized double bed for 2 people.
  • Twin room: a room with 2 single beds that fit 1 person each.
  • Triple room: these vary in size and layout, but are designed to fit 3 adults. Triple rooms feature a combination of double, single or sofa beds, depending on the hotel.

No matter which accommodation level you pick, breakfast is included. Read more about the differences between the levels on this accommodation page.

In Iceland, the weather can change in a flash. The upshot is that if you don’t like the weather, you won’t need to wait long for it to pass.

With that in mind, you should pack smart so you’ll be comfortable no matter the conditions. Here’s a suggested Iceland packing list:

  • Rugged hiking boots
  • Wooly hat, scarf, and gloves
  • Thick, waterproof winter coat
  • Sweaters and fleeces for extra warmth
  • Swimming gear (for hot springs and pools)
  • Sunglasses
  • Lip balm and moisturizer

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland in winter, sunglasses are essential because the sun is low in the sky for most of the day. You’ll also want to protect your skin from the dry air with moisturizer.

For more tips, see our Iceland packing list.

There’s an incredible amount you can do on a multi-day vacation from Iceland Tours. Here’s some ideas to spark inspiration:

Because you’ll be based in Reykjavík for your whole trip, most excursions will take you to the south or west of Iceland. Be sure to check out this guide to the best things to see and do near Reykjavík.

If you want to see North Iceland, East Iceland, or the Westfjords, you might want to consider a self-drive or guided group tour. These are also great options if the Ring Road is on your must-do list.

For even more inspo, explore these awesome things to do in Iceland.

No worries! Iceland Tours is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We've teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.

Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.

Adults

Ages 12+

2

Children

Ages 2-11

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Infants

Ages 0-1

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