Golden Circle & Black Sand Beaches Self-Drive - 5 Days

On a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be at the wheel of the rental car of your choice and free to go pretty much where you want, whenever you want.

We provide a detailed itinerary to help you plan your route and where you want to stop along the way. But it’s up to you whether you want to stick to it or go your own way. If you do take detours, make sure that you aren’t too far from your accommodation on any given night.

That said, it’s a good idea to stick to the suggested itinerary if you’ve never visited Iceland before. Created by our Reykjavík-based travel experts, it contains plenty of things for you to and see and do on each leg of your trip. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short on ideas!

You also get unlimited in-car Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected and use maps on your phone for navigation.

It’s best to book your trip at least a few weeks before you travel. This gives us enough time to organize your preferred accommodation and itinerary. For this reason, we’re unable to accept bookings with less than 1 week’s notice.

In the summer, which is the most popular time of year, booking a few months ahead is a good idea. In certain parts of the countryside, accommodation options are more limited and can be booked up well ahead of your trip.

You have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like jeeps and vans. You’ll need to have held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year and present a credit card when you collect your car.

You don’t need an International Driving Permit unless your license is not in Latin script (for example, Arabic or Chinese).

Find out more about car rental in Iceland.

Yes! It’s possible to add extra activities or extend your trip with additional nights in Reykjavík or the countryside. Check the itinerary above to see what activities are available on what day.

Of course you can add extra adventures! We want you to be able to get the absolute most out of your trip to Iceland, so you can pick optional extra activities at checkout. You’ll be shown exactly what’s on offer for each day of your trip.

And if you feel like you just don’t have enough time to fit it all in, you can also add extra days.

The rules of the road in Iceland are similar to most other countries, although there are some local quirks that you might not be familiar with.

Iceland drives on the right and steering wheels are on the left side of the car. Distances and speed limits are given in kilometers only.

Roundabouts are very common in Iceland, especially in towns. If you’re not familiar with these, make sure you understand how to give way (yield) to other traffic.

In the countryside, you might encounter sheep on the road, or even reindeer in East Iceland. You may also come across gravel roads, single-lane bridges, and blind summits.

For all the info on how to handle these, see this guide to driving in Iceland.

Once you’ve paid your deposit for your trip, we’ll finalize bookings for your accommodation, rental car, and any activities. As soon as we receive confirmation of everything, we’ll email you, letting you know your travel documents are available in our portal.

We aim to finalize everything within a few weeks of receiving your booking request, but in busy periods this might take longer. That said, you’ll always receive all of your documents before your departure date.

You’ll be able to pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport from the arrivals hall. Before your trip, we’ll send you information about where to go in the terminal to collect your keys.

Make sure you have your driver’s license and credit card ready when you collect your vehicle.

If you land late at night, you can use the out-of-hours phone at the pick-up desk to contact someone who will be able to help you.

You also have the option to collect your rental car in Reykjavík, if you’re planning to spend some extra days in the city before your trip starts. If you’d like to do this, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.

Yes, you can easily collect your rental car from Reykjavík instead of Keflavik Airport.

During the booking steps on our website, just let us know you'd prefer your pick-up/drop-off location to be in the city centre. We'll take care of it for you, no problem.

Just a quick heads-up: if you request different pick-up and drop-off locations (e.g. collect from the airport, drop off in the city, or vice versa) there's a one-way fee of around ISK 7.900 ISK (EUR 60). You'll pay this directly to the rental company when you pick up the car.

All of our self-drive tour packages include the following as standard:

• Rental car of your choice, with unlimited mileage
• Basic liability insurance coverage
• Collision damage waiver
• Authorization for second driver
• Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
• Accommodation level of your choice
• Breakfast every day
• Detailed itinerary crafted by local travel experts
• 24/7 helpline in Iceland, just in case you need it

When you book your vacation on our website, you’ll be able to choose your preferred rental car and accommodation level.

You can see what vehicles are available on this car rental page.

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

• Budget – Guesthouses and country 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.

Feel like getting closer to nature? Check out these self-drive camping tours.

In Iceland, you can expect all weathers no matter what time of year you visit. With that in mind, it’s good to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay cozy, warm, and dry.

Here’s a packing list to help you get ready for your trip:

• Tough, waterproof walking boots
• Thermal underlayers
• Sweaters or fleeces
• Waterproof raincoat
• Warm winter jacket
• Scarf, hat, and gloves
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear (for pools and hot springs)
• Lip salve and moisturizer

For more tips on what to bring with you, see this Iceland packing list.

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.

This Iceland 5 day tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the very best of South Iceland without spreading themselves too thin! You'll focus entirely on Iceland's most spectacular and accessible region including the world-famous Golden Circle with Þingvellir National Park and Strokkur geyser plus the incredible south coast with its towering waterfalls and black sand beaches. The tour takes you all the way to the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where massive icebergs float serenely in the lagoon creating one of Iceland's most photogenic spots. Unlike tours that rush around the entire country this 5 day Iceland tour allows you to really appreciate each amazing location and even includes time for Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon. You'll get the complete South Iceland experience with comfortable pacing and incredible memories!

This perfectly planned 5 day Iceland tour maximizes your time in South Iceland's most incredible regions! The Golden Circle showcases Iceland's geological wonders including historic Þingvellir National Park where you can see the effects of tectonic plate movements and the famous Geysir area where Strokkur hot spring shoots water 15-20 meters into the air every 5-10 minutes. The powerful Gullfoss waterfall demonstrates the raw beauty that makes Iceland famous. The south coast portion takes you along spectacular coastlines to towering waterfalls and the unforgettable Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where you'll witness massive icebergs that have calved from Europe's largest glacier. The 5-day format gives you time to truly appreciate each location instead of just taking quick photos.

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is absolutely one of Iceland's most breathtaking attractions and the perfect culmination of your 5 day Iceland tour! This stunning glacial lagoon features massive blue icebergs floating serenely after calving from Vatnajökull glacier creating an otherworldly scene that feels like you've stepped into a fantasy movie with crystal-clear ice formations drifting toward the ocean. Just across the road Diamond Beach showcases these same icebergs washed up on black volcanic sand creating incredible photo opportunities. After experiencing waterfalls and geysers throughout your tour Jökulsárlón provides this magical grand finale that shows you the incredible power and beauty of Iceland's glacial landscapes.

This Iceland 5 day tour offers fantastic activities perfectly suited to South Iceland's unique attractions! Glacier hiking in Skaftafell area lets you explore ice formations and crevasses with experienced guides who provide all necessary equipment. Boat tours on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon bring you up close to massive icebergs where you might spot seals lounging on the ice. You could add visits to geothermal areas like the Secret Lagoon or local farms that showcase traditional Icelandic culture. Horseback riding on Icelandic horses offers unique perspectives of the landscapes you'll be driving through. During summer months you can enjoy extended daylight hours perfect for hiking and photography. Your accommodations are arranged when you book giving you flexibility to add South Iceland activities that match your interests during your tour.

This Iceland 5 day tour is designed with manageable daily driving distances while being realistic about your travel expectations! Each day typically involves scenic driving with frequent stops at incredible attractions along the way. Your Golden Circle day includes 4-5 hours of driving as you explore the classic route and then travel to your south coast accommodation for the night. South coast driving days feature beautiful coastal routes where you'll want to stop frequently for waterfalls and photo opportunities. The longest driving day is usually reaching Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon but even that journey showcases incredible scenery with outlet glaciers and volcanic landscapes. Since you're staying within South Iceland the distances are much more manageable than full Ring Road tours. Your 5 day Iceland tour keeps driving comfortable while ensuring you experience all the highlights this incredible region offers.

This Iceland 5 day tour operates during Iceland's optimal travel season when South Iceland showcases its most spectacular beauty! Summer months offer up to 19 hours of daylight which means you can explore attractions from early morning until late evening with gorgeous golden light perfect for photography. You'll experience Iceland's famous lupine flowers painting the countryside purple and have ideal weather conditions for glacier activities and lagoon boat tours. The weather is much more stable with temperatures around 10-15°C and excellent road conditions throughout South Iceland. Spring and fall shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and unique seasonal beauty with incredible atmospheric conditions at places like Jökulsárlón. The extended operating season gives you flexibility to choose timing that matches your preferences for weather and seasonal highlights.

This Iceland 5 day tour offers distinct advantages over longer Ring Road journeys by focusing intensively on Iceland's most spectacular and accessible region! You'll experience South Iceland's incredible diversity from geothermal wonders to glacial lagoons without the extensive driving that comes with circling the entire country. The focused approach means you can really appreciate each attraction and even add activities like glacier hiking or lagoon boat tours. You'll have more time for exploration and photography because you're not constantly driving to distant regions. The concentrated itinerary allows for deeper experiences at each location rather than rushing through multiple regions. For travelers wanting maximum impact in South Iceland this 5 day format provides perfect depth and pacing.

Your accommodations with Iceland Tours are carefully selected and arranged when you book to guarantee excellent locations throughout South Iceland. You'll stay in well-positioned hotels and guesthouses that put you close to major attractions while offering authentic Icelandic hospitality. After exploring the Golden Circle, you'll stay in the charming south coast area near Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur with convenient access to glacial attractions and black sand beaches. Iceland Tours offers three accommodation categories: Budget (guesthouses and country hotels with shared bathroom facilities), Comfort (hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars with private bathrooms), and Quality (hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars with private bathrooms, or superior/plus rooms in 3-star properties). All Iceland Tours packages include breakfast to fuel your daily adventures. The strategic locations mean shorter drives to attractions and more time for actual exploration and optional activities throughout your Iceland 5 day tour.

The south coast waterfalls on your Iceland 5 day tour showcase some of Iceland's most powerful and photogenic natural wonders! These towering cascades plunge from ancient cliffs where glacial rivers have carved their paths over thousands of years creating rainbow mists on sunny days. Each waterfall has its own unique character and geological story from the thundering power of major falls to hidden cascades tucked into volcanic landscapes. The combination of black volcanic rock and white glacial water creates incredible photographic opportunities throughout the day as lighting conditions change. The south coast's waterfall concentration means you'll experience multiple spectacular falls during your tour each offering different perspectives on the forces that shaped Iceland. These waterfalls perfectly demonstrate why Iceland's south coast is considered one of the world's most beautiful coastal drives.

This Iceland Tours 5 day tour format focusing on South Iceland creates a much richer and more satisfying travel experience! Instead of rushing around the entire Ring Road trying to check off every region you'll have time to truly connect with South Iceland's incredible diversity. You can watch multiple Strokkur eruptions and really explore Þingvellir's geological wonders rather than just taking quick photos. The focused approach allows you to experience these attractions during different times of day when lighting and crowds create totally different atmospheres. You'll have opportunities to add glacier hiking at Skaftafell or boat tours on Jökulsárlón that aren't possible on rushed itineraries. Plus, you can properly explore Reykjavík and relax at the Blue Lagoon without feeling pressured to keep moving. This 5 day Iceland tour gives you quality over quantity with deeper experiences that create lasting memories!