South Iceland in 5 Days Self-Drive Tour

Your memorable adventure in Iceland begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavik Airport. Once you have picked up your rental vehicle, you’ll head directly for Reykjavik and your exciting, first night in Iceland.

If your flight arrives early enough, we have a great suggestion for starting your trip off the right way: Plan a visit to Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon. Be sure to pack your swimsuit, so you can take a relaxing dip in the Lagoon’s soothing geothermal waters before heading to your hotel.

You can start by a drive to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the geological wonders of the world where you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. You continue to the famous Geysir Area where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 – 10 minutes and where numerous small springs boil and bubble. Afterwards you only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, surely one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls. Drive along the south coast to Skógar/ Vík area for your overnight stay.

Your next stop is Iceland’s scenic southeast. After passing various, outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you’ll arrive at the stunningly surreal beauty of Jökulsarlon, a glacial lagoon. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur.

Skaftafell National Park is another area definitely worth a visit. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for great hiking. Continue through Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, the Eldhraun lava field and the Mýrdalssandur plain, before you arrive in the Vík area.

Today you can start by taking a look at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, famous for the Reynisdrangar rock stacks that rise from the sea and for its basalt columns. Dyrhólaey cape is the southernmost point of Iceland. A small road takes you to the top of this 120 m high sea cliff where you often can see a large number of puffins (please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season from May 15 til June 23 and from mid- August the puffins will have gone to sea!). Continuing westbound you arrive at Skógar and pass Skógafoss waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland. As you continue towards Hella you pass Seljalandsfoss waterfall, behind which you can actually walk. Your day will end in Reykjavík where you will spend your last night in Iceland.

It seems as if your journey to fabulous Iceland only began a moment ago, but now it is time to head back home, driving back to Keflavík Airport for your flight. Depending on your flight’s time, you may be able to squeeze in a last day in Reykjavík or an extra night in there to experience all the amazing things that the city has to offer.