South Iceland Whistlestop with Highlands

Your memorable Iceland adventure begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Once you pick up your rental vehicle, you’ll head directly for Reykjavík and your exciting, first night in “the land of fire and ice.”

Today you will see some of the most famous sights in Iceland. You will start by exploring Borgarnes region. You can make a stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring (the biggest in Iceland in terms of water production per second), Reykholt where the famous medieval writer Snorri Sturluson lived and the Hraunfossar waterfalls where the water flows out from beneath a lava field into the river below. The Barnafoss waterfall is just a short walk away from Hraunfossar.

From there you continue your journey along the Kaldidalur highland road until you reach Þingvellir National Park, consider a geological wonder of the world. This is a highly interesting area both from the geological and the historical point of view. At Þingvellir you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust, and it was here that the Icelandic Parliament was founded in the 10th century. 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.

From Geysir you drive to Landmannalaugar, a highlight of every trip to Iceland an unforgettable journey over lava fields and moon- like landscape. To reach this colourful rhyolite mountains of Landmannlaugar you will be crossing rivers and passing over mountain passes.

Here you can walk between colourful mountains, black obsidian lava and hot springs. Get comprehensive information about all hiking tracks in the mountain hut. Some of the hot springs are located at the bottom of a river, creating a wonderful temperature for a relaxing bath! Afterwards you continue your journey over lava fields and a moon-like landscape along the highland road “behind the mountains” to the South Coast.

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 Jökulsárlón, 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 will spend the day along the south coast of Iceland. Drive through the black sands of Mýrdalur before arriving to the village of Vík. A walk is recommended on the huge black sand beach and discover the great puffin colony by Reynisfjall mount. A stop can be made as well at Dyrhólaey*, then drive along Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers to Skógar, known for its waterfall and folk museum. A visit to the museum recommended. Continue to Seljalandsfoss waterfall a stop you must not miss.
*Please note that the Dyrhólaey cliff is closed during the breeding season (until late June) and that the puffins leave the land around mid August!

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.