South & West Iceland in a Week

Your memorable Icelandic adventure begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Collect your rental vehicle and drive through the beautiful landscape all the way to the capital for your first night in the Land of Fire and Ice.

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the South Coast of Iceland on this day of exploration. The first two stops will be the spectacular waterfalls the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Take your chance to walk behind a waterfall at Seljalandsfoss. In Skógar, you could pop in for a visit at the Folk Museum to see how people in Iceland used to live centuries ago.

You could also take a dip in one of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, Seljavallalaug. It is a naturally heated, thermal pool located in a beautiful hidden valley.

Another famous sight of the South Coast are black sand beaches. Go for a stroll and visit the little villages of Vík and Reynishverfi. Before arriving in Vík you could make a stop at the magnificent Dyrhólaey cape.

Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during the nesting season, from 15 May to 23 June. Puffins disappear back to sea from mid-August.

Today you head east to visit one of the most popular and beautiful sights of Iceland. As you drive, you won’t miss the breathtaking views of the Skaftafell National Park, an oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand, which offers many hiking possibilities.

Finally, you’ll arrive at your destination of the day, the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where enormous icebergs drift onto the water like shining diamonds. Capture some fantastic photos and marvel at the sight with a walk along the banks of the lagoon. Later, drive back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for a second night

Now it is time to visit some of the most interesting and famous areas in Iceland. At the geothermal area of Geysir the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. There are also numerous small springs boil and bubble nearby.

You then only have a short drive to Gullfoss, which is one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. For a relaxing end to your day, you could visit Laugarvatn lake for a nice thermal bath at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, composed of a series of interconnected baths and steam rooms. They complement each other to create a natural and unique spa experience.

Start your day by visiting Þingvellir National Park which is considered one of the geological wonders of the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the Earth’s crust. Its importance is also historical as it was here that the Icelandic Parliament was first founded in the 10th century.

From Þingvellir, continue to the Borgarfjörður area and visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring. It is the biggest in Iceland in terms of water production per second. You could also pop by Reykholt and marvel at the Hraunfossar waterfalls, where the water flows out from beneath a lava field and into the river below.

Today you will start your day by exploring the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Along the way you will drive through charming fishing villages as well as pass by the majestic Kirkjufell mountain.

You can explore the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur, see the basaltic columns of Gerðuberg, the cliffs of Arnarstapi, and the hamlet of Búðir with its small wooden church surrounded by lava field. Then make your way back to Reykjavík for your last night in Iceland.

Your journey to fabulous Iceland is coming to an end today. Drive back to Keflavík Airport to return your vehicle and catch your flight home. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to squeeze in a few last activities in Reykjavík, for a final taste of what this colorful capital city has to offer.