South & West Iceland In Depth

Touch down in at Keflavík Airport and, once you’ve collected your rental car, you can head straight for Reykjavík, Iceland’s buzzing capital.

Or, if you arrive early enough, you could indulge in a little R&R on your way to the city. The soothing, geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are a couple of the best places to try.

Once you get to Reykjavík, take a stroll around the old town and check out the city’s cultural attractions. Or you could try some Nordic cuisine and experience the local nightlife.

Now the adventure really begins! Take the wheel and get ready to discover the natural wonders of Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Begin your drive by heading towards Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. From here, on the peninsula’s northern shore, you can gaze out over countless islands in Breiðafjörður Bay. On a clear day you might even spot the Westfjords in the distance!

Venture west from Stykkishólmur, and you’ll be able to explore all that Snæfellsnes has to offer. Some of the highlights include Snæfellsjökull, a glacier-topped volcano and Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach. There’s also the striking peak of Kirkjufell mountain, which you’ll recognise from Game of Thrones if you’re a fan of the series.

Plus, you could check out the black wooden church at Buðir. Or why not go for a short hike along the stunning clifftop trail between the villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi?

After a day of exploring, head south to spend the night in the area around beautiful Borgarfjörður.

This morning, leave Borgarfjörður behind and head inland to tour the iconic Golden Circle route. It’s a must-do on any trip to Iceland!

Before getting to the Golden Circle, start the day by stopping off at Deildartunguhver hot spring. When it comes to water production per second, this is the biggest in Iceland.

Or visit Reykholt village, which was once home to the famous medieval writer Snorri Sturluson lived. Not far from here you’ll also find Hraunfossar falls where water flows out from beneath a lava field into a river.

Now it’s time to begin discovering the natural wonders on the Golden Circle. The top three highlights are Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.

First, you’ll come to Þingvellir National Park. Here you can see plate tectonics in action, in the form of cracks and fissures at the Earth’s surface, making it one of the world’s geological wonders.

Then, there’s the Geysir geothermal area. Prepare to be amazed by active hot springs, including Strokkur and Geysir, the area’s namesake. Strokkur is the most active though, and it shoots a super-heated jet of water about 20 m (65 ft) into the air every 5-10 minutes.

Your last stop on the Golden Circle will be Gullfoss waterfall, or ‘Golden Falls’. Go for a short hike to one of the viewing platforms to really get a feel for the power of this incredible tiered falls.

Later, head for the Hveragerði/Selfoss area where you’ll spend the night.

Today is all about exploring the rugged beauty of Iceland’s south coast.

Driving east you’ll soon arrive at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You may have heard of this one before – it’s known as the waterfall you can walk behind. Continuing from here, you’ll pass Skógar village and Skógafoss waterfall. With a drop of about 60 m (200 ft), Skógafoss is one of the highest falls in Iceland.

Then, trace the south coast all the way to the fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. There are a few places for you to grab a bite to eat before carrying on. But while you’re here, you won’t want to miss taking a walk along Reynisfjara’s black sand beach.

Close to Vík, you’ll also find Dyrhólaey cape, Iceland’s southernmost point. Follow a minor road to get to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the beaches below. From here, there are mind-boggling views of towering sea cliffs stretching out in both directions.

In summer, Dyrhólaey is a great spot to see puffins. But bear in mind that it’ll be closed during the nesting season (May 15 until June 23), to protect these charismatic birds. And by mid-August most puffins will have returned to the sea.

Now it’s time to venture further east along Iceland’s south coast.

Drive past numerous outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, before arriving at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. This turquoise lake, complete with bobbing icebergs, sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur.

More natural wonders are waiting for you in Skaftafell Nature. This haven is surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, not to mention plenty of hiking trails for you to explore.

After a day of immersing yourself in nature, trace the coastline to Hvolsvöllur village for your overnight stay.

On your way to the Westman Islands ferry crossing, you’ll have another chance to stop by Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

Then it’s time to experience the island of Heimaey. This hidden gem is located in the volcanic Westman Islands archipelago. During your visit, learn about the island’s history and the 1973 volcanic eruption.

You could hike to the top of Mount Eldfell, discover the elephant rock formation, or sail around the islands. Plus, you might even glimpse whales, seals, or puffins from the islands.

In the afternoon, take a ferry to the mainland and drive back to Reykjavík.

Now that your unforgettable Icelandic adventure has come to an end, it’s time to say goodbye and return to Keflavík Airport.

Depending on your flight time, you might be able to wander around Reykjavík before leaving. Or you could stay an extra night to soak up more of what the city has to offer.