Seven days covering Iceland's most dramatic south: the Golden Circle, the South Coast, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and the Reykjanes Peninsula. One private driver-guide throughout, all stops at your pace.
Price from 7448 EUR per person
This tour can be customized for following traveler types:
Iceland's south holds most of the country's headline sights: Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Jökulsárlón, Reynisfjara. Most people see them from a coach, in a crowd, on a fixed schedule. This tour works differently.
Over seven days, your private driver-guide takes you through the full circuit of the south, from the Golden Circle east to the glacier lagoon and back via the coast. Every stop is at your pace. If you want more time at Jökulsárlón, you stay longer. If the light is doing something extraordinary at Reynisfjara, you wait for it.
The route covers over 1,400 km of some of the most varied scenery in Europe: tectonic rift valleys, geothermal geysers, towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, floating icebergs, and one of Iceland's oldest lighthouses. Your guide has driven all of it, in every season, and knows how to make the most of the day you have.
This itinerary is where we start. It can be extended, adjusted, or built around your schedule. Talk to your Travel Consultant about what matters most to you.
This itinerary can be offered throughout the year (some adjustments might be required depending on travel dates).
Your south Iceland adventure begins the moment you land. A private transfer takes you from Keflavík International Airport directly to your Reykjavík accommodation, with no waiting around for other passengers and no shared coaches.
If your flight arrives around midday, your Travel Consultant can arrange an en-route stop at the Blue Lagoon before you head into the capital. It's one of the best ways to shake off a long-haul flight, and the timing works well before the afternoon crowds build.
The rest of the day is yours. Reykjavík is a compact and walkable city, and it rewards wandering. Head up to Hallgrímskirkja Church for the view across the rooftops and the bay, then follow the waterfront to the Sun Voyager sculpture. Laugavegur, the city's main shopping street, is good for browsing and picking up supplies for the days ahead. In the evening, Reykjavík has one of the best restaurant scenes in the North Atlantic for its size. Your Travel Consultant can point you toward the right places for the first night.
Included
Optional Activities
Suggested Hotel
Hótel Reykjavík Saga or similar
Your driver-guide collects you from your accommodation and you head east on one of Iceland's most famous routes. The Golden Circle takes in three of the country's most visited natural sites in a single day, but with a private guide, you move at your own pace and go deeper than most visitors get to.
Þingvellir National Park is the first stop: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. You can walk in the rift valley between them. The park is also where Iceland's parliament, the Althing, first met in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest parliamentary sites in the world.
From there, you visit Kerið, a vivid volcanic crater lake with a steep rim and strikingly blue-green water, then continue to the Geysir geothermal area. Strokkur, the most active geyser in Iceland, shoots a column of superheated water skyward every five to ten minutes. The surrounding hot springs and steam vents are worth taking time around.
Gullfoss is the final major stop: a two-tiered waterfall that drops into a canyon, with spray that catches the light on clear days. On the way south to your overnight stop, the route passes Friðheimar, a working tomato farm where you can see the greenhouses up close.
You end the day in the Hvolsvöllur area, well positioned for the South Coast ahead.
Optional Activities
Suggested Hotel
Hótel Rangá or similar
Today you push east along the South Coast, one of the most scenic stretches of road in Iceland. The Westman Islands sit offshore on your right; Mýrdalsjökull glacier dominates the skyline to the north. Every stop today is new ground.
Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall with a difference: a path loops behind the curtain of water, which gives you a view back through it toward the coastline. The walk is around 500 metres on uneven terrain and can be icy or closed in winter. Your guide will advise on conditions.
Skógafoss follows: a wide, powerful waterfall with a flat base viewpoint that puts you close to the spray. The Skógar Folk Museum nearby is worth a look if you have time and interest in traditional Icelandic life.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is a relatively recent discovery for most visitors, a deep, winding gorge carved by glacial meltwater. It's one of those places that looks extraordinary and yet rarely appears on the same itineraries as the more famous South Coast stops.
You arrive in Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the early evening: a small village surrounded by lava fields, with a quiet quality that feels very different from the busier stops on the coast.
Included
Optional Activities
Suggested Hotel
Hótel Magma or similar
Day 4 is the centrepiece of the tour. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon sits at the foot of Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Icebergs calve directly from the glacier face and drift slowly past you toward the sea, some brilliant white, others stained with ash and dark mineral lines from centuries inside the ice.
Before you reach the lagoon, the route passes through Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, where a short walk through birch woodland brings you to Svartifoss. The waterfall is framed by perfectly formed hexagonal basalt columns, a formation you will see again at Reynisfjara later in the trip.
After the lagoon, Diamond Beach lies just across the road: a black volcanic sand beach scattered with ice fragments that have washed ashore from the lagoon. The contrast between the dark sand and the translucent blue and white ice is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland, and with good reason.
On the final stretch east, the route passes Stokksnes, where Vestrahorn mountain rises sharply from a black sand spit. The light on this mountain in the late afternoon can be exceptional.
You overnight in Höfn, a small fishing town best known for its langoustine. Your Travel Consultant can recommend where to eat.
Included
Optional Activities
Today you drive back west on the Ring Road, but the stops are all new. The South Coast shows a different face from this direction, and the longer driving day is broken up by some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Iceland.
The route passes Núpsstaður, one of Iceland's best-preserved turf farm complexes, and continues through the Eldhraun lava field: a vast, moss-covered expanse left by the Laki eruptions of 1783. Vatnajökull fills the skyline to the north for much of the morning.
Vík is Iceland's southernmost village, a small community perched at the base of Mýrdalsjökull glacier with black sand beaches stretching in both directions. From the cliffs above town, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand in the water offshore.
Reynisfjara, a few kilometres west of Vík, is one of Iceland's most visited beaches. The hexagonal basalt columns at the cave mouth, the sea stacks, and the black sand make it genuinely extraordinary. The Atlantic surf here can be dangerous: your guide will brief you on the conditions and make clear where not to stand.
Dyrhólaey, the arch promontory to the west, gives a panoramic view of the whole southern coastline. On clear days you can see for miles in both directions. You overnight again in the Hvolsvöllur area.
Included
Optional Activities
Suggested Hotel
Hótel Rangá or similar
The final full day takes you west along the south coast and then onto the Reykjanes Peninsula before returning to Reykjavík. The peninsula is geologically active and has changed considerably in recent years following volcanic eruptions that began in 2021 and have continued since. Your guide can put the current landscape in context.
You pass through Selfoss and the fishing villages of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki on the coast: small communities with colourful houses and a very different feel from the tourist-heavy South Coast stops.
Seltún is a geothermal area unlike the lagoons: no bathing here, just raw geology. Bubbling mud pools, sulphuric steam vents, and hot springs in vivid rust and yellow sit above the Krýsuvík geothermal system. The ground temperature is remarkable and the colours are unlike anything else on the peninsula.
Reykjanesviti, Iceland's oldest lighthouse, stands on the westernmost tip of the peninsula. From there, the Bridge Between the Continents offers a short walk across a footbridge spanning a rift between the North American and Eurasian plates, a companion piece to what you walked through at Þingvellir on Day 2.
If the timing works for your schedule, your Travel Consultant can arrange a final Blue Lagoon visit before the drive back into Reykjavík for your last night.
Included
Optional Activities
Suggested Hotel
Hótel Reykjavík Saga or similar
Your south Iceland adventure ends today. A private transfer takes you from your accommodation to Keflavík International Airport in good time for your departing flight.
If your departure is in the afternoon, there is time for a final walk around Reykjavík or a last Blue Lagoon visit. Your Travel Consultant can build this into your transfer schedule so you don't have to rush.
Included
Optional Activities
Let your personal travel consultant know what other activities catch your eye and we’ll add them to your custom-made trip itinerary.
We handpick accommodations to ensure memorable stays for every type of traveler.
Experience a higher level of comfort with our carefully selected comfort accommodations, each offering private facilities including a shower and toilet for your convenience and privacy. These lodges fall under the 3-star hotel category, providing a perfect blend of quality and value. Most properties boast an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of meals without needing to venture far. In Reykjavik, all comfort accommodations are ideally situated in central locations, giving you easy access to the city’s main attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural spots. This category represents a significant upgrade in both comfort and service compared to budget options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a cozy yet affordable stay. To make your mornings hassle-free, a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.
Our quality accommodations feature spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offering the choice of a relaxing bath or a refreshing shower, along with a private toilet to ensure maximum comfort and privacy. These rooms represent the best available lodging options, found within prestigious 4-star hotels or the finest, highest-quality lodges across each region. In Reykjavik, all quality accommodations are centrally located, placing you within easy reach of the city’s key attractions, shopping areas, and vibrant dining and cultural scenes. These accommodations provide an elevated experience with superior comfort, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service designed to make your stay truly memorable. To enhance your visit, a complimentary breakfast is included each morning, helping you start your day well-nourished and ready to explore.
Our luxury accommodations feature exquisite suites and premium rooms within top-tier lodges and resorts, offering an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. Designed with refined decor and upscale touches, these accommodations provide a seamless blend of style, comfort, and exclusivity. Personalized services cater to your every need, ensuring a truly indulgent and tailored experience. In Reykjavik, all luxury accommodations are centrally located, placing you at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, fine dining, shopping, and key attractions. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or an immersive urban experience, these upscale lodgings deliver the perfect base. Classy, elegant, and supremely comfortable, our luxury options strive to provide a first-class stay marked by exceptional amenities, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Every aspect is carefully crafted to make your visit not just memorable, but extraordinary.
Prepare for your adventure with these essential tips and information for a smooth journey.
The South Coast is arguably home to some of the most spectacular and diverse natural features in Iceland, all within a concentrated area. This focused itinerary allows you to experience the region at a more relaxed pace, with more time for optional activities like glacier hiking, snowmobiling, and boat tours. The South Coast offers waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, and the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, providing an incredible Iceland experience without the long driving days required for a full Ring Road circuit. The tour also includes the iconic Golden Circle and ends with a scenic journey through the Reykjanes Peninsula, giving you a comprehensive taste of South and Southwest Iceland.
The South Coast offers a plethora of adventure activities that can be arranged through your travel consultant. Popular options include glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull or Svínafellsjökull glaciers, snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull glacier, boat tours on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (summer only), ice cave exploration (winter season), horseback riding tours, ATV tours, and hiking tours in Skaftafell. Your travel consultant will help you select and schedule activities that match your interests and fitness level.
A private driver-guide allows you to experience the South Coast without the stress of navigation or driving on unfamiliar roads. Your driver-guide can share detailed geological explanations, historical context, and local folklore that brings each location to life. You'll have flexibility to spend more time at places you find most captivating, adjust the pace based on your energy and interests, and access hidden viewpoints that most visitors miss. The private setting is perfect for families, couples, or friend groups who want to share the experience together.
You can select from three accommodation categories to match your preferences and budget. Comfort accommodations are carefully selected 3-star hotels with private bathrooms and on-site restaurants. Quality accommodations feature spacious rooms in 4-star hotels with superior amenities. Luxury accommodations offer exquisite suites in top-tier properties with premium service and facilities. All categories include breakfast from Day 2 onward, and your travel consultant will discuss specific properties available for your dates.
Yes! This itinerary can be customized in consultation with your travel consultant before departure. Want an extra day at Jökulsárlón for more glacier activities? Prefer to skip the Reykjanes Peninsula on Day 6? Interested in adding visits to additional waterfalls or attractions? Your travel consultant will work with you to create an itinerary that matches your interests while your driver-guide can make minor adjustments during the tour based on weather and your preferences.
