Leisurely South Iceland

Day 1 Reykjavík - Hveragerði

Once you have landed at Keflavík Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport. Drive along mystical lava landscapes to the charming village of Hveragerði. This town is perfect for getting to know typical small-town Icelandic culture, but with a unique twist. Hveragerði is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area. Because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.”

Day 2 Thingvellir - Gullfoss – Geysir

Today is open for you to explore the wonders of the Golden Circle region. We suggest a visit to one of Iceland’s unique pollution-free power stations: Ljósafossvirkjun. This historical hydropower station has an interactive exhibit where you can learn how Icelanders have harnessed the power of water, geothermal heat, and wind to create electricity. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser. If you want to connect with local culture, visit Fridheimar farm to enjoy wholesome cuisine made with vegetables from the farm’s greenhouse, or Efstidalur dairy, where you can indulge in home-made ice cream. We also suggest a relaxing visit to the Secret Lagoon in Fludir to enjoy a geothermal hot spring experience.

Included Dining: Breakfast

Day 3 Iceland’s South Shore

Drive along the scenic South Shore, one of Iceland’s best areas for farming. If the skies are clear, you’ll get a great view of two famous volcanoes. Hekla, Iceland‘s most frequently erupting volcano and Eyjafjallajökull is the (in) famous volcano whose 2010 eruption impacted air traffic around the world. The route also passes by two beautiful waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Near Skógafoss is an interesting folk museum that has examples of different buildings from different eras of Icelandic history, including a turf farmhouse. Admire the black sand beach, basalt columns and powerful Atlantic waves of Reynisfjara beach near Vik village. The area around Vik is great for trying out adventurous activities such as snowmobiling, an ATV tour or glacier hiking.

Included Dining: Breakfast

Day 4 Vatnajokull National Park

This is a day full of opportunities, so we recommend an early start. Drive through an impressive and surreal lava field as you head east. Eldhraun is the world‘s largest known single flow of lava. The road takes you over vast black sand plains created by glacial floods and on to the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, then on to Systrafoss, a double-ribbon waterfall that falls like a ribbon into the gorge. You will soon be in the vicinity of Vatnajokull National Park and you‘ll see amazing views of Vatnajokull Glacier throughout the day. We recommend visiting the Skaftafell area of the park, to enjoy the hiking trails with views of glaciers. Nearby is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift and collide with each other in a lake formed by Vatnajokull glacier. Some icebergs have drifted up onto a nearby black sand beach, known as the Diamond Beach, this is a beautiful place to view icebergs and seals.

Included Dining: Breakfast

Day 5 Iceland’s South Coast

Take your time and enjoy a leisurely drive to Reykjavik. Make a stop at the mighty Urridarfoss waterfall to feel the power of the rushing waters. Drive along the south coast road past several charming villages to Reykjanes Peninsula, a colourful UNESCO Geopark that is a paradise for photographers and geology buffs. Visit the moon-like surroundings of Lake Kleifarvatn and the Krýsuvík geothermal area with its multicoloured bubbling mud pools. Visit Grindavík fishing village, known for its salt fish heritage. You can also cross the Mid-Atlantic ridge on the Bridge between Continents. On route to Reykjavik is the famous Blue Lagoon where you can enjoy the chance to relax in the soothing azure waters.

Included Dining: Breakfast

Day 6 Reykjavík

Enjoy the day at leisure to explore the vibrant culture of Iceland’s capital city Reykjavík. Or you may choose to explore the areas around the city with your car, such as Árbæjarsafn Open Air museum or the town of Hafnarfjörður, with its interesting connection to legends of elves and a charming harbour area that is ideal for a seaside walk and a visit to a café or art shop. Another option is to visit the interesting Borgarfjörður region in West Iceland. Just an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, Borgarfjörður has different landscapes from South Iceland and is a great day trip.

Included Dining: Breakfast

Day 7 Reykjavík

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport.

Included Dining: Breakfast