Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls Self Drive

On arrival in Iceland, collect your rental car at the airport and set off across the Reykjanes Peninsula. The route leads through otherworldly lava fields - moss covered rocks and distant mountains offering a striking first glimpse of the country's volcanic character. Continue to Reykjavik for your first night in the capital. Driving today is approximately 50 km - 31 miles - with accommodation in Reykjavik.

Leaving Reykjavik, you drive the Golden Circle, beginning at Þingvellir National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its history and striking geology. Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where powerful geysers and steam vents showcase Iceland's volcanic energy. A short drive away is Gullfoss - a dramatic waterfall whose mighty waters plunge into the depths below.

You then carry on to Fluðir, noted for its hot springs and greenhouses, before finishing the day with an overnight in the Hveragerði or Selfoss area. Driving - approx. 200 km (124 miles).

Drive the South Coast to Kirkjubaejarklaustur, taking in waterfalls, black‑sand beaches and moss‑covered lava fields along the way. Your first stops are Seljalandsfoss - where a path leads behind the cascade - and the powerful Skogafoss. You continue to Vik i Mýrdal to see Reynisfjara's black sands and the basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar, then cross the vast Eldhraun lava field, created by one of the largest recorded volcanic eruptions. If time allows, you can detour to Fjaðrargljufur canyon for views over its steep walls and winding river. Finish in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, where you can explore local sights such as Systrafoss and Kirkjugolf - a natural “church floor” of basalt columns. Driving - approx. 220 km (137 miles). Accommodation - Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.

You head east from Kirkjubaejarklaustur, skirting wide lava fields with views of Vatnajökull, bound for Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Here, follow the trail to Svartifoss - a striking waterfall framed by dark basalt columns that inspired Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja - and enjoy far‑reaching views from the surrounding paths. Continuing along the coast, you visit Jökulsarlon, where icebergs drift across a glacier lagoon, then the nearby Diamond Beach, where pieces of ice rest on the black sand. Return to your accommodation in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area - total driving today is about 250 km - and, if there's time, you can explore any local sights you did not fit in yesterday.

Drive west from Kirkjubaejarklaustur towards Reykjavik, retracing the South Coast's striking landscapes. En route, you can pause to revisit or discover sights such as the vast Eldhraun lava field, the black sands of Reynisfjara near Vik, and the towering waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. On arrival in Reykjavik, you can opt for an afternoon visit to the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula - a world‑renowned geothermal spa set amid black lava fields, known for its mineral rich waters and silica masks. Driving today is approximately 300 km. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Depart from your accommodation in Reykjavik and drive to Keflavik International Airport to return the rental car - a straightforward journey of about 50 km (31 miles). With the car handed back, your Iceland adventure comes to a close.