Seven days focused on Iceland’s most concentrated stretch of coastline. The Golden Circle, the South Coast waterfalls, Vatnajökull National Park, and the glacier lagoon. With a Travel Consultant who knows every stop worth making along the way.
Price from 1406 EUR per person
Iceland's South Coast is the most concentrated stretch of natural spectacle in the country. Waterfalls you can walk behind, a glacier lagoon where icebergs drift in silence, black sand beaches backed by basalt columns, and Vatnajökull hanging over everything. This itinerary gives it seven days and the space to take it in properly. Your Travel Consultant knows this route well and will put together a handwritten map with the stops worth making along the way. The planning is done before you leave.
Aprivate transfer meets you at Keflavík International Airport and takesyou straight to your hotel in central Reykjavík. The drive in crossesopen lava fields: the landscape starts immediately. Check in, collect your travel documents, and take the afternoon at your own pace.
Reykjavík is compact and easy on foot. Hallgrímskirkja church has a lift to the viewing platform. Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture sit along the flat waterfront path. The Old Harbour is the right place for the first evening: good restaurants, the water close, the pace relaxed.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• Sky Lagoon
• Whale Watching Reykjavík
• FlyOver Iceland
• Perlan Wonders of Iceland
Suggested hotel: Hotel Saga (Superior) or Hotel Skuggi (Classic)
Collect your car and head east. Þingvellir National Park is your first stop: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull slowly apart. The rift between them is walkable, and the Alþingi parliament established here in 930 AD is the oldest in the world. Your Travel Consultant will have flagged the viewpoints worth time at.
The Golden Circle continues to Geysir geothermal field, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes on its own schedule, and Gullfoss waterfall, thundering into its two-tiered canyon. Kerið volcanic crater is worth the short stop on the drive south. Tonight, the Selfoss area.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• Laugarás Lagoon
• Fontana Geothermal Baths
• Silfra Snorkeling or Diving, Þingvellir
• Snowmobiling on Langjökull
• Geothermal Bread Baking Tour, Laugarvatn
Suggestedhotel: Hotel Grímsborgir (Superior) or Hotel South Coast (Classic)
The South Coast is Iceland at its most dramatic, and most of it is right there from the road. Seljalandsfoss comes first: walk behind it if conditions allow, which in summer they usually do. Wear something waterproof and go for it. Skógafoss follows, 60 meters of vertical drop with the Skógar Folk Museum beside it: reconstructed turf houses and Icelandic artefacts worth an hour.
Reynisfjara black sand beach is where the basalt columns rise in perfect geometric stacksand the Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand offshore. Your Travel Consultant will make sure you know the wave rules before you arrive. Overnight in Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur: your Travel Consultant will advise on the better option for your routing.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• GlacierWalk on Sólheimajökull
• Katla IceCave Tour from Vík
• ATV Tour, South Iceland
Suggested hotel: Hotel Magma(Superior or Classic)
Drive east through the Eldhraun lava field, ancient and carpeted in moss, and past Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, a deep and dramatic gorge just off the road. Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park is next: a green oasis between Europe's largest glacier and the vast black sand plains below it. The walk to Svartifoss waterfall earns its reputation, basalt columns framing black water in a setting that looks composed rather than accidental.
Make a stop at the smaller Fjallsárlón and then head to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the crown jewel of Iceland’s South Coast. Icebergs the size of houses drift in total silence across water so clear you can see the color shifting from white to deep blue. An optional Zodiac boat takes you close to the glacier and icebergs, and the experience is one of the finest Iceland offers. Diamond Beach is just across the road: the same icebergs on black sand, catching the light. Tonight, Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• Glacier Hike, Skaftafell
• Amphibian Boat Tour, Jökulsárlón
• Zodiac Boat Tour, Jökulsárlón
• Kayaking, Jökulsárlón
Suggested hotel: Hotel Jökulsárlón (Superior) or Hotel Höfn (Classic)
Turn west and begin the return along the South Coast. The drive from Höfn is long but the road gives you back everything in reverse: the moss-covered lava plains, the glacier tongues hanging above the road, the black sand plains stretching to the sea. Kirkjubæjarklaustur is worth a brief stop. Kirkjugólf, a natural formation of flat hexagonal basalt tiles worn smooth by glacial action, is a short walk from the road and one of those stops that most visitors miss.
The Eldhraun lava field lines the road for a long stretch before you reach Vík. Reynisfjara black sand beach is worth a second look in the afternoon light if you have time. Dyhrólaey headland gives a wide view along the coast and out to sea. Overnight in the Hvolsöllur area, well positioned for tomorrow.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• Horseback Riding, South Iceland
• Lava Show, Vík
Suggested hotel: Hotel Lóa (Superior) or Hotel Stracta (Classic)
The return to Reykjavík takes a deliberate detour through the Reykjanes Peninsula: an active geothermal landscape that most Iceland visitors fly over without stopping. Drive south from Selfoss toward the coast. Seltún geothermal area has boiling mud pools and sulfurous vents right beside the path. The colorful mineral formations on the hillside behind it make Seltún one of the more photogenic geothermal stops in Iceland. Kleifarvatn volcanic lake sits just inland, worth a brief stop on the way through.
Continue along the coast to Grindavík and the Bridge Between the Continents: a short bridge over the visible rift between the North American and Eurasian plates, a neat bookend to Þingvellir on Day 2. The Blue Lagoon is worth adding if you have time before heading back. You’ll drop off the rental car when you arrive in Reykjavík. Overnight in the city.
Optional — book through your Travel Consultant
• Blue Lagoon
• Lava Tunnel
• Extra night in Reykjavík or Blue Lagoon area – ask your Travel Consultant
• Perlan Wonders of Iceland
• Whale Watching Reykjavík
Suggested hotel: Hotel Saga (Superior) or Hotel Skuggi (Classic)
Yourprivate transfer to Keflavík Airport is arranged and ready. If yourflight departs in the afternoon, Reykjavík is worth one last morning onfoot. The Old Harbour for a final coffee, the waterfront, the kind ofunhurried morning that closes a trip properly.
If you want to extend the trip, an extra night in Reykjavíkis straightforward to arrange through your Travel Consultant. The city has morethan enough to fill another day.
• International flights
• Meals and drinks atrestaurants (unless otherwise agreed)
• Entrance fees unless listedabove
• Personal travel insurance
• Gasoline
• Road Tax Fee
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.
All travel arrangements should be booked at least 48 hours in advance. For holiday packages and custom-made tours, we strongly recommend you book with a few weeks/months notice. For larger groups we recommend you book with a few months’ notice.
The official language is Icelandic, but English is widely spoken, especially in the tourism industry. Most locals are fluent and happy to assist visitors in English.
We regret that we are unable to offer a full refund in the case of cancellation. The cancellation fee depends upon the length of notice and type of booking. Please refer to our Booking Information section “Cancellations.”
Everything you see on this site; all the products and packages are created by us. Iceland Unlimited organises all the travel arrangements in close co-operation with the very best local providers who are valuable members of our team.
The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, even for small purchases. ATMs are easily accessible throughout the country.
Iceland is a year-round destination, each season offering unique experiences. - Summer (June–August): Midnight sun, milder weather, and access to the highlands. - Winter (October–March): Best for viewing the Northern Lights and experiencing snowy landscapes. - Shoulder seasons (April–May and September): Fewer crowds and lower prices, with a good mix of daylight and activities.
