Accessible South Coast Iceland: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

We’ll be there to meet you at Keflavík International Airport with an accessible private transfer taking you straight to your hotel in the capital city, Reykjavík. Transfer vehicles with ramps can be arranged if needed - just let your Travel Consultant know when you book.

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Once you’ve settled into your accessible room at the hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to discover the delights of the world’s most northerly capital. Reykjavík is a very compact city, with short distances between the Old Harbor, the concert hall at Harpa (with step-free access and elevators to all levels), and the Sun Voyager sculpture, all of which are relatively flat and easy to reach. There’s only one short climb to Hallgrímskirkja, the landmark church that provides panoramic city views from its bell tower, accessible by elevator.

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We are happy to recommend accessible museums or other city attractions, such as the Lava Show and FlyOver Iceland. ‍

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Accommodation  Hotel Saga (Quality) or Hotel Skuggi (Comfort) — accessible room confirmed at booking, before arrival.

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After breakfast, you’ll collect your rental vehicle in the morning, selected by your Travel Consultant to match your driving style (hand controls, ramps, etc). The Golden Circle is a fantastic introduction to Iceland’s natural marvels, starting with a 45-minute drive from the capital to Þingvellir National Park. Once the site of Iceland’s ancient Viking parliaments, Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in a gigantic rift valley where you can see continental tectonic plates above ground. There’s an accessible viewing platform with panoramic views of the rift valley, easily reached with a short distance on well-maintained paths from the paid parking area.

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The next stop is Geysir, where you’ll be thrilled by the sight of Strokkur, a gushing geyser with a short fuse that sends columns of superheated water high into the sky every few minutes! There’s a paid parking area next to the road, and the geyser is a very short distance away, along good paths with a slight incline. There’s an accessible restaurant here as well. Next comes Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s mightiest waterfalls, which thunders over two steps into a steep canyon, setting off sheets of spray and rainbows on bright days. There is free parking here at two different levels, with a dedicated accessible viewing platform about 50 meters from the parking lot.

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Kerið is one of Iceland’s most colorful volcanic craters, decorated with rust-red rocks and velvet-green moss, with a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform next to the paid parking area. You’ll stay overnight in the Golden Circle area in an accessible hotel, assessed in advance for appropriate modifications, and ideally placed for the South Coast on Day 3.

Your Travel Consultant will confirm the most appropriate accessible option for your requirements. ‍

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Accommodation  Hotel Grímsborgir or Lóa (Quality), or Hotel South Coast, Blue Hotel, or Hotel Lækur (Comfort) — your Travel Consultant confirms the accessible option for your situation.

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The South Coast is a stunning stretch of road lined with mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes on one side, and running close to the Atlantic on the other. The first sightseeing stop is Seljalandsfoss, a delicate ribbon waterfall that plunges gracefully from 60-meter cliffs into a pool. The cascade is easy to see from the paid parking area, and you can get as close as you like, approaching the falls along 200 meters of good gravel paths.

Close by stands Skógafoss, a breathtaking 60-meter waterfall framed by moss-covered cliffs, catching your eye as soon as you reach the access road. The paid parking area is about 500 meters from the falls, and you can get as close to the waters as you like - you’ll get quite wet though! A few hundred meters from the falls, the fascinating Skógar Folk Museum features indoor and open-air sections and historical buildings, including some traditional turf-roofed huts.

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Dyrhólaey is the most southerly place on the mainland, a picturesque headland with incredible views in all directions. There are two paid parking areas, with the lower one close to puffin nesting areas. The gravel paths here are uneven and inclined in places.

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Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s famous volcanic black sand beaches, lined with beautiful basalt columns, and frequently pounded by waves and fierce winds. Accessibility here is variable, depending on beach conditions. Your Travel Consultant will confirm what to expect before your visit.

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The southernmost village on the mainland, Vík, is your overnight stop. There’s a black sand beach, views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and the Lava Show Vík, a fully wheelchair accessible live lava demonstration that is one of the best optional additions on this day. ‍

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OPTIONAL — BOOK THROUGH YOUR TRAVEL CONSULTANT

• Lava Show Vík (entrance fee not included)

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Accommodation  Hotel Katla (Comfort) or Hotel Vík (Quality) — both have wheelchair accessible rooms. Accessible room confirmed at booking.

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The fourth day of your Icelandic adventure takes you through Eldhraun, a mesmerizing moss-covered lava field that stretches as far as the eye can see. You can see Eldhraun from roadside parking areas, right from your vehicle.

As you travel further east, you’ll begin to see the glacier-capped Vatnajökull National Park, which covers more than a tenth of the country. Skaftafell is part of the National Park and is a great place to stop and admire glacier views, with accessible facilities.

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Jökulsárlón is the highlight of your fourth day, a dazzling glacier lagoon filled with immense icebergs that drift serenely towards the sea along a short tidal channel. The “Glacier Lagoon” is right next to the Ring Road, and there’s a paid parking area enabling close-up views of the icebergs almost as soon as you get out of the car! This is where you’ll be able to join an amphibian boat tour of the lagoon, boarding from flat ground by the shore, and taking you just a few feet from the icebergs.

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From here, it’s a short drive to the next overnight stop in Höfn, Iceland’s lobster capital. ‍

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OPTIONAL — BOOK THROUGH YOUR TRAVEL CONSULTANT

• Amphibian boat tour at Jökulsárlón

Accommodation  Fosshotel Jökulsárlón or Fosshotel Vatnajökull (Quality), or Brunhóll (Comfort) — accessible room confirmed at booking. Note: Hotel Höfn does not have wheelchair accessible rooms.

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The fifth day sees you turning west and returning along the South Coast towards the capital again, with fresh sights to see along the way! After grabbing refreshments at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, there’s a turn inland to visit Fjaðrárgljúfur, one of Iceland’s most beautiful river canyons.

Carpeted in blankets of velvet-green moss, Fjaðrárgljúfur’s winding rock cliffs have been carved by glacial forces into eye-catching shapes. There is an accessible viewpoint in the lower car park offering splendid views of the canyon.

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If you want to learn more about Iceland’s volcanic origins, you can add an optional ticket for the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur: an interactive exhibition on Iceland’s volcanic history, confirmed wheelchair accessible. This is an optional stop, entrance fee not included. The day ends in the Hvolsvöllur area, a convenient base for the final push back to Reykjavík on Day 6. ‍

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OPTIONAL — BOOK THROUGH YOUR TRAVEL CONSULTANT

• Lava Centre, Hvolsvöllur (entrance fee not included)

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Accommodation  Hotel Grímsborgir or Lóa (Quality), or Hotel South Coast, Blue Hotel, or Hotel Lækur (Comfort) — your Travel Consultant confirms the accessible option for your situation.

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For your final day on Iceland’s famous Ring Road, you’ll head west to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, the youngest and most volcanically active part of the country. Packed with volcanic features such as the Seltún and Gunnuhver geothermal areas, Reykjanes has a lot to offer, with bubbling hot pools and fizzing sulfur vents to see! Boardwalks make these areas accessible with short distances from the parking areas, including wheelchair users.

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The Bridge Between the Continents spans a visible section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This tectonic plate boundary runs under the sea for most of its 16,000-kilometer length. You can access this unique spot, which divides the North American and Eurasian continents, via a paved path from the parking area.

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After driving for five days along Iceland’s South Coast, you’ll want to relax, and we have a world-class treat for you next.

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The Blue Lagoon is one of National Geographic’s “25 Wonders of the World” and Iceland’s grandest geothermal spa. You’ll find ultra-modern facilities, including spacious changing rooms, restaurants, saunas, massage tables, in-water bars, and steam rooms. Set in a breathtaking black lava field, the Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to soothe your body and soul, relax in the warming waters, and recall your favorite moments from the trip. Accessible changing facilities are available, including shower chairs and wheelchair access to the waters, with staff assistance on call. Entry to the Blue Lagoon is included in this tour package, with all aspects arranged by your Travel Consultant and delivered by Blue Lagoon staff.

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From here, refreshed and rejuvenated by your dip in the Blue Lagoon, you’ll return your rental vehicle in Reykjavík and spend your last night in the city.

Accommodation  Hotel Saga (Quality) or Hotel Skuggi (Comfort) — accessible room confirmed at booking, before arrival.

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As before, an accessible private transfer vehicle will take you from your hotel in the capital directly to Keflavík International Airport, a journey of around 45 minutes. Depending on your flight times, you may wish to see more city sights before you leave.

Perlan — Wonders of Iceland is a museum with a panoramic viewing deck, an artificial ice cave, and a Northern Lights cinematic experience, with elevator access to all levels.

The Old Harbor, Harpa, and the Shoreline Walk are easy to navigate on flat paths, with plenty of options for a final coffee and a view of the surrounding mountains.

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