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Iceland South Coast Sensation: 7 Days Self-Drive Tour

For an eventful and adventurous Iceland vacation, you should consider our Iceland south coast tour. The south coast has arguably, some of the most spectacular natural features that can be found in Iceland. This self-drive holiday package focuses on this area and places like Skaftafell in Vatnajökull national park, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, the beautiful village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and much more.

There are a plethora of available activities to choose from in this south coast Iceland vacation, such as snowmobiling, glacier hiking, riding tours, hiking tours, ATV tours and much more. If you are interested in spending a few vacation days in Iceland at a leisurely pace, this is the perfect holiday package for you.

If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.

Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.

Tour Code

SD-04

Season

May - Sept

Travel Style

Self-Drive

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Location

South Iceland

Accessibility

Moderate

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation (budget/comfort/quality) with breakfast
  • Rental car of your choice for 5 days with unlimited mileage/CDW & VAT
  • WiFi hotspot in your rental car for easy internet access
  • 1 extra driver for each rental car
  • Transfer from Keflavik International Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík (private or by bus)
  • Optional private information meeting with our travel consultant in Reykjavik before your tour starts
  • Big, handwritten, detailed map with route, recommendations and accommodations highlighted
  • Written guides of the region you will be visiting
  • Transfer to Keflavík International Airport with pickup at your accommodation in Reykjavik upon departure (private or by bus)
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • Taxes & service fee

Not Included

  • Flights to/from Iceland
  • Meals & drinks at restaurants and entrance fees (unless otherwise agreed upon)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gasoline
Day 1 | Arrival in Reykjavik

Welcome to Iceland! After you have cleared customs, you will either hop on the Flybus (budget) or be met by a driver from Iceland Unlimited in the arrival hall of Keflavík International Airport (comfort & quality). Transfer to your accommodation in the city centre in Reykjavík. Your travel documents will either be handed to you by your driver or wait for you at your hotel/guesthouse.

If you arrive around noon, it is possible to stop at the Blue Lagoon before continuing to the capital. After you have checked in to your hotel and received your travel documents, we would like to have an optional private information meeting during office hours at our headquarters. After the meeting, you’ll have free time in Reykjavik to explore and enjoy the northernmost capital of the world. Overnight at a hotel in the heart of the city.

Day 2 | The Gullfoss & Geysir Route

Today you will receive your rental car and your Iceland vacation begins for real! Start the day by driving east towards the amazing Þingvellir National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with its incredible natural beauty, history and where you can see how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are diverging. Continue to the famous Geyser geothermal fields and witness the great spouting spring, namesake of every other spouting spring in the world. Close by you’ll find Gullfoss (Golden Falls), recently voted one of 10 most beautiful waterfalls of the world. By Gullfoss and Geyser are popular lunch stops and for a chance to enjoy a traditional Icelandic meal we recommend the Icelandic lamb soup.

From there, make your way towards the south coast and drive through lush farmlands, but be sure to make a stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater displaying its crystal clear water. Stay overnight in the Hvolsvöllur area.

Day starts in

Reykjavík

Day end in

Hvolsvöllur area

Driving distance

~237 kilometers / 147 miles

Day 3 | Sensational South Coast

It’s time to travel further east along the beautiful south coast. Shortly after leaving Hvolsvöllur, you will reach the wonderful Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You can (and should) take the opportunity to enjoy a 360°view of the waterfall as it is possible to walk behind it if you are wearing good shoes and don’t mind the light drizzle. Continue to Skógar where you’ll find the picture perfect Skógafoss waterfall and the Skógar Folk museum where you can see reconstructed turf houses and ancient artefacts on display.

Drive further east to the mighty Mýrdalsjökull glacier and enjoy optional activities such as glacier hiking and or snowmobiling with professional guides. Continue to the charming village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, home to Iceland’s first monastery (built in 1186) where you will stay for the night in the area.

Day starts in

Hvolsvöllur areal

Day ends in

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Driving distance

~155 km / 96 miles

Day 4 | Crown jewels of Icelandic nature

After breakfast an to Skaftafell, a part of the Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell is a site of immense beauty and variations. It’s a lush green oasis between a mighty glacier and vast black sand beach. In Skaftafell you’ll find many different hiking routes. We recommend a light hike to Svartifoss waterfall, that features pitch black hexagonal basalt columns and a rugged canyon. Continue east to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon; the crown jewel of Icelandic nature where you can enjoy an unforgettable 40-minute boat ride between the icebergs on the lagoon that’s offered in summer. After that, continue to the village of Höfn – the lobster capital of Iceland. In Höfn you will, of course, find great, gourmet lobster restaurants. Overnight in the Höfn area.

Day starts in

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day ends in

Höfn

Driving distance

~203 km / 126 miles

Day 5 | Rugged cliffs and volcanic beaches

Time to turn around and head back towards Reykjavik. On the way, nature lovers will want to visit the village of Vík in Mýrdalur and walk along the Reynisfjara beach with its beautiful view of the Reynisdrangar cliffs. In summer you have the chance to see puffins that nest in this area. Continue to the Hvolsvöllur area where you’ll stay for the night.

Day starts in

Höfn

Day end in

Hvolsvöllur area

Driving distance

~352 km / 219 miles

Day 6 | Return to Reykjavik with a twist

Today you will return to the city but with a slight twist. Drive west from your hotel and make a left turn in the village of Selfoss, towards the coast and head for the Reykjanes peninsula; an active geothermal area and a diamond in the rough. In Seltún (Krýsuvík) you will find boiling mud pools and colourful mountains. (There are two ways of getting there: One is by using the map, the other is by following the sulfur “aroma”!) Continue along the coastline to Grindavík village where you’ll find the Salt-fish Museum; a museum dedicated to the history of salt fish that in the late 19th century was to Iceland’s exporting industry what oil is to Saudi Arabia.

Continue to the unique Blue Lagoon where you can stop to relax and unwind after a few days on the road. Continue to your hotel in Reykjavik after returning the rental car. Overnight in the heart of the city.

Day starts in

Hvolsvöllur area

Day ends in

Reykjavik

Driving distance

~226 km / 140 miles

Day 7 | Departure

Sadly your Iceland vacation has come to an end. You will be transferred to Keflavík International Airport by bus (budget and comfort) or our private driver (quality) in time for your flight home. Have a safe and enjoyable trip back home!

Highlights:

Budget

Budget accommodations include shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses, etc. In some cases, the rooms might be equipped with a TV and a washbasin. The in-room amenities are limited and basic but they all adhere to a high standard of cleanliness.
Breakfast is included.

Comfort

Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.

Quality

Quality accommodations offer private rooms with en-suite shower/bath and toilet. These rooms are the best available accommodations in 4-star hotels or the highest quality lodges in each region. Luxury accommodations - the highest class of lodges, suites, and penthouses - are available upon request. Breakfast is included.

Luxury

Luxury accommodations include Suites and high-end rooms in Quality Accommodations. These types of lodges and resorts provide an upscale look and personalized services.
Classy, elegant, and comfortable, luxury accommodations strive to offer a first-class experience and top-quality services to ensure a truly extraordinary and memorable stay.

Volkswagen Golf


or similiar

Type: Compact
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 2
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

Kia Rio


or similiar

Type: Compact Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 2
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

Kia Ceed Wagon


or similiar

Type: Intermediate Wagon
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

4×4 Hyundai Kona


or similiar

Type: SUV Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

4×4 Kia Sportage


or similiar

Type: SUV Full Size Intermediate
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser


or similiar

Type: SUV Full Size
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)

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