Home / Multi-Day Tours / South Iceland / Geothermal Wonders, Waterfalls & Northern Lights – Iceland Winter Getaway: 4 Day Tour
Being short on time doesn’t have to mean you are going to miss out. With this exciting self-drive tour, you will get to explore the most stunning places in Southern Iceland in a wintery aura. The South Coast offers some of the most spectacular natural features that can be found in Iceland. Not to mention the opportunity to witness the wonders of the Northern Lights, that ever so often grace the crisp arctic sky over Iceland during the winter months. This self-drive holiday package focuses on unique places like Geysir, Gullfoss, the stunning Þingvellir National Park with its diverging tectonic plates, as well as mesmerizing waterfalls and black sandy beaches. Bathe in the rejuvenating geothermal waters of Sky Lagoon and choose from other exciting activities that Iceland has to offer, such as snowmobiling, glacier hiking, riding tours, ice cave tours, and many more.
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 and 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.
NL-13
Sept - Apr
Self- Drive
4 days / 3 nights
South Iceland
Welcome to Iceland! After you have cleared customs, you will pick up your rental vehicle at the airport and you will drive straight to the charming city of Reykjavík. After you have checked at your hotel and received your travel documents, you will get to relax and rejuvenate both your mind and your body at the newly opened spa just 15 minutes away from your accommodation. Sky Lagoon is known for its 7-step ritual, a unique experience tightly connected to the roots of Icelandic culture. Bathe in the geothermal waters in an infinity pool, relax in a warm blanket of steam and revitalize your skin with a nourishing body scrub. Afterward, you’ll have free time in Reykjavik to explore and enjoy the northernmost capital of the world. Alternatively, you can join a Northern Light to admire this breathtaking, natural phenomenon. Stay the night in central Reykjavík.
Today you will start the day by driving East towards the amazing Þingvellir National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with its incredible natural beauty and history. There you will be able to see how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are diverging. Continue to the famous Geysir geothermal area and witness the great spouting spring, namesake of every other spouting spring in the world. Even though Geysir itself has been dormant for decades, his brother Strokkur gets to erupt every 6 to 10 minutes, spouting water to the average height of 20 meters.
After a short drive, you are going to arrive at Gullfoss (Golden Falls), which has been voted as one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. If you fancy grabbing some lunch, the area around both Geysir and Gullfoss is your place to go. From there, make your way towards the South Coast and drive through the farmlands, but make sure to make a stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater displaying its crystal-clear water. Stay the night in the Hella area.
Approximate driving distance: 225 km / 140 miles
After having breakfast and packing, it is time to travel further east along the beautiful South Coast. Shortly after leaving the Hella area, you will reach the spectacular Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Take the opportunity to enjoy a 360° view of the waterfall, as it is possible to walk behind it but watch out – it can get quite icy during wintertime! Don’t forget to have a look above, as you can get a very good view of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption. Don’t skip paying a visit to the majestic falls of Skógafoss, with the impressive heights of 60 meters. If interested, visit the Skógar Folk Museum where you can see reconstructed turf houses and ancient artifacts on display. From there, continue to Dyrhólaey promontory with its impressive stone arch and Reynisfjara beach, with its black sand, stunning cliffs, and basalt columns. If you wish, grab something to eat at the adorable town of Vík í Mýrdal and head back all the way back to the capital city. Overnight in the center of Reykjavík.
Approximate driving distance: 310 km / 193 miles
Your wintery Iceland adventure is about to come to its end. Drive to the Keflavik International Airport, where you drop off your rental vehicle. If your flight is in the afternoon, you still have time either to explore the lovely city of Reykjavík or for an optional stop at Blue Lagoon to enjoy a soak in the milky blue waters. It’s a perfect end to your stay and a nice way to relax and unwind before your flight home.
Approximate driving distance: 51 km / 32 miles
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 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.
Type: SUV Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Intermediate
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
Sky Lagoon is a newly opened spa and wellness center just 15 minutes outside Reykjavík. It is known for its 7-step ritual, a unique experience tightly connected to the roots of Icelandic culture. Bathe in the geothermal waters in an infinity pool, relax in a warm blanket of steam and revitalize your skin with a nourishing body scrub.
Harpa is the famous concert hall and conference center located in Reykjavik. The building features a distinctive and original colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. Its unique architecture makes it one of Reykjavik most loved landmarks.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavik and it is located in the heart of the city. Its name means literally „wash road“ as this was once the route to the hot springs where many Icelanders took their clothes to launder. Today it is a vibrant and innovative street filled with designer ateliers, tourist gift shops, bars, and restaurants.
Þingvellir National Park is the most important historic and geological sites in Iceland. The area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, being situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and today the entire area is a protected national treasure.
Geysir is the famous hot spring area located in the Haukadalur valley. The main attraction is known as Strokkur, which erupts energetically at regular intervals of 10 minutes or so its boiling waterjets can reach as high as 30 meters.
Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is one of the most iconic gems of the likewise named Golden Circle. The waterfall is located in the upper part of the River Hvíta. Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 meters and the lower one 21 meters.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the area called Grímsnes in the South of Iceland, along the famous Golden Circle route. The crater walls are steep and often covered with Icelandic moss. The inside of the crater is a lake whose water is aquamarine colored due to the minerals from the soil. The crater is 55 meters deep and about 3000 years old.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls in Iceland. It located along the South Coast of the Country right by the road n. 1. The waterfall is part of the Seljalands river that originated from the famous volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The waterfall is approximately 60-meter high and it is famous for its path that leads visitor behind its powerful water flow.
Skógafoss is a waterfall located on the Skógá river on the South Coast of Iceland. This picture-perfect waterfall descends 60 meters from the cliffs. Before pouring down the cliffs becoming the famous waterfall, the river flows through the Skógárgil gorge.
The famous promontory named Dyrhólaey is located in the south coast of Iceland. From this peninsula, that once was a volcanic island, the views are stunning. Glacier, lava columns, the open sea. The highlight of this area is the lava arch that is standing in the ocean. Dyrhólaey is also well known for its puffin colonies during the summertime.
Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in the South of Iceland, just next to the village of Vik. Black sand, lava formations, and basalt columns make it a popular stop for all visitors.
Reynisdrangar cliffs are towering basalt-type rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara black sand beach, on the South Coast of Iceland. The folk legend wants them to be the rocky representation of two trolls turned into stone after being caught by the sunlight after dawn.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa located in Reykjanes peninsula nearby the International Airport of Iceland. It was formed during an operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. Reservations in advance are necessary for those who are planning a visit.