10-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive of Iceland’s South Coast & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On your second day, you'll explore the most beautiful sites of West Iceland on your way to Snaefellsnes. There are many places to see, starting with Hvalfjordur, 'the Whale Fjord,' which sits just north of Reykjavik. This stunning place has dramatic mountains, many waterfalls, and spectacular seascapes.

Once around the bay, you could head to Borgarnes, home to the Settlement Center exhibition, where you can learn about the earliest arrivals to Iceland. Near here is a waterfall called Fossatun, steeped in troll folklore.

Nearby is Europe's highest-flowing hot spring, Deildartunguhver, and a bit further east, you can find the historic village of Reykholt. This was once home to legendary medieval writer Snorri Sturluson and now houses the Snorrastofa Museum on his life and works.

A little further afield but still worth a visit are two more waterfalls, Barnafoss and Hraunfossar, which are vastly different in appearance despite their proximity. The former rages and winds down a narrow gorge, while the latter streams gently from a vast stretch of twisted lava.

On this day, you can also visit the great Vidgelmir lava cave, one of Iceland's largest lava tube caves. It is easy to access, and walkways have been built so that everyone can enjoy the fantastic sights and colors formed on the lava rock surface.

Another option is the ice tunnels in Langjokull glacier, where artificial tunnels have been carved out of the old ice, creating halls and corridors in a miniature under-ice palace. An experienced guide will tell you more about the history of this underground attraction.

You'll continue to Snaefellsnes, making any detour that draws you. Once you arrive, you can begin exploring, hunting for the aurora borealis, or relaxing in your accommodation. Regardless, you'll have the next day to make the most of this incredible peninsula.

Your third day will be dedicated to witnessing the marvels of the Snaefellnes Peninsula. This 56-mile (90-kilometer) stretch of land is often called 'Iceland in Miniature' due to the diverse scenery nestling here.

The landscape's dominant feature is, without a doubt, Snaefellsjokull, a giant volcano topped with a gleaming ice cap. As you visit sites such as Djupalonssandur black sand beach, you'll be in the shadow of this incredible landmark.

It is not the only famous mountain on the peninsula. You'll also see one of the most photographed peaks in the country, Kirkjufell, which stands alone on the northern shore in a beautiful setting. The mountains surrounding the fjords of Hraunsfjordur and Kolgrafafjordur are also particularly dramatic.

If you're fond of watching popular TV shows, you may recognize Kirkjufell mountain from the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. The show featured this mountain as the "Arrowhead Mountain" north of the Wall. Its distinct shape and surrounding waterfalls make Kirkjufell a photographer's dream, and it's often cited as one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland.

All day, you'll head from site to site, from places as diverse as the seal colony on the shores of Ytri Tunga to the barren, haunted lava fields of Berserkjahraun. However, the seals' presence during winter become rarer compared to other seasons in Iceland.

To learn more about the history and local culture of West Iceland, you can make stops at Arnarstapi and Hellnar. These coastal villages used to have a vibrant fishing industry when Iceland's economy solely relied on fishing. Although fishing remains active here, it's not as productive as before.

While exploring these settlements, you can stroll around the neighborhood to see the old houses and charming cafes. Or, visit the harbor to see the rugged cliffs and surrounding mountains.

You'll return to spend another night at your accommodation on the peninsula.

On day four, you'll visit the three iconic sites of the Golden Circle, on the country's most popular driving route. The Golden Circle spans 190 miles (300 kilometers) and is one of the ideal destinations for a day's sightseeing.

The first of these you'll visit is the original site of the world's longest-running, still-ongoing parliament, Thingvellir National Park. This historical place is nestled directly in the North Atlantic Rift and is the best place in the world to see the edges of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Apart from rift valleys, you can find fissure lakes, waterfalls, and unique rock formations in the national park.

The second site of the Golden Circle is the Geysir geothermal area, located within Haukadalur valley. This area, dotted with bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and hissing fumaroles, is most famous for its geysers, as its name suggests. The most active of these is Strokkur, which erupts every five to 10 minutes.

The final point of this famed trail is the Gullfoss waterfall. Fed by the most popular rafting river in Iceland, the Hvita, this waterfall is mighty, plunging two steps into a dramatic canyon. There are several platforms from which you can marvel over this natural phenomenon.

On this day, you'll have the option to partake in an exceptional tour. You'll have the chance to snorkel in Thingvellir National Park through a freshwater spring within a ravine called Silfra. Its visibility exceeds 328 feet (100 meters), and it's considered one of the world's best places for snorkeling and diving. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

After enjoying the sites of the Golden Circle and possibly a tour, you can use your custom itinerary to find other beautiful locations in the area, such as the Secret Lagoon geothermal spa and Kerid crater lake.

You will reside at your accommodation near the Golden Circle that evening.

On your fifth day, you'll start to explore the sites of the South Coast up to Vik. This route is famed for its waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and incredible stretches of coast.

Regarding waterfalls, the three most easily accessible and rewarding can all be found reasonably early on your journey. The first is Seljalandsfoss, a narrow, high waterfall cascading over a concaved cliff. Behind the waterfall, a circular path allows visitors to experience the unique perspective of watching the water plummet down from within a cavernous alcove.

A short walk from here is Gljufrabui, which is often overlooked because it's hidden within a cleft in a mountainside. The cavern it tumbles into and fills with mist is otherworldly.

The third notable waterfall is Skogafoss, most known for its dramatic size and incredible power. Like Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss drops from a high cliff of 200 feet (60 meters). However, it presents a stark contrast with its mighty breadth and thunderous roar, sending up mists that often gift onlookers with a shimmering rainbow on sunny days. Its grandeur and surrounding landscape have made it a favorite spot for photographers and nature lovers.

As you head between these waterfalls, you'll be driving beside the infamous glacier Eyjafjallajokull. The volcano beneath the glacier erupted in 2010, causing mayhem in air travel. If the weather is clear, you may see the Westman Islands across the seas to your right.

As you head further along the South Coast, you'll come across more glaciers, most notably Myrdalsjokull, the fourth largest in the country. While here, you can partake in one of two tours. Choose from an adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling ride on this ice cap or a fascinating glacier hike on one of its many tongues, Solheimajokull.

The next destination is Reynisfjara beach, a black sand stretch of coast near Vik village, renowned for its fascinating geological features. You'll retire for the night in comfortable accommodations in South Iceland.