3-Day Winter Self-Drive Tour of Iceland with the Golden Circle & South Coast

Free cancellation
24/7 customer support
Perfect travel plan
Fully customizable

Description

Summary

Starts from
Keflavík Airport
Ends in
Keflavík Airport (KEF), Reykjanesbær, Iceland
Duration
3 days & 2 nights
Difficulty
Easy
Available
Sept. - Apr.
Accommodation
2 nights included
Car rental
3 days included

Description

Book this three-day self-drive tour in Iceland to explore hot springs, geothermal areas, the northern lights, and the famous Golden Circle. This tour is for anyone who hears the call of the open road while having control over the pace of their adventure.

For your convenience, this multi-day tour starts at the Keflavik International Airport or the Icelandic capital city, Reykjavik. At these locations, your car rental with free Wi-Fi and fit for the winter terrain is ready for pick-up and use for the next three days.

Iceland's wonders are best experienced through a self-drive tour, providing the ultimate flexibility for exploration. Fortunately, with this self-drive experience, you don't have to worry about creating your own itinerary because a team of Icelandic travel experts has already planned and crafted it for you.

This three-day itinerary will show you the most well-known spots and some of the spectacular features known only to the locals. You'll be able to explore Iceland in virtual solitude and relax in the comforts of nature.

On day one, you'll discover the beauty of the Reykjanes Peninsula and Reykjavik. As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is brimming with a rich culture that you can learn more about by visiting its museums, galleries, and shops. If you have extra time, don't forget to visit the Hallgrimskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall for their majestic architecture.

On days two and three, you'll drive on two of the most scenic routes in the land of fire and ice, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. The Golden Circle is home to three stunning sites, including the Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk between two continental plates.

Meanwhile, the South Coast boasts diverse natural features such as waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and charming villages. Its most notable attractions are the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls at 200 feet (60 meters) high.

To make this trip more exciting, you can add two geothermal bathing experiences in the Blue Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon during booking. While the Blue Lagoon offers a relaxing dip in milky-blue waters, the Secret Lagoon provides a rejuvenating hot spring soak away from crowds.

In addition, included in this package are accommodations for two nights, which you can personalize depending on your budget. You also have a dedicated helpline to contact anytime during your trip for queries and assistance.

Rest assured that in the event of unexpected changes to your travel plans, you need not worry, as a complete refund is in order should you choose to cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before your departure.

After an unforgettable drive around Iceland, you'll return your car rental to Reykjavik or the airport, signaling the end of this winter adventure.

Maximize your three days in Iceland with this self-drive tour in Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and South Coast. Check availability now by choosing a date.

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Included

2 nights of accommodation (different levels available; breakfast included for Comfort and Quality levels; more detailed info below)
New vehicle unit for 3 days (Toyota Aygo or similar. Upgrades available)
CDW insurance for super budget level vehicle; other levels include gravel protection insurance
Free Wi-Fi in vehicle
Detailed itinerary for three days
Personal travel agent
Taxes

Destinations

Reykjavik is the northernmost capital city in the world.Reykjavík / 3 nights

Map

Attractions

Gunnuhver is one of the geothermal areas on the Reykjanes Peninsula.Gunnuhver
KrýsuvíkKrýsuvík
Kleifarvatn is the third largest lake in Iceland.Kleifarvatn
Þingvellir National Park is Iceland's only UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the major stops along the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing route.Thingvellir
Geysir is a dormant hot spring in the geothermal area, Haukadalur Valley, found in South Iceland.Geysir
Long-exposure photo of Gullfoss waterfall on a cloudy dayGullfoss
Þingvellir National Park, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on Iceland’s mainland, is birthplace of the country’s parliament.Kerið
Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast of Iceland bathed in the otherworldly light of the midnight sun.Seljalandsfoss
The mighty Skógafoss waterfallSkógafoss
Reynisfjara beach and Reynisdrangar cliffs in winterReynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Arial view of Reynisdrangar and Mt. ReynisfjallReynisdrangar

Activities

Sightseeing
Northern lights hunting
Hot Spring Bathing
Self drive

Travel details

Travel dates

Travelers

1 traveler
1 traveler

Car

Car

Small car

Small car

Category
small car
Transmission
People
Large bags
Medium car

Medium car

Category
Medium
Transmission
People
Large bags
Premium car

Premium car

Category
premium car
Transmission
People
Large bags
Large car

Large car

Category
Large
Transmission
People
Large bags
SUV

SUV

Category
JEEPSUV
Transmission
People
Large bags

Personalize your itinerary

Day 1 – Reykjavík

Day 1

Day 1 – Reykjavík

  • Reykjavík - Arrival day
  • More
  • Gunnuhver
  • Krýsuvík
  • Kleifarvatn
  • More

Welcome to your three-day winter tour in Iceland.

On day one, you'll pick up your car at the Keflavik International Airport or the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. Once settled in the car with spacious seats and free Wi-Fi, you're ready to hit the road, whether alone or with a companion.

If you're coming from Keflavik, you can explore the otherworldly beauty of the Reykjanes Peninsula. This area south of Reykjavik is known for its hot springs, lava fields, and volcanoes that can be covered in snow during winter.

On the way to Reykjavik, you can take a detour to the Gunnuhver geothermal area or the Bridge Between Continents. While Gunnuhver has colorful and bubbling mud pools, the bridge marks the rift valley separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The most significant stop you can take here is the Blue Lagoon spa, the most visited attraction in Iceland outside the capital. You can enter the milky-blue waters at this geothermal spa all year round. Soaking here is lovely, especially during wintertime, even if it's snowing.

During the booking process, you can choose from comfort or premium packages. Besides access to the Blue Lagoon facilities, these entrance packages include silica mud masks, a towel or bathrobe, and a drink of your choice.

After a rejuvenating dip in the lagoon, you'll drive towards Reykjavik, where you'll spend the night. You'll be staying in the city center, with plenty of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops within walking distance. The area also has cultural attractions, such as the beautiful Hallgrimskirkja church and the award-winning Harpa Concert Hall.

Remember to look out for the northern lights if the skies are clear. Check the aurora forecast and drive a little out of the city to escape the city lights for a better view.

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Experiences

Accommodation

Day 2 – Reykjavík

Day 2

Day 2 – Reykjavík

  • Reykjavík
  • More
  • Thingvellir National Park
  • Geysir geothermal area
  • Gullfoss waterfall
  • Kerid Crater
  • More

Day two of this self-drive tour leads you to the Golden Circle, Iceland's most famous tourist route. This scenic route stretches 190 miles (300 kilometers) and highlights three breathtaking attractions.

The first stop is the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site famous for its beautiful nature and rich history. Thingvellir is home to the oldest surviving parliament in the world, Althingi.

More interestingly, the national park is known for its breathtaking geological formations, from valleys to canyons and lava fields. This is also the only place in the world where you can safely and conveniently walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

From Thingvellir, continue driving towards Geysir geothermal area, where the geyser Strokkur spouts water 66 feet (20 meters) high up in the air. Whichever time of the day you arrive, you'll see its eruption at least once because it does so every 5-10 minutes.

The last attraction on this magnificent route is the Gullfoss waterfall, which translates to the "Golden Falls." Unlike most waterfalls in Iceland, you can only view Gullfoss from the top because it plunges into a narrow gorge. The waterfall transforms into a wonderland during winter as snow and ice cover its sides.

After all that driving and sightseeing, what's better than to soak and float in a hot lagoon? Drive towards Fludir, where you'll find the Secret Lagoon geothermal pool, surrounded by natural hot springs.

The pool stays around 100 F (38-40 C) all year round, and although the basin structure is artificial, its hot water comes straight from the ground and the nearby hot springs. The best way to admire the northern lights would indeed be by floating in a hot lagoon.

After an eventful but relaxing day, return to Reykjavik for another night in the city center.

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Experiences

Accommodation

Day 3 – Reykjavík

Day 3

Day 3 – Reykjavík

  • Reykjavík - Departure day
  • More
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Skogafoss waterfall
  • Reynisfjara black sand beach
  • Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
  • More

The last day of your three-day winter adventure in Iceland brings you further south, either to the Reykjadalur hot spring valley or the South Coast region. If you choose to visit Reykjadalur, you can do so by driving and hiking. Meanwhile, exploring the South Coast is more laid-back and only involves driving and sightseeing. 

The hike to Reykjadalur should only be attempted if the weather is good and the roads are clear. If there's a lot of snow, you won't be able to see the path, and the route can be dangerous due to all of the hot springs along the way, which can create muddy conditions.

The route is beautiful if no snow is on the ground and you're dressed warmly with good hiking boots. The warm river at the trail's end is so breathtaking that you wouldn't mind the 1.5-hour-long hike.

If there's a lot of snow and conditions aren't suitable for the hike, you can drive along the South Coast towards the gorgeous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. On a sunny and clear day, spotting a rainbow above Skogafoss waterfall's wide cascade is easy.

Right next to Seljalandsfoss is another stunning waterfall called Gljufrabui, hidden inside a cave.

On your itinerary, other attractions in this region are Vik village, Reynisfjara beach, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. These locations are close to each other and offer a panoramic view of the North Atlantic Ocean.

If you still need to get your fill of soaking in hot water, you can drive towards Seljavallalaug, a warm pool on the side of a mountain. There's a 10 to 15-minute walk to the pool from the parking lot.

After your last soak, drive back to the airport or Reykjavik to return your car rental and catch your flight home.

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Experiences

What to bring

Warm clothes
Swimsuit & towels
Winter hiking shoes

Good to know

Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavik city or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license and a one-year-long on-road experience are required. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.

Some optional activities might require you to have a valid driver's license, or you might need to send additional information to your travel planner. Please note that you might need to present medical documents for snorkeling or diving.

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and, therefore, cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them if the weather allows.

It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is canceled. If your chosen activity is canceled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you. Please note that the ice caves are only accessible from October to March yearly.

This self-drive is set to take place in wintertime. Conditions in Iceland can vary significantly during that season. Snow and ice are commonplace, and Iceland has limited daylight hours. Please consider your ability to drive in winter conditions before booking this tour. If you feel insecure about driving in these conditions, we recommend a package tour instead.

Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations nationwide.

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