3-Day Golden Circle & South Coast Tour with Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon from Reykjavik

Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland drops into a canyon at sunset, with mist rising and a visitor standing on a grassy cliff overlooking the falls

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Travel details

Dates

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Description

Summary

Tour starts

Reykjavík, Iceland

Starting time

At 08:30

Duration

3 days & 2 nights

Ending place

Reykjavík, Iceland

Languages

English

Difficulty

Easy

Available

May - Sept.

Minimum age

5 years old

3,789 reviews

Description

See the main attractions of South Iceland on this multi-day sightseeing tour, from the Golden Circle to the South Coast. It suits you if you want to see waterfalls, black sand beaches, and floating icebergs.

This small-group tour starts in Reykjavik, where you meet your guide. You explore the top attractions of South Iceland in a minibus with free Wi-Fi, and you stay at accommodation with breakfast included.

Day one of the tour explores the Golden Circle, one of the most popular routes in Iceland. On this loop of about 190 miles (300 kilometers), you visit three natural attractions.

Thingvellir National Park is the place to learn about Iceland's political and geological history. Gullfoss Waterfall and the erupting hot springs of the Geysir Geothermal Area are also on the route, and you see them up close. You then visit Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater about 6,500 years old with a turquoise lake inside, before your overnight stay in Hveragerdi Town.

Day two takes you along the South Coast, a region known for its coastline and waterfalls. You visit three waterfalls, each with its own features: Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Gljufrabui Waterfall, and Skogafoss Waterfall.

You then head to the coast for back-to-back visits to Dyrholaey Peninsula and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, with more varied landscapes and the birdlife of Iceland.

Before the day ends, you see Svinafellsjokull Glacier, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull Glacier, up close.

On the last day, you explore two highlights of the South Coast in Vatnajokull National Park, home to Vatnajokull Glacier, Europe's largest glacier.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the best-known glacier lagoon in Iceland and the deepest lake in Iceland. Its floating icebergs, some as large as buildings, draw thousands of visitors each year.

Next to the lagoon is Diamond Beach, where some of the icebergs wash up. The ice on the black sand makes a striking contrast to explore and photograph. You can get close to the floating icebergs on an optional boat tour.

Before returning to Reykjavik, you also stop at Hofskirkja Turf Church and the lava fields, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, and Vik Village.

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Iceland's leading travel agency

Included

Minibus transport with pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik

Free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports on board

Entrance fee for Kerid volcanic crater

Accommodation for 2 nights in a double or twin room with a private bathroom

Breakfast on both mornings

English-speaking guide

Small group tour (maximum of 19)

Space for one piece of hand luggage

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Activities

Sightseeing

Boat Trip

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Iceland's leading travel agency

Traveler's Choice

Amazing!

Kathrin Josefina Hashimoto

hello last minute of switching the days an the program of the route was not communicated - even onced already on the bus and asking the guide. the guide we had the first two days tried to be nice but was unable to explain and make aware in advance. Thus we never know when we stop, where we stop sbd very often even unclear how long we stop. when we asked he bared to say at least something but it seemed that every word was an effort. just for example, when we realised that the route has changed the first day and asked him, he answered that it was for sure communicated abd tha we do the south coast. this is not very helpful not informative. other than that, we saw a lot, it was though quite exhausting especially the first to days as we left early morning and arrived after 22h in the first night - this with my mother (75) and my nephew (13). Kind regards Josefina

Amazing!

Gail Hain

I only had 4 days in Iceland and this tour was a great way to make the best use of it. Nice Travel was the vendor. Thor was our driver/tour guide and he was great! The bus and windows were clean. We hit all the highlights of the areas we traveled to. I enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend!

Amazing!

Siewlin Koid

My daughter and I enjoyed the tour tremendously. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Choices of hotels were good too. Places taken to for the tour were.most amazing and exciting. The only small minus point is that at each waiting bus stop, a guide should be stationed there to help the tourists. My experience was a bit worrying as we were told to wait at the designated bus stop at 8.30am for pick up. We waited until 9.50am not knowing what's happening. A guide stationed there would help to allay our worries. But overall, still we rate a 4.8 stars for our experience.

Amazing!

Rosa Gerbeau

Iceland and the itinerary are spectacular. The hostel used by the tour is comfortable, the staff is helpful. We want to remark the professionality and engagement of our tour guide Pally. Our tour driver Ian was also nice.

Amazing!

小水獭龄

Excellent trip in Iceland the sights are amazing especially the water falls. We really enjoy the outdoor hot spring journey. Our tour guide and driver are really nice.

More reviews

Map

Attractions

Thingvellir National Park

Geysir

Gullfoss Waterfall

Kerid Crater

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Gljufrabui

Skogafoss

Solheimajokull Glacier

Dyrholaey

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Diamond Beach

Hofskirkja Turf Church

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Vik

The Golden Circle

South Coast

Strokkur Geyser

Hveragerdi

Vatnajokull Glacier & National Park

Reynisdrangar

+16

+12

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Tips from travelers

Wear sturdy hiking boots
Choose ankle-high boots with solid grip to handle rough gravel, muddy paths, and slippery surfaces around sights.
Bring compact luggage
Storage space aboard the bus is limited, so pack a carry-on suitcase and keep daily essentials in a small backpack.
Pack snacks and water
Travel intervals between food stops can be long, so keep bites to eat and a water bottle in your day pack.
Share dietary needs early
Let the team know in advance if you require gluten-free meals or have specific food allergies before setting out.
Keep swimwear accessible
Pack a swimsuit and towel in your day bag rather than stowing them in the luggage compartment so you are ready for hot spring stops.
Expect flexible itineraries
Guides adjust the order of travel to steer around incoming storms, meaning the schedule can change on short notice.

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 - The Golden Circle and Kerid Crater

Day one of your multi-day tour in Iceland starts with a convenient pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. For the entire duration of the trip, your group will ride a minibus with charging ports and free Wi-Fi.

You will spend most of your time traversing the Golden Circle, one of the most popular tourist routes in the land of fire and ice, only rivaled by the ring road. This route can be anyone’s introduction to Iceland’s diverse landscapes and beautiful sceneries.

The Golden Circle has three major attractions along its 190 miles (300 kilometers) rounding path. The closest one to Reykjavik is the Thingvellir National Park, just 29 miles (47 kilometers) away.

At Thingvellir, you will experience walking between two continents because the rift separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates is only visible here. The entire place is also a sightseeing wonder because of its diverse terrain and lush vegetation.

Your next stop is at the Geysir geothermal area. Geysir is the most popular attraction in the Haukadalur hot spring area as it also gave the geysers in the world their name. Although Geysir is already dormant these days, its neighbor Strokkur geyser can still shoot boiling water as high as 66 feet (20 meters) every few minutes.

The last attraction in the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the country. The cascading waters of Gullfoss drop from a cliff of 105 feet (32 meters) before descending into a deep canyon.

Before calling it a day and resting in a charming accommodation in Hveragerdi town, you will make a quick stop at Kerid volcanic crater. Kerid is the perfect place to cap off your first day with its turquoise-colored lake surrounded by stunning red slopes.

Day 2

Day 2 - South Coast Waterfalls and Reynisfjara Black Beach

The second day of your three-day tour on the South Coast opens with a delicious breakfast provided by your accommodation in Hveragerdi. For today’s adventure, you will go deeper into the region and explore three waterfalls, an outlet glacier, and the scenic coastline.

The real adventure begins on a high note as you explore the exceptional beauty of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Apart from its clear waters cascading from 200 feet (60 meters), the Icelandic waterfall’s most recognizable feature is the pathway that encircles it. This path will allow you to view Seljalandsfoss waterfall in all directions.

The other two waterfalls you will see on this trip are Gljufrabui waterfall and Skogafoss waterfall. Gljufrabui waterfall is not as famous as the other two waterfalls, but its rock cave is worth seeing.

Meanwhile, the Skogafoss waterfall is one of the biggest in Iceland, and you can view it from the valley or at the top deck. If you’re lucky enough, you will also see a rainbow in the area during your visit.

Less than an hour’s drive from Skogafoss is where you will witness the massive Solheimajokull glacier. You will have enough time to see the diverse colors of its terrain.

For a more thrilling experience, you will also explore the Dyrholaey peninsula and the Reynisfjara beach. Dyrholaey is a birdwatcher’s paradise because you can see the iconic puffin birds of Iceland on its rocky cliffs during summer.

On the other hand, Reynisfjara is Iceland’s most prominent black sand beach. The massive waves of the Atlantic sea crashing against the volcanic sands and basalt columns are views you will never forget.

The second day ends as you get a night’s rest at a country hotel near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Day 3

Day 3 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

The last day of your South Coast excursion will take you to the Vatnajokull National Park, the largest glacier in Iceland. The tour will also let you explore other fascinating attractions such as Vik village, Hofskirkja church and lava fields, and the Fjadrargljufur canyon.

After a savory breakfast at your hotel, you’ll finally see the highlights of your three-day adventure in Iceland at Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

You can enjoy both sceneries simultaneously because only a few hundred feet separate the two attractions. The thousands of ice chunks floating on the glacier lagoon is a scene like no other, and you can view them up close if you join an optional boat tour.

As the icebergs slowly drift out to the sea, some end up on the volcanic sands of Diamond Beach. These chunks of ice look like diamond crystals set on the black sands, a view that is perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

Soon after, the minibus will take the group to the Hofskirkja church, a turf structure historically significant to Icelanders. The church’s construction dates back to the 19th century, and you’re lucky to see it because it’s one of the few remaining turf churches in Iceland.

Another geological wonder you’ll experience is the Fjadrargljufur canyon, a beautiful gorge covered by lush mosses. You can take amazing photos of the nearly two-kilometer-long canyon before arriving at your last destination.

Visiting the southernmost seafront village in Iceland, Vik i Myrdal, is the perfect way to cap off your Icelandic tour. The small but charming fishing village has excellent shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores. The area also offers an unrivaled coastline view, including panoramic views of Reynisdrangar and Dyrholaey.

The three-day Golden Circle and South Coast tour ends as you return to Reykjavik with memories of a lifetime.

Pick-up information

Starting time

This tour has flexible departure times. See the drop-down for all departures. Free pick-up is included with this tour.

Pick-up location

This tour includes hotel pickup. Use the drop-down to view pickup locations. You can also add your pick-up location later.

See all pickup locations

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What to bring

Warm and waterproof clothing with layers

Sturdy hiking boots (can be rented upon booking)

Winter gloves, hat, and scarf

Camera

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Good to know

Expect considerable time riding between destinations, with extended stretches of sitting while traveling across the countryside. Coastal winds can be fierce and chilly, and heavy spray near water makes fully waterproof outer layers indispensable.

Groups traveling together on the same ticket are often assigned to share rooms at the overnight accommodations. These country lodgings provide simple amenities and clean beds away from city noise.

The minimum age is 5.

Solo travelers must pay a single room supplement for accommodation.

Pack lightly in a small suitcase or backpack; one piece of hand luggage is included per person.

If you have large luggage, check whether your accommodation offers luggage storage; otherwise, you can bring it on the tour bus for a small fee per bag.

Pickup in Reykjavik is between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

The boat tour on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is optional and can be booked for an extra fee.

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Verified reviews

What travelers love

More than half of reviews mention the guide.

Close views of icebergs
Informative driver guides
Stops at coastal waterfalls
Scenic South Coast panoramas
Smooth minibus transport

7 reviews

8.8

All languages

All ratings

Amazing!

Kathrin Josefina Hashimoto

hello

last minute of switching the days an the program of the route was not communicated - even onced already on the bus and asking the guide. the guide we had the first two days tried to be nice but was unable to explain and make aware in advance. Thus we never know when we stop, where we stop sbd very often even unclear how long we stop. when we asked he bared to say at least something but it seemed that every word was an effort. just for example, when we realised that the route has changed the first day and asked him, he answered that it was for sure communicated abd tha we do the south coast. this is not very helpful not informative.

other than that, we saw a lot, it was though quite exhausting especially the first to days as we left early morning and arrived after 22h in the first night - this with my mother (75) and my nephew (13).

Kind regards

Josefina

Amazing!

Gail Hain

Amazing!

Siewlin Koid

My daughter and I enjoyed the tour tremendously. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Choices of hotels were good too. Places taken to for the tour were.most amazing and exciting.

The only small minus point is that at each waiting bus stop, a guide should be stationed there to help the tourists. My experience was a bit worrying as we were told to wait at the designated bus stop at 8.30am for pick up. We waited until 9.50am not knowing what's happening. A guide stationed there would help to allay our worries.

But overall, still we rate a 4.8 stars for our experience.

Amazing!

Rosa Gerbeau

Iceland and the itinerary are spectacular. The hostel used by the tour is comfortable, the staff is helpful.

We want to remark the professionality and engagement of our tour guide Pally. Our tour driver Ian was also nice.

Amazing!

小水獭龄

Excellent trip in Iceland the sights are amazing especially the water falls. We really enjoy the outdoor hot spring journey. Our tour guide and driver are really nice.

6.0

Good!

Yalei

The hostel in the tour is comfortable and cozy. The guide is informative and professional. The scenery is great. However, the minibus is crowded and not suitable for drive to the highland. It is dangerous during the way to the Landmannalaugar by the minibus. I feel that the company did not well-prepare for this trip.

6.0

Good!

Alec Elliott

Naturally, Iceland is a beautiful place and this itinerary is fantastic. However, there are pro's and cons to doing this trip

Pros:

- The hostel used by the tour company is nice and comfortable.

- The staff are very nice & professional. The beds are decent and the place is clean. The breakfast is good.

- The guides are nice and engaging, and speak excellent english.

- The itinerary is great if you want to see a good number of Iceland highlights in a short space of time.

Cons:

- The hostel doesn't have a room where you can relax in the evening with the guides / other tourists.

- Dinner is not catered for, and guests are either expected to eat on the way back to the hostel / Reykjavik in fast food service stations, or cook for themselves in limited facilities at the hostel.

- The guides are not well organised, which is due to the management organisation.

- The bus used is cramped - I'm 183cm (6ft 1"), which is not that tall and I found the seats too tight for 10 hour days of driving.

- The hostel has a dorm room, however this is not an option when booking and as a solo traveller you are required to pay a mandatory fee to stay in a private room, which increases the cost of the trip considerably.

- The Jokarsarlon lagoon boat tour is not worth paying for, and is 1,000kr less if you pay directly at the lagoon.

Overall, I enjoyed the trip, but that was more to do with the scenery, however if I were to do it again, I would hire a car and organise accomodation independently. I don't believe this tour, which cost 106,000 KR is good value for money.

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Travel details

Description

Summary

Description

Included

Activities

Map

Attractions

Tips from travelers

Wear sturdy hiking boots

Bring compact luggage

Pack snacks and water

Share dietary needs early

Keep swimwear accessible

Expect flexible itineraries

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - The Golden Circle and Kerid Crater

Day 2 - South Coast Waterfalls and Reynisfjara Black Beach

Day 3 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Pick-up information

How it works

What to bring

Good to know

Video

We guarantee

Verified reviews

What travelers love

Get the best price now!

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