4 Day Budget Self Drive Tour of Iceland with the Golden Circle & Glaciers

On day one, you'll head out of the city and make your way to the many sights of the one and only Golden Circle. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great historical and geographical value.

The park lies in a continental rift and boasts of incredible landscapes. It is also where the first Icelandic parliament, Althingi, was founded. If you're up for getting a little wet, you can add a snorkeling tour in the crystal clear waters of the Silfra Fissure, frequently voted as one of the top diving sites in the world.

Next up are the geysers at the geothermal valley Haukadalur. It is the home of Geysir and Strokkur, the latter of which frequently spouts boiling water from the ground as high as 66 ft (20 m) in the air. Close to here, you'll find Gullfoss waterfall, a fantastic display of unharnessed power cascading from an ice-cold glacial river.

You'll see just why all these sites are so renowned upon visiting them. If you're up for more action, you can opt to go snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier or horseback riding through the Icelandic countryside.

Pay a visit to the colorful marvel of the volcanic crater lake Kerid before reaching your accommodation in the Selfoss region, the peaceful area in which you will be spending the night.

Your third day will begin with a visit to three incredible waterfalls of the south coast, starting with Seljalandsfoss. You can walk behind this unique cascade to enjoy the view from behind a 197 ft (60 m) drop of falling spring water. Close by lies Seljalandsfoss' lesser-known but equally beautiful neighbor, Gljufrabui waterfall. 

From there, you'll make your way to Skogafoss and see how it tumbles down the cliffs of a former coastline. The Skogar Folk Museum also belongs to the area. There you can quench your thirst for culture by enjoying a heritage exhibition of ancient artifacts and reconstructed turf houses.

This day includes the options of going glacier hiking or snowmobiling on top of Solheimajokull Glacier—or venturing inside a natural ice cave in Myrdalsjokull Glacier, the only one of its kind available all year round.

Your last stop of the day will be Reynisfjara, the otherworldly black beach at Vik Village. There, the majestic basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar rest visible just offshore. The currents here are powerful, so make sure to heed all warning signs to avoid accidents.

In the summer, Atlantic puffins make the cliffs of Reynisfjall mountain their home, and you might spot one or two nosediving down into the ocean in search of food. 

After exploring the South Coast, it is time to head back to Reykjavik city, where you can stroll through the city center once more before retreating to your accommodation.

If you have the time, you can spend the day doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Reykjavik before dropping your car off at the airport in time for your journey home.

For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.