4 Day Budget Self Drive Tour | The Golden Circle & Glaciers

On the second day, head out of the city and make your way to the many sights of the one and only Golden Circle. The first stop is Þingvellir 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, Alþingi, wRead moreas founded. If you're up for getting a little wet, you can add a snorkelling 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 20 metres in the air. Close by you'll find Gullfoss waterfall, an amazing 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, and if you're up for more action, you can opt to go snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier or horseback riding through the Icelandic countryside.

Pay a visit to the colourful marvel that is the volcanic crater lake Kerið, before reaching your accommodation in Hvolsvöllur, the peaceful area in which you will be spending the night.

Your third day will begin with a visit to three great waterfalls of the south coast, starting with Seljalandsfoss. You can walk behind this unique cascade to enjoy the view from behind a 60-metre drop of falling spring water. Close by lies Seljalandsfoss' lesser known, but equally beautiful neighbour; Gljúfrabúi waterfall. 

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

This day includes the options of going glacier hiking or snowmobiling on top of Sólheimajökull Glacier—or venturing inside a natural ice cave in Mýrdalsjökull 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 Vík Village. There, the majestic basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar rest visible just offshore. The currents here are very strong, 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 Reykjavík city, where you can stroll through the city centre 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 Reykjavík, 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 relRead moreax 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.