4-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Golden Circle, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches

On day two, your winter adventure in Iceland brings you to the famous Golden Circle, the most visited sightseeing route in the land of fire and ice.

Leave the city behind today and start your adventure on the road. If you want to begin the day with a unique activity, head first to a horse farm near Reykjavik. Here, you can meet and ride friendly Icelandic horses.

If you prefer to dive straight to an iconic Golden Circle site, make your first stop at the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-listed site. Here, Viking settlers in AD 930 founded the world’s longest ongoing parliament, the Althingi.

Not only is Thingvellir a historical treasure, but it's a geological wonder. This national park sits on a valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

If you want to add adventure to your day, enjoy the rare chance of snorkeling between continents at Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Continuing your drive, head to the Geysir Geothermal Area, home to bubbling mud pools, hissing steam vents, hot springs, and erupting geysers. The most active geyser is Strokkur, which erupts every 5-10 minutes, reaching around 66 feet (20 meters) up in the air.

Next, journey to the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall. Admire the waterfall’s dramatic double-drop cascade that tumbles 105 feet (32 meters) into a canyon. Ice forms around the falls in winter, adding a magical touch to the already stunning landscape.

If you're looking for excitement today, consider a detour from the Gullfoss Waterfall to Langjokull Glacier, where you'll race across the white expanse of snowy plains and hills on a snowmobile.

Before you finish exploring the Golden Circle, the Kerid Crater is a lesser-known site you may want to visit. Walk around the crater's rim and see its striking blue waters surrounded by red volcanic rocks. A striking contrast to Iceland’s winter landscapes.

At the end of the day, make your way to your accommodation in Southwest Iceland. If the sky is clear of clouds, you can search for the beautiful northern lights before going to sleep.

On day three, you'll explore the wonders of the South Coast of Iceland. Your drive will be filled with glaciers, waterfalls, black sand, spectacular ocean views, and adventures.

Start your day by driving east to the magnificent Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. The days are dark in Iceland during winter, and if you set out early, the sun might not be up. But don't worry, Seljalandsfoss is lit in the winter with strong lights that create a sense of drama and mystery.

Nearby, don’t miss the lesser-known Gljufrabui Waterfall, hidden in a canyon, just a short walk away.

Next, you’ll head to Skogafoss Waterfall. This one is much wider than Seljalandsfoss and has a more classic shape, tumbling down cliffs of around 197 feet (60 meters) with a width of 82 feet (25 meters). Look for rainbows in the mist if the sun is shining.

Close to Skogafoss is Kvernufoss Waterfall, a hidden gem where you can also walk behind the cascading water. As you travel between these falls on a good day, Eyjafjallajokull Glacier will be visible in the north. Further along, the mighty Myrdalsjokull and its outlet glacier, Solheimajokull, will start to appear.

Take the opportunity to join a guided glacier hike on Solheimajokull or a snowmobile tour to experience one of the glaciers up close. It’s a unique experience you will remember forever.

Further east, the village of Vik welcomes you with the lovely Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Witness towering basalt columns and dramatic waves that create a hauntingly beautiful scenery. Nearby, you can explore Dyrholaey for staggering views of Iceland's South Coast.

As this is a self-drive tour, you're in charge of the itinerary, so you decide which amazing sites you want to visit first. You can choose to start your day with an authentic ice cave tour in Myrdalsjokull Glacier. From your day two accommodation, head straight to the village of Vik in the morning to start your exciting Myrdalsjokull tour.

Afterward, you can drive back to Reykjavik, and on the way, visit the incredible sights of South Iceland.

Either way, you'll spend the night in a comfortable Reykjavik accommodation.