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

Day one of your winter self-drive tour in Iceland begins as you land at the Keflavik International Airport.

Your car is ready for pick-up outside the airport, with its spacious seats and free Wi-Fi. Once you've got the keys, it's time to make your way to Reykjavik, where you'll find your accommodation for the night.

On your way to Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, you'll drive through the breathtaking landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. This Icelandic peninsula is home to endless lava fields, mountains, and volcanoes by the coast that snow may cover during winter.

Some attractions to visit here are the Kleifarvatn lake, the Gunnuhver geothermal area, and the Bridge Between Continents. These geological landscapes become more magnificent in winter when ice and snow cover their surroundings.

However, the most popular destination in this region is the Blue Lagoon, a world-renowned geothermal spa known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It's in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.

If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there's no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you.

You can choose from the standard comfort package or the premium package, which will give you access to the lagoon, facilities, silica mud masks, and a drink you choose.

After a relaxing soak in the Blue Lagoon, you'll continue driving until you reach Reykjavik. Once in the city, you can settle into your accommodation and explore the city.

Dotted around are numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars. You can taste the country through the food and try traditional treats like 'hardfiskur' stockfish, 'hangikjot' smoked lamb, or the dairy product 'skyr.'

Relax in your city center accommodation when you're ready to retire for the evening.

Day two of your winter adventure in Iceland brings you to the 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'd like to begin the day by creating unforgettable memories, you can take a short drive out of the city to a horse farm where you can meet and ride the friendly Icelandic horse. 

Begin your sightseeing journey by visiting the Golden Circle. The first stop is the Thingvellir National Park, the birthplace of Iceland's parliament. Viking settlers would gather here to settle disputes and create land laws, which, in 930 AD, led to the creation of the world's longest ongoing parliament, Iceland's Althingi.

Not only is Thingvellir a historical treasure, but it's a geological wonder as it sits on a valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. As the plates move, they tear open the earth, creating huge fissures in the surrounding landscape. You can add an exciting snorkeling tour at Thingvellir during the booking process. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Continuing onwards, you'll move to the Geysir geothermal area. This place is the home of bubbling mud pools of unusual colors, 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).

The last part of the Golden Circle is the thunderous waterfall Gullfoss. Power and beauty are rolled into one as this double-drop waterfall tumbles 105 feet (32 meters) into a canyon. Visiting in the winter, you'll see the surroundings covered in ice, appearing frozen as if in awe of the violent water.

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

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 sleeping.

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

Head east to your first attraction, 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.

You'll move on to another equally impressive waterfall, Skogafoss. 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). If the sun is up by now, you might see a rainbow forming in the cascade's mist.

As you travel between these two falls, the glacier volcano Eyjafjallajokull will be visible in the north. Then, the mighty Myrdalsjokull and its outlet glacier, Solheimajokull, will start to appear further along.

At Solheimajokull, you can opt for one of two tours to better view the glacier. On a glacier hike, you can explore the massive ice cap, where a knowledgeable guide will lead you past deep crevasses and ash-covered peaks. Or, if you missed it the day before, you can go on a snowmobile tour.

Nearby is the village of Vik. This is a great place to stop and relax before returning to Reykjavik. Vik sits on the banks of the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, known for its hauntingly beautiful scenery and treacherous waves. 

As this is a self-drive tour, you're in charge of the itinerary, so you decide which amazing sites you'll visit first. 

If you're looking for an exciting way to start the day, you can head straight to the village of Vik in the morning to tour an authentic ice cave in Myrdalsjokulll glacier. Afterward, you can drive back to Reykjavik, stopping at these mesmerizing sights mentioned above.

You'll spend the night in comfortable Reykjavik accommodation.

On the last day of your winter tour in Iceland, spend the day getting to know Reykjavik before you head to the airport to catch your departing flight. Ensure you arrive at a good time in Keflavik to return your vehicle and check in.

If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you're in a sightseeing mood, you can visit the architectural wonders of Hallgrimskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall, see the historic Parliament building, and visit the City Hall to look at a 3D map of Iceland, where you can spot all the places you explored in the past days.

While in these locations, don't forget to take as many photos as you can to commemorate the unforgettable experience.

You can also visit Laugavegur street for some last-minute shopping. This area has many boutiques and shops selling souvenirs, trinkets, and memorabilia. If not, continue strolling to the Old Harbor to see the picturesque coast.

You could also organize admission to the country's most popular exhibits, the Whales of Iceland Museum and FlyOver Iceland Experience. These immersive exhibitions offer an excellent look at Iceland's diverse landscapes and wildlife. 

If you have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you'll finish your stay unwinding before heading to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters while looking back on the incredible adventure you've just taken in the land of fire and ice.

When it's time to leave, you'll drive again through the moon-like lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to Keflavik International Airport. We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to see you again soon.