Scenic 5 Day Self Drive Tour of Iceland with Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

To get the most out of today, have an early start and head out of the city to see some of the most famous sites in the country.

Starting with the ever-popular Golden Circle route, your first stop is the Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site where the parliament of Iceland was founded in 930 AD. The area stands atop of the tectonic rift, where the great continental plates of Europe and America clash together.

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They push and pull at each other constantly, forming a landscape of torn clefts and fissures, surrounded by lava fields. They also gave birth to Þingvallavatn - the largest lake in Iceland. There you can visit the Silfra fissure and go for an optional snorkelling tour if you like, or simply walk along the Almannagjá gorge and stand at the same place as the lawmakers of old.

Your next stop is the valley Haukadalur. Home of the Haukdælir clan in the historical era of the Sagas, this valley is now best known for its massive hot springs. The largest one, Geysir, lends its name to all geysers in the English language.

The powerful nearby geyser, Strokkur, erupts every few minutes and can explode up to 60 m (197 ft) high. All around, geysers of all sizes spew mineral-rich water over the clay, turning the terrain different shades of brown and red.

Your last stop of the Golden Circle is the magnificent waterfall, Gullfoss. This beautiful feature lies in the glacial river Hvítá and has a drop of more than 30 m (98 ft). Gullfoss, "The Golden Waterfall", is much loved by the locals as one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. From here, you can choose to opt into a snowmobiling tour.

If neither snowmobiling nor snorkelling appeal to you, you may instead opt into a horse-riding tour, to meet the charming Icelandic horse.

Your accommodation for the night will be near the village Hvolsvöllur.

The journey continues eastwards. You will pass over the black sands of Sólheimajökull glacier where you'll have the option to go either snowmobiling or glacier hiking, before reaching the small but famous fishing village of Vík. There you can opt for an exciting tour to Mýrdalsjökull glacier where you visit a stunning ice cave, the only one of its kind accessible during the summers.

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Near Vík is the awe-inspiring black sand beach Reynisfjara, where the tall rock stacks keep guard over the North Atlantic ocean. The beach also sports a cliff face of distinctive hexagonal basalt columns. The waves here can sneak up on you and drag you out to sea if you come to close, so it's good to always keep at least a 20-metre distance from the sea.

The next highlight is the Skaftafell nature reserve, nestled under the largest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajökull. Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, has a wide array of walking paths and hikes of various mobility and difficulty levels. Among them we highly recommend the 5 km walk to Svartifoss waterfall, hidden in a canyon above the Visitors Centre.

Driving away from the impressive glacier tongues of Skaftafell, you will reach the crown jewel of Iceland's natural wonders - Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This lagoon is well known for the massive icebergs which have broken away from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier above and now float in it. Home to seals and fish, the lagoon is also teeming with life.

The black sand beach across the bridge has earned the nickname The Diamond Beach due to the broken chunks of ice that rest on the dark sand, like precious stones sparkling on black satin.

You will spend the night in the breathtaking Vatnajökull National Park area.

Start the day by exploring Jökulsárlón further. The lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach constantly change their display of natural beauty. Every day is different, and there are always new scenes to see and new opportunities for a flawless photograph.

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A highly recommended option in summertime is to take a boat ride on the lagoon before heading back to the capital; you can choose between a little zodiac or a larger amphibious vessel. Glacier hiking back in Skaftafell is also a possibility.

On your way back to Reykjavík, you can stop anywhere that you perhaps missed on the previous day.

One recommended stop is the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon near the village of Klaustur, which offers a short hike to a green oasis straight from a fairytale. Near the black sand beach Reynisfjara, head for the "door-hole" mountain, Dyrhólaey where you might spot an adorable puffin or two.

The small lighthouse at the top of Dyrhólaey is no less charming from a distance. Another worthy stop is the Seljavallalaug pool, hidden in a mountain crevasse, and one of the oldest swimming pools in the country.

When you are back in the city, you will have the chance to spend your last evening basking in Nordic culture. You may want to visit the Harpa Concert Hall and enjoy the view, check out the 3D large map of Iceland inside City Hall or some of the late-open museums, or relax at one of the local jazz hotspots or in a local hot tub.

It's already your last day! But don't worry, you can always come back. And if you feel like staying longer and extending the trip, just let us know, and we will arrange it for you.

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.