5-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour with the Golden Circle & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

On day two, you'll explore Iceland's most famous sightseeing route, the Golden Circle. Today's first stop is the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-listed site. It’s home to the rift valley, separating Eurasia and North America.

If you're up for it, you can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra Fissure, where you’ll swim between continents. It’s a surreal experience, but you’ll want to be a confident swimmer. Thermal suits are provided to keep you warm as you explore this fascinating underwater world.

After soaking in the beauty of Thingvellir, pass by Fontana Spa, a geothermal set of pools by the Laugarvatn Lake. A dip here will recharge you for the road ahead.

Continuing your drive, you’ll reach the Geysir Geothermal Area, where bubbling mud pools and steam vents surround you. Watch the Strokkur Geyser erupt, shooting boiling water up to 66 feet (20 meters) into the air!

Before the day ends, visit the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall. Feel the power of the Hvita River, which is fed by Iceland’s second largest glacier, as it plunges into a rugged canyon in two-tiered cascades.

For extra adventure, you can race across the white expanse of Langjokull Glacier on a snowmobile or take a thrilling monster truck tour through the frozen landscape. Alternatively, visit Bruarhlod Canyon, a hidden gem on the Golden Circle.

On your way back, consider a detour to the Kerid Crater. Its volcanic caldera, filled with a striking blue lake surrounded by red volcanic rock, creates contrasts in the winter scenery.

At the end of your Golden Circle adventure, you'll drive to your accommodation in Southwest Iceland and rest up for more adventures.

On day three, your self-drive tour of Iceland continues east. You'll travel under two mighty glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. Today’s route is packed with incredible natural wonders.

Your first stop on your South Coast drive is the spectacular Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Though the days are dark in Iceland during the winter, Seljalandsfoss is beautifully lit with light beams, creating a magical atmosphere.

Next, visit the majestic Skogafoss Waterfall, a fall wider and more powerful than Seljalandsfoss. The land underneath the cascade is very flat, so you can walk right up to the base and feel the spray from this roaring beauty.

Between the waterfalls are the Myrdalsjokull and Solheimajokull glaciers. If you’re up for it, you can choose from an exciting snowmobile tour, a thrilling glacier hike, or a fun ice cave exploration.

Along the way, you can detour to the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where you can admire towering basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks carved by centuries of crashing waves.

After the glaciers, explore Vik. It’s an excellent place to stop and refuel. Nearby, you can enjoy dramatic coastal views at the Vikurfjara Black Sand Beach.

If you skipped the glacier tours, now’s your chance for adventure. You can still have a blast on a black-sand buggy tour on the beach.

From Vik, continue driving into the Vatnajokull National Park, past Skaftafell Nature Reserve and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. If time allows, explore these awe-inspiring sites or save them for tomorrow’s adventure.

As the day winds down, head to your accommodations in Southeast Iceland. If the sky is clear and the conditions are right, you might get lucky and see the northern lights, capping off your day with a dazzling display.

The highlight of your drive happens on day four as you explore the diverse features of the mighty Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier.

You can start the day by heading to the beautiful Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, often called Iceland’s crown jewel. Massive blue and white icebergs float in its deep waters after breaking off from the nearby Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull.

If you're lucky, you might spot seals basking on the floating ice. For a closer look, you can hop on a boat tour and sail past these stunning icebergs.

A short drive from Jokulsarlon is Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice from the lagoon wash ashore. As they glisten on the black sand, they resemble scattered gemstones, earning the beach its name.

For more adventure, you can join an exciting ice cave tour in Vatnajokull Glacier. The ice caves in this area are only accessible in winter as they flood during the spring, making this a rare opportunity to witness the natural formations of a glacier.

Continue your drive to Skaftafell, a nature reserve beneath the glacier. Explore its many hiking trails, including the path to the glacial rivers and the iconic Svartifoss Waterfall, framed by dramatic basalt columns.

If you’re up for more adventure, consider a glacier hike at Skaftafell. Led by a guide, you’ll traverse a landscape of deep cracks, blue crevasses, and ever-shifting ice formations. It’s an unforgettable journey deep into Iceland’s frozen wilderness.

Then, it's time to head back to your accommodation in Reykjavik. As you're behind the wheel on this self-drive tour, you can stop at any South Coast location you want to explore further. As evening arrives, don’t forget to keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights.