Unforgettable 1-Week Self-Drive Tour of West and South Iceland with the Golden Circle

On the second day of your seven-day self-drive tour of West and South Iceland, you'll be spending the day exploring the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula and its sights, including the Snaefellsjokull glacier, the villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, and Djupalonssandur beach.

Your first stop is the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano. Often referred to as the "gateway to the center of the Earth," this volcano was used as the setting for the subterranean trip in the Jules Verne novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth.'

Snaefellsjokull offers breathtaking views of its icy summit, rugged lava fields, and dramatic coastal scenery. Many believe it possesses powerful energy and spiritual significance. 

Visitors can hike or explore the surrounding national park, witnessing the contrasts between glacial ice and volcanic activity and immersing themselves in the awe-inspiring natural wonders of this enigmatic glacier volcano.

If you wish to learn more about volcanoes and have your underground journey, you can start the day with a tour of the magma chamber of Thrihnukagigur. 

From Reykjavik, you'll board a tour bus that will take you to this inactive volcano, where you will board a lift that takes you down inside the now-empty magma chamber. 

Once you are ready to hit the road, make your way to Snaefellsnes, where you'll find the charming villages Hellnar and Arnarstapi, peculiar rock formations, and the stunning Djupalonssandur beach, to name but a few attractions. 

You'll also see plenty of birdlife amidst the scenery.

The rest of the peninsula has more to offer, with plenty of rivers, lava fields, waterfalls, mountains, and beaches. It is also home to the most photographed peak in Iceland, Kirkjufell mountain, which towers at 1,519 feet (463 meters).

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one of Iceland's gems, and you'll have no shortage of things to do. You will spend your night in comfortable accommodation in the region.

On your third day of this self-drive tour of Iceland, you'll leave your accommodation in Snaefellsnes and explore Iceland's most popular attraction, the Golden Circle sightseeing route. 

On your way there, you will go through the Borgarfjordur area. The fjord is a stunning sight, surrounded by picturesque mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush valleys. 

It is home to Hraunfossar waterfall and Barnafoss waterfall, two spectacular waterfalls renowned for their unique formations. The region also boasts historical sites such as Reykholt, once the residence of renowned medieval scholar Snorri Sturluson. 

Borgarfjordur is known for its geothermal activity, with hot springs like Deildartunguhver and Krauma offering relaxing baths. 

You'll then visit the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central location in Icelandic heritage. The world's longest-running representative parliament was founded here. 

It is also located in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart. You can even snorkel between them in a crystal clear ravine, Silfra. Participants in the optional snorkeling excursion need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

There are two other tours you can partake in today. Take a caving adventure in the Vidgelmir lava tube or explore the man-made ice tunnels inside Langjokull glacier.

After Thingvellir National Park, you will head to the Geysir geothermal area. This valley of hot springs and fumaroles is home to Geysir and its much more active neighbor Strokkur. 

While the former is largely inactive, the latter blasts water over 66 feet (20 meters) high every five to ten minutes.

The final stop on the circle is the golden waterfall, Gullfoss. This magnificent attraction is breathtaking to behold, and walkways let you get right up to the water's edge in good weather, close enough to truly appreciate its mighty power. 

After seeing the sights of the Golden Circle, you can head to one of the many spas in the area. The Secret Lagoon geothermal spa, close to the town of Fludir, is historical and serene. 

At the same time, the geothermal spas at Laugarvatn will be just as refreshing and are close to your accommodation in Southwest Iceland.

On day four of your self-drive vacation around Iceland, you'll continue driving the South Coast of Iceland from Lake Laugavatn. You'll see craters, rock formations, and black sand beaches along the way.

Your first stop of the day should be the Kerid crater. Here, you can admire the spectacular fiery coloration of the mineral-rich rock surrounding the vivid blue lake resting at its bottom. 

Next, head to two of Iceland's most incredible waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. 

Standing at approximately 197 feet (60 meters) tall, Seljalandsfoss waterfall captivates visitors with its sheer beauty and the unique feature that it is known for. It offers the rare opportunity to walk behind the cascading water as it has a path around it. 

The breathtaking sight of water gracefully plummeting from the cliffs creates a magical atmosphere. Seljalandsfoss waterfall is fed by the melting waters of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, and its surrounding lush greenery adds to the picturesque scene.

A little further down, you will come across Solheimajokull glacier and can walk up to its tongue. As an outlet glacier of the larger Myrdalsjokull ice cap, it showcases a breathtaking blend of rugged ice formations, deep crevasses, and mesmerizing blue ice caves. 

Solheimajokull glacier offers a captivating glimpse into the ever-changing world of glaciers, with its stark contrasts and surreal beauty. 

You can even take a glacier hiking tour here to climb it. Or take the other option to get up and close on a glacier by taking a snowmobiling tour. Guided tours also provide an opportunity to witness the impact of climate change as the glacier recedes over time. 

Further east along the coast, venture out to the Dyrholaey cliff, famous for its enormous sea arch and the nearby black sands of Reynisfjara beach, where the impressive Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks rise from the water. 

Your accommodation for tonight will be nearby in a charming village in South Iceland.

On the fifth day of your self-drive tour around West and South Iceland, you will explore two of Iceland's most beautiful attractions, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the Vatnajokull National Park.

After breakfast at your accommodation, it's time to set off. Drive from Vik along the South Coast towards the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. 

Along the way, you'll pass stunning volcanic deserts and have an incredible view of the impressive Vatnajokull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. It covers an area of over 4970 miles (8,000 square kilometers), encompassing mesmerizing ice caves, glacial lagoons, and stunning ice formations.

If you prefer, you can start this day by taking an exciting ice cave tour to Myrdalsjokull, a glacier that covers an active volcano. The Katla cave is the only ice cave you can explore during the summer months. 

On your way to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, stop at the charming, historic village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur for a short hike or a bite. 

Further ahead, you should head into the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, within the Vatanjokull National Park, for some incredible landscapes. 

This area has many hikes, including the beautiful waterfall Svartifoss, which tumbles off a cliff of unique, hexagonal basalt columns. You can also opt for another glacier hike today or save it for tomorrow.

You'll end your day's journey at the stunning Jokulsárlon glacier lagoon, where you'll surely want to admire icebergs as they float to the ocean or wash up on Diamond Beach. 

This area is considered by many to be Iceland's most beautiful spot and for good reason. If you wish to get closer to the icebergs in the lagoon, you can opt for a boat tour that will take you right out to them, either in an amphibious boat or a zodiac.

You'll stay in a countryside hotel in Southeast Iceland near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon this evening.