7 Day Budget Self Drive Tour of Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula & the South Coast

You will head to 'Iceland in Miniature, 'also known as the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, on the morning of day two. This 56-mile (90 km) stretch is most famous for Snaefellsjokull, the mighty subglacial volcano that crowns the peninsula, although this is far from the only attraction to see.

Others include the dramatic Londrangar basalt plug, the frequently photographed Kirkjufell mountain, the beautiful coastal scenery around the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, the windswept Budiir church, and the seal colony at Ytri-Tunga.

You will be busy all day as you enjoy the peninsula's geology, landscapes, and settlements. You can, however, add some extra adventure to it by booking a tour into the now empty magma chamber of Thrihnukagigar volcano. This volcano is the only place where such a trip is possible globally, making it now of the country's most exceptional sites.

You'll spend the night on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

On day three, you will take Iceland’s most popular tourist trail, the Golden Circle. This route brings you to three awe-inspiring, famous sites: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the waterfall of Gullfoss.

Before reaching the Golden Circle, you can opt for a tour of the colorful underworld of Vidgelmir lava cave or explore the icy tunnels of Langjokull glacier. 

The first stop on the Golden Circle route is Thingvellir, which translates to ‘fields of Parliament,’ as it was here, in 930 AD, that early Icelanders formed their first National Assembly. This assembly continues today in Reykjavik, making it the oldest ongoing parliament in the world.

Thingvellir is also located directly between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The movement of these plates has led to some incredible geology, with lava fields and ravines filled with spring water all around. If you like, you can take a snorkeling tour in one of these ravines, Silfra Fissure.

After enjoying the national park, you will drive to Haukadalur Valley. Here, you can find two geysers; Geysir and Strokkur. The former is not active, but the latter erupts every five to ten minutes, creating a water column that reaches over 66 ft (20 m) in the air. The surrounding area is dotted with hot springs and boiling mud pots. 

The final stop on the Golden Circle is Gullfoss Waterfall, a majestic feature of enormous power. You can witness it from many viewing platforms, including one right beside the lip of the falls. From Gullfoss, you can opt for a snowmobiling tour on the same glacier that feeds the waterfall’s river.

You will end your day near Laugarvatn, where you can enjoy the geothermal spa there before retiring; you could also bask in the Secret Lagoon in Fludir.

Today, you will head to the South Coast. However, if you'd like to start your day with an icy adventure, you can do so on a thrilling snowmobile ride on Langjokull glacier.

Your first three sightseeing stops will all be at waterfalls. The first of these, Seljalandsfoss, falls off a concave cliff, meaning you can walk around it for some spectacular views. Nearby and often overlooked is Gljufrabui, nestled in a magical grotto within a cliff. Finally, you will see Skogafoss waterfall, which thunders down to the earth from a height of over 197 ft (60 m).

The following site along the route is Solheimajokull glacier, a tongue of the vast Myrsdaljsokull ice cap. It is possible to take a tour to explore this cap's otherworldly surface on an informative glacier hike. A little further along the coast is the Reynisfjara black sand beach, where you can see the impressive Reynisdrangar sea stacks out in the ocean.

You will spend the night in the adjacent village of Vik.

The fifth day will take you across the rest of the South Coast to what many describe as the crown jewel of Iceland's nature, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. There is no need to rush here, however, as there are some great places to visit on the way.

You can start this day by taking another tour on Myrdalsjokull glacier, this one leading you into an ice cave. The cave is the only one of its kind in Iceland accessible the whole year-round. If you prefer to continue your journey, you could stop at the historic village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur or the verdant Fjardrargljufur canyon.

These sites are found just before the Skaftafell Nature Reserve in the Vatnajokull National Park. The reserve is a hiker's paradise, and you can opt for a different glacier trekking tour to get an incredible view of the national park. 

The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon will no doubt take your breath away when you reach it. This enormous lagoon fills year-round with icebergs, the colors, and sizes of which defy belief. If watching them cruise towards the ocean from the shore is not satisfying enough, you can opt for one of two boat tours that will take you right amongst the bergs, one on an amphibious vessel and another on a zodiac boat.

Before heading to your accommodation around Jokulsarlon, make a stop at the nearby Diamond Beach, where these bergs wash up on the black sand shore and glisten in the sun.

On day six, you will head back to Reykjavik. Before departing, you could opt for another glacier hike or a boat ride if you missed it the day before.

As you travel, reference your itinerary to see what unique places you missed on the way, as there are plenty along the South Coast. 

When you reach the city, you can unwind at your accommodation after a long journey of traveling, or if you have some energy left, check out Reykjavik's many restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Sadly, today is your final day. 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 spa 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 even later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.