One Week Summer Self-Drive Tour of Iceland’s West & South Coasts with Waterfalls & Glaciers

Today, you'll set off on a scenic drive toward the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You'll pass rolling farmlands, lava fields, and rugged shorelines, with distant mountains guiding your way.

Before reaching Snaefellsnes, you could take a small detour to Hvammsvik, Krauma, or Husafell Canyon Baths for a relaxing soak in natural geothermal waters. These hot springs offer a perfect break from the road, surrounded by scenic landscapes. If you prefer, you can also visit them tomorrow.

As you arrive on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the scenery becomes even more dramatic. Lava fields stretch toward the horizon, fishing villages dot the coastline, and jagged cliffs rise from the sea.

Your first stop could be Ytri Tunga Beach, known for its golden sand and resident seal colonies. Further along, you’ll pass Budir, a small hamlet famous for its historic black church. If the weather is clear, you'll also be treated to majestic views of the capital across the bay.

Continuing your journey, you'll approach Snaefellsjokull, the glacier-covered volcano that dominates the peninsula. This striking peak at the center of Snaefellsjokull National Park is rich in folklore.

The old and superstitious Icelanders believe that Snaefellsjokull was an ancient energy source. Others also claim that the rock formations around the glaciers were trolls petrified by the sun. The hidden people are also said to be living in these rock formations.

After marveling at the glacier, you can join a guided tour of Vatnshellir cave, an 8,000-year-old lava tube. Equipped with a helmet and flashlight, you'll descend into the dark passages to explore the cave’s tunnels and colorful walls. According to local legends, trolls once roamed these lava chambers, and some say they still do.

After the tour, continue toward the coast, where the stunning Londrangar Basalt Cliffs rise like an ancient fortress, shaped by centuries of crashing waves. Not far away, you’ll find Djupalonssandur Black Pebble Beach. The rusted remains of a shipwreck and the lifting stones once used to test the sailors' strength still sit scattered along the shore.

You can also go hiking from the rock arch at Arnarstapi to nearby Hellnar Village, where you can enjoy the views with a cup of coffee from their cute beachside summer cafe.

If you'd rather spend time exploring the region's wildlife, you can join a whale-watching tour from the town of Olafsvik. The waters of Breidafjordur Bay are home to orcas, humpback whales, and puffins, making this one of the best places to observe marine wildlife.

Finally, end your day at Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain, with its distinct cone shape rising above the nearby waterfalls.

After a thrilling day, you'll spend your night in an accommodation on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

When you're ready to leave the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you'll begin your journey toward the Golden Circle, where you'll stay for the next two nights. The route is packed with incredible sights, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore along the way.

Start with a visit to Borg a Myrum, a historic church and farm linked to Viking settler Skallagrimur Kveldulfsson. Continue to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, where boiling water surges from the earth, heating nearby towns.

Next, stop in Reykholt, once home to medieval writer Snorri Sturluson. A short drive away, Hraunfossar Waterfall cascades through lava rock, while nearby Barnafoss rushes through a narrow canyon, its name tied to a tragic local legend.

Add some adventure to your journey with a guided tour of Vidgelmir, Iceland’s largest lava tube. If you're looking for more thrills, join a tour at Langjokull Glacier and walk through man-made ice tunnels or ride a snowmobile or snowcat across its vast, snow-covered terrain.

If you would rather take it easy and relax, a trip to Krauma Spa is highly recommended. There, hot water from the Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is mixed with cold water from the glacier Ok to create the perfect bathing temperature.

Continue towards Thingvellir National Park, your first stop on the Golden Circle and the birthplace of Iceland's parliament, Althingi. The park is between two tectonic plates drifting apart, creating a stunning landscape of canyons and fissures.

Here, you can also join a snorkeling tour in Silfra, a glacial spring with some of the clearest water in the world.

Stroll around the park to see the outcome of this tectonic shift before retiring to your accommodations in Southwest Iceland.

Today, you'll continue exploring the Golden Circle and visit some off-the-beaten-path locations.

Start at the Geysir Geothermal Area, where Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes, shooting boiling water over 66 feet (20 meters) into the air. The surrounding landscape is dotted with steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pools, making it one of the most fascinating geothermal sites in Iceland.

A short drive away, you'll reach Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. Fed by meltwater from Langjokull Glacier, it plunges down two tiers, with the first drop measuring 36 feet (11 meters) and the second 69 feet (21 meters). On sunny days, mist rising from the falls often creates vibrant rainbows.

If you want to add more activities to your day, consider a snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier, a super jeep adventure to Thorsmork in the highlands, or snorkeling in Silfra’s clear glacial waters. You can also go horseback riding through scenic landscapes, experiencing the Icelandic horse’s famous tolting gait.

To relax after a busy day, visit Fludir and soak in the warm geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland’s oldest hot springs.

Alternatively, you can unwind at the Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn, which features natural steam baths and hot pools by the lake. Here, you can also join an experience to bake Icelandic rye bread, where the dough is buried in hot sand and slowly cooked using geothermal heat before being served fresh with local butter.

Nearby, Skalholt Cathedral offers a glimpse into Iceland’s medieval history. For a meal, you can visit Fridheimar, a greenhouse farm known for its fresh tomato-based dishes, or head to Selfoss, a nearby town with a variety of restaurants.

After another busy day, you'll return to your accommodation from the previous night for another good night's sleep.

The South Coast is packed with incredible sights, and with two days here, you’ll have plenty of time to explore glaciers, waterfalls, and black-sand beaches.

As you drive along the South Coast, you'll pass Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, two massive glaciers covering active volcanoes. Eyjafjallajokull is known for its 2010 eruption, while Myrdalsjokull hides the mighty Katla Volcano.

For a glacier adventure, you can add a guided hike or ice climbing on Solheimajokull to your itinerary. This glacier is an outlet of Myrdalsjokull, making it one of the most accessible places for glacier activities. You can also explore Katla’s natural ice cave, one of the few in Iceland accessible year-round.

The South Coast is home to some of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. First, visit Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the powerful cascade. Nearby, Gljufrabui Waterfall is hidden behind a narrow canyon, making it a rewarding find for those willing to step inside.

Further along, stop at Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most breathtaking waterfalls. Plunging 197 feet (60 meters) with a width of 82 feet (25 meters), it crashes down with immense force. On sunny days, double rainbows often form in front of the falls, making it one of the most photogenic spots in Iceland.

As you continue east, make a stop at Dyrholaey, a large rocky viewpoint with towering cliffs and a massive stone arch. From the top, you’ll have panoramic views of Iceland’s South Coast. In summer, Dyrholaey is also a prime nesting site for puffins, and you can often see them up close as they rest on the cliffs, curiously watching visitors.

A short drive away, you can visit the abandoned DC-3 plane wreck on Solheimasandur, a haunting site on the vast black sand plains. You can walk to the wreck or take a short shuttle for a quicker visit.

Nearby, the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach features towering basalt columns and the striking Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean.

Other activities you could do in the region include zip-lining over scenic canyons or horseback riding along Vik’s black sand beaches. Both offer a unique way to take in the dramatic landscapes of the South Coast.

Summer allows you to explore far into the evening, making the most of the extended daylight.

When you're ready to wrap up the day, head to your accommodation in South Iceland.

From Vik, drive east toward Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. This is the third national park of your trip.

Make a stop in Skaftafell Nature Reserve, located at the roots of Vatnajokull, and see the beautiful but contrasting scenery of black sand, lush flora, and bright glaciers. The area is renowned for its many hiking trails.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a guided glacier hike from Skaftafell, giving you the chance to step onto the ice and explore its dramatic crevasses. Alternatively, you can hike to Svartifoss, a 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail that climbs 1,280 feet (390 meters) and leads to the striking waterfall framed by hexagonal basalt columns.

Next, drive 35 miles (57 kilometers) east to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, often called the crown jewel of Iceland’s nature. Here, massive icebergs break off the glacier and drift through the lagoon, creating a breathtaking sight. Keep an eye out for seals, often seen lounging on the floating ice.

To fully appreciate this spectacular setting, consider a boat tour on the lagoon. Choose between a slower amphibian boat ride for a relaxed experience or a zodiac speedboat for a closer, more thrilling ride among the icebergs.

A short walk away, don’t miss Diamond Beach, where smaller icebergs wash ashore, shimmering like diamonds on the black sand.

If you have extra time, drive 49 miles (79 kilometers) further east to Hofn, a town famous for serving some of Iceland’s best lobster. This detour also offers easy access to the stunning views of Vestrahorn, one of Iceland’s most striking mountains.

On your way back, you may have another chance to see Jokulsarlon, this time glowing under the midnight sun.
You'll spend the night in Southeast Iceland.