4 dages kør-selv-tur om sommeren til Islands Gyldne Cirkel og sydkysten med overnatning i Reykjavik

You'll be keeping a base in Reykjavík, so you do not have to start the day by packing up your bags and loading them into your car. Instead, you can just begin your second day by driving Iceland's most famed sightseeing route, the Golden Circle.

First up is Thingvellir National Park, a continental rift valley and the sole UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Icelandic mainland.

Here, the park's many canyons, lakes, and gorges showcase how the earth is continuously pulling apart, and today, you can opt to go snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Silfra, a fissure created by this movement of the earth.

Then, you'll visit the Geysir geothermal area to witness the hot spring Strokkur spew boiling water high up in the air every few minutes before moving on to the last sight of the Golden Circle, the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. You'll be sure to be in awe as you watch this dramatic cascade hurl down, in two tiers, into an ancient canyon below. 

You can top your day off by opting to go snowmobiling on Langjokull glacier or horseback riding in the beautiful South Iceland countryside. If you'd rather do something more relaxing, you can visit the magical Secret Lagoon to soak away in geothermal waters amidst natural surroundings. All of these activities are great for kids as well, although the age limits vary slightly.

Once you're ready to head back to the capital, know that you can take a different route than before, ensuring you new sights along the way. Spend another night exploring Reykjavik before settling in at your accommodation.

On day three, you will have a full buffet of activities and attractions from which to choose. Today, you can head out of the city to explore the many natural and cultural marvels of Iceland's renowned South Coast.

Stop at the famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, or strap on your hiking boots and visit the hidden waterfall Gljufrabui. A bit further along the coast, you'll find the village of Vik and its resident black beach Reynisfjara, where the eerie but picturesque Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand steadfast out in the roaring Atlantic Ocean.

If you're an ambitious driver, start the day early to drive all the way to visit the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, one of the most beautiful and celebrated natural sites of the country. The experience is complete with a stop at the Diamond Beach, where the lagoon's icebergs have washed up to glisten in the sunlight on a blanket of black sand.

If you want less driving and more action, you can instead opt for tours on Solheimajokull glacier, where you'll go glacier hiking or ice climbing. You can also visit an authentic ice cave in Myrdalsjokull glacier, the only one of its kind accessible all year round.

If you feel like heading out even further, you can drop off your car at a meeting point and board a modified Super Jeep that will take you on an adventure in the otherworldly Highlands. 

Other options include visiting the DC-3 plane wreck, swimming in the old pool Seljavallalaug, visiting puffin colonies, or scouting off-map locations to your heart's content. The midnight sun in summer Iceland ensures that you have enough daylight to complete a fulfilling day trip.

After a full day of sightseeing and adventure, you'll make your way back to the city to spend your final night.

Today is the time to say goodbye to Reykjavik. After you've packed up your bags, it is time to head back out to the black lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to catch your departing flight at Keflavik International Airport.

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.