Fantastisk 8 dages kør-selv-tur om sommeren på Islands sydkyst med en smagsprøve på højlandet

Welcome to your first day in Iceland and the beginning of your self-drive adventure. After landing at Keflavík International Airport, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, you will need to pick up your most valuable piece of equipment for your trip, the rental car! Make sure not to forget your driver's license.

Once you have picked up your vehicle, you will begin the short journey to Iceland's quintessential capital city, Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world.

On your way to Iceland's capital city, you could choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It is located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere. If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there is no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you. There is still plenty to see and do in Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula if you have extra free time.

Once you have arrived in the city, you will check in to your accommodation and prepare for the exciting days ahead. Why not check out Reykjavik's vibrant nightlife, take a stroll downtown, or even check out some of the city's landmarks, such as Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church and Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center?

Today, you will partake in Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, the Golden Circle—comprised of Thingvellir National Park, Haukadalur Geothermal Valley, and Gullfoss Waterfall—or spend the day exploring the city.

The first stop of the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland's parliament, Alþingi, was formed in 930 AD. The area's geology is also astounding. It is one of the only places on the planet where it is possible to see both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates exposed to the earth.

At Thingvellir, it is possible to add on a snorkeling tour in Silfra Fissure. This glacial ravine boasts nearly 328 ft (100 m) visibility and is often cited as one of the top ten snorkeling and scuba diving sites worldwide. 

The next stop on the Golden Circle is Haukadalur geothermal valley, home to the famed hot springs, Strokkur and Geysir. Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, shooting jets of boiling water high into the air. While waiting to photograph this eruption, guests are advised to check out some of the other forty steaming fumaroles and volcanic vents that can be found in the area.

The final stop of the Golden Circle is Gullfoss, widely considered to be the country's most beautiful waterfall. Here, guests will watch in awe as roaring glacial water cascades over two rocky steps, dropping 105 ft (32 m) into the rocky canyon below.

From the car park at Gullfoss, it is possible to upgrade your tour once again with a snowmobiling tour on Langjokull glacier. Not only will such an experience provide another level of adventure and excitement to your day, but you will also get to see one of this country's glaciers up close, as well as experience the incredible vistas as seen from above.

This evening, you will be spending the night at accommodation in Selfoss.

Today, you will be entering the mystic and majestic central highlands of Iceland. Landmannalaugar ("Pools of the People") is a hiking paradise. This stunning mountainous region is only accessible in the summer months due to the quality of the area's gravel roads and the severity of the weather in winter.

For seasoned drivers, you can opt to drive to the Landmannalaugar base camp on your own. Keep in mind that you need a sturdy 4X4 vehicle to reach here by the mountain roads.

Or you can choose to let the experienced locals take the drive while you can save the energy for the hike. A Super Jeep will pick you up from the designated meeting point close by and take you to the basecamp of the kaleidoscopic, rhyolite hillsides of Landmannalaugar. The knowledgeable guide will lead the hike and share numerous stories and knowledge of the region. You will have a good amount of time to appreciate this rich and diverse scenery.

You will be spending the night at the same accommodation as the previous day.

The South Coast of Iceland is one of the most popular sightseeing strips in the country. Not only will you visit the natural gems, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and Reynisfjara black sand beach, but you will also have the chance to add on extra activities; ice caving, ice climbing, or glacier hiking.

Seljalandsfoss will be the first stop of the day. This 197 ft (60 m) high feature sees water tumbling over the lip of a towering cliff face into a small pool below. Seljalandfoss is a rare example of an Icelandic waterfall that can be walked directly behind, making for some truly unique photographs. Skogafoss, a little further up the road, is the same height but much wider. Visitors here can climb the adjacent staircase to gain many perspectives of this incredible waterfall.

Further along the coast, you will come across the scenic fishing village of Vik i Myrdal, an excellent spot to grab some lunch and even do a little souvenir shopping. Next to the village, you will be able to visit Reynisfjara black sand beach, known for its dark volcanic sand as it is the strange hexagonal basalt stacks imprinted into the near cliffs.

As aforementioned, it is possible to upgrade the day with some authentic, frosty activity. One option might be to try your hand at glacier hiking at Solheimajokull glacier, offering you the chance to experience the joys and challenges of ascending an ice cap.

Alternatively, you could pay a visit to Katla Ice Cave, the only ice cave in Iceland accessible during the summer months. Stepping inside of these subterranean caverns is one of the surest ways to gain valuable insight into the geological upbringing that has come to sculpt this island.

You will be spending the evening at accommodation in the Vik area.

Today, you will be experiencing the scenic pleasures of Vatnajokull National Park, found further down along the South Coast and named after the glacier that dominates the landscape. The day is scheduled for some truly miraculous sightseeing, though upgrades are available for those who wish to partake in adventure tours. 

For instance, those who have yet to experience the adrenaline surge that comes with hiking on Iceland's glaciers, today presents the opportunity to do so in Skaftafell Nature Reserve. 

Your final stop of the day is widely considered to be Iceland's most beautiful natural attraction, a glacial lagoon called Jokulsarlon. Here, enormous icebergs float peacefully beside one another, making their way gradually to the open Atlantic Ocean. While here, it is entirely up to you whether you'd like to appreciate the lagoon from the shoreline or upgrade with either a speedy Zodiac or a slower Amphibian boat tour.

Boat tours take you right up to the icebergs, putting them into scale as you gaze up the gargantuan glacier above you. Boat trips also provide a new perspective of the resident seals who call the lagoon home— these curious little guys make a regular appearance here, so keep your eyes peeled!

A short walk from Jokulsarlon is a stretch of black sand shoreline decorated with hundreds of washed-up icebergs called the Diamond Beach. This area is particularly exciting for nature enthusiasts and photographers who will be eager to capture the stark contrasts between the dark volcanic sand and the pale blue of the ice. 

This evening, you will be staying around Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

Now it's time to drive back to Reykjavík—that's not to say a lot of fun cannot be had on the way, however. Given that the default action on your itinerary today is sightseeing, you're free to stop off as you choose, personalizing your adventure in Iceland even more.

There are, however, added upgrades available for those who like to fill their day with truly unique experiences.

If you have yet to experience the inside of a volcano, you can join the afternoon departure of the said tour as you approach the capital. The dormant caldera of Thrihnukagigur volcano is embellished with color and fantastical rock formations, making stepping inside all the more unique. 

That evening, you are free to enjoy the city as you see fit. You will be staying in local accommodation.

Today, the city is your oyster! Now that you're back to civilization after your six days of adventure, it's time to soak in some culture, basking in Reykjavik's vibrant social and arts scenes. One of the best ways to maximize today is to purchase a 24-Hour Reykjavik City Card, allowing you free access to numerous exhibitions, institutions, and all public transport and providing discounts on shopping and dining. 

Thankfully, there are many galleries and museums in the city, such as the National Gallery of Iceland/Listasafn Islands, The National Museum of Iceland, or Whales of Iceland, to name only a few. You may also wish to pay a visit to the Settlement Exhibition, where you can gain a deeper insight into this country's rich and fascinating history, or spend a few hours learning about Iceland's fishing heritage at the Maritime Museum. 

If instead, you would like to fill your day partaking in tours from the city, you could opt-in for an afternoon helicopter tour, flying out from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to make a landing on a nearby mountain peak. Seeing Reykjavik and its surroundings from the air is a true marvel, packed with adrenaline, and is sure to be one of the highlights of your holiday.

Alternatively, you could check out the man-made ice tunnel that has been built under Langjokull glacier, providing great insight into the strange, glittering and subterranean world of Iceland's ice caps. This is a relatively new attraction in Iceland but has already gained much acclaim from visitors and locals alike.

Nighttime in Reykjavik sees the city's bars and music scene come alive, with happy hours prices overlapping with live performances across downtown. Whatever your taste, be it blues, hip-hop, or classical, you'll find something to your liking! If painting the town red is not your thing, the city is perfect for a quiet midnight stroll, boasting quaint inner-city parks and "The Pond," Lake Tjornin. 

For your final night in Reykjavik, you will be staying in the same accommodation as the previous night, saving you the hassle of having to pack up and switch locations.

It's your final day in Iceland, and it's time to say goodbye... at least for now!

If you've got some time to spare before your flight, you can have a final appreciation of the city before beginning the journey across Reykjanes to 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. This might be your last opportunity to fit in some final activities, so make the most of the chance—why not take a short hike up the nearby Mt. Esja, try some of the city's most beloved cafes, or even pack in some final souvenir shopping?

We hope you've had a fantastic time in Iceland, and we look forward to seeing you next time.

If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.