10-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive of Iceland’s South Coast & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

For your sixth day, you'll drive the rest of the South Coast across diverse landscapes of dramatic coastline, farmland, and black sand desert.

When the tongues of the vast Vatnajokull glacier, the largest ice cap in Iceland, start to materialize to your left, you'll know you're nearing Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This region is well worth a visit. It's forested, sheltered by ice and jagged peaks, and full of hiking routes to various spectacular features.

If you're inclined, you can also book a glacier hike here. Skaftafell is one of the best places for glacier hiking in Iceland because of its endless snow fields and rugged landscapes. An expert guide will be with you to ensure your safety while having fun on the ice.

Further east, you'll come across one of the most popular places in Iceland, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. This vast lagoon is filled with giant icebergs calving from a glacier tongue, making for an ethereal sight. It's also a reminder of the effects of global warming, with the lagoon's constant expansion due to glacial melt.

For those wishing to get up close to these floating ice giants, there's the option to take a boat trip on the lagoon. Weaving through the maze of ice, perhaps even spotting some seals lounging on the icebergs, is an unforgettable way to appreciate the scale and beauty of this natural phenomenon.

The nearby Diamond beach is just as fascinating. The black volcanic sands of this Icelandic beach make a perfect contrast to the gleaming chunks of ice that end up on its banks before slowly melting under the sun or into the Atlantic Ocean.

Admiring the beauty of this corner of Iceland will take up most of your day. You'll reside for the night in accommodation in Southeast Iceland.

If the skies are clear in the evening, you'll have another opportunity to hunt for the northern lights.

Your seventh day will be spent in the southeast, around the farmlands, mountains, and villages surrounding the Vatnajokull National Park. Vatnajokull is the largest glacier in Europe and covers at least 10 percent of Iceland's landmass.

If traveling between November and March, you can use this day to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of an ice cave. These only form during the middle of winter, so opportunities to witness their incredible beauty are rare.

This winter season, two beautiful ice caves have been discovered in the Vatnajokull National Park: the Western Ice Cave and the Eastern Ice Cave. Choose to add this amazing adventure to your trip and visit the best ice cave accessible on the day, taking into account the weather conditions and visibility to ensure the ultimate ice-caving experience.

Inside an ice cave, you can witness different ice formations. The ice walls may feature different streaks of colors, from white and crystal-like to blue and black. You can ask your guide to tell you more about the formation and composition of these ice caves.

If you are not traveling during this time, you'll still find plenty to do in the area. There are beautiful features in Hofn, from its charming streets to its beautiful harbor. Nearby are the mountains Vestrahorn and Eystrahorn, which are excellent backdrops for photos.

With time permitting, you can push further into the Eastfjords to explore some of its peaceful coastal villages. These picturesque hamlets, nestled between steep mountains and the shimmering sea, offer a glimpse into the tranquil life of Iceland's remote areas. From the artistic haven of Seydisfjordur to the historic charm of Djupivogur, each village boasts its unique character and attractions, providing ample opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

Jokulsarlon and Skaftafell also warrant second visits, as their beauty is unique under different lighting and weather conditions.

You'll spend this night in the same accommodation as last. If the sky is clear of clouds, you might want to look up for a chance to see the dancing northern lights. This area is an excellent location to see the aurora borealis because of minimal light pollution.

On day eight, you'll drive back to the South Coast to the settlements of Hvolsvollur and Selfoss. Throughout the day, you can use your itinerary to find any unique places you missed or revisit some of your favorites to see them in another light.

You could head out to the historical town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur and visit the waterfall Systrafoss, which, in cold weather, will be entirely frozen but incredibly beautiful. Legend has it that the waterfall got its name from two nuns who lived at the nearby monastery, adding a touch of mystery to its natural splendor.

A short drive away is the magnificent canyon Fjadrargljufur, an excellent photography location as it provides dramatic scenery of jagged cliffs and a shallow river. This canyon became more popular with travelers when popstar singer Justin Bieber featured it in one of his music videos in 2015.

You could also visit the volcano Hekla or dip in Iceland's oldest swimming pool, Seljavallalaug, hidden in a mountain crevasse. A quick dip here can help you relax and rest after many days of driving along the Ring Road.

Entrance to Seljavallalaug is free, but you can donate to help maintain this old swimming pool.

Meanwhile, if you want another shot at visiting the top attractions of the South Coast, you're free to do so. You can see Vik village, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and Skogafoss waterfall from different angles. Just make sure to take as many photos as you can to remember your unforgettable experience. 

Stroll around Selfoss town to meet locals and learn more about the culture. A popular destination in Selfoss is the Old Dairy food hall, with eight restaurants. These food places feature different cuisines and dishes, including lamb, hot dogs, beer, and skyr.

Take your time and explore Iceland to the fullest before heading to your accommodations in Southwest Iceland.

You'll drive from Hvolsvollur or Selfoss back to Reykjavik on your penultimate day. Once again, you can refer to your itinerary to find any unique places you missed earlier in your journey.

Once back in the capital, you can use the time to explore its galleries, museums, historic sites, bars, and restaurants. Although a reasonably small city, Reykjavik has a thriving culture, and you will undoubtedly find many things to do.

For example, you can see two of the city's most majestic works of architecture, which took inspiration from Iceland's rich geology. Hallgrimskirkja church is the tallest church in Iceland at 245 feet (75 meters). Meanwhile, the Harpa Concert Hall is an award-winning event center in the downtown area featuring hundreds of glass panels.

If you're up for another adventure outside the city, you can join the optional caving experience in the Thrihnukagigur volcano, 21 miles (35 kilometers) from Reykjavik.

The Inside the Volcano experience in Iceland is a unique adventure that allows you to explore the breathtaking beauty of a dormant volcano from the inside. Located in the stunning Thrihnukagigur volcano, this once-in-a-lifetime experience offers an extraordinary opportunity to descend into the depths of the earth and witness a natural wonder up close.

Equipped with a helmet, harness, and other necessary gear, you'll hop on an open cable lift ride into the volcano's vast chamber. This thrilling descent offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

As you explore the volcano's depths, your guide will provide insights into the geological history and formation of the Thrihnukagigur volcano. They'll share fascinating details about its eruption patterns and the volcanic formations' composition.

You will spend the night in one of the beautiful accommodations in Reykjavik. This will be your last night in the city, so make it worthwhile.