3-Day Winter Self-Drive Tour of Iceland with the Golden Circle & South Coast
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Day 1 – Reykjavik
- Reykjavik - Arrival day
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- Gunnuhver
- Krýsuvík
- Kleifarvatn
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Welcome to your three-day winter tour in Iceland.
On day one, you'll pick up your car at the Keflavik International Airport or the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. Once settled in the car with spacious seats and free Wi-Fi, you're ready to hit the road, whether alone or with a companion.
If you're coming from Keflavik, you can explore the otherworldly beauty of the Reykjanes Peninsula. This area south of Reykjavik is known for its hot springs, lava fields, and volcanoes that can be covered in snow during winter.
On the way to Reykjavik, you can take a detour to the Gunnuhver geothermal area or the Bridge Between Continents. While Gunnuhver has colorful and bubbling mud pools, the bridge marks the rift valley separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The most significant stop you can take here is the Blue Lagoon spa, the most visited attraction in Iceland outside the capital. You can enter the milky-blue waters at this geothermal spa all year round. Soaking here is lovely, especially during wintertime, even if it's snowing.
During the booking process, you can choose from comfort or premium packages. Besides access to the Blue Lagoon facilities, these entrance packages include silica mud masks, a towel or bathrobe, and a drink of your choice.
After a rejuvenating dip in the lagoon, you'll drive towards Reykjavik, where you'll spend the night. You'll be staying in the city center, with plenty of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops within walking distance. The area also has cultural attractions, such as the beautiful Hallgrimskirkja church and the award-winning Harpa Concert Hall.
Remember to look out for the northern lights if the skies are clear. Check the aurora forecast and drive a little out of the city to escape the city lights for a better view.
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Day 2 – Reykjavik
- Reykjavik
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- Thingvellir National Park
- Geysir geothermal area
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Kerid Crater
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Day two of this self-drive tour leads you to the Golden Circle, Iceland's most famous tourist route. This scenic route stretches 190 miles (300 kilometers) and highlights three breathtaking attractions.
The first stop is the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site famous for its beautiful nature and rich history. Thingvellir is home to the oldest surviving parliament in the world, Althingi.
More interestingly, the national park is known for its breathtaking geological formations, from valleys to canyons and lava fields. This is also the only place in the world where you can safely and conveniently walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
From Thingvellir, continue driving towards Geysir geothermal area, where the geyser Strokkur spouts water 66 feet (20 meters) high up in the air. Whichever time of the day you arrive, you'll see its eruption at least once because it does so every 5-10 minutes.
The last attraction on this magnificent route is the Gullfoss waterfall, which translates to the "Golden Falls." Unlike most waterfalls in Iceland, you can only view Gullfoss from the top because it plunges into a narrow gorge. The waterfall transforms into a wonderland during winter as snow and ice cover its sides.
After all that driving and sightseeing, what's better than to soak and float in a hot lagoon? Drive towards Fludir, where you'll find the Secret Lagoon geothermal pool, surrounded by natural hot springs.
The pool stays around 100 F (38-40 C) all year round, and although the basin structure is artificial, its hot water comes straight from the ground and the nearby hot springs. The best way to admire the northern lights would indeed be by floating in a hot lagoon.
After an eventful but relaxing day, return to Reykjavik for another night in the city center.
Accommodation
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Day 3 – Reykjavik
- Reykjavik - Departure day
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- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
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The last day of your three-day winter adventure in Iceland brings you further south, either to the Reykjadalur hot spring valley or the South Coast region. If you choose to visit Reykjadalur, you can do so by driving and hiking. Meanwhile, exploring the South Coast is more laid-back and only involves driving and sightseeing.
The hike to Reykjadalur should only be attempted if the weather is good and the roads are clear. If there's a lot of snow, you won't be able to see the path, and the route can be dangerous due to all of the hot springs along the way, which can create muddy conditions.
The route is beautiful if no snow is on the ground and you're dressed warmly with good hiking boots. The warm river at the trail's end is so breathtaking that you wouldn't mind the 1.5-hour-long hike.
If there's a lot of snow and conditions aren't suitable for the hike, you can drive along the South Coast towards the gorgeous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. On a sunny and clear day, spotting a rainbow above Skogafoss waterfall's wide cascade is easy.
Right next to Seljalandsfoss is another stunning waterfall called Gljufrabui, hidden inside a cave.
On your itinerary, other attractions in this region are Vik village, Reynisfjara beach, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. These locations are close to each other and offer a panoramic view of the North Atlantic Ocean.
If you still need to get your fill of soaking in hot water, you can drive towards Seljavallalaug, a warm pool on the side of a mountain. There's a 10 to 15-minute walk to the pool from the parking lot.
After your last soak, drive back to the airport or Reykjavik to return your car rental and catch your flight home.
Experiences
What to bring
Good to know
Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavik city or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license and a one-year-long on-road experience are required. Gravel protection is not included if you choose a Toyota Aygo or similar. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.
Some optional activities might require you to have a valid driver's license, or you might need to send additional information to your travel planner. Please note that you might need to present medical documents for snorkeling or diving.
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and, therefore, cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them if the weather allows.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is canceled. If your chosen activity is canceled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you. Please note that the ice caves are only accessible from October to March yearly.
This self-drive is set to take place in wintertime. Conditions in Iceland can vary significantly during that season. Snow and ice are commonplace, and Iceland has limited daylight hours. Please consider your ability to drive in winter conditions before booking this tour. If you feel insecure about driving in these conditions, we recommend a package tour instead.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations nationwide.
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