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8-Day Self-Drive Tour with South Coast, Golden Circle, Landmannalaugar, Snaefellsnes & Westfjords
Set out on an 8-day self-drive tour through Iceland, bringing you close to the country’s best-known sights and the quieter corners we locals love the most. With your own car and a well-planned route, you’ll experience Iceland on your terms, stopping where you want, staying longer when something catches your eye, and seeing the land through its roads, seasons, and stories.
Description
The trip begins in Reykjavík. You’ll head south from the capital, following the coast past green meadows, waterfalls, and volcanic hills. Along the way, you’ll visit Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the water, and Skógafoss, one of the country’s most powerful and beautiful falls. A short drive brings you to Reynisfjara beach near Vík, where black sand meets the Atlantic, and sea stacks rise from the waves beside hexagonal basalt cliffs.
Not far from there is Hvolsvöllur, a quiet town surrounded by broad valleys and mountain views. The road takes you inland to Landmannalaugar, deep in the Icelandic Highlands. This is where many people go to escape: into colorful mountains, lava fields, and hot springs that feel completely removed from everyday life. Whether you hike or soak in the warm waters, time moves differently.
Your route then leads to the Golden Circle, where three of Iceland’s most well-known natural sites are found. Þingvellir National Park is where the country’s first parliament met more than a thousand years ago. It’s also where two tectonic plates meet, creating dramatic rifts and cracks in the earth. From there, you’ll drive to Geysir, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, and then to Gullfoss waterfall.
Next, you’ll head west to the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s most untouched regions. The drive takes time, but it’s worth every kilometer. Látrabjarg cliffs stretch out above the ocean, home to puffins in summer and endless views year-round. From there, you’ll continue to Breiðafjörður Bay, where calm waters and scattered islands create a peaceful atmosphere.
Your final days bring you to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a region that offers a bit of everything: fishing villages, lava fields, dramatic coastlines, and Snæfellsjökull glacier watching over it all. This area feels familiar even on a first visit, with winding roads and small harbors that carry stories from the past.
You’ll return to Reykjavík with the journey behind you and still with you. The places you’ve seen, the roads you’ve taken, the stillness and the scale of the land—they stay.
Day 1: Arrival in Iceland – Reykjavík
Your journey begins the moment you land at Keflavík International Airport. After picking up your rental car, you’ll go toward Reykjavík. As you approach the capital, the raw beauty of the land gives way to the low, colorful rooftops of the city.
Reykjavík may be small by global standards, but it has a strong sense of character. Once you arrive, you’ll have the rest of the day to settle in and explore at your own pace. The city has a welcoming feel: calm streets, cheerful houses, and a mix of old and new architecture. You can walk along the Old Harbour, where fishing boats still come and go, or pop into a few small shops, cafés, or local art spaces nearby.
One place worth visiting is Hallgrímskirkja, the tall church above the city. Iceland’s basalt landscapes inspired its design, and from the top of the tower, you’ll get a wide view over the rooftops, out to Esja mountain, and across the bay to the Reykjanes Peninsula. It’s a great way to get your bearings and take in your first full view of the region.
Enjoy dinner at one of the city’s many restaurants when evening comes. The food here often focuses on fresh, local ingredients: seafood caught earlier that day, traditional Icelandic lamb, or a modern twist on classic Nordic dishes. There’s no shortage of good options, and many places are run by chefs who truly care about the ingredients they use.
After a relaxed first day in Reykjavík, you’ll be rested and ready for what comes next. Tomorrow, you’ll leave the city behind and begin your drive along Iceland’s South Coast, one of the most scenic routes in the country.
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Day 2: Reykjavík – South Coast – Hvolsvöllur
After a restful night in Reykjavík, you’ll begin your journey along the South Coast, a region known for its dramatic scenery and ever-changing skies. This part of the drive gives you a real sense of what makes Iceland unique: glaciers in the distance, crashing waves along the shore, and waterfalls tumbling down steep cliffs.
Your first stop is Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls. It drops 60 meters from a high cliff, and a path lets you walk behind the cascade. This experience feels almost unreal, especially when the sun catches the spray just right. The air here is cool and fresh, and the view from behind the falls is unlike anything else.
Not far from there is Skógafoss, a vast, powerful waterfall that thunders into a misty pool below. On clear days, you’ll often see a rainbow forming in the spray, and if you’re feeling up for it, there’s a staircase leading to the top for a completely different view.
Continuing east, you’ll reach Dyrhólaey, a high headland with sweeping views over the black sand beaches below. From here, you can see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean, and on a clear day, you might spot the Mýrdalsjökull glacier off in the distance. In summer, puffins often nest along the cliffs, and it’s a quiet place to stop, take in the view, and breathe in the sea air.
From Dyrhólaey, you’ll head toward the small village of Hvolsvöllur. It’s a peaceful place, surrounded by wide open fields and framed by distant mountains. The town is home to the Lava Centre, an interactive exhibition explaining the volcanic forces that shaped Iceland and continue to shape. It’s well worth a visit if you’re curious about what lies beneath the surface of the land you’re exploring.
As the day winds down, you can enjoy a quiet evening in Hvolsvöllur. The pace here is slow, which offers a nice contrast to the wild landscapes you’ve seen throughout the day. Tomorrow will bring more natural wonders!
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Day 3: Landmannalaugar
Today, you’ll head into the highlands, leaving behind the familiar farmland of the South Coast for one of Iceland’s most remote and striking areas: Landmannalaugar. This part of the journey takes you deep into the interior, where the landscapes become wilder and more unpredictable with every kilometer.
Leaving Hvolsvöllur behind, the road gradually shifts from smooth tarmac to rougher tracks. You’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to make the drive as the terrain grows more rugged. The scenery changes quickly: grassy plains give way to lava fields, craters, and the silence that only exists in untouched places. You’ll pass through valleys carved by glaciers and over gravel plains that feel like they belong to another planet.
As you approach Landmannalaugar, the rhyolite mountains appear with red, green, orange, and yellow layers formed by centuries of geothermal activity. These colorful hills are surrounded by dark lava fields and steamy hot springs, creating a raw and otherworldly landscape. It’s one of those places that never looks the same twice, depending on the weather and the light.
Once there, take time to explore on foot. The hiking here is some of the best in the country, with marked trails leading through lava flows, across river valleys, and up into the hills for expansive views of the surrounding highlands. Even a short walk gives you a real sense of the power and beauty of this place. For those with more time and energy, this is also the starting point for the Laugavegur Trail, a multi-day route through the wilderness.
After hiking, you can soak in one of Landmannalaugar’s natural hot springs. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of walking.
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Day 4: Gullfoss – Geysir – Þingvellir – Borgarfjörður
On the fourth day of your journey through Iceland, you’ll follow the famous Golden Circle route, home to some of the country’s most celebrated natural sites and a deep well of history.
Your day begins with a visit to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. As you approach, rushing water grows louder until you reach the viewing paths that lead alongside the falls. The water plunges in two dramatic stages into a narrow canyon below, sending mist into the air and often forming rainbows on sunny days. There’s no rush here, so you can take your time and enjoy the views from different angles.
From Gullfoss, you’ll head to the Geysir geothermal area, where steam rises from the earth, and the ground seems alive. Strokkur, today’s main attraction, erupts roughly every 5 to 10 minutes, sending a column of hot water high into the sky. Even if you’ve seen photos before, witnessing it in person is something else. Around the geyser are bubbling mud pots and steaming vents that give the place a truly volcanic feel.
The next stop is Þingvellir National Park, a site of geological and historical importance. This is where Iceland’s national parliament, the Alþingi, was established in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest in the world. But it’s not just history that makes Þingvellir special. The park lies in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Walking between the cliffs and across the rocky paths, you can literally see where the continents drift apart.
Later in the day, you’ll leave the Golden Circle behind and begin your drive toward Borgarfjörður in the west. The route takes you through varied scenery: open plains, distant mountains, and winding rivers. You may want to stop in Húsafell, a small village known for its peaceful setting and as a base for exploring nearby natural sites. Just a short drive from there is Hraunfossar, a series of gentle waterfalls that emerge from underneath a lava field, flowing quietly over the rocks and into the river below.
As evening sets in, you’ll arrive in Borgarfjörður and settle into your accommodation.
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Day 5: The southern Westfjords – Látrabjarg cliffs
On day five, you’ll make your way into the Southern Westfjords, one of the most remote and dramatic regions in Iceland. This area is far from the main tourist routes and offers a different kind of experience: quiet roads, steep cliffs, wide fjords, and a real sense of isolation. Many visitors miss it, but those who come often say it’s one of the highlights of their trip.
You’ll leave Borgarfjörður early and head north. The drive into the Westfjords is long but worth every minute. The road follows the curves of the coastline, cutting through mountains and winding around fjords. It’s not a fast route, but that’s part of the appeal. There’s no rush out here, and the views are constant!
One of the main stops today is Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Iceland. The cliffs stretch for several kilometers and rise straight from the sea. In summer, puffins and other seabirds nest along the ledges, and it’s one of the best places in the country to see them up close. The puffins are often fearless, and with some patience, you can watch them go about their routines just a few steps from the path. Even without the birds, the cliffs are impressive, especially when the ocean is calm, and you can see far across the water.
From Látrabjarg, you’ll continue through the southern edge of the Westfjords. The road takes you through small, quiet villages and narrow fjords, where the mountains drop sharply into the sea. There are places to stop, stretch your legs, and take in the stillness. You may not see many people along the way, but the scenery does the talking here.
By evening, you’ll arrive at your accommodation in Southern Westfjords. It’s a quiet place to end the day, surrounded by mountains and open sky.
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Day 6: Breiðafjörður – Snæfellsnes
Today, you’ll leave the quiet of the Southern Westfjords and head toward the broad waters of Breiðafjörður Bay, followed by a drive around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, one of Iceland’s most scenic and varied regions.
The morning begins with a drive along Breiðafjörður, a wide bay known for its many small islands and calm, shallow waters. The views here are open and peaceful. Across the water, you’ll see low mountains and steep headlands, with seabirds circling overhead and, at times, seals resting along the shoreline.
From the bay, you’ll continue toward Snæfellsnes. Here, the scenery shifts quickly: black sand beaches give way to lava fields, small fishing villages, cliffs, and snow-covered peaks. At the western tip, you’ll enter Snæfellsjökull National Park, home to the glacier-covered volcano Snæfellsjökull, made famous by Jules Verne. On clear days, the glacier can be seen from far across the sea, standing above the surrounding lava fields and coastline.
Driving through the park, you’ll come across rugged cliffs, strange lava formations, and the feeling of being far from the busy world. The coastline here is shaped by centuries of waves and wind. You can stop for short walks around the cliffs near Arnarstapi and Hellnar—two small villages still holding their old charm. A trail between the two takes you along sea arches, blowholes, and basalt formations, with the ocean crashing below.
Later, you’ll head north around the peninsula toward Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in the country. Small waterfalls add to the view just across the road, making it a popular place to stop, even briefly. Nearby Grundarfjörður is a quiet town with a good spot to rest and eat between the water and the hills.
By the end of the day, you’ll settle into your accommodation somewhere along the peninsula. This country corner leaves a strong impression after a full day of driving, walking, and taking in a wide range of landscapes.
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Day 7: Snæfellsnes – Reykjavík
On day seven, you’ll leave the Snæfellsnes Peninsula behind and begin your return to Reykjavík, taking the scenic route through West Iceland. Though you’re heading back toward the capital, the day still holds plenty of beautiful views and quiet places worth stopping for.
As you make your way east, your first stop will likely be the town of Borgarnes. Sitting at the edge of Borgarfjörður, the city has a peaceful setting with mountains rising behind the fjord. It’s a good place to stretch your legs, get a coffee, or take a short walk along the shoreline. If you’re interested in Icelandic history, the Settlement Center offers a well-done exhibition about the early settlers and the sagas tied to the region.
From Borgarnes, you’ll continue south toward Hvalfjörður, one of the more overlooked fjords in the west. While many travelers now bypass it using the tunnel under the water, taking the old road around the fjord is well worth the extra time. The route follows the curve of the water, with steep hills on either side and very little traffic. On a calm day, the fjord’s surface reflects the sky like a mirror. There are a few places to stop along the way, and if time allows, you might visit Hvammsvík Hot Springs, tucked into the shoreline, where you can bathe with views across the fjord.
As you near Reykjavík, the landscape opens up again. It’s a quieter drive than earlier parts of the trip, giving you time to contrast the remote places you’ve seen and the comfort of returning to town.
Once back in Reykjavík, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. You might walk through the city center, grab dinner at a local restaurant, or take in the view from the top of Hallgrímskirkja if you missed it earlier in the trip.
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Day 8: Departure day
On your last day in Iceland, it’s time to head home. After days of driving through mountains, coastlines, and quiet villages, your journey ends where it began: Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport.
The drive to Keflavík takes about 45 minutes as you leave the city and head across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Geothermal forces shape this region. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice the ground seems to breathe. You’ll pass the Bridge Between Continents, a small but symbolic stop where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia meet.
Once you arrive at the airport, return your rental car and check-in. As you prepare to fly out, you’ll leave with more than just photos. No matter the season or the weather, Iceland leaves a mark. It’s a land that asks you to slow down, look closely, and take your time. And those are the memories that tend to last!
Do you love what you see but need something slightly different?
No problem! Below, you will find all self-drive tours and the best day tours to add to your itinerary. You can also fill out our Travel Planner form and let us know about your dream vacation in Iceland—we´ll create the perfect program just for you!
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