5-Day Self-Drive Tour in Iceland with South Coast & Off Beat Surprises (Reykjavik based)
This 5-day self-drive itinerary is ideal for travelers who prefer settling into one comfortable location and exploring the best of South Iceland without the hassle of changing hotels each night. From your base, you’ll have easy access to the region’s most iconic natural landmarks: waterfalls, black sand beaches, geothermal areas, and glacier views. All within a day’s drive.
This tour gives you the balance between popular sights and lesser-visited spots. Evenings are reserved for the quiet beauty of the countryside, where the absence of city lights offers a clearer view of the Northern Lights.
Book this 5-day self-drive itinerary, thoughtfully designed for travelers who want to explore the country’s natural wonders while enjoying the comfort of staying in one centrally located hotel in Reykjavík. From your base in the capital, you’ll discover some of Iceland’s most iconic sites and hidden gems known mostly to locals.
Your journey begins with a relaxed arrival in Reykjavík. After settling in, enjoy a magical Northern Lights yacht cruise, a peaceful way to search for the Aurora Borealis from the quiet waters of Faxaflói Bay. With the city lights behind you, the chances of spotting the Northern Lights increase, and the atmosphere at sea is something special.
Over the next few days, set out on unforgettable day trips. Explore the famous Golden Circle with stops at Þingvellir, Gullfoss, the erupting geysers, a unique geothermal rye bread baking experience, and a relaxing soak at Laugarás Lagoon. Head west to the lesser-traveled Silver Circle and discover lava fields, hot springs, and ancient landscapes in Borgarfjörður. A guided lava cave tour adds a sense of Iceland’s raw geology, and optional entry to Krauma Spa offers pure relaxation powered by natural hot springs.
Your adventure continues with a South Coast day trip, taking in majestic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and a guided glacier hike suitable for all fitness levels. Along the way, you’ll witness Iceland’s dramatic contrasts: fire, ice, sea, and sky – all in one day. After a full day outdoors, return to Reykjavík for your final evening in the city.
This tour blends comfort with discovery, combining Iceland’s natural highlights with authentic local touches. It’s a great way to experience the land of fire and ice while sleeping in the same warm bed each night.
Accommodation and car options
Your journey through Iceland begins with the freedom of your rental car, picked up directly at Keflavík Airport. Throughout the tour, you’ll stay in Reykjavík, using the city as your comfortable base for day trips. Your accommodation is arranged at Hotel Skuggi or a similar quality 3-star hotel in the heart of the capital. It’s a welcoming place with easy access to Reykjavík’s cafés, museums, and coastal walking paths. Staying in one hotel for the whole trip means you can settle in, unpack once, and return to a familiar, cozy space each evening.
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Day 1: Arrival in Iceland & car pick up
Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you’ll collect your rental car and drive to Reykjavík, just under an hour’s drive through the stark beauty of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The capital greets you with its colorful houses, coastal charm, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a perfect place to settle in and start your Icelandic journey!
After checking into your hotel, such as the centrally located Hotel Skuggi or a similar 3-star option, you can enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. Reykjavík may be small, but it has its own character: creative, welcoming, and shaped by the sea and sky.
In the evening, you’ll set out on a special Northern Lights yacht cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. If conditions are right, sailing away from the city lights increases your chances of catching the Aurora Borealis. With the gentle motion of the boat and the northern sky above, this is a perfect way to end your first day in Iceland.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 2: Famous Golden Circle route & Laugarás Lagoon
Today, you’ll explore the world-famous Golden Circle, a route that showcases the raw beauty and geological wonder Iceland is known for. Also, this area is close to many Icelanders, not just because of its stunning landscapes, but because it holds deep historical and natural significance.
Begin your day at Þingvellir National Park, where the ancient Icelandic parliament once gathered between tectonic plates. Continue to the steaming geysers of Haukadalur and the roaring power of Gullfoss waterfall – all iconic stops that still impress, no matter how many times you visit them.
Along the way, enjoy a unique experience that connects you to Icelandic tradition: a rye bread baking tour, where you’ll see how rúgbrauð is slow-baked in the hot geothermal ground. And of course, you’ll get to taste it fresh, just like we do on weekend outings in the countryside.
In the late afternoon, unwind with premium admission to Laugarás Lagoon, a lesser-known geothermal spa surrounded by quiet nature. It’s a new spot: peaceful, authentic, and crowds-free. After a full day of sightseeing and relaxation, you’ll return to Reykjavík.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 3: Exploration of Silver Circle & Borgarfjördur
Today, you will explore the Borgarfjörður region in West Iceland, a quiet part of the country that visitors often miss but is well known and loved by locals. This area, usually called the Silver Circle, offers a slower pace and wide-open views: green valleys, lava fields, and rivers shaped by glaciers.
One of the highlights is a guided tour through a lava cave, where you’ll walk underground through passages formed by flowing lava thousands of years ago. It’s a raw and humbling experience that better explains how this island was formed.
If you’re in the mood to relax afterward, visit Krauma Spa. The water here comes straight from Deildartunguhver, one of Europe’s most powerful hot springs. With hot pools, a steam bath, and views of the quiet countryside, it’s a peaceful way to end the day.
By evening, you’ll be back in Reykjavík, with a deeper feel for the landscapes and slower rhythms of West Iceland.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 4: South Coast adventure with guided glacier hike & Reykjavík
Today, you’ll head out early for a full day along Iceland’s stunning South Coast, one of the country’s most dramatic and unforgettable stretches. The road winds past open farmland, waterfalls, glaciers, and cliffs that rise above black sand beaches. This landscape is shaped by fire, ice, and ocean, and it never looks the same twice.
You’ll participate in a guided glacier hike led by experienced local guides. The hike suits most fitness levels and allows you to walk safely on the ice with proper gear. Standing on a glacier, hearing it creak and shift beneath your feet, will stay with you.
Along the way, there’s time to stop at well-known spots like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, but also space to take in the quiet, less-traveled corners of the region. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Reykjavík, arriving in the evening after a full day outdoors. This part of the country holds a special place in the hearts of many Icelanders – wide open, ever-changing, and always worth returning to.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 5: Drop off rental car at KEF Airport & Departure
On your final day, you’ll leave Reykjavík and drive back to Keflavík Airport. The road takes you once more across the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula: a quiet, open landscape that many travelers remember just as clearly as the waterfalls and glaciers.
After returning your rental car at the airport, it’s time to check in for your flight. Whether this was your first visit to Iceland or a return journey, the memories – the stillness, the weather, the vast skies- tend to stay. Safe travels, and we hope to see you here again!
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