West and South Iceland: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour
From volcanic peninsulas to golden waterfalls, discover Iceland at your own pace.
This Iceland self-drive tour takes you through some of the most geologically and culturally rich landscapes on Earth, covering the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Borgarfjörður, the Golden Circle, and the South Shore over seven rewarding days. You collect your rental car at Keflavík Airport and return it there, giving you seamless flexibility from start to finish. The itinerary is graded Easy, making it accessible to travellers who want genuine Icelandic wilderness without technical demands.
The route is designed to flow naturally between regions, avoiding backtracking and maximising time at key sites. Nightly accommodation alternates between Reykjavík, the Snæfellsnes area, Borgarfjörður, the Selfoss area, and back to Reykjavík, giving each region a proper base. A final day exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, including the Blue Lagoon, eases the transition before departure.
The tour runs year-round, meaning spring wildflowers, midsummer midnight sun, autumn colours, and winter northern lights are all possible depending on your travel dates. Road conditions and daylight hours vary significantly by season, so packing layers and checking Icelandic road authority updates is recommended regardless of when you travel.
Car options range from a compact Suzuki Jimny 4WD to a Kia Sportage automatic, accommodating couples and families of up to five. Accommodation sits in two categories — Classic guesthouses and 3-star equivalents, or Quality 4-star hotels in Reykjavík with the best available countryside properties.
Tour Highlights
Walk the otherworldly black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur beneath the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano inside a national park.
Photograph Kirkjufell, Iceland's most iconic mountain, reflected alongside the cascades of Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall near Grundarfjörður.
Stand behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall on the South Shore for a perspective few waterfalls in the world can offer visitors.
Witness Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes at the Geysir geothermal area in the heart of the Golden Circle.
Walk the Almannagjá fissure in Þingvellir National Park, the visible boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Soak at the world-famous Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula as an optional finale before your homeward flight.
Explore the saga landscape of Borgarfjörður, including Snorri Sturluson's historic pool at Reykholt and the lava-fed Hraunfossar waterfalls.
Itinerary Overview
Collect your rental car at Keflavík Airport and drive through the moss-covered lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to Reykjavík. The volcanic terrain gives an immediate sense of Iceland's raw geology before you settle into the capital for your first night.
Head northwest to explore Gerðuberg basalt columns, Ytri Tunga seal beach, the coastal villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, Djúpalónssandur beach, and Kirkjufell mountain. The day ends in Stykkishólmur, the main town of the peninsula's north coast.
Drive south to Reykholt to visit Snorri Sturluson's historic pool and museum, then continue to Deildartunguhver hot spring and the twin waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The evening is based in Borgarnes, a coastal town overlooking the fjord.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, the erupting Strokkur geyser at Haukadalur, and the dramatic double-cascade of Gullfoss waterfall. Overnight in the Hveragerði or Selfoss area, a convenient hub for the South Shore.
Travel east along the coast taking in Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the Dyrhólaey promontory, and the basalt-columned Reynisfjara beach. The day loops back to the Selfoss area for a second night at the same base.
Visit Strandarkirkja Church, the Seltún geothermal area, Grindavík, the Brimketill lava rock pool, Gunnuhver hot springs, the Reykjanesviti Lighthouse cliffs, and the Bridge Between Continents before returning to Reykjavík for your final night.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- 6 days of rental car with standard insurance
- 6 nights of accommodation (Classic or Quality category)
- Detailed self-drive road book and route guidance
- 24-hour customer support during the tour
- Pre-trip destination information pack
Not Included
- International flights to and from Iceland
- Meals and beverages throughout the tour
- Blue Lagoon bathing entrance fee
- Vatnshellir lava tube guided entry fee
- Fuel costs for the rental car
- Optional activity fees and cave tours
- Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Ready to Explore Iceland on Your Own Terms?
Secure your rental car, accommodation, and route guidance for this seven-day journey across Iceland's west and south. Places are limited by vehicle and room availability, so early booking is advised especially for summer travel.
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