The Best of South Coast: 9 Days Self Drive Iterinary

Route: Keflavík International Airport → Reykjavík

1. Keflavík International Airport — Follow your confirmed flight and rental arrangements, allowing time for baggage, collection or return before continuing your journey.
2. Reykjavík — Settle into the compact capital, where harbour walks, colourful streets and cafés offer an easy introduction to Iceland.
3. Laugavegur — Browse independent shops and cafés along Reykjavík’s central shopping street, choosing a short stroll to suit your arrival time.

Route: Reykjavík → Selfoss / Hveragerði overnight area

1. Þingvellir — Almannagjá — Walk the marked paths beside Almannagjá, where the rift landscape frames the historic outdoor assembly site of the Alþingi.
2. Geysir geothermal area — Watch Strokkur erupt among steaming springs, staying on the marked paths around ground heated by the geothermal system below.
3. Gullfoss — Use the open viewpoints to see the Hvítá river plunge in two stages into its deep, spray-filled canyon.
4. Secret Lagoon — Choose an optional prebooked soak in Flúðir’s geothermal pool, with steaming springs visible beyond the bathing area.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Selfoss / Hveragerði overnight area → Vík overnight area

1. Seljalandsfoss — See the narrow cascade from the main path, taking the route behind the water only when it is open and safe.
2. Skógafoss — Enjoy the broad curtain of water from below, or use the steps to the upper viewpoint when conditions and energy allow.
3. Reynisfjara viewpoint — View the basalt cliffs and Reynisdrangar from permitted areas, following current access restrictions and keeping well away from the powerful surf.
4. Vík — Pause in the South Coast village for food and supplies, with coastal views and the church on the hillside above.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Vík overnight area → Höfn overnight area

1. Skaftafell — Begin at the visitor centre and choose an open marked trail for views across the glacier-carved landscape and surrounding mountains.
2. Fjallsárlón — Pause at the smaller glacier lagoon to see floating ice below the mountain backdrop, keeping to the designated visitor paths.
3. Jökulsárlón — Watch drifting icebergs from the lagoon’s shore-side visitor area; boat trips are optional, seasonal and booked separately.
4. Diamond Beach — Look for stranded ice on the black sand from a safe distance, remembering that waves can reach far up the beach.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Höfn overnight area → Höfn overnight area

1. Jökulsárlón — Watch drifting icebergs from the lagoon’s shore-side visitor area; boat trips are optional, seasonal and booked separately.
2. Stokksnes and Vestrahorn — Visit the coastal viewpoint for Vestrahorn’s steep peaks and dark dunes, checking current access arrangements and any local admission charge.
3. Höfn — Explore the fishing town’s harbour and find dinner before settling into the southeast, with mountain and glacier views in clear weather.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Höfn overnight area → Reykjavík

1. Dverghamrar — Take a short signed walk among the basalt formations beside the South Coast road, a quieter contrast to the larger landmarks.
2. Fjaðrárgljúfur — Follow the open viewpoint paths above the winding canyon, staying behind barriers and respecting closures that protect the vegetation.
3. Vík — Pause in the South Coast village for food and supplies, with coastal views and the church on the hillside above.
4. Reynisfjara viewpoint — View the basalt cliffs and Reynisdrangar from permitted areas, following current access restrictions and keeping well away from the powerful surf.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Reykjavík → Reykjavík

1. Búðir — See the black church against the surrounding lava and coast, respecting church services, private property and marked visitor paths.
2. Arnarstapi coastal path — Walk a section of the marked cliff-top path to see basalt arches and sea stacks, staying behind barriers above the ocean.
3. Kirkjufell viewpoint — Photograph the distinctive mountain from the established waterfall-side paths; this stop does not include a climb of the mountain itself.

Driving note: Use open roads and viewpoints, prioritising daylight and allowing extra time for winter conditions. The overnight marker represents an area rather than a specific hotel; follow your confirmed accommodation address.

Route: Reykjavík → Reykjavík

1. Kleifarvatn — Stop at a designated viewpoint above the dark lake, surrounded by volcanic hills on the eastern side of Reykjanes.
2. Seltún — Stay on the boardwalks through steaming vents and coloured geothermal ground; the boiling springs here are for viewing, not bathing.
3. Blue Lagoon — A prebooked optional bathing visit offers a pause among the lava fields, subject to current volcanic access advice and operating conditions.

Driving note: Check official Reykjanes access updates before departure and confirm any Blue Lagoon booking. Closed roads take priority over this suggested route; keep enough time for the onward drive or airport arrangements.

Route: Reykjavík → Keflavík International Airport

1. Reykjavík — Settle into the compact capital, where harbour walks, colourful streets and cafés offer an easy introduction to Iceland.
2. Keflavík International Airport — Follow your confirmed flight and rental arrangements, allowing time for baggage, collection or return before continuing your journey.

Driving note: Follow the confirmed rental-return location and time, then allow the airline’s recommended airport margin. A Blue Lagoon visit or additional sightseeing requires its own booking and sufficient time before departure.