Iceland trip: Golden Circle and South Coast

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Choose an Iceland trip to the Golden Circle and South Coast and turn classic highlights into a personal, slow voyage. Created for travelers who value authentic, tailor-made experiences, our Iceland trips balance breathtaking landscapes with unhurried days, local insight, and handpicked details.

Share your rhythm and interests, and we will design hidden stops, private moments, and meaningful encounters that match your pace. Reserve your dates and start shaping a genuine Icelandic story.

Golden Circle and South Coast trip highlights

  • Private Golden Circle discoveries: Explore geysers, Gullfoss and Þingvellir with a local guide who tailors the route to your pace.
  • South Coast waterfalls and black sand beaches: Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, marvel at Skógafoss, and stroll Reynisfjara's black sand.
  • Icy glaciers and optional glacier hikes: Choose gentle glacier walks or guided ice-caving adventures.
  • Authentic local cuisine and rural stays: Savor farm-to-table meals and warm guesthouse hospitality, handpicked to reflect Icelandic traditions.
  • Flexible pacing with tailored surprises: Relaxed daily plans leave room for aurora chases, photography stops or hidden gems.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Keflavik → Reykjavik

• Arrive in Iceland and transfer to Reykjavik

• Check in and enjoy a gentle walk in the city centre

Reykjavik
2Golden Circle• Golden Circle sightseeing with time to personalize the dayGolden Circle area
3South Coast

• Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss

• Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach and Reynisdrangar sea stacks

• Dyrholaey cliffs and stone arch

• Optional activities

South West Coast
4Skaftafell → Glacier Lagoons

• Explore Skaftafell Nature Reserve

• Optional hike to Svartifoss and walk toward Skaftafellsjokull

• Visit Fjadrargljufur canyon

• Finish at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

South East Coast
5Southeast Iceland → South Coast (westbound)

• Drive back west

• Stop in Hveragerdi for geothermal atmosphere

• Choose hikes or add experiences

Reykjavik
6Reykjavik

• Explore Reykjavik

• Harpa Concert Hall and Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture

• Enjoy design shops and restaurants

Reykjavik
7Reykjavik → Keflavik Airport• Transfer to Keflavik Airport for departure

Places you'll visit

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Reykjavik
ReykjavikReykjavik
South East Coast
South East CoastSouth east Coast
South West Coast
South West CoastSouth West Coast.
Golden Circle
Golden CircleThingvellir
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Day01

Arrival in Iceland

Arrive in Iceland and begin your Iceland travel with a smooth landing in Keflavik. Transfer to Reykjavik, settle into your hotel, and ease into the day with a gentle walk around the city centre.

If time allows, visit Hallgrimskirkja, browse Laugavegur for local design shops, and stop by the old harbor for a first taste of Icelandic coastal light. End the day with a cosy dinner before resting up for the adventures ahead.

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Day02

Golden Circle activities

Discover authentic, tailor-made options to match your pace. Slow down with a geothermal bakery visit, a soak at the Secret Lagoon, time at Laugarvatn Fontana spa, or a lava cave exploration.

If you prefer more adrenaline, choose snowmobiling, horse riding, the seasonal Inside the Volcano tour, or snorkeling in Silfra for unforgettable memories on your Iceland trip.

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Day03

South Coast waterfalls and black sand beaches

Explore Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, walking behind Seljalandsfoss and catching spray-lit rainbows at Skogafoss. Continue to Reynisfjara to wander volcanic black sands and admire the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, then head to Dyrholaey for its cliffs and stone arch, with views toward Eyjafjallajokull, Hekla, and Katla on clear days. Add an optional stop at the Skogar Folk Museum for a cultural break.

Tailored for authentic, small-group discovery along Route 1, this day features some of the best places to visit in Iceland. Optional activities include horse riding, ice cave tours, snowmobiling, ATV safaris on black sand, glacier hikes, and glacier ice climbing.

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Day04

Skaftafell National Park and glacier lagoons

Explore Vatnajokull’s glacier tongues in Skaftafell Nature Reserve, with the option to hike to Svartifoss and walk out toward the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue.

Continue to the dramatic Fjadrargljufur canyon, then finish at the iconic Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and nearby Breidamerkurfjara, the black sand “Diamond Beach,” a highlight on any Iceland itinerary.

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Day05

Drive back along the South Coast

Drive west along the South Coast, adding time for lesser-visited gems such as Thakgil valley, Solheimasandur’s black sand plain with its iconic plane wreck, and the geothermal town of Hveragerdi. These quieter stops deliver dramatic scenery and memorable photo moments away from the crowds.

Choose a hike or add experiences like a guided glacier walk, river canyon trails, or a relaxed soak in hot springs, with the option to drop into small local museums along the way.

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Day06

Reykjavik City

Explore Reykjavik at an easy pace. Visit Hallgrimskirkja, stroll Laugavegur and the nearby town squares, then unwind by Tjornin and the old harbour. Admire Harpa Concert Hall and the Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture on the waterfront, and add Perlan or small museums focused on art, history, or whales.

With its clean, green streets, vibrant design shops, and excellent restaurants, the city is a fitting finale to your journey.

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Day07

Departure

Departure day marks the end of your Iceland adventure. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final breakfast in Reykjavik and a last stroll for any souvenirs or photos.

Then transfer to Keflavik Airport with plenty of time for check-in, taking home unforgettable memories of Iceland’s landscapes, culture, and quiet moments.

A view of Reykjavik's colorful city center