Iceland Golden Circle Discovery Drive

Upon arrival in Reykjavik, collect your luggage and rental car at the airport. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in its geothermal waters. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance.Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight. This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.” There are plenty of outdoor and wellness activities to enjoy here, and several restaurants with a unique local focus. 

Thundering Waterfalls - Cliffs & Stone Arches - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore. Breakfast at your hotel. Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This is the volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be cancelled. We recommend a stop at the interactive Lava Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth. The center has interesting exhibits for all age groups. Your journey takes you by the beautiful Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (each one worth visiting) and Myrdalsjokull glacier. You can opt for a fun snowmobiling trip on the glacier and (if the weather is clear) a splendid view over southern Iceland. Stop by the seafront village of Vik to explore a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and black- sand beaches. Dyrholaey* is a rocky headland famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here (puffins are generally in Iceland between mid-May and early August) *Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June. (B)

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore Thjorsardalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls. You’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region. During the summer you can visit the excavated site of a Viking age farm that was covered by lava from one of Hekla´s eruptions. A replica shows you how the longhouse looked (admission not included). This area was one of the locations used in the popular HBO series Game of Thrones. Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss is considered by many visitors to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser. If you enjoy history, visit Laugarvatnshellir, a cave cleverly converted into a home for two Icelandic families in the early 20th century. A great way to relax after an exciting day is to visit either the Fontana Steam Baths in Laugarvatn or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir. Both places are a part of the area’s history and popular with both Icelanders and visitors. (B)

Breakfast at your hotel. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see the meeting point between the North American and Europe continents. Many important historical events happened here. Several walking trails and hiking trails take visitors to historical points of interest. Then travel either along Hvalfjordur fjord or the Kaldidalur wilderness track (open June-August, 4WD needed- we recommend car category 5.0 or higher). Your journey continues to the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the colorful 13th-century chieftain and Saga author, Snorri Sturluson. While in the area you might stop by the Visiting Horse Farm, where you can meet friendly Icelandic horses and try home-made baked treats in the farm’s café. Visit the beautiful Lava Falls waterfalls before heading on to Reykjavik in the afternoon for your last night in Iceland. (B) 

Following breakfast, drive to Keflavik International Airport to return your rental car and board your flight. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to the city on your first day but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. (B)