3-Day South Coast Tour: Golden Circle, Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon & Waterfalls

Your three-day tour starts with pickup in Reykjavík and a scenic drive, passing Mount Esja to reach Þingvellir National Park, where Viking chieftains once declared laws. Next, at the Haukadalur Geothermal Area, see Geysir and Strokkur, which spouts water 30 meters high. We continue to Gullfoss, the famous "Golden Waterfall," where sunlit days create sparkling rainbows. Finally, the day winds down in Hveragerði, the "Hot Springs Capital of Iceland," perfect for a peaceful evening.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is Iceland's most important historical site, where Viking chieftains declared laws and forged alliances for nearly a thousand years. It is home to the Alþingi, believed to be the world's first democratic parliament, and is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond its history, Þingvellir boasts a spectacular natural setting. Immense fissures in the Earth's crust mark the splitting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a process ongoing for millions of years. Here, you can even stand with one foot on each continent at the same time!
Geysir & Haukadalur Geothermal Area
Our next stop is the Haukadalur Geothermal Area, where you'll find Geysir, the original hot-water spout after which all other geysers around the world are named. Nearby sits Strokkur, a reliable "old faithful" that sends cascades of super-heated water up to 30 meters into the sky every six or seven minutes in a dazzling display. Just remember to stand upwind to avoid a surprise shower! This area is also filled with hissing hotpots and bubbling streams, adding to the dramatic geothermal landscape.
Gullfoss - The Golden Waterfall
The Golden Circle is also home to Iceland's most famous waterfall, Gullfoss. Known as "The Golden Waterfall", it's a roaring double-drop waterfall, with millions of glacial gallons continuously cascading into a deep ravine. Sheets of spray hang in the air, and on sunlit days, sparkling rainbows make Gullfoss an unforgettable sight. Powered by meltwater from the nearby Langjökull glacier, you can view Gullfoss from several platforms at varying heights.
Kerid Volcanic Crater
As an added extra to the standard Golden Circle tour, you'll next see the colorful Kerið crater. Kerið is an unusual Icelandic volcano, streaked with red earth and green mosses. Combined with the blue-water caldera lake, this stunning mix of colors makes it a magnificent sight. It's even possible to walk down to the crater's bottom for a closer look.
Explore Hveragerði Geothermal Valley
After a day of exploration, you'll head to Hveragerði, a quiet town nestled in a geothermal valley. Known as the "Hot Springs Capital of Iceland," Hveragerði offers a more secluded experience where nature and relaxation blend together. While here, you can visit a scenic waterfall and stroll through the local botanical garden, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Starting from Hveragerði, we head east along Iceland's South Coast. First up is Seljalandsfoss, powered by Eyjafjallajökull's glacier melt, followed by nearby Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall tucked within a mossy grotto.
Next, we visit Skógafoss, a stunning 60-meter cascade known for its rainbows and iconic views, even featured in “Game of Thrones.”
Our day ends at Reynisfjara black sand beach, with towering Reynisdrangar rocks and basalt columns. From here, we journey to our remote eastern hotel, ready for tomorrow's ice cave adventure.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Our first stop on the South Coast section of the tour brings us to Seljalandsfoss, which will have been coming into view as we head eastwards. The waterfalls here are all fueled by Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano whose last major eruption in 2010 stopped air traffic for weeks, making Iceland famous worldwide. A few minutes away lies Seljalandsfoss itself, a much larger waterfall that gracefully plunges from a 60-meter high cliff-face into a deep pool. Seljalandsfoss has appeared in many films and music videos.
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Next, we'll guide you to the "hidden" waterfall of Gljúfrabúi, which flows into a concealed cave often overlooked by other visitors. Being so close to a waterfall like this is a unique experience you definitely don't want to miss! To reach it, you'll navigate a narrow path through a canyon, stepping over stones and shallow streams. Once inside, the sight of the water cascading down into the moss-covered grotto is truly mesmerizing.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss rivals Gullfoss as the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Probably one of the most recognized waterfalls in the world, Skógafoss is a sensational sight at any time of year. It has appeared in "Game of Thrones", several Hollywood films, and many music videos. Facing directly south, Skógafoss often displays rainbows arching over the 60-meter-high cascade. You can climb stairs up to the top to watch the Skóga river plunge into the pool below before flowing out toward the sea.
Black Beach of Reynisfjara
The last stop on this second day of our tour is the fabulous black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Here, dark volcanic sands stretch for miles, with powerful Atlantic waves crashing into the Reynisdrangar, a collection of towering rock formations just offshore. An astonishing cliffside stack of basalt columns, resembling a church organ, adds to the surreal beauty of the beach. You can also see the stone arches of Dyrhólaey far out to sea. Be cautious as you explore – the waves are often faster and stronger than they seem! From here, we head to our remote hotel in the far east, where, new day comes, the frozen world of ice caves awaits you!

We start at Diamond Beach, where glittering icebergs rest on vivid black sand like diamonds on velvet. After capturing amazing photos, we visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, famous for its enormous icebergs drifting out to sea and stunning wildlife.
Next is an unforgettable Blue Ice Cave tour, exploring natural ice formations deep within a glacier. We continue to Hofskirkja, a charming 19th-century turf church, before passing through the mossy Eldhraun Lava Field. Our final stop is Vík, where coastal views wrap up our day before heading back to Reykjavík.
Diamond Beach
First stop is the astounding Diamond Beach, where glittering fragments of icebergs are slowly sculpted into weird and wonderful shapes by the wind and waves. Lying on the vivid black sand like diamonds on a velvet cushion, the ice formations here are truly incredible. We'll bring you here first to ensure you capture the best photos, before heading to the source of these icebergs – the Glacier Lagoon at Jökulsárlón.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Just a few hundred yards inland lies the spectacular Glacier Lagoon of Jökulsárlón, featured in Batman and James Bond films. Here, enormous multi-colored icebergs break away from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and can spend up to five years slowly drifting out to sea, swaying back and forth as they continuously change in shape and size. Some icebergs are even striped with volcanic ash from ancient eruptions, offering a glimpse into geological time. Seals and seabirds also make their home here, so keep an eye out for them as they bask in the sun.
Blue Ice Cave Exploration
The highlight of our South Coast tour is a three-hour expedition to explore a unique natural blue ice cave. Hop aboard a Super Jeep to reach this rare phenomenon, nestled deep within a glacier – a sight that truly showcases the tremendous forces of Icelandic nature. Blue ice caves form naturally as fresh water freezes in plunging winter temperatures, with new caves created each year as glaciers freeze and melt into ever-changing shapes. It's a mesmerizing sight, filled with fantastic shapes in a range of colors. Our local guides will lead you to the most impressive blue ice caves in Vatnajökull National Park. Once you've been there, that blue ice cave may never exist again, making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Hofskirkja Church
Hofskirkja is thought to be among the last turf churches built in Iceland, dating back to the 19th century. Layers of green turf cover the roof of this storybook church, surrounded by moss-covered burial mounds, giving it the appearance of melting into the landscape. Rebuilt in the 1950s, it remains an active place of worship for locals, so this will be a quick stop for a photograph.
Eldhraun Lava Field
As we head back to the capital city, the landscape turns barren as we travel west through the Eldhraun lava field. This coastal area, shaped by the 1783 Laki eruption, is filled with rugged rock formations. Covered in a thick layer of moss, the lava field stretches far, showcasing Iceland's volcanic history and its powerful influence on the land.
VÍk Village
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland and a popular resting spot for travelers along the Ring Road. There's a beautiful hilltop church here with fantastic views of the coast, including the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks. We'll stop here so you can capture some great photos from this vantage point. From Vík, we'll take you back to Reykjavík, where the tour concludes with convenient drop-offs.