Self-Driving Tour of Iceland: 3-Day Itinerary
Are you thinking of stopping in Iceland for an extended layover? I couldn’t recommend this trip more! Icelandair graciously allows you to add a 1 to 7 day stopover at no extra charge. 3 days in Iceland will give you the perfect sample of the must-see highlights that the country has to offer. I recommend spending every night in Reykjavík and renting a car to do a self-guided tour. This itinerary takes highlights from the Golden Circle, Iceland’s famous tourist route that spans over 300 kilometers. While some people are able to cover the entire Golden Circle in one day (as it starts and ends in Reykjavík), we split it up between 2 days, allowing time to enjoy the stops. Therefore, we suggest taking day 1 to walk around downtown Reykjavík (and get over jetlag!) and be ready to hit the road to drive on days 2 and 3.
If you are concerned about driving, don’t be! My friends and I rented a car when we were 18 and thought it was incredibly safe and easy to drive to each of our stops. We did our tour in the summer, so of course, the conditions will be drastically different in Iceland’s winter wonderland. Most importantly, make sure your accommodation has black-out curtains! In the summer, don’t expect the sun to set until midnight, and sunrise happens just a mere 3 hours later.
Table of Contents
Day 1
Spend your first day exploring downtown Reykjavík, the country’s beautiful capital city. Even in the summer, you’ll need a light jacket to wander the streets. Be prepared for colorful buildings, delicious seafood, and breathtaking views of the North-Atlantic Ocean.
(1) Hallgrímskirkja Church
Start your tour at Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church with an unusual architectural style. This spectacular church is made of concrete and coated in white granite. It is located on a hilltop and provides a beautiful view of the city down below. After marveling at this landmark, walk down Skólavördustigur, a notable street with rainbow painted asphalt lined with shops and cafes. Welcome to the central heartbeat of Reykjavík!
(2) Sun Voyager and the Waterfront
Next, spend some time with the Sun Voyager sculpture on the beautiful waterfront. Admirers of this steel sculpture have described it as looking like a Viking ship, and the artist himself has said that it symbolizes the promise of an undiscovered land, bringing hope and prosperity to Iceland.
(3) Centre Area
From the Waterfront, explore the Centre Area, Reykjavík’s cute and quaint downtown zone. Notable highlights include the Reykjavík Art Museum and Harpa Concert Hall, although my favorite thing to do in this area is to grab local food and have a picnic in one of the tiny plazas (like Austurvöllur Square!).
Day 2
Put on those jackets and walking shoes. Let’s hit the road today!
(4) Seljarlandsfoss
Your first stop is Seljarlandsfoss, a beautiful waterfall in Iceland’s South Coast (foss means waterfall). Experience the beauty of walking behind the waterfall (and getting quite wet in the process!). The 200-foot cascade is located 1 hour and 45 minutes from Reykjavík and is an impressive site.
(5) Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Next, drive 50 minutes further southeast to Reynisfjara, an iconic black sand beach. The beach is black due to the volcanic rock that was ground down to form the sand. When we went, we couldn’t descend the cliff to walk on the actual beach due to dangerous conditions, but it’s possible that you will be able to press your feet into this ecological wonder. Even if not, it’s well worth the trip, as from the clifftop, you can see miles of black shoreline. There are only around 20 black sand beaches in the entire world, so to say this is a unique addition to your Iceland itinerary is an understatement.
(6) Blue Lagoon
Unwind from the long day of driving at the Blue Lagoon. This geothermal spa is located 3 hours from the black sand beach, but only 45 minutes from Reykjavík, so the drive home will be a breeze!
The Blue Lagoon is an incredibly popular tourist location, often bringing up the question of whether it is worth it to go. We thought that while there were quite a few tourists there, it was an absolutely necessary experience. If you only have a few days in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is worth your time and energy. It’s famous for a reason! Enjoy the bright blue water and relaxing vibes of the spa complex.
Day 3
One last day filled with adventure in our Iceland itinerary!
(7) Thingvellir National Park
Head to Thingvellir National Park, 45 minutes from Reykjavík. This UNESCO World Heritage site has plenty of hiking trails and is apparently a seismic rift valley that connects two tectonic plates. If you are a fan of water sports, Thingvellir is also a great location for snorkeling and diving tours.
(8) Geysir Geothermal Area
Another 45 minutes away is the breathtaking Geysir Geothermal Area which famously contains the Great Geysir. While you probably won’t see this actual geyser erupt, there are loads of smaller ones in the area that will shoot out water and steam. For instance, the Strokkur geyser erupts every 6 to 10 minutes and can reach a height of 20 meters! If you’re up for it, climb up the steep hill next to the hot pools and admire the geothermal park from above.
(9) Gullfoss Waterfall
This is your last stop on the Iceland itinerary driving tour! Gullfoss Falls is only 9 minutes from the Geysir Geothermal Area and will take your breath away. Gullfoss is made from 2 separate cascades, one dropping 11 meters and the other 21 meters. Don’t be surprised if you get misted by the waterfall, and if you’re lucky, you may even see a rainbow like we did!
That’s all for your self-driving tour in Iceland! While you won’t get deep into the country during your 3 days, you will experience Reykjavík and 6 wonderful stops. Wondering where to go after your layover in Iceland? Check out the guides to mainland European cities. Happy sampling!