3 Day Golden Circle & South Coast Tour

Duration

3 Day

Tour Type

Land Tours
Multiday Tours

Group Size

Minimum Age

8 years

3 Day Golden Circle & South Coast Tour

This 3-day small-group tour is perfect for those with limited time who want to experience the best of Iceland. It features unforgettable adventures, including stunning waterfalls, thrilling glacier hikes, and a visit to an ice cave at Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. In the evenings, you’ll stay far from towns and light pollution, giving you the best opportunity to witness the dazzling Northern Lights during the winter months.

Destination	All Year
Departs From	Reykjavik
Level	Easy
Accommodation	Included
Included	Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík Guided Minibus Tour Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Geysir & Þingvellir) Highlights of the South Coast Ice Cave Visit and Glacier Hiking Certified Glacier Guide English Speaking Tour Guide All Necessary Glacier Equipment All Required Safety Equipment Hotel Room with Private Bathroom for 2 nights Hotel Breakfasts on Days 2 & 3 Free WiFi on Board Your Bus
Excluded	New Katla Ice Cave (summer season only) Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir) Geysir Hot Springs Gullfoss Waterfall Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Skógafoss Waterfall Skaftafell – Vatnajökull National Park Svartifoss Waterfall (summer only) Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach Ice Cave Visit Reynisfjara – Black Beach & Basalt Columns Hekla – Volcano Views (weather permitting) Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (weather permitting) Eyjafjallajökull – Volcano / Glacier Views (weather permitting)
Travel With Bus

Details

This 3-day tour lets you experience both the Golden Circle and the South Coast, so you don’t have to choose between these iconic destinations—see it all! Start with the world-famous Golden Circle, where you’ll explore the Geysir geothermal area and watch Strokkur erupt with jets of boiling water. At Thingvellir National Park, walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and delve into its rich history. Wrap up the day with a visit to Gullfoss Waterfall, a breathtaking cascade plunging through a rugged canyon. Next, head to Iceland’s stunning South Coast. Marvel at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, where you can walk behind the cascading water. Visit the spectacular Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, known for its floating icebergs. Depending on the season, you’ll either hike on a glacier or explore the fascinating Katla Ice Cave. Other highlights include the dramatic Reynisfjara black sand beach and the majestic Skogafoss Waterfall. This comprehensive tour showcases Iceland’s most incredible natural wonders and offers a chance to see the magical Northern Lights during winter.

Your 3-day Golden Circle and South Coast adventure begins with the famous Golden Circle, featuring Þingvellir (Thingvellir), Geysir, and Gullfoss. Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where the Icelandic Parliament, Alþingi, was established in 930 C.E., making it the oldest continuously operating Parliament in the world. Þingvellir is not just historic—it’s a geological marvel. The park sits within a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. You can stand atop the Law Rock, where the Parliament’s orator, the Law Speaker, once delivered speeches. The cliffs offer stunning views over Þingvallavatn, a serene lake nestled within this remarkable landscape. Next, you'll visit the incredible Geysir Geothermal Area. Geysir, once a mighty geyser after which the English word "geyser" is named, is now dormant. However, its neighbor, Strokkur, never fails to impress. You won’t have to wait long to see Strokkur erupt, sending boiling water soaring up to 25 meters into the air. The tour continues to Gullfoss (the Golden Falls), Iceland’s most-visited waterfall. Here, the powerful Hvita ("White") River crashes down two tiers of cliffs into the rugged canyon below. The raw force of the falls, combined with the golden mist surrounding them, creates a truly breathtaking scene. After exploring the Golden Circle, you’ll head south. On clear days, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of Mount Hekla as you make your way to Seljalandsfoss, one of the most unique waterfalls in the world. You’ll have the chance to walk behind the falls, offering a stunning perspective from both sides. For the night, you’ll stay in the South Iceland region, a perfect spot to possibly catch the mesmerizing Northern Lights during the winter months (September to April), if the conditions align. A little luck can go a long way when it comes to witnessing this incredible natural display!

Day Highlights

Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
Geysir hot spring area
Gullfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Hekla - Volcano Views (weather permitting)Day

Included

Guided Minibus Tour
The Golden Circle (Geysir, Gullfoss and Þingvellir)
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Northern Lights (Sept–April, weather permitting)
One night at a hotel

In the morning, we’ll head east towards the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach. The lagoon is filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes, drifting gracefully towards the Atlantic’s salty waves. The beautiful array of colors in the ice comes from a combination of factors, including the compression of the ice. Many of these icebergs wash up on Diamond Beach, where they sparkle like diamonds against the black sand. There’s nothing quite like strolling along the beach as the sunlight casts brilliant blue hues on the icebergs. The area is full of ocean birds, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a playful seal. From Jökulsárlón, we’ll head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for an exciting new adventure. From October to April, we’ll meet our certified glacier guide and step into the captivating world of the Vatnajökull Glacier. During our stunning glacier hike, we’ll explore a natural ice cave where you'll have time to take in the sights and snap photos. Photographers will get a rare opportunity to capture the mysterious blue light that filters through the glacial ice. Along the way, your expert guide will share the fascinating story behind these stunning ice formations. In the summer, we’ll visit the Katla Ice Cave tour near Vik, the only natural ice cave you can explore year-round. For the night, you'll stay in the Skaftafell area, another perfect location to try your luck at spotting the Northern Lights if you're visiting between September and April! The ice cave we visit will be selected based on the current conditions. Combining both the ice cave and glacier hike, we’ll spend about 2 hours on the ice. This tour is suitable for those who are comfortable walking for around 2 hours over easy outdoor terrain. Since the temperature inside the ice cave is well below freezing, make sure to dress warmly. You’ll stay overnight at the same hotel – Adventure Hotel Geirland.

Day Highlights

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The Diamond Beach
Glacier Hike & Natural Ice Cave (winter only)
Glacier Hike (winter only)
Vatnajokull Glacier
Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Svartifoss Waterfall

Included

Breakfast at the hotel
Guided Minibus Tour
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Guided ice cave and glacier hike tour
Hike to Svartifoss Waterfall (summer only)
Northern Lights (Sept–April, weather permitting)
One night in a hotel

After a hearty breakfast, we'll begin our journey back to Reykjavik, making plenty of stops along the way. If the roads are clear, we’ll kick things off with a quick detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Next, we’ll visit the iconic Eldhraun lava field before heading to Reynisfjara black beach. The powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean really make an impact here as they crash onto the black sand. Be mindful—the waves can be unpredictable, so always listen to your tour guide’s advice. Before leaving the beach, take some time to explore the black basalt cave. Reynisfjara is famous for the Reynisdrangar, the towering basalt columns just off the shore. Looking up at these dramatic formations, it’s easy to see how Icelandic troll folklore was inspired! After Reynisfjara, our next stop will be Skógafoss, a stunning waterfall that cascades 60 meters into a peaceful pool below. There are 527 steps leading to the top, and while the climb is steep, the panoramic view from the top is well worth it. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano towering above the waterfall. After soaking in the beauty of Skógafoss, your 3-Day Iceland’s South Coast tour will come to an end. We’ll make our way back to Reykjavík, arriving between 16:00 and 19:00, depending on the weather conditions.