Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Iceland: the Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes and the South Coast
5 days from Reykjavik: a full day on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Golden Circle with a soak in the Secret Lagoon, and two nights in the south for the waterfalls and black beaches to Vik.
5 days · Round trip from Reykjavik · up to 12 guests
The lake at Rif on the north shore of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_in_Rif,_Sn%C3%A6fellsnes,_Iceland,_20240714_1602_0698.jpg)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Start and end
- Round trip from Reykjavik
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Longest drive
- 6 h on day 2
- Activity level
Easy
Walks of 1 to 3 km at most stops on uneven, often wet paths, with a few steps. The longest is the optional 2.5 km cliff path from Arnarstapi to Hellnar, about an hour, and the roughly 500 steps beside Skogafoss are optional too. Day 2 is about six hours in the minibus with seven stops; the other days are about three hours or a little more, and you can stay with the vehicle at any stop.
- Meals included
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
- Room of your own
- + CAD 750 (estimated price)
- Season
- April to October
Highlights
Why this trip
- A whole day on Snaefellsnes: the black church at Budir, the Arnarstapi cliffs, Djupalonssandur and Kirkjufell in the afternoon light
- Thingvellir at about 8:45, before most day coaches, walking down the Almannagja rift at the edge of the North American plate
- Strokkur and Gullfoss, then a soak in the Secret Lagoon at Fludir, entry included
- Two nights near Hvolsvollur, so the South Coast gets a full, unhurried day
- Reynisfjara by about 9:30, before the coaches from Reykjavik, and Seljalandsfoss last, in its afternoon light
- Skogafoss, the Dyrholaey arch and a walk to the snout of the Solheimajokull glacier
- The LAVA Centre and the old village of Eyrarbakki on the way to your flight, or a drop in central Reykjavik if you stay on
What makes this trip different
Short drives, all published
Every drive is listed day by day. The longest is 6 h, on day 2.
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 750 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
The longest drive is 6 h, on day 2.
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Keflavik International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavik
- Welcome dinner
- Stay in Reykjavik
- Drive about 45 min
Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF), about 50 km from Reykjavik across the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Morning
Many flights from North America land early in the morning, so a private transfer takes you straight into the city and the hotel holds your bags until your room is ready; early check-in is something we request but cannot promise. Sleep, find breakfast, or swim at one of the city's geothermal pools, where locals sit in the hot tubs in all weathers. At 3 pm your See Sight Tours guide meets the group for an easy two-hour walk: up to Hallgrimskirkja, along the pond at Tjornin past City Hall and the Parliament House, then down to the Old Harbour and the glass front of the Harpa concert hall.
Evening
We finish with a short briefing on the days ahead and walk together to a welcome dinner in the centre, a first taste of Icelandic lamb or fish.
Included
- Private transfer from Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
- Guided walk in Reykjavik: Hallgrimskirkja, Tjornin, City Hall, the Parliament House, the Old Harbour and Harpa
- Welcome briefing and welcome dinner
Optional experiences
- Whale watching from the Old Harbour in the morning, about 3 hours (seasonal; price shown at booking)
- Sky Lagoon in Kopavogur after dinner (price shown at booking)
Free time: Free until the 3 pm walk
Activity: If you land after about 2 pm, we meet you at the hotel and you join the group at dinner.
A day on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Reykjavik to Borgarnes, Budir, Arnarstapi and Djupalonssandur, then Rif and Kirkjufell, and back to Reykjavik
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Reykjavik
- Drive about 6 h
This is the one day that breaks our four-hour driving rule: about 460 km and six hours at the wheel.
Evening
A night on the peninsula would mean a third hotel and a one-night stop, so we drive it once, with no leg longer than about an hour and a half, seven stops and a sit-down lunch. We leave at 8 am, under Hvalfjordur by tunnel, for coffee in Borgarnes. On the south shore of the peninsula, the small black church at Budir stands alone in a lava field. At Arnarstapi, basalt cliffs and sea arches line the shore below Snaefellsjokull, the glacier-capped volcano Jules Verne chose for the start of his Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Lunch is included near Hellnar. At Djupalonssandur a path through lava leads to a black pebble beach, iron from a trawler wrecked in 1948, and four old lifting stones. Round the tip we pass the lake at Rif and the fishing town of Olafsvik, and reach Kirkjufell, 463 m, and its waterfall at about 3:30 pm. The drive home crosses the peninsula with a stretch stop in Borgarnes; back in Reykjavik by about 7:30 to 8 pm. Dinner is yours.
Included
- Snaefellsnes Peninsula with your guide: Budir church, the Arnarstapi cliffs, Djupalonssandur, Rif and Olafsvik
- Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss
- Snaefellsjokull National Park
- Sit-down lunch near Hellnar
Easier option: Stay in Reykjavik for a free day: the National Museum, a city pool or the Sky Lagoon, and dinner with the group when it returns.
More active option: Walk the 2.5 km cliff path from Arnarstapi to Hellnar, about an hour past sea arches and nesting birds, and meet the minibus at lunch.
Free time: Evening free in Reykjavik
Activity: The longest day: about six hours in the minibus, broken by seven stops and lunch, with no leg longer than about an hour and a half. Short walks of up to 1 km at each stop on uneven ground; the Djupalonssandur path is rocky.
The Golden Circle and the Secret Lagoon
Reykjavik to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, then the Secret Lagoon at Fludir and south to Hvolsvollur
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Hvolsvollur
- Drive about 3.5 h
We leave Reykjavik at 8 am and reach Thingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes away, before most of the day coaches. Iceland's parliament, the Althing, first met here in 930, and the park is listed by UNESCO. Walk down through the Almannagja rift, along the edge of the North American plate, to the Law Rock, the small white church and the Oxararfoss waterfall. It is about an hour on to the Geysir geothermal field, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, often 15 to 20 m into the air, and ten minutes more to Gullfoss, where the Hvita river drops in two steps into a narrow canyon.
Afternoon
Lunch is included near Gullfoss. In the afternoon we soak in the Secret Lagoon at Fludir, a naturally hot pool made in 1891 among steaming vents, before an easy drive of about an hour and a quarter south through farm country to our hotel in or near Hvolsvollur, home for two nights.
Evening
The evening is free.
Included
- Thingvellir National Park with your guide: the Almannagja rift, the Law Rock and Oxararfoss
- Geysir geothermal field and Strokkur
- Gullfoss
- Sit-down lunch near Gullfoss
- Secret Lagoon at Fludir, entry included
Easier option: At Thingvellir, take in the view from the Hakid viewpoint and ride down to the lower car park; at the lagoon, sit in the cafe or the hot tub instead of swimming.
More active option: Walk the full length of Almannagja to Oxararfoss and on to the church, about 2.5 km, and meet the minibus there.
Free time: Evening free near Hvolsvollur
Activity: About 3 km on foot at Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss on good paths, some steps at Gullfoss. Bring a swimsuit and towel for the lagoon.
The South Coast to Vik
Hvolsvollur east to Reynisfjara and Vik, then back west by Dyrholaey, Solheimajokull, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Hvolsvollur
- Drive about 3 h
The reason for two nights in the south: a whole day on the coast without a transfer. We leave at 8 am and drive to the far end first, about an hour to an hour and a quarter, so we are on Reynisfjara by about 9:15 to 9:30, before the day coaches from Reykjavik: black sand, the basalt columns of the Gardar cliff and the sea stacks of Reynisdrangar offshore. The waves here are dangerous, so we follow the warning signs and keep well back from the water. A short look at Vik, then Dyrholaey, the headland with a great sea arch, where puffins nest from about May to August.
Afternoon
Next we walk to the snout of Solheimajokull, a glacier tongue of the Myrdalsjokull ice cap, and stop for an included lunch at Skogar below Skogafoss, a 60 m fall that throws out rainbows on sunny days. We finish at Seljalandsfoss, which faces west and is at its best in afternoon light; when the path is free of ice you can walk behind it.
Evening
Back by about 4:30 pm, with time to rest before our group dinner.
Included
- Reynisfjara and Reynisdrangar
- Vik
- Dyrholaey headland and sea arch
- Walk to the snout of Solheimajokull
- Skogafoss
- Seljalandsfoss and the path behind the falls
- Sit-down lunch at Skogar
- Group dinner near Hvolsvollur
Easier option: See Skogafoss from the flat ground at its foot, and Seljalandsfoss from the front, without the wet, slippery path behind it.
More active option: Climb the roughly 500 steps beside Skogafoss and follow the Skoga river trail upstream past more falls, about an hour there and back.
Free time: Late afternoon free before dinner
Activity: About 4 km on foot across the day: sand and shingle at Reynisfjara, a gravel path of about 1 km each way to the glacier, and spray at Seljalandsfoss, so wear waterproofs.
The LAVA Centre, Eyrarbakki and home
Hvolsvollur to Selfoss and Eyrarbakki, across the Olfusa estuary to Thorlakshofn, then Reykjavik and Keflavik International Airport
- Breakfast
- Drive about 2.5 h
Morning
A slower last morning. After breakfast we spend about an hour at the LAVA Centre in Hvolsvollur, an interactive exhibition on Iceland's volcanoes and earthquakes, with a view from the building towards Eyjafjallajokull, whose 2010 eruption grounded flights across Europe. Then we drive west through Selfoss to Eyrarbakki, once a busy trading port and now a quiet village of old timber houses by the sea; Husid, the merchant's house, dates from 1765. The road crosses the mouth of the Olfusa, Iceland's largest river by volume, on a long bridge over the estuary at Oseyrartangi, then climbs from Thorlakshofn over the lava of the Threngsli pass towards the capital.
Afternoon
Guests staying on are dropped in central Reykjavik at about 1 pm, and the rest of us reach Keflavik International Airport by about 2 pm, in time for the afternoon flights to North America. Your guide says goodbye at the airport.
Included
- LAVA Centre in Hvolsvollur, entry included
- Short walk in Eyrarbakki
- Drop-off in central Reykjavik or at Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
Easier option: If your flight leaves before about 3:30 pm, we take you straight to the airport after the LAVA Centre.
Activity: Book a flight leaving after about 4 pm to see both stops. Lunch today is your choice, at the airport or in Reykjavik.
- Reykjavik2 nights
- Hvolsvollur2 nights
- Reykjavikend
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: From May to July the nights barely get dark, and puffins nest at Dyrholaey from about May to August, when parts of the headland can close to protect the birds. April and October are cooler, with a chance of snow and ice on paths, and in October the drive home from Snaefellsnes on day 2 ends after dark. The Northern Lights need dark, clear skies, so they are only possible on departures from about late August, in September and October, and in April.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- A first visit to Iceland, or a stop on the way to or from Europe
- Travellers who do not want to drive Iceland's roads in wind and rain
- Solo travellers who want a small group and fair single pricing
- Seeing both Snaefellsnes and the South Coast without changing hotel every night
Not for you if you want
- Glacier hikes, ice caves or long treks; this is a sightseeing trip with short walks
- The Glacier Lagoon, the East Fjords or Lake Myvatn: take the Ring Road trip
- Travellers who mind one six-hour driving day
- A winter Northern Lights trip
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
4 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Reykjavik2 nights
- Hvolsvollur2 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 4 nights: 2 in central Reykjavik and 2 in or near Hvolsvollur
- Hotels of a 3-star-plus standard with private bathrooms; we name each hotel when we confirm your dates
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
Transport
- Private transfers from and to Keflavik International Airport (KEF), with a drop in central Reykjavik on day 5 if you stay on
- A private minibus and professional driver for the group from day 2 to day 5
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide with the group from the day 1 walk to the airport on day 5
Activities
- Guided walk in Reykjavik
- Snaefellsnes: Budir, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur, Rif, Olafsvik and Kirkjufell
- Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss
- Secret Lagoon at Fludir, entry included
- Reynisfjara, Vik, Dyrholaey and the walk to Solheimajokull
- Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss
- LAVA Centre in Hvolsvollur, entry included
- Eyrarbakki
- All parking and site fees for included stops
Meals
- 4 breakfasts
- 3 lunches, on days 2, 3 and 4
- 2 dinners: a welcome dinner in Reykjavik and a group dinner near Hvolsvollur
Not included
- International flights to and from Keflavik
- Travel insurance
- Any visa or travel authorisation fee, such as ETIAS once it applies
- Lunches on days 1 and 5, and dinners on days 2 and 3
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities, such as whale watching and the Sky Lagoon
- Towel or swimsuit hire at the lagoon
- Personal expenses
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 750 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
What does the price include?
Four nights in hotels with private bathrooms, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches on the touring days and 2 dinners, private airport transfers both ways, a minibus and driver, your See Sight Tours guide throughout, and every stop in the day plan, including the Secret Lagoon, the LAVA Centre and all parking and site fees.
How big is the group?
The small-group trip runs with 7 to 12 guests in one minibus, so everyone hears the guide at each stop and fits around one table at lunch. Some Iceland group tours take up to 16 or 18 guests, and coach tours far more.
Who leads the trip?
A See Sight Tours guide stays with the group from the walk on day 1 to the airport on day 5. A professional driver handles the minibus, so your guide is free to walk with you, explain what you are seeing and change the order of stops for weather. We name your guide when we confirm your dates.
How fit do I need to be?
If you can walk 1 to 3 km on uneven, sometimes wet paths, you will be fine. The longer walks, the Arnarstapi cliff path and the Skogafoss steps, are optional, and you can stay with the minibus at any stop. The Snaefellsnes day is long in the vehicle rather than hard on foot.
Is the Snaefellsnes day too long?
It is long, and we say so: about 460 km and six hours of driving, back in Reykjavik by about 7:30 to 8 pm. No leg runs much over an hour and a half, with seven stops and a sit-down lunch, and you can stay in Reykjavik that day instead. The other days have about three hours of driving.
I'm travelling solo. What does a room of my own cost?
A room of your own is from CAD 750 more than the shared price, shown before you book with no surprise at checkout. Solo travellers are welcome on every departure, and you never have to drive: the driver and guide handle the roads, the weather and the stops.
When is the best time to go?
We run this trip from April to October. June to August brings the longest days, the mildest weather and puffins at Dyrholaey. May and September are quieter at the big sights. April and October are cooler, with a chance of icy paths, and the Northern Lights are possible from about late August.
Can I add this trip to a stopover on the way to Europe?
Yes, that is what it is designed for. It starts and ends at Keflavik, and Icelandair lets many transatlantic passengers stop in Iceland without extra airfare; check the rules on your ticket. Land on the morning of day 1 and book an onward flight after about 4 pm on day 5.
Should I choose this trip or the Iceland Ring Road?
Choose this one for a short break: five days, two hotels, and Snaefellsnes, which the Ring Road trip leaves out. Choose the nine-day Ring Road for the Glacier Lagoon, the East Fjords and Lake Myvatn. Both cover the Golden Circle and the South Coast waterfalls.
Do I need a visa for Iceland?
Canadian and US citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in Iceland, which is in the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the day you leave. Europe's ETIAS travel authorisation is due to start for visa-free visitors; we confirm before you fly whether it applies.
How does booking work?
Pick your start date and request to book; no payment is taken at that point. We check hotels, the minibus and your guide for that date and confirm within 24 hours. The small group starts from CAD 3,785 per person sharing, taxes included, and the private trip from CAD 6,810 per person.
Can we travel privately or on our own dates?
Yes. Besides the small group, the trip comes as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose, with your own guide and vehicle; it can add a night on Snaefellsnes. If you would rather travel independently on your own dates, ask us from the dates section and we will quote the same route and hotels.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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