Snaefellsnes & south coast tour

You should definitely turn off the road at this spot for two reasons. Firstly, unlike most beaches in Iceland, it has light golden sand, not black, which is very rare. Secondly, a large colony of seals lives here. They play and hunt in the bay, and also rest on the warm rocks with their families. The best time to visit them is in the summer months, when there are much more chances to see them.

Located on the south side of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Búðakirkja is a local parish church that dates back to 1703. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, this quaint black church is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland. Búðakirkja is fully operational and has a historic graveyard too.

The small fishing town of Arnarstapi was once a bustling port and trading center serving the West Coast. Today, it is still a busy harbor in the summer months, serving private small fishing and cruise ships. Near the town there is a trail along the rocky shore, at the beginning of which you will be greeted by a stone giant, Bardur, a half-troll, half-man. After passing him, the path will lead to an unusual rock called Gatkletur, which translates as "a rock with a hole in it."

Vatnskellir (from the Icelandic water cave), 200 meters long, was opened in 2011. It has 2 galleries with lava formations, which are connected by a narrow spiral staircase. Further, on the coast, other basalt formations, the Londrangar rocks, rise from the sea to a height of 61 and 75 meters. They are closely circled by birds, and among them you can find dead ends!

It's hard to believe that in the past, and even now, farmers do not use the pastures near the rocks, as they are believed to belong to the elves who live there.

Although the Great Geysir is less active these days, it did lend its name to hot springs all over the world. It was the first geyser described in a printed source.

Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found in the Hvítá river canyon in Southwest Iceland. In sunny weather, regardless of the season, an incredibly beautiful rainbow stands above it.

Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir) is one of the best geological wonders in Iceland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Game of Thrones film location is only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. Explore an epic Icelandic landscape, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet!

Þingvellir means assembly fields and in the year 930 AD, Iceland’s historic democratic parliament – one of the first in the world – was founded there. Most Icelandic people regard Þingvellir as a sacred place, a place of great beauty and an incredible stepping stone in their history.

Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, boasting a height of approximately 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. You can walk right up to it, but be prepared to get drenched. It's truly overwhelming to stand next to this powerful natural wonder. Due to the substantial amount of mist it generates, you'll often witness beautiful rainbows on sunny days.

Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of some 60 meters and a width of 25 meters, and you can walk right up to, but be prepared to be drenched. It is just overwhelming standing next to it. Seeing that it produces a lot of drizzle then you will be able to see beautiful rainbows on sunny days.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a natural wonder of our world formed by the constant melting and breaking of the glacier.
The lake has grown at varying rates because of glacial melting. It is now 1.5 kilometres away from the ocean’s edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. It recently became the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 248 metres (814 feet), as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The Glacial Lagoon is part of Vatnajokull National Park.

Diamond Beach is a black sand beach located just beyond the bridge from the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The ice pieces are the remnants of the large icebergs from the lagoon. The ice really sparkles in the sun, just like diamonds. They stand out so well in contrast to the black sand. You can find some really large chunks, along with lots of smaller ones. You can walk around them and take some awesome pictures.
Prepare to be amazed at the most popular beach in Iceland!​

With its enormous basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves, and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches.
Reynisdrangar is so amazing that it was featured in Season 7 of the HBO Series Game of Thrones; you can spot it in a few scenes shot ‘North of the Wall’.
The sea stacks themselves are home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Species that can be found here include puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, making it a must-see location for all birdwatchers out there.