Iceland Golden Circle, Ice Cave & Glacier Lagoon 3-Day Tour

Summary

Golden Circle geysers, glacier lagoon ice cave hike and South Coast waterfalls in three days

You’ll stand behind roaring waterfalls, watch blue icebergs drift across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, hike with a local guide into a natural ice cave, and walk windswept black sand beaches on this 3-day Iceland tour from Reykjavik. There’s time for stories, silence, and maybe even Northern Lights if luck’s on your side—just bring warm socks.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever seen a waterfall from behind?" our guide Jón asked as we shuffled out of the van near Seljalandsfoss. I thought he was joking until we were actually standing behind that curtain of water, mist soaking my jacket and the sound so loud you could feel it in your chest. The air smelled like wet stone and moss — sharp, almost metallic. That was just the first morning on this Golden Circle & South Coast tour from Reykjavik, and honestly, I already felt like I was somewhere outside my usual life.

The drive between stops felt like flipping through a book of landscapes: lava fields covered in green fuzz, tiny horses with wild manes (I tried to get a selfie but they were more interested in grass), then those geysers at Geysir — Strokkur shot up right as I was trying to film it and I flinched so hard my video is just sky. Jón had stories for everything; he pointed out where the tectonic plates meet at Thingvellir and told us about the parliament that met there a thousand years ago. It’s weird to think people have been gathering in these wild places for so long.

But nothing hit me quite like Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. We reached it early on day two — cold wind off the water, icebergs floating by looking blue and ancient. Some seals popped up (they really do look curious). We wandered Diamond Beach too; black sand with chunks of ice scattered everywhere like someone dropped a box of crystals. The main keyword here is definitely “ice cave” though — crawling into one felt surreal. The light inside was this deep blue, almost humming quiet except for our boots crunching on frozen ground. Our glacier guide Ása explained how these caves change every year; she joked that next winter her favorite tunnel might not even exist anymore.

The last day was slower but I didn’t mind. Reynisfjara’s black sand beach looked even moodier under gray clouds, waves pounding hard enough to make you step back instinctively (Jón kept warning us about “sneaker waves” — he wasn’t kidding). Skógafoss was loud and bright with spray; climbing those steps left me breathless but the view over the plains was worth it. On the way back toward Reykjavik, everyone got quiet for a bit watching Hekla volcano appear through gaps in the clouds. Sometimes you just run out of words for what you’re seeing out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Golden Circle and travel south

• Visit Thingvellir National Park
• See Strokkur geyser erupt
• Visit Gullfoss waterfall
• Travel to hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur
• Watch for Northern Lights

Day 2 — Glacier lagoon and ice cave tour

• Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Walk along Diamond Beach
• Glacier hike at Skaftafell
• Explore natural ice cave

Day 3 — South Coast sightseeing and return

• Drive with stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
• Explore Eldhraun lava field
• Visit Reynisfjara black sand beach
• See Skógafoss waterfall and climb stairs
• View Mount Hekla volcano
• Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Return to Reykjavík

Top questions

How long is the Golden Circle & Ice Cave tour?

This Iceland tour lasts three days with two nights’ accommodation included.

Is hotel pickup included for this Iceland South Coast tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from select Reykjavik locations are included.

Do I need special equipment for the glacier hike or ice cave?

No special gear needed—just warm outdoor clothing and good hiking shoes as recommended by the operator.

Which waterfalls will we see on this 3-day trip?

You’ll visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls along with others along the route.

Can children join this Golden Circle & Glacier Lagoon tour?

The minimum age is 8 years old for safety reasons.

Are meals or lunch included during the tour?

Meals aren’t specified as included; breakfast is provided at hotels but other meals are at your own expense.

What happens if weather conditions change?

The itinerary may be adjusted by your guide to ensure safety—sometimes routes or activities change due to weather.

Will we definitely see Northern Lights during this trip?

Northern Lights sightings aren’t guaranteed—they depend on weather and solar activity—but you might see them if conditions are right between August and May.

What’s included

Your three days include pickup from Reykjavik hotels, guided transport by minibus with WiFi onboard, all entry fees for sites like Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and an ice cave (or glacier hike if caves are inaccessible), two nights’ accommodation near Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur with breakfast each morning, visits to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls plus key stops along Iceland’s Golden Circle route before returning to Reykjavik in the evening.