While there are many guided tour options for Iceland’s various adventurous sites, we decided to rent a car and drive to our particular points of interest on our own time schedule. We heeded the advice of the car rental company and got full coverage—including for windshield damage which is rather common when venturing beyond Reykjavik. Our first mini road trip was set to explore the South of Iceland hitting Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara. We had an incredible time and not included on the guide, we had the chance to stop off at barns and homes built into caves which my son really loved exploring and would have been a missed opportunity had we booked a tour. We had a great experience with our self guided road trip and I would highly recommend this option for your time in Iceland.

Brauð & Co

The first part of our journey from Reykjavik to the southern part of Iceland, brought us to the popular bakery, Brauð & Co. We selected some sweet and savory breakfast pastries to share and coffees for the road. Immediately on entering the bakery, the waft of baking butter and sugar hit your senses in perfect balance. The service was very friendly and their signature cinnamon roll is worth a visit alone. There are several locations, we elected to go to the Brauð & Co nearest to our hotel to make good time to our next destination.

Seljalandsfoss

The drive from Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss was really scenic and stunning. Snow capped mountains, golden fields dotted with Icelandic horses and sheep made for a very pleasant drive. After a stop in Hella for some shopping, we made our way to Seljalandsfoss. This famous waterfall was simply stunning and easily viewable as you approach on the drive in. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll find a parking lot where for about $7 USD you can park. We packed extra socks, boots, and waterproof pants for the Seljalandsfoss experience. As you approach the waterfall expect to get a bit wet and also expect it to be worth it. On the trail you’ll experience the power of the waterfall and have the unique perspective of getting behind it as well. Wear good shoes as the rock, water, and ice make for a slippery trek. After your hike, head into the gift shop for wool goods, plush stuffed animals, and postcards.

Skogafoss

Next, we drove to another famous Icelandic waterfall, Skogafoss. Parking here is easy and free. While it is larger than Seljalandsfoss, you can only take in the view front facing, or by climbing a steep set of stairs to the top. We had a 2:30 horseback riding appointment in Vik so we did not have time to catch the aerial view, but the lower view was really incredible. You’ll also notice the unique black sands at the base of the waterfall.

Reynisfjara

Of course, Reynisfjara was on our bucket list. The stunning contrast of the crashing waves off of the Atlantic ocean with the black sand beaches were reason enough to want to go to Vik. Being a fan of Game of Thrones and Star Wars fan gave us additional reason to want to see this iconic setting. Our love of the beach and of horseback riding led us to book a horseback ride tour of the beach. Originally brought to Iceland by the Vikings, the Icelandic horses are gorgeous with long coats of hair that we were told would grow an additional two inches by winter’s end before shedding for the summer. The horses have a unique trot that we got to experience on the trail. Entering the black sand beach on horseback was a very cool experience that I highly recommend.

Skool Beans

After our ride, we were ready for a warm beverage and small bites and decided to head to Skool Beans, which was just down the road from the stables. We ordered two Americanos, one with the house roasted Papua New Guinea beans and one with El Salvador on site roasted beans. Both were excellent! The little ordered the apple pie hot shake that got rave reviews!