Our Day-to-Day Adventures
We were lucky enough to spend 14 days traveling throughout Iceland: exploring geothermal hot springs, traversing towering glaciers, climbing dormant volcanoes and seeing countless waterfalls.
Since there are so many must-see spots and hidden gems scattered throughout the country, you might be asking yourself “how do I plan a trip to Iceland?!”
Well, we feel that by planning your own self-guided road trip along Iceland’s famous Ring Road, you can enjoy more of what this awe-inspiring country has to offer.
In this travel guide, we outline our day-to-day itinerary, including maps and locations of where we stayed and what we saw, so you too can plan your very own incredible Icelandic adventure!
Need help planning the rest of your trip to Iceland? Check out Experience Iceland: A Helpful Guide for the Land of Fire and Ice.
Day 1: Soaking in Blue Lagoon and Exploring Reykjavik
We chose to experience one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions as soon as we landed – soaking in the mineral pools at the world famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. The soothing, warm waters filled us with a sense of calm and peace, so much so that Chetna fell asleep in my arms!
After feeling the most relaxed we’ve ever felt and enjoying a delicious lunch at Lava Restaurant, we left via shuttle towards Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik.
Our hostel (Reykjavik Hostel Village) was located very close to the city center, which was the perfect starting point for our self-guided walking tour. The city is filled with buildings, sculptures and spaces that are inspired by a mixture of modern and Scandinavian influences: Sólfarið – Sun Voyager Sculpture, Harpa Concert Hall, Cathedral of Christ the King, Austurvöllur Public Square, Bankastræti Main Street are just some of the spots that we enjoyed.
We stood in awe staring at Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral towering above us, designed to look reminiscent of the basalt rock column formations found throughout Iceland.
We finished off our evening with a simple dinner on Bankastræti and meandered through the city streets, admiring street art, while the sky slowly changed colors as the sun set.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Purchase alcohol at the airport duty free store. Alcohol at restaurants is very expensive and liquor stores are fairly sparse.
∗ Book your Blue Lagoon experience ahead of time, along with shuttle bus transfers to and from the spa. Get there early to avoid the chaos that crowds bring.
∗ Blue Lagoon is located enroute from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. Consider going after landing or prior to departing to save on time and transportation costs.
∗ Try the hot dog street vendors. They are infamous and a cheap, delicious snack!
Blue Lagoon
Lava Restaurant
Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral
Day 2: Waking Up in a Volcano
Where else in the world can you hike to a dormant volcano, be lowered into an empty magma chamber and explore a volcano from the inside?! Although a relatively expensive tour, Inside The Volcano is a unique, natural phenomenon and an experience of a lifetime.
The hike to the volcano filled us with anticipation and, as we were lowered into the empty void, we were positively beaming with amazement! Stepping onto the magma chamber floor, we explored the once beating heart of this volcano – seeing the different colors and touching the now solid rock.
Returning from the tour absolutely awe-struck, we were greeted, at our hostel, by Go Campers’ pick-up shuttle. We signed some papers, buckled in and were off. First stop, the nearest grocery store to stock up, then to the Golden Circle and Þingvellir (pronounced ‘Thingvellir’) National Park.
Enroute, we stopped at our first waterfall, Öxarárfoss! It’s a scenic and relaxing walk to the falls, along basalt formations and between what seems like a crack in the earth’s crust. This picturesque waterfall was only a glimpse of what was to come over the next two weeks.
Finally arriving at our campsite, Nyrðri Leirar campground, we excitedly cooked our first campervan meal and enjoyed it as the sky slowly turned orange, red then purple.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Most campervan companies have a stockpile of leftover food and supplies – stock up before heading out.
∗ Bonus, Krónan and Netto are the cheaper grocery stores in Iceland. We definitely recommend them, as they have plenty of locations along Ring Road and nearly everything you’ll ever need.
Inside The Volcano
Þingvellir National Park
#CampervanLife
Day 3: Snorkelling Between Continents & The Golden Circle
It’s only day 3 and we’re crossing off another item from our bucket list – swimming between tectonic plates. We suited up with Snorkeling Silfra and plunged into the crystal clear albeit frigid waters.
Looking down into the depths of the fissure was unreal (the clarity was over 100 meters!) – having realized the sheer magnitude of swimming between the Earth’s crust. The entire experience left us wide-eyed and exhilarated. A trip to Þingvellir would be incomplete without experiencing Silfra!
After drying off, we explored other parts of Þingvellir National Park and the Golden Circle: the bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers of Strokkur and Geysir, the cascading falls of Gullfoss and the tranquility of Kerið Crater Lake – each formed and shaped by natural, untamed forces. Chetna’s eyes lit up with excitement every time the geysers erupted – she could have spent an entire day watching them.
As daylight dwindled and night approached, we continued eastward on Ring Road, detouring to see the highest volume waterfall in Iceland, Urridafoss. In the darkness, we noticed a spectacular waterfall from the highway – Seljalandsfoss! We were the only ones present to see and hear the beauty of this waterfall.
We ended up spending the night at the Hamragarðar campground (next to Seljalandsfoss) and went to sleep imagining what the falls would look like in the morning.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Consider purchasing a waterproof case and wrist strap for your smartphone to take videos/pictures at Silfra.
∗ Carry spare change to use the mostly coin operated showers available at some campgrounds (around 300 Krona per use).
Snorkeling Silfra
Geysir Geyser
Kerið Crater Lake
Day 4: In Search of Waterfalls, Mountain Pools and Plane Crashes
The Seljalandsfoss area is spectacular, with hidden waterfalls including Gljúfrabúi. Only a 10-minute walk from the Hamragarðar campground, Seljalandsfoss is popular because you can actually walk behind the falls where the mountain has been undercut by erosion! The waterfall itself is majestic and the path leading behind it is easy to traverse although very slippery in sections.
Afterwards, we set off to find a hidden gem in the mountains, the Seljavallalaug geothermal pool – one of the oldest geothermal pools built in Iceland. From the parking area, a well worn trail followed the river through a quiet, picturesque valley.
After 20 minutes of hiking we saw the pool, perched on the side of a mountain! It was a very calm and relaxed vibe, with most people drinking and lounging in and around the pool’s edge – the cool mountain breeze was a beautiful contrast to the soothing, warm waters. This spot ended up being the perfect place for us to enjoy our picnic lunch.
Recharged, we were back on Ring Road, headed towards another iconic landmark, Skogafoss. We climbed the stairs to the top of the falls, stopping halfway to peer down into the falls and “kiss the rock face”. From the top, the rush of water cascading down and the surrounding mountains and green hillsides was breathtaking.
Not too far away from Skogafoss was the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck. It’s a deceptively long, albeit flat walk (4km each way) from the parking area to the wreck along an expansive beach. The plane wreck was hidden behind black sand dunes and wasn’t visible until we were very close.
Poking our heads in and out of the windows and walking through the cabin, we explored the twisted wreckage of the downed 1974-era plane. The bare grey metal against the dark black sand and the rich blue sky made for some fantastic photos – definitely a photographer’s dream.
Arriving in Vik, we stayed at the Vik Camping campground, stopping for a delicious dinner at Suður-Vík restaurant. We hunkered down for the night but, as we peered out the window, what did we see? The Northern Lights! We were dancing with excitement as the glowing emerald lights snaked and streaked across the night sky. Little did we know, we would witness this wondrous spectacle for the next five nights…
PRO TIPS:
∗ Natural geothermal pools tend to have algae growing on its surfaces. Water shoes can help prevent you from slipping on the slimy rocks.
∗ Consider bringing a tripod and definitely learn how to capture long exposure images of the Northern Lights BEFORE you get to Iceland.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljavallalaug Geothermal Pool
Solheimasandur Plane Crash
Day 5: Black Sand Beaches, Winding Canyons and Waterfalls
We started the day backtracking to see the Dyrhólaey arch rock formation from Kirkjufjara beach, then drove to the eastern side of Reynisfjara beach to see the Reynisdrangar (‘phallic’) rock formation and explore a basalt cave called Hálsanefshellir. A massive wall of basalt columns occupies Reynisfjara beach begging to be conquered. For GOT fans, this is the beach at Eastwatch where the men in the night’s watch are guarding the wall!
Heading east, our next stop was the twisting walls, winding ridges and sheer drops of Fjaðrárgljúfur Masjid Canyon. Capturing the spectacular angles of the canyon is worth the bumpy drive in. Masjid has a few tempting paths that lead beyond the rope barriers, but are blocked off to prevent further erosion of the cliffs. Stick to the designated areas to help preserve the structural integrity of the canyon!
We stopped in nearby Kirkjubaejarklaustur (picking up what we found out later to be a very expensive, $10 loaf of bread), then continued towards the Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park (Iceland’s largest national park). The trail to Svartifoss took us past a small waterfall where you could walk right to the edge of the falls. And, walking along the riverbed near that waterfall, there was a little creepy looking shack that we explored.
(Side note, if your partner tells you to “go check it out” and you proceed to open the door and take a step inside only to have your partner scream and scare the living daylight out of you… you’ve been warned). The final trek to Svartifoss included panoramic views of the surrounding Skaftafell area.
We were able to admire the black basalt columns of Svartifoss without a soul in sight – the thunderous falls echoing through the cathedral-like chamber. With the evening sunlight fading, we hiked back to the trailhead, checked into the campground and enjoyed another night of auroras.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Reynisfjara beach gets pretty busy near the parking lot. Walking a few minutes down the beach will get you away from the crowds.
∗ Even in the summer, the Skaftafell area is much colder at night due to its proximity to the Vatnajokull glacier. Pack an extra fleece because you will definitely need it here!
Dyrhólaey Arch
Fjaðrárgljúfur Masjid Canyon
Svartifoss
Day 6: Towering Glaciers and Iceberg Lagoons
Our morning started off with a half day trek with Glacier Guides, where we actually set foot on a glacier! With crampons strapped to our boots and an ice axe in-hand, we were guided up the towering wall of ice that is Falljökull glacier – exploring ice caves, peering into cravasses and tasting the fresh melt-water (Fji water taste like dirt in comparison).
The climb was well paced with great information and lots of opportunities for photos. I was worried Chetna would slip and fall, but the tour was incident free…well, until…
We arrived back at the Vatnajokull visitor center and explored the information center (including the nearby food-truck for lobster bisque and fries!) before walking back to our campervan. Note: Parking lots are notoriously dangerous areas. One wrong step over a parking divider can lead to falling face-first onto the pavement.
Unfortunately, Chetna discovered this the hard way. Who knew a parking lot was filled with more hazards than a shifting glacier!
To mend a swollen face and bruised self-esteem, we drove in search of ice… Thankfully our next stops were Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon and Diamond Beach! The massive icebergs loomed in the water, some a brilliant blue, others with dark bands of earth and rocks.
We saw crystal-like icebergs on diamond beach and even caught a glimpse of a pair of leopard seals chasing each other in the water! A rogue wave caught a few of us by surprise, washing very far up the shore and completely soaking Chetna’s socks. (This was not her day, but she pushed through with a smile.)
To dry off and end the day, we stopped in Hofn for the night (Camping Höfn) and enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the highly acclaimed Pakkhus restaurant. I was told I must try the langoustine – it was absolutely divine. Also, they serve a thirst quenching ginger beer that’s worth a try!
PRO TIPS:
∗ Waterproof jacket, pants and gloves are highly recommended glacier hiking essentials. Iceland’s unpredictable weather makes this gear vital – always keep it in your daypack regardless of the weather forecast.
∗ Use extreme caution if you use your phone or camera to take pictures on the glacier. Someone in our group almost lost their point-and-shoot camera when they placed it on a ledge and it slid down the ice. Use a wrist strap or tether to be safe!
Falljökull Glacier Hike
Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon
Day 7: Fjords Galore
Our goal today was to make it to the Lake Mývatn area, which was a solid full day of driving from Hofn – thankfully our drive was through the scenic Eastern fjords. Imagine tabletop mountains towering on one side and sheer drops to the coast on the opposite – a thrilling drive to say the least.
We stopped a few times along the way – at the “red chair in the middle of nowhere”, Laekjavik rock formation and other pullout areas. Chetna was the ‘perfect passenger’, sleeping much of the drive , which made for a pretty funny timelapse.
To recover and rejuvenate from the exhausting drive, we spent the rest of the day at the Mývatn Nature Baths – the little sister of the Blue Lagoon. The water was tepid and the view of Lake Myvatn and the surrounding valley during sunset was serene.
The town had a campground, but we decided to try our luck and found a “secluded” spot just outside of the city limits. With night upon us, we oogled the auroras once again before retiring to bed.
That’s when we noticed headlights approaching…. Then a sudden banging on the door! “GET OFF MY LAND! You are here illegally. Go stay at the campsite [handing us a pamphlet] or I will notify the police!”. Terrified of this angry, bulging-eyed man, we didn’t have to think twice.
We drove back into town and checked into the Camping Mývatn campground.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Drive with extreme caution through the Fjords. Excessive speeds, narrow roadways and sheer cliffs can be a potentially dangerous combination.
∗ Depending on the time of year, Camping Mývatn might not be the best place to stay (i.e. too many mosquitos). We suggest researching other campgrounds.
The Red Chair
The Eastern Fjords
Mývatn Nature Baths
Day 8: Lake Mývatn - Volcanoes, Craters & Other Mysteries
The Lake Mývatn area absolutely blew us away. There were so many remarkable, active geothermal formations – we ended up taking a full day to explore as many as we could:
- Grojotagja: A lava cave with a thermal spring inside (Fun Fact: GOT’s Jon Snow lost his virginity in this cave!)
- Hverir: An area with bubbling mud pools & steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas
- Skútustaðagígar: A cluster of pseudo craters dotting the landscape
- Kalfastrond and Höfði: A lake filled with lava pillars and formations
- Hverfjall: An extinct volcano with a steep hike to the top
- Dimmuborgir: An easy walk through a lava field filled with unusual shapes
- Leirhnjukur Mountain: A geothermal area with vivid colors and a small “peak” to climb
- Víti crater lake: An emerald blue geothermal crater lake
In case you were curious to know who spooked us from the night before – it turns out the owner of the campground looked and sounded a little too familiar… But Chetna didn’t believe me because he was sooo friendly and helpful the following morning.
He made for quite an entertaining joke throughout the trip and will forever be known as Dr. Jökull & Mr. Hyð.
PRO TIPS:
∗ At Grojotagja, you can take a dip in the cave next to the main grotto formation, as we did. Also, try to find the secret fissure hot spring, Vogagaja – it is a perilous journey to get down there and will only be filled with water during certain times of year.
∗ Pick up a Lake Mývatn area brochure at the visitor center or campground for even more places to explore.
Fumaroles at Hverir
Grojotagja Cave
Kalfastrond and Höfði
Day 9: Dettifoss, Selfoss & Deep Canyons
Our first highlight of the day was Selfoss and Dettifoss, with Dettifoss being the largest waterfall in Europe. The massive falls of Dettifoss reminded us a bit our own Niagara Falls with the thunderous sound of the water crashing and the fine mist cooling the air. We followed the river upstream, hopped over snaking tributary streams and stood on the edge of one of the many falls at Sellfoss.
In the parking area, we befriended a local ranger attending the grounds. He was cleaning up while blasting some wicked local artists (Júníus Meyvant). We ended up sharing a noodle lunch with him while discussing Icelandic culture. Thanks for the hospitality and kindness, Robert!
Detouring onto a dirt road, we wanted to hike to Hljodaklettar (honeycombed basalt formations) and Raudholar (red-tinted crater rows). Unfortunately we missed the turn-off and it was impossible to turn the campervan around. Instead, we hiked through Ásbyrgi Canyon, a lushly forested, horseshoe-shaped gorge that seemed like a land lost in time.
Arriving in Húsavík, we checked out the fascinating whale museum and learned all about the rich fishing history of this small northern town. Dinner at Salka Restaurant was delightful – although it looked like a pub, the food was fantastic! (The cod was mouth watering.)
PRO TIPS:
∗ To ensure you have a map in even the most remote areas, download Google’s ‘Offline Maps’ on your device(s). We wish we figured this out earlier!
∗ The Húsavik Whale Museum offers free entry to anyone who has purchased a ticket for a whale watching tour.
Dettifoss
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Húsavík Whale Museum
Day 10: Seeking Gentle Giants, Icelandic Horses & Sunsets at the Sea Stacks
We started off our day with the Big Whale Safari Tour with Gentle Giants in Húsavik. We suited up in neon overalls and goggles and boarded a zodiac – time for “extreme whale watching!!”
We sped out to sea and soon spotted the spout from our first whale. We were able to get fairly close to a few whales just before they dove down, showing us their signature fluke (whale tail). Unfortunately, our tour was cut short by someone suffering from heart pains, so we had to return for safety reasons. We ended up getting our money back so all was not lost. (Please folks, don’t do the zodiac tour if you have back or heart problems!)
Leaving Húsavik, we headed towards Goðafoss, a horseshoe-shaped waterfall which we explored from the bottom and top of the falls. We stopped in Akureyi for a delicious ice cream snack at Brynja before continuing to Skagafjordur, a region known for its abundance of Icelandic horses. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a couple of beautiful horses.
To preface, Chetna is somewhat allergic to horses, but that didn’t stop her from cuddling “Friendly Betsy”! From there, we decided to take a detour to visit Hvitserkur, a sea stack in the formation of an elephant, coincidentally arriving at low tide so we could walk right up to it!
With night encroaching, we pulled over on Highway 59 next to a small creek to attempt our first “boondocking” (a.k.a. camping in a non-designated campground). Thankfully, we didn’t have another Lake Mývatn incident and enjoyed a wonderful nights rest in the middle of nowhere.
PRO TIPS:
∗ There are typically two options for whale watching: The boat tour (less expensive) and the zodiac tour (more expensive). We recommend the zodiac tour since you get closer to the whales and it’s less crowded.
∗ We found some Icelandic horses to be super friendly and comfortable with us petting them while others needed a bit of food persuasion. Thankfully we had broccoli and carrots in hand.
“Extreme Whale Watching!”
Friendly Betsy
Elephant Rock
Day 11: Through Lava Fields, Kirkjufell and Snaefellsjokull
We started the day off early, enroute to Snæfellsjökull National Park on the west coast of Iceland, passing through the Berserkjahraun lava field, an area covered in soft green moss with tints of red, yellow and orange.
Arriving at the infamous Kirkufell and Kirkufellfoss, Chetna was so amazed by the iconic mountain that she forgot how to walk over a creek and once again found herself in wet socks…
Snæfellsjökull National Park was an adventurer’s dream with countless landmarks to explore! These are just a few of the ones we were able to enjoy:
- Bárðar Saga Snæfellsáss Statue (viking shaped rock sculpture)
- Beach of Djupalonssandur (scattered with shipwreck remains)
- Dritvik Cove
- Skarðsvík Beach
- Saxhólar Crater
- Gatklettur Stone Arch
- Coastline hike between Hellnar and Arnarstapi
After a full day of hiking, we quickly remembered why everyday in Iceland is leg day.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Don’t let the rain stop you! It was pouring when we arrived at Kirkufell, yet we still enjoyed the area and got some great shots!
∗ Next to the Bárðar Saga Statue, two elderly sisters operate a food truck. They’re incredibly friendly and serve wonderful food. We ordered fish and chips and they treated us with a little extra!
Berserkjahraun Lava Field
Kirkufell and Kirkufellfoss
Bárðar Saga Snæfellsáss Statue
Day 12: Caves, Coasts & Carvings
Before leaving Snæfellsjökull National Park, we experienced the Vatnshellir lava tube cave tour – climbing down into a pitch black cave that was formed when lava melted a vein through the earth’s crust!
With only our headlights to illuminate the darkness, we saw stalactites, stalagmites and a ‘troll-face’ rock formation. The traditional song sung by our tour guide echoed through the darkness and was both powerful and beautiful.
We left the park and made the long journey to see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls – totally worth the drive. It looked like the entire hillside was a waterfall! Driving back along the scenic Fjord Hvalfjordur, we wanted to complete the 2 hour hike to see Glymur (one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland), but passed, since it was raining most of the day and the hike required a river crossing.
We made a B-line towards Reyjkavik, driving under a fjord via the Hvalfjörður Tunnel and spent our last night in the campervan at Reykjavik Campsite.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Check the weather continuously throughout the day, so you can plan your itinerary accordingly. Some hikes are not safe after inclement weather.
Hellnar and Arnarstapi Hike
Vatnshellir Lava Tube Staircase
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Day 13: Cityscapes and A Real Bed!
After driving for over 1,600 km, we bid a sad farewell to our beloved campervan – she kept us warm and safe and truly felt like home. Without a doubt, our trip was special because we got to experience Iceland by campervan. Thank you again Go Campers!
Checking into the Nordic-inspired Storm Hotel was a welcoming treat after spending the past 11 days on the road. For our last day in Iceland, we explored more of the city by foot.
Volcano House was a fantastic little museum where we learned more about the geological forces that created and continue to shape the country. (A documentary movie plays hourly which showcases a few of the famous Icelandic volcanic eruptions, including the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull – the one that crippled flights over Europe!)
We donned our newly bought 66ºNorth sweaters and taxied to Café Paris for a delicious dinner followed by a volcano-inspired dessert worth a Michelin Star at Fiskmarkadurinn (The Fish Market).
We skipped the bars and nightclubs (which are supposedly great) to soak in the glow of the moonlight from the waterfront. A perfect end to our last night in a spectacular land.
PRO TIPS:
∗ Make dinner reservations! The best restaurants book up quickly, but you might get lucky if you are a walk-in.
“Yup, that’s a rock…”
Street Art
Harpa Concert Hall
Day 14: Farewell Iceland! - It’s Been Unreal
After having breakfast in our hotel, we boarded a shuttle to Keflavik Airport for our flight home. Iceland has become such a popular travel hub, we were bound to run into someone we knew and sure enough we did! We spent our last hours in Iceland sharing stories about our adventures and reminiscing about the sights, the sounds, and the serenity that is Iceland.
Are you excited about visiting the land of fire and ice? Have you traveled to Iceland before and planning to go back?
Let us know what you’re excited to see and do in Iceland in the comments below!