I work as a travel writer, but when I bring my husband along, I have to keep to a very strict schedule because he only gets three weeks off from his “regular” job each year. Although I would have preferred to spend much more time in Iceland than just seven short days, I’ll take what I can get. Check out the route below, which took me from Reykjavik to the glacial lagoon of Jokusarlon and back, if you’re one of the millions of North Americans who can only afford a few days for the ideal Icelandic road vacation and want to see as much as you can.
Hundreds of stops, seven days, and innumerable pictures. Greetings from Iceland!
Day 1-2: Reykjavik
I had no choice but to spend the first two days of the trip in Reykjavik. I wanted to acquire as many noms as I could because I was interested by the city and had heard that the food options outside the capital were either unappetizing or too costly.
And I’m happy I did! There is a lot to do in the quirky, walkable city of Reykjavik. As an alternative, it’s a fantastic base with many of options for day trips if you would rather not rent a car.
Day 3: The Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Thingvellir, and Geysir)
This is the one to take if you just have time for a quick road trip in Iceland. The Golden Circle, which is made up of Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, is a 300-kilometer journey that travels through some of Iceland’s most breathtaking scenery as well as the nation’s oldest parliament, which dates back to 930 AD and may be the oldest in the world. These days, the “assembly fields” are an integral aspect of Icelandic culture.
When doing a trip around the Golden Circle, you must not miss:
Gorge of Almannagja
Originating from a continental drift, it leads to a hidden and terribly underappreciated waterfall that, in the tenth century, supplied fresh water to Althing delegates. You may stroll between the two continental plates here, and sure, it is very breathtaking! Turn right at the little parking lot where Öxarárfoss is marked as you approach Thingvellir Park on route 36. You’ve gone too far if you’re parked at the visitor center!
The Thingvellir Church and Law Rock
They are reachable by foot and a little further south.
Fissure Silfra
Plan a diving or snorkeling trip in the purest waters on Earth if you don’t mind becoming completely frozen! However, even from either side of the fissure, it is pretty impressive if you would rather keep dry.
The Geysir
Don’t believe that you have seen geysers. The mother of all geysers, the one that all others are named after, and without a doubt the most spectacular one, with sulfur-infused water erupting fiercely from the ground up to fifteen feet high, is surrounded by lava fields and steaming mud pools.
The Gullfoss
For this one, a waterproof jacket is a must! The loudness alone will immediately alert you that you are about to witness Iceland’s most potent waterfall as you descend the steps that will bring you to this attraction. It is only when you reach the pathway along the edge that you realize how powerful the waterfall is. This is where the Hvítá River suddenly plunges not once, but twice at a pace of 140 m³ per second in a 30-meter deep cleft. Keep your camera close at hand because Gullfoss is known for its semi-permanent rainbows due to its orientation and dense mist.
For one day, this may seem like a lot of sights. But don’t worry—Thingvellir isn’t really that dispersed, and depending on how often you stop to touch horses along the route, attractions aren’t more than a half-hour drive apart. Naturally, you will need to extend your trip by a few hours if you intend to engage in leisurely trekking.
Day 4: Seljavellir, Laugarvatn, and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
The now-famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano looms on the left as you travel down the stunning south Icelandic coastline to Skogar. There is a modest but intriguing tourist center along Route 1 if you are interested in the 2010 eruption.
Make sure to visit Laugarvatn Fontana if you want to experience the authentic hot spring experience with locals rather than tourists. Few people are there (unlike in the popular Blue Lagoon), and the peaceful surroundings make it the ideal setting for a restful, energizing geothermal experience. On-site amenities include warm baths, geothermal mineral pools, Finnish saunas, natural steam and high-humidity rooms, and a small restaurant.
Seljalandsfoss: Visitors are urged to go along the walkway concealed behind the 60-meter cascade, which offers stunning views of the waterfall from all sides. However, exercise caution—the rocks are obviously quite slick! Return to Seljalandsfoss at sunrise if you want to see Iceland’s most breathtaking pictures. I suppose everything appears to be fine.
Another option is to continue on toward the lesser-known Gljúfrabúi, which is partially hidden by its own canyon.
Seljavellir: The once-secret but now-famous pool is located just at the base of the volcano. Located in the middle of nowhere, this delightful, authentically Icelandic experience was created by locals in the 1920s and is naturally heated by geothermal water. The exact end of route 242 is ten minutes’ walk from the pool.
Because the ferry leaves from route 254 just south of Seljalandsfoss, you might want to arrange for an additional day on the stunning Westman Islands while you are in the area.
Day 5: Skogafoss, the Folk Museum, Vik, Dyrholaey, and the Plane Wreck
my is without a doubt the most crazy aspect of my road trip in Iceland. The most picturesque, too! with a rocky coastline and beaches with black sand that perfectly capture our perception of Iceland. This section takes up a whole day even though it doesn’t actually cover that much land because you will be stopping frequently and taking so many photos that each destination will undoubtedly take several hours. And that’s really the whole point: you have to take a step back, look closely, and remember that you’re standing on one of the most raw and geologically diverse islands in the world if you want to truly enjoy Iceland. Take a moment to process that.
The Skogafoss
Gorgeous waterfall that just begs to be photographed, neatly framed by its own canyon. There are rumors that Þrasi, the settler, buried his gold chest beneath the waterfall. If you want to know, you’d better be completely covered in waterproof material because that waterfall is serious about getting trespassers wet. For fantastic views of the waterfall and the coast, don’t forget to trek up the wooden pathway.
DC aircraft abandoned on Sólheimasandur
For some reason, I never quite made it to the plane disaster, even though I remember wanting to stop there. Plan to spend an hour at this fascinatingly strange destination along Route 1 if you’re smarter than I was.
Museum of Folk Art
The only cultural destination outside of Reykjavik that, in my opinion, is truly worth the cost. You may tour the little turf farmhouses and see artifacts that demonstrate how dangerous life was for fishermen and their families in Iceland in the past.
The Dyrholaey
I must have been in Dyrholaey alone for at least two hours! From the arched rock to the distant black sand beaches, the view from the top of the 120-meter-high promontory is breathtaking.
Vik
With only 450 residents, the charming and picturesque fishing village is conveniently located near the well-known black pebbled beaches. This is the North Atlantic, people, and the powerful rip tides are as common as they are deadly, so be careful not to go into the ocean.
Day 6: The Jokursarlon
Of course, it’s a lengthy journey from Vik, but where else can you view a 20 km2 lagoon with recently broken glacier fragments?
Don’t even consider avoiding the lagoon’s zodiac excursion in any way. It’s by no means inexpensive—about $60 per person—but it’s among the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. Believe me when I say that this is the one thing you shouldn’t ignore. In addition to getting up close and personal with icebergs and learning a great deal about glaciers, you might even be fortunate enough to spot seals playing. Simply do it.
Spend a few days exploring Skaftafell and the Svartifoss trail if you’re a serious hiker with extra time. There is a pleasant hiking track behind Hotel Skaftafell with a hidden lake, lots of lupines, and snow-capped mountains if you are bored with looking at the interior of your car and just have a few hours to spare.
Day 7: The Reykjanes Peninsula and Route 1
The Reykjanes peninsula isn’t the most interesting section of Iceland, to be sure, especially after you’ve seen the best of the country in the earlier days of this road trip. It’s ideal if you have a mid-day flight because it’s more of a “on the way to the airport” location than an actual attraction. I made a final stop in Eyrarbakki to take in the picturesque fishermen’s homes and the clean Icelandic air.
I missed the Blue Lagoon since I felt the price tag was ridiculously high for a dip in a busy pool, so I wouldn’t say I’d suggest it. Feeling like you were cheated out of $80 is not the best way to end your Icelandic adventure.
I stayed at Frost og Funi, which I heartily suggest because they have a great farm-to-table restaurant and fantastic outdoor jacuzzis!
