After I consider Iceland, the primary phrase that pops into my thoughts is “otherworldly.” It’s how Mollie described it when writing to want me properly on my travels. It was the primary adjective my buddy used the day we arrived on our Iceland summer season street journey and located ourselves driving by means of a few of the most breathtaking landscapes we’d ever seen.
Folks discuss Iceland this fashion as a result of it really makes you’re feeling such as you’ve been transported to a different planet. There’s unimaginable geological variety; suppose glacier lagoons glowing blue, waterfalls round each bend, midnight golden hours, and moss-covered lava fields so far as the attention can see.
This information will take you thru the final word Iceland summer season street journey itinerary within the land of fireside and ice.
Travelling to and round Iceland
The airport switch of goals. Most worldwide flights land at Keflavík Airport, round 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Until you have got a automobile, one of the best ways into town is the Flybus.
It was probably the most intuitive and well-organised airport transfers I’ve used, operating between the airport and Reykjavík’s BSÍ Bus Terminal. From there, you may hop on a shuttle straight to your lodging. The bus and shuttle schedules are absolutely coordinated and work round up to date flight arrival occasions. The best begin to our Iceland summer season street journey!
A one-way ticket prices round £24 for adults; I paid £57 for a return ticket that included lodge transfers each methods.
The easiest way to get round Iceland
Should you can, I like to recommend renting a automobile so you may discover by yourself phrases. We beloved having the liberty to pivot plans, make spontaneous detours, and pack the whole lot we wanted for lengthy days and fluctuating climate situations (many backseat outfit modifications occurred alongside the best way).
Campervans are additionally an excellent choice for a summer season street journey in Iceland. There are campsites all around the island, the place you get to get up immersed in a few of the most lovely surroundings you’ll ever see.
Just a few suggestions for selecting your street journey automobile:
- Get a 4WD and probably the most complete insurance coverage you may. Street and climate situations can change quick; premium protection is definitely worth the peace of thoughts.
- By no means let your petrol drop beneath half a tank. One in all my favorite issues about Iceland is that you could drive for miles, absolutely immersed in nature. Nonetheless, this additionally means you could go hours with out passing a petroleum station. FYI: a full tank value us round £60–70.
- Respect the pace limits. Having a automobile with cruise management helped us keep away from dashing fines and deal with having fun with the journeys.
- Open doorways cautiously. Icelandic wind is notorious for ripping automobile doorways off their hinges. On windy days, it’s greatest to open them with two palms.
A notice on parking
Most of Iceland’s pure points of interest are free to enter, however cost for parking. It often prices round 750–1000 ISK (£4.50–6) per website, so consider that as your entry charge. One fee in a area or nationwide park often covers you for the entire day.
Obtain an app like Parka, which both logs your location robotically or prompts you to enter the placement quantity or scan the QR code on close by indicators.
The perfect areas to remain alongside Iceland’s south coast
Outdoors of Reykjavík, there aren’t many huge cities. The perfect locations to remain are Selfoss, Hella, Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and Höfn. Should you’re driving, plan your route first after which verify Reserving.com or Airbnb for lodging that fits your plans. We primarily based ourselves in Hella and Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Our dwelling in Hella: Askot Cottages, a comfy farm with horses grazing proper exterior your window. We even obtained to see one give start; really a once-in-a-lifetime expertise!
Our dwelling in Kirkjubæjarklaustur: Magma Resort, the cutest cabin rooms the place you get up to serene lake views, surrounded by greenery and birdlife. There’s additionally a beautiful (albeit expensive) restaurant on-site.
When to go to Iceland
Most individuals know Iceland for the Northern Lights, that are sometimes seen from late August to mid-April. However travelling in summer season presents a totally completely different form of magic.
Between Could and August, it barely will get darkish; the solar units round midnight and rises once more just a few hours later, sustaining a light-weight nightfall in between. It may be disorienting at first, but it surely means you may pack way more into at some point than in different locations.
Suitcase necessities on your summer season journey
Icelandic climate is famously changeable, so come ready with heat, mild garments, a hat, scarf, and gloves. Examine up-to-date situations prematurely:
An eye fixed masks is a good suggestion for these daylight-filled nights. Should you’re planning to hike, sturdy footwear are a should. Pack waterproof layers, a backpack cowl, and fellow photographers; put money into a lens fabric and a water-proof digital camera defend.
For eating on the street deliver:
- water bottle
- espresso flask
- picnic utensils
- snacks
- tissues
- hand sanitiser
Day 1: Land, unwind, and stroll by means of Reykjavík’s multicoloured streets
Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, is small, charming, and absolutely walkable. The colorful murals make it really feel like an open-air artwork gallery, particularly the long-lasting Rainbow Avenue, a painted street that leads the attention straight as much as Hallgrímskirkja. This putting church seems to be like one thing carved from a glacier – a homage to Iceland’s pure buildings, which is precisely how state architect Gudjón Samúelsson designed it to really feel.
Wander streets lined with energetic bars, native eateries, and quirky shops- the right comfortable touchdown earlier than you hit the open roads.
Take a look at our greatest issues to do in Iceland for some further inspiration for planning your Iceland journey!
Day 2: Hvalfjördur fjord & the Glymur waterfall hike
Set off in direction of Hvalfjördur, a 19-mile-long fjord northwest of Reykjavík that takes you thru a few of Iceland’s most breathtaking surroundings.
Stretch your legs on the Glymur waterfall path. The total 4.5-mile loop is 3 to 4 hours lengthy, winding by means of caves and canyons as much as Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, Glymur. It could actually get slippery and has an intense log-and-rope river crossing, so take further warning. Pack a towel, a change of socks/garments, and waterproof footwear should you plan to cross. Alternatively, simply hike right down to the river and benefit from the views from there.
Relying on the place you’re staying, taking the underwater tunnel avoids retracing your tracks again across the fjord. Move the beautiful Lake Thingvallavatn and look out for native wildlife in your means dwelling.
Days 3-4: Full the well-known Golden Circle
Iceland’s most well-known route is a well-liked day journey from Reykjavík, however spacing it out over a few days provides you extra time to take pleasure in every spot.
After being chased again to our automobile by some very inhospitable gnats at Leirvogsvatn, our first cease, the actual journey started at Thingvellir Nationwide Park. Park at P2 and observe the path between tectonic plates to Öxarárfoss, a shocking waterfall flowing from the Öxará River and thru the Almannagjá gorge over clusters of volcanic rock.
A couple of minutes from the subsequent cease, Brúarfoss, we found Efstidalur Farm; the right refresher between aquatic points of interest. Say whats up to the animals and take a look at scrumptious ice cream that’s constituted of the milk of the cows you’ll see grazing by means of the cafe window.
From Brúarfoss, head to the Geysir geothermal space. Stroll by means of steamy mud spots and watch the magnificent Strokkur erupt (each 5-10 minutes).
From there, it’s a brief drive to Gullfoss – by far probably the most huge of all of the Golden Circle waterfalls. Because it thunders by means of the canyon, take within the panoramic views from up high, then transfer to the decrease decks (be cautious of the chilly mist that picks up the nearer you get).
Vacationers typically skip Faxafoss, but it surely’s value a pit cease. Enjoyable truth about this waterfall: its identify actually means “Horse’s Mane,” as a result of the water seems to be like a horse’s mane blowing within the wind.
End at Kerid, a shocking multicoloured volcanic crater estimated to be between 3-6,500 years previous. The path loops across the high, then down by means of pink rock faces and inexperienced moss, proper up near the mesmerisingly calm lake.
Day 5: Chasing Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & all of the south coast waterfalls
It’s possible you’ll suppose you’ve had your waterfall repair by this level, however the first rule of Iceland is: there’s no such factor as too many waterfalls.
Begin at Seljalandsfoss, the place you may cross behind the water, then observe the path by means of the caves to Gljúfrabúi (waterproofs are important).
In your solution to Skógafoss, look out for a weird roadside landmark exterior Brekkukot farm. What began as a drunken prank circa 2012, the place locals lined a fence in bras, someway turned a practice. Passersby nonetheless contribute to this set up.
Skógafoss is a choose-your-own-adventure tour. Should you don’t really feel like strolling, merely admire the magnificent falls at their base. A steep 10–15-minute stair climb takes you to the highest of the primary waterfall. From there, a mountainous path continues alongside the river for round 10 miles. It’s not a round route, so flip again while you’re prepared. We made it a bit over midway, which took round 2.5 hours.
Earlier than getting again on the street, cease by Kvernufoss for a close-up waterfall view, tucked away in a gorge solely a brief drive away.
Proceed towards Vík. Discover the black-sand seashore at Reynisfjara and the cliffs round Reynisfjall for beautiful views of the shoreline from above. Though the climate stored us contained in the automobile, driving by means of the misty mountains and down the winding roads felt like a scene from Wuthering Heights.
Day 6: Jökulsárlón & Fjallsárlón glacier lagoons
The views as you journey towards glacier nation are an attraction themselves. Look out for the Skaftafell glacier flowing down from the Vatnajökull ice cap, Europe’s largest glacier.
Begin your day on the Múlagljúfur canyon path, which turned out to be one among my favorite hikes I’ve ever completed. Impossibly inexperienced and dramatic, it feels such as you’ve been teleported to Hawaii. The terrain transitions from rocky, moss-coated paths and stream crossings to steep, muddy ridges, so ensure you’re sporting correct boots.
Go for a shorter, 2.5-mile trek to the primary Hangandifoss viewpoint, or push by means of 1,440 ft of elevation achieve on a 4-mile round-trip to the summit. The entire thing takes roughly 2-3 hours.
The views additionally provide you with a glimpse of the place you’re headed subsequent: Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. Positioned at Vatnajökull’s base, the lake is stuffed with miniature icebergs from the Fjallsjökull outlet glacier. Seeing it from the mountains is gorgeous, however the view up shut had me questioning whether or not I used to be dreaming.
Finish the day at Jökulsárlón, a lagoon stuffed with 1,000-year-old icebergs. Whereas the bogs and meals vehicles on the most important vacationer hub have been a welcome comfort, the realm is fairly crowded and chaotic. The west aspect presents extra peaceable and expansive views with out the crowds.
As you journey east on the Ring Street (Route 1) previous the Skaftafell space, pull into the western automobile park in your left (earlier than you attain the bridge). From the automobile park, varied trails lead you thru jaw-dropping panoramas of the lagoon. Should you don’t have time for an extended hike, observe the brief path proper as much as the water after which loop again as much as the automobile park.
Alternatively, depart your automobile and observe the trail underneath the bridge in direction of the primary Jökulsárlón website and onto the black sands of Diamond Seaside. At low tide, chunks of glittering ice present up alongside the sand, so plan your schedule accordingly should you don’t wish to miss it.
Day 7: The wild Reykjanes Peninsula
As you journey again west, spend your remaining day on the Reykjanes Peninsula — a uncooked, volcanic panorama simply exterior Reykjavík.
Discover the completely different vantage factors round Kleifarvatn lake, and cease off on the Seltún geothermal space, the place sulphur coats the bottom in rusty hues because the earth bubbles calmly round you.
Drive by means of miles of lava fields, the place centuries-old moss creeps over volcanic rock, making a comfortable, whimsical terrain. Take a look at the Brimketill lava rock swimming pools as seawater crashes into them (stand again should you don’t wish to get splashed).
End on the postcard-perfect lighthouse and cliffs at Valahnjúkamöl seashore. Climb up the hilly edges (taking further warning on windy days) and admire the bright-blue Atlantic at one with the seagulls.
As a result of it’s so near Keflavík, Reykjanes is the right grand finale earlier than you fly out. In case your itinerary permits, head again into Reykjavík for one final night among the many avenue artwork and harbour lights.
Expertise the island for your self
Should you’re somebody who feels restored by nature, a summer season tour underneath the Icelandic solar will recalibrate you. Lose all sense of time and house (in one of the best ways) and return dwelling with a full coronary heart and a good fuller digital camera roll.
In a world pushed by machines, know-how, and automation, this may occasionally simply be the character journey you want to be reminded of the whole lot this wonderful earth has to supply. It takes some planning, budgeting, and baggage packed for each season – however you’ll be mentally planning your subsequent journey again from the second you’re swept up into Iceland’s otherworldliness.
In case you are excited by planning a Nordic journey aside from an Iceland summer season street journey, take a look at a few of our hottest guides:
Have you ever been to Iceland?
What are the most effective issues to do in Iceland? Something you’d add to this Iceland bucket record?
You may observe Talia’s adventures on Instagram @Journey.with.tals