Iceland completely stole my heart while we were there last month. It really is one of the most naturally stunning places I’ve had the privilege of visiting. Here’s where we went during the first half of our 8-day Iceland itinerary! It’s also a great starting point for a 4-day itinerary if that’s what time you have. If you’re road tripping, don’t forget to download Iceland’s maps on Google maps ahead of time!
Day 1: REYKJAVÍKand the Reykjanes Peninsula
Upon landing at Keflavik Airport, you already feel a world away as lava fields surround you on the Reykjanes Peninsula. We took it easy on our first day in Iceland and explored the world’s most northerly capital, Reykjavík. Staying in the city center allows easy access to the city’s attractions, restaurants and cafes, and the shopping street Laugavegur. Our first stop was the church Hallgrímskirkja to take in the view from the tower. All the colorful rooftops seen from above make you realize you’re in a Nordic country.
Our afternoon activity consisted of going to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak in the beautiful blue geothermal bath. It was the perfect way to recover from jet lag and truly feel like you’re on vacation! Learn more about visiting this popular spot. There’s also a bus to/from the airport if you want to go right after landing or just before departing.
Restaurant Recommendations: Babalú Cafe for breakfast or a coffee break and Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill for lunch or dinner
Day 2: THE Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a well-visited tourist route and rightfully so with the three main attractions of Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss Waterfall. There’s so much to see at Þingvellir (Parliament Fields) National Park including the tectonic plates where North America and Europe meet, the largest lake in Iceland, one of Iceland’s first churches, and the historical Alping parliament meeting place. Bring your walking shoes because there are lots of paths to follow to see all the sights.
Our second stop was Geysir where you can find the geyser’s namesake, though it’s not as active any more. Thankfully another geyser, Strokkur’s hot spring, spouts up every five minute or so much to the delight of all the visitors. There are also other features in the geothermal area to admire.
The final stop on the Golden Circle is the Gulfoss waterfall, our favorite stop of the day. We visited in the late afternoon and were greeted with a full rainbow over the beautiful double waterfall much to our delight. There’s plenty of walking to do alongside and above the waterfall to see it from different vantage points.
Guesthouse Recommendation: The peaceful, bucolic Guesthouse Denami is in between the Golden Circle route and the Ring Road, not to far from Selfoss.
DAY 3: Southwest iceland
On the Ring Road, there are many waterfalls just off the road worth stopping for. Seljalandsfoss is unique because you can walk behind the waterfall! Make sure to bring your rain jacket for this one thought because you will get sprayed. A bit further you’ll find Gljúfrabúi waterfall within a beautiful canyon. Don’t miss the nearby turf-roofed houses! I love them so very much. Further down the road is Skógafoss waterfall.
After all our waterfall visits it was time to embark on the 4 kilometer hike to the Sólheimasandur plane crash. As of March 2016 you can no longer drive right up to the sight so you must park just off the Ring Road (you’ll see lots of cars but you can also put the plane crash into Google maps) and hike in. The hike itself isn’t very exciting and wasn’t super enjoyable the day we did it because it was so windy and cold! But exploring the plane crash sight is pretty unique and worthwhile.
Another great stop just before Vik is Reynisfjara. It’s famous for its black sand beach, birding cliffs, and basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. If you need a snack break there’s a cafe with a view where we relaxed over tea and dessert.
Restaurant/Guesthouse Recommendations: The Hotel Skógafoss Bistro Bar restaurant has a view of the falls and delicious arctic char. Glacier View Guesthouse past Vik and off the Ring Road a few kilometers was one of our favorite places we stayed and most delicious dinners as well!
Day 4: Southeast iceland
Don’t miss the magical Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon! It’s a short detour off the Ring Road and well-worth hiking alongside. The greens and blue hues here are just stunning.
One of the great parts of driving the Ring Road is all the spontaneous turns offs and places to pull over. I like to plan anchor stops and activities but then leave flexibility in the itinerary for the unexpected, like this turf-roofed church!
Our main activity this day was a glacier hike with Glacier Guides in Skaftafell National Park. It was our first experience with crampons and we even had an Icelandic horse try to come on the ice with us. Read more about our fantastic experience here.
Visiting some of best natural wonders we saw in Iceland- glacier lagoons- was the perfect way to end our day! You have to hike a bit to smaller Fjallsárlón so it’s less crowded and the mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is seriously impressive and a must see. We spent a long time here taking in different view points and walking alongside the lagoon. We watched as icebergs tips over and floated out to sea with seals swimming around them. It was pretty surreal and majestic!
Guesthouse Recommendation: Any of the country hotels just past the lagoons! Hali Country Hotel is the closest one and has a nice on-site restaurant. We stayed at Smyrlabjörg Country Hotel, and it the perfect place to stay just off the Ring Road.
From here it’s a four and a half hour drive back to Reykjavik and a five hour drive back to Keflavik. I highly recommend making it as far as the glacier lagoons as on the Ring Road. They were one of my favorite places we saw in Iceland!
Stay tuned for the second half of our itinerary which features the Eastfjords, Northern Iceland, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula! Are you dreaming of a trip to Iceland? If you’ve been are you as ready to go back as I am?
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