We recently planned one week in Iceland and did a road trip around Iceland. I know for some of you one entire week might seem unnecessary. Iceland seems like a small nation, but if you’re planning on driving around Iceland, you’ll want to spend at least one week to complete the Ring Road route and experience it at its best.
In fact, one of the best things about our Iceland trip was the drive around the island because we would have never seen some of the beautiful places if we would have decided to spend 2 to 3 days and check out only the famous spots.
We decided to go in August so that we can take advantage of the extended daylight hours during the summer. This was easily one of my best memories and trips.
If you are planning your trip to Iceland, I hope this itinerary helps you to plan your vacation. I feel like I could go back again for a week to explore some of the places that are still left for me to see.
If you are restricted to only 2 to 3 days in Iceland, I would say do the South Coast part of the Ring Road, which offers spectacular and popular tourist attractions.
Day 1: Iceland
We arrived in Iceland early morning at about 8 am, and the first thing we decided to visit before embarking on our Iceland road trip was the most famous attraction, the Blue lagoon.
Blue Lagoon is very near to the airport, and it opens up at 9 am so it was perfect. Our hotel check-in was later anyways, and we easily spent 3 to 4 hours at Blue Lagoon before heading to the hotel.
My suggestion is not to rush. Spend 3 to 4 hours there, relax, and truly take in the place.
After spending our time at the Blue Lagoon, we made our way to the lively capital city of Reykjavik. We enjoyed the vibrant cafes and had an early dinner at Mandi. The falafel at this place was really good and filling. Highly suggest it, if you are a vegetarian.
After dinner, we drove to Geysir, where we had our Airbnb for the night. The drive from Reykjavik to Geysir was only about one and a half hours, and it was beautiful. We saw so many pretty rainbows along the way too. It was unreal.
Our Airbnb in Geysir was amazing. In the middle of the beautiful fields, closer to the main spots of the golden circle and had the prettiest horses. The host was super friendly and nice. I highly recommend this place.
Day 2: Iceland
We knew we wanted to do horse riding in Iceland if the weather permits. Turns out, it was one of the hottest summers in Iceland, and even though the weather was not for wearing shorts, it was not super cold. It was perfect, just like fall.
We started our day by taking Horse riding lessons and then spent the morning horse riding in the beautiful fields of Geysir. It was an experience I will always cherish. Our hostess at Geysir Hestar made it all possible. They have their own stable, so the horses are trained and super friendly.
We then checked out all the spots on the Golden Circle such as the Geysir Geothermal area, and the Gullfoss falls. You can check out all the golden circle spots here.
Later, we checked out the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the Skogafoss waterfall. Iceland is truly the land of waterfalls, but the Skogafoss waterfall was my favorite. So pretty! You can also camp here during the summer if you are interested.
We then spent the evening in our Airbnb in Hella, Cafe Arhus. It is not one of the prettiest Airbnbs, but as you will notice, it is really hard to find hotels and Airbnbs in Iceland. So, this was a great location, clean and well maintained.
Day 3: Iceland
We started our day with Solheimasandur Plane Wreck. It is a one hour walk from the parking lot, and now they have also started a shuttle for $15/person that can take you to the plane wreck from the parking lot.
We decided to walk one and a half miles since the weather was good, and took the shuttle while coming back. It is truly worth to visit it.
I went there because if you know me, I love Bollywood movies, and one of the most famous Bollywood songs was shot here. But, I truly loved the site.
Later that evening we checked out the Reynisfjara (black sand beach) and the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse. Dyrhólaey Lighthouse is a lesser-known tourist spot. It is in between the Plane wreck and the black sand beach. The views from the lighthouse are incredible. So stunning. You can see the black sand beach from the lighthouse and it is so calm and pretty up there.
We spent the night in a hostel in Hvoll. It was in the middle of nowhere literally, but that is how Iceland is. For miles and miles, you will not find restaurants or people. The landscape near this hostel was all made up of volcanic eruptions.
Day 4: Iceland
The next two days we had to explore the Eastern and North Eastern region of Iceland. We decided to split the drive between 2 days.
We started our day by checking out the Skafatell glacier and Svartifoss. The hike to the Svartifoss falls is about 1 hour. The view from the falls was beautiful and made it totally worth it. The fall itself was not anything like the Skogafoss fall for me, but if you have time, definitely check this fall out for the view up top, which is spectacular.
After that, we made our way to Jokulsarlon. The glaciers here are beautiful. We got really lucky and actually witnessed one of the huge glaciers drowning into the water. It was scary but incredible at the same time. The diamond beach next to the Jokulsarlon is also really pretty.
We then made our way to one of my favorite place- Stokksnes peninsula and the Vestrahorn mountain. Thanks to my sister who suggested it, because I would have otherwise missed one of the prettiest places in Iceland.
Located on the Stokksnes peninsula the whole area is magical with its steep slopes reaching a flat lagoon, a black sand beach, and small black dunes. It is on the South East Coast of Iceland, at the East end, so completely opposite to Reykjavik.
My main reason again was to visit because of the famous Bollywood movie being shot here. OMG, this place is something that you should not miss. I am so glad we went here.
The beach just in front of Vestrahorn is made of black sand. Make sure you have your wide-angle camera lens here- the mountains give out the crazy reflections in the water and you will find yourself walking on water (in an ocean), which is covered by the intense lava sand.
We walked on it this black sand with basalt lava dunes and it was something I have not experienced before.
From Jokulsarlon, we drove for about 4 hours to Reyðarfjörður, where our airbnb was for the night. Let me tell you, this was the most beautiful drive in the mountains. Yes, it was foggy and scary, but we saw some of the prettiest sheep along our way up the mountains.
It was the drive I will always remember. Truly spectacular.
Day 5: Iceland
By this day, we were in the eastern region of Iceland. We had to drive to North Eastern region today.
We started our day with Gufu Waterfall. This waterfall is literally in the mountains. Truly breathtaking.
Checked out the Seydisfjordur town and had lunch at Askur Taproom. It was delicious and we were having pizza after days, so that pizza was godsent.
After lunch, we went at Dettifoss and Godafoss waterfall and explored that area. Dettifoss waterfall was a beast. So powerful. It was like the mother of all waterfalls.
One of the many interesting things about Iceland is that the landscape is totally different from one region to another. For example, the landscape near the at Dettifoss region was all volcanic rocks and moon-like and if you just drive 15 minutes from there to the next spot Namafjall it was “Mars-like”. Compared to that the landscape on southeast Iceland is all green vegetation.
We made our way to Namafjall Geothermal area on the North East side of Iceland. Sulfuric acid coming out the grounds and the landscape was unlike I have experienced before. The soil in the area has little vegetation due to the acidity caused by these geothermal processes. The area is also known as Hevrir.
Others spots to check out here: Krafla and Lake Mývatn.
Akureyri is another big town in Iceland. You will find restaurants and residential apartments here. Even though it is not as big as Reyjavik, it is still quite populated.
Checked in later that night in one of my favorite Airbnbs so far: Varmahlíð It is the best place we stayed in on the entire Ring Road. It was a wooden glass cottage in an open field. There is also stable on the field with sheep and horses. It is so peaceful and pretty. Horse riding is available here too, just like Geysir. But, I would highly suggest doing it in Geysir.
Day 6: Iceland
Woke up, had some delicious breakfast in our airbnb, and made our way to Reykjavik.
On our way, we stopped at kirkjufellsfoss which is also one of the famous locations from Game of Thrones. It was indeed really pretty and I can say my sister and husband who are GOT fans, were definitely impressed.
Explored Reykjavik a bit more and made our visit to the famous landmark Hallgrímskirkja church. The architecture of this church was very intricate.
It was our last night, and we were a little depressed to be honest, haha! So we decided to have dinner in the city and have some drinks.
Day 7: Flew back from Iceland.
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Iceland Recommendations:
- Pack a lot of food. We took packets of Indian food (not frozen), mac and cheese, pasta, maggie, ramen noodles, etc. Also, take a lot of snacks to eat during driving. It is okay to pack fewer clothes since you will wear a jacket most of the time, but pack food. You will not find restaurants for miles apart and a lot of the places close at 6 pm on weekdays.
- We would reach our Airbnb every day and cook quick meals because there were not many options outside.
- Spend at least a week, and drive around Iceland. You will see places around the ring road that are breathtaking. Without the drive, you might not be able to experience it.
- Do not rush to start your day, if you go in Summer, because from June to August the sun does not set at all and you can explore till midnight. I would recommend going to the touristy spots in the evening during the summertime so that most of the crowd is already gone. For example, we went to the Skogafoss in the evening at about 7 pm and found the entire place to ourselves.
- Visit in Summer if you can. You will be able to get more hours of sunlight.
- Bring waterproof shoes, you will need them.
- Bring water bottles with filters. Iceland water is super clean, you can easily fill up the bottles from various locations, even rivers, and lakes and directly drink that.
Iceland was one of my favorite places. I highly recommend you to drive around Iceland with open eyes. Beauty can be found everywhere, and you really wouldn’t do the country justice, if you just followed the tourist masses on the popular ring road.
I would totally visit the country again since there is so much more to explore. Have you been to Iceland?
Make sure to check out my Instagram, to see all my Iceland Story highlights. I am sure you will love it 🙂 Also, tag me in your photos if you use any of my recommendations from this itinerary so that we can connect there!
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