10 Day Iceland Road Trip

I did this trip in May of 2022, when the weather was fairly nice and the sun barely set leaving lots of time for exploring. It was my first solo trip and as you’ll see I missed some sights but it was still a great success and one of my favourite countries to this day. 

Land early, grab your rental car from the airport, and get on the road! I used Zero Car Rental and would recommend. Grab food and whatever you need then head straight to Thingvellir National Park to scuba or snorkel the Silfra Fissure. You snorkel in crystal clear water above a trench that divides the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and you can touch both sides at once!

Make a reso to have lunch at Friðheimar, a unique restaurant in a tomato greenhouse and try the tomato soup! After lunch tour the Golden Circle to see the main sites such as Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, Kerid Crater Lake, etc. I regret I missed going to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs, a hot river that you access by hiking for 30-60 minutes.

Haifoss Waterfall and Fossardalur Valley were on my list to do this day as well but I didn’t so I have nothing more to say.

Get groceries before heading to your accommodation for the night. Bonus and Kronan are known for being more affordable and should have everything you need.

Stay at Midgard Base Camp, a hostel near Selfoss with a rooftop sauna and hot tub.

Today you will see some of the most iconic waterfalls. Start at Glugafoss for a less-known waterfall before heading to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and walk further down the path to a waterfall hidden in a canyon (Gljufrabui). Drive to Seljavellir Geothermal Pool and go for a dip. The next waterfall to see is Skogafoss and you can walk up the stairs and hike along the river, the full walk takes 3-4 hours but you can turn around whenever.

Next, I attempted to visit Dyrholaey, a black beach with a rock cove on a peninsula. It’s a good spot to see puffins which I was buzzing to see, but the road was closed that evening for PUFFIN NESTING. I found out later I could have just gone the next morning!!

I then made a grave mistake. I went to see the airplane crash but arrived after the shuttle bus hours so I walked as many people do. The issue was it was long (~ 1.5 hrs), boring, raining, and on black sand. It was brutal to walk on and ruined my lower back. The plane is cool but for me, it wasn’t worth the walk so I strongly suggest just taking the shuttle from the parking lot.

Stay at the Barn Hostel or somewhere right in the town of Vik.

Start the day by visiting Reynisfjara, a black sand beach with basalt columns, and Black Sand Beach, Vik. Then visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and be ready to be amazed (unless you don’t admire canyons as much as I do).

I was considering hiking Svartifoss waterfall at Skaftafell National Park on this day but my back was so sore from that silly walk to the plane that I skipped it. If you do the hike leave yourself lots of time as it can take 4-5 hours

I did manage to see Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, but if you want to get closer you can book a tour to walk right on the glacier. Then head on to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of the prettiest places in the country if you ask me and my first time seeing icebergs. If that isn’t enough, little seals were swimming around the picturesque lagoon. Nearby is Diamond Beach which has little pieces of icebergs scattered around the sand.

Stay at the Viking Café & Guesthouse or right in Höfn.

The will be a long but scenic driving day along the East Coast so be ready for that. Start the morning at Stokksnes/Vestrahorn, these mountains shoot straight up from the sand it’s actually crazy. Drive along the ring road to take in the views of the Eastern Fjords until reaching Seyðisfjörður Village. Stop here to stretch your legs by walking around this cute town and maybe grab something to eat or a coffee before hitting the road again. Stop at Egilsstadir if you need anything or possibly stay here for the night. If you have more energy left you can hike for one hour to the Hengifoss waterfall.

Stay at Mjóanes Accommodation, a little B&B a bit past Eglisstadir that was perfect for the night.

Start the day by visiting Studlagil Canyon in Jokuldar. You will have to walk for a while from the parking spot to reach it but it’s easy if I remember it correctly. Drive further up the highway to see Selfoss, Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful waterfall), and Hafragilsfoss. Next, go enjoy Myvatin nature baths for me as unfortunately, I missed it. After the baths, some optional sights are Skutustadagiger Pseudocraters and Dimmuborger Lava Fields which I decided to skip but might be up your alley if you’re a geology buff. You’ll drive past Lake Myvatin and this might be a good spot to stop for a meal or snack. On your way to Akureyri stop at Godafoss to see one more waterfall and then carry on to your accommodation for the night.

Stay in Akureyri for 2 nights. I booked an Airbnb here but with it being Iceland’s second biggest city there should be plenty of options.

Explore the city then enjoy the stunning drive up to Husavik to go to Geosea, a geothermal sea bath overlooking the ocean. This is also a popular place for whale-watching if that’s more your style. After the bath I grabbed some fish and chips at a place in Husavik called, you’ll never guess it.. Fish and Chips (Harfnarstett 19, 640 Husavik). I thought it was delicious and affordable but I’m from the middle of Canada so I’m no expert.

Another seaside town you might want to hit up is Siglufjörður, about 1-hour drive north of Akureyri but on a different peninsula from Husavik. If you’re not sick of driving you can potentially do both towns but you might want to research them and choose one.

On my way back to Akureyri I made a little detour to Christmas House to find a Christmas tree ornament as a souvenir which I realize is niche but was fun and different, and it was raining so it made for a good indoor activity.

If you’re looking for a place to eat try Bryggjan.

This will be your longest driving day so head off early. You’re heading towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula but on the way you can stop at Glaumbar to see turf houses and Grabrok to see a large volcanic crater. There’s a lot to explore on the peninsula such as Kirkjufell, Londrangar basalt cliffs, Svortuloft lighthouse, Djupalonssandur Beach, Deildartunguhver, Budir black church, Arnarstapi to hellnar cliff walk, and Hraunfossar/Barnafoss.

Icelandic Fish Soup @ Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkishólmur was recommended to me.

Stay somewhere near the peninsula such as Borgarnes.

You’ll head to the capital city of Reykjavik this day but if you want to get in one more nature activity do the Glymur hike, it takes 3-4 hours and I want to be clear I did not do this. I went straight to the city to go shopping and eat. You’ll have more than one day in the city so here are some options for ways to spend your time. Visit Sky Thermal Pool, Culture House, Museums, Laugavegur Street, and Harpa Concert Hall. If you want something more organized and a way to meet people book a pub crawl, food tour, or walking tour.

Restaurants: Fiskmarkadurrin (fish market), Seagreifinn (Lobster soup), Bergsson Mathus (rye bread), Icelandic Street Food (seafood soup in a bread bowl), Baerjarins hot dog stand, Fisherman Fish Shop and kitchen, Sushi Social (delicacies).

The one thing you HAVE to do is visit the Blue Lagoon. This is convenient to do on your way to the airport but depending on your flight you might have to do it during your city day(s).

Stay at KEX hostel in the city centre.