Iceland Travel Guide: Iceland Road Trip Tips & Itinerary
Kvernufoss, South Iceland
Traveling to Iceland is like exploring another planet. With gigantic waterfalls, active volcanoes, expansive glaciers, and even their own breed of horse, Iceland has an endless array of things to discover. Whether you are an experienced traveler or just starting out, you won’t be disappointed by all that Iceland has to offer. Iceland was the second country I ever visited, but the first one I planned on my own. During my first visit, I absolutely fell in love with Iceland and I have been obsessed ever since. So much so that I have visited two more times since.
There is no better way to see Iceland than to take a road trip. You will have the freedom to take your time exploring and stop at sights you can’t visit with a tour. This Iceland Road Trip Itinerary will take you around Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast. I have done this itinerary in 5 days, but you can shorten or lengthen the trip based on the activities you want to do.
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What to Expect
How to get there: Fly into Keflavik Airport (KEF). From Minneapolis, it’s a 6-hour flight and can be as low as $400 round trip.
When to go: The best time to visit Iceland is in the warmer months — May to September — when the weather is less extreme, and the driving conditions are safer.
Costs: Getting to Iceland (from Minneapolis) is relatively inexpensive. Expect to pay between $400-600. Food and accommodations are very expensive, though. I recommend staying at hostels and eating food from grocery stores if on a budget.
Language: The official language of Iceland is Icelandic, although most people speak English very well.
Currency: The Icelandic Krona. Currently, there is a conversion rate of 1 USD = 129 Icelandic Krona. For example, you can expect to pay around 600 Krona for a latte. You don’t need to carry around too much cash because almost every place accepts credit cards. But I always recommend having at least some cash on you just in case.
Safety: Whether you are in the capital city of Reykjavik or a small town, Iceland is very safe. The only way you will risk your safety is if you don’t take the weather seriously.
What to Pack: Make sure you bring waterproof gear, such as a jacket, pants, and shoes. Between the unpredictable weather and exploring waterfalls, you are bound to get wet at some point. And you don't want to ruin your trip by being miserable and wet.
Animals: Sheep and horses and very common to see while driving around Iceland. In fact, there are more sheep in Iceland than there are people. Other than domesticated animals, you won’t find many animals besides birds. If you are lucky, you might see a Puffin, a unique seabird that lives along coastal cliffs.
Renting a Car in Iceland
The easiest way to rent a car is by picking one up at the airport. You will want to book it ahead of time as they can sell out. There are dozens of car rental places that are on-site at the airport. I recommend shopping around different sites to get the best deal.
Make sure you either purchase your rental car with a credit card that has rental insurance or add on insurance through the rental company. Even if you are a safe driver, you want to be covered in Iceland. For example, while my rental car was parked a strong wind came and blew a rock at my windshield and chipped it.
Note you must be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland.
Driving around Iceland
When the weather is nice, driving in Iceland is simple. The main roads are well maintained, and they typically aren’t too busy. This itinerary goes through well-traveled areas, and you shouldn’t have to worry about any rough roads. If you find yourself on a gravel or back road, be cautious as there can be huge potholes. I recommend doing more research on the rules and familiarizing yourself with the road signs. To read more in-depth about the rules, review this website.
Please be careful with the weather, as the winds can get so strong that you will quite literally be knocked off the road. Iceland’s weather should be taken seriously.
Reykjavik
Although the majority of Icelandic citizens live in Reykjavik, it doesn’t feel like a “big city” like New York or Paris. It does, however, maintain the vibrant, trendy energy of a big city. The Scandinavian-style buildings are charming and house cool restaurants, cafes, and shops. It differs from other cities in that you can sneak glimpses of the ocean and mountains reminding you to get out into nature. There is something about the city that just oozes coolness but at the same time is so dang charming.
Things to See in Reykjavik
Rainbow Street
Probably one of the most “instagrammable” spots in the city, Rainbow Street is a symbol of pride and support for diversity in Reykjavik. The street is situated around local shops and restaurants, with a view of the famous church in the distance. You can find the location here.
Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja is the most famous church in Reykjavik and definitely one of the most unique churches I have seen. It is massively tall and was designed to look like basalt rock formations that can be found in Iceland.
Harpa Concert Hall
Take a walk down to the ocean and step inside the glass Harpa Concert Hall. Similar to the church, the Concert Hall was inspired by basalt rock formations. It took me until my third visit to walk inside and I couldn’t believe what I had been missing. The interior is open to a huge wall of glass that is both complicated and elegant. If it’s in your budget you can sit down for a drink at the bar on the main level and enjoy the beauty of the building. It is somehow a perfect representation of Iceland.
Where to Eat Vegan in Reykjavik
Braud & Co is my first stop during every trip to Iceland. They hand-make bakery items, with my absolute favorite being the cinnamon rolls. The amount that I love these cinnamon rolls could be considered an obsession. They even have vegan cinnamon rolls that are just as amazing as the regular!
If you are in the mood for some comfort food in a cozy restaurant, stop at Mama Reykjavik, a Vegan restaurant in the heart of Reykjavik.
For dinner with a trendy, local crowd, try Hlemmur Mathöll, a food hall with various options, including veggie/vegan-friendly choices. The atmosphere in this place was really fun!
Make sure to pick up groceries at my favorite Icelandic grocery store, Bonus, before heading out on your road trip. Restaurants and rest stops aren’t super common along this itinerary, except around the major tourist attractions.
Favorite Coffee Shop
Reykjavik Roasters is a local coffee shop with multiple locations around the city. As you can tell by the name, they roast their own beans and truly specialize in delicious coffee.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
As much as I love Reykjavik, you won’t need to spend more than a night or two in the city. With limited time, you will want to stay close to the main attractions. Try starting your search close to Hallgrímskirkja Church and work your way outwards. I recommend looking at both booking.com and HostelWorld for accommodations.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is made up of three main sights: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park. It is one of the classic “first-time in Iceland” road trip sights, and for good reason. This part of the road trip should only take a day if you head out of Reykjavik early in the morning. If you want to spend more time exploring the National Park, then maybe split it up into 2 days.
Things to do in the Golden Circle
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is unique in that it is situated on the boundary of the Euroasian and North-American tectonic plates. In the park, you can walk between the two continental plates, which is actually the only place in the world where this is possible. Besides that, there are numerous hikes, waterfalls, areas for camping, and so much more to discover. I’ve only barely scratched the surface of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I can’t wait to see more one day.
Gullfoss
By far, one of the most impressive waterfalls I’ve ever seen is Gullfoss. I saw photos of it before I went but when I got there I couldn’t believe how huge it was. My favorite part is walking down the path, being sprayed by water, and taking in how massive it is. To me, there’s something thrilling about feeling so small in nature. Also, if you do want to walk down the path to get an up-close experience, make sure to wear your waterproof gear.
Secret lagoon
One of my all-time favorite things in life is geothermal pools, and this one is no exception. The Secret Lagoon is situated closely to the Golden Circle and is an amazing spot to stop for a relaxing dip. And because it’s not as famous as the Blue Lagoon, it doesn’t have nearly as many visitors and not as high of an entry fee. I recommend visiting at least one geothermal pool while in Iceland because it’s a huge part of their culture, and it’s good for the soul.
Where to Eat in the Golden Circle
Friðheimar
Arguably the coolest restaurant I’ve been to, Friðheimar (AKA the Tomato Restaurant), hides in the town of Reykholt. The restaurant offers only tomato-based soup and drinks, which are all grown on-site. The coolest part: The restaurant IS a greenhouse. While you enjoy your tomato soup with a side of bread, you can admire the gorgeous, tomato-filled greenhouse. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And the soup and bread were delicious!
Extra tip: Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time! I made the mistake of showing up without one and luckily they had space in the small first-come-first-serve bar area. So if you want to guarantee your spot, make a reservation.
Where to Stay in the Golden Circle
If you take a full day to explore Thingvellir National Park, I suggest staying in Reykholt for the night and waking up to finish the rest of the itinerary. If you can fit everything into one day, then I recommend staying the night in either the town of Hella or Hvolsvollur. These towns are about an hour's drive from the Golden Circle and will help you get a head start on the South Coast itinerary.
South Coast
The convenient part about this section of the itinerary is that it’s all along the same road, Route 1, also known as Ring Road. Route 1 goes along the entire edge of Iceland, and many decide to do this in one trip, which is recommended to take about 2 weeks. For now, we are sticking to the South Coast, which is breathtaking. There is so much to see and do in the South Coast of Iceland, from gorgeous waterfalls to gigantic glaciers, and so much more. While this is another tourist hot spot, it is truly a must-see for your first time in Iceland.
Things to See in the South Coast
Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a must-see. It is one of the only waterfalls that have a path that lets you walk behind it and feel just how powerful it is. Be sure to wear your waterproof clothing for this one – you will definitely get soaked from walking behind it. At this stop, you can also take a path north to Gljufrabui waterfall, which is tucked inside a narrow canyon. This feels like a hidden gem compared to its popular neighbor.
Skogafoss
This magnificent waterfall is almost 200 feet tall and another popular stop along the south coast – for good reason! Walking from the parking lot, you arrive at the base of the waterfall, which makes for a fun experience. With no gate, you can get as close as your heart desires. With that being said, please use common sense at this waterfall and all other sites in Iceland.
Kvernufoss
There is a waterfall near Skogafoss that is much less known and visited, called Kvernufoss. It isn’t marked like the other waterfalls so it can be hard to find, but I think that makes it that much more special. For that reason, this is my favorite waterfall in Iceland. I visited early in the morning, so I had it all to myself for more than 30 minutes, and it was breathtaking. The trick to finding this waterfall is driving to the Skogar Museum, parking to the far east of the parking lot, then finding the ladder that goes over the fence. Once you climb over the ladder, it is easy to follow the path that goes to the waterfall.
Sólheimajökull
The Sólheimajökull Glacier is probably the easiest glacier to access on your own in Iceland, and it is extremely impressive. I had never seen a glacier in person until my first time in Iceland and I remember feeling amazed by it. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also take a tour where you can walk across part of the glacier, which I’ve heard is a cool experience. I recommend using Viator to book this tour in advance.
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara beach is more famously known as the “black sand beach”. This beach has rugged rock formations and incredible baltic rock, inspiring the church and concert hall in Reykjavik. It is an expansive beach with fun areas to explore. Be careful when getting close to the water, as the tide can sweep people in without warning.
Look for the Northern Lights
If you are visiting Iceland during months when the sun sets, you can try to search for northern lights on a clear night. Southern Iceland is a great place to look for northern lights because it is away from light pollution. Note that Northern Lights can’t always be seen with your eyes, but your camera can catch them with the right setting.
Where to Eat in the South Coast
There really aren’t many restaurants along Route 1 so I usually end up eating food from Bonus or gas stations. The nice thing about gas stations in Iceland is that many also serve as “fast food” style restaurants with an area for seating. I’ve eaten quite a few gas station french fries, and I must say, they are delicious.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in the town of Vik, which is close to many of the attractions. It is one of the largest cities in the south and has all the necessities you might need, such as grocery stores, accommodations, and gas stations.
On your last day
Because Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, I recommend staying in Keflavik or Reykjavik so you don’t miss your flight. And if you are anything like me, you’ll want another cinnamon roll or 2 before you go.
Other ideas
Blue Lagoon
One of Iceland’s most famous sites is the Blue Lagoon. You have likely seen the Instagram-worthy cloudy blue waters of the Blue Lagoon before visiting this article. During my first trip to Iceland, I paid a visit to this world-wonder, and it was glorious. Not only is the lagoon stunning, but everything from the entrance to the locker room was designed beautifully. If you love to feel luxurious, this is the place to splurge. The basic option to visit is $65 and includes a mud mask, 1 free drink, and a towel to use. I promise you will leave feeling refreshed and opulent.
Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool
One of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland, Seljavallalaug, is located in the south coast highlands. If you love an adventure and don’t mind the rougher things in life, I recommend stopping at this pool. You will have to hike about 25 minutes to reach the pool, following a pretty clear path. The views along the way are extraordinary and are a huge reason why I recommend visiting. The pool itself is a little grimy and not the warmest, despite being geothermally heated. But overall, a cool experience you likely won’t find anywhere else.
Go Horseback Riding
You may not know this, but Iceland has a unique breed of horse that can only be found in Iceland. In fact, no other breed is allowed to enter Iceland. They are durable, friendly, and oh so precious. I love animals and take every opportunity to interact with them — ethically, of course. So for my animal lovers or horseback riders out there, consider going horseback riding! I went during my second visit, and I loved getting to spend time with the horses and take in the beautiful surroundings. The tour I took was offered by a hotel/farm in southern Iceland surrounded by green mountains and went to a waterfall – the whole experience was very majestic. For the exact tour, click here.
Photo courtesy of Aspen Florey
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