ROAD TRIP THROUGH ICELAND

If my vacations were divided into categories, they would easily fall into two, Iceland and everything that’s not Iceland. The island has more undeveloped “free” land than urban built-up areas making nature the main inhabitant of Iceland.  

Seeing nature in such a dominant state makes you really put your priorities into perspective. I always enjoy the company of people that encourage me to question why things are the way they are, so by default, I enjoy places that make me think this way as well. 

Landscapes can change faster than expected in Iceland. You can cross white snowcapped mountains, black lava masses, beige hay fields and blue beaches in the span of an hour by car. Natural formations such as beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, lagoons, waterfalls, canyons, mountains and geysers also memorize you, one after the other.  

In short, you’re constantly surrounded by beauty, and what’s better than that?

This guide was created especially for you and based on all your questions and requests. This is an entry-level guide to Iceland, graded “Easy” on the adventure scale, making it accessible for anyone to experience Iceland. 

Use this guide as a backbone to plan your trip, use it as a launching pad to create your own itinerary, or simply use it to spark your imagination. Whatever form it takes, I’m here to make your trip to Iceland happen.

Let me live vicariously through your vacation as you did mine. I’d love to hear about your experiences. As always, tag me and DM me on @talasoubra. 

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INTRODUCTION

A trip to Iceland is an experience orbiting around nature, exploration and friendship.  If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday to “just be”, then this is not your trip.  

• Nature: The vacations I take are mostly to metropolitan cities and the occasional rural towns. Iceland, however, is about being exposed to the kind of nature you believe only resides in the pages of a National Geographic magazine. It’s a surreal feeling to be there, to touch a glacier and to feel the strength of a waterfall.

• Exploration: The sights to see in Iceland are not in gated parks and don’t involve queues, they’re simply open areas for you to explore. This automatically reframes your mindset to wake up, look out for interesting spots, get out of your car, climb that rock, or drive to the hidden lake and explore. 

• Friendship: When exploring Iceland, you’ll be interacting with two things: nature and the company you’re with.  I suggest choosing your companion wisely, preferably someone who’s on the same wavelength as you because most of your time spent will be in the confines of a car with him or her. People have asked if Iceland is a romantic holiday, which is a tricky question. My answer is: if you’re a couple that is used to outdoor adventure, then yes, but if you’re a couple new to outdoor adventure, this trip will likely be a useful report card for your relationship. 

The population of Iceland is 360,000 in an area of 103,000 km². We actually saw more tourists than locals. The locals we interacted with were polite, helpful and most of them spoke English. 

• I want to see the Northern Lights: August to April 

• I want snow: December to March

• I like warmer weather: June to August

I went to Iceland in October, during the fall season, so we enjoyed some parts of Iceland covered in snow, and other parts which were not. The temperature ranged between -4 degrees Celsius and  2 degrees Celsius. During windy days, the cold stopped me from being outside for long periods of time, so my next visit will be in the summer. 

You don’t need a tour guide to explore Iceland. You just need this guide! 

As we crossed Iceland, I repeatedly spotted large tour busses, which absolutely reaffirmed my decision to go at it independently.  With a large tour operator, one stop can take up to an hour, you can’t stop on the side of the road if you see something interesting, you can’t play your own music, and you won’t get to experience the feeling of a road trip, which is half the fun. 

BEFORE YOU GO

I segregated Iceland into the 4 cardinal directions: West, South, East and North. We used Reykjavík as our base, and depending on our itinerary for the day, we would either come back to Reykjavík to spend the night, or stay in a different town (details below). I included the town and hotel name to give you the flexibility of booking another hotel in the same town while allowing you to stay on course with the itinerary I have set:

1. Reykjavík - West Iceland: Center Hotel Laugavegur is a quirky hotel, in the center of Reykjavík. The rooms are well-sized, and the beds are comfortable (a hairdryer, shower amities, and minibar are all available). They offer an on-point international breakfast, which is necessary for the long days on the road. Parking and WIFI available.

2. Hof - South Iceland - Second Stop: Adventure Hotel Hof is a friendly, cabin-like hotel in South Iceland. It’s located 30 minutes away from Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoon. Your room includes a sink, but the other bathroom facilities are communal. The hotel was full of adventurous tourists sharing their experiences with one another. Reserve a spot for dinner upon arrival because it tends to get full quite fast. They offer a hearty international breakfast to set you on your way. Parking and WIFI available.

3. Seyðisfjörður – East Iceland: Hótel Snæfell is a cozy hotel along a beautiful lake. The rooms are cozy and white, designed with traditional wooden flooring and include a private bathroom. The hotel is 1.5 hours away from a beautiful canyon in the West. They offer a hearty breakfast in a sun filled dinning hall. Parking and WIFI available. 

4. Midfjordur – North Iceland: Hótel Laugarbakki is a modern hotel close to the wale watching point. The rooms are spacious and include their own private bathroom. The hotel includes a hot tub, bar and a restaurant great for international breakfasts and dinners. Parking and WIFI available. 

The largest airport in Iceland is Keflavík Airport and is used for most international flights. Fortunately, the airport is also an ideal starting location to explore Iceland. 

• If you’re living in Europe, there are direct flights to Keflavík Airport, Iceland from most major cities.

• If you’re living in the Middle East, you’ll have to stop in Europe (London, Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna to name a few) then continue to Keflavík Airport, Iceland. 

• All other destinations will probably follow the same sequence of stopping in Europe and continuing to Keflavík Airport, Iceland. 

The airport is midsized, easy to get around, and all the signs are in English. When you exit the airport, there are car rental companies, exchange houses, tour operators, a small convenience store and your basic essentials.

Even though Iceland is not part of the European Union, some passport holders are required to have a Schengen Visa for entry.

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Króna. All commercial outlets including restaurants, gas stations and hotels are equipped with card machines. A card is required for self-filling gas stations along the Ring Road. When I travel, I always have both card and cash at my disposal. 

All the major car rental companies are available in Iceland. Since Iceland is becoming a popular travel destination, book your car in advance, and remember, this is notthe time to skimp on insurance! Get that full coverage and explore with abandon. 

I rented an automatic Jeep Unlimited 4x4, which I fell in love with instantly. It had the power I needed, the capability to drive through the different terrains, and the feel I wanted for a road trip. Don’t rent a city car for your journey, it just won’t do the job. 

When renting a car, make sure you know if your car is Diesel vs Gasoline, how to open the gas tank, where your spare tire is, and what the car rental company’s emergency contact number is. 

I used @geysircarrental to rent my Jeep. Why I picked them:

• They have many great 4x4 options both manual and automatic cars

• They were quick to respond and direct me to the nearest garage when I had a car inquiry  

• You can rent a portable WIFI router directly from them 

• Their Instagram page will spark your imagination!

The airport houses the main car rental companies while the remaining companies are located one minute away from the airport. A shuttle bus takes you to and from the airport, every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. You will need to take the shuttle bus to reach @geysircarrental. 

The radio only works in Reykjavík city and some major towns. Since you will be spending most of your time outside of the city, and since a big part of a road trip is enjoying good music, make sure you have a great playlist before you hit the road. 

Spotify has many great play lists like the “Classic Road Trip“ and “Summer Road Trip” to keep you entertained.

The locals speak Icelandic in Iceland. Everyone is well-versed in English, but I always enjoy learning the basics when I’m in a new country:

• Hello: Halló

• Good Morning: Góðan daginn

• Thank You: Takk

• I love You: Ég elska þig (pronounced: yĕg  l-skä  thĭg) 

I went to Iceland in October when the temperature was between -4 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius, so it was important for me to keep warm. Make sure everything you purchase is waterproof and water-resistant. I purchased everything from Columbia, both in their retail store and outlet store (in Dubai). They have Omni-Heat Reflective material that keeps you warm and regulates your temperature. Worth the investment!

This is what I packed:

• Omni-Heat Reflective, down, water resistant and waterproof jacket that has a hood

• Omni-Heat Reflective thermals, leggings and long sleeved shirts

• Long sleeved sweaters which I wore over my thermals, and a zip-up sweater on top of that

• Track pants which I wore over my thermal leggings

• Omni-Heat Reflective gloves

• A warm hat. I love my beanie

• A very warm scarf

• Waterproof and water-resistant hiking shoes

• Long wool socks 

• And last but not least, my favourite, a bathing suit for the lagoons!

Most of the sights in Iceland are free of charge to visit. Only the Blue Lagoon, the volcanic crater, and certain tours have a charge.  

Iceland is dry and in the winter it’s even drier. Don’t forget your sunblock, body cream and lip balm. The Blue Lagoon should definitely be on your list of places to visit on this trip, so keep the following in mind: Before entering the Lagoon you’ll be required to take a quick shower, and when you do, cover your hair with conditioner to retain moisture since the lagoon will dry it up. Expect your hair to be dry after the lagoon for a week, so having extra hair conditioner on hand will help, especially if your hotel doesn’t provide it. 

ONCE YOU’RE THERE

I’ve listed the best places to visit in Iceland to use as a foundation for your adventure. When you’re on the road, pull over when you see something captivating, in fact, our in-between landmark stops were some of my favorites. Also, look out for natural landmark signs pinned across the island, which can guide you to something new.  

• A) Blue Lagoon: A geothermal lagoon where the water averages 39 degrees Celsius. Make sure to condition your hair well before entering the lagoon. Bookings are required in advance. Photography Tip: Select portrait mode to blur out everyone else in the background so it feels like you’re the only one in the lagoon. Boost your saturation when editing your shot to make the blues even bluer. 

• B) Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: The distinguishing feature of this waterfall are the pathways that circle it, giving you the opportunity to view the waterfall from all angles. Photography Tip: Try photographing the waterfall from within and towards its base to show the water falling from above you. When editing your shot boost your sharpness to capture the contrast of textures.

• C) Skógafoss Waterfall: This is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland with a width of 25 meters. If the sun is out, you will always spot a rainbow as the water crashes down. Photography Tip: Capture the powerful waterfall with the delicate rainbow. Boost your saturation when editing your photo to make the rainbow pop. 

• D) Solheimasandur Plane Wreck: The iconic plane wreck on a black sand beach. Photography Tip: Select a wide frame to show the plane wreck against the vast black beach providing a more eerie feel to the shot.  Boost your contrast when editing to make the plane stand out. 

• E) Black Sand Beach Viewpoint: This stop gives you an aerial view of the black sand beach and the lone boulder standing tall on the shore. Photography Tip: Capture the moment when the waves are sliding back to the sea creating a strong contrast between the black sand and white waves. Boost your black point when editing your shot to make your blacks really black.

• F) Reynisdrangar: A black sand beach that has basalt rock formations and iconic rock formations in the sea. Photography Tip: Select a wide view to capture both the rock formations on the shore and in the sea. Boost your contrast when editing. 

• G) Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: My favorite location in Iceland is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, filled with icebergs from a glacier. Boat tours are available from icelagoon.is, which require bookings in advance. Photography Tip: Select a wide view to capture all the elements. This location is filled with blue on blue on blue, so boost your sharpness to get a strong differentiation between all the elements in the photo. 

• H) Diamond Beach: A black sand beach that washes up blocks of icebergs. (Diamonds). Photography Tip: Capture the moment when the waves hit the icebergs. Boost your sharpness when you edit the photos. Also, the icebergs make noises as they melt, capture them speaking on video.

• I) Stuðlagil Canyon: A canyon formed by a river flowing through basalt column formations. The sharp edges of the basalt columns contrast with the flowing river beautifully. Photography Tip: Capture the river flowing in the middle of your shot to guide the viewer’s eye on a journey. When editing, boost your sharpness to capture the contrast of textures. 

• J) Námaskarð Pass: A hot spring area filled with vibrant colors including blue, red, green and orange. Photography Tip: Get up close to one of the geysers to capture the details of the mud springs. Boost your saturation when editing to make the colors pop. 

• K) Hólmavík: A new location for some of the most acrobatic whale watching on the island, which usually occurs in the summer months. Book your tour in advance with lakitours.com. Photography Tip: Capture the moment the whale falls back into the water. Boost your sharpness to define the water splashes. 

• L) Strokkur Gyster: A famous hot spring geyser, which was the busiest attraction we visited. Photography: Try to capture a slow-motion video of the water shooting out of the earth.  

• M) Kerið: A volcanic crater with water at its base, circled by a forest. Photography Tip: Keep circling around the crater until the blue sky is reflected on the water showing an illusion that the water is blue. Boost your brilliance while editing your photo to make the blue pop. 

• N) Gullfoss: A waterfall that falls in two stages turning it into a grand waterfall. Photography Tip: Capture the waterfall from its highest peak to capture the two stages. When editing boost your saturation to contrast the blue waterfall and earthy surroundings.  

• O) Landmannalaugar: A mountain range full of colors, green, blue, red, yellow! You require a 4x4 to reach the mountain. Photography Tip: The best shot captures the varying colors so select your widest frame. Boost your brilliance when editing to make the colors come alive. 

• P) Hellnar Viewpoint: A beautiful viewpoint on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula looking straight into a basalt formation cave. Photography Tip: Walk right into the small cave and capture the shot when the water crashes in. Boost your sharpness when editing to show basalt formations. 

• Q) Stokksnes and Kirkjufell: Both these areas are ideal to view the Northern Lights, which appear from August to April. You will probably have to try more than once to catch the green lights dance. I would recommend accompanying an expert. Photography Tip:  Visit thepointsguy.com for details on how to capture he northern lights with your phone. 

• Day 1: Land in Keflavík and head to location A. Spend the night in Reykjavik at Hotel 1, Center Hotel Laugavegur.

• Day 2: Visit locations B through F. Spend the night in Hof at Hotel 2, Adventure Hotel Hof.

• Day 3: Visit locations G and H. Spend the night in Seyðisfjörður at Hotel 3, Hótel Snæfell.

• Day 4: Visit locations I and J. Spend the night in Midfjordur, Hotel 4, Hótel Laugarbakki. 

• Day 5: Visit location K. Spend the night in Reykjavik at Hotel 1, Center Hotel Laugavegur.

• Day 6: Visit locations L to O. Spend the night in Reykjavik at Hotel 1, Center Hotel Laugavegur.

• Day 7: Visit location P and Q. Spend the night in Reykjavik at Hotel 1, Center Hotel Laugavegur.

The itinerary is set as a seven day road trip in Iceland, but you can ultimately split the trip into two visits, which is what I chose. I visited during fall and completed half the above mentioned destinations and I’ll be returning to Iceland in summer to complete the northern destinations.

My Google Map was the most important asset on the trip, so you have to have it. I’ve pinned the airport (in orange), the hotels (in purple), the restaurants (in yellow) and the destinations (in blue).

My travels are usually centered on food, but in Iceland, my journey was the priority and food was just the support… however that doesn’t mean we didn’t eat well along the way! 

The Ring Road is dotted with supermarkets and international cafes you can stop at when you’re hungry. Because we wanted take advantage of being on the road as much as we could, we usually had a big breakfast at the hotel, our lunches were snacks in the car, and dinners, if were in the city, were our splurge. Our snacks included fresh baked goods from Brauð & Co (listed below), fresh fruits, yogurt, granola bars, nuts, crackers and some other favorites. 

When you’re in Reykjavík , here’s your restaurant hit list:

• Reykjavik Roasters / Coffee Shop

• Brauð & Co / Bakery

• Sandholt / Bakery

• Kaktus espresso bar / Breakfast 

• The Coocoo’s Nest / Café

• Vínstúkan Tíu sopar / Wine Bar

• Snaps Bistro / Bistro

• Bergsson Mathús / Tacos

• Glo / Healthy Vegan

• Matur og Drykkur / Icelandic Restaurant

• Sea Baron / Seafood

• Fisherman Fish Shop & Kitchen / Fish Shop

• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur / Hot Dogs

• Flatlay Pizza / Pizza Shop

• Pho Vietnam Restaurant / Pho

• Omnom Chocolate Factory / Chocolate Factory 

Adventure is exciting, but safety is even more important, and for me, safety means connectivity. 

• SIM Card: Even if you have the capability of subscribing to a local data plan with your carrier service, you’ll be traveling to areas where connections can be weak, so buy a local SIM card with data and cellular service to ensure your connectivity throughout. Having a local SIM makes it easier to contact (and be contacted by) emergency numbers. You can find a SIM card in the convenience store in the airport.

• Portable WIFI: Rent a portable WIFI router which is available at your car rental company and has a per-day charge. Your GPS will be on throughout your trip, so the WIFI router ensures unlimited data usage (for everyone in the car) and double connectivity. 

There are plenty of gas stations along the Ring Road, and they are all pinned on Google Maps. Most of the gas stations are self-service. For those like me who are not used to self-service, here’s a cheat sheet:

• Park your car so the gas pump is next to your gas tank. 

• Learn how to open your gas tank (it took me two days to do this with my Jeep).

• Know if your car is Diesel vs Gasoline.

• Select English on the refuel payment machine, which is adjacent to the gas pump.

• Insert your card in the machine and punch in your card pin. 

• Select how much you would like to fill up – I always selected full.

• Enter your pump number, which is written on the gas pump. 

• Insert the gas pump into your car and squeeze the lever until the gas stops flowing. Iceland is very windy so make sure you tap the gas pump to make sure all the gas it out of the hose. 

• Return the gas pump, and be on your way. 

The above may sound quite easy, but when its -4 degrees Celsius and extremely windy, it’s better to know this in advance. 

• Roads: The roads in Iceland are exceptionally well maintained. The main road you will be traveling on is the Ring Road, which is a 1,333 km long road that circles the whole island. In theory, you can drive around the island in 15 hours without stopping.  

• Ring Road: Having the Ring Road makes logistics much easier in Iceland. Most of the sights, pit stops and hotels are along the ring road, so when in doubt, follow the white lined road and you’ll hit your destination sooner or later! 

• Headlights: Your car headlights must be switched on at all times, day and night.

• Speed radars: There are speed radars along the Ring Road, but mostly closer to the cities. They are conveniently pinned on Google Maps and a road monitoring sign usually precedes them. 

• Overtaking: Roads in the countryside are two-lane roads with one lane going in each direction. When overtaking someone in front of you, put your left indicator on (to let them know), and then overtake the car while putting your right indicator on. 

• Bridges: Most of the inland bridges are single lane, so keep a look out for a sign that indicates this. Wait until the bridge is clear before crossing it. 

• Roadside Stopping: There are many times you’ll want to stop on the side of the road to enjoy the view, but play it safe and wait until you reach one of the many side road extensions to stop to ensure everyone’s safety. 

• Off-roading: Off-roading is prohibited to protect the natural landscapes, but there are many marked trials off the Ring Road for you to explore.  

The animals were one the tenderest part of Iceland. The countryside is filled with horses, cows and sheep. On several occasions we stopped on the side of the road and spent time cuddling with the friendly horses and cows. Of course, make sure you don’t trespass on someone’s private property! 

Other than enjoying the beautiful scenery:

• Music

• Audiobooks

• Road trip games like Cows On My Side (yes it’s an actual game) and Word Association

• Existential questions to think about:

  • What really makes me happy?

  • Who makes me really happy?

  • What do I want to achieve?

  • What have I always wanted to do but never found the courage to? 

It’s difficult to take a bad photo in Iceland. Don’t forget your camera, your power banks and memory cards, but most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the moment. When I stopped at a destination, I set a maximum of ten minutes for photography and spent the remaining time just taking it in. 

I traveled to Iceland with a girlfriend of mine, and we felt safe throughout, both in the city and in untouched areas. 

If you have car trouble, contact your car rental company. They’re used to solving issues because of the nature of the terrain, and they have garages throughout Iceland they can direct you to.   

• Emergency:                112

• Health Services:         1770

Special thanks to @sarahmin_min for being my partner in crime throughout this adventure and @serenetouma for her editing support and love!

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