Iceland is the most densely packed country I’ve visited — I was only there eight days and it took me 30 posts (counting this one) to cover everything I did! Today’s final post recaps everything I’ve written so far about Iceland; it’s a resource for anyone planning their own travels to this magical place.
So far I haven’t shared any photos from my recent Iceland trip, but that all changes today — here are my best 85 images from the Land of Fire and Ice. Fair warning: you will want to book a trip to Iceland after reading this post.
I arrive in Iceland at 4am. Time to tackle details like a local SIM card, rental car pick-up, and COFFEE before the rest of the country wakes up and I can really start exploring.
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most iconic spots — and I arrive here right when they open to enjoy the magic of this area without crowds. It’s bliss.
Inside one of Iceland’s Extinct Volcanoes
Join me as I descend into the magma chamber of an extinct volcano in Iceland — this is one of the most unique activities I’ve done throughout my travels.
Swankiest Hostel Ever: KEX in Iceland
KEX in Reykjavik is the swankiest hostel I’ve ever stayed at, plus they serve some of the best food in all of Iceland. Check out their funky design aesthetic and mouth-watering seafood dishes.
I plan to get an early start on my Iceland road trip, but I wake up to SUNSHINE in typically gray Reykjavik! So I take a few hours to explore the city on foot. The views from Hallgrimskirkja tower are especially impressive.
Curious how I camped my way around Iceland? I put together this handy guide for planning a similar road trip — which campsites are the best, where to rent camping gear, and how to divide your time between the best that Iceland has to offer.
Iceland Road Trip Day 1: Drive to Akureyri
An account of Day 1 of my Icelandic road trip, from Reykjavik to Akureyri in the north. I detour to visit two waterfalls along the way and then get lost — at least I get to see some of rural Iceland, including churches and rainbows, while finding my way.
Akureyri, Iceland’s Charming City in the North
Akureyri is a charming town in northern Iceland — I scope out its cafes, coffeeshops, and waterfront views. And my visit happens to overlap with the annual arts and music festival, score!
Iceland Road Trip Day 2: Drive to Myvatn
Recap and photos from Day 2 of my Iceland road trip towards Lake Myvatn — highlights include Godafoss waterfall, pseudo-craters, and some epic landscape shots.
Northern Lights Over Lake Myvatn
Today’s post recaps the best campsite in Iceland… plus that time I saw the Northern Lights dancing in the sky while I soaked in natural hot springs in the wee hours of the night.
Geothermal Activity at Hverir, Iceland… and the Game of Thrones ‘Sex Cave’
The highlights of Myvatn, Iceland include impressive geothermal activity, a turquoise crater lake, and a natural hot spring best known as the location of a ‘Game of Thrones’ sex scene.
Iceland Road Trip Day 3: Drive to Puffin Colony
Day 3 of my Iceland road trip takes me to a puffin colony in a remote part of the country. The scenery is RIDICULOUS — mountains, ocean, sweeping landscapes — Iceland just keeps topping itself.
Seydisfjordur: A Pocket of Beauty Tucked Away at the Top of the World
Seydisfjordur is a charming and isolated port town in northern Iceland, surrounded by mountains and trickling waterfalls. It’s my new happy place.
Iceland Road Trip Day 4: East Coast
Today’s drive along the east coast of Iceland features rugged mountain terrain and then coastal views that remind me of California — all within a 3-hour span. I can’t get over how diverse the topography is here.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Tour
I’m thrilled to share this post — check out the icebergs at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon in Iceland. This was my favorite place to photograph during my trip.
What’s Iceland without a little ice? I scope out the views at Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon, two outrageously scenic glacier lagoons full of floating icebergs.
Explorations in Skaftafell, Iceland
Highlights at Skaftafell include a short hiking trail that takes me to Svartifoss waterfall and Icelandic turf houses cut into the soil. Impressive glacier views to boot.
Iceland Road Trip Day 5: Horses and More
Day 5 of my Iceland road trip brings an encounter with horses, unique lava formations, black sand beaches, and moss. This country continues to impress me on an hourly basis.
Fjadrargljufur, Iceland’s Epic Green Canyon
Fjadrargljufur is an epic green canyon in Iceland. I’m pinching myself that such a place exists on earth. You’re going to want to see these photos.
Crashed Airplane on a Black Sand Beach
There is a remote black sand beach in southern Iceland with a crashed airplane. Only trick is that there’s no signage, you just turn down an unmarked gravel road until you find it. And I pick up a hitchhiker for the first time ever!
My Two Favorite Waterfalls in Iceland
There are a lot of waterfalls in Iceland, but these two are my favorite — Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. They are located 25 minutes apart from each other, and you can walk behind one of them.
I went snorkeling in the sapphire waters of Iceland’s Silfra fissure — this is where two tectonic plates meet, and you can touch both the North American and Eurasian continents at the same time.
Iceland Road Trip Day 6: Golden Circle
I’m headed to Iceland’s Golden Circle. Despite visiting a major waterfall and some geysers, I find this area underwhelming and sort of a tourist trap. The highlight is greenhouse restaurant that only serves tomato-based items.
Northern Lights Exhibit in Reykjavik
If I can’t experience the Northern Lights in their full splendor during my Iceland trip, then the next best thing is this interactive aurora borealis exhibit in Reykjavik.
I’m now back in Reykjavik for one full day. I spend the morning exploring coffee shops, restaurants, and a lovely pedestrian walking area painted as a rainbow for Pride. And I ride in a Porsche!
It’s my last day in Iceland! I spontaneously see a short movie, check out some places along the marina, and visit more coffee shops. I am utterly charmed by this city.
Guess how much money I spent traveling around Iceland for eight days? Biggest expense was rental car and gas, but I saved by camping most nights. I tracked all my spending and put together this expense report.
I shot video footage throughout my time in Iceland and just put together this highlights reel. I guarantee it will make you want to book a trip (or a return trip, as the case may be!).
Last week my son’s school had a “Muffins with Mom” day where they presented us with a hand-drawn picture of mom + a list of questions the kids answered based on how they thought mom would answer. One made me think of you – If your mom could take a trip anywhere she would go to….Iceland!
I guess I’ve talked about your fabulous pictures enough he knows it is our next destination once he’s a little older. Thanks for letting me travel along via picture!
Awww that is so sweet! And Iceland would make a great family destination
So glad you’ve enjoyed the Iceland photos and posts over the past few months!
I have read every last one of your Iceland blogposts in preparation for our trip to Iceland next month! Thank you for including so much detail! It has already helped me tremendously in planning our Ring Road adventure! We plan to follow your itinerary pretty closely but with a couple more days added.
I love your suggestions of renting some camping equipment (which we will probably do) and camping at Skogafoss (which we will definitely do). Also, we can’t miss the Myvatn Nature Baths!
One question though… I can’t remember where I read this but I’ve heard that there are lots of bugs near Myvatn in June. Do we need some kind of bug netting? We’re planning to camp at most of the places along the ring road and I’m no fan of bugs
Thanks Emily, I am so glad you found the posts helpful! RE: bugs, I don’t recall encountering them in late August, but it is very possible that they will be buzzing around in June. I have not used bug netting before but it’s worth looking into. Once you’re inside your tent for the night, as long as there aren’t holes in the tent, you should be safe from bugs. Good luck with your trip! I am sure it will be a fantastic time!
Hi, I noticed that you did the Inside the Volcano Tour, and it is currently $420.00 US per person.
Are there any discounts? I noticed in your monetary pie that you only spent about $150.00 for activities, but you did the Inside the Volcano Tour. Any hidden discounts? Thank you
Sorry, none that I know of! They kindly hosted me in exchange for writing about my experience here. I disclosed that at the bottom of the post in bold print (here). If you check out my Iceland budget post (here), I also noted all blog discounts I received, as well as a thorough breakdown of how much money I spent (and how I spent it) in Iceland. I hope that helps. Sorry I can’t help with a Volcano tour discount! It is pricey but very, very neat. It was not within my budget so I was lucky they were willing to host me in exchange for writing about it so that more people could find out about this tour. Good luck on your trip!
beautiful beautiful Iceland.. thanks for the great entries and photos. I wish Iceland is much cheaper since I from Malaysia and the flight ticket would cost a bomb to Iceland.
Still, hoping to visit Iceland one day with my kiddos..
Thank you, Shazia! I hope you get to Iceland one day.
I was wondering what type of car you got and if it was 4×4 capable? I will be going in July and wanted to do the Golden circle and the ring road in the SE. Do you think a 2WD would be fine?
I rented a 4WD vehicle. My sister and her friends drove the whole Ring Road in July (six weeks before my trip) and they had a 2WD vehicle — they said 2WD worked okay, but they would’ve felt better in a 4WD car to handle some of the bumpy parts of Ring Road. I wrote more about my rental car in this post: http://www.asherworldturns.com/arriving-in-iceland-at-4am/.