Iceland is not only home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes but harbours a wealth of mysterious travel gems that entice people from all over the world to visit and discover. We highly recommend visiting Iceland post November!
Day 1
Check in- Swan House (Hotel in Reykjavik)
We checked in the Swan House Hotel which is a boutique apartment hotel with 43 designer studios, located in the heart of the capital of Iceland. The chic, Scandi styled apartments are coming with a fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom, hardwood floors and good quality beds. The picturesque apartments and their multilingual, friendly staff will make sure you will have a wonderful experience in Reykjavik. We had a fantastic one!
Day 2
Golden Circle Tour and Snowmobiling
We captured the wild spirit of Iceland’s spectacular natural highlights on a full-day tour of the Golden Circle from Reykjavik. Alongside there was a professional guide with whom we went on discovering magnificent landmarks like Þingvellir National Park and the explosive Geysir Hot Spring Area. Then we visited the magnificent power of Gullfoss Waterfall and then headed to the Langjökull glacier to experience an exhilarating snowmobile ride across the ice. You can also visit the incredible natural landmarks like Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Hot Spring Area and Gullfoss Waterfall. Take an exhilarating snowmobile ride on the snowfields of the Langjökull glacier.
Day 3
Lunch at the best pizza place in Reykjavik; Flatey Pizza
You can’t miss the Flatey Pizza with its elegant and trendy digs by Grandi, 10-15 minutes walk from downtown Reykjavík, close to the Whales of Iceland museum.
Flatey Pizza offers real Napoli pizzas baked at high temperatures in an electric oven to ensure that all ingredients are cooked to their maximum potential, producing mouth-wateringly fresh and yummy pizzas each visit. To make their irresistible pizzaiola, all tomatoes are sourced directly from the farm, and their delicious pizza bases are made with Caputo Blue, a very well-respected Neapolitan flour. You cannot afford to miss the slice of Italy in Iceland. We loved it!
Cars Iceland
We then went to the car rental office that is very close to Flatey and then picked up our car for the most epic road trip of our life. Make sure you pre book your car a few weeks in advance.
Head to Skogafoss
The drive from Reykjavik to Skogafoss Iceland is 97 miles long and takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes depending on weather conditions and how many stops you make along the way. This stunning Iceland waterfall is unforgettable and one of the most popular places to visit in Iceland Skogafoss tosses over millions of gallons of water and has been doing so for thousands and thousands of years. Seeing Skogafoss Waterfall in person is an extremely moving experience. Once you visit Skogafoss Iceland, you will want to return again and again!
Visit the tomato farm at Fridheimar
We visited this lovely farm on our Golden Circle tour. In particular, this Golden Circle tour with lunch at Fridheimar is an ideal option. It is a greenhouse where every dish is made of tomatoes. It is preferable to pre book a table so you don’t have to wait long.
Kerid crater lake
We checked out the Volcanic Kerid Crater Lake on our way back to Reykjavik. The Kerid crater lake is a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater lake in South Iceland on the Golden Circle route. We took an easy hike around Kerid crater and enjoy the spectacular view!
Hveragerði
You can also visit Hveragerði, often called the ‘Hot Spring Town’ emerging from lofty lava fields, and is known for its excellent thermal springs and fantastic restaurant scene!
Fakasel Horse Farm
We are sure you would enjoy an evening at the Fakasel Horse Park like we did. The Icelandic horses are amazingly gentle and friendly. Summer or winter, you will find them out in the open, soaking the Sun or facing the snow.
Selfoss
If you are planning on traveling in the South of Iceland, Selfoss is the perfect place to stay as it offers a great variety of accommodation and it’s located close to the best attractions in the South, like the Golden Circle or the South Coast.
Day 4
We headed north to a beautiful town called Akureyri. The scenic, uncrowded drive to Akureyri is around 4-4.5 hours and you’ll want to keep your camera close. The north coast of Iceland may be the country’s best-kept secret.
Stay at Akureyri
We stayed at the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri which is a friendly hotel, with tastefully decorated, bright rooms and inviting facilities. The warm geothermal swimming pool is just across the street, and the center of Akureyri is only a short walk away.
Day 5
We drove to Myvatn. Explored the area surrounding Lake Mývatn, which has the highest concentration of volcanic and geothermal sights in Iceland.There is plenty to discover in one day.
Myvatn Nature Baths
It’s hardly a day trip from Reykjavik like the more popular Blue Lagoon is- to get here requires a drive along some of the most rugged and inhospitable roads in the country.
Stay at Fosshotel Myvatn which offers 92 rooms in wonderful surroundings north of Lake Mývatn, within 100 km from the Akureyri Airport. We felt at home in the wood theme designed rooms, bringing you even closer to nature. Enjoy your morning coffee with an exceptional view over the lake or the nature surrounding the hotel. You can chase the gorgeous northern lights here.
Day 6
Drive from Lake Myvatn to Hofn
Hofn is located about an hour’s drive from the Glacier Lagoon and is located right on the harbour with a population of approximately 2,000 people. We visited a couple of museums in town as well as a few restaurants and a supermarket that make it a great base for exploring South-East Iceland.
Stop at the Stuðlagil Canyon
Stuðlagil canyon is a very unique and extremely beautiful canyon located in East Iceland. The canyon is located in Jökuldalur. Stuðlagil Canyon is the perfect stop on your road trip around Iceland.
Stop at Vestrahorn Mountain
On the Ring Road we drove east past Höfn, after around 7km turn right onto an unmarked gravel road just before reaching the tunnel. Follow this road for around 5 km and you will have reached the black sand beach of Vestrahorn. Vestrahorn is one of Iceland’s most beautiful mountains a 454 metre, tall scree mountain, mainly made up of gabbro and granophyre rocks.
Overnight Stay at Hotel Hofn
Hótel Höfn is a charming hotel with friendly atmosphere and a beautiful glacier view of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. It is located in Höfn, a fishing village on the south eastern coast of Iceland, famous for its delicious langoustine. We chased the northern lights here too.
Day 7
Drive to Jokulsarlon Glacier
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is truly a unique place in South Iceland. We experienced the floating icebergs and the magnificent Vatnajokull Glacier.
Diamond Beach
We then walked to the Diamond Beach which is one of the most beautiful natural places you will ever be to in Iceland. When I say beautiful, I’m really not exaggerating. From the very beginning, staring out into the Norwegian Sea standing amongst blocks of perfectly formed glacier ice, to the very end, following the ancient glacier winding back into the mountains. Diamond Beach in Iceland really is worth the trip.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
We then visited Kirkjubæjarklaustur which is a small village in South Iceland, half way between the two main attractions on the south coast: the beautiful black sand beach at Vík and the famous Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon with its fabulous Diamond Beach. You can also stisfy your appetite like us for adventure on this ice cave tour of the Vatnajokull Glacier from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
We drove back and stayed at Hotel Hofn again because it’s very close to the glaciers.
Day 8
Drive to Vik and Stay at Black Sand Suites
The small village of Vik is the perfect place to base yourself while driving around South Iceland.
Black Beach Suites is set in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, just a couple of hours drive from Reykjavik. The elegant suites are in a league of their own, boasting all amenities, a breath-taking view, great service in an area renowned for its exquisite views.
Visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Our next destination was the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a beautiful and eminent attraction in Iceland. The black sand of the beach strikes a flawless contrast with the spume of the white-crowned waves and the ocean blue water.
Visit Sólheimasandur plane wreckage
The Sólheimasandur plane wreckage is a famous site in Iceland where a plane crashed in November 1973. The wreckage is both amazing and eerie. We felt like we are experiencing some sort of apocalypse as we explored the inside of what remains in the plane.
Dyrholaey Peninsula and Halsanefshellir Cave
Dyrholaey Peninsula, the southernmost point in mainland Iceland, is a must-visit place near Vik. You cannot miss the lighthouse, stone arch, the views of the black beach, and when traveling at the right time, puffins. We visited the Halsanefshellir cave. We just walked inside for 2 minutes and watched the structure from inside.
Day 9
Check-in at ION Adventure Hotel
The ION Adventure Hotel is close to the Golden Circle Route and Thingvellir National Park making it the perfect spot for explorations and extreme adventures.
From the glass of bubbly offered by staff at check-in, through to the multiple tours and activities such as cave-exploring, horse-riding, kayaking, snorkeling is available. The geothermally heated outdoor pool and spa area offers massages with Icelandic herbs, among others. There’s plenty of activities to keep guests occupied within the confines of the hotel and surrounding park. There is also a small gym, specific services such as a wake-up call for the Northern Lights, and an on-site restaurant and bar. We simply relaxed and destressed here, with a spa and views which stretch as far as the eye can see.
Day 10
Drive to Geothermal Lagoon
We checked in the Blue Lagoon, an outdoor spa located just outside of Grindavík, Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is an outdoor spa where you can enjoy from massages to cocktails amid gorgeous surroundings to relax and rejuvenate yourself, enclosed by impeccable nature. You also get overnight accommodation and dining options here. We spent the night here.
The hot spring features innumerable healing elements that occur naturally. Whether you wish to get refreshed by the mineral-rich saline water or exfoliated by exclusive mud, the place offers invigorating treatments in forms that you’d never imagine. The water here naturally maintains a temperature of about 39C/102F with a comfortable lagoon.
Day 11
Vatnsnes
We visited Vatnsnes, a peninsula in the north west part of Iceland, is a place of great natural beauty. It is home to one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. The peninsula is also a very interesting place for photographers, with beautiful landscape, nature and wildlife.
Erpsstadir Cottage
Erpsstadir Cottage provides self-service accommodation on a working dairy farm. It offers views over Hvammsfjördur and a large terrace with an outdoor hot tub. We absolutely love it!
Borgarnes
Next visit Borgarnes, a charming town in West Iceland. Get a taste of the rich culture and history of Borgarnes as you explore the region’s stunning nature. A perfect stop on your West Iceland adventure.
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park is found on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and is one of three National Parks in Iceland. There are kinds of hotels, cottages, and inns located in the towns around Snaefellsjokull National Park. Most of them are small fishing villages with impressive views of the nearby glacier, you just need to decide if you want to be on the north coast or south coast of the peninsula.
Next day, drive to Reykjavik, drop off your rented car. What makes Iceland a great travel destination, apart from the culture and people that live in the country, is the spectacular nature. We came back home from the magical trip with a bag full of memories and camera full of beautiful pictures!