Last week we returned from a 10 day trip to Iceland and Scotland and I’m so excited to share the details with you! I’m going to start with the Iceland leg and then I’ll have my Scotland guide out in a few weeks as well!
Since Iceland has so much to offer, I’m going to split my posts up into two smaller ones. This first one will focus on our road trip through the Golden Circle // South Coast and then I’ll do one more focusing on Reykjavik and some commonly asked questions!
THE ROAD TRIP:
There are two main routes that are perfect for tourism in Iceland; The Golden Circle which is a northwest route and the South Coast which is a southwest route. There are a ton of tour companies that you can book through that will allow you experience both areas, but if you’d rather do it on your own // explore at your own pace {which I highly recommend} then a car rental would be your bet best!
Note: Keep in mind that in the summer you have almost 24 hours of sunlight in Iceland and in the winter you have only 4 hours. We traveled in the summer, so we were able to be a little more lax with our trip and when we left the city each morning. If you’re going in the winter, then I would research the sites below before creating your own itinerary to make sure there are no weather restrictions!
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE:
The Golden Circle was my favorite of the two routes. While it was a little more touristy then the South Coast, the weather wasn’t nearly as harsh {since you’re not right on the water}, so it was a little easier to explore! The route was pretty straight forward and the whole loop took about 3.5 hours to drive + the time spent at each site!
We were staying at an Airbnb in Reykjavik, so we woke up early, grabbed some coffee and hit the road around 10am.
STOP 1: Thingvellir National Park {1 hour from Reykjavik}
Thingvellir National Park has been a National Park in Iceland since 1930 and a World Heritage site by UNESCO since 2004. When the Vikings arrived in Iceland in the 10th Century, this was the site they chose as the meeting place of Althingi {the world’s oldest parliament}. The park is also home to the mid-Atlantic Ridge and you can actually see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates since they’re above ground. We didn’t realize that last part when we were there, so we had to go back again the next day to take a closer look lol.
Tip: Parking is easy and there are a few different lots. You will have to pay 750 isk per car {about $6} and the parking machines take credit cards. There is also a welcome center with food and restrooms.
STOP 2: Geysir Hot Springs {52 minutes from Thingvellir National Park}
The Geysir Hot Spring area became active over 1000 years ago and has a dozen hot water blow holes that you can check out. The area is comprised of boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the Stokkur which spouts water in the air every 5-7 minutes. If you go to see the Stokkur, be mindful of where you stand—those poor folks on the far end of the photo got drenched!
Tip: Parking is free and there is no entry fee!
STOP 3: Gullfoss Waterfall {10 minutes from Geysir Hot Springs}
The Gullfoss Waterfall is located in the canyon of the Hvítá river and it is absolutely breathtaking. It’s known to be one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls and is a must on your trip! There are various view points that you can walk to and there’s also a locally run cafe that serves meals and drinks.
Tip: Parking is free here and there is no entry fee!
STOP 4: Friðheimar {25 minutes from Gullfoss Waterfall}
This was one of my favorite stops on our trip! Initially we thought that this greenhouse restaurant may be a little touristy/gimmicky, but it was such a fun experience and I would definitely recommend going! Friðheimar grows tomatoes all year long despite Iceland’s long, cold and dark winters! They’ve curated a dining experience that focuses on their tomato crops and it was ah-mazing. Everything on the menu featured their tomatoes and every dish we tried was delicious. If you go then get a Tomato Beer, the Ravioli Pasta, Fresh Mussels and the tomato ice cream {I kid you not} for dessert. When you’re done, pay a visit to the Icelandic horses outside 🙂
Tip: Make a reservation before you go to guarantee your table. Their hours are also limited, so make sure you check their website if you’re testing your luck without a res!
STOP 5: The Secret Lagoon {12 minutes from Friðheimar}
We had read about this lagoon online and learned that it was a natural hot spring located in the small village of Fludir. It had a ton of 5 star reviews and was described as a little oasis and a must on the Golden Circle circuit. We bought tickets online a few weeks before we went {$25 per person} and we were so excited to check it out!
What was advertised as a natural and unique experience was actually a lukewarm lagoon filled with bright colored pool noodles and a slew of groups and bachelor/bachelorette parties. We were looking for a more relaxed experience, so we only ended up spending about 20 minutes in the lagoon and then decided to call it and head to our next spot!
STOP 6: Kerid Crater {32 minutes from The Secret Lagoon}
THE COOLEST. Kerid used to be a cone-shaped volcano, but it erupted which ultimately depleted its magma reserve causing the foundation to fall in and create a crater! It’s 3,000 years old, 180 feet deep and 558 feet wide. Whhhhat! You can walk around the top and even go down to the bottom of it which I would recommend!
Tip: Parking is 400 isk {about $4} and very easy to find. Also, if you walk down the side of the crater you’ll see this little viewing area {pictured above} which is perfect for a Kodak moment!
STOP 7: Reykjavik {1 hour from Kerid Crater}
After the crater we headed back to Reykjavik! The drive was beautiful and we were able to pull off the road and grab some shots of the countryside, Icelandic horses, waterfalls and streams.
THE SOUTH COAST
Ohhh the South Coast {aka the windy coast}! It was beautiful and rugged and just felt a little more quite and secluded then the Golden Circle did.
When planning this trip, we realized that driving to and from Reykavik on the South Coast totaled about 5 hours of driving + time spent at each site. We decided to grab an Airbnb in Vik {the final stop} so that we could take our time and explore a new town!
STOP 1: Seljalandsfoss {2 hours from Reykjavik}
This waterfall is one of the most popular and photographed waterfalls in Iceland and the second you see it, you’ll understand why! One thing that made it *extra* cool and unique was that it had a pathway that stretched all the way around it. That pathway led to a wide cavern which allowed tourists to fully encircle it in the summer!
One thing we learned was that a large majestic waterfall + wind = getting very wet. I curled my hair that morning for my birthday and within minutes of getting to Seljalandsfoss, I was drenched and my hair was deflated lol so definitely bring a raincoat if you’re planning on walking around it.
Tip: Parking is 700 isk {about $5} and the lot is very easy to find.
STOP 2: Skogafoss {25 minutes from Seljalandsfoss}
Skogafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland with a width of 49 feet and a drop of 200 feet. Due to the amount of water that the fall sprays, you can typically see a rainbow {or in our case–a double rainbow!} during the summer months. You can take in the view from the ground or walk up a *ton* of steps to see the view from above. Felt like I was dying, but so worth it.
Tip: Parking here is free! Also, if you decide to walk up the side of the waterfall, make sure you’re dressed appropriately. It was really cold and windy, so a good jacket and hat are a must!
STOP 3: Wrecked DC-3 Plane {10 minutes from Skogafoss + 3-4 hour total walk}
If you’ve been researching Iceland then chances are you’ve seen a photo of the DC-3 Plane wreck. In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur. No one was hurt, but ever since the plane site has been described as a photographer’s paradise and I can totally understand why. Just picture a stark white abandoned DC plane sitting in the middle of a desolate black sand beach #hellosciencefictionmovie.
Initially we were going to make the 3-4 hour round trip hike, but on the day we planned to go it was insanely windy and we didn’t have the right clothing on to fully enjoy it. It was a bummer, but there’s always next time!
Tip: If you plug in “Wrecked DC-3 Plane” into your GPS you’ll find the parking lot and pathway to the plane. No cars are allowed to drive up to it, but we did see a shuttle pull up that seemed to be taking people to and from the site for about $20 per person.
STOP 4: Dyrholaey {20 minutes from the DC-3 Plane wreck}
Dyrholaey is a small peninsula with breathtaking views of the ocean, Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the black lava seastacks Reynisdrangar. You can drive to the very top of this 400 foot peninsula and walk around exploring the sites and, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the cutest little bird ever–the puffin.
Tip: Parking is free, but make sure you check the hours before going–they change depending on the season. Due to its location on the water, this area is also very cold and windy.
STOP 5: Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara {25 minutes from Dyrholaey}
This may just be the coolest beach I’ve ever been to! Picture enormous basalt stacks, crashing Atlantic waves and a gorgeous view of the Icelandic coastline. Reynisfjara was actually voted as one of the Top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet by National Geographic, so it’s a must!
Tip: Parking is free and there’s a little restaurant on-site if you’re hungry!
STOP 6: Vik {10 minutes from Reynisfjara}
Vik is the cutest little coastal town with the sweetest people! If you have time I would definitely recommend staying the night before heading back to Reykjavik. The town has a population of about 320 and is very walkable!
If you stay the night, there are a ton of guest houses and hotel options to choose from. We ended up renting a cabin on Airbnb and it was the most amazing experience! The cabin was one of 5 owned by the same family and it was nestled into the mountains just minutes from town. The views were incredible and the cabin had everything you would need for a restful night. Check out our Gotur Cottage here and book it if you can!
In terms of meals, we were in Vik on my 30th birthday, so we opted for a nice dinner at the Drangar Restaurant at Hotel Kria. The food was delicious {basically a modern twist on classic Icelandic dishes} and we loved dining next to large glass windows with sprawling views of the countryside.
If you want something a little more low key, check out the options here!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Road tripping through Iceland is a must. It’s the perfect way to see the country and you can take your time exploring the sites and taking in the landscape.
Stay tuned for part two of my Iceland blog that will cover what to do in Reykjavik, The Blue Lagoon and answers to some commonly asked questions!
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