One of the best things to do in Iceland is to road trip along the Ring Road. The Ring Road is the main road that makes a loop around the entire island. It is 1,332 km (828 miles) long and can be driven in just a few days. However, you will need more time for detours. Most road trips along the Ring Road last at least 7 to 10 days. Along the Ring Road, you will find many of the sites that we list in this article…waterfalls, glaciers, hiking trails, charming towns, .....and so much more. You can drive the loop in either direction. The best time to drive the Ring Road is May through September, when the days are long and the weather is stable. It’s possible to drive the Ring Road year-round, but during the winter months, snow and whiteout conditions are likely. You should rent a 4×4 and you should have experience driving in snow and ice. Show less

The Golden Circle is a loop that many roadtrippers and tour groups follow to get the most our Icelandic experience. This path is one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland because it truly encompasses the essence of the nation. You can travel this lovely loop with a variety of tour groups or by yourself. Touring your way around Iceland’s Golden Circle is wonderful because you won’t miss a single thing. You’ll see the all of the coolest waterfalls, glaciers and landmarks that Iceland has to offer. When you drive .....the Golden Circle on your own, you have a bit more flexibility and room to explore. You can truly get off the beaten path and experience Iceland with the most authenticity. Show less

From September through April, the northern lights dance across the sky in Iceland. It is possible to see the northern lights from Reykjavík, but light pollution takes away from some of the vibrance and color. For the best experience, leave the city behind and see the northern lights from the Golden Circle, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or along the Ring Road. Numerous tours from Reykjavík take visitors to scenic locations to watch these colors light up the sky.

If you have the time to spare you’ll definitely want to spend 10-14 days taking in the sights and exploring all the stops along the Iceland Ring Road. This will prevent you from having to rush through any of the stops, and will allow you to spend a little extra time walking along the beach, or give you the chance to pull off the side of the road when something beautiful catches your eye. It is possible to complete the Iceland Ring Road in a week if you keep a steady .....pace and limit your stops. If your schedule is not flexible and you’re limited to less than a week, you can choose to complete just a portion of the Iceland Ring Road instead, sticking mainly to the South Coast for the majority of your trip. We’ve provided you with an abundance of stops we think are worth visiting and you can pick and choose out of the list to adapt to your schedule and time constraints. If you are still planning your trip, we have a 5 Day Iceland Itinerary, 4 Day Iceland Itinerary, and 3 Day Iceland Itinerary, depending on your needs. We have carefully crafted these itineraries to include the best of the best stops and things to do in Iceland! Show less

If heading to Lake Myvatn, you are most likely doing so as part of a Ring Road itinerary around the whole country of Iceland. While some people might just stop by for an hour to explore the lake and continue onwards to Akureyri, there are just so many things to do and see near the area. Not only that but all of these attractions are unique and you will be amazed by the landscape and geothermal activity as you make your way all around. While you certainly do not need .....to stop at each and every every spot on the list, there will be no shortage of things to do around the Lake Myvatn geothermal area.   Show less

In my opinion, the best times to visit Iceland are June, July, September, October, and December – but it all depends on what you want! June-August is high season, but it is also summer in Iceland and when you will find the most pleasant temperatures. It’s also when you will experience the most amount of daylight and get the most of our of your trip. December is great because it is winter, you stand a strong chance of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s low season, and the temperatures haven’t gone .....to complete freezing yet.  However my personal favorite time to travel Iceland is during the fall months. It’s during September and October where you will see the leaves change vibrant colors around the country. Temperatures are still mild, and tourism is slowing down. You can see the full month by month breakdown for Iceland travel here.  Show less

Surrounded by the vibrant red rock of a volcanic caldera, this Icelandic Crater Lake appears almost otherworldly with exquisite, crystal blue water that has collected at the crater’s base; a unique stop along Southern Iceland’s Golden Circle since the crater was not formed by an explosion but by a loss of magma at the volcano’s center.  This magma depletion led to the collapse of the chamber beneath the center of the Volcano and thus, the Kerid Crater Lake was born. *** This Crater Lake is just 15 km north of the .....largest town in Southern Iceland, Selfoss. Therefore, before you explore the Crater Lake, you can visit the Selfoss waterfall as well as the Selfoss geyser. *** Show less

Day 1:  Arrive in Iceland, visit the Blue LagoonDay 2:  Glymur Waterfall & the Snaefellsnes PeninsulaDay 3:  Snaefellsnes Peninsula and AkureyriDay 4:  Godafoss and North IcelandDay 5:  MývatnDay 6:  East IcelandDay 7:  Drive to HöfnDay 8:  Jökulsárlón Glacier LagoonDay 9:  Glacier HikeDay 10:  South Iceland SitesDay 11:  Fimmvörðuháls HikeDay 12:  Golden CircleDay 13:  LandmannalaugarDay 14:  Reykjavík

Today you’ll arrive at Keflavik Airport and pick up your rental car for your self-drive tour in Iceland. Make the 1-hour drive into Reykjavik, where we recommend living like a local in a comfortable apartment walking distance to nearly all of Reykjavik’s attractions. Or if holiday apartments aren’t your thing, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica is a good hotel choice close to the city center and with parking available. There really is no better way to discover Reykjavik than on foot. Follow our Walking Tour of Reykjavik to make sure you don’t miss .....out on any of the charming city’s sights like the Hallgrímskirkja church modeled after the Icelandic landscape, the mirrored Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager scultpure. Get your first taste of Icelandic cuisine. Don’t miss trying an Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsu, an institution even former President Bill Clinton has eaten at. If you’re visiting during Northern Lights season from September through April, beat your jet lag and stay up searching for the mystical green Auroras on a Northern Lights Super Jeep tour. Show less

The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, located on the south coast, is a very popular spot to visit. You can simply drive up, park your car, and take in the view. But if you are looking for more adventure, consider taking a kayak tour of the lagoon. Unfortunately, the day we did this, it rained almost the entire time, so our photos look rather dreary, but it was still an enjoyable experience. If getting into dry suits and kayaking in chilly water isn’t your cup of tea, you can also take a zodiac tour .....of the lagoon to get up close to the ice. Show less

You certainly could fit the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach into the previous day’s itinerary, but if you overnight in Vik you will have more time to enjoy your stop and do some beach walking. After the beach, head to one of the most challenging names on our Iceland itinerary—Fjaðrárgljúfur—for hiking both above and through a gorgeous canyon. Southern Iceland Day 2 Map

If you have an active imagination and its one of those days where the light is flat, you can almost believe the white Lutherian Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik is one of the peaks that surround the capital. The church is like an optical illusion; wherever you are in the city you can see it. And it looks really different depending on the time of day you visit. The church is free to enter and for a small fee you can take a lift up to the top of the church .....to view the bay unencumbered by buildings.At nearly 75 metres high it is the tallest church in Iceland. There’s also a very impressive pipe organ on site. While you are in town, Perlan is another landmark monument worth checking out. It looks like a squat spaceship compared to the church’s needle spire and is good for families with exhibition space, a planetarium and observation deck. Show less

With so many amazing places to see and things to do in Iceland, it’s quite impossible to visit everything. So you may wonder if Snaefellsnes Peninsula is worth it? The short answer is yes, Snaefellsnes Peninsula is definitely worth a visit. It’s so diverse that one could argue that Snaefellsnes Peninsula offers a selection of the best that Iceland has to offer in one place…  However, there are so many really nice places in Iceland that are worth a visit just as much or even more. So the more nuanced answer .....to whether Snaefellsnes Peninsula is worth a visit depends mostly on how much time you have in Iceland, in which season you are traveling, and whether it’s your first trip to Iceland.  If you have just 3-4 days in Iceland and this is your first trip, then it’s probably not worth to try to squeeze Snaefellsnes Peninsula in your itinerary. However, if you have at least one full day in addition to all the main landmarks around Reykjavik and South Iceland that we have covered in detail in our 4 day Iceland itinerary, then yes, I think it’s absolutely worth visiting Snaefellsnes Peninsula as well. Also, because it’s so close to Reykjavik. Show less

Your next stop will be Geysir, the geothermal hot spot in the Haukadalur Valley. The once impressively powerful Geysir is currently inactive having only naturally erupted in recent history from the force of earthquakes. It is also one of the best day trips from Reykjavik if that is where you are coming from! Even while active, its eruptions throughout history were sporadic. It is unclear what will set off its next eruption should that ever occur, so don’t expect it to erupt when you visit. The new star of the show .....is its neighbor Strokkur, which still erupts at roughly 5-7 minute intervals. Crowds of tourists gather around Strokkur in anticipation of its burst of water and steam shooting up into the air. You can usually anticipate the eruption. You’ll notice a disruption in the water as it bubbles, retracts and then springs into action. Have your camera ready. Your best bet is to videotape the eruption or take bursts of photos to track the progression of the eruption. While the main attraction is the geyser, the surrounding landscape is full of pots of boiling water. As you might expect, the water is dangerously hot to the touch, so steer clear and enjoy the natural phenomenon at a safe distance. Show less

Like the more famous and more expensive Blue Lagoon, Myvatn Nature Baths is a man-made spa that utilizes geothermal waters to create a soothing pool. The water arrives at Myvatn with a temperature of 130° C and is cooled to a still-steamy 35-40° C. If this list was titled “The 30 most amazing things I felt in Iceland,” Myvatn Nature Baths would rank #1. On a freezing, windy day, sliding into the warm waters and relaxing while surrounded by mountain scenery felt like paradise.

Gullfoss is best known for being on the Golden Circle Tour; a must on any road trip around Iceland. It is pretty magnificent and not to be missed. But there are many other waterfalls in the south that we fell in love with just as much. Seljalandsfoss is the one you can walk behind; it has a drop of over 60 metres and a neat cave to shelter in to see the water blast down, We got quite wet so do bring a raincoat if the wind is strong. Skógafoss .....is worth a visit too; especially if you ave fans of Marvel; it was apparently a location in Thor: The Dark World. Show less

Because we were visiting from the south of Iceland and not the capital Reykjavik we could visit the main three sights in a different order to the ‘hoards’. Normally Thingvellir National Park would be a first point of call but for us it was Geysir. Because of this, it was incredibly quiet when we arrived there at 9:30 am which made for some pretty deserted looking photos. The one thing you will notice when you arrive at the hot springs site of Geysir is the sulphuric smell of eggs. It actually .....wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be and we only really smelt it briefly when the main Geysir spurted steam into the air. Show less

Total Driving Distance and Time: 0 Spend the day exploring Reykjavík. Places to visit include Hallsgrimkirkja church, Harpa concert hall, go shopping on Laugavegur Street, see the Sun Voyager sculpture, visit Perlan Museum,and check out the colorful graffiti. We had some great meals in Reykjavik. 101 Reykjavík Street Food was one of our favorite spots. Eat stews and fish and chips that are delicious at one of Reykjavík’s most affordable restaurants. Ostabudin and Messinn are also very good but they are more expensive. Sleep in Reykjavík and fly home (or continue your travels) tomorrow.

Landmannalaugar is an area in Iceland that is famous for its colorful rhyolite mountains and epic day hikes. Geothermal hot springs, lava fields, and unique hiking trails attract adventurous travelers all summer long. If you enjoy hiking, like the idea of going off-the-beaten-path, or just want to see a very unique landscape, put Landmannalaugar high on your list. How to Visit Landmannalaugar: You can visit Landmannalaugar from June through September, when the roads are open. To get here, you will either need a 4×4, take the bus, or join a tour. Learn More:The .....Essential Landmannalaugar Guide for First-Time Visitors Show less

Today’s the departure day of your Iceland Ring Road adventure! I drove against the usual clockwise route, and the difference in traffic was noticeable. There were many cars going the opposite direction, and not a whole lot going my way. I’m not entirely sure why most people begin the Ring Road going north, but I think driving counter-clockwise made a significant difference in crowds and traffic for me.

Kirkjufell is Iceland’s most photographed mountain. It’s unique arrowhead shape, coastal location, and isolation from other mountains makes it a very unique photography location. Throw in a series of waterfalls and you have a stunning photography and filming location. How to Visit Kirkjufell: Kirkjufell is located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Park in the small parking lot near Kirkjufell and it is a short, uphill walk to the viewpoint. You can do this on a self-drive tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula or join a tour from Reykjavík.

Located in the Haukadalur Valley, Strokkur is one of two large geysers in the area, and the only one that is currently active. Strokkur is also one of the most reliable geysers in the world, sending plumes of steam and very hot water high into the air, erupting every eight to ten minutes.

Camper Van: We picked up our 5-person camper van from Happy Campers. If you’re planning to travel the Ring Road in a camper van, keep in mind that size matters! When we are talking about comfort and gas consumption (gas is expensive!), the size of your camper van is important, so you will want to give some real consideration to which camper you choose.

Right across the street from Jokulsarlon Lagoon sits Diamond Beach. This is the famous spot where glacial ice washes right up on the shore of the black sand beach. It created a visual scene unlike anything I had ever witnessed. We picked up some of the smaller ice chunks. We ran around the beach, weaving in between glacial ice. We sat and watched the ice wash up in heavy waves. And then I jumped on a piece on floated out to sea! No, I didn’t really float out to sea, but a .....sudden wave that swept in kinda made it look that way. I did notice a couple of surfers who actually put on wetsuits and tried to catch waves between the ice (it didn’t go very well.) Show less

Whether you prefer to do summer and water activities or winter and snow activities, both are covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance. Just think about any activity you wish to do on your holiday and this travel insurance will cover it. Don't take my word for it, check and see for yourself!

The northern town of Husavik is renowned as one of the best locations in the world to experience whale watching. Heading out into the open waters from Husavik to have the opportunity to see not only various whale species but also puffins and other wildlife is certainly something that should be on your radar. If whale watching is something that intrigues you, Husavik has the highest percentage of seeing whales than any other Icelandic location. After an afternoon out at sea, head back into the town of Husavik to experience fine dining .....and also the Husavik Whale Museum to learn all about the firsthand encounters you had earlier in the day. Show less

Maybe not so secret, but the Secret Lagoon is an excellent alternative to the Blue Lagoon (which avid readers will notice Dana and I skipped). The Secret Lagoon is located in the heart of the Golden Circle just outside of Flúðir.  The oldest natural hot spring in Iceland, the Secret Lagoon is small, hot, and totally what a hot pool should be, relaxing. You don’t have to fight with crowds, you don’t have to sell a kidney to afford the entrance fee, and you can drink cold alcohol and not be bumped .....into by a stranger. After paying our entry fees at the front desk, we were told very specifically that prior to going into the pool we were to shower, with no bathing suits. No bathing suits! “You must shower naked”. The reality of this oddly strict instruction from kind of a laid back culture is the discovery that it is really hard to put a dry bathing suit on a wet body! But, Dana and I are troopers, and we managed.  We followed the instructions, as we definitely don’t want to break the pool rules. We timed our visit to the Secret Lagoon perfectly, as the sun was about 30 minutes from setting, any groups were gone for the day, and the pool was very chill with maybe only another 25 people in it. We each grabbed a can of cold cider and if there is a heaven, this was it! Show less

It’s going to be a long driving day from Akureyri in the North to Borgarnes. You will drive all the way down the Western side as far as you can. We stayed the night near Borgarnes, and in the evening we saw some fabulous Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in the clear night skies.

On November 24, 1973 a US Navy DC3 crash landed on the black sand beach Sólheimasandur on the South Coast of Iceland when the plane ran out of fuel…or so the pilot though. Everyone survived the crash and it turned out that the pilot simply needed to flip a switch to the other fuel tank. For whatever reason, the plane was abandoned – left to forever rot on the black sand dunes. The Navy officers must have thought they landed on the moon on that November day. The black sand dunes .....are surreal and the landscape is completely desolate. It’s no wonder this site is a favorite of photographers and many filmmakers and advertisers have shot here. If you had a 4×4, you used to be able to actually drive right out to the plane crash. Unfortunately, tourists were disrespectful and in 2016 the farmer that owns the land that the crash site is on was forced to barre access to vehicles. Show less

Here are some estimated costs (all prices are in USD for the summer months): 4WD vehicle: $125 – $200 per day; larger SUV’s, such as Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers, cost up to $300 – $400 per day (and are unnecessary unless you plan to do river crossings) Fuel: $2 per liter ($7.6 per gallon) Bus from Thórsmörk to Seljalandsfoss: $45 per personTaxi for Fimmvörðuháls hike:$160 (that’s not a typo) Campervan: $100 – $300 per day Campsite: $10 – $15Midrange Hotel, double room with two people: $200 – $300High end hotel, double room with .....two people: $300 – $500 Meals can cost $20 to $40 per dish, depending on the restaurant. We typically saw prices averaging around $28 per dish, so for our family of four, we spent $100 to $150 per meal. To save money, we only dined in restaurants once per day and bought groceries at the Kronan or Bonus grocery stores. You will find these grocery stores throughout Iceland. Show less

Gljufrabui is the hidden, often overlooked gem next to Seljalandsfoss. From Seljalandsfoss, head right (if you’re facing the parking lot), and walk until you hit the campground. On your right will be a sign for the waterfall, and you’ll see a cavern with a river running through it. To get to the waterfall you’ll walk from rock to rock through the river, so be prepared with waterproof boots or a change of shoes. Occasionally the water level is low enough for the rocks to stick out enough for you to avoid .....getting wet, but it’s better to come prepared. Once inside the cavern you’ll find a beautiful waterfall that looks as if it’s pouring through a skylight in nature’s ceiling. Standing below, you are surrounded and consumed by the mossy green and sparkling water in the cavern.   A giant boulder in the middle of the cavern is easy to climb and perfect for taking pictures. You’ll exit the cavern that same way you came in. You may have to wait if someone else is trying to enter the cavern at the same time. It’s also possible to view the waterfall from above, looking down on the waterfall from the skylight opening. The pathway up the hill though is steep and often muddy and slippery so use caution. Show less

This is a family travel blog and so much more! Traveling with kids can be tricky, but we show you how it’s done. We are on a mission to inspire you make the best of the quality time you have available. I’m also passionate about parents enjoying travel without kids & not feeling guilty about it.

Hop off your plane at the Keflavik Airport, grab your rental car, and hit the road! If you’re planning on visiting the Blue Lagoon as so many tourist guides insist upon, then this is the perfect time to do it as it’s located right by the airport and completely out of the way of absolutely everything else you’ll be doing! I headed to the Blue Lagoon just to check it out, and you can actually visit it without paying the entrance fee if you’re ok with not taking a dip in .....the water. Simply walk past the entry line and grab a coffee at the cafe while sitting on the outside terrace, taking in the sights. You can also have an excellent (but expensive!) dinner at their restaurant, LAVA, without paying the entrance fee to the lagoon. I have to admit I’m not much of a spa type person, which is why I couldn’t help but see it as a bit of a tourist trap. It’s not a natural lagoon, as many people have the impression of, it’s actually more like a series of man made pools between rocks with water pumped in from a nearby geothermal plant. However, if luxurious spas and swim up bars sound good, then it’s certainly a unique place to have a spa day! My flight into Reykjavik arrived fairly late in the afternoon, so after dinner at the Blue Lagoon it was time for me to head to my B&B for the night. If you have more time, this evening is a great chance to walk around Reykjavik and see a bit of the city, because tomorrow you’ll be heading out into the great wide open!   More InfoAccommodation: Aros B&BCost: $136/NightNotes: Extremely charming and pleasant B&B just outside Reykjavik. The hosts were very sweet and accommodating, and the beds were super comfortable. Highly recommended!   Show less

As the only four star hotel in South Iceland and the highest starred Golden Circle hotels, Hotel Ranga is a very convenient base from which to explore Iceland’s highlights. Glaciers, the Westman Islands and Mount Hekla volcano are all within easy reach, and fishing, dog-sledding and river-rafting are just some of the activities on offer nearby. Popular with celebrities, this is the first Icelandic hotel to become a member of Great Hotels of the World. Overlooking a river, the hotel is constructed in a log-cabin style and has 51 rooms and .....suites. Hotel Ranga is a scenic 1 hour drive from Keflavik, the main airport. We were greeted at the door by Fridrik, the hotel’s affable owner who speaks perfect English. Check in is a really quick and efficient process and we were on our room in under five minutes. The spacious bedrooms have direct access to the porch outside, which would come in especially handy when the Northern Lights are out. In fact the hotel has a special Northern Lights wake up call which alerts guests who’ve signed up for it if the lights are out at some point during the night. The bathrooms have large jacuzzi baths and amenities included a quirky tea sachet. Hotel Ranga is definitely one of the coolest places to stay in Iceland. A case in point are these leggy cocktail chairs. There’s also a whacky harp massage chair. If someone plays the harp, the person sitting in the chair feels soothing vibrations in their back. You might like to sample some Icelandic beers before dinner, from Olvisholt Brewery. They’re all very drinkable but our favourite is the red ale. There’s an airy upstairs private dining room bookable for events and meetings as well as the main dining room on the ground floor. Head chef Karl Johann Unnarsson has created a concept based on a farmer’s market, using local, seasonal ingredients. We particularly enjoyed the warming wild mushroom soup with Madeira wine and the slow cooked cauliflower with buttermilk sauce and pickled red onion. The lightly cured and blowtorched salmon with trout roe and spinach vinaigrette…or Northern Lights on a plate as we christened it, was another triumph. The pan-fried fillet of lamb with spring onion, roasted cabbage purée and demi-glaze sauce had subtle flavour combinations and contrasting textures. Finish with a chocolate mousse with fresh cream, crumble and strawberries. After this epic 8 course feast, kit yourselves out in the fleecy overalls provided by the hotel. You might even encounter a 10 foot polar bear named Hrammur along the way. Walk the short distance to Hotel Ranga’s very own Astronomical Observatory. This is totally unique – the most high-tech obeservatory in Iceland, with two 11-inch computerized telescopes, space for 30 people and a retractable roof. Conditions for the Northern Lights ideally need to be cloudless. It was cloudy on our visit so we couldn’t see any stars but the night before we arrived the sky was star-studded and the Northern Lights made a spirited showing. You must take a dip in one of the outdoor hot tubs heated with geothermal water. If you’re lucky, a wild goose might even land on the pond right beside you. It’s  another unexpected pleasure and a fitting end to a tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle. Here are some other unique things to do in Iceland that we love.  Have you ever been to Iceland or seen the Northern Lights? Hotel Ranga, 851 – South Iceland You might also enjoy: Show less

We started our day early and made a quick stop at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon at sunrise. We then continued to the nearby Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon. It’s smaller and (much) less visited than Jokulsarlon, but it’s not to be missed! TIP:If you travel to Fjallsarlon before October 15, you can book a 45-min boat cruise between the icebergs. Unfortunately, boats don’t run in winter months. The same for the amphibian boat tours on Jokulsarlon lagoon – they only run in high season.

The Namafjall Hverir area of northern Iceland has a ton of geothermal activity, like boiling mudpots and fumaroles. The mudpot craters were full of gray, gurgling mud, and the fumaroles emitted horrifyingly-sulphur-smelling gas. This quirky, alien landscape was one of the most unique regions of Iceland.

Just a short drive from Jökulsárlón is Fjallsárlón, a lesser known but arguably more beautiful glacier lagoon. It’s quick and free to visit and there are restrooms and a restaurant here, making this a great place to take a break if you are road tripping down the south coast.

At this point in your Iceland Ring Road Itinerary, you’re likely thinking you’ve seen just about every possible variation of a waterfall in existence. Well, think again. Hraunfossar (Lava falls) is remarkably unique and incredibly beautiful. When you arrive you’ll find a decent-sized parking lot, bathrooms (there’s a small fee), and a café with delicious food. A pathway from the parking lot will lead you to a handful of observation decks for viewing Hraunfossar from multiple angles as well as its neighbor waterfall Barnafoss. We suggest visiting Barnafoss first. It’s a wonderful .....little fall bursting out of a channel and small archway, but it is certainly secondary to the more impressive Hraunfossar. Unlike many of Iceland’s waterfalls, Hraunfossar is incredibly wide, spanning just over half a mile. The falls cascade in lacy, magical sections over an expanse of lava.  It’s beautiful from all angles and at different times of year. In the winter, a thin layer of snow covers the black lava and the water looks wonderfully blue in comparison. Be sure to wear crampons though as the pathway gets icy. In the fall, the plants surrounding the falls turn beautiful shades of orange and red, and in summer the area becomes lush and green. Show less

Solheimajokull is an outlet glacier of Myrdalsjokull that is slowly shrinking in size but is still mightily impressive. Solheimajokull is actually quite accessible. You’ll find it just off the Iceland Ring Road with a parking lot, café and a path that will lead you up to the jaw-dropping ice in 15-20 minutes. From here you can take in the views, but do not walk out onto the glacier without a guide! Glaciers are so unpredictable as they constantly shift and crack. Venturing out on your own is incredibly dangerous. There are plenty .....of tour groups offering glacier hikes if you’d like to explore the glacier further, which if you have the time we definitely suggest you do. The guides are knowledgeable and trained to keep you safe leaving you to just enjoy the remarkable size and structure of the glacier you’re fortunate enough to experience up close. Show less

Snæfellsjökull is a glacier that gives its name to Snæfellsjökull National Park and also Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s definitely one of the places you have to see in Snaefellsnes Peninsula. And you will! The whole day, you’ll be driving around the glacier. It will be a constant companion and a backdrop of many other things you’ll see and do in Snaefellsnes.  The reason I didn’t list Snæfellsjökull higher on this list of things to do on Snaefellsnes is because it’s not a place many people actually visit if they have just a .....day in Snaefellsnes. If you want to go up on the glacier, you’ll have to book a guided tour, as the roads going up need a really good 4w4 and you are not allowed to go on the glacier without a guide. It can be worth it, for sure, but it’s not something I would advise doing if you are visiting for just one day. Practical information: There are several roads going up to the glacier, but they are really rough, require a big 4×4, and are often closed due to the weather and weather-inflicting damage. If you want to go, you best check if you can find a local operator offering glacier tours. TIP: If you have the whole day to spare, you can join a guided hike to the summit of the glacier. Show less

That’s it, you’ve done it! Today’s the day you depart Iceland, but if your flight doesn’t leave until the evening then this gives you nearly a full day to explore all of the highlights of Reykjavik. The usual highlights include The Sun Voyager (the famous stainless steel ship sculpture), the Hallgrímskirkja church and its Leifur Eiríksson statue, and of course the main shopping street that your hotel last night was located on!

If you visit spend any time in Reykjavik on your Iceland Ring Road itinerary, you’ll be drawn to this vast expanse of water. In fact every time you walk don a street it seems to be at the bottom of it. We enjoyed walking the bay in summer, but on our February visit it as really magical, as the wind blew through our veins and the snow on the peaks shimmered in the bright sky. Faxa Bay, or Faxaflói as its known as locally is an inlet of the North Atlantic .....Ocean hugging the south west coast. Its the largest bay in Iceland, and unsurprisingly it offers great fishing opportunities and lots of seafood restaurants. Our top Iceland restaurant tip is the posh fish and chip shop near the whale watching entrance. Like any Reykjavik restaurant Icelandic Fish and Chips isn’t cheap for families on a budget but the kids will love it and I found it worth pushing the boat out for (excuse the pun!) Show less

If you’ve ever wanted to bathe in a hot river, you’re sure to enjoy the Reykjadalur Hot Springs. The hike to the hot springs is roughly 45 minutes-1 hour, and is easy to moderately difficult. The well-maintained, clearly marked path starts with a steep uphill climb before leveling out. Your hike will take you through a valley filled with steam, past a cascading waterfall and many grazing sheep followed by the distinct smell of rotten eggs from the sulfur indicating you are close to the hot spring. Don’t touch the boiling .....water. The water you’ve come to enjoy is mere steps away. You’ll change on a wood platform with partitions. Privacy is lacking, but no one cares. Everyone is there to relax and have a good time. For the deepest pockets of water, sit by the rock piles dividing the river into sections. In summer, the water in this section of the river resembles that of a Jacuzzi. As the weather gets colder, you may need to hike a little further upriver to find a spot warm enough to enjoy for extended periods of time. Arrive in the early morning or late evening (when you can enjoy the midnight sun in the summer to avoid the biggest crowds). Show less

Our first major stop in the South (after eating delicious soup in Vik of course) was the Reynisfjara Black Beach.  The beach was also our first taste of how crazy the Golden Circle is when it comes to tour buses and people pouring out of them, but let’s ignore that and look at the pretty, pretty beach. The turn off for Reynisfjara is just a few kilometres south of Vik, and very easily missed if you’re not looking. But no fear, the beach itself is unmissable.  Reynisfjara truly is a black .....beach, collared by striking cliffs and a cave ringed in pillar like rock formations. Moving up from the crashing waves, the fine black sand becomes coarser sand, then small pebbles until the ground is made of small black stones. Walking over these layers of rock, the volcanic ebony of the ground is a stark contrast to the pristine blue sky and the open ocean. Both ends of the beach are marked with unique rock stacks, clearly broken away from the cliffs after an ancient earth hiccup. The cave at the east of the beach is a major photo op, which means it’s almost impossible to get a decent photo of just the cave. Luckily, the vastness of the entire beach means that just a few steps to the west and the crowds are foreign and the beach itself is all there is. Fun fact for those Vikings (the tv show, not the legendary Norse folk) fans, the first episode of season 5, Floki, our favourite suicidal Northman sails off set on dying and ends up washing ashore on Reynisfjara Beach.  The Vikings have arrived in Iceland!!! Show less

Kalda Lyngholt Holiday Homes. Located just outside of Egilsstaðir, these small cottages have a living room, kitchenette, bedroom, and bathroom. On the property is a sauna and hot tub and you can reserve your time when you make your reservation or after you arrive. This property gets rave reviews and is one of the top picks in Egilsstaðir on Booking.com. The cottages can accommodate up to three people. Skarðás Country Cabins. If you are traveling as a small group or as a family, this is a great option. These two-bedroom cottages .....can accommodate up to six people. Each cottage has a kitchenette and private bathroom. This property is located about 5 km outside of Egilsstaðir. Lagarfell Studios. There is nothing fancy about this place but it gets wonderful reviews. Some rooms have a kitchenette and all rooms have a private bathroom. Rooms can accommodate two to four people. Lagarfell studios is located near a grocery store and bakery. Show less

Next up on your Iceland Ring Road itinerary is the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Fjallsarlon’s much larger neighbor. Located on the east part of the South Coast, Jokulsarlon is a stunning lagoon filled with floating icebergs. The lagoon is ever-changing as the surrounding glacier continues to melt and new ice blocks fall. During the summer, you can take a boat tour through the lagoon and get an up-close view of the icebergs. All year long you can view the lagoon from the shore, walking along its edge to see the icebergs from .....varying angles. The enormous glacier looms large in the background. Across the street is a black sand beach called Diamond Beach. It sets itself apart from other black sand beaches like Reynisfjara Beach because the entire beach is covered in clear sparkling ice. Pieces of the icebergs floating in the glacier lagoon break off and wash ashore, scattering themselves around the beach. The contrast of the black sand against the clear ice is striking and makes for some powerful photographs. The beach becomes even more fairytale-esque at sunset when the sky is painted yellow. Where To Stay In Southeast Iceland: Mid-range: Skyrhúsid Guest House. Check rates: Booking.com Mid-range/Luxury: Hotel Skaftafell. Check rates: Booking.com Show less

This massive, photogenic canyon, also called the Feather River Canyon, is located on the south coast of Iceland. A 2 km hiking trail scales one edge of the canyon, offering great views down to the river. At one time, you could hike out onto narrow cliffs for amazing views of the canyon, but these have been roped off for safety issues.

First things first – there are certain things that you must prepare for if you are planning a road trip on the Iceland Ring Road. Iceland has become an incredibly popular destination in the last few years, and because of this you will need to book some things in advance. This is not a country you can visit and expect to drive up to a random hotel to book a room for the night, and many of the popular accommodations sell out as far as 6 months (or more!) in advance!

Related article: Reykjavik, Iceland Iceland’s modern capital, Reykjavik, is worth at least two days on any trip. During our trip, we spent one rainy day exploring several museums in the city. When the weather cleared, we spent our final day exploring additional sights in the city, including Hallgrims Church and the vibrant Reykjavik street art scene. In the evening, it was time to head back to the USA Where to Stay in Reykjavik Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and two-thirds of it’s population lives here. Despite the density of people, it actually feels .....like a small town and is one of the least populated capital cities in the world. In this city, we love to stay in a private apartment which gives us the flexibility of doing our own thing. Restaurants in Reykjavik are quite expensive, so this allows us the opportunity to cook if we want. Here are some of our favorite places to say in Reykjavik: Show less

On  your first day out on the road, you’ll be visiting many of Iceland’s most popular destinations to kick off your road trip with a bang! Just 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik lies the Golden Circle, a collection of a bunch of Iceland’s most popular nearby destinations. The first of these is Þingvellir National Park, home of Iceland’s first parliament and the continental divide between the North American and European Plates.