Iceland Street Journey Itinerary + Packing Record

In the summertime of 2022, my household drove by means of the entire of Iceland alongside the fabled Route 1 ring highway to get an unforgettable expertise of the beautiful landscapes. Excited to share the itinerary for our very memorable Iceland highway journey, which incorporates what we noticed, the place we ate, what we packed, the place we stayed, and the place we shopped.

Thanks to our cousin, buddies, and MOC IG Household for his or her useful suggestions!

Bucket Record Vacation spot – Iceland

Iceland makes for an unbelievable highway journey vacation spot with its breathtaking pure magnificence. There are few locations on this planet the place we will entry the legendary place of “Fireplace and Ice” in such shut proximity. The various panorama consists of lively volcanoes, lava fields, black sand seashores, accessible glaciers, and lagoons with floating icebergs.

Packing Record for Iceland Street Journey

Earlier than we get into the main points, here’s a downloadable packing listing that you could be discover helpful. It consists of hyperlinks to all of the important gear we packed and used every single day of the journey. As well as, we discovered the rental Wi-Fi hotspot out there on the airport very helpful.

Day 1: Keflavik Airport – Thingvellir Nationwide Park – Nice Geysir – Gullfoss Waterfall – Seljalandfoss – Dryholaey – Reynisfjara – Vik

• Keflavik Airport: We landed within the early morning at Keflavik airport. After grabbing a fast chunk, we collected a WiFi hotspot modem and a rental AWD automotive on the airport. With that, we had been able to kick off our thrilling journey interspersed with spectacular landscapes and stops at lovely places.
• Thingvellir Nationwide Park: Heading out of the airport for the well-known Golden Circle, we drove to start out with the well-known Thingvellir Nationwide Park positioned roughly 90 kilometers (km) from the airport. We parked on the Customer Heart and acquired to study in regards to the wealthy historical past of this space by means of numerous interactive reveals. Thingvellir (Meeting Plains) is a nationwide shrine for its position within the historical past of the Icelandic nation – it was established round 930 and continued to convene there till 1798. We had been fascinated to know that this nationwide park is a part of the Atlantic Ocean Ridge that runs by means of Iceland and straddles the American and the Eurasian Plate. We did a fast hike alongside one of many many trails alongside the basalt rock formations. Enjoyable reality: this location was showcased vividly as North of Westeros within the Sport of Thrones sequence.
• Nice Geysir: We drove additional about 55 km to the Geysir geothermal space positioned within the Haukadalur valley to see the Nice Geysir and the Strokkur. Whereas the Nice Geysir not erupts on a predictable schedule on account of numerous earthquakes; its child brother Strokkur entertained us with its rhythmic bursts of boiling water and steam each 4-10 minutes for excellent photographs. We grabbed a fast lunch on the Geysir Meals Corridor positioned close by; there are a lot of choices in its eating places and shops.
• Gullfoss: We then drove approx. 10 km additional to the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall: the primary of many who we might see. This lovely waterfall is well accessible from the ring highway and was our ultimate cease of the three important points of interest of the Golden Circle.
• Seljalandfoss: We then drove approx. 120 km additional to Seljalandfoss – some of the widespread Icelandic waterfalls. We had been in a position to stroll behind the waterfall, so we acquired a pleasant, soul-drenching spray.
• Skogafoss: Whereas we skipped it within the curiosity of time, that is one other waterfall that you could take pleasure in.
• Dryholaey: It is a great place for photographs of its well-known picturesque rock arch and the lighthouse perched on prime.
• Reynisfjara: We then stopped over at Reynisfjara. We had been amazed at this lovely stretch of shoreline which is roofed in black pebbles. The ocean stacks rising from the ocean and the basalt column cliff partitions made for good photographs and reminiscences. For Dinner, Black Seashore Restaurant was an ideal location earlier than heading to our final cease of the day.
• Vik: We drove a brief distance to the picturesque coastal city of Vik. The Vik I Myrdal Church offered us with a fantastic view of the lovable small city in addition to its lovely coast. After an thrilling first day, we spent the evening at Vik soaking within the spectacular pure panorama that we had simply skilled.

Day 2: Vik – Fjadrargljufur – Svinafellsjokull – Fjallsarlon – Jokulsarlon – Diamond Seashore – Hofn

• Fjadrargljufur Canyon: Within the morning, we grabbed a fast breakfast on the Skool Bean Cafe which is an precise faculty bus transformed into a brilliant cool cafe. Our first cease after driving approx. 70 km was the gorgeous Fjadrarglufur canyon. We hiked a straightforward 3 km spherical journey path alongside the Fjadra river that showcased the canyon’s wonderful pure rocky cliff formations.
• Svinafellsjokull: Subsequent we drove approx. 80 km to the large blue toned Svinafelljokull glacier. This glacier additionally reminded us of a few of the North of the Wall scenes from the Sport of Thrones sequence. For Lunch, we had Sandwiches and Skyr yogurt at a small restaurant that was on the best way.
• Jokulsarlon: After an approx. 60 km drive, we reached Jokulsarlon. One in all our favourite sights, it was wonderful to see items of indifferent icebergs from the glacier floating on this clear blue water glacier lagoon lake. This location was simply accessible from the highway and offered a whole lot of scenic picture reminiscences.
• Diamond Seashore: Throughout the highway at a brief distance from Jokulsarlon, is the distinctive ice-covered Diamond seaside. It was mesmerizing to see the gorgeous translucent ice formations; remnants from the sooner floating icebergs at Jokulsarlon washed up on this black sand seaside. Dinner was at Kaffi Hornið in Hofn the place we loved lobster pizza, lobster pasta, rooster salad, and a vegetarian pizza.
• Hofn: We ended our day driving approx. 80 km to the close by lovely coastal village of Hofn.

Day 3: Hofn – Vestrahorn – East Fjords – Seydisfjordur – Egilsstadir – Hallormsstadur

• Vestrahorn: We began our day early with a 2 km drive to Vestrahorn (Stokknes) to see a fantastic dawn highlighting the mountain. For breakfast, we picked up pastries, espresso, and yogurt at a close-by gasoline station retailer. We then took a morning hike to a Viking village created as a film set.
• East Fjords: We then continued our drive by means of the mountain tunnel close to Almannaskard and adopted the now meandering Route 1 for approx. 200 km alongside the gorgeous East Fjords of Iceland with its many spectacular mountain-meets-ocean views.
• Seydisfjordur: We drove by means of the city of Egilsstadir and the foggy Stafdalur mountain go to achieve the gorgeous coastal city of Seydisfjordur. We had been there in good time for a scrumptious lunch at Cafe Aldan and took a pleasant stroll by means of this picturesque city
• Egilsstadir: In your means again, we stopped within the city of Egilssladr (approx. 30 km) for a fast espresso and shopped on the memento shops.
• Hallormsstadur: We then drove approx. 30 km for a spectacular view alongside the banks of the river to the Hallormsstadur forest space and loved a scrumptious Dinner on the lodge Restaurant. We rested in a single day, reminiscing over the previous few days’ reminiscences of the spectacular southern and japanese Iceland and searching ahead to our subsequent day’s drive to Husavik within the north of Iceland.

Day 4: Hallormsstadur – Studlagil Canyon – Dettifoss – Husavik

• Studlagil Canyon: After having fun with a continental buffet breakfast at lodge Hallormsstadur, we began day 4 with an approx. 90 km drive to the Studlagil canyon. After a hike from the parking zone, we got here to a mesmerizing view of basalt columns rising up from the gently flowing sky-blue river.
• Dettifoss: On the approx. 120 km drive to Dettifoss, one in every of Europe’s most intense waterfalls, we stopped enroute at Askja Kaffi to take pleasure in some scrumptious Cabbage Soup and bread for lunch. Effectively earlier than we may see the falls, we may truly hear its roar. It was very useful to hold rain jackets to this misty and delightful nature sight. Whereas we skipped it, these in search of extra journey can drive to the Krafla area to see the beautiful Viti crater with its vibrant blue water lake and the close by Myvatn, a big volcanic lake that’s sought out by many for its geothermal scorching spring Myvatn Nature Baths.
• Husavik: From Dettifoss, we drove 90 km alongside the beautiful mountainous highway overlooking the ocean to the gorgeous northern fishing city of Husavik. We had a pleasant dinner at Naustid restaurant which is family-owned and serve scrumptious seafood, my favourite was their fish soup. We ended our day with a fantastic scenic waterfront stroll on the harbor. It is a great spot for whale-watching boat rides.

Day 5: Husavik – Godafoss – Akureyri – Arnarstapi – Kirkjufellsfoss – Olafvik

• Godafoss: We began our day by driving approx. 50 km to the majestic Godafoss, the “Waterfalls of the Gods” which attracts nature lovers in summer time in addition to in winter. Our resident Quiz-Bowl specialist reminded us – its title is believed to be derived from a historic occasion within the 12 months 1000 when Icelanders formally accepted the Christian religion and despatched the statues of the sooner pagan gods over this waterfall.
• Akureyri: From there we took a brief 35 km drive to Akureyri; Icelands’ second-largest metropolis. We loved brunch at Bláa Kannan Cafe, a comfortable café with beautiful muffins and coffees the place we had paninis, scones, espresso, and scorching chocolate. We used the morning to walk by means of this beautiful city and store on the cute shops.
• Arnarstapi: We then used the remainder of the afternoon to drive approx. 430 km southwest in direction of the Snaefellsjokull glacier to achieve the gorgeous coastal city of Arnarstapi and a fast stroll to Gatklettur, the spectacular pure rock arch overseeing the ocean.
• Kirkjufellsfoss: Driving approx. 50 km across the base of Snaefellsjofull glacier, we continued in direction of Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Whereas this can be a small waterfall, it offered us with some of the dramatic sundown backdrops for our Iceland journey reminiscences and household footage.
• Olafvik: We ended our day approx. 25 km away within the little coastal city of Olafvik with dinner at Sker restaurant the place we had pizza, burgers, and soup. All of us had been excited and eagerly wanting ahead to our subsequent day’s drive to the Icelandic capital metropolis of Reykjavik.

• Grunadarfjordur: We began Day 6 by heading approx. 30 km to Grundarfjordur, the place we had a pleasant breakfast at Kaffi 59. Grundarfjordur was very near the place we stayed in Olafsvik, and it’s one more fairly Icelandic fishing city. From there, we began on our approx. 180 km drive in direction of Reykjavik. Whereas the Instagram-famous Budir church was additionally close to our route, we determined to skip it as a result of we couldn’t wait to reach!
• Reykjavik: Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, can also be its largest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. The city atmosphere full of all types of eating places and shops is a far cry from the extra restricted choices of the countryside’s small villages.
  We had lunch at Saegreifinn (the Sea Baron), recognized for its soup and fish skewers. Whereas there was a big line, it moved fairly rapidly, and we had a fantastic meal! From there, we walked round downtown, doing a whole lot of procuring alongside the best way. There are many cool shops, so in the event you’re ever in want of one thing to do in Reykjavik, be sure you examine them out!
• Sky Lagoon: We checked into our Airbnb earlier than driving approx. 10 km to our appointment on the Sky Lagoon. After a really complete seven-step spa expertise by means of alternating hot and cold water swimming pools, all of us agreed that our skins had by no means felt so clean. We then loved drinks within the geothermally heated important pool, which has an superior view of the ocean.
  After leaving the Sky Lagoon, we acquired an opportunity to see an superior sundown over the water. We took a whole lot of photographs, however that meant we acquired to dinner late. We had dinner on the Arabian Style restaurant, which reminded us of somewhat of the halal avenue meals so frequent in New York. The meals was scrumptious (the rice was similar to biryani), and we wolfed it up earlier than heading to mattress.

• Hallgrimskirkja: We began our day with a scrumptious breakfast at restaurant Sandholt. After some extra procuring, we went to the Hallgrimskirkja church within the middle of Reykjavik. We paid a small charge to get to the highest of the church, the place you get implausible views of the entire metropolis. Proper outdoors the church is a well-known statue of the Viking explorer Leif Erikson.
  We had lunch at Rok, a superb informal restaurant that serves Tapas fashion meals. We loved some refreshing drinks, Icelandic fish pie, mushroom risotto, fish pie, and salmon ceviche simply to call a number of.
• Omnom Manufacturing unit: Though Omnom manufacturing facility has been closed for excursions because the onset of COVID-19, its ice cream store is open and is a must-go for its artistic toppings. You may also purchase Omnom chocolate within the ice cream store, however it’s less expensive on the airport duty-free retailer. For dinner, we went to the extremely beneficial Gandhi Indian Restaurant. I loved scorching dal with rice amongst different flavorful dishes that jogged my memory of the meals again house.
• Auroras: Afterwards, we drove again in direction of the Sky Lagoon space to attempt to spot some auroras. Whereas we couldn’t discover any, there are many web sites similar to en.vedur.is that you need to use to seek out the probability sighting the Northern Lights.

Day 8: Reykjavik – Keflavik Airport

On our final day, we had an early begin and drove approx. 50 km to Keflavik Airport the place we dropped off our rental automotive and Wi-Fi hotspot. After choosing up some chocolate on the duty-free retailers, we loved a small meal on the meals courtroom with its many selections for wholesome sandwiches, juices, and wellness photographs. Because the airplane took off, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to Iceland.

Shortly after takeoff, our pilot pointed us to a uncommon sight: a spectacularly clear view of the majestic ice-covered Greenland, which is often lined in a thick fog.

Fortunate we had been … and likewise so very grateful to the gorgeous and beautiful Iceland that hosted us on this monumental highway journey. Its implausible pure and panoramic panorama has been etched in our reminiscences for a lifetime.

I hope this publish evokes you to go to and luxuriate in Iceland quickly as properly. Please remark in the event you want any further info, and we are going to strive our greatest to reply.