Iceland: Itinerary
ABOUT
Best months to visit the Iceland for warmth are July-August. Best months to visit for the Northern Lights are Feb-March and Sept-Oct. We took a week off work and traveled here from Aug 24 - Sept 1 2019. One of my best work friends traveled with us for the first half. If we had more time on this trip I would add:
North Iceland: Arctic Circle Boat Trip
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: Canyon in south east Iceland, the Fjaðrá river flows through it. Can walk on one of the many hiking paths in the canyon.
DAY 1: Reyjavik
Fly into Reykjavik (largest city and capital of Iceland).
Recover from jet leg and explore the city.
Sights:
- Halgtimskirkja Church: Largest church in town, great views at the top.
- Harpa Concert Hall: Has beautiful stained glass walls
- Sun Voyager: Viking boat sculpture
- Laugavergur: Great street to walk down for shopping
- Skólavörðustígur: Other good street to walk down, painted rainbow
Food:
- Sandolt: Amazing pastries and smoked arctic char bagel, we went here multiple times.
- ROK: Icelandic tapas, amazing dinner food.
- Le Kock: Incredible homemade donuts, smoked salmon bagel,
- Braud & Co: Get the cinnamon bun
- Early in the Morning: Trendy, cute, amazing breakfast. One of my fave dining experiences we had.
- Sjávargrillið: Grilled meats.
- Kol Restaurant: Comfort icelandic food.
- Dill Restaurant: Nordic with a twist, 1 michelin star.
- Grillmarkadurinn: Grill market for whale/steak/puffin/reindeer.
- Fiskfelagid: World class seafood.
- Baejarins Beztu PylsurL Famous hot dog stand (pork/beef/lamb combo.
- Skolabru: Nordic x Mediterranean, off of town square.
- Sæmundur í Sparifötunum: At Kex Hostel for breakfast, dinner or drinks, cool space and fun to meet other people here.
DAY 2: Outside ReyKjavik
Drive from Reykjavik to Hjá Höllu for breakfast. Address: Víkurbraut 62, 240 Grindavik (50mins)
Drive from breakfast to Blue Lagoon. Yes this is very touristy, yes we did it anyway (15mins)
Drive from Blue Lagoon to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Hike (1hour 10mins)
- Park in parking lot and hike to thermal river is around 1 hour.
- Follow path, many hot spring streams along the way to the river are too hot. Actual bathing river has changing areas etc. farther up the stream, the hotter it gets.
Drive from Thermal River hike back to Reykjavik (50mins)
DAy 3: Golden Circle
Drive from Reykjavik to Gullfloss (1 hour 50mins)
- Free, bring rain coat as falls will spray you
- Can stop at Gulffoss Kaffi for food/coffee. Located just a few minutes walking on the wooden boardwalk from the waterfall.
- Most bathrooms cost money but can go inside the Gullfoss Visitor Center you will be able to use the restroom for free.
Drive from Gullfloss to Geysir (10mins)
- Most popular tourist destination in Iceland, its free
- Strokkur Geysir spouts water 30 metres (100 ft) into the air every few minutes
Drive from Geysir to Laugarvatn Fontana (24 mins)
- Spa Destination with geothermal baths/saunas, Kitchen and Cafe and Bakery
- Can do baths/lunch buffet combo, don’t need to book ahead of time
- This was actually an amazing/fun/pretty stop highly recommend
Drive from Laugarvatn Fontana to Thingvellir National Park (33 mins)
- Park at the Visitor Centre for 500 ISK (roughly £3.66) for the full day and go hike around the park
- Öxarárfoss Waterfall Trail- you walk between two tectonic plates/two continents
- Can do airbnb experience here called Snorkeling in Silfra (looked cool but we didn’t end up doing it)
Drive from Thingvellir National Park back to Reyjavik (50mins)
Day 4: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Drive from Reykjavik to Grundarfjörður to see Mt. Kirkjufell (2 hours 20mins)
- Stop at the Snæfellsnes Information Centre on the way.
- Can top at Rjúkandi Café and Restaurant (right next to visitor center at the Hotel Rjúkandi) for coffee/cake.
- Grundarfjörður, small town is most famous for its picturesque mountain Mt. Kirkjufell.
- Kirkjufell is an under 10 minute drive west from Grundarfjordur down Snaefellsnessvegur 54. Parking can be found on both sides of the road at the base of the mountain
- In town: Public library, a historical centre, a resident’s café and a photography exhibition called Bæringsstofa
- Food: 1) Bjargarsteinn Mathús is probably the best restaurant in Grundarfjörður 2) Café Emil is a delectably cozy family-run café in the heart of Grundarfjörður.
Drive from Grundarfjörður to Arnarstapi (50mins)
- Stop at the white house in front of Mt. Stapafell. GPS POINTS N64° 54' 50.992" W23° 54' 26.484”
- Stop at Port Arnarstapi
- Walk to basalt stone arch of Gatklettur (arch you can walk over)
- Visit Bjarnarfoss waterfall: The waterfall is quite easy to find, and a parking space has just recently been built and a convenient walking path leading up halfway to the waterfall
- Food: 1) Mönsvagninn, ‘The Munch Wagon’ for fish and chips 2) Fosshotel Hellnar Restaurant offers a more sophisticated menu and fine dining, situated on a cliff above the ocean.
Drive from Arnarstapi to Hellnar (6 mins)
- Stop at Hellnar viewpoint
- Stop at Hellnar Church
- Fjöruhúsið, a small and intimate café and restaurant situated right on the best lookout spot
Drive back to Reyjavik (2 hour 37mins)
- Can stop at Hotel Búðir on the way back for food (pricey but amazing views
- Stop at Búðakirkja (famous black church)
Day 5: Landmannalaguar
Landmannalaguar is a hiking area in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Iceland Highlands. It’s known for geothermal activity that creates natural hot springs and colorful landscapes.
- Before going, check weather- cannot do this trip in rain. Can check forecast here. Road conditions here.
- Telephone number for Landmannalaguar info center (not for bookings) - 00354 860 3335.
Drive to Landmannalaguar (3 hours 7 mins)
- Easiest road from Reykjavik is F208 from north, middle is F225 from west, and hardest is F208 from south. Map to Hrauneyjar then to Landmannalaguar to avoid river crossings.
- Note roads are not paved and you must have a 4 wheel drive car.
Day Hike in Landmannalaguar (2-4 hours)
- Stop at the “Information point” upon arrival. Buy a day pass to use the facilities, buy a map and check the most current advice from the wardens
- Stop at mountain mall shop (3 converted school busses near camping area of Landmannalaugar).
- Day hikes here: Brennisteinsalda Volcano hike (2.5 hours), Bláhnjúkur mountain hike (2.5 hours) or Suðurnámur mountain Hike (4-5 hours)
- Brennisteinsalda Bathing Place- Hot springs dip post hike
Drive from Landmannalaguar to Vik (3 hours 11mins)
- Drive back out on f208 road, map to Hella Iceland, then drive down to Vik. Map here.
- We stayed in Farmhouse Iceland and loved it. The mattresses are heated and the shared facilities are sparkling clean.
Day 6: Vik
Drive from Vik to Skogafoss (29mins)
Drive from Skogafoss to Solheimajokull Glacier (15 mins)
Drive from Solheimajokull Glacier to Solheimasandur DC3 Plane wreck (8mins)
- Park in recently built car park by the main road, plane wreck is a 2 hour walk from road.
Drive From Planewreck to Dyrholaey Peninsula (25mins)
- Dyrhólaey is divided into two parts i.e. the higher and lower part.
- We parked at the upper part and walked down to the lower part stopping at the following sights along the way: Dyrholaey Lighthouse, Dyrholaey arch, Arnardrangur "Eagle rock.
Drive from Dyrholaey to Reynisfjara Beach (25mins)
- Check out the Reynisfjall and gardar basalt columns
- Hálsanefshellir cave
Drive from Reynisfjara Beach to Vik (14mins)
- Good options for dinging in Vik:
- Smidjan Brugghus (american bar food)
- The Soup Company (quick bite, health food)
- Sudur Vik (European, pizza)
- Halldorskaffi (american, pizza)
- Berg Restaurant (European, Scandinavian, nicer)
- Strondin Pub Vik (bar food, american)
- Ice Cave Bistro (quick bites)
- Drangar Restaurant (european, scandinavian, fancier)
Day 7: Vik to Reykjavik
Drive from Vik to Seljalandsfoss (30mins)
- Café/bathrooms in parking lot
- Can walk behind waterfall
Drive back to Reyjavik (1 hour 42mins)
Hangout in Reyjavik
Fly home in the evening