The Ultimate Iceland Road Trip: 12 Days of OMG Moments!

Welcome to Iceland! Where the scenery makes you think, “Okay wow, calm down.”

Think glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs; and yes, all in one day, because why not? The weather changes every five minutes, your hairstyle doesn't stand a chance, and dry socks become a luxury item. But somehow, it’s still one of the most breathtaking places you’ll ever see. This is not your average vacation; it is going to be exhausting, it is going to be amazing!

🤷‍♂️ Why Did I End Up There? Iceland had been on my travel bucket list, for a very long time, for three solid reasons: ONE: it’s an island (and I never say no to an island escape) TWO: it promised jaw-dropping nature with nobody else in the frame; ideal for my photography and my deep hatred of photoshopping out strangers in neon windbreakers and THREE: puffins. I wanted to see one. Badly.

So I did what any determined traveler would do: I bought a paper map like it was 1993, stared at the giant loop that is Iceland’s Ring Road, and began planning. One road around the whole island? Easy! Except... wait: do we go clockwise or counterclockwise? And how many days does it take to see everything without collapsing from road trip fatigue? (spoiler: it's 12). Packing for Iceland also meant preparing for subzero survival (in July!). And by that, I mean, I panic-packed like I was about to trek the Arctic. And so the epic adventure begins ...

Landing in Lava Land: Reykjavik, Ready or Not!

Our Icelandic adventure kicked off in the most civilized way possible: land in Reykjavik, grab a rental car, and check into a cozy hotel downtown for one night of jetlag recovery and slow travel ease. Sounds smooth, right? Well… almost.

Minor hiccup: check-in wasn’t until 4:00 pm. We landed early in the morning. No way to get our room earlier. What now? One obvious option: head straight to the famous Blue Lagoon. It’s not far from the airport, it’s warm, it’s dreamy, and you can float your exhaustion away. So, off we went! Along with literally everyone else on our flight. We reunited with half the plane in geothermal waters!

Before that steamy group soak, we picked up our rental car which turned out to be the first unexpected challenge of the trip. If you’re planning to drive around the island (and you should), picking the right car and insurance is serious business. Iceland’s roads are beautiful… and also sometimes non-existent. Our solution? A 4x4 SUV. No debate.

Then came the insurance talk. The friendly rental agent warned us, quite casually, about the possibility of sandstorms so intense they could rip your car apart. Uh, excuse me? After a quick moment of internal panic and some dramatic imagining of Mad Max-style scenarios, we went for the full insurance package. Pricey, yes. But absolutely worth it. Indeed, dear reader, we drove through a sandstorm that made it feel as if the car might take off. We did almost lose a car door to the wind. And we did end up on roads so rough it felt like we accidentally on Mars.

💡✨ Pro tip: If you plan to drive the full Ring Road or explore Iceland’s wilder corners, get a 4x4 and full insurance. Trust me, your future self (and your car doors) will thank you.

The Blue Lagoon? Honestly, it was ridiculously cool. You check in, pick a package (yes, we obviously chose the one with the fancy facial creams — because when in Iceland…), grab a fluffy robe, and then; boom, you’re floating in a giant geothermal spa like a relaxed marshmallow in a hot cup of serenity.

The lagoon is huge, so there's plenty of space to soak, and pretend you understand geothermal science. Then came the Facial Bar, where you slather different creams on your face in public while looking absolutely ridiculous. But don’t worry, everyone looks ridiculous. It’s part of the charm.

After a few hours of luxurious soaking and full skincare commitment, we took a very cold, very awakening shower and hit the road. The drive to Reykjavik isn’t long — about 45 minutes — but here came the second unexpected challenge of day one: staying awake.

Turns out, two hours in a warm lagoon turns your body into pudding. Relaxed, sleepy pudding. Fighting off a nap while behind the wheel became our most intense activity of the day. Somehow, we made it to the hotel, checked in, and face-planted directly into a nap.

🪫🔋Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Thingholt Center | 🤩🤩🤩 super central and modern 

Reykjavik: Puffin Souvenirs, Pastries and a Giant Rocket-Church

After our heroic nap, we felt semi-human again and set off to explore Reykjavik. Luckily, the city is super walkable, more like a charming village with a cool personality. We wandered through its colorful streets, stumbling across quirky shops, cozy cafés, and more puffin souvenirs than anyone ever asked for. Naturally, we made a stop at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja, the massive cathedral that looks like a spaceship and a pipe organ had a baby. It's a Reykjavik must-see and very photogenic. We meandered down to the harbor and checked out Harpa, Reykjavik’s sleek, modern concert and convention hall that basically looks like a giant glass crystal cube. Very artsy. Very Iceland. Somewhere in between sightseeing and light hobbling (jet lag is real), we even found the city’s most famous bakery!

Overall, Reykjavik won us over with its artsy charm, relaxed vibe, and walkability. Our first-day wander was the perfect mix of chill and cheerful, exactly what our tired selves needed.

💡✨ Pro tip: Don’t overstay in Reykjavik: one night to kick things off and one night at the end is plenty! Use the rest of your time for waterfalls, volcanoes, and sheep dodging.

With Reykjavik conquered, it was time to hit the road and begin the real adventure: our epic road trip around Iceland! We mapped out a counterclockwise loop around the island, breaking it into four unforgettable chunks. First up: the South; Iceland’s show-off region with all the famous sights, waterfalls, and way too many tour buses. Then we’d head East, where things start getting quieter, wilder, and more magical. From there, we’d cruise up to the North, where volcanic landscapes meet charming little towns, and finally loop back through the rugged, dramatic West before returning to Reykjavik for one last night and one last skyr. Let the adventure begin!

🏔️ Chapter 1: the Scenic South – Waterfalls, Glaciers & Tourist Traffic Jams

Welcome to a region so photogenic it makes your phone storage panic. This is where Iceland shows off. It’s touristy for a reason, and totally worth the hype.

Our first big adventur started off with a quick but breathtaking pit stop: Kerid Crater. Picture this: deep turquoise water nestled in a volcanic bowl, surrounded by vibrant red rocks… and us, shivering like it was December in the Alps. Yep, it was freezing. I wore a beanie. In July. Iceland doesn’t care about your summer. After tiptoeing around the rim, we hit the road again toward Strokkur Geysir, Iceland’s favorite overachiever. It erupts like clockwork every few minutes, giving us geyser-action, a solid restroom, and some much-needed coffee. All the essentials.

Final stop of the day: the thundering, mist-throwing, absolutely extra Gullfoss waterfall. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded. And yes; it’s 100% worth it. Majestic. Loud. Powerful.

After all that beauty, we called it a day because tomorrow was bringing a national park and a mountain climb. A mountain. Us. Hiking. That is not going to be pretty.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent two nights at: the Guesthouse Fludir | 🤩🤩 small but convenient cabin

Landmannalaugar: Technicolor Mountains & Unpronounceable Magic

After a cozy night, we hit the road for a full-day adventure to Landmannalaugar; the mountain range equivalent of a psychedelic screensaver.

This next stop was high on my list. I absolutely had to see Landmannalaugar, no matter what it took. And let me tell you, getting there is not for the faint of heart. It’s inland, off the main coastal route, and the roads? Let’s just say they were more “volcanic rollercoaster” than “road.”

But once we arrived? WOW. Total payoff. This place is stunning! Colorful rhyolite mountains and steam rising from geothermal springs.

Now, about Mount Bláhnúkur... I had dreams, big dreams, of hiking to the top for those postcard-worthy views. So, we set off like heroic explorers. And then... reality hit: the insane wind, the freezing temperatures (again, it’s JULY?!), and a very steep trail.

We made it about 25% of the way up before deciding we valued our limbs and dignity too much to continue. But guess what? Even from a quarter of the way up, the views were magical. Snow-capped rainbow mountains, endless ridgelines, and the kind of crisp air that slaps your soul awake. Totally worth every frozen finger. And the pictures? Let’s just say Instagram has never seen this much drama from this little hiking.

On our way back, we detoured to Sigöldugljúfur Canyon, aka the canyon of hidden magic waterfalls and zero signs. Seriously; there’s no indication it exists, just a set of coordinates and vibes. After a short 10-minute walk across the lunar landscape, we reached it and ... OMG!

Suddenly, you're staring into a canyon sprinkled with a dozen dreamy waterfalls, and guess what? Not another soul in sight. Just us, nature’s soundscape, and a scene straight out of a fantasy film. It was hands-down one of the most jaw-dropping highlights of the trip.

You can use these GPS coordinates to help you find the canyon: 64.1579° N, 19.1253° W.

Then came Háifoss, one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls. It required a tiny detour and a short hike, but the payoff? Absolutely stunning views from above, OMG again!. Again, we were completely alone; just us and this massive waterfall thundering into the canyon.

To get a head start on our next adventure, we drove closer to Seljalandsfoss and tucked ourselves in for the night at the cutest little cabin just minutes from the waterfall. I’m talking straight-out-of-a-cozy-Icelandic-dream vibes. It was tiny, perfect, and had major “main character energy.” I fell in love with that cabin—10/10 would move in and become a full-time waterfall neighbor.

🪫🔋Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Seljalandsfoss Horizons | 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 amazing cute cabin

The next morning kicked off with a visit to the magical Seljalandsfoss. This beauty isn’t just stunning from the front; you can actually walk behind the waterfall. Yes, behind! It’s like entering a secret watery cave where you will 100% get soaked and 100% not care because it’s that cool. Bring a rain jacket or just embrace the misty chaos.

After refueling ourselves and the car, we headed straight for the South Coast’s star attractions: Skógafoss, the waterfall that basically screams, “THIS is Iceland!”

You can climb up the steep staircase for a misty view from above, or stay below and get the spa treatment from the splash zone. Either way, you’re leaving damp and happy. You can see the staircase on the right side of my picture below.

Next up, Dyrhólaey; a dramatic cliff with a naturally formed arch that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. It was very windy but the puffins kept us entertained.

Then it was time to channel our inner hobbits at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Winding, lush, and totally surreal. We wandered around wide-eyed until our legs protested.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: The Milk Factory | 🤩🤩🤩🤩 cool hotel with a view

Then it was time to enter glacier territory. We were heading east, but as we cruised into the land of ice, things got seriously chilly. Our first stop: the legendary Diamond Beach (or, for those impressing people at dinner parties: Jokulsarlon). The drive itself was a feast for the eyes, seriously, Iceland needs a warning sign: “Good luck going more than 10 minutes without pulling over for a photo.”

Now, when we arrived at Diamond Beach… oh boy. I knew it was going to be intense when the wind hit me like it had a personal vendetta. That’s when the voice of the rental car agent echoed in my head: “You WILL get caught in a sandstorm.” Yep. There it was. The wind was so wild, I swear we saw a kid rolling like a tumbleweed across the beach. Not kidding. I could barely stand up to take a picture and when we tried to get back into the car, the wind almost tore the door right off its hinges.

Fun encounter alert: we bumped into a local photographer who’s so fearless, he strips down to take pics in the wild ... yep, naked in Iceland and snapping jaw-droppingly beautiful shots. Seriously, check out his Instagram for some bare talent. His pictures are amazing.

After that mildly terrifying comedy show, we drove to our next home for the night near the Skaftafell Glacier. But of course, no rest before one last icy adventure; we hiked out to get a closer look at the glacier. My legs were screaming and my face was frozen … but honestly? Totally worth it. That close-up view of the glacier was magic. Cold, exhausting magic.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Hotel Skaftafell | 🤩🤩🤩 convenient, near the glacier

🧭 Chapter 2: Into the Wild East – Fjords, More Falls & Total Solitude

Things start to feel a little wilder and more remote as you enter the East. Fewer crowds, more jaw-dropping landscapes, and a peaceful vibe.

Next up on our icy, windswept road trip was Stokksnes, and wow; talk about a jaw-drop moment. Absolutely stunning. Pitch-black dunes, dramatic mountains, and not a single soul in sight. We had the entire place to ourselves. The wind was howling (as always), but honestly, it just added to the dramatic Icelandic atmosphere. It felt like we were walking on another planet.

From there, we started our drive north along the East Fjords, and let me just say: it was majestic. No, seriously. Majestic with a capital M. We were suddenly flanked by towering cliffs, winding roads, and shimmering water views that just kept getting better around every curve. Each fjord had its own vibe, and we couldn’t stop gasping. OMG.

And then... Seyðisfjörður. This tiny village nestled in a fjord is straight out of a fairytale; complete with colorful houses and its now-famous rainbow road leading up to a beautiful little church. OMG, it was SO beautiful. We parked the car and took a billion photos. We slept in that black house (below).

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Vid Lonid House | 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 beautiful hotel in the fjord

🧊 Chapter 3: The North Brings the Drama - Waterfalls, Whale Tales & Hot Springs

Welcome to Iceland’s cool (literally) northern frontier. Here, you’ll soak in steamy hot springs, wander through lava fields, and maybe spot a whale or two. Next up on our Icelandic waterfall bucket list? Dettifoss. waterfall. This thing was LOUD. It doesn’t just fall; it ROARS. And the best part? You can walk very close to the edge. I

From there, we headed to Lake Mývatn, but before stopping for the night, we made a stop at the Hverir geothermal area, a truly mesmerizing landscape just outside of Mývatn. The ground was alive with steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and striking colors—vibrant shades of orange and yellow. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur, and the land hissed and steamed all around us.

It felt like stepping onto another planet; a surreal and stunning contrast to the calm of the lakeside retreat we were heading toward next.

We found the coolest hotel ever: the fabulous Hotel Laxa. Nestled in the middle of absolutely nowhere (and loving it), this place was modern, stylish, and served one of the most unexpectedly delicious desserts of the trip: cucumber ice cream. Yes, cucumber. No, we didn’t see it coming. Yes, it was shockingly amazing. Iceland, never stop surprising us.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Hotel Laxa | 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 amazing property with views

The next morning was supposed to be all about Goðafoss, another legendary waterfall with divine vibes. But in classic road trip fashion, we threw the itinerary out the window (mild panic attack) after meeting a fellow traveler who said, “You have to check out Húsavík.”

So off we went! Húsavík; that charming little fishing village way up on the northern coast is not only the whale-watching capital of Iceland, it’s also the filming location of the Netflix movie "Eurovision" (starring the legendary Will Ferrell). Naturally, we arrived exactly 5 minutes before the next whale boat tour, looked at each other, and said: “We’re doing this.” And we did!

One of the coolest detours of the trip! And guess what? We saw whales! It was wild, freezing, and fantastic. After the boat ride, we strolled through the cute village, took some pics, grabbed lunch, and gave a little silent thank-you to those travelers who convinced us to re-route and re-calculate.

Back on land after our thrilling whale-watching adventure in Húsavík, I was frozen to my core. So obviously, we went hunting for hot springs; desperately. And oh, did we strike liquid gold. Just a few minutes from town, we discovered Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths; a sleek, modern spa perched on a cliff with uninterrupted views of the Arctic Ocean, the same ocean where we had just been chasing whales and losing feeling in our extremities.

We slipped into the warm, mineral-rich water, and I swear I almost wept with joy. To make it even more ridiculous (in the best way), I ordered a glass of champagne from the swim-up bar and soaked there like a cold sea creature reborn in luxury. It was everything.

The warmth, the view, the bubbly, the silence, pure Icelandic bliss. Our detour to Husavik turned out to be perfect.

Then it was back to the original plan with a stop at Goðafoss, a majestic, picture-perfect cascade of water that somehow still impressed us after everything we’d already seen.

And just when we thought we were done with waterfalls for the day, we squeezed in one last beauty: Aldeyjarfoss, a hidden gem with basalt columns and a remote, dramatic vibe.

By the end of the day, we were wiped. Like, “I-can’t-feel-my-face” wiped. We rolled into Hvammstangi, where we stayed in a cozy little cabin and collapsed.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Hvammstangi | 🤩🤩 convenient and cosy cabin 

🌪️ Chapter 4: Wild Wild West – Iconic Views, Angry Birds and Final Feels

I was seriously pumped for the west side of Iceland because this is where the photo lives. You know the one. The dramatic, symmetrical mountain next to a waterfall that’s plastered on every Iceland travel poster ever? Yep — Kirkjufell. The real deal. So we made our way toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, chasing that iconic view and oh yes, it delivered.

It was beautiful. Again. Because of course it was. Towering peaks, coastal charm, mossy lava fields — all the good stuff. It was also a little more... populated. After days of being nearly alone in the wild, suddenly—people! We started seeing other humans again. Wild.

But Iceland wasn’t done with us just yet.

For our final adventure before heading back to Reykjavík, we made a stop in Arnastapi and the Hellnar viewpoint; stunning scenery with waves crashing dramatically below. We booked a charming little cabin in a nature preserve near Hellnar, thinking “what a peaceful place to end the trip.” Not exactly.

Enter: the birds. So many birds. And not friendly postcard birds. These were angry, flapping, defensive ninja birds. Turns out, the area was full of baby birds and the parents were not thrilled to see us. We got dive-bombed! But hey, it was their turf, and we totally get it. We respectfully tiptoed through their territory and explored the rugged coastline anyway.

And then — magic moment alert — we spotted an arctic fox (yes, that fluffy creature whose coat turns white in winter!). It was darting along the cliffs, wild and beautiful and totally unbothered by us. It felt like Iceland’s way of saying, “Okay, here’s one last surprise before you go.”

The cliffs were stunning. The beaches were icy. The wind was fierce. The birds were mad. It was raw, rugged, and the perfect final chapter before rolling back into Reykjavik with messy hair and a full camera roll.

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Arnastapi Cottages | 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 amazing little cabin

And just like that, our wild 12-day Iceland saga was coming to an end. We made our way back to Reykjavík for one final night; exhausted, exhilarated, and still slightly damp.

From thundering falls and stealthy glaciers to whale tails, angry birds, and moody black sand beaches, Iceland gave us everything we hoped for and threw in a sandstorm or two for dramatic effect.

It was magical, unpredictable, ridiculously scenic, and yes, at times a little chilly for July. But it was so worth it. Until next time, Iceland. 🇮🇸

🪫🔋 Rest Stop: we spent the night at: Storm Hotel | 🤩🤩🤩 modern hotel in Reykjavik

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Here's the Quick and Dirty Recap:

✨ Top Highlights? Nearly impossible to choose but here are the moments that still make my heart do a happy little Viking dance: Húsavík; our totally unplanned detour to this charming fishing village turned into one of the best decisions of the trip. Whales, cold wind, and warm hot springs? Sign me up again; Seyðisfjörður; that colorful little town tucked into a fjord with the rainbow road leading up to the church? Utter magic. We stayed there and it felt like living inside a postcard; the bird preserve + Arctic fox encounter, nothing screams “Icelandic dream” like being dive-bombed by angry birds and spotting a wild Arctic fox just casually doing its thing. Seeing Puffins!! – Yes, puffins get their own bullet point. I was so, so excited to spot hundreds of them.

📅 How Many Days? Our magic number was 12 days. That’s what it took for us to loop around the entire island and squeeze in a thousand breathtaking views, snacks, sheep crossings, and surreal pit stops. It was a LOT of moving — no long stays, no lazy mornings, it was go-go-go from Day 1 to Day 12. Iceland is big, bold, and totally worth every single jam-packed minute.

🪫 Energy Level For This Adventure? If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation where you sleep in, sip hot cocoa, and unwind; this was not that trip. Our Iceland adventure was a full-blown cardio workout disguised as a road trip. We were on the move for 12 straight days, changing hotels like we were testing mattresses, driving through weather chaos, and rerouting on the fly like stressed-out GPS systems.

Each day started around 8:00 a.m. (sometimes earlier... why??) and ended somewhere near midnight, not because we’re overachievers, but because the sun refuses to go down in July. We looped the entire island while most folks chill on the south coast which meant constant motion, zero naps, and a growing collection of car snack wrappers. By the end, we were exhausted. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!