In this blog, I am going to share the places we visited during our 7 days in Iceland with an Amazing self-drive Itinerary and a map. This itinerary has been made after reading/ researching so much and watching innumerable videos. Additionally, we also got in touch with a few friends who had been to Iceland to get some tips for planning.
Note:
The Itinerary has been made keeping photography in mind so you can get the best out of the beautiful country of Iceland.
In July 2023 my wife and me have been to Iceland. We were so excited about this trip that even before we started planning for the trip, we knew where we wanted to visit along with the mode of transportation, food, accommodation, etc. In this blog, I am going to share with you the best way to travel to Iceland along with the best places to visit (possibly the best time of the day to visit as well). I will also be attaching a detailed itinerary on Google Maps that you can directly use while navigating across Iceland. Another point to note, this itinerary doesn’t contain any routes that pass through F-roads. So if your plan is to take a two-wheel drive vehicle, this is an amazing self-drive itinerary with a map for you 🙂
Let’s start off by discussing the mode of transportation:
We all know how expensive an Iceland trip can get. So presumably, transportation is also quite expensive in Iceland. As there is not much public transportation around the country like in the rest of Europe, it is best to either rent a vehicle or join an organized trip. Here is one of the best organized trip companies in Iceland. But if you choose the other option (self-drive) please continue reading and trust me self-drive through Iceland is the best way to explore this mesmerizing country.
We were sure we wanted to rent a vehicle. So we thought why not rent a Camper Van instead so we can explore the country with so much flexibility?
Note:
Look for traffic regulations in Iceland before you choose to drive there. As the traffic policies are quite different from rest of the countries in Europe, I recommend you to read through this link to get a clear idea on what to expect.
We rented a camper van from GoCampers. You can also look for other options like KuKu Campers and choose the one that fits your needs best. The van was super affordable and was in great condition. This was our home for all 7 days, We slept, cooked, drove, napped – all in this truck. The flexibility that van gives is incredible and we can’t recommend it enough.
If you are renting a Van, we recommend you rent a few extra add-ons from the rentals for a more comfortable experience while on a road trip:
Camping chair (per chair) x 2 = 14.00 EUR
Camping table (per table) x 1 = 15.00 EUR
Inverter x 1 = 20.00 EUR
Mobile WiFi router x 1 = 105.00 EUR
Duvet Package x 1 = 30.00 EUR (you can skip this as the van comes with a sleeping bag unless you are traveling when it is too cold)
Pro Tip: Ask your rental company to give you the fuel discount token. This helps you to get discounts on fuel at local fuel stations.
Food Options:
Icelandic food is really something we highly recommend you try. While options to eat in restaurants can get quite expensive, we decided to cook on our own while on the trip. My wife had come prepared with some instant cookable recipes which saved us a lot of time and money. We recommend you buy groceries from Bonus Supermarket as we found that the groceries are relatively cheap there and also they have readily eatable dishes like wraps, sandwiches, etc. However, do spare a few evenings for dinner dates at some of the local restaurants to try the local delicacies.
We used this map for groceries and fuel stations in Iceland
Also, buying alcohol locally in Iceland might get quite expensive. So we recommend you buy it at the airport itself.
Best time to visit Iceland:
Iceland is beautiful literally year-long. But to have sufficient daylight and comfortable weather conditions, it is nice to visit in summer time i.e., from May till mid-August.
How to get to Iceland:
I had to include this block as we faced some issues while booking our flight tickets. We initially booked it with kiwi.com and the airline canceled our ticket. To have an uninterrupted flight, we strongly recommend you book directly from the airline. We used PlayAirlines to book our tickets and as we booked around 3 months before the trip date, we got a very good deal.
For Photographers:
Needless to mention, Iceland is a beautiful country with countless amazing photography spots. Also, Iceland is probably the most photographer-friendly country I have ever been to! (I have a story behind it to say so!) While visiting any of the places mentioned below, try to place your favorite place per day either towards the end or the beginning of the day so that there is scope for you to make it there for sunset or sunrise. When we were there, the sunset and sunrise used to happen while we were asleep so I couldn’t really do that. If you can, you must!
About Drone Laws in Iceland:
As I mentioned earlier, Iceland is probably the most photographer-friendly country. While they do allow you to fly a drone anywhere in the country, they have a few rules that they expect us to follow. I have a DJI Mini 3 Pro and I had to do the following:
1: Register it with the local authority (Netherlands in my case)
2: Put a sticker with name and contact details on it
3: Follow the height limits. That’s it!
I got so many amazing drone and camera shots and you can find some of them here: Travel photos and Aerial Photos
Budget for self drive roadtrip to Iceland:
Let me give you an idea of how much the trip would cost by sharing the expenses we incurred on the trip. Of course, this might not be exactly the same for you but this will help you get a rough estimate. The expenses below are for two people for the whole trip:
| Expense | Cost (in Euros) |
| Camper Van for 7 Days (incl. add-ons) | 1185 |
| Flight tickets (incl. 2 additional baggage) | 600 |
| Groceries+Restaurant Costs | 204 |
| Camp Site costs | 170 |
| Fuel Costs | 210 |
| Misc. | 95 |
| Total Costs (for 2 persons) | 2464 |
So in summary, we spent precisely 1232 Euros per person for this trip. Given that Iceland is super expensive, this is a very nominal expenditure for the trip. Thanks to the camper van 🙂
Additional Tips:
= You would barely need hard cash during your trip in Iceland. However, it is suggested to carry some Icelandic Currency. You can exchange at the KEF Airport.
= You would surely have a lot of electronics that need to be charged. So it is better to carry a Spike buster to charge devices parallelly.
= One of our favorite things to do in Iceland is to take a nice warm water bath in the natural springs there. These springs are almost throughout the country. So whenever you feel like it, just google and go for it!
= If your plan is to spend more than 7 days in Iceland camping, it is better to buy a Camping Pass. This pass gives you access to a lot of campsites around Iceland and can save you some bucks. You can buy it here.
Getting to the point of discussion: Here is the 7 days in Iceland Amazing self drive itinerary with Map – we call it the best as we have put plenty of time and effort in making it! We also made some changes to it so that you do not miss things we missed while on the trip.
7 days in Iceland Amazing self drive itinerary with Map
Day 1:
Travel day. On day 1, travel from your source location to Reykjavík Airport. Try to get to Reykjavík Airport as early as possible in the morning so that you have a day for yourself for the rest of the activities. Our rental company Go Campers had arranged a shuttle at the airport which picked us up and dropped at the office.
Stop 1 – Secret Lagoon:
Driving distance: ~145 Kms || Driving Duration: 2 Hours
Finishing the formalities, we picked the self drive camper van, shopped some groceries, and headed towards the first stop of the day – Secret Lagoon (book your tickets here). It is about 1 hour 30 mins drive from the office. A nice warm water bath from the natural spring nearby refreshes you from the long journey and warms you up for the trip.
Stop 2 – Gullfoss:
Driving distance: ~32 Kms || Driving Duration: 27 Minutes
After the nice warm bath, we headed to Gullfoss – our first waterfall visit in Iceland! The waterfall is a short walk away from the parking lot and we were stunned by the force and magnitude of this place.
Stop 3 – Campsite – Skjól Camping:
Driving distance: 6.5 Kms || Driving Duration: 7 Minutes
After visiting the waterfall, we then proceeded towards the campsite where we had called it a day with some nice whiskey and warm instantly made food. we camped at Skjól Camping and it was quite decent.
Day 2:
Keep in mind that the south of Iceland has a lot more places to visit compared to the North so try to be as relaxed as possible in the south while you can take a few things off the list when in the North.
Stop 1 – Seljalandsfoss:
Driving distance: 110 Kms || Driving Duration: 1 Hour 28 Minutes
From our campsite, we started at around 8:30 AM and headed towards Seljalandsfoss which is around 1.5 hours of a drive from the site. The parking lot was just 5 minutes of walk away from the waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. The speciality of this place is that you can walk behind the waterfall giving you a very unique perspective of the place. We highly recommend you carry a raincoat and waterproof shoes when you visit the place. We didn’t want to carry separate shoes just for waterfalls so we bought Silicon covers for our shoes instead. You can find them here – quite cheap, very compact – does the job perfectly well.
Stop 2 – Gljúfrabúi:
Driving distance: NA || Driving Duration: NA (10 mins walk)
After experiencing the mesmerizing waterfalls, talk towards the right side of the waterfalls. In around 10 minutes, you will find a cave inside which there is another hidden waterfall called Gljúfrabúi. This place is totally something else! Standing right next to the waterfall, you will feel the intensity of Mother Earth. I dare you to stand facing the waterfall for more than 5 minutes and you will get a nice coffee from me :p
Stop 3 – Skógafoss:
Driving distance: 30 Kms || Driving Duration: 28 Minutes
Subsequent to the first two stops of the day, we headed towards Skógafoss which is around 30 mins drive from Seljalandsfoss. Skógafoss is the highest waterfall in Iceland and is surrounded by pitch-black volcanic sands. The contrast between the pure misty white water flowing and the thick lust black volcanic sand around makes this place as stunning as it is. This is our second-most favorite waterfall in Iceland. There are two ways to explore this place.
1: Walking towards the waterfall below the cliff (don’t miss this!)
2: Climbing up the cliff on the right side to get a different perspective.
Stop 4 – Dyrhólaey:
Driving distance: 26 Kms || Driving Duration: 25 Minutes
We then headed towards Dyrhólaey. This interesting rock formation was formed thousands of years ago due to volcanic activities around the area. If you are lucky, you will spot some puffins here. We were :p
You will also see a nice vintage lighthouse next to the rock formation here. Then, take a walk towards the left side of the rock to get a bird’s eye view of the black sand beach nearby.
Stop 5 – Black Sand Beach:
Driving distance: 19 Kms || Driving Duration: 20 Minutes
As you might have expected, head towards the Black Sand beach next. This place is one of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland. So beware of the wind, tides, and rain. There is a sign board that states the condition of the beach at that point in time. Get into it only it is green. If it is not, enjoy it from a bit far. Fly a drone if you have one to get some stunning shots of the rock formations here.
Stop 6 – Vik Church (optional):
Driving distance: 1.5 Kms || Driving Duration: 5 Minutes
Following the amazing day you had had, drive towards the church which is hard to miss in Vik for a wide view of the village. You will also get to see the rock formations in the background from there. The best time to be there would be during sunset to get a nice golden light shot.
Stop 7 – Campsite – Vík tjaldsvæði:
Driving distance: 1.5 Kms || Driving Duration: 5 Minutes
Now, you must be thinking that it is impossible to visit so many places in one day. But you can count on me on this! It is not at all difficult. The best part is that all these places are not far off from each other so it doesn’t really tire you off.
This is one of the most tidiest campsites we have stayed in Iceland. If you have time, visit the bus cafe which is right at the campsite, and say hi to the fur friend there. Relax at the campsite, cook in the kitchen if you want, and charge all the batteries for the next day.
Day 3:
Stop 1 – Fjaðrárgljúfur:
Driving distance: 68 Kms || Driving Duration: 50 Minutes
Succeeding a super nice day, start the next day driving towards Fjaðrárgljúfur – an interesting volcanic canyon formation. Park the car and walk towards the viewpoint which is around 20 mins of a hike. The tiny stream of water in the middle of the canyon is like the cherry on the cake. If the weather is perfect, you will get some nice vibrant photos of this place.
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Stop 2 – Svínafellsjökull Glacier:
Driving distance: 80 Kms || Driving Duration: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Leaving this place behind, you will drive in wide, barren, and dark volcanic landscapes for one hour. This stretch of the drive is one of my favorites of the trip. In around 45 minutes of driving, you will see quite a few glaciers on your left. Stop at the Svínafellsjökull Glacier Parking lot and walk for around 10 minutes to get to the spot. Before you reach the spot, you will come across a pond formed by the glacier. Sadly this pond was formed because of the rapid meltdown of the glacier (thanks to global warming) just around 20 years ago.
Stop 3 – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake:
Driving distance: 55 Kms || Driving Duration: 50 Minutes
Next up, drive to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake. It is definitely a place you will totally fall in love with. Jökulsárlón Lake is formed by the glacier far in the background. You will find massive cubes of ice floating on the water here. The ice cubes eventually move towards the sea forming what is known as Diamond Beach of Iceland.
In the image above, you will see a bridge and a water stream carrying these ice blocks that eventually end up in the sea. That is where you will find Diamond beach as well. If you fancy a boat ride on the lake, you can do that as well. Just be sure to reach the place before 4 PM as the boats operate only will 5 PM.
Stop 4 – The Diamond Beach:
Driving distance: 1 Km || Driving Duration: 5 mins
Next up, move towards The Diamond Beach. As discussed, the Diamonds (ice cubes) on the beach come from a nearby Glacier. The stunning contrast between the ice blocks and the pure black sand on the beach makes this place as unique as it is.
Stop 5 – Campsite – Camping Höfn Campsite :
Driving distance: 80 Kms || Driving Duration: 1 Hour
Calling it a day, drive towards Camping Höfn Campsite. Relax here for the night and probably get a nice view of the lake adjacent to the camping site.
Tip: Try to get a spot at the lower side of the campsite so your camp van doesn’t get too cold at night
Day 4:
Stop 1 – Vestrahorn Mountain:
Driving distance: 4 Kms || Driving Duration: 5 Minutes
1.1 The first stop for the day would be at the stunning Vestrahorn mountain. There are a bunch of things to do here. Buy the entrance tickets in a cafe near the gate and head towards the Viking Village which comes on the left-hand side when you drive past the gate. The setup is a replica of how Vikings lived in Iceland back in time. You will see some pretty mudhouses, a few wooden carvings, and even a Viking ship here.
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1.2 Before stopping at our next destination, Stokksnes, stop at the parking lot on the left-hand side of the road for a quick walk to the beach near the mountain. Walking on the beach, you will get a wider view of Vestrahorn and from the parking lot, you will get to take an amazing drone shot of the mountain as well.
1.3 Then head towards Stokksnes Parking lot and walk towards the rocky shore from where you will get a view of the research station nearby and also another great view of the mountain.
Stop 2 – Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss:
Driving distance: 190 Kms || Driving Duration: 3 Hours
Try to save your energy as much as you can in the first stop. Because what’s ahead is a decently difficult hike toward the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. You will spot Hengifoss almost 3 km before you reach the location. Park your car at the parking lot, wear comfortable shoes, and begin your trek. Take the path on your left-hand side so that you can come back from the right-hand side while returning. The trek almost takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours so carry some water and snacks for rejuvenation.
After around 15 minutes of trekking, you will see Litlanesfoss. A tiny waterfall that is subsiding part of the bigger falls you are heading towards. Also, this would be your second time coming across the Icelandic scale rocky formation after the Black Sand Beach. Take a short break at Litlanesfoss and continue the walk towards the bigger, more powerful beauty. You will come across a considerable stretch of flat land before you reach the waterfall front. Photo below:
You can walk towards the waterfall as close as you want. But keep in mind that rock falls are quite common here and it is quite risky to get too close to the waterfall.
I got countless drone photos and videos here. The beautiful red layer of rock sandwiched between black volcanic rocks makes this place unquestionably the most beautiful and unique waterfalls in the country. Spending some time near the falls and admiring its magnificent beauty, head back to the parking lot with sore legs and amazing memories!
Stop 3 – Gufu waterfalls:
Driving distance: 60 Kms || Driving Duration: 50 Minutes
While heading towards the next stop Gufu Waterfalls, you will come across some very beautiful landscapes and interesting mountains. Take a few pit stops and admire the alluring beauty of this country. A picture below to give you a feel of it:
The best part of visiting Gufu waterfalls is the drive towards it. Just before you reach the falls, you will cross a mountain that often has cloud bursts. You will find some Civil service vehicles guiding you drive through the clouds.
Stop 4 – Campsite – Seydisfjordur Camping Site:
Driving distance: 4 Kms || Driving Duration: 5 Minutes
After a long but memorable day, relax at Seydisfjordur Camping Site and take a nice warm water shower (you need to pay for the shower).
Day 5:
Stop 1 – Myvatn Geothermal Area:
Driving distance: 190 Kms || Driving Duration: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
As we have not been to any natural geysers in Iceland so far, visit Myvatn Geothermal Area for the first stop of the day. Smell some sulfur naturally produced by Mother Earth, take some photos, and move towards the next location. We wouldn’t recommend spending more than 20 mins here. Park the car, take a quick stroll, and get back!
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Stop 2 – Krafla Crater:
Driving distance: 12 Kms || Driving Duration: 15 Minutes
The second stop of the day is nothing but a miracle! If you are interested in geography, google “geo-history of Krafla Crater” (you are welcome!). This crater was formed because of a massive volcanic eruption in 1775. The eruption was so powerful that people felt it 100’s of kilometers away from this place and left behind this crater that is around 350m in diameter. Even today, there is a lot of volcanic activity around this area. The magnum is said to be just 1 mile beneath the surface which is why you will see a lot of hot water geysers around this area. There is even a Geo Thermal power plant in this area that you will come across. This plant produces electricity purely from the hot water produced by the volcanic activity in this area. Fascinating isn’t it?
As you can see, this place is perfect for some breathe-taking drone shots (you can find a few more reels and photos on my Instagram account)
Stop 3 (optional) – Mývatn Nature Baths:
Driving distance: 13 Kms || Driving Duration: 15 Minutes
We are big fans of taking a nice bath in the natural springs of Iceland. If you are too, consider visiting Mývatn Nature Baths. It is much cheaper and less crowded compared to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. If the weather is cold, you will experience a soothing bath in the blue waters of the pools there.
This is the advantage of going on a road trip self driving around the country! You can stop anywhere, and take a bath anywhere :p
Stop 4 – Goðafoss:
Driving distance: 53 Kms || Driving Duration: 45 Minutes
Next, steer towards another beautiful fall in Iceland – Goðafoss. Honestly, it might not be as beautiful as the waterfalls you have seen so far. But a quick stop on the way to the campsite does no harm, isn’t it? The parking lot is just 10 minutes walk away from the waterfall and it is well worth the visit.
Stop 5 – Ayukeri:
Driving distance: 35 Kms || Driving Duration: 35 Minutes
Next up, we visit the beautiful Icelandic town of Ayukeri. You can visit a local restaurant there to try some nice Icelandic dishes before calling it a day. Ayukeri also has a beautiful and modern-looking church that is nice to visit if you have time.
Stop 6 (Campsite- Option 1) – Camping Hamrar:
Driving distance: 6 Kms || Driving Duration: 10 Minutes
End the day staying at Camping Hamrar. If you still have some energy left, visit the lake nearby to sip a cup of coffee.
Stop 6 (Campsite- Option 2) – Camping Hvammstangi:
Driving distance: 200 Kms || Driving Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
The reason why we are sharing the second option to end the day is because if you go with Option 1 (Camping Hamrar), you will need to drive a lot to get to your first stop of the day the next day. So, if you have got energy and patience to drive further, we strongly recommend you to drive further ahead and end the day at Camping Hvammstangi. The road to this place might be slightly deserted and you might feel you are on the wrong path (we did). But don’t worry you are going to merge with the main road after some time. While driving this road, you will come across some incredibly stunning landscapes. Be sure to stop once in a while to enjoy the scenery. Below is an image to give you a glimpse.
Note: I recommend skipping Stop 5 if you take option 2 for the campsite.
There are plenty of Icelandic horses around this region. Get some shots it time permits.
Day 6:
Stop 1 – Kirkjufellsfoss:
Driving distance: 184 Kms || Driving Duration: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
You will be glad if you take option 2 the previous day as you would be cutting off 2 hours of driving this day. Our first stop for this day would be the gorgeous Kirkjufellsfoss. The small stream of water passing by the cliff nearby with the Kirkjufell is a perfect photograph composition given by Mother Earth. Please tell me if you think otherwise looking at the photograph below :p
Stop 2 – Ingjaldshólskirkja:
Driving distance: 30 Kms || Driving Duration: 30 Minutes
Spending some time walking around the foss, spin towards Ingjaldshólskirkja. It is a beautiful Icelandic church on top of a small cliff. Needless to mention, this is a perfect spot for a nice drone shot with the road acting as a leading line towards the subject. If it is the season, you will find some nice blossomed purple lupines around 100 meters away from the church that you can use as a foreground for the picture.
Stop 3 – Hellnar Arch :
Driving distance: 38 Kms || Driving Duration: 30 Minutes
Next up, move towards Hellnar Arch. This place gives you a glimpse of how volcanically active Iceland was at some point in time. We spent just around 15 mins there as we didn’t want to walk much that day.
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Next to Hellnar Arch, you will find the Hellnar Church around a 5-minute walk away. Parked the car aside and went there for a quick shot.
Stop 4 – Port of Arnarstapi :
Driving distance: 450 Mts || Driving Duration: 3 Minutes
Drive further from the last location and shortly, you will come across this beautiful lone white house in the Port of Arnarstapi. Walk down the road for 50 meters to get the following view of the house:
Stop 5 – Búðakirkja:
Driving distance: 20 Kms || Driving Duration: 20 Minutes
Afterward, navigate towards the famous Black church of Búðakirkja – A tiny wooden church dating back to the 19th century in a scenic natural area with a lava field. Take some photos and read a bit about why it is painted black from the description board there.
Stop 6 – Campsite – Snorrastadir Farm Holidays :
Driving distance: 70 Kms || Driving Duration: 50 Minutes
Of course, the final stop of the day would be a nice campsite. Today, it is the Snorrastadir Farm Holidays. This is certainly one of the nicest campsites of the trip. Relax the evening at the campsite before getting ready for action the next day. Note that all the campsites can be accessed without reservation. This gives you an immense amount of flexibility which is why an amazing way to spend 7 days in Iceland is by self-drive around the country.
Day 7:
Stop 1 – Reykjavik:
Driving distance: 110 Kms || Driving Duration: 1 Hours 30 Minutes
Well, how can we leave this beautiful country without spending time in its capital? The Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik is without doubt one of the prettiest cities you will visit. On this day, you can visit Hallgrimskirkja – the biggest church in Iceland, the National Museum of Iceland, Blue Lagoon, and a few other places in the city in any order that fits your time. Stay at the GoCampers parking lot at night. Generally, the rental companies let you stay at their parking lots. However, it is best to check when you pick up the van on the first day.
Undoubtedly, with empty pockets and a heart full of memories, fly to your destination the next day.
Here comes an end to the blog:
7 days in Iceland: Amazing self drive itinerary with Map
I hope you have found it useful!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Do you have more suggestions for beautiful places in Iceland for photography? Let me know in the comments below!
Signing off for now!
CK
8 Comments
Well done Chethan
If and when I do travel here, will definitely look this up
true passion ❤️
Fabulous job bro! You guys had a memorable trip, and thanks for sharing the nitty geitty!
Very well put and magnificent photos. After this I have added Iceland to my bucket list. Thanks Chetan!
Oh my God! So much content. I am sure it will help many.
I feel Proud My Stringer
It’s amazing
I hope this would help me and other as well.
Yep good Job brother
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