Our Iceland Roadtrip

Iceland lives up to its reputation as the land of fire and ice, and the reality is truly remarkable! The blend of frigid temperatures, mountains crowned with snow, abundant natural hot springs, and actual flowing lava seems straight out of a captivating science fiction novel. Whether you're seeking adventure, romance, cultural exploration, or simply exquisite cuisine, Iceland seamlessly caters to your desires. 

The absolute best way to experience all that Iceland has to offer is to rent a camper van and go on a shoulder month, mid to late May or late August/early September. Camper vans are now an incredibly popular way to visit Iceland and therefore have become increasingly cheaper and easier. Visiting during a shoulder month means less crowds and more alone time with the magnificent waterfalls, mountains, beaches.…

You have to park at a campsite as it is no longer legal to park on the side of the road, but they are abundant and surprisingly accommodating for only $10-$20 a night. Some campsites we stayed at had hot showers, washers, dryers, clean bathrooms, and the nicest people from all over the world. You don’t have to book the campsite in advance. Just pull up, park, and sleep. Someone will come by in the morning to collect payment.

Going the camper van route also means that you are bundling the cost of transportation and stay while avoiding dealing with anyone else’s schedules, such as check in/outs, than your own.

Our camper van only cost us $50 a night. It was the bare minimum and smallest van you can rent. I loved it. We spent 10 days circling the entire country and even getting into the West Fjords for a visit to Dynjandi, an absolutely breathtaking waterfall and my personal favorite of the 500 that we saw.

The fooooooooood! The food in Iceland was some of the best I have ever had anywhere in the world, but it was expensive. Our entire trip, including flights, for 2 people was $4,000 with a quarter of that, $1,000, spent exclusively on food. I would suggest that you buy groceries and cook maybe 2 out of 3 meals and splurge on a decadent dinner. Trust me, it’s worth it. The soup will heal your soul and warm your bones while the fresh lamb will make your mouth water for the next year every time you think about it.

Some of my favorite places in no particular order were:

1) Godafoss

Godafoss is named after the story of chieftain Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi. He settled a religious crisis in Iceland by throwing the idols of the Old Norse Gods into the falls. This symbolized the nation’s conversion to Christianity and gave the spot its nickname, The Waterfall of the Gods.

This was an incredibly easy waterfall to visit as it is just off the road. When the sun is out there is a perfect rainbow over the falls.

2) Dynjandi 

Dynjandi, meaning thunderous, is the largest waterfall in the West Fjords region of Iceland. The closer we got to this waterfall the more magnificent it became. The power emanating from this waterfall was intoxicating and I could have sat there staring at it all day. Definitely worth the drive out. During certain times of the year you may not even need to embark on the long drive out to the West Fjords. There is a boat that will take you, but the drive was fun. 

3) Skogafoss 

One of the aspects I truly cherished about Skogafoss was the remarkably easy hike leading to the top of the waterfall. At the top, an additional trail follows the course of the river, unveiling a multitude of smaller waterfalls along the way. I recommend dedicating an hour or two to leisurely wander down this path. It's worth noting that the trail doesn't have a fixed endpoint, so you can simply turn back whenever you're ready, unless, of course, you're prepared to trek straight across Iceland.

As you map out your travel plans, exercise caution to avoid being overwhelmed by the abundance of lists proclaiming the "most awe-inspiring waterfalls in Iceland." The country boasts an overwhelming number of waterfalls, to the point where you might become a bit discerning about which ones you're willing to step out of the car to see. Each and every one of them exudes beauty, leaving you with no wrong choice. Opt for three or four waterfalls that align with your route and don't let the fear of missing out suffocate your journey by trying to tick off every single one.

4) The Bird Cliffs 

If you are going to the West Fjords then don’t miss out on the Bird Cliffs. This hike along the ridge overlooking the ocean was completely different than the rest of Iceland and just spectacular. For those bird enthusiasts, you can see Puffins here in the summer time. Be careful where you step, you don’t want to destroy the beautiful eggs that scatter the area. 

5) Fagradalsfjall