WORDS & PICTURES: Íris Gylfadottir
Connect with Íris on Instagram @gudmundairis | @iris.gylfa
Iceland, the land of fire and ice, a country filled with beautiful nature, is known for many things. But what stands out the most is the breathtaking landscape; volcanos, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, and fresh rivers, from which you can even drink the water. Many tourists come to Iceland to experience the majestic nature that the country has to offer. Have you been? Allow me to guide you around Route 1, across the country, and introduce you to the magical land of Iceland. Plan the ultimate itinerary for an Iceland road trip with me.
THE SOUTH
The south is one of the most popular regions of the country, and the first stop on your Iceland road trip. Here, you can always find various things to see, but there are also so many things you can do: the Golden Circle, the famous Eyjafjallajökull (the large volcano), and many waterfalls – even one you can walk behind. You can go horse riding and snowmobiling on top of our glaciers; maybe you’d like to go river rafting on one of the glacial rivers? But be careful not to fall in!
Enjoy a hot swim in the geothermal baths that you can find almost anywhere in this part of the country – whether they’re natural rivers or pools with heated water taken from underground.
Friðheimar is now one of the most popular places to visit down south. There, you can enjoy delicious food and drink, or even watch a show dedicated to the Icelandic horse, where you learn all about their gait and their history. The show only lasts from May until late September, so bear that in mind if you are interested. The main theme of Friðheimar’s unique cuisine is tomatoes: yes, tomatoes! Here, you can enjoy tomatoes in all their forms, whether that be as a drink, as food, or even as beer.
Discover Iceland | Reykjavik, Iceland: City Guide
THE SOUTH-EAST
Many people from Iceland believe in trolls and elves, so why not go to Stórúð, where trolls used to play? Or maybe to the east fjords: the kingdom of the elves? At the infamous diamond black beaches, ice from the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, sits on the beach; in Jökulsárlón, you can go for a boat ride and sail between the icebergs from the glacier. If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, Vatnajökull was used as a filming location for some of the episodes.
Höfn is a small town with lovely people and great food; if you have never tried lobster pizza or soup, Höfn is definitely the place to visit during your Iceland road trip.
THE NORTH
Iceland has not one but thirteen Santa Clauses (or Yule Lads); Dimmuborgir is known for the Yule Lads’ cave, where you can see how they live, and sometimes they even come out to meet their visitors. Over Christmas, people tend to throw them in the lake for their yearly bath. Not only that, but you can also find rocks that look like trolls. This area boasts a beautiful landscape, filled with many fun things.
Akureyri is a wonderful town with a great swimming pool, adorned with big waterslides – you are never too old for waterslides! Beside this cute town, just outside Akureyri, you can find the Christmas House, where you can buy Christmas candy and ornaments, and write Santa Claus a letter. It even smells like Christmas – so if you find yourself in a festive mood in the middle of the summer, this is the place for you.
Just 30 minutes from Akureyri, in Árskógsandur, you can find a beer bath spa. Yes, you read that right – a beer bath spa! Here you can soak in a beer bath while enjoying a nice glass of beer.
THE WEST
Although this place is not on Route 1, it’s still very popular to take a detour to see Snæfellsnes, which is situated about 2 hours from Reykjavík, the capital. Snæfellsnes is a beautiful place to visit, boasting yet another glacier, waterfalls, mountains, and even beaches. You can visit the beaches here with a view of Snæfellsjökull – a volcanic glacier.
Arnarstapi is a tiny settlement with a pyramid-shaped mountain named Stapafell; it has a beautiful seafront with interesting rocks, surrounded by lava fields.
VISITING ICELAND: USEFUL INFORMATION
When coming to Iceland, you need to think about what you want to see, and which season you would like to experience. The winters can be very harsh from November until early February, but if you want a romantic getaway, or to go Northern Lights-hunting in the snow, then winter is the perfect time to go.
If you are looking to explore the entire country, summertime is ideal; not only is there light 24/7 in July, but if you want to travel around when fewer people are about, you can hit the road at any hour. It’s also great for that perfect Instagram shot.
