A 12-day Iceland Road Trip

Iceland isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience.

Over 12 days, we chased waterfalls, stood in awe of unreal landscapes, and lived moments that felt straight out of a dream. And then… the Northern Lights appeared, painting the sky in ways no camera can truly capture. Sharing the perfect itinerary so you can experience it all too. 🇮🇸

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🚗 How We Got Around

We explored Iceland by car—and honestly, it made the trip. The freedom to stop anywhere, take detours, and discover hidden spots is unmatched.

While the highlands and F-roads require a 4×4 (these roads are rough, remote, and can include river crossings), we didn’t explore the highlands on this trip.

If you’re short on time or prefer not to drive, guided tours are a super easy way to see Iceland’s highlights without the hassle. You can find tours here

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO ICELAND

• Always carry layers - the weather flips in minutes. The winds are no joke, so dress smart.

• When renting a car, get full insurance. Windshields and doors can literally break because of strong winds, and credit cards usually don’t cover it. We took Gold Insurance - a bit pricey, but totally worth the peace of mind in remote areas.

• Get an eSIM from Airalo — super convenient with great packages.

• Follow Leave No Trace principles.

• Don’t overspeed. Even 10 km/h over the limit can cost you hundreds of dollars in fines.

• Stay far from sneaker waves — they’re unpredictable and extremely dangerous.

• Check the SafeTravel app daily for road and weather conditions.

• Pay attention to road tolls and parking fees — skipping them can lead to heavy fines.

• Food is expensive (no surprise there). Either explore local options or stock up from grocery stores — or come prepared.

• Iceland has the most cleanest drinking water, but we still preferred buying bottled water.

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Day 1: Sky Lagoon, Kerid Crater

Landed at Keflavik International Airport and took a shuttle to pick our car. A Hyundai Tucson from Geysir car rental. Drove straight into Reykjavik Downtown for lunch at Sandholt. From there we headed to Sky Lagoon instead of Blue Lagoon since we prefer fewer crowds. Booked the Sky Lagoon Entry Pass for 2 P.M slot and honestly the best decision. We initially considered sunset, but there is no Sun. So afternoon turned out perfect — peaceful and barely crowded. If sunset is your thing, book in advance because those slots sell out fast.

Sky Lagoon

After that, checked into Hotel Eldhestar - a quiet stay surrounded by horses.

Wrapped up the day with a quick visit to Kerid Crater, which is just 15 minutes away the hotel.

Kerid Crater

This is located on Iceland’s Golden circle. A 3000 year old volcanic eruption later formed with groundwater and it changes color depending on light conditions. This is younger than most craters in Iceland. We chose this as it’s not that crowded with free parking and the walk around just takes less than an hour. So, we added it to our list.

Day 2: Silfra, Geysir, Gullfoss Falls, Seljalandsfoss

Our stop 1 for Day 2 is Silfra inside Þingvellir National Park. One of the coolest things you can do between two continents (North America & Europe) is Snorkelling. You can book the tour via Get Your Guide

Our stop 2 for Day 2 is Geysir, this is a pure Geothermal magic to witness. It looks like Earth taking a deep breath. That sudden boom of boiling water hitting the sky is wild. It happens every15-30 minutes but the smell is not what you like..

Our stop 3 for Day 2 is Gullfoss Falls - I would say skip this falls as its too crowded. But if you take a walk around the falls from the top then its worth it.

We then stopped for Lunch around 2pm at Vinstofa Fridheima - Winebar & Bistro a cozy spot for delicious food and ambience.

Our Stop 4 for Day 2 for Sunset is Seljalandsfoss - A photographer's paradise. I have seen more triopods than tourists at the back of the falls. Truly one of my favourite experiences, walking back to the falls and watching the entire turn golden. This has a parking fee, so make sure you pay the ticket. As the fines in Iceland are huge.

We checked into our hotel in the night and headed for dinner as we are super hungry.

The dinner spot is just 5mins from our hotel which is 'Skogafoss Bistro Bar' which is super busy as its besides the famous Skogafoss waterfall. Lamb soup and fish dish are my favourite here..

We also got to see our first glimpse of Northern Lights that day

Day 3: Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, Reynisfjara Beach, Dyrholaey Viewpoint

Our spot 1 of Day 3 is Skogafoss, which is a massive waterfall that fills the entire backgrop with power and rainbows. The mist, the water droplets, the roar - everything feels magical. Plan an early visit to beat the crowds because this is one of Iceland's iconic must-see spots.

Our spot 2 of Day 3 is Kvernufoss, which is a lesser-known gem just a 15 minute walk through the valley behind the Skogar Museum. Very few people, peaceful vibes, and you can even walk behind the waterfall (just be careful-its very slippery). A perfect alternative if you want beauty without the crowds.

The landscape slowly changed and we stopped on the way at a random spot and found this colored mountain. We made our way to Vik and stopped for lunch at Black Crust Pizzeria.

A quick and cozy spot. And also make sure to refuel before the coastline adventures.

Our spot 3 of Day 3 is the famous Reynisfjara Beack which is Iceland's iconic black sand beach - dramatic, beautufil, and extremely powerful. The sneaker waves are dangerous, so always stay far from the shoreline. The basalt column cliffs are stunning for photos, but avaoid climbing too high and stay away from the side facing the ocean, as waves hit the rocks without warning

Our spot 4 of Day 3 for Sunset is Dyrholaey Viewpoint, we were debating between to stay at Reynisfjara or go to Dyrholaey which is just 20minutes apart; Due to increasing crowds we quickly pivoted and headed to Dyrholaey and what a decision that turned out to be. The sunset there perfectly lived upto Iceland's tagline, "The Land of Fire and Ice." Golden light over icy cliffs and volcanic landscapes created one of the most magical scenes we experienced on the trip so far.

This is also a great spot to see puffins during the season, which runs from May through early August. We were here September end so we didn't get to see..

We reached late to our cabin which we booked from airbnb - Home in Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day 4: Viking Park, Eldhraun, Mulagljufur Canyon, Diamond Beach

Woke for Sunrise and the colors are pretty, then we headed to our spot 1 of Day 4 - Viking Park. The famous Yoda Cave which is a natural lava cave that uncannily resembles the Star Wars character. After that, we explored the vast black-sand plains shaped by ancient volcanic floods. Almost no crowds, just raw untouched icelandic beauty.

Then we headed to our stop 2 of Day 4 - Eldhraun. This is initially not on the plan but its on the way, so we had a stop over. A massive lava field blanketed in thick, soft green moss like nature's own carpet. It was created by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history.

Please stay on the designated paths: the moss dies when stepped on. I still saw people crossing the ropes for pictures, but lets be responsible and protect this beauty for future.

Our stop 3 of Day 4 is Mulagljufur Canyon. As I love hiking, I have added this hidden gem to my list. My first hike from Iceland and if you also love hiking, this is a must-visit. The fall colors mixed with bright moss create a dramatic, almsot mythical atmosphere. One of the most magical hikes in South East Iceland

Our last stop of Day 4 is Diamond Beach for Sunset but we are little late and the Sun already went down.. One of the Iceland's most iconic beaches, dotted with glittering crystal-like ice chunks. As its almost October, only tiny pieces are left over for us to witness. It does get extremely crowded during the day and the parking is paid- as we visited after sunset we got to enjoy a quieter, peaceful experience.

We then checked into Guesthouse Gerdi and this was another beautiful hotel I can say with a restaurant and we had tummy full dinner. My dish of entire Iceland trip is Salmon, so it never disappointed me in any of the places

Day 5: Viking Park, Eldhraun, Mulagljufur Canyon, Diamond Beach

Our Day 5 started with a beautiful sunrise from our hotel and I cant take my eyes off. This was the moment I used to see in those National Geographic channels where birds flew and the Sun in the background.

Our day 5 is the most awaited tour. We booked an ice cave tour tour with Glacier Trips near Vatnajökull National Park which of the trusted local companies in Iceland. It took almost 3 to 4 hours for the tour to get complete. October to March is the real ice cave season - once Summer hits, conditions can become extremely dangerous because you're literally walking on a moving, melting glacier. Many tour companies advertise ice cave tours year-around.. but the local experts only run them when the glacier is stable and conditions are safe.

We went in the first week of October, and it was only the second day of the season. But February can the be the perfect peak month with caves fully formed and stable.

In August 2024, a man-made ice cave at the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier collapsed and tragically killed a tourist. Accidents like this are a reminder that ice caves are constantly changing, and safety depends on choosing the right guides - especially when tours operate outside the official season.

That's why it's always recommended to book your tour with local companies who know the glacier conditions day by day.

After that, we had lunch at Pakkuhus Restaurant and drove to stokksnes. There is an entry ticket and we got it from a little cafe which is at the entrance. Rain prevented me from seeing Vestrahorn's flawless glass reflection. However, I made sure to strike Shah Rukh's famous pose :P

Ever since the release of the song "Gerua" I was astounded by the song's background locations. It has been on my list since then, and here it is: one of the top places to see on Iceland's East Coast.

It's almost dark and we drove next 2 hours and checked into our hotel for Day 5: Berunes Hi Hostel & Camp

Day 6: Öxi Pass, Folaldafoss, Hengifoss, Seyðisfjörður, Eskifjörður

Our ambitious Day 6 of the Iceland trip had almost a hike and 4 other spots. Honestly, 2–3 days would be perfect to explore these spots slowly, but we squeezed it all. We started from our hotel which is Djúpivogur, and the coastline had baby seals resting so we spent some sometime looking for them. Driving through the Eastfjords was one of the highlights of our Iceland trip — dramatic mountains, endless fjords, and roads that keep surprising us at every turn.

We then stopped at Oxi Pass, which is not our list but the landscape made us to stay for a bit. Then is a waterfall Folaldafoss just by the parking lot. You can even walk down to the falls.

You can also add the Instagram-famous Stuðlagil Canyon to your itinerary. We skipped it because the canyon’s famous turquoise color depends a lot on the weather — on sunny days it looks magical, but during rainy weather the water turns muddy. Since it was raining, we chose Hengifoss instead — and honestly, it turned out to be incredible hike with red lava stripes. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland. It flows through layers of volcanic basalt and red clay. These red layers are estimated to be 5–6 million years old, making the cliffs behind Hengifoss a visible timeline of Iceland’s volcanic history— nature literally painted this mountain. This is a moderate hike with almost 5 km round trip, mostly uphill with a few steep sections. The hike starts from a free parking lot, and halfway through the trail you’ll see another beautiful waterfall called Litlanesfoss, famous for its perfect basalt columns surrounding the falls. As you get closer, the red volcanic stripes in the cliffs become more visible, and the final viewpoint reveals the iconic sight of Hengifoss dropping through the striped canyon. Tip: Wear good hiking shoes — the trail has steep inclines, declines, and loose gravel. We also tasted the Arctic winds here, and they can literally push you if you’re not careful.

East Iceland feels quieter, wilder, and far less crowded… and that’s exactly why it’s worth exploring.

We then headed to Eskifjörður to checkin to our cabin

Don’t miss out on Mjóeyri Travel Holiday Homes when you’re exploring East Iceland 🇮🇸 Tucked away in the peaceful fjord town of Eskifjörður, this place feels like a hidden gem you almost want to keep to yourself. Imagine ending your day in a unique boat hot tub, surrounded by raw Icelandic landscapes in rain, wind, or even snow - making the experience even more surreal. It’s one of those moments that stays with you long after the trip. Whether you’re a couple, solo traveler, or a group, they’ve got you covered with cozy cottages (up to 6 people) and shared stay options. It’s perfect if you just want to slow down, unplug, and soak in the views right from your window. They also offer local guided tours, so you can explore the East Fjords beyond the usual stops. And the most unexpected touch? A rescued arctic fox wandering around the property. It is playful, rare, and absolutely unforgettable 🦊 If you’re looking for a stay that’s more than just a place to sleep, this is it. Booked my cottage on Expedia for under 300 CAD for 3 people—so roughly $100 each… for views like this, it’s honestly a steal

Day 7: Klifbrekkufossar, Dettifoss Waterfall

This was our last day in East Iceland before we head to North. Driving into pure white with zero visibility… no markings visible, no people, just trusting the drive and us dancing in the middle of nowhere. And within minutes, the entire landscape flipped to fall 🍂 That’s Iceland… you never know what’s coming next. This hidden gem feels like a staircase carved by nature itself. The water flowing step by step down the mountain side. Depending on the season, the whole place transforms the color and mood. I found fall is the best season. Officially called a 7-step waterfall… but from certain angles, you might spot more.

On the way back, we couldn’t even tell the difference between the road and a frozen lake, and for almost 50 km, there wasn’t a single car in sight. It genuinely felt like we were the only ones left in this world. By sunset, we reached Dettifoss Waterfall — a place I had been dreaming of…but due to icy conditions, we couldn’t get close enough. We then continued to Húsavík, and checked into our stay and just like that, the Aurora showed up again that night ✨

Day 8: Husavik Whale Watching Tour, Godafoss Waterfall

Started the morning with a whale watching tour booked on Get Your Guide — the iconic Waterfall of the Gods 🌊✨ An easy 1.7-mile walk, a big parking area, and views that instantly set the tone for the day. From there our journey towards West Iceland started, we drove nearly 450 km through ever-changing Icelandic landscapes adding a cinematic experience with horses passing by and endless open beauty. By sunset, we reached the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula, greeted again by those powerful coastal winds 🌬️ We checked into our stay and had dinner at Bjargarsteinn Mathús was the perfect end to a long drive — cozy vibes, a charming menu, and truly delicious food. The night stayed mostly cloudy… but just when we thought we’d missed it, the sky surprised us with a rare sight — the red glow of the Aurora Borealis 🔴🌌 One of those moments that quietly stayed with us forever.

Day 9: Ingjaldshólskirkja, Saxhóll Crater, Djúpalón Lagoon, Lóndrangar

Standing in front of Ingjaldshólskirkja, one of Iceland’s oldest concrete churches, with winds strong enough to humble every tourist. Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland finally made us experience those harsh Icelandic winds… and that’s the exact moment I thought, “okay, I need to go back home now” 🤣 The wind was so brutal we could literally stand slanted, and at one point my jacket almost flew away into the open land 🌬️😂 At this point, I finally understood why everyone in Iceland says to park your car facing the wind… because the wind here can literally rip the door right off 🌬️🚗

We then went for lunch at Snæfellsjökull National Park tourist centre and headed to Saxhóll Crater — volcanic crater with scenic stairs.

Our next stop is Djúpalón Lagoon - A lagoon surrounded by lava formations beneath Snæfellsjökull. By Sunset we reached Lóndrangar — dramatic basalt sea stacks and beautiful sunset color from the Sunset Hour.. Few other stops to add to West Iceland if you have more time are Arnarstapi — coastal cliffs and sea arches, Hellnar — charming coastal village

Day 10: Kirkjufell, Reykjavik

An iconic arrow-shaped mountain with Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.

Day 11: Reykjavik

Coming Soon....

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