Discover Iceland in 10 days, exploring glaciers, volcanic plains, geothermal spas, and wildlife such as seals and whales. This affordable trip is best done with a rental car and overnight stays in well-equipped and clean campsites, or hotels / guesthouses.
On arrival, collect your luggage and go to arrange car rental. Once everything is sorted, you head to Keflavik where you can buy supplies and equipment for your trip.
The airport in Iceland is not the largest, so it is quite easy and quick to get from the plane to the arrival hall, where you pick up your suitcases and then proceed according to the instructions from the car rental company. If you use Go Car Rental, they have a shuttle service from the airport to their branch, so you go to the meeting point where you will be met by a representative of the car rental company. Other rental companies have counters right in the airport concourse.
Expect to fill up 4-5 times, with fuel stations available in every city. Some tourist spots have paid parking, which can be arranged using self-service machines or the Parka app.
In every city you will find supermarkets like Krónan, Bónus and Nettó for easy restocking. Stock up on non-perishable foods such as pasta, pulses and instant meals, and don't miss out on sampling the local Skyr yoghurt. Replenish your supplies as you go, and you'll find a Krónan, Bónus, or Nettó supermarket in every town. Hams or cheeses are more expensive here than here, but you can buy a wide range of durable foods suitable for the cooker - various pastas, legumes, or instant meals. Also be sure to try the local Skyr yoghurt.
If you make the trip between October and April, there's also a good chance you'll see the Northern Lights.
Purchase supplies and gas bombs for the cooker. Not far from the airport there is a shopping mall where there is a Bónus and a Krónan where you can buy food and drink supplies, but also a hobby market where you can get all types of gas bombs for the cooker. At the same time, if you like chicken wings, be sure to visit the fast food restaurant Just Wingin It - it's an Icelandic fast food chain and for myself, I can recommend the buttery wings topped with parmesan :)
A more relaxed day - no long drives await you right away, so there's time to look around at your leisure. However, you can still look forward to the first beauties that Iceland offers, including active geysers. You will also see the first of many waterfalls, and you can, for example, make the trip more pleasant by internally rating all the waterfalls and choosing a winner at the end.
Walk through Þingvellir National Park, where one of the oldest parliaments in Europe used to meet. There are more circuits, you can take a longer walk, or just walk a short distance along the wooden walkways above the wetlands, look up at the waterfall and move on. The car park is about 500m from the waterfall and is payable (1000 ISK per car - almost all tourist attractions cost the same parking fee)
Short stop with a view of the waterfall. The waterfall itself is about 400m walk from the parking lot. There is no parking fee.
The most famous geyser in Iceland. A short walk around the geothermal pools to the two largest geysers - Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur is active all year round and shoots every 5-10 minutes to a height of 10-15 metres. Parking is right next to the geyser area, there is no parking fee. Be careful, do not go too close to the geyser, the water gushing out of it is really boiling :)
It is from the Icelandic name of this formation that the geological term geyser is derived (from the Icelandic term "geysa", meaning "to flow"). The Great Geyser is also the oldest known representative, having been described as active as early as 1294.
You will visit some of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, a volcanic crater, you will be able to swim in a naturally heated pool between the mountains, taste delicious tomato soup, or walk along the black beach to the plane wreck.
One of the most massive waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk along the trail to the lookout point directly above the waterfall, where you can observe all parts of it. There are also facilities for tourists at the parking lot with a toilet, bistro and souvenir shop.
The water cascades down in two stages. In the first phase, the fall is 11 metres high and the second fall is 22 metres high, both phases flowing into a 2.5 km long canyon. The canyon was formed at the end of the Ice Age by the action of flood waves and is extended by 25 cm each year by erosion.
Tomato farm - a complex full of greenhouses with tomatoes, but also a bar and restaurant where you can have a delicious tomato soup, bruschetta, or even tomato beer, but most importantly! Absolutely delicious bread, which we even had to buy to go.
A volcanic crater formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, now filled with turquoise water. There is a path around the crater that you can walk around, and at one point you can walk down to the water. There is paid parking at the crater, the cost per car is 1000 ISK.
The caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred about 3,000 years ago, creating a depression about 170 metres wide and just under 55 metres deep. It gradually filled with rainwater and groundwater and, thanks to the volcanic rocks, created a lake with a brilliant turquoise colour.
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It has been featured on reality TV show The Amazing Race, and Justin Bieber filmed a music video at the falls. But it's also special, for example, because you can walk around it - that is, go behind it, into a small cave. But make sure you bring a raincoat :) But the view through the waterfall is really unique and worth going around.
It is fed by the Seljalandsá river. It falls from former cliffs to a depth of 60 metres.
A 5 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful waterfall. It is hidden among the rocks and you can walk right up to the bottom. At the same time, it doesn't get nearly as many tourists as Seljalandsfoss - so you'll have more peace to look at, and for my money, there's definitely something to look at. Be sure to bring your Seljalandsfoss raincoat here too :)
Next stop is at the beautiful and massive Skógafoss waterfall. You can walk along a small beach almost to the bottom of the waterfall itself. To the right of the waterfall there are stairs that take you directly above the waterfall, where you can also take a walk along the river with beautiful views.
Skógafoss is one of the largest and also the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. It is 25 metres wide and 60 metres high. It is fed by the Skógá River, which has more waterfalls. Thanks to the water splinter that surrounds the waterfall, a single or double rainbow can be observed in sunny weather.
A short walk from Skogafoss, a naturally heated swimming pool is hidden among the mountains. From the parking lot you walk about 10 minutes along the river and you can't miss the pool. It is not guarded in any way, so there is no entrance fee. There are also changing rooms next to the pool.
If you've ever seen promotional photos of Iceland, you've seen a plane wreck on a black beach. It's about a 45 minute walk from the parking lot, so expect this stop to take easily 2 hours. To the plane, you really walk through the wilderness - still straight on the black beach, nothing far away. But you don't have to worry about getting lost - the path to the plane is marked with bollards along the way. Parking is just off the road where the marked path leads off.
The DC-3 aircraft belonged to the US Navy and crashed here in 1973 while en route from Höfn to Keflavik. During a rapid change in weather, both engines froze and went out of service. Fortunately, none of the crew was hurt. Icelandic farmers gradually siphoned fuel from the plane for their tractors and eventually the wreckage remained there as a tourist attraction.
Endless black beaches, cliffs with rock formations where you might even spot puffins with a bit of luck, and finally a glacier, known for example from the movie Interstellar, and Skaftafell National Park.
A rock formation overlooking a long black beach. If you're lucky, you'll also see puffins (mostly in the summer months). There is also the possibility of a shorter hike through a marked trail.
Black beach with basalt columns. There is a traffic light in front of the entrance to the beach which indicates the current wave danger, but even if you turn the light green, keep your distance from the water and do not stand with your back to the water, the undercurrents here are really strong and the waves seem smaller than they really are.
A small town by the black beach, you can replenish your supplies at the local Krónan.
A lava field covered with piles of rocks (small trolls). You can build your own troll here. Just don't take the resources from the trolls you've already built :)
From the parking lot, follow the trail along the canyon to the observation deck, where you'll have spectacular views on all sides. Whether it's the river winding through the rocks or the mountains nearby. (unless it's all under fog).
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorge in Iceland's Fjaðrá River, a tributary of the Skaftá River. It is located in the municipality of Skaftárhreppur in the Suðurland region and belongs to the Katla Geopark. It reaches a length of two kilometres and a maximum depth of 100 metres, with an altitude of 114 metres. The confluence was carved out by water in palagonite rocks at the end of the last ice age, and there are waterfalls on the river.
Short stop at a high rock waterfall.
For me, one of the most beautiful spots of the trip - the edge of Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull. You can walk almost all the way to it. At the same time, you can see its vast expanse in the distance. From the tourist centre at the edge of the park, you can also take a paid hike on the glacier. The trip is guided, and the company will lend you the necessary equipment. The price comes out to about 3 thousand. The cost is about CZK 3,000, and the time is about 5 hours. So if you would like to walk on the glacier, consider spending an extra day in the national park.
Vatnajökull is considered to be Europe's only current continental glacier and is also its largest continuous glacier. With an area of 8100 km², it covers roughly 8-10% of the island's surface area. It has an irregular, roughly elliptical shape of about 100 × 150 km. It stretches relatively flat from an altitude of 1700 m to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2109.6 m), rising from it. Around 20 glacial drifts descend from the edges of the glacier, their size dwarfing even the glaciers in the Alps.
From the glacier you will walk through the national park to the Svartifoss waterfall. Personally, I rank it among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, mainly because of the columns that surround it. From the waterfall you can walk about 10-15 minutes further to the top of the mountain, which offers a unique view - on one side you can see the white peaks of the glacier, in front of you a volcanic black plain and on the other side the grassy mountains. For me, this view beautifully captures how incredibly variable the landscape in Iceland is.
On the way back to the campsite, you will meet old Icelandic huts with overgrown roofs and seating, so you can relax and enjoy the view for a while.
Visit one of the most magical places in Iceland - the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the adjacent Diamond Beach, or cross the mountains with a visit to a Viking village
One of the most beautiful places in Iceland - the glacial lake Jökulsárlón. In the distance you can see the size of the Vatnajökull glacier, from which chunks of ice are breaking off, making the lake literally dotted with ice floes. On some of them you can see seals hanging out :) It is possible to walk to the water at the lake, or if you are hardy, you can take a dip and climb some of the crust. The adjacent tourist resort offers, for example, boat cruises on the lake with tunnel watching, or hikes on the glacier. You can stop at several rest areas along the lake. The lake has also been featured in many films, including Don't Die Today, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins.
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland. It is located adjacent to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and was formed after the glacier began to retreat from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, the lake has been growing at different rates due to the melting of the glaciers. It is currently about 8 km from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. With a maximum depth of about 284 m, it is the deepest lake in Iceland.
The beach adjacent to Lake Jökulsárlón, which is littered with chunks of ice washed up by the sea, and into which the shrubs enter from the lake as it thaws. Parking is available at the tourist centre, the cost is 1000 ISK.
A small fishing town where you can walk through the harbor during a short stop, take a break from driving. The local brewery and restaurant Jón Ríki are worth a visit.
A short distance from Höfn is a Viking village that was built for the filming of a movie that never took place. You can tour the ship and the houses, while there is also a lighthouse on the grounds, for example, or a beach where, with a bit of luck, you'll come across seals. You have to pay to enter the whole complex at the café before entering, the price is 1000 ISK per person.
A small town in the middle of the mountains, in which we cut a long road through the eastern part of the island. Crossing over the snow-capped mountains will offer beautiful views and if you are lucky you will meet wild reindeer :) You will park right here at the campsite.
Crossing the other half of the eastern part of Iceland with a hot bath in the natural spa of Mývatn. You'll start with a walk behind Fardagafoss waterfall, then stop at a reindeer farm where you can feed the reindeer, through a basalt canyon to Mývatn natural thermal baths where you'll relax perfectly before heading the rest of the way to Iceland's largest waterfall.
Short stop at a nice waterfall just outside the town of Seydisfjordur.
To get to the waterfall, you have to take a short walk up the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is also something in common with the Seljalandsfoss, which we have already visited, in that you can also go into the cave behind the waterfall.
Small private farm where the master breeds reindeer. The animals are used to humans and so you can feed them by hand, for example. Now the master also has a baby reindeer (so in spring 2024), which will jump around your feet on the way. You can park right in the farm yard.
Walk through a canyon lined with basalt columns along a turquoise river. The canyon offers several walking options - depending on the length.
Mývatn Natural Spa is a slightly less touristy alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. So if you want to enjoy a hot bath with a drink and a view of the glacier in the distance, be sure to visit Mývatn. The price per person is 6900 ISK.
Around the corner from the spa you will find the Grjótagjá Cave, which you can explore. The cave has hot, crystal clear water. Local trivia - this cave is where Jon Snow's racy scene in Game of Thrones was filmed :) Parking is available right in front of the cave.
Iceland's largest waterfall. With a respectable height of 44m and a width of 150m, it's a really nice spectacle. Plus, it's the most massive waterfall in all of Europe. Not far from the waterfall you can still visit a set of small waterfalls. From the car park it is about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall.
Ledovc Canyon, around which you can take a shorter hike. The trails here are clearly marked. You can drive right into the canyon, park wherever you want to look around.
Ásbyrgi is a glacial canyon and forest in northern Iceland, located approximately 38 kilometres east of Húsavík on the Diamond Circle road. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km in length and over 1 km in width.
You will spend a large part of the day in Húsavík, where boats depart for whale watching tours. After the whales, you will head north of Iceland towards Akureyri.
From the hotel, head straight to the center of Húsavík, from where whale watching tours depart. Please note that payment must be reserved in advance for a specific time. I can recommend North Sailing, which also offers whale and puffin combinations. The price for such a trip is 14490 ISK and takes less than 4 hours. The company will lend you clothes to keep you from freezing at sea, and in the end you will also get hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun. The whole cruise is accompanied by a guide's commentary.
If you wish, you can relax a bit in the swimming pool in Húsavík after the cruise.
Parking is available near the church, a 2-minute walk from the harbor.
Goðafoss is a waterfall in the north of Iceland. It is located along the country's main ring road at the junction with Highland Road Sprengisandur, about 45 minutes from Akureyri. The water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 12 metres to a width of 30 metres. A 2.8 kilometre hiking trail leads around the waterfall.
Stop for dinner and a short walk in the town of Akureyri. In the city centre you will find several restaurants of various kinds. You can have Icelandic specialties, fish, burgers or even a Mexican burrito. You can park in the street next to the main pedestrian zone leading to the centre.
On your last day before Reykjavik, head to the west of Iceland, to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, beautiful cliffs, a walk around the famous black church, or a beach full of seals.
The crater of an extinct volcano. On the way from the crater towards the Kirkjufell mountain, you will see beautiful panoramas.
Iconic mountain that is well known from Iceland's promotional material. From the parking lot you can walk to a small waterfall, where you can get a beautiful view of the mountain.
A waterfall that captivates with its surroundings - in good weather you can see the top of the glacier in the background.
Walk along the cliffs with a beautiful view and observation of a huge number of seagulls and other water birds.
Small black church built shortly after 1700.
The deserted beach of Ytri Tunga. Take a short walk along the beach, keep your distance from the seals and quietly observe their play and normal behaviour. If you are here in spring, you may even see pups.
Travel to Reykjavik, accommodation and exploring the capital of Iceland.
Parking in Reykjavik is not a problem. There is free parking in the street next to the accommodation.
The church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, which impresses with its unique architecture.
Main street in the city centre, along which, in addition to many shops, you will come across original painted houses.
State Opera House
Port
This is only for the stronger stomachs, but in any case you would hardly find a more original museum... :)
A park where you can rest on your way back to the city centre
Another of the main avenues leading back to the church.
The penultimate day. You can do some shopping on the main street or go for a tasting of Icelandic specialties.
In the afternoon, you will take a trip to an active volcano and around the peninsula near Keflavík.
Most souvenirs and gifts can be found on the main street, where there are plenty of souvenir shops, but also local clothing brands and Bónus grocery stores.
If I have to pick one place to recommend for a meal, it's definitely Kaffivagninn. Nice prices and great food, plus the ambience is like sitting on a boat, with a view of the harbor and ocean.
Active volcano near Grindavík. If it is in calm mode, it is possible to go for a hike and observe the lava fields.
Bridge between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Walk along the trails around the hot springs.
From the springs it is only a short walk to the lighthouse with a beautiful view
A "pool" filled with ocean water created by volcanic activity
Pack your things, return the car to the rental company and then it's just the airport and the journey home.
All that's left to do is return the car, check in the bags, go through security, buy the last souvenirs and hurry home.
Discover Iceland in 10 days, exploring glaciers, volcanic plains, geothermal spas, and wildlife such as seals and whales. This affordable trip is best done with a rental car and overnight stays in well-equipped and clean campsites, or hotels / guesthouses.
On arrival, collect your luggage and go to arrange car rental. Once everything is sorted, you head to Keflavik where you can buy supplies and equipment for your trip.
The airport in Iceland is not the largest, so it is quite easy and quick to get from the plane to the arrival hall, where you pick up your suitcases and then proceed according to the instructions from the car rental company. If you use Go Car Rental, they have a shuttle service from the airport to their branch, so you go to the meeting point where you will be met by a representative of the car rental company. Other rental companies have counters right in the airport concourse.
Expect to fill up 4-5 times, with fuel stations available in every city. Some tourist spots have paid parking, which can be arranged using self-service machines or the Parka app.
In every city you will find supermarkets like Krónan, Bónus and Nettó for easy restocking. Stock up on non-perishable foods such as pasta, pulses and instant meals, and don't miss out on sampling the local Skyr yoghurt. Replenish your supplies as you go, and you'll find a Krónan, Bónus, or Nettó supermarket in every town. Hams or cheeses are more expensive here than here, but you can buy a wide range of durable foods suitable for the cooker - various pastas, legumes, or instant meals. Also be sure to try the local Skyr yoghurt.
If you make the trip between October and April, there's also a good chance you'll see the Northern Lights.
Purchase supplies and gas bombs for the cooker. Not far from the airport there is a shopping mall where there is a Bónus and a Krónan where you can buy food and drink supplies, but also a hobby market where you can get all types of gas bombs for the cooker. At the same time, if you like chicken wings, be sure to visit the fast food restaurant Just Wingin It - it's an Icelandic fast food chain and for myself, I can recommend the buttery wings topped with parmesan :)
A more relaxed day - no long drives await you right away, so there's time to look around at your leisure. However, you can still look forward to the first beauties that Iceland offers, including active geysers. You will also see the first of many waterfalls, and you can, for example, make the trip more pleasant by internally rating all the waterfalls and choosing a winner at the end.
Walk through Þingvellir National Park, where one of the oldest parliaments in Europe used to meet. There are more circuits, you can take a longer walk, or just walk a short distance along the wooden walkways above the wetlands, look up at the waterfall and move on. The car park is about 500m from the waterfall and is payable (1000 ISK per car - almost all tourist attractions cost the same parking fee)
Short stop with a view of the waterfall. The waterfall itself is about 400m walk from the parking lot. There is no parking fee.
The most famous geyser in Iceland. A short walk around the geothermal pools to the two largest geysers - Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur is active all year round and shoots every 5-10 minutes to a height of 10-15 metres. Parking is right next to the geyser area, there is no parking fee. Be careful, do not go too close to the geyser, the water gushing out of it is really boiling :)
It is from the Icelandic name of this formation that the geological term geyser is derived (from the Icelandic term "geysa", meaning "to flow"). The Great Geyser is also the oldest known representative, having been described as active as early as 1294.
You will visit some of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, a volcanic crater, you will be able to swim in a naturally heated pool between the mountains, taste delicious tomato soup, or walk along the black beach to the plane wreck.
One of the most massive waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk along the trail to the lookout point directly above the waterfall, where you can observe all parts of it. There are also facilities for tourists at the parking lot with a toilet, bistro and souvenir shop.
The water cascades down in two stages. In the first phase, the fall is 11 metres high and the second fall is 22 metres high, both phases flowing into a 2.5 km long canyon. The canyon was formed at the end of the Ice Age by the action of flood waves and is extended by 25 cm each year by erosion.
Tomato farm - a complex full of greenhouses with tomatoes, but also a bar and restaurant where you can have a delicious tomato soup, bruschetta, or even tomato beer, but most importantly! Absolutely delicious bread, which we even had to buy to go.
A volcanic crater formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, now filled with turquoise water. There is a path around the crater that you can walk around, and at one point you can walk down to the water. There is paid parking at the crater, the cost per car is 1000 ISK.
The caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred about 3,000 years ago, creating a depression about 170 metres wide and just under 55 metres deep. It gradually filled with rainwater and groundwater and, thanks to the volcanic rocks, created a lake with a brilliant turquoise colour.
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It has been featured on reality TV show The Amazing Race, and Justin Bieber filmed a music video at the falls. But it's also special, for example, because you can walk around it - that is, go behind it, into a small cave. But make sure you bring a raincoat :) But the view through the waterfall is really unique and worth going around.
It is fed by the Seljalandsá river. It falls from former cliffs to a depth of 60 metres.
A 5 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful waterfall. It is hidden among the rocks and you can walk right up to the bottom. At the same time, it doesn't get nearly as many tourists as Seljalandsfoss - so you'll have more peace to look at, and for my money, there's definitely something to look at. Be sure to bring your Seljalandsfoss raincoat here too :)
Next stop is at the beautiful and massive Skógafoss waterfall. You can walk along a small beach almost to the bottom of the waterfall itself. To the right of the waterfall there are stairs that take you directly above the waterfall, where you can also take a walk along the river with beautiful views.
Skógafoss is one of the largest and also the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. It is 25 metres wide and 60 metres high. It is fed by the Skógá River, which has more waterfalls. Thanks to the water splinter that surrounds the waterfall, a single or double rainbow can be observed in sunny weather.
A short walk from Skogafoss, a naturally heated swimming pool is hidden among the mountains. From the parking lot you walk about 10 minutes along the river and you can't miss the pool. It is not guarded in any way, so there is no entrance fee. There are also changing rooms next to the pool.
If you've ever seen promotional photos of Iceland, you've seen a plane wreck on a black beach. It's about a 45 minute walk from the parking lot, so expect this stop to take easily 2 hours. To the plane, you really walk through the wilderness - still straight on the black beach, nothing far away. But you don't have to worry about getting lost - the path to the plane is marked with bollards along the way. Parking is just off the road where the marked path leads off.
The DC-3 aircraft belonged to the US Navy and crashed here in 1973 while en route from Höfn to Keflavik. During a rapid change in weather, both engines froze and went out of service. Fortunately, none of the crew was hurt. Icelandic farmers gradually siphoned fuel from the plane for their tractors and eventually the wreckage remained there as a tourist attraction.
Endless black beaches, cliffs with rock formations where you might even spot puffins with a bit of luck, and finally a glacier, known for example from the movie Interstellar, and Skaftafell National Park.
A rock formation overlooking a long black beach. If you're lucky, you'll also see puffins (mostly in the summer months). There is also the possibility of a shorter hike through a marked trail.
Black beach with basalt columns. There is a traffic light in front of the entrance to the beach which indicates the current wave danger, but even if you turn the light green, keep your distance from the water and do not stand with your back to the water, the undercurrents here are really strong and the waves seem smaller than they really are.
A small town by the black beach, you can replenish your supplies at the local Krónan.
A lava field covered with piles of rocks (small trolls). You can build your own troll here. Just don't take the resources from the trolls you've already built :)
From the parking lot, follow the trail along the canyon to the observation deck, where you'll have spectacular views on all sides. Whether it's the river winding through the rocks or the mountains nearby. (unless it's all under fog).
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorge in Iceland's Fjaðrá River, a tributary of the Skaftá River. It is located in the municipality of Skaftárhreppur in the Suðurland region and belongs to the Katla Geopark. It reaches a length of two kilometres and a maximum depth of 100 metres, with an altitude of 114 metres. The confluence was carved out by water in palagonite rocks at the end of the last ice age, and there are waterfalls on the river.
Short stop at a high rock waterfall.
For me, one of the most beautiful spots of the trip - the edge of Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull. You can walk almost all the way to it. At the same time, you can see its vast expanse in the distance. From the tourist centre at the edge of the park, you can also take a paid hike on the glacier. The trip is guided, and the company will lend you the necessary equipment. The price comes out to about 3 thousand. The cost is about CZK 3,000, and the time is about 5 hours. So if you would like to walk on the glacier, consider spending an extra day in the national park.
Vatnajökull is considered to be Europe's only current continental glacier and is also its largest continuous glacier. With an area of 8100 km², it covers roughly 8-10% of the island's surface area. It has an irregular, roughly elliptical shape of about 100 × 150 km. It stretches relatively flat from an altitude of 1700 m to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2109.6 m), rising from it. Around 20 glacial drifts descend from the edges of the glacier, their size dwarfing even the glaciers in the Alps.
From the glacier you will walk through the national park to the Svartifoss waterfall. Personally, I rank it among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, mainly because of the columns that surround it. From the waterfall you can walk about 10-15 minutes further to the top of the mountain, which offers a unique view - on one side you can see the white peaks of the glacier, in front of you a volcanic black plain and on the other side the grassy mountains. For me, this view beautifully captures how incredibly variable the landscape in Iceland is.
On the way back to the campsite, you will meet old Icelandic huts with overgrown roofs and seating, so you can relax and enjoy the view for a while.
Visit one of the most magical places in Iceland - the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the adjacent Diamond Beach, or cross the mountains with a visit to a Viking village
One of the most beautiful places in Iceland - the glacial lake Jökulsárlón. In the distance you can see the size of the Vatnajökull glacier, from which chunks of ice are breaking off, making the lake literally dotted with ice floes. On some of them you can see seals hanging out :) It is possible to walk to the water at the lake, or if you are hardy, you can take a dip and climb some of the crust. The adjacent tourist resort offers, for example, boat cruises on the lake with tunnel watching, or hikes on the glacier. You can stop at several rest areas along the lake. The lake has also been featured in many films, including Don't Die Today, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins.
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland. It is located adjacent to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and was formed after the glacier began to retreat from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, the lake has been growing at different rates due to the melting of the glaciers. It is currently about 8 km from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. With a maximum depth of about 284 m, it is the deepest lake in Iceland.
The beach adjacent to Lake Jökulsárlón, which is littered with chunks of ice washed up by the sea, and into which the shrubs enter from the lake as it thaws. Parking is available at the tourist centre, the cost is 1000 ISK.
A small fishing town where you can walk through the harbor during a short stop, take a break from driving. The local brewery and restaurant Jón Ríki are worth a visit.
A short distance from Höfn is a Viking village that was built for the filming of a movie that never took place. You can tour the ship and the houses, while there is also a lighthouse on the grounds, for example, or a beach where, with a bit of luck, you'll come across seals. You have to pay to enter the whole complex at the café before entering, the price is 1000 ISK per person.
A small town in the middle of the mountains, in which we cut a long road through the eastern part of the island. Crossing over the snow-capped mountains will offer beautiful views and if you are lucky you will meet wild reindeer :) You will park right here at the campsite.
Crossing the other half of the eastern part of Iceland with a hot bath in the natural spa of Mývatn. You'll start with a walk behind Fardagafoss waterfall, then stop at a reindeer farm where you can feed the reindeer, through a basalt canyon to Mývatn natural thermal baths where you'll relax perfectly before heading the rest of the way to Iceland's largest waterfall.
Short stop at a nice waterfall just outside the town of Seydisfjordur.
To get to the waterfall, you have to take a short walk up the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is also something in common with the Seljalandsfoss, which we have already visited, in that you can also go into the cave behind the waterfall.
Small private farm where the master breeds reindeer. The animals are used to humans and so you can feed them by hand, for example. Now the master also has a baby reindeer (so in spring 2024), which will jump around your feet on the way. You can park right in the farm yard.
Walk through a canyon lined with basalt columns along a turquoise river. The canyon offers several walking options - depending on the length.
Mývatn Natural Spa is a slightly less touristy alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. So if you want to enjoy a hot bath with a drink and a view of the glacier in the distance, be sure to visit Mývatn. The price per person is 6900 ISK.
Around the corner from the spa you will find the Grjótagjá Cave, which you can explore. The cave has hot, crystal clear water. Local trivia - this cave is where Jon Snow's racy scene in Game of Thrones was filmed :) Parking is available right in front of the cave.
Iceland's largest waterfall. With a respectable height of 44m and a width of 150m, it's a really nice spectacle. Plus, it's the most massive waterfall in all of Europe. Not far from the waterfall you can still visit a set of small waterfalls. From the car park it is about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall.
Ledovc Canyon, around which you can take a shorter hike. The trails here are clearly marked. You can drive right into the canyon, park wherever you want to look around.
Ásbyrgi is a glacial canyon and forest in northern Iceland, located approximately 38 kilometres east of Húsavík on the Diamond Circle road. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km in length and over 1 km in width.
You will spend a large part of the day in Húsavík, where boats depart for whale watching tours. After the whales, you will head north of Iceland towards Akureyri.
From the hotel, head straight to the center of Húsavík, from where whale watching tours depart. Please note that payment must be reserved in advance for a specific time. I can recommend North Sailing, which also offers whale and puffin combinations. The price for such a trip is 14490 ISK and takes less than 4 hours. The company will lend you clothes to keep you from freezing at sea, and in the end you will also get hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun. The whole cruise is accompanied by a guide's commentary.
If you wish, you can relax a bit in the swimming pool in Húsavík after the cruise.
Parking is available near the church, a 2-minute walk from the harbor.
Goðafoss is a waterfall in the north of Iceland. It is located along the country's main ring road at the junction with Highland Road Sprengisandur, about 45 minutes from Akureyri. The water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 12 metres to a width of 30 metres. A 2.8 kilometre hiking trail leads around the waterfall.
Stop for dinner and a short walk in the town of Akureyri. In the city centre you will find several restaurants of various kinds. You can have Icelandic specialties, fish, burgers or even a Mexican burrito. You can park in the street next to the main pedestrian zone leading to the centre.
On your last day before Reykjavik, head to the west of Iceland, to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, beautiful cliffs, a walk around the famous black church, or a beach full of seals.
The crater of an extinct volcano. On the way from the crater towards the Kirkjufell mountain, you will see beautiful panoramas.
Iconic mountain that is well known from Iceland's promotional material. From the parking lot you can walk to a small waterfall, where you can get a beautiful view of the mountain.
A waterfall that captivates with its surroundings - in good weather you can see the top of the glacier in the background.
Walk along the cliffs with a beautiful view and observation of a huge number of seagulls and other water birds.
Small black church built shortly after 1700.
The deserted beach of Ytri Tunga. Take a short walk along the beach, keep your distance from the seals and quietly observe their play and normal behaviour. If you are here in spring, you may even see pups.
Travel to Reykjavik, accommodation and exploring the capital of Iceland.
Parking in Reykjavik is not a problem. There is free parking in the street next to the accommodation.
The church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, which impresses with its unique architecture.
Main street in the city centre, along which, in addition to many shops, you will come across original painted houses.
State Opera House
Port
This is only for the stronger stomachs, but in any case you would hardly find a more original museum... :)
A park where you can rest on your way back to the city centre
Another of the main avenues leading back to the church.
The penultimate day. You can do some shopping on the main street or go for a tasting of Icelandic specialties.
In the afternoon, you will take a trip to an active volcano and around the peninsula near Keflavík.
Most souvenirs and gifts can be found on the main street, where there are plenty of souvenir shops, but also local clothing brands and Bónus grocery stores.
If I have to pick one place to recommend for a meal, it's definitely Kaffivagninn. Nice prices and great food, plus the ambience is like sitting on a boat, with a view of the harbor and ocean.
Active volcano near Grindavík. If it is in calm mode, it is possible to go for a hike and observe the lava fields.
Bridge between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Walk along the trails around the hot springs.
From the springs it is only a short walk to the lighthouse with a beautiful view
A "pool" filled with ocean water created by volcanic activity
Pack your things, return the car to the rental company and then it's just the airport and the journey home.
All that's left to do is return the car, check in the bags, go through security, buy the last souvenirs and hurry home.
itinerary by Hynek Sturma
Discover Iceland in 10 days, exploring glaciers, volcanic plains, geothermal spas, and wildlife such as seals and whales. This affordable trip is best done with a rental car and overnight stays in well-equipped and clean campsites, or hotels / guesthouses.
On arrival, collect your luggage and go to arrange car rental. Once everything is sorted, you head to Keflavik where you can buy supplies and equipment for your trip.
The airport in Iceland is not the largest, so it is quite easy and quick to get from the plane to the arrival hall, where you pick up your suitcases and then proceed according to the instructions from the car rental company. If you use Go Car Rental, they have a shuttle service from the airport to their branch, so you go to the meeting point where you will be met by a representative of the car rental company. Other rental companies have counters right in the airport concourse.
Expect to fill up 4-5 times, with fuel stations available in every city. Some tourist spots have paid parking, which can be arranged using self-service machines or the Parka app.
In every city you will find supermarkets like Krónan, Bónus and Nettó for easy restocking. Stock up on non-perishable foods such as pasta, pulses and instant meals, and don't miss out on sampling the local Skyr yoghurt. Replenish your supplies as you go, and you'll find a Krónan, Bónus, or Nettó supermarket in every town. Hams or cheeses are more expensive here than here, but you can buy a wide range of durable foods suitable for the cooker - various pastas, legumes, or instant meals. Also be sure to try the local Skyr yoghurt.
If you make the trip between October and April, there's also a good chance you'll see the Northern Lights.
Purchase supplies and gas bombs for the cooker. Not far from the airport there is a shopping mall where there is a Bónus and a Krónan where you can buy food and drink supplies, but also a hobby market where you can get all types of gas bombs for the cooker. At the same time, if you like chicken wings, be sure to visit the fast food restaurant Just Wingin It - it's an Icelandic fast food chain and for myself, I can recommend the buttery wings topped with parmesan :)
A more relaxed day - no long drives await you right away, so there's time to look around at your leisure. However, you can still look forward to the first beauties that Iceland offers, including active geysers. You will also see the first of many waterfalls, and you can, for example, make the trip more pleasant by internally rating all the waterfalls and choosing a winner at the end.
Walk through Þingvellir National Park, where one of the oldest parliaments in Europe used to meet. There are more circuits, you can take a longer walk, or just walk a short distance along the wooden walkways above the wetlands, look up at the waterfall and move on. The car park is about 500m from the waterfall and is payable (1000 ISK per car - almost all tourist attractions cost the same parking fee)
Short stop with a view of the waterfall. The waterfall itself is about 400m walk from the parking lot. There is no parking fee.
The most famous geyser in Iceland. A short walk around the geothermal pools to the two largest geysers - Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur is active all year round and shoots every 5-10 minutes to a height of 10-15 metres. Parking is right next to the geyser area, there is no parking fee. Be careful, do not go too close to the geyser, the water gushing out of it is really boiling :)
It is from the Icelandic name of this formation that the geological term geyser is derived (from the Icelandic term "geysa", meaning "to flow"). The Great Geyser is also the oldest known representative, having been described as active as early as 1294.
You will visit some of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, a volcanic crater, you will be able to swim in a naturally heated pool between the mountains, taste delicious tomato soup, or walk along the black beach to the plane wreck.
One of the most massive waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk along the trail to the lookout point directly above the waterfall, where you can observe all parts of it. There are also facilities for tourists at the parking lot with a toilet, bistro and souvenir shop.
The water cascades down in two stages. In the first phase, the fall is 11 metres high and the second fall is 22 metres high, both phases flowing into a 2.5 km long canyon. The canyon was formed at the end of the Ice Age by the action of flood waves and is extended by 25 cm each year by erosion.
Tomato farm - a complex full of greenhouses with tomatoes, but also a bar and restaurant where you can have a delicious tomato soup, bruschetta, or even tomato beer, but most importantly! Absolutely delicious bread, which we even had to buy to go.
A volcanic crater formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, now filled with turquoise water. There is a path around the crater that you can walk around, and at one point you can walk down to the water. There is paid parking at the crater, the cost per car is 1000 ISK.
The caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred about 3,000 years ago, creating a depression about 170 metres wide and just under 55 metres deep. It gradually filled with rainwater and groundwater and, thanks to the volcanic rocks, created a lake with a brilliant turquoise colour.
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It has been featured on reality TV show The Amazing Race, and Justin Bieber filmed a music video at the falls. But it's also special, for example, because you can walk around it - that is, go behind it, into a small cave. But make sure you bring a raincoat :) But the view through the waterfall is really unique and worth going around.
It is fed by the Seljalandsá river. It falls from former cliffs to a depth of 60 metres.
A 5 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful waterfall. It is hidden among the rocks and you can walk right up to the bottom. At the same time, it doesn't get nearly as many tourists as Seljalandsfoss - so you'll have more peace to look at, and for my money, there's definitely something to look at. Be sure to bring your Seljalandsfoss raincoat here too :)
Next stop is at the beautiful and massive Skógafoss waterfall. You can walk along a small beach almost to the bottom of the waterfall itself. To the right of the waterfall there are stairs that take you directly above the waterfall, where you can also take a walk along the river with beautiful views.
Skógafoss is one of the largest and also the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. It is 25 metres wide and 60 metres high. It is fed by the Skógá River, which has more waterfalls. Thanks to the water splinter that surrounds the waterfall, a single or double rainbow can be observed in sunny weather.
A short walk from Skogafoss, a naturally heated swimming pool is hidden among the mountains. From the parking lot you walk about 10 minutes along the river and you can't miss the pool. It is not guarded in any way, so there is no entrance fee. There are also changing rooms next to the pool.
If you've ever seen promotional photos of Iceland, you've seen a plane wreck on a black beach. It's about a 45 minute walk from the parking lot, so expect this stop to take easily 2 hours. To the plane, you really walk through the wilderness - still straight on the black beach, nothing far away. But you don't have to worry about getting lost - the path to the plane is marked with bollards along the way. Parking is just off the road where the marked path leads off.
The DC-3 aircraft belonged to the US Navy and crashed here in 1973 while en route from Höfn to Keflavik. During a rapid change in weather, both engines froze and went out of service. Fortunately, none of the crew was hurt. Icelandic farmers gradually siphoned fuel from the plane for their tractors and eventually the wreckage remained there as a tourist attraction.
Endless black beaches, cliffs with rock formations where you might even spot puffins with a bit of luck, and finally a glacier, known for example from the movie Interstellar, and Skaftafell National Park.
A rock formation overlooking a long black beach. If you're lucky, you'll also see puffins (mostly in the summer months). There is also the possibility of a shorter hike through a marked trail.
Black beach with basalt columns. There is a traffic light in front of the entrance to the beach which indicates the current wave danger, but even if you turn the light green, keep your distance from the water and do not stand with your back to the water, the undercurrents here are really strong and the waves seem smaller than they really are.
A small town by the black beach, you can replenish your supplies at the local Krónan.
A lava field covered with piles of rocks (small trolls). You can build your own troll here. Just don't take the resources from the trolls you've already built :)
From the parking lot, follow the trail along the canyon to the observation deck, where you'll have spectacular views on all sides. Whether it's the river winding through the rocks or the mountains nearby. (unless it's all under fog).
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorge in Iceland's Fjaðrá River, a tributary of the Skaftá River. It is located in the municipality of Skaftárhreppur in the Suðurland region and belongs to the Katla Geopark. It reaches a length of two kilometres and a maximum depth of 100 metres, with an altitude of 114 metres. The confluence was carved out by water in palagonite rocks at the end of the last ice age, and there are waterfalls on the river.
Short stop at a high rock waterfall.
For me, one of the most beautiful spots of the trip - the edge of Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull. You can walk almost all the way to it. At the same time, you can see its vast expanse in the distance. From the tourist centre at the edge of the park, you can also take a paid hike on the glacier. The trip is guided, and the company will lend you the necessary equipment. The price comes out to about 3 thousand. The cost is about CZK 3,000, and the time is about 5 hours. So if you would like to walk on the glacier, consider spending an extra day in the national park.
Vatnajökull is considered to be Europe's only current continental glacier and is also its largest continuous glacier. With an area of 8100 km², it covers roughly 8-10% of the island's surface area. It has an irregular, roughly elliptical shape of about 100 × 150 km. It stretches relatively flat from an altitude of 1700 m to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2109.6 m), rising from it. Around 20 glacial drifts descend from the edges of the glacier, their size dwarfing even the glaciers in the Alps.
From the glacier you will walk through the national park to the Svartifoss waterfall. Personally, I rank it among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, mainly because of the columns that surround it. From the waterfall you can walk about 10-15 minutes further to the top of the mountain, which offers a unique view - on one side you can see the white peaks of the glacier, in front of you a volcanic black plain and on the other side the grassy mountains. For me, this view beautifully captures how incredibly variable the landscape in Iceland is.
On the way back to the campsite, you will meet old Icelandic huts with overgrown roofs and seating, so you can relax and enjoy the view for a while.
Visit one of the most magical places in Iceland - the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the adjacent Diamond Beach, or cross the mountains with a visit to a Viking village
One of the most beautiful places in Iceland - the glacial lake Jökulsárlón. In the distance you can see the size of the Vatnajökull glacier, from which chunks of ice are breaking off, making the lake literally dotted with ice floes. On some of them you can see seals hanging out :) It is possible to walk to the water at the lake, or if you are hardy, you can take a dip and climb some of the crust. The adjacent tourist resort offers, for example, boat cruises on the lake with tunnel watching, or hikes on the glacier. You can stop at several rest areas along the lake. The lake has also been featured in many films, including Don't Die Today, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins.
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland. It is located adjacent to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and was formed after the glacier began to retreat from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, the lake has been growing at different rates due to the melting of the glaciers. It is currently about 8 km from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. With a maximum depth of about 284 m, it is the deepest lake in Iceland.
The beach adjacent to Lake Jökulsárlón, which is littered with chunks of ice washed up by the sea, and into which the shrubs enter from the lake as it thaws. Parking is available at the tourist centre, the cost is 1000 ISK.
A small fishing town where you can walk through the harbor during a short stop, take a break from driving. The local brewery and restaurant Jón Ríki are worth a visit.
A short distance from Höfn is a Viking village that was built for the filming of a movie that never took place. You can tour the ship and the houses, while there is also a lighthouse on the grounds, for example, or a beach where, with a bit of luck, you'll come across seals. You have to pay to enter the whole complex at the café before entering, the price is 1000 ISK per person.
A small town in the middle of the mountains, in which we cut a long road through the eastern part of the island. Crossing over the snow-capped mountains will offer beautiful views and if you are lucky you will meet wild reindeer :) You will park right here at the campsite.
Crossing the other half of the eastern part of Iceland with a hot bath in the natural spa of Mývatn. You'll start with a walk behind Fardagafoss waterfall, then stop at a reindeer farm where you can feed the reindeer, through a basalt canyon to Mývatn natural thermal baths where you'll relax perfectly before heading the rest of the way to Iceland's largest waterfall.
Short stop at a nice waterfall just outside the town of Seydisfjordur.
To get to the waterfall, you have to take a short walk up the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is also something in common with the Seljalandsfoss, which we have already visited, in that you can also go into the cave behind the waterfall.
Small private farm where the master breeds reindeer. The animals are used to humans and so you can feed them by hand, for example. Now the master also has a baby reindeer (so in spring 2024), which will jump around your feet on the way. You can park right in the farm yard.
Walk through a canyon lined with basalt columns along a turquoise river. The canyon offers several walking options - depending on the length.
Mývatn Natural Spa is a slightly less touristy alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. So if you want to enjoy a hot bath with a drink and a view of the glacier in the distance, be sure to visit Mývatn. The price per person is 6900 ISK.
Around the corner from the spa you will find the Grjótagjá Cave, which you can explore. The cave has hot, crystal clear water. Local trivia - this cave is where Jon Snow's racy scene in Game of Thrones was filmed :) Parking is available right in front of the cave.
Iceland's largest waterfall. With a respectable height of 44m and a width of 150m, it's a really nice spectacle. Plus, it's the most massive waterfall in all of Europe. Not far from the waterfall you can still visit a set of small waterfalls. From the car park it is about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall.
Ledovc Canyon, around which you can take a shorter hike. The trails here are clearly marked. You can drive right into the canyon, park wherever you want to look around.
Ásbyrgi is a glacial canyon and forest in northern Iceland, located approximately 38 kilometres east of Húsavík on the Diamond Circle road. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km in length and over 1 km in width.
You will spend a large part of the day in Húsavík, where boats depart for whale watching tours. After the whales, you will head north of Iceland towards Akureyri.
From the hotel, head straight to the center of Húsavík, from where whale watching tours depart. Please note that payment must be reserved in advance for a specific time. I can recommend North Sailing, which also offers whale and puffin combinations. The price for such a trip is 14490 ISK and takes less than 4 hours. The company will lend you clothes to keep you from freezing at sea, and in the end you will also get hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun. The whole cruise is accompanied by a guide's commentary.
If you wish, you can relax a bit in the swimming pool in Húsavík after the cruise.
Parking is available near the church, a 2-minute walk from the harbor.
Goðafoss is a waterfall in the north of Iceland. It is located along the country's main ring road at the junction with Highland Road Sprengisandur, about 45 minutes from Akureyri. The water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 12 metres to a width of 30 metres. A 2.8 kilometre hiking trail leads around the waterfall.
Stop for dinner and a short walk in the town of Akureyri. In the city centre you will find several restaurants of various kinds. You can have Icelandic specialties, fish, burgers or even a Mexican burrito. You can park in the street next to the main pedestrian zone leading to the centre.
On your last day before Reykjavik, head to the west of Iceland, to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, beautiful cliffs, a walk around the famous black church, or a beach full of seals.
The crater of an extinct volcano. On the way from the crater towards the Kirkjufell mountain, you will see beautiful panoramas.
Iconic mountain that is well known from Iceland's promotional material. From the parking lot you can walk to a small waterfall, where you can get a beautiful view of the mountain.
A waterfall that captivates with its surroundings - in good weather you can see the top of the glacier in the background.
Walk along the cliffs with a beautiful view and observation of a huge number of seagulls and other water birds.
Small black church built shortly after 1700.
The deserted beach of Ytri Tunga. Take a short walk along the beach, keep your distance from the seals and quietly observe their play and normal behaviour. If you are here in spring, you may even see pups.
Travel to Reykjavik, accommodation and exploring the capital of Iceland.
Parking in Reykjavik is not a problem. There is free parking in the street next to the accommodation.
The church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, which impresses with its unique architecture.
Main street in the city centre, along which, in addition to many shops, you will come across original painted houses.
State Opera House
Port
This is only for the stronger stomachs, but in any case you would hardly find a more original museum... :)
A park where you can rest on your way back to the city centre
Another of the main avenues leading back to the church.
The penultimate day. You can do some shopping on the main street or go for a tasting of Icelandic specialties.
In the afternoon, you will take a trip to an active volcano and around the peninsula near Keflavík.
Most souvenirs and gifts can be found on the main street, where there are plenty of souvenir shops, but also local clothing brands and Bónus grocery stores.
If I have to pick one place to recommend for a meal, it's definitely Kaffivagninn. Nice prices and great food, plus the ambience is like sitting on a boat, with a view of the harbor and ocean.
Active volcano near Grindavík. If it is in calm mode, it is possible to go for a hike and observe the lava fields.
Bridge between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Walk along the trails around the hot springs.
From the springs it is only a short walk to the lighthouse with a beautiful view
A "pool" filled with ocean water created by volcanic activity
Pack your things, return the car to the rental company and then it's just the airport and the journey home.
All that's left to do is return the car, check in the bags, go through security, buy the last souvenirs and hurry home.
Discover Iceland in 10 days, exploring glaciers, volcanic plains, geothermal spas, and wildlife such as seals and whales. This affordable trip is best done with a rental car and overnight stays in well-equipped and clean campsites, or hotels / guesthouses.
On arrival, collect your luggage and go to arrange car rental. Once everything is sorted, you head to Keflavik where you can buy supplies and equipment for your trip.
The airport in Iceland is not the largest, so it is quite easy and quick to get from the plane to the arrival hall, where you pick up your suitcases and then proceed according to the instructions from the car rental company. If you use Go Car Rental, they have a shuttle service from the airport to their branch, so you go to the meeting point where you will be met by a representative of the car rental company. Other rental companies have counters right in the airport concourse.
Expect to fill up 4-5 times, with fuel stations available in every city. Some tourist spots have paid parking, which can be arranged using self-service machines or the Parka app.
In every city you will find supermarkets like Krónan, Bónus and Nettó for easy restocking. Stock up on non-perishable foods such as pasta, pulses and instant meals, and don't miss out on sampling the local Skyr yoghurt. Replenish your supplies as you go, and you'll find a Krónan, Bónus, or Nettó supermarket in every town. Hams or cheeses are more expensive here than here, but you can buy a wide range of durable foods suitable for the cooker - various pastas, legumes, or instant meals. Also be sure to try the local Skyr yoghurt.
If you make the trip between October and April, there's also a good chance you'll see the Northern Lights.
Purchase supplies and gas bombs for the cooker. Not far from the airport there is a shopping mall where there is a Bónus and a Krónan where you can buy food and drink supplies, but also a hobby market where you can get all types of gas bombs for the cooker. At the same time, if you like chicken wings, be sure to visit the fast food restaurant Just Wingin It - it's an Icelandic fast food chain and for myself, I can recommend the buttery wings topped with parmesan :)
A more relaxed day - no long drives await you right away, so there's time to look around at your leisure. However, you can still look forward to the first beauties that Iceland offers, including active geysers. You will also see the first of many waterfalls, and you can, for example, make the trip more pleasant by internally rating all the waterfalls and choosing a winner at the end.
Walk through Þingvellir National Park, where one of the oldest parliaments in Europe used to meet. There are more circuits, you can take a longer walk, or just walk a short distance along the wooden walkways above the wetlands, look up at the waterfall and move on. The car park is about 500m from the waterfall and is payable (1000 ISK per car - almost all tourist attractions cost the same parking fee)
Short stop with a view of the waterfall. The waterfall itself is about 400m walk from the parking lot. There is no parking fee.
The most famous geyser in Iceland. A short walk around the geothermal pools to the two largest geysers - Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur is active all year round and shoots every 5-10 minutes to a height of 10-15 metres. Parking is right next to the geyser area, there is no parking fee. Be careful, do not go too close to the geyser, the water gushing out of it is really boiling :)
It is from the Icelandic name of this formation that the geological term geyser is derived (from the Icelandic term "geysa", meaning "to flow"). The Great Geyser is also the oldest known representative, having been described as active as early as 1294.
You will visit some of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, a volcanic crater, you will be able to swim in a naturally heated pool between the mountains, taste delicious tomato soup, or walk along the black beach to the plane wreck.
One of the most massive waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk along the trail to the lookout point directly above the waterfall, where you can observe all parts of it. There are also facilities for tourists at the parking lot with a toilet, bistro and souvenir shop.
The water cascades down in two stages. In the first phase, the fall is 11 metres high and the second fall is 22 metres high, both phases flowing into a 2.5 km long canyon. The canyon was formed at the end of the Ice Age by the action of flood waves and is extended by 25 cm each year by erosion.
Tomato farm - a complex full of greenhouses with tomatoes, but also a bar and restaurant where you can have a delicious tomato soup, bruschetta, or even tomato beer, but most importantly! Absolutely delicious bread, which we even had to buy to go.
A volcanic crater formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, now filled with turquoise water. There is a path around the crater that you can walk around, and at one point you can walk down to the water. There is paid parking at the crater, the cost per car is 1000 ISK.
The caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred about 3,000 years ago, creating a depression about 170 metres wide and just under 55 metres deep. It gradually filled with rainwater and groundwater and, thanks to the volcanic rocks, created a lake with a brilliant turquoise colour.
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It has been featured on reality TV show The Amazing Race, and Justin Bieber filmed a music video at the falls. But it's also special, for example, because you can walk around it - that is, go behind it, into a small cave. But make sure you bring a raincoat :) But the view through the waterfall is really unique and worth going around.
It is fed by the Seljalandsá river. It falls from former cliffs to a depth of 60 metres.
A 5 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful waterfall. It is hidden among the rocks and you can walk right up to the bottom. At the same time, it doesn't get nearly as many tourists as Seljalandsfoss - so you'll have more peace to look at, and for my money, there's definitely something to look at. Be sure to bring your Seljalandsfoss raincoat here too :)
Next stop is at the beautiful and massive Skógafoss waterfall. You can walk along a small beach almost to the bottom of the waterfall itself. To the right of the waterfall there are stairs that take you directly above the waterfall, where you can also take a walk along the river with beautiful views.
Skógafoss is one of the largest and also the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. It is 25 metres wide and 60 metres high. It is fed by the Skógá River, which has more waterfalls. Thanks to the water splinter that surrounds the waterfall, a single or double rainbow can be observed in sunny weather.
A short walk from Skogafoss, a naturally heated swimming pool is hidden among the mountains. From the parking lot you walk about 10 minutes along the river and you can't miss the pool. It is not guarded in any way, so there is no entrance fee. There are also changing rooms next to the pool.
If you've ever seen promotional photos of Iceland, you've seen a plane wreck on a black beach. It's about a 45 minute walk from the parking lot, so expect this stop to take easily 2 hours. To the plane, you really walk through the wilderness - still straight on the black beach, nothing far away. But you don't have to worry about getting lost - the path to the plane is marked with bollards along the way. Parking is just off the road where the marked path leads off.
The DC-3 aircraft belonged to the US Navy and crashed here in 1973 while en route from Höfn to Keflavik. During a rapid change in weather, both engines froze and went out of service. Fortunately, none of the crew was hurt. Icelandic farmers gradually siphoned fuel from the plane for their tractors and eventually the wreckage remained there as a tourist attraction.
Endless black beaches, cliffs with rock formations where you might even spot puffins with a bit of luck, and finally a glacier, known for example from the movie Interstellar, and Skaftafell National Park.
A rock formation overlooking a long black beach. If you're lucky, you'll also see puffins (mostly in the summer months). There is also the possibility of a shorter hike through a marked trail.
Black beach with basalt columns. There is a traffic light in front of the entrance to the beach which indicates the current wave danger, but even if you turn the light green, keep your distance from the water and do not stand with your back to the water, the undercurrents here are really strong and the waves seem smaller than they really are.
A small town by the black beach, you can replenish your supplies at the local Krónan.
A lava field covered with piles of rocks (small trolls). You can build your own troll here. Just don't take the resources from the trolls you've already built :)
From the parking lot, follow the trail along the canyon to the observation deck, where you'll have spectacular views on all sides. Whether it's the river winding through the rocks or the mountains nearby. (unless it's all under fog).
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorge in Iceland's Fjaðrá River, a tributary of the Skaftá River. It is located in the municipality of Skaftárhreppur in the Suðurland region and belongs to the Katla Geopark. It reaches a length of two kilometres and a maximum depth of 100 metres, with an altitude of 114 metres. The confluence was carved out by water in palagonite rocks at the end of the last ice age, and there are waterfalls on the river.
Short stop at a high rock waterfall.
For me, one of the most beautiful spots of the trip - the edge of Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull. You can walk almost all the way to it. At the same time, you can see its vast expanse in the distance. From the tourist centre at the edge of the park, you can also take a paid hike on the glacier. The trip is guided, and the company will lend you the necessary equipment. The price comes out to about 3 thousand. The cost is about CZK 3,000, and the time is about 5 hours. So if you would like to walk on the glacier, consider spending an extra day in the national park.
Vatnajökull is considered to be Europe's only current continental glacier and is also its largest continuous glacier. With an area of 8100 km², it covers roughly 8-10% of the island's surface area. It has an irregular, roughly elliptical shape of about 100 × 150 km. It stretches relatively flat from an altitude of 1700 m to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2109.6 m), rising from it. Around 20 glacial drifts descend from the edges of the glacier, their size dwarfing even the glaciers in the Alps.
From the glacier you will walk through the national park to the Svartifoss waterfall. Personally, I rank it among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, mainly because of the columns that surround it. From the waterfall you can walk about 10-15 minutes further to the top of the mountain, which offers a unique view - on one side you can see the white peaks of the glacier, in front of you a volcanic black plain and on the other side the grassy mountains. For me, this view beautifully captures how incredibly variable the landscape in Iceland is.
On the way back to the campsite, you will meet old Icelandic huts with overgrown roofs and seating, so you can relax and enjoy the view for a while.
Visit one of the most magical places in Iceland - the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the adjacent Diamond Beach, or cross the mountains with a visit to a Viking village
One of the most beautiful places in Iceland - the glacial lake Jökulsárlón. In the distance you can see the size of the Vatnajökull glacier, from which chunks of ice are breaking off, making the lake literally dotted with ice floes. On some of them you can see seals hanging out :) It is possible to walk to the water at the lake, or if you are hardy, you can take a dip and climb some of the crust. The adjacent tourist resort offers, for example, boat cruises on the lake with tunnel watching, or hikes on the glacier. You can stop at several rest areas along the lake. The lake has also been featured in many films, including Don't Die Today, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins.
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland. It is located adjacent to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and was formed after the glacier began to retreat from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, the lake has been growing at different rates due to the melting of the glaciers. It is currently about 8 km from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. With a maximum depth of about 284 m, it is the deepest lake in Iceland.
The beach adjacent to Lake Jökulsárlón, which is littered with chunks of ice washed up by the sea, and into which the shrubs enter from the lake as it thaws. Parking is available at the tourist centre, the cost is 1000 ISK.
A small fishing town where you can walk through the harbor during a short stop, take a break from driving. The local brewery and restaurant Jón Ríki are worth a visit.
A short distance from Höfn is a Viking village that was built for the filming of a movie that never took place. You can tour the ship and the houses, while there is also a lighthouse on the grounds, for example, or a beach where, with a bit of luck, you'll come across seals. You have to pay to enter the whole complex at the café before entering, the price is 1000 ISK per person.
A small town in the middle of the mountains, in which we cut a long road through the eastern part of the island. Crossing over the snow-capped mountains will offer beautiful views and if you are lucky you will meet wild reindeer :) You will park right here at the campsite.
Crossing the other half of the eastern part of Iceland with a hot bath in the natural spa of Mývatn. You'll start with a walk behind Fardagafoss waterfall, then stop at a reindeer farm where you can feed the reindeer, through a basalt canyon to Mývatn natural thermal baths where you'll relax perfectly before heading the rest of the way to Iceland's largest waterfall.
Short stop at a nice waterfall just outside the town of Seydisfjordur.
To get to the waterfall, you have to take a short walk up the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. There is also something in common with the Seljalandsfoss, which we have already visited, in that you can also go into the cave behind the waterfall.
Small private farm where the master breeds reindeer. The animals are used to humans and so you can feed them by hand, for example. Now the master also has a baby reindeer (so in spring 2024), which will jump around your feet on the way. You can park right in the farm yard.
Walk through a canyon lined with basalt columns along a turquoise river. The canyon offers several walking options - depending on the length.
Mývatn Natural Spa is a slightly less touristy alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. So if you want to enjoy a hot bath with a drink and a view of the glacier in the distance, be sure to visit Mývatn. The price per person is 6900 ISK.
Around the corner from the spa you will find the Grjótagjá Cave, which you can explore. The cave has hot, crystal clear water. Local trivia - this cave is where Jon Snow's racy scene in Game of Thrones was filmed :) Parking is available right in front of the cave.
Iceland's largest waterfall. With a respectable height of 44m and a width of 150m, it's a really nice spectacle. Plus, it's the most massive waterfall in all of Europe. Not far from the waterfall you can still visit a set of small waterfalls. From the car park it is about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall.
Ledovc Canyon, around which you can take a shorter hike. The trails here are clearly marked. You can drive right into the canyon, park wherever you want to look around.
Ásbyrgi is a glacial canyon and forest in northern Iceland, located approximately 38 kilometres east of Húsavík on the Diamond Circle road. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km in length and over 1 km in width.
You will spend a large part of the day in Húsavík, where boats depart for whale watching tours. After the whales, you will head north of Iceland towards Akureyri.
From the hotel, head straight to the center of Húsavík, from where whale watching tours depart. Please note that payment must be reserved in advance for a specific time. I can recommend North Sailing, which also offers whale and puffin combinations. The price for such a trip is 14490 ISK and takes less than 4 hours. The company will lend you clothes to keep you from freezing at sea, and in the end you will also get hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun. The whole cruise is accompanied by a guide's commentary.
If you wish, you can relax a bit in the swimming pool in Húsavík after the cruise.
Parking is available near the church, a 2-minute walk from the harbor.
Goðafoss is a waterfall in the north of Iceland. It is located along the country's main ring road at the junction with Highland Road Sprengisandur, about 45 minutes from Akureyri. The water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 12 metres to a width of 30 metres. A 2.8 kilometre hiking trail leads around the waterfall.
Stop for dinner and a short walk in the town of Akureyri. In the city centre you will find several restaurants of various kinds. You can have Icelandic specialties, fish, burgers or even a Mexican burrito. You can park in the street next to the main pedestrian zone leading to the centre.
On your last day before Reykjavik, head to the west of Iceland, to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, beautiful cliffs, a walk around the famous black church, or a beach full of seals.
The crater of an extinct volcano. On the way from the crater towards the Kirkjufell mountain, you will see beautiful panoramas.
Iconic mountain that is well known from Iceland's promotional material. From the parking lot you can walk to a small waterfall, where you can get a beautiful view of the mountain.
A waterfall that captivates with its surroundings - in good weather you can see the top of the glacier in the background.
Walk along the cliffs with a beautiful view and observation of a huge number of seagulls and other water birds.
Small black church built shortly after 1700.
The deserted beach of Ytri Tunga. Take a short walk along the beach, keep your distance from the seals and quietly observe their play and normal behaviour. If you are here in spring, you may even see pups.
Travel to Reykjavik, accommodation and exploring the capital of Iceland.
Parking in Reykjavik is not a problem. There is free parking in the street next to the accommodation.
The church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, which impresses with its unique architecture.
Main street in the city centre, along which, in addition to many shops, you will come across original painted houses.
State Opera House
Port
This is only for the stronger stomachs, but in any case you would hardly find a more original museum... :)
A park where you can rest on your way back to the city centre
Another of the main avenues leading back to the church.
The penultimate day. You can do some shopping on the main street or go for a tasting of Icelandic specialties.
In the afternoon, you will take a trip to an active volcano and around the peninsula near Keflavík.
Most souvenirs and gifts can be found on the main street, where there are plenty of souvenir shops, but also local clothing brands and Bónus grocery stores.
If I have to pick one place to recommend for a meal, it's definitely Kaffivagninn. Nice prices and great food, plus the ambience is like sitting on a boat, with a view of the harbor and ocean.
Active volcano near Grindavík. If it is in calm mode, it is possible to go for a hike and observe the lava fields.
Bridge between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Walk along the trails around the hot springs.
From the springs it is only a short walk to the lighthouse with a beautiful view
A "pool" filled with ocean water created by volcanic activity
Pack your things, return the car to the rental company and then it's just the airport and the journey home.
All that's left to do is return the car, check in the bags, go through security, buy the last souvenirs and hurry home.
