Ultimate Iceland Itinerary, travel guide with complete 13 day roadtrip

This free travel guide contains the first two days of our travel guide of Iceland. Curious for more Iceland? Buy the complete digital guide (pdf – 130 pages A5, easy to print) for the price of 3 cups of Icelandic coffees, and explore the island with our complete road trip, a walking tour Reykjavík, lots of practical information, local legends and hidden gems.

Last update: December 2016

© All rights reserved. This guide is a publication of The Media Bay. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

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preface

Our 13-day journey around Iceland takes you to the main sights of this fascinating island, which is earning an increasingly high profile as tourist destination. We describe more than 85 places that you can easily visit from Route 1. Every day, we provide you with many additional attractions, activities and excursions. Based on this, you can make the trip longer or shorter. Most of these sights are (at the time of writing) free, unless otherwise stated.

The route is almost entirely paved; you can drive perfectly well by normal car on both asphalt and gravel during the summer. We made the trip in May. We have chosen to travel counter-clockwise on the ring road, and we started in the south, which is the most visited part of Iceland. Although the roads have signposts, we still recommend the use of a GPS.

Would you like to make a stop-over during your trip to North America or Canada? You can stay in Iceland for up to 7 days during your transit. Iceland air even provides a Stopover Buddy Service! It is the ideal quick introduction to this wonderful country. You could also do the Golden Circle tour. For this, follow the first two days of this tour, and from Selfoss, drive back to the airport.

Or what about a city trip around Reykjavík? You’ll find more info on day 13 and a walk through the capital.

Enjoy the reading and traveling!

 Total distance (without optional activities): 2750 km

 Starting point: Keflavík International Airport

 Finishing point: Reykjavík

 No signage. Use the maps in this publication.

Top: Blue Lagoon Bottom: Sunset at Garður

day 1 - keflavík and around

Home base of the day is Keflavík and the big area around the international airport. Immediately, we get introduced to some of Iceland’s natural phenomena.

 Total distance (without optional activities): 175 km

 Starting & Finishing point: Keflavík

 Sights of the day:

y Blue Lagoon

y Krýsuvík Seltun

y Lighthouses in Garðskagi

y Bridge of Continents

 Stay the night near Keflavík

We will start the day with the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon that is approximately 20 km (about 20 minutes) away from the airport. Take Route41 towards Reykjavík. Turn right after 11 km towards Grindavík / BláaLónið (Highway 43) and after about 8 km take the Blue Lagoon (BláaLónið) exit.

1 BLUE LAGOON

The Blue Lagoon (BláaLónið) is located in Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. This geothermal lagoon, which is really an artificial lake, is located in an old lava field overgrown with moss. The water has a temperature from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.

The lagoon was formed in 1976 when cooling water from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant (“Black Meadow”) was discharged into the moss field.

From the early ’80s people began to swim in it, and the Blue Lagoon was commercialized in the ’90s.

The water is rich in minerals, salts and blue-green algae, giving it a light blue colour. It’s said to have a healing effect on the skin. Alongside the pool are wooden boxes with white mud, which you can rub on your face and the rest of your body. After ten minutes of drying the effect is amazing.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, with more than 600,000

people visiting every year.

At the entrance you will receive a wristband with a chip that can be used to open and close your locker or to buy a drink at the bar. Swimwear and towels can be rented, and there are armbands available for toddlers. As with any pool in Iceland, it is mandatory to shower naked before and after bathing. We recommend that you do not wear any jewelry when bathing and while washing your hair afterwards.

 Open daily from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (closes earlier during winter season)

 Paid entrance. Reservation mandatory.

 www.bluelagoon.com

 GPS: 63.880047, -22.449305

Next stop is Krýsuvík Seltun, one of the most active spring areas in southern Iceland. Krýsuvík is approximately 35 km from the Blue Lagoon. From the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon, take the road to Grindavík. Then take Route427, then Route42.

2 KRýSUvíK SELTUN

The thermal area, Krýsuvík Seltun, was formed by the gap between the European and North American tectonic plates. It smells like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulphide). You can visit the area by wooden walkways that run between the bubbling and boiling mud pools. The ground is coloured green, yellow and red.

In the neighbourhood, there are several small lakes that were formed by explosions caused by the superheated steam from the groundwater. The largest lake is Grænavatn; it is up to 46 metres deep and 350 metres wide. It has a beautiful emerald green colour. In 1999, a borehole exploded, leaving a crater with a diametre of 30 metres. The explosion blew up a cafeteria, as well.

 GPS: 63.894714, -22.051334

For our next points of interests, we go back towards Keflavík. Drive back to Grindavík via Route 427 and then take Route 43 to the intersection with Route 41. Go left towards Keflavík. Drive past the airport and take Route 45 to Garður town. Then take Route 402 to the lighthouses.

3 TwO LiGhThOUSES iN GARðSKAGi

The lighthouses in Garðskagi were built in 1897 and 1944. The newer lighthouse is 28 metres high and is the highest lighthouse in Iceland. The Byggðasafn Garðskaga or city museum of Garður has information on the population and the marine life in the region. It is located in the outbuildings of the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. The newer lighthouse is open during nice weather. To reach it, you have to walk past the museum.

 Open daily from 1 April - 31 October, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (by request during winter)

 www.visitreykjanes.is/en/travel/services/folk-museum-in-gardur-lighthouses

 GPS: 64.082505, -22.692033

The last stop of the day before returning to Keflavík is the Bridge of Continents. This special place is located about 35 km from Garðskagi. Take Route 402 back to Route 45. Turn right in the direction of Sandgerði, and continue to follow Route 45 until you come to Route 44. There, turn right in the direction of Hafnir. Then take Route 425 towards Sandvík. Take the exit towards Miðlína.

4 BRidGE OF CONTiNENTS

On the Reykjanes peninsula you can walk from the Eurasian to the North American tectonic plate by walking over a footbridge in Miðlína. You basically walk from Europe to North America and back again. The tectonic plates float2 cm farther apart every year.

 GPS: 63.866495, -22.6761216

It is roughly 20 km from Miðlína back to Keflavík, where we spend the night.

 Looking for a hotel in Keflavík? Click here.

Top: Þingvellir National Park Left: Geysir Right: Strokkur

day 2 - keflavík To selfoss

Today there is a lot on the program, perhaps so much that you might not want to do it all in one day. It could easily be split over two days.

 Total distance (without optional activities): 330 km

 Starting & Finishing points: Keflavík to Selfoss

 Sights of the day:

y Þingvellir National Park

y Geysir and Strokkur

y Gullfoss Waterfall

y Gamla Laugin (Secret Lagoon) (Optional)

y Kerið Volcanic Crater

y Hveragerði

y Reykjadalur Warm Water River

y Selfoss and the Bobby Fischer Center

y Keldur Turf Houses (Optional)

 Stay the night near Selfoss

The first stop of the day is Þingvellir National Park, which is of great national importance for the Icelandic people. It is about 90 km from Keflavík. Take Route 41 towards Reykjavík. Drive from Reykjavík on Route 1, and then follow Route 36.

5 ÞiNGvELLiR NATiONAL PARK

Þingvellir National Park is an obligatory stop for those who want to learn more about the country. At this place, the Icelandic parliament (Alþing) was founded in 930. It’s also where Iceland declared independence from Denmark in 1944. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Þingvellir National Park is an obligatory stop for those who want to learn more about the country. At this place, the Icelandic parliament (Alþing) was founded in 930. It’s also where Iceland declared independence from Denmark in 1944. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Alþing was the place where all those who held important social roles met in the

summer to discuss differences and settle conflicts. Here, marriages were arranged, business was conducted, processes were implemented and new laws were adopted. In short, everything that was even slightly important for the country was decided in this mystical place, including proscriptions, death sentences and executions.

It is no coincidence that the Alþing is located in Þingvellir. It is a special place because it is located on a fissure or fault line that forms a large gap, known as Almannagjá (the “chasm of all men”). This gap provides very good acoustics that carry a voice far away. Besides the Almannagjá, you will also find the Öxarárfoss waterfall, which is on the Öxará river (whose name literally means “tributary”), and lake Þingvallavatn. It has a lot of fish and is the largest natural lake in Iceland.

 www.thingvellir.is

 GPS: 64.255933, -21.130397

snorkellinG in ÞinGvellir naTional park

Near the Þingvellir National Park, you will find the Silfra fissure, the natural division between the European and American continental plates. There, you can literally dive or snorkel between two continents.

There is underwater visibility for up to 100 metres, which is very unique. This means that you can experience a feeling of vertigo whilst diving. The clarity of the water is partly due to the cold water (between 2° - 4° Celsius), coming from the nearby Langjökull glacier, and partly from the porous lava surface, which filters the glacial water. It takes 30 to 100 years before the water enters Lake Þingvellir. This natural filter provides the highest level of clarity. It’s safe to drink the water, before, after or even during your dive.

You can book a snorkel or diving adventure at one of the various commercial businesses.

About 60 km away from Þingvellir National Park, you will find Geysir. The name probably already gives away the type of natural phenomenon we will visit here. Follow Route 36. After approximately 17 km, take Route 365. Follow this for 14 km, after which you take Route 37 (2nd exit) in the direction of Geysir. Drive 24 km more on Route 37. Then in Laugarvatnsvegur, take Route 35 in the direction of Geysir.

6 GEYSiR ANd STROKKUR

The name Geysir comes from the verb “aðgjósa” which means bubbling or spraying. The English word geyser is derived from this, as well.

Geysir has a diametre of 14 metres and is the widest geyser in Iceland. It is estimated that it became active 800 to 900 years ago. In the Oddaverjaannáll (a text dating from 1294), it is mentioned that new hot springs emerged after a series of earthquakes in the region. Geysir was not mentioned by name back then; the geyser got its name later. Geysir once shot water every 30 minutes which rose as high as 40 to 60 metres. Now it’s active a few times a day, and it shoots only 5 to 6 metres high. A smaller but very active geyser is Strokkur. Every 5 minutes it shoots boiling water up to 20 metres high.

You can climb a hill in the geothermal park from where you have an excellent view over the region and the coloured geysers.

There is a lot of power needed to shoot the water straight upwards, and it is quite a rare natural phenomenon. The primal layer must contain water; a source of heat is required (in this case, the mantle plume of a volcano), and there must also be a natural reservoir containing a naturally formed system of pipes. The heat source of a geyser is a nearby volcano.

 GPS: 64.313968, -20.299511

About 10 km from Geysir, you will find the Gullfoss waterfall. Keep following Route 35. Helpful hint: about 300 metres to the parking at the cafeteria, on the right of Route 35, you will find a narrow road to the parking lot near the waterfall. This is mainly used by buses, but it can also be useful when you do not wish to climb the (steep) stairs towards the waterfall.

7 GULLFOSS wATERvAL

Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall) is a double waterfall situated on the Hvítá or white river. The two sets of stairs are perpendicular to each other. The entire waterfall is about 32 metres high and provides stunning views. When visiting the falls you will immediately notice a lot of spraying mist. You can often see rainbows.

Once, there were plans to build a hydroelectric power plant in this enchanting place,

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but the owners of the Gullfoss waterfall were not interested. They refused to sell the land. The speculators went to the government in Reykjavík to plead their case further. The government was at first in favour of their idea, but the daughter of one of the owners, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, continued to resist with all her heart and soul. She threatened to throw herself down the waterfall if the plans continued. Fortunately, it did not go that far; the plans were officially taken off the table. When you visit the Gullfoss waterfall, you can see a statue of Sigríður.

 http://gullfoss.is

 GPS: 64.325414, -20.131746

FAST BOAT RidE ON ThE RivER

Are you looking for some speed and adrenaline? With Riverjet, you will be able to take a jet boat ride on the Hvítá.

 www.icelandriverjet.com

Gullfoss Waterfall

FEELiNG hUNGRY?

At the Friðheimar farm you can taste natural and sustainably grown vegetables; although their main vegetables are tomatoes. Stop here for their most popular dish, tomato soup, which you can eat with an assortment of homemade bread. You can also taste a Bloody Mary made with fresh tomatoes, and they have a wide range of tomato desserts.

 http://fridheimar.is

 GPS: 64.178343, -20.44723

Would you like to swim in a natural geothermal pool? Then make a stop in Gamla Laugin, also known as the Secret Lagoon. Gamla Laugin is about 31 km from Gullfoss. Take Route 35 towards Selfoss, and then after about 5.5 km go to the left, on Route 30. Continue to follow Route 30 to the town of Flúðir, and this will take you to the Secret Lagoon.

8 GAmLA LAUGiN (SECRET LAGOON)

The temperature of the water in Gamla Laugin is a delightful 38 ° C all year. You will also find here the Vaðmálahver hot spring, which was formerly used as a sheep-washing place. There is also a mini-geyser, which sprays regularly. It’s great to see while you’re bobbing in the water.

 Open daily from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (in winter from noon – 8 p.m.)

 Paid entrance

 www.secretlagoon.is

 GPS: 64.137691, -20.309783

Approximately 56 km from the Gullfoss waterfalls (or 39 km from the Secret Lagoon), you find Kerið, one of the many volcanic craters that you will encounter during your trip.

From the Gullfloss waterfall, take Route 35 towards Selfoss. Follow this road for about 56 km (you will have to turn left at some point towards Selfoss). The crater is located on the left side of the road.

Top: Kerið Crater Bottom: Hveragerði

9 KERið vOLCANiC CRATER

The Kerið crater is not the only crater in the region. Other volcanic craters include the Seyðishólar and Kerhóll. However, what makes this one so special is the crater lake that was created after the explosion. Unlike many similar craters, the caldera or boiler is still quite intact. The crater is 55 metres deep, 170 metres wide and 270 metres long. It originated around 3,000 years ago.

24 km from Kerið past Selfoss lies the small town of Hveragerði, famous for its thermal springs and horticulture. Continue on Route 35 towards Selfoss (a city we will visit later) and then take Route 1 towards Reykjavík. Turn right after 14 km towards Hveragerði.

10 hvERAGERði

Hveragerði counts about 2500 inhabitants and lies on the river Varma, meaning warm river. The hot springs (VERY hot springs) near the city are - how could it be otherwise? - of volcanic origin. The activity of the sources can only be called heavy. You will see steam plumes coming out of the ground everywhere. The places in town with the hot springs and boiling mud are safely fenced off but easily accessible to be admired by tourists. Usually you need to pay an entrance fee. You can also visit a small geyser, the Grýla.

Thermal springs

You can enjoy the warmth of the hot springs in the local Laugaskarð pool, the largest pool in the country. It is known for its great accommodation, such as hot springs, landscaped whirlpools, solar lamps and natural steam baths.

Horticulture

You will also notice that there are greenhouses everywhere in town. The hot springs are in fact also used in horticulture. The region around Hveragerði heats 40% of the greenhouses of Iceland. Here they grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, things that you would not expect here normally. You will even find bananas!

 www.hveragerdi.is

 GPS: 64.0010797, -21.1957425

FEELiNG hUNGRY?

In Kjöt & Kúnst you can choose from local specialties, soup with homemade bread. You can also taste “Earth-cooked” dishes, and there is a buffet. You do need a reservation for this.

 Open daily from noon – 9 p.m. (closed on Sunday)

 www.kjotogkunst.is

 Breiðumörk 21, 810 Hveragerði

Relaxing after a long day? The Reykjadalur River is the ideal spot. When you arrive in Hveragerði, drive through the town and go 3 km to the Breidamork. Stop at the parking lot where the trail starts to Reykjadalur.

11 REYKjAdALUR wARm-wATER RivER

In the valley around the Reykjadalur warm-water river, you can find a variety of hot tubs and geothermal springs. From the car park, it’s a tough hike (you should be in pretty decent shape) of about 45 minutes to the warm-water river. Follow the wooden arrows on the walkway. Along the way you’ll pass steaming and bubbling mud pools and sulphur-smelling springs. Highly recommended!

Do not forget your swimming attire (wear it beforehand?) and towel, and you can bring a plastic bag to carry your wet swimwear after your bath.

 GPS: 64.022650, -21.211752

From Hveragerði, it is about a fifteen minutes’ drive to Selfoss. Take Ring Road 1, and you will arrive in the town after about 13.5 km.

Selfoss is one of the largest towns in Iceland. It is the ideal place to stop and buy stuff in the local supermarket or to eat something in the evening. In Austurvegur Street you can find supermarkets, banks and some restaurants.

12 BOBBY FiSChER CENTER

In this museum you can find memorabilia from the 11th world chess champion, Bobby Fischer. In the summer of 1972, the American Bobby Fischer defeated the Soviet grandmaster and reigning world chess champion, Boris Spassky, in Reykjavík. The match was seen as the match of the century and took place at the height of the Cold War. In the museum you can find Bobby Fischer’s score sheet, a copy of the radiation measurements which were demanded by Spassky’s delegation, and a replica of the chessboard used during the game. Bobby Fischer died on 17 January 2008 at the age of 64 and is buried at the cemetery of Laugardælir, a few hundred metres away from the museum.

 Open daily from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (from 15 May till 15 September)

 Paid entrance

 Austurvegur 21, 800 Selfoss

 www.fischersetur.is

 GPS: 63.9372737,-20.9956937

We spend the night in Selfoss or around.

 Looking for a hotel in Selfoss? Click here.

Don’t feel like ending the day? You can still visit the Keldur Turf houses, about 55.5 km from Selfoss. Follow Route 1 from Selfoss towards Vík, between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvollur. Turn left after about 44 km, and take Route 264 towards Keldur. Part of the road is unpaved but in good condition.

13 KELdUR TURF hOUSES

Keldur is definitely worth a detour. The site is located near the Hekla volcano and consists of 20 turf structures, including a farm nearly 1000 years old. In the historic Njal’s Saga a lot is written about this site. Jon Loftsson, a religious leader from the 12th century, probably inhabited the Keldur hall.

The turf houses in Keldur are unique to the region. However, the most striking is the public hall, which has several rooms where you can find a small secret escape tunnel in the hill. The tunnel was discovered by accident in 1932.

 GPS: 63.82333, -20.0818933

GOLdEN CiRCLE

If you are visiting Iceland for only 2-3 days, then at this point you can go back towards the airport (96 km).

Do you have some time to spare? Then you can visit the inside inside the volcano. The Þríhnúkagígur crater in Southwest Iceland offers a unique experience, allowing you to descend to the bottom of a 4,000 year-old volcano and discover a unique underground world. You get to visit a giant magma chamber adorned in all possible colours.

“Inside the Volcano” is located about 60 km from Keflavík International Airport. From Selfoss, take Route 1 towards Reykjavík. After an approximately 13 km drive, take the second exit at the roundabout, and from Route 417 drive via Blafjallavegur towards Bláfjöll, Bláfjallaskáli ski area. Continue to follow Route 417 (do not turn right). Park at the site of “Inside the Volcano”.

 Open 15 May - 15 October (check website for tours and hours)

 Paid entrance

 https://insidethevolcano.com

 GPS: 63.98502, -21.649949

This free travel guide contains the first two days of our travel guide of Iceland. Curious for more Iceland? Buy the complete digital guide (pdf – 130 pages A5, easy to print) for the price of 3 cups of Icelandic coffees, and explore the island with our complete road trip, a walking tour Reykjavík, lots of practical information, local legends and hidden gems.

>> Buy the complete travel guide on shop.themediabay.be

Buy the complete travel guide on shop.themediabay.be/en

phoTo crediTs

Pictures are by Wouter Coppens, with the exception of:

• Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Press

• Sunset near Garður: Hafsteinn Robertsson

• Gullfoss Waterfall: Veronique

• Hveragerði: Hafsteinn Robertsson

All maps thanks to OpenStreetMap.org.

disclaimer

We get our information from reliable and selected sources, but we cannot be held responsible for any incorrect information, nor for the use of this information and its possible adverse effects.

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Last update: December 2016

© All rights reserved.

This guide is a publication of The Media Bay.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

Buy the complete travel guide on shop.themediabay.be/en