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ULTIMATE ICELAND ITINERARY

Nordic Island Country Road Trip

5 days, 4 nights

Weather

Iceland is COLD (shocker, right?).The weather in Iceland is volatile due to it being an island and the northern parts being located in the arctic circle. Be prepared for heavy wind gusts, snow, sleet, and hail at any time of year. Southern Iceland is where most visit. Northern Iceland is less visited, and harder to get to, with even more unpredictable weather.

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Seasons (Southern Iceland)

HIGH SEASON - Heavily populated, pricey accommodations

  • June, July, Aug (Summer)

  • Hi 55°F (13°C), Low 45°F (7°C)

SHOULDER SEASON - Mildly populated, lower prices

  • April, May, Sept, Oct (Spring/Fall)

  • Hi 45°F (7°C), Low 32°F (0°C)

LOW SEASON - fewer visitors, low prices

  • Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March (Winter)

  • Hi 36°F (2°C), Low 27°F (-3°C)

Currency

ISK - Icelandic Krona (0.0073 US Dollar)

Credit Cards - most credit cards are accepted 

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Languages Spoken

Icelandic

English

When did we go?

APRIL - the weather was a combination of cold, cloudy, sunny, rainy, windy, and calm (ha!). The weather truly is unpredictable. No crowds, no lines, mildly populated around touristy areas. 

BRING A RAIN JACKET!!

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Sea Temperature

Year round, the water temperature varies between 40°F to 52°F (5°C-12°C). Ice bath anyone? Burrrrr.

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Budget $$$$

Iceland is expensive. Mostly because it's a remote island and a majority of its food is imported. Accommodations are fair, but the food and drinks are where your wallet might scream. In addition, you'll more than likely need a rental car if you plan to self-guide (which I recommend). Rental cars and gas are both expensive. Most hotels offer complimentary breakfast, so that's a plus.

Be sure to check out this guide for detailed information on airlines, accommodations, food, things to do, and more!

Iceland Itinerary

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DAY 1

 

Fly into Reykjavik + Blue Lagoon
 

  • Overnight flight (take off at 7:00pm EST the night before) via Jet Blue

    • Duration of flight - 7h, 10m

  • Pre-book: Green Motion Rental Car via Expedia

  • Take complimentary shuttle from airport to rental car​ location

  • Blue Lagoon - Full Day Comfort Package

    • $50 USD per person - pre-book 

  • Check in to Hilton Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel

  • Explore downtown Reykjavik

  • Grab a beer at Session Craft Beer​

  • Find the "American Bar" sign

  • Pre-booked Dinner: Kopar Restaurant by the Old Harbor (celebratory dinner)

    • Make reservations online in advance​

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DAY 2

 

Golden Circle + Drive to Vik
 

  • Check out of Hilton 

  • Golden Circle self-guided tour in rental car

    • Duration - 6-7 hours
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  • Points of Interest to see in Golden Circle​: 
    (in order - clockwise)

  1. Thingvellir National Park  

  2. Geysir Hot Spring Area 

  3. Gullfoss Waterfall

  4. Fridheimar Farm (for lunch – green house, HIGHLY recommend)

  5. Secret Lagoon hot spring (Gamla Laugin)

  6. Cost - 3000ISK ($22 USD) to enter spring

  7. Kerid Crater Lake​​ (slightly out of the way)

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DAY 2...Continued

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  • Drive from Golden Circle to Vik

    • Duration - 2 hours (+ stops below)​
       

  • Points of Interest from Golden Circle to Vik​

  1. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall (and the hidden Gljúfrabúi Waterfall)

  2. Skogafoss Waterfall

  3. Kvernufoss Waterfall

  4. Sólheimasandur Airplane Wreck (Sólheimajökull glacier)

    • Long trek to airplane - view on drive back if time is limited​

  5. Dyrhólaey (Peninsula off Iceland coast)

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  • Check in to Hotel Kria in Vik I Myrdal

  • Grab dinner at hotel restaurant

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DAY 3

 

Explore Vik + Drive to Hof
 

  • Explore the City of Vik
     

  • Points of Interest:​​

  1. Reynishverfi Basalt Column Beach

  2. Vik’s Black Sand Beach

  3. Vík í Mýrdal Church​

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  • Grab lunch at the Soup Company (delicious!)​​

    • They offer a complimentary extra ladle of soup after you've finished your bowl - score!​

  • Check out of Hotel Kria

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DAY 3...Continued

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  • Drive from Vik to Hof​

    • ​Duration - 2h, 20m (+ stops below)
       

  • Points of Interest from Vik to Hof:

    1. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

    2. Skaftafell/Vatnajokull National Park (Crystal Blue Ice Cave)

    3. Svínafellsjökull Glacier (within Skaftafell Park)

  • Drive up to Hofn (40m north), and if time allows, see Point of Interest: Stokksnes

  • Grab dinner at Ishusid Pizzeria in Fisherman Town of Hofn

  • Drive to Airbnb, located in between Hofn and Glacier Lagoon

    • Check out the blog to see where we stayed​

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DAY 4

 

Explore Hof + Drive to Reykjavik
 

  • Check out of Airbnb

  • Drive from Hof back to Reykjavik

    • Duration - 4h, 40m​
       

  • Points of Interest from Hof to Reykjavik:

    1. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon  

    2. Diamond Beach​

    3. Any other Points of Interest that were missed on other days

    4. Reykjadalur Hot Springs (near Reykjavik)
       

  • Stop by Vik and grab soup again from The Soup Company for lunch

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DAY 4...Continued

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  • Arrive back in Reykjavik

  • Check in to Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

  • Explore downtown Reykjavik, breweries, etc..

    • Grab an iconic Icelandic hotdog from a hotdog stand​

    • Learn about Iceland's History

    • Climb to the Top of the Church of Hallgrímur (Hallgrímskirkja)

    • Wander around the beautiful city

  • Grab dinner at Saeta Svinio Gastropub

    • Take a polaroid and post it on the wall!

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DAY 5

 

Relax + Fly Home
 

  • Last Day!

  • Enjoy time in the spa hot tubs at hotel

  • Check out of Hilton hotel

  • Drive back to Keflavik Airport + return rental car

    • Duration - 45 minutes​

  • Fly home to Orlando, FL via Jet Blue

    • Duration - 7h, 45m​

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Be sure to check out these pages below for detailed information on airlines, points of interest, adventure, food, and more!

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