Experience Iceland Like Never Before Adventure Beyond the Ordinary Vacation!

Keflavik International Airport, conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík, is the top choice for most Iceland travelers. Whether you prefer a car service, renting a vehicle, or using the Flybus to reach Reykjavík, your journey will be smooth.

We opted to rent a car through Expedia with Addcar/ Fara Car for our trip. However, our early arrival at 5:30 am meant we had to wait until they opened at 8 am. In hindsight, I recommend booking with one of the on-site companies like Avis or Hertz for a more hassle-free experience. If you book offsite, look for someone holding a sign with various rental car names near the exit door. They will transport you to the offsite lot to pick up your car. It’s also worth noting that most rental cars in Iceland have manual transmissions, so if you’re uncomfortable with that, request an automatic one when booking.

The rental car company offers additional insurance for gravel (a damaged windshield or exterior due to gravel) and wind damage to the vehicle. We decided to get the gravel insurance but skipped the wind insurance. However, if you’re planning on off-roading or driving long hours in the heart of Iceland, I strongly recommend getting wind insurance as well. Unexpected gusts can force your door to slam back against the car, damaging the hinges and the door’s body; the car rental company showed us photos of previously damaged vehicles. Driving in Iceland is similar to driving in the USA as you drive on the right, but it’s important to note that the roads can be narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. On the road, it’s common to encounter sheep or other wildlife, such as reindeer, so be prepared to slow down or stop.

On our five-hour drive to our hotel on (Þjóðvegur) National Road 1, we were captivated by the breathtaking landscape:

• The raw beauty of lava fields
• The vibrant hues of green and yellow moss
• The streams and waterfalls
• The charm of small towns with turf-covered roofs at the mountain’s feet

Two of the most essential pieces of advice I can give you are:

• Top off your tank every time you pass a gas pump. The gas pumps are self-service, and most only take debit cards. You’d be surprised just how few and far between the stations are. We had a slight scare with an almost empty gas tank, but we made it and learned our lesson. Hence, the above advice.
• Be sure to pack layers of thermal wear, fleece, sweatshirts, warm winter jackets, and rain outerwear like rain pants, a jacket with a hood, a neck buff, gloves, and boots. The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, with conditions changing rapidly. It can go from freezing winds, rain, or snow to bright sunshine in hours. (We hit rain, snow, sun, and fog on our drive.) So, it’s best to prepare for all types of weather.

When you see a white sign outlined in blue with a pine tree and a T, that’s an area where you can pull off the road for a scenic view or rest. Besides these areas, there are no pull-offs; the narrow road has drop-offs on either side.

We chose to stay at Guesthouse Gerdi’s in Hofn for two nights, which I booked using Booking.com. Our room was #3, and we had a beautiful view of the mountain.

This charming guesthouse is nestled in isolation and boasts an on-site restaurant. It’s a beautiful 12-minute ride to Diamond Beach. Our stay included a delicious breakfast, and we savored a three-course dinner at the restaurant both nights. Every bite was delightful, from the vegetable soup puree to the lamb, potatoes, and vegetables in a brown sauce and the delicious chocolate cake. I highly recommend the restaurant if you’re near the Diamond Beach area between 7 pm and 9:30 pm; it’s best to reserve ahead of time.

Glacier Adventures is also on the property. It is a tour company that offers trips to ice caves, hikes, kayaking, glacier walks, and even five- to six-day adventures to the south coast, east fjords, and the highlands.

Diamond Beach is more than the black sand beach covered in icebergs resembling diamonds; it is breathtaking. Be sure to cross (Þjóðvegur) National Road 1 to visit Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon bordering Vatnajökull National Park. Its blue waters are filled with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, part of the enormous Vatnajökull Glacier. A glacier river, Jökulsár, flows from the lagoon through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s what leaves icebergs on Diamond Beach.

In winter, the fish-filled lagoon also has hundreds of seals, a sight I will return to see.

Be sure to save your appetite for the food trucks that line the parking lot. My favorite was Sweet & Savory Crepes because of the friendly service and the food. We tried the savory ham, cheese, fried onions, and garlic spread wrapped in a freshly made crepe and the sweet blueberry crepe with many large sweet blueberries for dessert. Both of them were delicious!

Before we arrived at our next stay, we stopped in Vik for dinner and supplies. We went to Pizzaria Black Crust, a local place that uses vegetable charcoal powder in the dough to make it black. We tried the pizza and breadsticks; both were delicious. The pizza looks burnt but does not taste burnt.

We booked Austury Cottages, a self-catering place an hour and forty-five minutes from Kevlaflik Airport, for our next two nights. I also used Booking.com to find this gem.

The drive from Route 35 to Route 37 differed from (Þjóðvegur) National Road 1. Beautiful winding roads through the mountains, passing farmland with horses and sheep. Cottage # 3, ours (I know #3 again), was adorable, with a hilltop view of the mountains around us.

It had a double bed, living room, bathroom, a tiny kitchen with microwave and induction plate, a private deck, and a grill. The cottage was clean and comfortable, and the host provided easy check-in through a unique code sent to me the day before arrival. It opened a lockbox with the key inside at the entrance to the cottage.

This location was perfect for visiting Gullfoss Falls, the largest northern European waterfalls, Geyser Hot Springs, and The Sky Lagoon.

I visited The Sky Lagoon because of its unique seven-part ritual spa experience, and I was eager to see the sauna and lagoon with my own eyes. You are allowed to stay as long as you like. We stayed for three hours, but I want to spend the whole day next time.

When you check in, you receive a waterproof bracelet that opens and locks your locker, a private shower room/changing area, and a black band to present at the third step of the ritual. The Sky Lagoon staff ask that you shower before changing into your bathing suit. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the shampoo/body wash and hair conditioner. It smelt wonderful.

• The first step is the lagoon. The water was so warm and the air so cold that steam rose off the water. About 50 – 75 people were in the lagoon, but there was plenty of space.

At first, my head and ears were freezing, so I recommended a hat or ear muffs. I kept dipping my ears into the water. We did get used to it, and our bodies warmed up.

• The second step was the cold plunge, which lasted 10 seconds before I bolted out. Once we submerged ourselves in the lagoon again, I was surprised by the sensation of tiny pins and needles all over my body. I returned to the cold plunge four more times, lasting 30 seconds for the last dip.
• The third step of the ritual was the sauna, where you hand the staff your black band, ensuring you do the ritual only once. The room was breathtaking, not only because of the heat that hit you but also because of the view. The sauna resembled a box with one wall facing the ocean that was all glass, and at first, it looked as if nothing was there. The rest of the sauna had tiered bleacher-like benches on the three sides. It reminded me of stadium seating. It didn’t last long; breathing in there was hard for me.

• The fourth step was a body scrub smelling like vanilla and orange blossoms.
• The fifth step was a cold mist.
• The sixth step was entering the steam room to let the scrub soak into your skin before showering it off. I walked in and back out of the steam room; it wasn’t for me.
• The seventh step was showering, and afterward, my skin felt baby-soft.

I spent the last two hours relaxing around the lagoon, sipping on the cocktail I purchased at the swim-up bar. Video and photos were allowed, but as the staff told me (after using it), selfie sticks are not allowed.

The Sky Lagoon and the staff were helpful. It was thoughtful that plastic bags were in the changing room so you could carry out your wet bathing suit. It is worth noting that lift chairs are available for those with disabilities. My dad was in a wheelchair, and I was happy to see the inclusivity.

On our drive back, we drove a little further to see Gullfoss Falls. Feeling warmed by the hot spring, I didn’t wear the layers I brought and froze while walking toward the falls. There are two parking lots; if you park in the lower one, it’s a much shorter walk to view the falls. The upper parking lot is near the restaurant, bathrooms, and shops.

I highly recommend a visit to Iceland. It’s a landscape lover’s dream. Preparation is critical, but going with the flow and enjoying the unexpected is also essential. The most important thing is to have fun.

Below are photos of snacks and liquor I found at the Iceland airport.

Have you tried any? Comment Below.