Iceland itinerary on a budget
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to exploring Iceland in 2021! Whether you're drawn to the mesmerizing Northern Lights, stunning landscapes, or vibrant culture, Iceland offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience. In this post, we'll provide you with insider tips, must-see attractions, and practical advice to make the most of your Icelandic adventure.
National parks & forests:
Hikes: (in order that we went)
Valahnúkamöl - epic look out at ocean (near airport)
Geldingadalir Volcano - recently active volcano, semi-difficult hike (near airport)
Gljufrabui/ Seljalandsfoss - 2 waterfalls in one stop, cool to be able to walk underneath
Fjaðrárgljúfur - easy hike to amazing canyon views
Múlagljúfur Canyon - long hike into gigantic canyon
Stokksnes/ Vestrahorn - killer mountain-scape (does cost money)
Hengifoss - medium difficulty hike to waterfall, well kept path
Stuðlagil Canyon - famous basalt columns rock formations in canyon
Hverfjall - volcano crater, medium level hike
Aldeyjarfoss - multiple waterfalls, worth the long drive and hike
Súlur Mountain - long difficult hike up a mountain, views are worth it
Hvitserkur - short walk to rock formation
Anastadastapi Rock - unmarked path to rock formation
Súgandisey Island Lighthouse - in a town with a scenic cliff that has a lighthouse on top
Grundarfoss - easy unmarked hike to beautiful waterfall
Key Takeaways:
Rental car insurance- Be sure to have coverage on your tires especially if you plan to do any F-road driving
Don’t over book yourself! This country has so much to see but be smart with your time because you can lose track fast.
Plan for rainy weather be sure to bring lots of waterproof clothing.
Food is expensive with this being an island it is expensive to have food imported in so plan accordingly we suggest going to the grocery store and stocking up over eating out for every meal.
Gas pumps are all over which is good peace of mind when making the loop.
Locals home cooked meals are amazing, look for when booking. We got lucky at one of the hostiles and it was such a good treat!
We used hotels.com and airbnb for our bookings.
Covid test are worse and they made sure to warn us beforehand so just be prepared for a brain itch ;)
Planning Your Trip - Start by deciding the best time to visit Iceland and crafting your itinerary. Consider factors like weather, popular attractions, and seasonal events.
Practical Tips - Prepare for your journey with essential packing tips, safety advice, and budget-friendly strategies. Plus, learn how to capture stunning photographs of Iceland's breathtaking landscapes.
Cultural Experiences - Immerse yourself in Icelandic culture by sampling local cuisine, attending festivals, and exploring historical sites. We'll recommend unique experiences to enhance your trip.
Outdoor Adventures - Whether you're a thrill-seeker or nature enthusiast, Iceland offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Get ready for hiking, glacier trekking, snorkeling, and more.
Exploring Top Attractions - From the iconic Golden Circle to hidden gems off the beaten path, Iceland boasts a wealth of attractions waiting to be discovered. We'll highlight must-visit landmarks and lesser-known wonders.
Getting Around - Navigate Iceland's roads with ease by renting a car or opting for public transportation. We'll share recommendations for the most scenic routes and essential driving tips.
Summary:
What a trip! This adventure was one for the books! Our adventure kicked off with us seeing the Northern lights on our late night flight which was absolutely incredible! We started by getting our rental car. Note that the company you book through is not necessarily the name of the company picking you up at the airport. Once we got our SUV we headed out to the coast, Valahnúkamöl to be specific. It was chilly, but luckily we packed appropriately for it! At a lot of these lookout points/ short hikes there is a parking fee. Usually runs about $4 to $8, which you pay online at the site they have posted at the parking lot. We would say it is worth the few bucks to see the views. We stopped in town for lunch and some groceries. A tip for the beginning of your trip, you can use US dollars to pay for your groceries and they will give you Icelandic króna for your change. It is handy to have for tolls or snacks along the drive. Another pro tip is to load up on snacks and groceries as they are a lot cheaper than restaurants and restaurants tend to be more scarce on the other side of the island. Next we went to the active volcano that is on the same peninsula. To get to Geldingadalir Volcano we had to hike up a steep hill which had rope line to guide you up this slippery slope. (It decided to side ways rain during the hike) This was super cool to be able to feel the heat but unfortunately we didn’t get to see the lava at that time.
Our adventure continued to the south for our counter clock wise journey around the entire island. That morning we hit a 2 for 1 waterfall (Gljufrabui/ Seljalandsfoss) which ended up being one of our favorite spots to stop. These waterfalls were breathtaking and were particularly cool because you could walk directly behind them or had to hike through the slot canyon to access it. To finish off the afternoon we went to a scenic overlook of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon which had multiple viewpoints into the canyon which was perfect photo shots. That night we stayed in a modern hotel which included an attached bar and amazing breakfast spread. Note tour busses like to stay here so early bird gets the worm for breakfast.
The following day we drove to our next hike which was quite difficult to find the trailhead. We did eventually find it as it was located off the main road onto an unmarked gravel road. Múlagljúfur Canyon was gorgeous but if you plan to do it make sure you have scheduled the time for it and have the trail head mapped out so you don’t lose time finding it like us. Aside from lack of time this hike took you back into Icelands beautiful back country with green rolling hills and lots more little waterfalls. For lunch we stopped at Viking Cafe for homemade soup, sandwich, and a latte. Nearby was amazing views of Stokksnes/ Vestrahorn mountain range and also an old viking village commonly used in movies. That night we stay at a hostel and enjoyed a fantastic home cooked meal by our host. This was our first experience at a hostel and we would definitely recommend it not just for the savings but the local hospitality.
Day 4 started with a quick overlook of Stuðlagil Canyon. This is very popular photo shoot area. Pro tip get up early because this spot can get quite busy. Next we attempted to cross inland towards a hot spring which required us to to take some F-road. We quickly found out that in our small SUV we were not going to make it that far back without damaging our rental. So we decided to skip the hot spring and move on to our next destination. That night we stayed in a guesthouse at Myvatn with a pizzeria attached to it. This was another good money saver because you are not paying for 2 separate meals one large pizza was more then enough for us.
Day 5 we started with breakfast at a farm across the street from our guesthouse. We loaded up for a long drive to our next hike which was Aldeyjarfoss. This was well worth the drive for yet another stunning set of waterfalls. Again make sure to have things mapped out this drive was again not very well marked and we did lose a bit of time trying to find it. Next we made our way to the 2nd biggest city in Iceland which is Akureyri. We headed to the outskirts of town to climb Sulur Mountain. This was the most difficult hike we did as it had the most elevation gain. After our hike we headed into town to fuel back up with some Icelandic hotdogs. Surprisingly a must try in Iceland is the hotdogs they are all beef grass fed and put US hotdogs to shame.
Day 6 we spent a lot of time in the car this day as we made our way to the west coast. We made sure to stop in the town of Stykkishólmur to see the buildings from a scene in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. We planned on eating in this town but the hours on their restaurants didn’t line up with Google. From there went toward the famous mountain peak called Kirkjufell. In that town we hiked to an amazing waterfall called Grundarfoss, we highly suggest it as it was right off the road and not very difficult. After trying a few more restaurants we found a place open called 59 Bistro Bar, they were busy and understaffed but managed to make us some quick and delicious fish n chips.
Day 7 we drove back into Reykjavík to get our covid tests to return home. (Ouch) They mentioned before the test that they like to go a bit deeper then in the US so we both had our brains itched. After we both tested negative we spent the day in the city. For dinner we had a classic Icelandic meal including some fermented shark chased with a shot of vodka. Later in the evening we booked a lagoon swim with a view. While swimming we witnessed a volcano eruption which was the same volcano we hike on our first day! This was a great way to conclude our adventure as the following day we flew back home.