Iceland Road Trip:
Our First Days Exploring Reykjavik and the South Coast
Iceland had suddenly become the place everyone was talking about. When WOW Airlines offered roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles for $500, we booked without overthinking it. We wanted dramatic landscapes, open roads and something that felt completely different from mainland Europe.
We based ourselves in central Reykjavik and used it as a starting point for exploring the Golden Circle and the South Coast. We went in June, which meant nearly 24 hours of daylight. It was strange at first. The sky never fully darkened. But it also meant we could stretch our days and see more than we expected.
This was not a rushed checklist trip. We wanted to drive, stop when something looked interesting and build in a few unforgettable experiences along the way.
Where We Stayed in Reykjavik
We rented a spacious apartment in central Reykjavik overlooking a lively street filled with restaurants and shops. Having a kitchen made a difference immediately. Iceland is expensive, especially food. Being able to cook breakfast or keep snacks on hand kept costs reasonable.
Parking in Reykjavik can require some patience. Expect to circle a bit if you have a rental car. But once you’re parked, the city is easy to explore on foot.
Reykjavik itself feels compact and creative. Colorful buildings, small cafés and a relaxed atmosphere make it a pleasant place to start and end each driving day.
Is the Blue Lagoon Worth It?
Yes. Even if everyone tells you it is touristy.
The Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport, which makes it an easy first or last stop on an Iceland trip. The drive alone sets the tone. Lava fields stretch out in every direction, covered in thick moss that you are not allowed to step on because it takes decades to grow back.
Once inside, the water is warm, milky blue and surprisingly calming. Steam rises off the surface. The silica mud masks are included with most entry packages, along with a towel and one drink. We grabbed our masks, floated around and let the flight fatigue wear off.
It is not a quick stop. Plan for at least two to three hours. Book ahead, especially in summer. Early morning or later evening time slots feel more relaxed.
Is it crowded? Yes. Does it still feel special? Also yes.
For a first introduction to Iceland’s geothermal energy, it works.
Driving the Golden Circle
If you only have one full day outside Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is the obvious place to start. It is easy to drive, well marked and packed with some of Iceland’s most famous natural landmarks.
We left early and did it as a full loop. It is the most visited route in Iceland. It still never felt underwhelming.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir was our first stop. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pull apart. You can literally walk between continents.
The landscape feels rugged and quiet. Moss-covered lava rocks. Cracks in the earth. Wide open sky. It is also where Iceland’s first parliament was established, so it carries both geological and historical weight.
We walked the main path through the rift valley and took our time. It is not physically demanding, but it is powerful standing in a place where the earth is actively shifting beneath you.
Plan for about an hour to walk the main rift paths and viewpoints. If you have more time, snorkeling in Silfra is also here. We did not do it, but it is one of the most talked about experiences in Iceland.
Geysir and Strokkur
Next was the geothermal area near Geysir. The original Great Geysir barely erupts anymore, but Strokkur does.
Every few minutes, the water bubbles, swells into a blue dome and then explodes straight into the air. It never gets old. You stand there waiting for it, phones ready, and then everyone reacts at once.
The entire area smells faintly of sulfur. Steam rises from vents in the ground. Pools glow an unreal shade of blue. It feels raw and alive.
You do not need long here. But it is one of those stops you would regret skipping.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is the one that surprised us most.
Photos do not capture the scale. The river crashes down in two dramatic drops into a deep canyon. You feel the vibration in your chest before you even get close. Mist rises constantly and if the sun hits it right, you will see rainbows forming in the spray.
We walked both the upper and lower paths. The lower platform gets you close enough to feel the power of the water. Bring a light waterproof layer if you plan to walk down.
It is one of those places that makes you stop talking for a minute.
How Long to Plan
You can technically drive the Golden Circle in half a day, but give it a full day if you can. Start early to avoid tour bus traffic. In summer, the extended daylight makes it easy to move at your own pace.
Driving it yourself gave us flexibility. We could stop for photos whenever we wanted and linger longer at places like Gullfoss.
If you are renting a car in Iceland, this is one of the easiest routes to navigate.
Driving Iceland’s South Coast
If the Golden Circle is Iceland’s introduction, the South Coast is where it gets dramatic.
We left Reykjavik early and followed Route 1 east. The traffic thinned. The landscape opened up. Moss-covered lava fields turned into green hills and then suddenly into black sand and cliffs.
It never felt repetitive. Every 20 minutes the scenery changed.
This stretch is easy to drive and packed with stops. You do not need to overplan it. Just give yourself time.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is the waterfall you can walk behind.
From the parking lot it looks almost delicate. Tall and narrow. But once you follow the path around the back, it feels different. The sound gets louder. The mist hits your face. The light shifts as you look out through the falling water.
The path can be slick. Bring a waterproof layer. Even if you think you will not need it.
There are smaller waterfalls tucked into the cliffs nearby. If you walk a little farther, you will find them.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is not subtle.
It drops straight down in a wide curtain of water and hits with force. You hear it before you see it. The closer you walk, the stronger the spray becomes.
There is a staircase to the top if you want the view from above. We stayed at the base and let the scale sink in. On a sunny day you can usually spot a rainbow in the mist.
It is one of those stops that feels big in person. Bigger than photos.
Reynisfjara and the Black Sand Beaches
By the time we reached Vík, the landscape had shifted again.
The sand turned black. The ocean felt heavier. The wind picked up.
Reynisfjara is known for its basalt columns and sea stacks rising out of the water. Up close, the columns look almost carved. Perfect geometric shapes stacked against the cliff. Dylan climbed onto them immediately. It feels like a natural playground, but the waves are serious here.
The sea stacks, Reynisdrangar, stand just offshore. Tall and sharp against the sky. The beach stretches wide and dark, with cliffs wrapping around it.
The warning signs about sneaker waves are not for decoration. Keep your distance from the water. The waves are unpredictable and strong.
From the cliffs above near Dyrhólaey, you can see the full curve of the coastline. Black sand. White surf. Green hills behind it. It feels remote, even when other people are there.
Snowmobiling on a Glacier
One of the most memorable experiences of the trip was snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier.
The tour lasted about two hours and included all necessary outerwear. Standing on a glacier feels different than standing on snow. It is solid, massive and silent when the engines cut off.
Riding across the ice with nothing but white in every direction felt surreal. It was cold and windy, but completely worth it.
Our Helicopter Splurge
TThis was not planned carefully.
We found a helicopter tour and thought the price was high but manageable. After booking, we realized the listed price was per person. Not total. Per person.
At that point there were no refunds. So we laughed, looked at each other and said, well, I guess we’re doing this.
It ended up being one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip.
Dylan sat up front next to the pilot with his headset on, grinning like he had just won a reality show. We joked that he was the youngest Bachelor in Iceland, surveying his kingdom of glaciers and lava fields from above.
We flew over glaciers, braided rivers and the visible divide between North America and Europe. From the air, the scale shifts completely. What looked dramatic from the road suddenly feels massive and raw.
The pilot landed in a quiet meadow where geothermal steam rose from the ground. It was silent except for the cooling engine and wind moving through the grass.
Seeing Iceland from above changed everything. The landscape felt bigger. Wilder. Less like a destination and more like a living force.
Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
Walking on a Glacier and Into an Ice Cave
From there we headed toward the glacier.
They put crampons on our boots and gave us a quick safety talk. It is not a casual walk. You are stepping carefully the whole time because falling on ice is not something you want to test.
The glacier surprised me. It was not just smooth white ice. It was cracked, dirty in places, streaked with ash. You could see layers. It felt more solid and more fragile at the same time.
Then we went into the ice cave.
You have to duck to get inside. It is colder immediately. The blue is real. Not filtered. Not exaggerated. Just deep blue ice overhead.
Water drips constantly. The ground is uneven. You do not linger long because these caves shift and change.
It is not a cheap add-on tour. It is a commitment.
But walking inside a glacier is not something you casually forget either.
Back in Reykjavik During the World Cup
We happened to be in Reykjavik when Iceland made it to the European Championship quarter finals. The game was shown on a massive outdoor screen at the bottom of a hill in the center of the city.
The entire city showed up.
Hundreds and hundreds of people packed in together. Flags everywhere. Face paint. Kids on shoulders. It felt like the whole country was there.
Iceland lost, but you would not have known it from the energy. People were singing, dancing, celebrating how far they had made it. It was one of those completely unplanned moments that ends up being one of your favorite memories.
Dylan still talks about it.
A Few Things to Know About Iceland
Iceland is expensive. Especially the food.
It was not our favorite part of the trip and we definitely felt it in the budget. We were very happy to have a kitchen and cook some meals ourselves.
We did fall in love with Skyr. That was the one grocery store obsession.
If you are renting a car, parking in Reykjavik takes some patience. Read the signs carefully and expect to circle a bit.
It is not a cheap destination. But the landscapes are unlike anywhere else we have been.
Planning More Nordic Travel?
Looking to explore more of Scandinavia? Start with these guides:
Helsinki Travel Guide – Saunas, seaside walks and modern Nordic food
Gothenburg Guide – Laid back canals, seafood and easy island escapes
Aarhus Travel Guide – Design, food halls and a smaller city feel in Denmark