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BACKPACK AND SNORKEL TRAVEL GUIDE FOR 2 weeks in Iceland - Iceland PURPLE GUIDE

Iceland is a favorite destination for nature lovers due to its rugged and mostly untouched landscape.  The island is of volcanic origin and you see lava fields just about everywhere unless they are hidden under glaciers.  This truly makes for a moon-like scenery.  Iceland is still volcanically active and this gives rise to hot springs (thermal pools) and geysers.  The hills and lava fields create perfect conditions for spectacular waterfalls and, in winter, you can explore large ice caves and bathe in hot thermal pools in a snow covered landscape while watching the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) light up the night sky with its myriads of stars.
This will surely make for a truly special experience and lots of memorable moments.
Not to forget, there are only 370,000 people on the island and there is plenty of solitude and untouched nature to admire.

Why should I Visit Iceland

Iceland is of volcanic origin and you see lava fields just about everywhere unless they are hidden under glaciers.  This truly makes for a moon-like scenery.  Iceland is still volcanically active and this gives rise to hot springs (pools) and geysers.  The hills and lava fields make perfect conditions for spectacular waterfalls.  And then there are large ice caves, black sand beaches and iceberg lagoons that you can explore.
If you go in late fall, winter or early spring, you may see the aurora borealis, the Northern lights, which make for a truly outer worldish experience and memorable moments.
Not to forget, there are only 360,000 people on the island and there is plenty of solitude and untouched nature to admire.

For Pinterest users, here are some pins that you can use:

Our Iceland Travel Guide has detailed information about the individual destinations, links to their locations in google maps, reviews and websites (if available).

Please see the Backpack & Snorkel Travel Store for more information.

This “Iceland Highlights” guide covers a 2-week Iceland’s highlights itinerary, but you can break it up into shorter pieces if you are only here for a few days or a long layover. 

Pro tip: Did you know, that airlines will not charge you extra for a long layover in Iceland?  Normally, airlines treat multi-day layovers as extra legs on your itinerary and charge you more, but in order to attract tourism, this is not the case with Iceland. 

So, if your trip just allows for an extra 1 or 2 days, or even a few hours, there is plenty that you can do.  For a layover measured in hours, you can see the Blue Lagoon, which is one of Iceland’s most visited tourist attractions.  If you have a day or two, you can explore Reykjavik and you can self-drive the Golden Circle or join a guided tour. 

If you have 2 weeks, congratulations, then you can make good use of this guide and you can circle the island on the Ring Road.

For more detailed information incl. links to google maps locations, more reviews, website links, etc., check out our Iceland Highlights Purple Guide.

Things To Know About Iceland Before You Go

General Information about Iceland

• Time: Iceland is at UTC+0, also called GMT time.  You can see the current time here
• Visa: Visas are needed for citizens of some countries.  You can check with the Icelandic embassy in your country or check here.
• Language: Icelandic.  Our experience is that most Icelanders speak excellent English.

Phone calls and Internet access in Iceland

• Calling Iceland: the country code to call Iceland is +354
• Cell phone signal: Iceland typically has good cell phone signal in the cities, but no signal outside the cities
• Wifi: lots of stores and restaurants provide unsecured free wifi without the need to enter a password.  Even in hotels, wifi is often unsecured without a password

Money in Iceland

• Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK).  You can find exchange rates here
• Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.  Exceptions are street vendors and some rural parks that charge an entrance or parking fee.
• Money exchange: We did not need any cash during our Iceland trips.  But it may be a good idea to have some cash available.  There are 2 places at the international airport where you can do that:
  1. There are ATMs near the restrooms just outside the shopping and dining area in the main part of the secure area in the airport – just follow the restroom signs.  The last time we visited neither of the 2 ATMs was operating. 
  2. There is a currency exchange with a person behind the counter in the shopping and dining area in the main part of the secure area in the airport.  The ATMs right next to it do not dispense local currency.
• Be advised that gas stations have limited opening hours and that you need a PIN to pay at the pump when you use a credit card.  For more information see the “Driving in Iceland” tips below.

Driving a car in Iceland

• Driving: cars drive on the right hand side of the road
• Roads: Iceland does not have many roads outside the cities.  The main road is the Ring Road (Highway 1).  Most roads in Iceland are in excellent condition and can safely be driven on with a regular sedan.  Please be advised that several roads will be closed in winter.  Some roads are compacted dirt roads and even those can typically be driven on with a regular sedan.  After heavy rain and when the roads are snow and ice covered, these roads can however be very dangerous as there are usually no side rails that protect a sliding car from falling hundreds of feet.  Be advised that F-roads are usually not suitable for sedans and may require high-clearance 4-wheel-drive cars.  This guide will mention some F-roads that we successfully navigated with a regular sedan in good weather.  PLEASE be careful.  There is typically no cell phone signal in rural areas and other people may be hours or days away.
• Gas stations: Gas stations in Iceland can be far in-between and chances are that you will run out of gas if you don’t pay attention to your gas gauge or don’t gas up frequently enough.
• If you come from the US, then the color of the pump handles may confuse you: in Iceland, green is for gasoline and black is for diesel.
• Gas stations have limited opening hours.  When a gas station is open, then you can pay inside with cash, an ATM card and PIN or by credit card.  At most gas stations you can also pay at the pump.  In some rural areas, you may not be able to pay at the pump and if you come after hours then you may be out of luck and if you have no gas left then you may need to wait until the gas station opens the next day.  So, make sure that you always have enough gas in your tank.
• Gas stations that allow you to pay at the pump have 2 payment options: 1. ATM card with your 4-digit PIN number or 2. Credit card with a PIN number.  Be advised that most credit cards in the US do not come with a PIN number by default.  So, make sure to get one well in advance before you travel and don’t forget it or pay with you ATM card and PIN.  If you pay an attendant inside the gas station, then you will not need a PIN if you use a credit card.
• There is virtually no cell phone signal outside of the cities, so make sure to download road maps to your favorite GPS system.
• Especially when you travel outside summer or after heavy rain, you may want to check road conditions on this website.

Accommodation in Iceland

• Hotels: Unless you book a luxury hotel room, hotels in Iceland often provide fairly rustic accommodation.  You will find a clean room with one or more beds, a bathroom and typically a TV.  Desks and chairs are not always provided.  Microwaves and refrigerators can rarely be found.  Especially in rural areas, chances are that your hotel has a small above ground outdoor pool, which may only be 10ft in diameter.
• Hotel availability: Hotels are plentiful in Reykjavik and in Keflavik near the international airport, but once you leave this metropolitan area, hotels get scarce and chances are that every last room will be booked in the high season in summer if you have not booked months in advance.
• Hotel prices: Despite their rustic appearance, hotels in Iceland are expensive and you should not be surprised to pay upwards aft US$200 per night.
• Daylight: You get 20-21h of sunlight per day from June to August and it never gets completely dark.  Even at 2am, you can still comfortably walk outside or even read a book without extra light.  If you are a light sleeper, don’t worry.  All Icelandic hotels we have been to had black-out curtains.

Rental cars in Iceland

• Rental car prices: Rental cars are expensive and you can expect to pay 3 times or more than in the US.  Prices skyrocket in summer, so book your car months in advance.  Our US$3,000 rental car that we booked months in advance would have been upwards of $10,000 about a week before our trip in the high season summer.

• Rental car counters at the airport: Most rental car agencies are serviced by a rental car shuttle that departs of the airport’s flight arrivals hall – (1) in the picture below.  There is good signage and this pickup site is easy to find.  The signage tells you exactly which rental; car agencies use this bus stop.  Some smaller rental car agencies like Dollar, Thrifty, Ace and others are not using this bus stop and they are not listed on the signs.  This fact is not well known be airport personnel and 2 out of 3 airport employees we asked gave us wrong directions and the 3rd person was only half right.  So, here is what you need to do: go towards the check-in area of the airport.  There you will see a large red-orange Meeting Point sign.  From here, exit the airport through the nearest doors and go directly to the road.  There is no sign or anything, but this is exactly where your rental car shuttle will arrive – location (2) in the picture below.  In our case, it did not come and I had to call them – luckily I had an international cell phone plan and their telephone number.  So, be prepared.

• Be advised that gas stations have limited opening hours and that you need a PIN to pay at the pump when you use a credit card.  For more information see the “Driving in Iceland” tips above.

Flora and Fauna of Iceland

• Iceland has no mosquitoes.  There are, however, small biting flies for some years now that can be repelled with DEET (mosquito repellant)
• The only native land mammal is the Arctic fox
• Many other mammals have developed from imported animals from other parts of the world.  Among them are the sturdy Icelandic horse and Icelandic sheep.  Iceland also has a sizeable reindeer population.
• The waters around Iceland are rich in fish, which make fishing industry a major part of the country’s economy
• Iceland is especially known for the colorful Atlantic puffins, but skuas, and black-legged kittiwakes are important nesting birds too
• Iceland has vast grasslands and the northern birch, which is native to Iceland, is the most common tree.  When Iceland was settled more than 1,000 years ago, about 30% of the land was forested.  Human settlement and an almost complete deforestation led to erosion of the thin volcanic soil.  Today, there are only few original forests left and they only cover a small fraction of the former forests.  Some tree planting was done, but that has introduced non-native trees to Iceland.

Best Time To Visit Iceland

Iceland’s Weather from JUNE - AUGUST

Summer is the warmest and most expensive time of the year - I said warm as in mid-50F or 10-13°C and most expensive as in prices going through the roof.  You get 20-21h of sunlight per day and it never gets dark.  This is also the best time of year to go whale watching.  Puffin viewing season ends in mid-August.  June is the month of the midnight sun with the longest day being on June 21.  July and August are the best times for e.g. scuba diving in Þingvellir or hiking around the country.

Iceland’s Weather from SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

Shoulder season with lower hotel rates and temperatures in the mid- 30s to low 50s (2-11°C).  The fall colors make September especially colorful and the rain is not too bad yet.

Iceland’s Weather from NOVEMBER - MARCH

Temperatures will be in the mid-20s to lower 30s (-10°C to 8°C) and this is also the time of the year with the most precipitation.  If the sky is clear, then now is your best chance to see the Aurora Borealis.  Now is also the time for glacier hiking and ice caving, but keep in mind that many roads outside the cities are closed.  December and January only have about 4-5h of sunlight.  In December you will see Reykjavik light up for Christmas and Santas are scattered throughout town.

Iceland’s Weather from APRIL - MAY

Shoulder season.  The snow is melting and giving rise to green landscapes.  The days are getting longer and the temperatures are going up.  Puffin viewing season starts in late April.  April is also the start of the whale watching season.

Best Time To Visit Iceland’s Golden Circle

May through October is the best time to self-drive the Golden Circle.  With the weather being at its best in July and August; this will also be the busiest time.

Best Time To Visit The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

The best time is in winter as you have the largest temperature contrast.  The Blue Lagoon is busiest from May - September.

The Climate of Iceland

Iceland's coast has a subarctic climate.  It is warmer than other many other places with a similar latitude, because of the comparably warm North Atlantic current, which ensures that Iceland's coasts typically remain ice-free in winter.

The Northern coastal areas of Iceland is colder, dryer and less windy than the Southern part of the island, but there is more snowfall in the north in winter.  The coldest part of the country are the Central Highlands.

The record for the highest air temperature stands at 86.9F (30.5°C) and the lowest recorded temperature is -36.4F (-38°C).

The climate of Reykjavik

The climate of Akureyri

The climate of Reykjahlíð

The climate of Seyðisfjörður

The climate of Höfn

The climate of Vik (Vík í Mýrdal)

Two Week Itinerary for Iceland

Iceland is a beautiful and rugged country.  It can easily be toured in 2 weeks.  If you only have 1 or two days then I propose to either do the self-guided walking tour of Reykjavik or explore the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes Peninsula.  If you have one week, then you may need to decide between Northern or Southern Iceland.  Should you have two or more weeks, congratulations, you can explore Iceland’s highlights.  Use the itinerary below and modify it as you see fit.

Highlights of Iceland’s regions

The following lists contain links to the best things to see and do in the different regions in Iceland.

What are the Best Attractions for a Self-Guided Tour of Reykjavik in Iceland?

• Grotta Lighthouse
• Aurora Museum
• Reykjavik Maritime Museum
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
• Adalstraeti
• Austurvollur Square with the statue of Jon Sigurdsson
• Althingi Parliament House
• Domkirkjan (City Cathedral)
• Hotel Borg
• Tjörnin
• Reykjavik City Hall (Ráðhús)
• National Gallery of Iceland
• Hallgrímskirkja
• Perlan
• Nauthólsvík Beach
• Höfði House
• Laugardalslaug

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Reykjavik/

What are the best Attractions for a Self-Guided Tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland?

• Bridge Between Continents
• Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
• Reykjanes Lighthouse - Reykjanesviti
• Valahnúkamöl
• Brimketill lava rock pool
• Blue Lagoon
• Presidential Residence at Bessastaðir
• Fjörukráin – Viking Village

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Reykjanes/

What are the best Attractions for a Self-Guided Golden Circle Tour in Iceland?

• Thingvellir National Park
• Lake Þingvallavatn
• The Great Geysir and Strokkur
• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Skálholt Medieval Church - Skálholt Cathedral - Skálholtskirkja
• Kerid Crater (Kerið)
• Hellisheiði Power Station (HGPS)
• Raufarhólshellir Lava Tube
• Fjoerbordid Seafood Restaurant

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Golden-Circle/

What are the best Attractions for a self-guided Diamond Circle tour in Iceland?

Day 1: First part of the Diamond Circle

• Goðafoss waterfall
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
• Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
• Skútaís Farm Ice Cream

Day 2: Exploring Lake Mývatn and second part of the Diamond Circle

• Visit Grjótagjá Cave and thermal pool that was shown on Games of Thrones
• Climb up Hverfell crater
• Explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Hike up Vindbelgjarfjall
• Swim at the Mývatn Nature Baths

Day 3: Part 3 of the Diamond Circle Tour

• Hverir
• Leirhnjúkur Lava Field
• Viti Crater at Krafla
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss

Day 4: Part 4 of the Diamond Circle and Eastern Iceland

• Exploring Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Húsavík

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Iceland-Ring-Road-Day-4/

What are the best Attractions for a Self-Guided Tour of Iceland’s Ring Road?

Day 1: Drive to Skagafjordur (Skagafjörður)

• Icelandic Seal Center - Selasetur Íslands

Day 2: Skagafjordur (Skagafjörður) to Akureyri

• Staðarbjörg Basalt Columns
• Icelandic Emigration Center - Vesturfararsetrið
• Herring Era Museum - Síldarminjasafn Íslands
• Icelandic Folk Music Museum – Þjóðlagasetur
• Hot River

Day 3: Exploring Akureyri

• Outsider Art Museum – Safnasafnið
• Christmas House - Jólagarðurinn
• Horse riding at Skjaldarvík Guest House
• Akureyri Art Museum - Listasafnið á Akureyri
• Akureyri Church - Akureyrarkirkja
• Explore downtown Akureyri
• Akureyri Thermal Pool - Sundlaug Akureyrar

Day 4: First part of the Diamond Circle

• Goðafoss waterfall
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
• Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
• Skútaís Farm Ice Cream

Day 5: Exploring Lake Mývatn and second part of the Diamond Circle

• Visit Grjótagjá Cave and thermal pool that was shown on Games of Thrones
• Climb up Hverfell crater
• Explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Hike up Vindbelgjarfjall
• Swim at the Mývatn Nature Baths

Day 6: Part 3 of the Diamond Circle

• Hverir
• Leirhnjúkur Lava Field
• Viti Crater at Krafla
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss

Day 7: Part 4 of the Diamond Circle and Eastern Iceland

• Exploring Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Húsavík

Day 8: Visiting one of the best Canyons in Iceland: Stuðlagil Canyon

• Stuðlagil Canyon
• Eggin í Gleðivík
• Ferry to Papey Island

Day 9: Exploring south Iceland

• Jökulsárlón
• Diamond Beach
• Fjallsárlón
• Vatnajökull National Park at Skaftafell
• Scenic Green Lava Walk
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon that was shown in the Justin Bieber “I'll Show You” video

Day 10: The last day of exploring Iceland

• Reynisfjara Beach with Hálsanefshellir Cave
• Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
• Skógar Museum
• Skógafoss waterfall

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are the best things to see in Northern Iceland?

• Self-guided Diamond Circle tour
• Self-Guided Tour of Iceland’s Ring Road
• Icelandic Seal Center - Selasetur Íslands
• Staðarbjörg Basalt Columns
• Icelandic Emigration Center - Vesturfararsetrið
• Herring Era Museum - Síldarminjasafn Íslands
• Icelandic Folk Music Museum – Þjóðlagasetur
• Outsider Art Museum – Safnasafnið
• Christmas House - Jólagarðurinn
• Horse riding at Skjaldarvík Guest House
• Akureyri Art Museum - Listasafnið á Akureyri
• Akureyri Church - Akureyrarkirkja
• Explore downtown Akureyri
• Akureyri Thermal Pool - Sundlaug Akureyrar
• Goðafoss waterfall
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
• Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
• Visit Grjótagjá Cave and thermal pool that was shown on Games of Thrones
• Climb up Hverfell crater
• Explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Hike up Vindbelgjarfjall
• Swim at the Mývatn Nature Baths
• Hverir
• Leirhnjúkur Lava Field
• Viti Crater at Krafla
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss
• Exploring Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Húsavík
• Stuðlagil Canyon

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are the best things to see in Akureyri in Iceland?

• Outsider Art Museum – Safnasafnið
• Christmas House - Jólagarðurinn
• Horse riding at Skjaldarvík Guest House
• Akureyri Art Museum - Listasafnið á Akureyri
• Akureyri Church - Akureyrarkirkja
• Explore downtown Akureyri
• Akureyri Thermal Pool - Sundlaug Akureyrar
• Goðafoss waterfall
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are the best things to see near Lake Myvatn in Iceland?

• Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
• Skútaís Farm Ice Cream
• Visit Grjótagjá Cave and thermal pool that was shown on Games of Thrones
• Climb up Hverfell crater
• Explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Hike up Vindbelgjarfjall
• Swim at the Mývatn Nature Baths
• Hverir
• Leirhnjúkur Lava Field
• Viti Crater at Krafla
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are some of the best thermal pools in Iceland?

• Blue Lagoon
• Laugardalslaug
• Nauthólsvík Beach
• Akureyri Thermal Pool - Sundlaug Akureyrar
• Visit Grjótagjá Cave and thermal pool that was shown on Games of Thrones
• Swim at the Mývatn Nature Baths

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

Where is the best iceberg watching and touching in Iceland?

• Jökulsárlón
• Diamond Beach
• Fjallsárlón

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are some of the best black sand beaches in Iceland?

• Diamond Beach
• Reynisfjara Beach with Hálsanefshellir Cave

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are the best waterfalls in Iceland?

• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Goðafoss waterfall
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss
• Vatnajökull National Park at Skaftafell

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

Where are some of the best basalt columns in Iceland?

• Staðarbjörg Basalt Columns
• Aldeyjarfoss waterfall
• Stuðlagil Canyon
• Hálsanefshellir Cave
• Skógafoss waterfall

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are some of the best canyons in Iceland without major waterfalls?

• Exploring Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Stuðlagil Canyon
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon that was shown in the Justin Bieber “I'll Show You” video

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are the best things to see in Southern Iceland?

• Jökulsárlón
• Diamond Beach
• Fjallsárlón
• Vatnajökull National Park at Skaftafell
• Scenic Green Lava Walk
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon that was shown in the Justin Bieber “I'll Show You” video
• Reynisfjara Beach with Hálsanefshellir Cave
• Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
• Skógar Museum
• Skógafoss waterfall

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are some good volcanoes, and lava fields and geothermal areas in Iceland?

• Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
• The Great Geysir and Strokkur
• Kerid Crater (Kerið)
• Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
• Climb up Hverfell crater
• Explore the lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Hike up Vindbelgjarfjall
• Hverir
• Leirhnjúkur Lava Field
• Viti Crater at Krafla

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

What are some worthwhile museums in Iceland?

• Aurora Museum
• Reykjavik Maritime Museum
• National Gallery of Iceland
• Icelandic Seal Center - Selasetur Íslands
• Icelandic Emigration Center - Vesturfararsetrið
• Herring Era Museum - Síldarminjasafn Íslands
• Icelandic Folk Music Museum – Þjóðlagasetur
• Outsider Art Museum – Safnasafnið
• Akureyri Art Museum - Listasafnið á Akureyri
• Skógar Museum

More information can be found here: https://backpackandsnorkel.com/Ring-Road/

Here is more information about Iceland:

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