Want to Visit Northern Europe

Iceland

Duration 10 days Cost ~EUR 4,500 for two Season June-August (midnight sun), September-March (northern lights) Currency ISK (Icelandic Krona) USD 1 USD = 133 ISK Lang Icelandic

“Better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a sheep.”

— Icelandic Proverb

A volcanic island of extremes — glaciers next to volcanoes, geysers erupting from frozen ground, waterfalls at the edge of the world, and black sand beaches battered by the North Atlantic.

Why I Want to Visit

Iceland challenges everything about landscapes. Walk between tectonic plates, soak in geothermal springs, drive behind waterfalls, and watch icebergs calve from glaciers — all in one week. The Ring Road is one of the world’s greatest road trips, plus reliable northern lights viewing.

Planned Itinerary

Ten days for a full Ring Road circuit:

Reykjavik (2 days) - Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss)
South Coast (2 days) - Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Vik black sand beach, Reynisfjara sea stacks
Vatnajokull and Jokulsarlon (2 days) - Europe’s largest glacier, Diamond Beach, glacier hiking
East Fjords and North (2 days) - Fishing villages, Dettifoss, Myvatn geothermal area
Snaefellsnes Peninsula (2 days) - Kirkjufell mountain, coastal hikes, lava tube caves

What I’m Most Excited About

South Coast waterfalls appearing one after another
Walking on Vatnajokull glacier to see ancient blue ice
Natural hot spring under the northern lights
Crystal-clear glacier ice washing up on Diamond Beach

Where to Eat

Grillid (Reykjavik) — Top-floor fine dining with panoramic city views. ~ISK 10,000-18,000. 📍 Maps
Messinn (Reykjavik) — Beloved seafood spot on Laugavegur. ~ISK 3,000-5,500. 📍 Maps
Saegreifinn (The Sea Baron) (Reykjavik) — Legendary tiny harbour shack. ~ISK 2,500-4,500. 📍 Maps
Tjoruhusid (Isafjordur) — Rustic Westfjords fish house in a timber warehouse. ~ISK 5,000-7,000. 📍 Maps
Pakkhus (Hofn) — Waterfront restaurant in Iceland’s lobster capital. ~ISK 5,500-9,000. 📍 Maps

Where to Stay

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik ★★★★ (Reykjavik) — Stylish hotel on Laugavegur shopping street with Icelandic-inspired design. ~ISK 38,000/night. Book
Kex Hostel ★★★ (Reykjavik) — Trendy former biscuit factory with lounge. ~ISK 8,000/night. Book
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon ★★★★ (Hnappavellir) — Modern hotel between Skaftafell. ~ISK 32,000/night. Book
Hotel Ranga ★★★★ (Hella) — Countryside luxury lodge with own observatory for northern lights. ~ISK 45,000/night. Book

Tours & Excursions

Golden Circle Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik — Thingvellir tectonic plates. 8h, ~ISK 9,500. Book
Northern Lights Hunt by Bus from Reykjavik — Aurora chase into the countryside with expert guides. 4h, ~ISK 7,500. Book
Glacier Hiking on Solheimajokull — Crampon hike across ice formations. 3h, ~ISK 12,000. Book
Blue Lagoon Comfort Entry with Transfer — Geothermal soak with silica mud masks. 4h, ~ISK 12,500. Book
Husavik Whale Watching Tour — Humpbacks, minke whales, and dolphins in Skjalfandi Bay. 3h, ~ISK 11,000. Book