How to Navigate Iceland in Just 5 Days

Of all the placed I've been to date, Iceland has become one of my favorites. I was amazed at the vast changes in landscape over such a short span of space. There are many times during the year to travel to Iceland and each change of season offers its own perspective and perks. I travelled in the summer and found massive benefits for going at this time of year. If you desire to see the whole island in a short period of time, then I would posit that going during the summer is best and the main reasons have to do with warmer weather, clearer roads, and 24 hours of daylight. So, here are some tips to ensure you can see it all in 5 days!

1) Pick the right path for you

There are a couple different well known paths which you can choose to take. Many sites and travel agencies suggest to pick one and stick to it. We received guidance from Iceland Travel and were happy with the services they provided. However, they suggested we take at least three days to complete the Golden Circle and we were able to drive the whole thing, while taking our sweet time and stopping lots in a day. Granted, you have to take into account the time of year you’ve decided to travel. Because we visited in the summer we were able to accomplish a lot more in a day than if we had gone in the winter. In my opinion, with the longer days and the right vehicle you’ll be able to see the whole island within in a week.

2) Rent a 4x4 and road trip it at your own pace

This was our one big mistake when planning our trip. We knew tourism has been growing rapidly in Iceland but we were unaware of just how behind the infrastructure still is in many parts of the country. In many cases the highways are still dirt or gravel roads and on many roads it is actually illegal to continue with a sedan. The roads leading to the north of the country all meet a low standard and can only be reached with a 4x4 vehicle.

3) Sleep in a different place every night

Having a car makes lugging your stuff from place to place a good bit easier than if you are traveling by public transport. The benefits of changing the place you decide to lay your head each night are great. You’ll be able to see more of the country without having to back track each evening and recover the same ground every morning.

4) Refresh each night at the natural spas

There are a plethora of sweet little bed and breakfasts all over the country which all offer natural spa facilities. We had a great time lounging in a hot tub or slipping into a big hotel robe and refreshing in the natural saunas after a long day of driving. Many of the facilities offer 24 hour use which means no matter what time you arrive you can still unwind before the adventures of the next day. This is a part of the Icelandic culture and an experience you will not want to miss!

5) Have several different methods of navigation available

Don’t rely solely on your mobile phone to lead the way. Just like the roads, we found reception to be spotty at best. We even struggled with the navigation system in places. We found our friend, the trusty paper map, to be the best form of navigation. Therefore, my advice would be to make sure you cover all your bases. However, that being said, sometimes the best treasures are found when you let yourself get a little lost!

6) Take a guide book with you

Our guide book was our best friend throughout the trip. Now, normally I would tell you to leave the guide book at home; but in this case it was good we didn’t. I mentioned earlier that cell service should not be relied on, so having the book to read and blot as you go is very helpful. We’d map out all the places along the route we planned to take the next day to ensure all our time was maximized and in the end we got to see almost all the island.

So, there you have it. My guide to ensuring you make the most of your time in Iceland. The country is one of the most majestic places I’ve ever been and you’re sure to enjoy it no matter what road you end up on!

And I want to hear your experiences and stories as well. Drop me a note and tell me what you think the best tip to traveling Iceland (or any other place) might be.

#Travel #Iceland #Budget #ThisSouthernGirl #4x4