Stunning views, hopping puffins, and water features galore!

For our quick visit to beautiful Iceland, we chose to see the sights by Campervan! Below is our 5 day itinerary on the Ring Road, focused on the southern part of Iceland. Even if you choose to stay at a hotel or bnb rather than camp, follow the below itinerary for endless views and adventures!

FOOD

Sweet Hraun chocolate wafers, silky skyr and crunchy muesli, local hot dogs, energizing camping snacks

FUN

Chasing waterfalls. Perching with puffins. Galivanting on glaciers. Soaking in hot springs.

TRAVEL

South Ring Road

DAY 1

After a quick overnight flight from the East Coast, we landed early in the morning and are ready to jump right into exploring!

WHAT WE DID

Blue Lagoon - a perfect way to start the trip! A chance to relax and shower after the flight. Our price of admission included a drink and two facial masks.

Soaking in the Blue Lagoon (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

Golden Circle - a gorgeous loop with so many sights. While there was much more to see, we had time for:
- Thingvellir National Park - a National Park sitting on the Atlantic Ocean ridge where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. We parked at the lot closest to the plates and did a short hike up the hill to see the stunning view. Next time we visit, we’d love to come back to snorkel or scuba dive between the tectonic plates!
- Bruarfoss - a short hike out to the most vibrantly blue waterfall I’ve ever seen.
- Strokkur Geysir - the second geothermal experience of the day (after the Blue Lagoon). Patiently wait 5-10 minutes for a spectacular eruption.
- Gullfoss - don your rain jacket and pants and take a short hike down to the edge of the falls for an amazing view of the thundering falls surrounded by the canyon.

Views of Gullfoss (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

WHERE WE CAMPED

https://tjalda.is/en/hella-gaddstadaflatir/

Nothing extravagant but only a 30 minute drive away from the ferry the next morning
Includes: bathroom, cooking facilities
As of May 2025, cost was ~$19pp

DAY 2

WHAT WE DID

Take the ferry out to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) to see puffins!

We took an early morning ferry to have the whole day on the island. We considered leaving the van behind but ended up happy to have it with us. We were able to see more by driving between spots, even if the ferry ticket cost a little more.
Stórhöfði lookout - Puffins!! We walked to the cliffside and sat in the grass for a long time, just watchin the puffins hop around or dive into the water for a snack.
Heimaklettur hike - although short in distance (~2 miles round trip), this hike takes you up ladders to the ridge. Say hi to the sheep on the way up and soak in the beautiful views in all directions.

Ladders to start the Heimaklettur hike (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

Urðaviti Lighthouse - perfect spot to park and have lunch.

Helgafell hike - it’s sister volcano, Eldfell is more popular and right across the street. We chose to take the trail less traveled and ventured up Helgafell instead. Again, beautiful views everywhere!
Beluga Whale Sanctuary - although a small museum, admission goes to a great cause. It was fun to learn about the rescue efforts and say hi to two adorable Belugas!

Note: If you visit in September and stay the night on the island, you can take part in Puffin Patrol! Locals walk the city at night to rescue pufflings (baby puffins) who were confused by the city lights. After a check-up by the local experts, you can help release them back to their families in a rather unexpected way - by tossing them over the cliff! We will be back to partake!

Lupine and Helgafell (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

WHERE WE CAMPED

https://svinafell.com/

Close to the glacier for our trek the next morning
Includes: showers, bathroom, cooking facilities, mountain / glacial views
As of May 2025, cost was ~$18pp

On the glacier! (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

DAY 3

WHAT WE DID

Glacier Trek - we booked through Tröll Expeditions and had an amazing time! They provide all the gear you need and transportation to the glacier itself from the office. We booked the three hour tour and loved every minute. Our group was small so we had the opportunity to cover a lot of glacial ground. Definitely take part in the “Viking Baptism” (aka doing a pushup down to drink the glacier water) and fill up your water bottle (where the guide does). This might be the best water we’ve ever had - so clean and fresh.

“Viking Baptism” on the glacier (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

Diamond Beach - a bit further down the road is a beautiful black sand beach scattered with small icebergs which have been washed up.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - across the road from Diamond Beach is an amazing glacial lagoon with deep blue water and awe of watching small icebergs flip and float their way down the lagoon.

This was our turn around point to head back towards Reykjavik. We wish we had the time to continue around the rest of the Ring Road but we’ll have to come back!

Dverghamrar - a quick roadside stop to see hexagonal columns of volcanic rock, rumored to be home to dwarfs.
Fjaðrárgljúfur - a 2 mile (round trip) hike along the ridge of a gorgeous, moss-covered canyon, with walls plunging deep into blue water.
Skogafoss- our favorite camping spot, right underneath this amazing waterfall! Because the sun never truly set, we took advantage of that. We set up camp, ate dinner, and let the crowds leave. Then we had the waterfall almost to ourselves! Soak up the spray at the bottom before using the hike to the top to dry off.

Snack time at Fjaðrárgljúfur (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

WHERE WE CAMPED

https://tjalda.is/en/skogafoss/

The most amazing place to camp!! Right under the falls.
Includes: views of the falls, bathroom, shower (extra, must pay with coins)
Cost: ~$17pp

Camping views at Skogafoss (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

Seljalandsfoss (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

DAY 4

WHAT WE DID

Horseback ride on black sand beach in Vik - we had booked a tour with Vik Horse Adventure but woke up to terribly windy and rainy weather. Although the ride was cancelled, we were able to visit the barn to say hi to the fuzzy Icelandic horses. We’ll be back to ride next time!
Vik -

Skool Beans - a micro cafe inside an old bus! Treat yourself to a delicious hot chocolate or coffee, especially if your day started as windy and rainy as ours did.
Reynisfjara Beach - dramatic black sand beach. Because of the storm, it wasn’t safe to go down to the beach. But we loved the view from the top so imagine what it would be down below! If you do go down, be aware of its dangerous sneaker waves.
Vik i Myrdal Church - picturesque church surrounded by mountains, beach, and lupine.

Seljavallalaug Hot Springs - after a short ½ mile hike, you’ll come across a geothermal pool. There is no admission fee so put on your swimsuit in one of the little changing rooms and go for a soak! The water wasn’t hot per say, more of a warm pool. Beware of the algae on the bottom of the pool.

Seljavallalaug Hot Springs (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

Seljalandsfoss - spectacular waterfall with a path to walk behind. Definitely wear your raincoat and pants!

Gljufrabui - down the path from Seljalandsfoss, sneak through the cave walls to find this “hidden” waterfall.

Reykjadalur Hot Springs - to end the day, hike 2.5 miles out to this thermal river. We found a spot with temperature to our liking, shared a beer and a snack while we watched the sheep on the hillside.

Reykjadalur Hot Springs (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

WHERE WE CAMPED

https://tjalda.is/hveragerdi/

Reserve ahead
Includes: bathroom, showers, laundry (extra)
Cost: ~$18pp

DAY 5

Head into Reykajvik! What to do? Check out this post!

WHAT WE ATE

Breakfast:

Skyr + muesli
Kleinur (Icelandic donuts)

Lunch:

Rúgbrauð (Icelandic rye bread) with premade “salads”: tuna, potato, egg

Dinner:

Salmon, frozen veggies, mashed potatoes
Premade lamb stew, bread
Hot dogs topped with ketchup and crispy onions
“Chili” - pasta with beans, crushed tomatoes, and seasoning

We brought a small bag of chili seasoning from home

Snacks

Hraun bars - the best chocolate wafers

LOGISTICS

CAMPERVAN

We rented the GO SMART Automatic Camper from GO Campers. It was the perfect size for the two of us.

Included in the van:

Storage under the bed (we both packed medium sized duffel bags rather than suitcases but had plenty of room)
Convertible bed (the slats and mattresses could be stacked during the day to make extra space)
Cooking supplies (camping stove, cutlery, dinnerware, pot, pan, cooking utensils)
Electronic cooler
Heating system
Unlimited mileage
Airport shuttle
Basic insurance

We added on:

“Couples bundle” - included sheets, duvet, pillow, gas canisters, towels, chairs, and a table. Worth the additional cost so we didn’t have to bring any of this with us!
Wifi - portable wifi. Worth the additional cost. We carried it all over with us - saving us from having to pay for an international cell plan!
Additional insurance - the Basic insurance package covered almost everything, we added on gravel insurance. The winds in Iceland can get crazy so it gave us peace of mind in case gravel started flying our way.

Other things to note:

We chose not to get a 4WD camper - therefore, driving on the F-roads (highland roads leading to remote areas) was not allowed. While the highlands look stunning, we had plenty to see already.
Like mentioned above, the winds can be crazy strong! When you get out of the camper, be sure to hold tight to the door. We heard stories about doors being torn off - talk about vacation ruiner…
Camping is only allowed at designated campgrounds.
The Guide to Iceland and GO Campers (as well as any other van rental site) websites were extremely helpful in planning - full of tips, suggestions, and important information for your trip.

A peek inside the van (HappyFoodFunTravel©2025)

GROCERIES

We shopped on the first day at Bonus, the grocery store with the big pink pig! There was a great variety of snacks, premade meals (stews, sandwiches, tuna salad, etc). Purchase a reusable bag for an adorable souvenir!
If you wish to purchase alcohol for your adventures, do so when you arrive at Duty Free when you arrive at the Keflavík (KEF) airport! It’s much cheaper than the stores outside of the airport.

WATER

The drinking water in Iceland is completely safe - bring your reusable water bottle and refill from taps along the way!

DRIVING TIPS

Stay well within the speed limit as speed is monitored by camera. We heard horror stories of people surprised with speeding tickets at the end of their visit.
Remember the van is much taller than a normal car - take the turns a bit slower and be aware of the wind.