14 Days Around Iceland in a Campervan: Epic Views, Hot Tubs, and Zero Regrets
If you're thinking about discovering Iceland in a campervan, you're definitely in the right place!
Road-tripping through Iceland is basically the only way to experience this majestic rock properly without mortgaging your kidneys.
Ready? Let's start planning now (or do what we all do: scroll aimlessly and then panic-pack at the last minute... but we don't recommend that!)
Map For Your 2 Weeks On The Road
First Things First: Rent Your Sexy KuKu Campervan
Let’s be honest: if you’re not doing this in a campervan, are you even doing it?
Motorhomes are cute and all, but a KuKu camper is cheaper, cooler, and comes with more character than your average travel influencer.
So stop hesitating – rent your van, pick your playlist, and prepare to feel superior to anyone stuck on a tour bus.
Day 1 – Golden Circle Chaos Begins
You’ve got the keys, the snacks, and the very real fear of driving on gravel.
Time to hit the road and start strong with a classic: Þingvellir National Park. This place is a UNESCO site, a geological mind-bender, and home to the slow-motion breakup of two tectonic plates. Romantic, right?
Yes, you can literally walk between the Eurasian and North American plates – just don’t try to push them back together. It won’t work.
You’ll also get some dramatic photos and at least one moment where someone says “wow” unironically.
Next up is Kerið crater lake: A punch-in-the-face colorful pit of aquamarine water and iron-rich red slopes. It looks like a Photoshop fail, but it's real and it’s glorious.
Wrap up the day at Geysir and Strokkur in the Haukadalur geothermal area, where boiling water blasts into the sky every few minutes. It’s nature’s way of saying, “yes, I still got it.”
🛻 Where to Camp: Skjól Campground – just 3.5 km from Geysir, with showers, sinks, a water hose, and (plot twist) a pizza restaurant. Because cooking after a full day of geological awe is cute in theory… but pizza always wins.
Day 2 – Waterfalls, Hot Water, and Viking Ruins (Because Why Not All Three)
Time to finish the Golden Circle like the glorious, van-powered legend you are.
First up: Gullfoss, also known as The Golden Waterfall. It's five minutes from last night’s campsite, which means you can technically still be half-asleep and make it there on time. Ideal.
Once you’ve stared into the misty abyss and taken 47 blurry photos, it’s time to reward yourself. We’re talking hot spring time.
Head to the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool and KuKu-approved steamy chill zone. Built in 1891, it’s got natural vibes, geysers bubbling nearby, and, most importantly, a KuKu discount. We don’t make the rules, we just make them better.
After you’ve soaked like a happy raisin, get back on the road and aim for Hjálparfoss. This underrated double waterfall is a perfect spot for a picnic – or just for pretending you're in a shampoo commercial.
Feeling cultured? Good. Let’s take a history detour to Stöng, a reconstructed Viking-era farmhouse with a church. It’s the ideal stop for archaeology nerds, or anyone who just really wants to see where people used to sleep without central heating.
🚐 Got a 4x4 camper? Congrats, you’re now qualified to drive into fairyland: Gjáin awaits. The road from Stöng to Gjáin is rough, so if you’re in a regular van, you’ll need to park and hike the 1.5 km trail. No dragons, but plenty of waterfalls and moss.
If you’re still feeling wild and have a 4x4, keep going to Háifoss – Iceland’s third tallest waterfall. It’s dramatic, it’s huge, it’s Insta bait.
No 4x4? No problem. Park at Gljásteinn Hólaskógur Hostel and enjoy a breezy 5.7 km hike that takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes (unless you stop every 5 seconds to yell “wow”).
🛻 Where to Camp:
Árnes Camping, about 50 minutes from Háifoss, offers showers, sinks, and a covered picnic area so you can eat your canned soup like royalty.
Read on!
Day 3 – Rainbow Mountains, Lava Fields and Wet Selfies
This is your “don’t sleep in” day.
Trust us, the drive to Landmannalaugar takes two hours and you’ll want every minute once you get there. It’s only accessible with a 4x4 camper, so if you don’t have one, skip ahead and shed a tear for what could’ve been.
In Landmannalaugar, you’ll find rainbow mountains, lava fields and the general feeling that you’ve left Earth. Strap on your boots, stuff a sandwich in your pocket, and start climbing Mt. Bláhnjúkur (which means “blue mountain”, because Icelandic names don’t mess around).
The hike to the top takes 1 to 2 hours depending on your cardio (and how many dramatic photo breaks you need). The view from the top is a multicolored fever dream – volcanic reds, oranges, yellows, and "wait, is that a glacier?" whites.
Don’t go back the same way. Make it a loop. Hike down the other side into the Laugahraun lava field, cross a small river (hello cold feet), and follow the trail as it winds back toward the campground. Total hike time: about 4–5 hours. Total reward: off-the-charts bragging rights.
Now that your legs are noodles, it's time to roll back toward civilization – or at least, Seljalandsfoss. This beauty of a waterfall lets you walk behind it. Romantic? Sure. Soaking wet? Yes, of course, that, too. Bring waterproof gear or embrace the full-body splash zone.
Just a few steps away hides Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss’ shy little sister, hidden behind a cliff. You’ll need about 15 minutes to reach it, and yes – you're going into a cave. It’s dark, wet, echoey, and absolutely worth it.
🛻 Where to Camp: Skógar Campsite, right next to the famous Skógafoss waterfall. Imagine waking up, opening the van door, and being greeted by a roaring cascade of glory. Now imagine doing it with a coffee in hand and zero responsibilities. That’s the Skógar vibe.
Facilities include showers, restrooms, water, and a solid chance of making your friends back home jealous.
Day 4 – Black Sand, Big Waterfalls, and a Glacier You Can Walk On
Time to rise, shine, and stumble straight out of your camper to Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s loudest and most dramatic alarm clocks.
She’s 25 meters wide, drops 60 meters, and basically begs for a slow-mo hero walk. You can climb the staircase to see it from above, if your knees are feeling spicy this morning.
Next up: Kvernufoss, also known as "Skógafoss’ shy sibling" (we know, it's not the first time you hear this). Head behind the Skógar Museum, hop the steps over the fence (yes, legally), and follow the short trail.
You might have the place entirely to yourself, unless you count the moss.
Now, for a bit of ice. Sólheimajökull Glacier is your next mission – and no, you don’t have to be a pro mountaineer.
Book a guided glacier walk (psst… KuKu friends get discounts with Icelandic Mountain Guides, because we’re charming like that). Walking on a glacier is both cool and cold, and your social media will thank you.
Keep the wow-level high with Dyrhólaey, a cliffy promontory slash birdwatching paradise slash lighthouse lookout slash puffin VIP lounge.
Explore both the upper and lower areas (respect the signs), and soak in the black sand views of Iceland’s south coast. You’re officially in postcard territory.
Now roll into Reynisfjara Beach, aka the one with the crazy basalt columns and angry sea stacks.
It was named one of National Geographic’s top ten non-tropical beaches, which is a polite way of saying “you’ll freeze but you’ll love it.”
Do not go swimming unless you want to be personally introduced to the Atlantic current. It’s strong, sneaky, and has zero chill.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Þakgil Campground: A KuKu fan favorite tucked deep inside a lush green canyon. The facilities are clean and solid: restrooms, showers, a grill, and an outdoor dining area built into a freaking cave. Yes, you’re basically having dinner inside a Tolkien novel.
Day 5 – Þakgil: The Hike, The Views, The Solitude
Today is about one thing: hiking like a boss.
Þakgil is packed with trails that stretch between 12.5 and 13.5 km, with enough elevation gain to make you question your life choices around kilometer 4. But hey, pain builds character – and great calves.
If you're lucky enough to be here midweek, there's a good chance you won’t see another soul. Locals love this place, but they tend to show up on weekends. So enjoy the peace, the moss, the silence, and the occasional sheep judging your pace.
Trails here are raw, scenic, and feel wildly off-the-map. Bring snacks, water, and a healthy dose of smugness for choosing to spend your day in one of Iceland’s most underrated areas.
🛻 Where to Camp: You could stay another night at Þakgil Campground (and honestly, why wouldn’t you?). But if you're the type who likes a head start, cruise over to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and camp at Kirkjubær Campground, conveniently close to tomorrow’s main attraction: the tongue-twisting canyon of Fjaðrárgljúfur.
Day 6 – Canyons, Waterfalls and Iceberg Chunks
Up and at it! First stop: Fjaðrárgljúfur – a deep, narrow canyon shaped by meltwater tantrums at the end of the last Ice Age.
It’s also a sacred site for Beliebers, as it made a cameo in a Justin Bieber music video. We don’t judge, we just hike.
After you’ve contemplated nature’s greatness (and Bieber’s camera angles), it’s time to head to Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park. Drop by the visitor centre, nod knowingly at a trail map, then take Trail 2 to Svartifoss, the waterfall with the famous black basalt columns that inspired Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja.
Yes, that massive space-church thing. Art imitates lava.
Skaftafell is a hiker’s paradise with routes for everyone: lazy walkers, seasoned trekkers, and people who just want to say “yes, we did a hike” before eating a full bag of trail mix in the van.
Now it’s time to chill – literally. Head to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where giant chunks of ancient ice float like Titanic leftovers. If you’re lucky, you might spot a seal doing its best impression of a floating sausage.
Right across the road is Diamond Beach, where those same iceberg chunks wash up dramatically on jet-black sand. It’s like nature’s version of a luxury ad campaign, minus the overpriced watch.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Haukafell Campground: Smaller, quieter, and more low-key than the big touristy ones nearby. No showers, but hey, after the views you’ve had today, you’ll barely notice.
Just you, the forest, and probably a few midges that want to be friends.
Day 7 – Mountains, Hot Tubs, and Actual Jaw Drops
You’ve had waterfalls. You’ve had glaciers. Now it’s time for something truly iconic: Vestrahorn, aka the mountain that made half of Instagram cry.
Head to Stokksnes, a private peninsula where the views are ridiculous and the entrance fee is worth every króna. Go early. Catch the sunrise. Try not to propose to anyone on the spot.
Next, reward your freezing hands with a soak in Djúpavogskörin, a cozy little geothermal tub just outside Djúpivogur. It’s rustic, it’s scenic, and it's basically a spa if spas didn’t cost a small fortune and serve cucumber water.
Feeling warm? Great. Time to ruin that with some more waterfalls. First up: Fagradalsfoss, then Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest and rudest waterfalls (because it makes you hike uphill to reach it). Still, it’s worth the sweat for that lava-striped cliff face.
Now, buckle up – it’s mountain pass time. The road toward Seyðisfjörður might be one of the most beautiful in the country. Translation: you’ll be pulling over every five minutes to shout “ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!” even though the answer is obviously yes.
🚙 Got a 4x4 and it’s summer? Take the road up Bjólfur mountain for a bonus view over Seyðisfjörður that makes you feel like you’re scouting locations for a fantasy movie.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Seyðisfjörður Campground: Right in the middle of town, with restrooms, showers, a kitchen, camping sinks, and even a car wash. Yes, you can finally make your van look slightly less post-apocalyptic.
Day 8 – Art, Echoes, and Giant Boulders
Seyðisfjörður is small, artsy, and slightly surreal. If you didn’t wander it last night, do it now. Hit the rainbow road, the charming little church, and then go get weird with Tvísöngur, the “sound sculpture” that looks like someone built five concrete igloos and forgot to add doors.
Inside each dome, your voice echoes differently. Some people sing, others whisper, a few scream into the void. All are valid experiences.
Now that you’ve embraced your inner sound healer, it’s time for something more physically intense: the legendary Stórurð hike.
Translation: The Giant Boulders – because subtlety isn’t Iceland’s thing. You’ll walk through meadows, past surreal turquoise lakes, and eventually reach a spot that looks like the boulders from The Flintstones went on vacation.
We recommend starting the hike at the parking lot with the info booth and toilets (because, priorities). Grab a map, pack food, bring layers, and prepare to spend 6+ hours surrounded by scenery so beautiful it’s offensive.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Borgarfjörður Eystri Campground: Not far from the trailhead and fully equipped for post-hike zombies. You’ll find restrooms, showers, a washing machine, a dining room with tables, and cooking facilities. Collapse responsibly.
Day 9 – Exploding Water, Lava Fields and Steamy Baths
Today’s plan: waterfalls that yell, lava that still looks angry, and a hot soak to shut your brain off by sunset.
Start with a solid 3-hour drive to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and a serious contender for “Water Feature Most Likely to Punch You in the Face.” It’s massive, it’s loud, and it doesn’t care if your raincoat is waterproof (spoiler: it’s probably not).
Walk upstream for 20 minutes and you’ll hit Selfoss, Dettifoss’ more elegant cousin – smaller, but still dramatic enough to justify 45 new photos. Think of it as Iceland’s answer to a calm older sibling who’s still wildly impressive.
If you're still not over waterfalls, Hafragilsfoss is just 2 km away and rounds off this hydrological hat trick. It’s like nature really wanted to make sure you got soaked today.
Next stop: Krafla, a 10 km-wide caldera filled with geothermal madness. Highlights include Leirhnjúkur lava field, which looks like Mordor on a coffee break, and Víti crater, with its milky green lake like someone spilled paint inside a volcano.
Still in the mood for boiling things? Head to Námafjall, a geothermal field full of mud pots, fumaroles, and that unmistakable “rotten egg spa” scent. You’ll either love it or gag. No in-between.
Wrap up the chaos with some actual relaxation at the Mývatn Nature Baths – the slightly lesser-known, way less crowded (but still glorious) cousin of the Blue Lagoon. The view alone is worth it, and the water’s warm enough to forget all your life regrets.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Bjarg / Mývatn Campground, a grassy lakeside haven just minutes from the baths. Facilities include restrooms, showers, a cooking area, laundry, bike rentals, and a souvenir shop – because nothing says “I just bathed in sulfur” like buying a puffin magnet.
Day 10 – Caves, Lava Castles, and the City of the North
Ready for more geological weirdness? Of course you are.
Start the day at Grjótagjá, a magical cave full of clear thermal water that looks like you should swim in it... but don’t. It’s too hot, and you’ll come out looking like a boiled lobster.
Onward to Dimmuborgir, aka “Dark Cities” – a twisted playground of lava formations and volcanic caves that could easily double as a fantasy movie set. Take the Church Circle Trail (2.4 km of pure rock star moments) and admire Kirkja, the rock arch shaped like a church. Because obviously lava needed to make a cathedral.
Next? Goðafoss – the “Waterfall of the Gods.” It’s located right on the Ring Road, so unless you’re driving with your eyes closed, you can’t miss it. It’s powerful, symmetrical, and basically what happens when divine beings want to flex.
Now shift gears and cruise into Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city and the beating heart of the north.
Explore the town, visit the Akureyri Church (yes, another one), wander around Lystigarðurinn botanical garden (we dare you to pronounce it), and treat yourself to a scoop of Brynja ice cream. Rumor has it the recipe hasn’t changed since the dawn of time.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Hofsós Campground, your new happy place. It's chill, grassy, quiet, and just steps away from one of Iceland’s most famous swimming pools – the Hofsós infinity pool, which casually overlooks the fjord like it invented serenity.
Prefer to stay in Akureyri and eat like a grown-up? Good call. Book a table somewhere fancy and camp at Hamrar Kjarnaskógur Campground, just outside town. It’s clean, calm, and the perfect place to digest all that food and glory.
Day 11 – Infinity Pools, Seafood, Lava Fields and That Mountain Everyone Posts
Start the day strong by slipping into the Hofsós swimming pool, which casually pretends to be an infinity pool hanging over the ocean. It’s calm, scenic, and dramatic enough to make you question every other pool you’ve ever seen.
Once you’re dry(ish), hit the road toward Hvítserkur, a 15-meter-tall sea stack shaped like… well, people say a dragon, others say a troll, but let’s be honest: it kind of looks like a dinosaur doing a squat. You can view it from above or hike down and say hi in person. Just don’t turn your back. It might be judging you.
Feeling fancy? Perfect – it’s seafood o’clock. Stop at Geitafell Restaurant for super fresh, super local Icelandic seafood. No microwaves were harmed in the making of this meal.
Still got room? Of course you do, you’re in Iceland! There’s always room for ice cream. Swing by Erpsstaðir Creamery, where dairy dreams come true and locals will confirm that dessert after seafood is basically the law.
Next up: A pit stop at Berserkjahraun – a lava field so beautiful it sounds fake. It’s chaotic, mossy, and born of literal volcanic rage. Basically, a metaphor for your personality after hiking 10 km without snacks.
Now it’s time for the big one: Kirkjufell. This is the mountain. You’ve seen it on postcards, Instagram, and probably as a screensaver. Get there early if you want a photo without 12 other people pretending they “discovered” it.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Ólafsvík Campground: Restrooms, showers, walking paths, and a solid chance of seeing a sunset so good you’ll forget how tired you are.
Day 12 – Snæfellsnes: Craters, Cliffs and a Ridiculous Amount of Lighthouses
Snæfellsnes is like someone took all of Iceland and squeezed it into one peninsula. Mountains, beaches, volcanoes, weird rock shapes, and seals that clearly don’t pay rent. You could spend three days here… but let’s speedrun the highlights.
First stop: Skarðsvík Beach, where the sand isn’t black and your brain will short-circuit because it feels like you just drove into the Mediterranean. Don’t worry, it’s still Iceland. It’s just confused.
Then hop between lighthouses like you’re collecting them:
- Svörtuloft – dramatic and orange.
- Öndverðarnesviti – try saying that three times fast.
- Malarrif – because clearly someone was obsessed with towers.
Along the way, climb up Saxhólar crater, chill at Djúpalónssandur beach (skip the swim unless you're into ice baths), stare at Lóndrangar cliffs, and stop in the charming coastal villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar for max “wow” energy.
Don't skip the iconic Búðakirkja, the little black church that somehow looks both holy and slightly goth.
Almost done – but wait! Pull over at Ytri-Tunga, the best place in Iceland to spot seals just flopping around like they own the place. Because they kind of do.
End the day with a soak at Landbrotalaug, a hidden hot pot that fits 2–3 people max. It’s basically Iceland’s smallest spa, no appointment necessary.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Akranes Campground: Grab a spot near the water in the quieter area. You’ll get restrooms, showers, and just enough silence to process the full-on sensory overload you’ve lived today.
Day 13 – Glymur? Kerlingarfjöll? Chaos? Yes Please.
Originally, this day was meant for a casual hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second-highest waterfall.
Nothing crazy – just a 3.5-hour hike, a river to wade through, a steep canyon, and a chance to feel extremely alive. The south trail’s your best bet for views, and you’ll need actual shoes. Crocs don’t count.
But let’s be real – sometimes, you wake up in a van and think: “Let’s do something mildly unhinged today.” So you point the camper inland and make your way to the Kerlingarfjöll highlands like the impulsive legend you are.
You’ll need a 4x4 camper for this detour, so if you’ve got one, you’re golden. If not… skip ahead or get jealous.
Hveradalir, the “valley of hot springs,” looks like someone dropped a geothermal rave into the Alps. There are steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, snowy peaks, and colors that seem photoshopped in real life. It’s dramatic. It’s surreal. It smells a bit like eggs. But you’ll love it.
🎒 Planning in advance? You could hit Kerlingarfjöll on Day 2 right after Gullfoss – it’s only a couple of hours away. But hey, chaos is part of the charm.
No 4x4? No problem.
Head to Skorhagafoss, a quiet little waterfall perfect for a picnic and deep philosophical questions like “Do I really have to go home soon?”
Looking for adrenaline and cold water instead? Return to Þingvellir and go snorkeling in Silfra – yep, the fissure between two tectonic plates. Our friends at the snorkeling tour company offer KuKu discounts too, because we only associate with cool people.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Options, baby.
-
Laugarvatn Campground, right next to Fontana Geothermal Baths if you want to soak away your final day’s chaos.
-
Faxi Campground, if you want a head start on tomorrow.
-
Or keep it poetic and return to Skjól, where it all began. Full circle, vanlife style.
Day 14 – Reykjavík and Goodbye Feels
Last day. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
But before you start humming sad road trip songs, let’s squeeze out the final drops of magic.
Quick detour at Faxi waterfall, because Iceland just refuses to stop flexing. It’s close, it’s peaceful, and it’s the kind of place that makes you whisper “wow” to your sandwich.
Then boom: Reykjavík.
Time to explore the capital like you own the place (because you basically do now).
Wander around Hallgrímskirkja, snap a dramatic selfie by the Sun Voyager sculpture, admire Harpa concert hall, and stroll along Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main shopping street, where you might accidentally spend all your remaining ISK on lava salt and wool socks. No regrets.
Museums? They got 'em. Art? Check. Whales? Sure. A museum full of penises? Oh yes. It’s real. It’s weird. It’s oddly educational.
Now, the grand finale: The Blue Lagoon. Pre-book your entry (seriously), and spend your last evening soaking in milky blue geothermal waters, basking in the steam, and reminiscing about that time you got soaked by a waterfall and smiled through it.
🛻 Where to Camp:
Grindavík Campground: A cozy, well-equipped campsite super close to the KuKu office. It’s got restrooms, showers, and a big indoor kitchen for your last meal on Icelandic soil.
🚐 Bonus tip: Don’t forget to book our free airport shuttle. It’s the only civilized way to end this wild, muddy, steamy, unforgettable adventure.
It's your turn to hit the road with KuKu!
Looking for more inspo? There you have it!
