Iceland Travel Guide: 8 Days of Waterfalls, Hot Springs & Epic Views Along The Ring Road
Traveling to Iceland had been on my bucket list forever, and at 32, I finally made it happen. Iceland was the first stop on a five-week adventure with my best friend, and it absolutely delivered. We flew from San Diego with a layover in JFK and touched down ready for our Iceland Ring Road itinerary to begin. From Iceland we flew to the Faroe Islands for 5 nights which consisted of dramatic cliffs, beaches and greenery everywhere.
We traveled in Iceland from July 7th – 15th, the warmest month of the year — though Iceland’s idea of “warm” still includes crisp winds, rain showers, as well as lots of sunshine. Over eight nights, we explored waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, icebergs, cliffs, and hidden gems while road-tripping the entire Ring Road in a small campervan.
If you’re thinking of an Iceland summer road trip, this guide covers everything: logistics, costs, campsites, food, packing lists, and the secret travel hack that let us avoid the summer crowds entirely.
You can also check out my 8 Nights in Iceland Itinerary
Iceland Campervan Rental Tips
Once we landed, we grabbed a taxi straight to Kuku Campers, where we picked up our AA campervan (automatic transmission + heater). It was simple, cozy, and perfect for an Iceland campervan road trip. The van had two front seats, a full mattress in the back with storage underneath, and all the basics for cooking.
We added:
- Cooler (refreshed with ice every 2–3 days)
- Camper chairs
- Sleeping bags & pillows
The van already came with a portable gas stove, pots, pans, dishes, and cleaning supplies
Driving Conditions & Road Tips
- Iceland drives on the right side
- A 2WD vehicle is perfect for the Ring Road
- Do NOT take a 2WD vehicle on F-roads (mountain roads)
- Getting stuck or needing rescue = $3,000+ fine
For a smooth Iceland road trip, stick to the Ring Road unless you’ve booked a proper 4WD.
Iceland Campervan Insurance: What’s Worth Paying For?
Kuku Campers includes collision damage waiver, unlimited miles, and an extra driver. We added:
- Gravel Protection – $10/day
- Sand & Ash Protection – $10/day
They also offer a premium $50/day package that covers tires and platinum CDW. We skipped this, but the mid-level coverage gave us peace of mind — especially since Iceland’s weather can change in seconds.
🧳 Iceland Packing List for July (Realistic List!)
The weather in Iceland in July changes constantly. During our eight days, we saw heavy rain, sunshine, fog, strong winds, warm days and cold days. A plus to living out of a campervan is you can change clothes at any moment depending on the weather.
Essential packing list:
- Base layers (leggings + long sleeves)
- 2–3 sweaters/hoodies
- Waterproof windbreaker or puffer (bring a couple colors for fun photos!)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Sandals
- Warm socks
- Waterproof pants (needed for Seljalandsfoss and rainy days)
- Gloves + beanie
- Small daypack
- Bathing suits
Most Iceland campsites offer laundry machines, although we never had time to use them.
Best Time to Visit Iceland
- June–August: Warmest weather + midnight sun
- May or September: Fewer crowds, milder temps
- November–March: Ideal for Northern Lights and snowy landscapes
We visited in July, and while it’s “peak season,” we accidentally cracked the code to avoiding crowds…
🌅 How to Avoid Crowds in Iceland in Summer (The Secret Hack!)
This is the part every traveler should know.
Jet lag ended up becoming our secret Iceland travel weapon.
We unintentionally stayed on California time, meaning we woke up at 4PM and went to sleep around 5AM. At first, this happened naturally — then we realized it was working in our favor. This turned into the best decision we never planned.
Why this was amazing:
🌅 The sun never truly sets in summer
🚐 We drove the Ring Road with almost zero traffic
💦 Popular waterfalls were completely empty
🌄 We did hikes at midnight, in full daylight
🌅 We watched 3AM sunrises with no one around
It felt magical —July is peak season, yet it was like having the entire country to ourselves.
Downside?
Most cafés close early — so on the days we rolled out of bed at 5 PM, we missed out on coffee shops. But since we cooked most meals, it didn’t matter much.
🏕️ Iceland Campsites: Where We Stayed & What They Cost
Freedom camping is illegal in Iceland for campervans. Stick to official campsites or risk a hefty fine.
We paid between $30–$58 per night for two people.
Our 8-Night Campsite Itinerary
Night 1: Flúðir Camping – $35
Showers included, no kitchen, 10 min from Hrunalaug hot spring
Night 2: Skaftafell – $44
Showers included, no kitchen, amazing glacier views, walking distance to Svartifoss
Night 3: Fossardalur – $37
Showers included + kitchen
Night 4: 66.12 North – $33
Showers included + kitchen, ocean views
Night 5: Sæberg – $35
Showers included (open layout, so not much privacy), kitchen, fjord views, free hot tub
Night 6: Tjaldsvæðið á Arnarstapi – $40
Showers are extra -cost $4 to use and they are timed at 5 minutes, no kitchen, walkable to restaurant, has mountain and distant ocean views.
Night 7: Reykjavík Eco Campsite – $58
Showers included+ kitchen, community pool + hot tubs, close to Reykjavik town.
Night 8: Happy Campsite (near KEF) – $30
Showers included, no kitchen, very basic, good for early flights
🍞 Food on the Road: What We Ate in Iceland for 8 Days
Since this wasn’t meant to be a foodie trip, we kept things simple. We stocked up at Bónus, filled the cooler, and cooked with our single gas stove.
Our road trip menu:
- Bagels with egg + bacon
- PB&J sandwiches (so many PB&Js…)
- Turkey + cheese sandwiches
- Grilled cheese
- Yogurts, muffins, chips, snacks
- Canned coffee
- Wine (essential)
By the end, PB&J practically became our personality — but honestly, it was worth it to spend more time outside and less time worrying about meals.
We treated ourselves to a nice dinner at the Blue Lagoon restaurant on the last night — the perfect finale to a week of sandwiches.
And good news: Iceland’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the world. Bring a refillable bottle.
Places to Add Next Time You Visit Iceland
If I Travel to Iceland Again…
Next time, I’d include:
- Landmannalaugar
- Waterfall Circle
- Strútslaug Hot Spring
Iceland Summer Travel Reflection
Eight nights, five hot springs, countless waterfalls, black sand beaches, midnight sun hikes, 3AM sunrises, and our first time living out of a tiny campervan — Iceland gave us the kind of adventure that sticks with you. Staying on California time turned into our secret weapon, letting us experience the Ring Road without the summer crowds. It was wild, a little chaotic, sandwich-fueled, and completely unforgettable.
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