Iceland in June 2022

10 Days · Ring Road · drove ~3000km

Seattle [SEA] → Keflavík [KEF] → Vík → Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Höfn → Mývatn → Skagafjörður → Snæfellsnes → Reykjavík → Keflavík [KEF] → Seattle [SEA]

trip at a glance

day 0 · Mon, Jun 6

Seattle [SEA] → Keflavík [KEF]

departed SEA at 7pm on Icelandair FI682.

day 1 · Tue, Jun 7

KEF → Selfoss → Kerið → Gullfoss → Haifoss → Hjalparfoss → Vík

landed at KEF around 10am. picked up rental car — a white Nissan Qashqai — from Blue Car Rental [https://www.bluecarrental.is/]. experience was OK — found Lava Car Rental [https://www.lavacarrental.is/] better on a later trip in 2025. on road by 11am. drove east toward Vík. quick stop in Selfoss for a shawarma wrap at Kurdo Kebab. on the way — visited Kerið crater (formed around 6,500 years ago), Gullfoss (crowded but worth it), Haifoss (much less crowded but spectacular), and Hjalparfoss (unique twin waterfall). checked into Hotel Vík í Mýrdal by 10pm. dinner at nearby Strondin Pub — burger and ginger beer. later drove to Reynisfjara for golden hour at 11:30pm — sky never fully darkened. magic of Icelandic summer.

Hotel Vík í Mýrdal [https://www.expedia.com/Vik-I-Myrdal-Hotels-Hotel-Vik.h35767873.Hotel-Information] — good clean room with great breakfast. 4/5

day 2 · Wed, Jun 8

Vík → Skógafoss → Seljalandsfoss → Dyrhólaey → Þakgil → Eldhraun → Fjaðrárgljúfur → Kirkjubæjarklaustur

went out early around 6am. drove to Skógafoss — my favorite waterfall in Iceland. then to Seljalandsfoss — the waterfall you can walk behind. early morning is the right time to experience Iceland in summer — before crowds arrive. back to hotel for breakfast and checked out. explored Vík and Víkurkirkja — iconic white church on hilltop above town. drove to Dyrhólaey — spotted many puffins here, funny-looking cute colorful birds. later drove to Katla Geopark — Þakgil, a hidden valley campsite nestled in highlands — a distinctly Icelandic landscape, vibrant, mossy and wild. Katla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, lying beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier. hiked around Þakgil for a while — geopark has many hiking routes and rugged trails to explore. then drove to Eldhraun — a vast lava field, now blanketed in thick green moss. visited Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon — around 100m deep with sheer walls and a serpentine shape, formed at the end of last Ice Age. checked into Magma Hotel by 3:30pm. dinner at nearby Systrakaffi — chicken and ginger beer. went to bed early — needed rest for a midnight hike.

Magma Hotel [https://www.expedia.com/Kirkjubaejarklaustur-Hotels-Magma-Hotel.h19532793.Hotel-Information] — individual cabin-style rooms in a stunning lakeside setting with good views. excellent restaurant. 5/5

day 3 · Thu, Jun 9

Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Skaftafell → Fjallsárlón → Jökulsárlón → Höfn

started in the middle of night — around 1:30am. outside was lit up like dawn — effect of midnight sun. drove east. parked at Skaftafell campground parking and started hiking. passed Hundafoss and reached Svartifoss — a nice 1.5-hour hike in complete peace, no one on the trail. on way back — photographed reflection of Lómagnúpur mountain, a popular shot from roadside. back to hotel and checked out after a good breakfast. drove east for a scheduled glacier walk. Mountain Guides cancelled "3.5-hour Skaftafell Glacier Hike" [https://www.mountainguides.is/tour/blue-ice-glacier-walk] the previous day — quickly found a replacement and booked "5-Hour Skaftafell Adventure Glacier Hike" [https://troll.is/tour/skaftafell-5-hour-glacier-hike/] with Troll Expeditions instead, 10:30am–3:30pm. safety briefing, gear up, then hiked up the glacier. a great experience. later drove to Fjallsárlón — walked around. took iceberg boat tour at 5:30pm — they provided protective gear against water splash and freezing wind. glacial blue ice, twice in a day — on foot earlier, now drifting past. drove to Jökulsárlón. walked around and explored Diamond Beach — pretty crowded. later checked into Hrafnavellir Guest House around 9pm. drove to Höfn for dinner at Pakkhús — lamb and ginger beer.

Hrafnavellir Guest House [https://www.expedia.com/Hofn-Hotels-Hrafnavellir-Guest-House.h27781533.Hotel-Information] — cute room with very friendly owners and awesome breakfast. great location. 5/5

day 4 · Fri, Jun 10

Höfn → Vestrahorn → Seyðisfjörður → Mývatn

started around 6:30am. drove to Vestrahorn — main reason I came to Höfn. unfortunately heavy rain and low-hanging cloud made the mountain completely invisible. drove back to hotel, had great breakfast and checked out. plan was to drive east along coast — but weather was harsh, heavy rain and strong wind at 2°C. drove inland toward northeast instead. crossed Folaldafoss and countless more waterfalls along the way. stopped and hiked at Fardagafoss — short hike. visited Seyðisfjörður — a charming fjord town known for its colorful wooden houses and rainbow-painted street leading to its blue church. also ferry terminal for Iceland to Denmark, via Faroe Islands. the road into town crosses Fjarðarheiði mountain pass — one of the highest paved roads in Iceland, with heavy snow even in June. visited turf sheephouses at Hjarðarhagi farm — free to visit roadside. stopped at Námafjall geothermal area — air heavy with stink of sulphur. checked into Icelandair Hotel Mývatn at 4:30pm — nice view of town church from room. lazily drove around Lake Mývatn. dinner at Eldey Restaurant — lamb chop and ginger beer. visited Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters — a protected natural monument, personally didn't find it interesting. visited Hverfjall — a large tephra ring volcano crater, about 1km wide.

Icelandair Hotel Mývatn [https://www.expedia.com/Myvatn-Hotels-Icelandair-Hotel-Myvatn.h20078082.Hotel-Information] — nice modern hotel with very friendly staff. outdoor hot tubs — great. 5/5

day 5 · Sat, Jun 11

Mývatn → Húsavík → Krafla → Mývatn

drove to Húsavík in the morning — a charming fishing town, known as whale watching capital. also one of Iceland's oldest settlements. walked the marina area — pretty crowded with many tourists for different boat tours. took whale and puffin boat tour [https://www.northsailing.is/tour/whale-watching-and-puffins/] with North Sailing at 9:00am — weather was pretty foggy and wet, didn't get to see much. drove back and visited Krafla area. hiked Leirhnjúkur — a lava field — for an hour. entire area was covered with low-hanging cloud - had a hard time following trail markers. back to hotel by 6:00pm. dinner at Vogafjós Cowshed Café — arctic char. great food, known for farm-to-table food — reservation recommended. a light day to recover and rest.

day 6 · Sun, Jun 12

Mývatn → Goðafoss → Akureyri → Tröllaskagi → Siglufjörður → Sauðanesviti → Hofsós → Skagafjörður

checked out around 7:30am. drove by Goðafoss — an iconic waterfall. by this point, starting to develop Icelandic waterfall sickness — "hmmm, yet another fall." reached Akureyri by 9am — capital of north Iceland, second largest city. visited Akureyrarkirkja and walked around downtown. coffee at Kristjáns Bakarí. drove north to Siglufjörður — a charming fishing town with colorful wooden houses, just below the Arctic Circle. stopped by Sauðanesviti — a bright orange lighthouse on the dramatic northern coastline. drove to Hofsós — too early to check in, explored the area. checked into Sóti Lodge around 4pm. sole guest that day — got undivided attention from housekeeper and personal chef. an unexpected 4-course dinner — outstanding. room had a wide open vista of Arctic Ocean and vibrant purple lupin in bloom. after dinner, drove around the area — first encounter with Arctic Terns' aggressive divebombing. back to lodge, watched midnight sun from bed — sun moved along the horizon, never fully set, just dipped and rose again.

Sóti Lodge [https://www.expedia.com/Skagafjorour-Hotels-Soti-Lodge.h45578356.Hotel-Information] — stunning location with panoramic views from every angle. room had breathtaking views of open ocean and purple lupin. personal chef was an unexpected and fantastic touch. housekeeper was attentive and always available. best stay of this trip. 5/5.

day 7 · Mon, Jun 13

Skagafjörður → Þingeyrakirkja → Grundarfjörður → Svörtuloft → Ingjaldshóll → Hellnar

had excellent breakfast and checked out by 8am. drove to Þingeyrakirkja — a historic stone church. drove to Grundarfjörður. got first glimpse of Kirkjufell — but covered in cloud. coffee break at Græna kompaníið. drove west to Svörtuloft lighthouse — a bright orange lighthouse on the edge of Snæfellsnes. drove east to photograph Ingjaldshólskirkja — old concrete church, perched on a hilltop with sweeping views. checked into Fosshotel Hellnar at 6pm. dinner at hotel restaurant — lamb chop.

Fosshotel Hellnar [https://www.expedia.com/Hellnar-Hotels-Fosshotel-Hellnar.h16142364.Hotel-Information] — good base for exploring Snæfellsnes. however, rooms are very simple for the price. friendly staff. good restaurant. 3/5

day 8 · Tue, Jun 14

Hellnar → Kirkjufell → Arnarstapi → Búðakirkja → Borgarnes → Reykjavík

went out at 5:30am to photograph Kirkjufell — a bright sunny day, got some awesome reflection shots. back to hotel and checked out. drove to Arnarstapi. walked the coastal trail — unusual basalt rock formations and cliffs with countless seabirds. drove to Búðakirkja — famous black colored church. drove down through Borgarnes. reached Reykjavík and checked into Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel at 5pm. walked to Hallgrímskirkja and along Skólavörðustígur — rainbow street leading up to the church. shopped at Omnom — awesome Icelandic bean-to-bar chocolate. dinner at Himalayan Spice — a Nepalese restaurant. ordered Nepalese thali — loved it. walked around many parts of Reykjavík. back to hotel by midnight.

Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel [https://www.expedia.com/Reykjavik-Hotels-Eyja-Guldsmeden-Hotel.h31000378.Hotel-Information] — eco-boutique hotel just off Laugavegur. cozy four-poster beds. walkable to Hallgrímskirkja and downtown Reykjavík. 5/5.

day 9 · Wed, Jun 15

Reykjavík → Þingvellir → Blue Lagoon

went back to Hallgrímskirkja — went up to the top for awesome panoramic views over Reykjavík. did some shopping — 66°North, Icelandic sweaters from Handknitting Association. picked up a gift from GullBudin for my wife. back to hotel and checked out. drove to Þingvellir National Park and hiked — too crowded. drove down to Blue Lagoon. checked into Silica Hotel at 4:30pm — perfect last night stay in Iceland, thanks to my wife who booked it. later drove to nearby Max's Restaurant for dinner — schnitzel and ginger beer. later stepped into Silica Lagoon — almost empty at that hour. perfect after days of hiking.

Silica Hotel [https://www.bluelagoon.com/accommodation/silica-hotel] — a four-star boutique hotel right at Blue Lagoon. private Silica Lagoon for hotel guests only, connected to Blue Lagoon. premium Blue Lagoon access included. a must-have experience. 5/5.

day 10 · Thu, Jun 16

Keflavík [KEF] → Seattle [SEA]

walked over to Blue Lagoon in morning and stayed for a couple of hours. not very crowded in early morning. later breakfast at hotel and checked out around 10:30am. drove to Reykjavík - one last time. lunch at Monkeys Food & Wine - arctic char with ginger beer. then drove to airport and dropped off rental car. later departed KEF at 8:25pm on Icelandair FI683. goodbye Iceland for now. back to SEA at 9:15pm.

trip budget

flight · ~USD 900
car rental (9 days) · ~USD 1,300
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal (1 night) · ~USD 250
Magma Hotel (1 night) · ~USD 350
Hrafnavellir Guest House (1 night) · ~USD 180
Icelandair Hotel Mývatn (2 nights) · ~USD 600
Sóti Lodge (1 night) · ~USD 250
Fosshotel Hellnar (1 night) · ~USD 350
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel (1 night) · ~USD 275
Silica Hotel (1 night) · ~USD 625
tour · Skaftafell glacier hike · ~USD 120
tour · Fjallsárlón iceberg boat tour · ~USD 50
tour · Húsavík whale and puffin sailing tour · ~USD 100
food & misc · ~USD 1,500
total · ~USD 6,850

summer Iceland — tips

1. magic of summer light. daylight never fully ends in June — sky stays bright even at midnight. take advantage of long days: hike at 2am. blue and golden hours stretch on forever — plenty of time to compose the perfect shot.
2. waterfall sickness is real. after a few days, Iceland's endless waterfalls may leave you numb to it. pick the ones that matter to you — but you don't have to stop for every one.
3. go early — before the crowds. popular sites fill up by mid-morning. arriving at 6–7am is a completely different experience.
4. lupine blooms everywhere. vivid purple lupine carpets roadsides, hills and valleys — perfect foreground for landscape shots.
5. watch out for Arctic Terns. they nest and lay eggs directly on the ground — no trees in Iceland. stray too close and they will divebomb you. keep your distance.
6. F-roads open late. Landmannalaugar (F225) and most highland roads may not open until late June or early July. plan accordingly.