Iceland Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Iceland: Itinerary and Master Guide [Work In Progress]

Editor’s note: This currently unfinished article is the launch of a new series of itinerary and master guide articles which will contain links to separate articles pertaining to a particular destination as part of an effort to better organize The Gate. They will also double as an impetus for the remainder of unwritten articles to be written. Each itinerary and master guide article is a work in progress and will be completed once all of the articles have been written and posted.


Iceland is considered one of the most remote destinations in the world — but access to it has been rather easy in the years prior to the official declaration of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization

Iceland: Itinerary and Master Guide

…but as Iceland has opened to welcome visitors again effective as of Tuesday, April 6, 2021 to all travelers — regardless of origin — seeing the magnificently breathtaking sites is now possible once again if you can show either a certificate of full vaccination against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or a certificate of a previous infection of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. You can read what certificates are accepted at the official Internet web site of the Directorate of Health of Iceland.

In the meantime, the following information is extracted directly from the itinerary which I prepared prior to leaving for Iceland, at which I spent eleven days — and I have thousands of photographs and many more articles which I need to write; so please stay tuned.

Departure to Iceland

Delta Air Lines Reykjavik
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

To Iceland on Delta Air Lines in Economy Class

Depart Atlanta at 5:25 — changed to 5:15 — in the afternoon on Delta flight 218 — changed to flight 517 — for New York arriving at 7:45 in the evening; and depart New York at 9:05 in the evening on flight 446 to Reykjavik.

Priority Pass lounges in Atlanta: Minute Suites on Concourse B and The Club at ATL Concourse F.

Priority Pass lounges in New York: Wingtips Lounge in Terminal 4. Also, Air France lounge and KAL Business Class lounge in Terminal 1; Alaska lounge in Terminal 7; and Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Terminal 8.

Day 1 — Southern Peninsula of Iceland

8 hours

Arrive in Reykjavik on flight 446 at 6:45 — changed to 6:50 — in the morning.

Procar Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Procar Keflavik International Airport

Renting a Car in Iceland

Get Icelandic Krona currency when possible.

Miðlína Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Miðlína

Across the Bridge Between Continental Plates in Iceland

20 minute drive from Keflavik International Airport — Highway 41 to highway 44. Bridge America Europe between two continents

Gunnuhver Hot Springs Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Gunnuhver Hot Springs

Like a Geyser Which Never Stops: Gunnuhver Hot Springs in Iceland — With Video

Nine minute drive. South on Highway 425 or 44 3.9 kilometers. Turn right 1.1 kilometers; turn right 1.7 kilometers; turn left 500 meters

Valahnúkamöl Cliffs Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Auk and Valahnúkamöl cliffs

Valahnúker Mountain and the Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl in Iceland

Near Reykjanes lighthouse. 8 minute walk.

Reykjanesviti lighthouse Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Reykjanes lighthouse

Reykjanesviti: The Oldest Lighthouse in Iceland

Two minute drive further down the road.

Brimketill Lava Rock Pool and The Road From Valahnúkamöl to Krýsuvík Thermal Area in Iceland

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Blue Lagoon

Why I Did Not Go Into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

27 minute drive. 14.3 kilometers on Nesvegur or Highway 425; turn left on Highway 43 4.7 kilometers; turn right 300 meters.

Krýsuvíkurberg cliffs — if accessible. Not on Google maps. Creek blocked the road. Did not see them.

Krýsuvík Geothermal Area in Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Krýsuvík thermal area

Krýsuvík Geothermal Area in Iceland

Must see. 14 minutes from Selatangar. Take highway 427 to Highway 42 north 5.8 kilometers.

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tube Cave in Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tube Cave

Exploring the Inside of a Dormant Lava Tunnel in Iceland

36 minute drive from Krýsuvík thermal area. Take Highway 42 south to Highway 427 — left to Highway 38 and straight on Highway 39. One hour.

Selatangar – A track for 4wd-vehicles lies down to the ruins on the coast from the road to Isolfsskali. Considered only because it is near another attraction. 19 minute drive from Blue Lagoon: Highway 43 to left on Highway 427 for 11 kilometers. Decided to skip it because it was not worth the potholes in the dirt road.

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River — 18 minute drive. Highway 39 to left on Highway 38. At the roundabout at Highway 1, take the second exit onto Breiðamörk Reykjadalur, Iceland. Did not do because of long hike. Rather do lava tube.

Returned to Reykjavik. Walked around town. Saw church. Did not go in. Parking.

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre

My First Stay at a Canopy by Hilton Hotel — and The Verdict Is…

47 minute drive from Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. Highway 1 west for 43.6 kilometers. Take Highway 49 for 6.3 kilometers. Take the exit toward Route 40/Keflavik/Hlemmur. Turn right onto Snorrabraut. Turn left onto Eiríksgata. Turn left onto Skólavörðustígur. Turn right onto Bergstaðastræti. Continue onto Smiðjustígur. Hotel is on the right.

Parking in Reykjavík: A Simple Tip on How I Parked My Rental Car Free of Charge

Day 2 — Golden Circle of Iceland

10 hours

Langistigur Þingvellir National Park Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Þingvellir National Park — 42 minutes from Canopy Hotel in Reykjavik. Lake, trail between two plates, Öxarárfoss. Two hours to visit at the most.

Hakið: The Main Viewpoint of Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

The Walk of Death: Langistígur in Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

Falls to Fall For: Öxarárfoss in Þingvellir National Park in Iceland

Head northeast on Smiðjustígur toward Hverfisgata. Turn right onto Hverfisgata. Turn left onto Frakkastígur. Turn right onto Skúlagata. Turn left toward Sæbraut/Route 41. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Sæbraut/Route 41 for 1.3 kilometers. Turn right onto Kringlumýrarbraut/Route 40 for 1.7 kilometers. Turn left onto Miklabraut/Route 49 for 6 kilometers. Continue onto Vesturlandsvegur/Þjóðvegur 1 and take Highway 1 to Þingvallavegur Highway 36 — right 26.5 kilometers to national park.

Laugarvatnshellir Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Laugarvatnshellir

Laugarvatnshellar Caves: The House Built Into a Hill in Iceland

Not much time to spend there. 15 minutes from Þingvellir National Park. Highway 36 to left on Highway 365 8,5 kilometers — left onto Lyngdalsheiðarvegur for 2.7 kilometers.

Bruarfoss — 23 minutes from Laugarvatnshellir. Up to an hour at the most. Highway 365 to left on Highway 37 for 14.1 kilometers. Saw lower part of falls with horse and water. Did not go all the way because of long hike.

Geysir Thermal Area

Strokkur Geyser Geothermal Area Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Strokkur Geyser Eruptions at Geysir Geothermal Area in Iceland

12 minutes from Bruarfoss. Geysir (inactive) and Strokkur (every 5 to 10 minutes). Litli geysir. Two hours to visit at the most. Highway 37 to left on Highway 35.

Gullfoss — 9 minutes on Highway 35 for 9.6 kilometers. Up to 90 minutes at the most.

Brúarhlöð — 14 minutes. Roadside stop. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Go back on Highway 35 to left on Highway 30 for 6 kilometers.

Faxafoss — 11 minutes. Roadside stop. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Go back on Highway 30 to left on Einholtsvegur or Highway 358 for 7.5 kilometers. Turn right toward Biskupstungnabraut. Turn left onto Biskupstungnabraut or Highway 35.

Skálholt Cathedral Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Skálholt

Skálholt and Its Cathedral in Iceland

15 minutes. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Highway 35 for 14.6 kilometers to left on Highway 31 for 2.1 kilometers. Turn right onto Skálholtskirkja for 750 meters.

Kerið — 19 minutes. Walk around the crater. Roadside stop. Up to one hour at the most. Take Highway 31 back to Highway 35. Left 22.7 kilometers. Did not visit because it had admission fee and Viti crater had no admission fee.

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

Sudurlandsbraut 2, Reykjavik, 108

Telephone +354-444-5000

51 minute drive from Kerið. Take Highway 35 south to right on Highway 1 to Route 49 for 5.2 kilometers. Turn right onto Kringlumýrarbraut/Route 40 for 800 meters. Turn right onto Suðurlandsbraut. Hotel will be on the right.

Executive lounge access. Access to Nordica Spa — included?

Day 3 — Western Peninsula of Iceland

8.5 hours

Glymur Waterfall — Hike to falls. One hour from Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. Hike is 7.5 kilometers round trip. Three hours. Head east on Suðurlandsbraut toward Hallarmúli for 1.7 kilometers. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Skeiðarvogur. Take the ramp onto Route 49 for 4.2 kilometers. Take Highway 1 to right on Hvalfjarðarvegur or Highway 47 for 34.7 kilometers. Turn right for 3.1 kilometers. Did not go all the way. Treacherous because of river over log and then climb after it.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss — One hour and 13 minutes from Glymur. 45 minutes at the most. Back to Highway 47 — right 13.3 kilometers to Highway 520 — right 19.7 kilometers and cross highway 508. Left back onto Highway 520 for 4.3 kilometers. Left on highway 52 and right on Highway 50 for 15.9 kilometers. Continue on Highway 518 for 21.1 kilometers. Turn left.

Gerðuberg Cliffs — One hour and 16 minutes from Hraunfossar. 45 minutes at the most. Highway 518 to right on Highway 50 to left on Highway 1. Right on Highway 54. Go 43.4 kilometers.

Bjarnarfoss — 10 minute drive west on Highway 54 from Guesthouse Langaholt. Short hike. 45 minutes at the most.

Guesthouse Langaholt

Ytri-Garðar, Langaholt, 0356

+354 086 57245

30 minute drive west from Gerðuberg Cliffs. Take Highway 54 west 42.3 kilometers.

Free breakfast for two people

Day 4 — Western Peninsula and Westfjords of Iceland

13 hours

Gatklettur Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Gatklettur in Arnarstapi — 18 minute drive. 30 minutes at the most. Highway 54 west 400 meters to Útnesvegur — left 16.8 kilometers. Turn left onto Arnarstapavegur for 850 meters. Turn right.

Gatklettur Stone Arch in Iceland

Lóndrangar Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Londrangar — 8 minute drive west on Útnesvegur. 15 to 30 minutes at the most.

Lóndrangar Pillars in Western Iceland

Vatnshellir Cave in Snæfellsbær — 2 minute drive. 45 minute tour. 3,750 Icelandic Krona.  Did Not Do because less expensive but not as good as Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel in Southern Peninsula.

Saxhóll Crater Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Saxhólar Crater

Really Cold, Windy and Dreary at Saxhóll Crater in Iceland

13 minute drive from Londrangar. 45 minutes at the most.

Svörtuloft Lighthouse — 16 minute drive. 15 to 30 minutes at the most. 6.5 kilometers on Útnesvegur; then left 4.8 kilometers.

Svöðufoss

Lookout overlooking Ólafsvíkur

Kirkjufellsfoss — Witch hat shape. 43 minute drive. 45 minutes at the most. Back out and left on Útnesvegur, which becomes Ennisbraut and then becomes Ólafsbraut and then continues as Útnesvegur. Left on Highway 54 for 17.8 kilometers.

Rauðsdalur

451 Brjánslækur, Iceland

+354 456 2041

11 minutes from Hellulaug Spring south on Highway 62 for 12.9 kilometers.

Checked in, then…

Hellulaug Spring Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Hellulaug Spring

Instead of Blue Lagoon in Iceland, I Went to…

3 hour 45 minute drive from Kirkjufellsfoss. 90 minutes at the most. Highway 54 east for 97.4 kilometers. Left on Highway 60 for 187.6 kilometers. Turn left onto Highway 62 for 400 meters. On the left.

Day 5 — Westfjords and Western Iceland

14.5 hours

Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs — Westernmost point of Europe. One hour 40 minute drive. One to two hours. Highway 62 west to left on Highway 612 west to the end.

Dynjandi Falls — Two hour 30 minute drive. 60 to 90 minutes. Go back on Highway 612 to right on Highway 62 to left on Highway 60 for 35.7 kilometers.

Hvammstangi — Seal colonies. 4 hours down the east coast of Westfjords. 30 minutes. Highway 60 south to left on Highway 59. Right on Highway 68 to left on Highway 1. Left on Highway 72 — go 5.5 kilometers. Travel along the coast.

Hvitserkur (?) — Rock arch and view of fjord. Black sand.

Þingeyrar — One hour drive on Highway 711, with stops along the way for seal colonies. Left on Highway 716 to right on Highway 1. Did not stop in it.

Kolugljúfur Canyon — 35 minute drive. 45 minutes at the most. Highway 1 south to left on Highway 715.

Akureyri — heart shaped traffic lights

Gula Villan Brekkugata

Brekkugata 8, Akureyri 0600

+354 354 8968464

2.5 hour drive from Kolugljúfur Canyon. From Highway 1, turn right onto Strandgata; Turn left at Hólabraut; Turn right onto Brekkugata.

Breakfast included?

Day 6 — Northern Iceland

11 hours

View of Akureyri.

Goðafoss Waterfall — 45 minute drive. 45 minutes at the most. Highway 1 south, then cross water east, then north. 50 kilometers.

Lookout overlooking Mývatn.

Hverarond Namaskard — Thermal area. 5 minute drive. 45 minutes at the most. Highway 860 north to right on Highway 1. Go 2.2 kilometers. On right side.

Grjótagjá cave — Iconic lava cave with a thermal spring. 18 minute drive. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Either Highway 848 to right on Highway 860; or to right on Highway 1 to right on Highway 860.

Hverfjall — massive crater. 11 minute drive. 20 minute hike. 60 to 90 minutes maximum. Highway 848 one kilometer — right 1.3 kilometers; slight left for one kilometer.

Dimmuborgir — 2 minute drive on Highway 848. Up to one hour.

Hofði Forest nature preserve Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Hofði

Hofði: An Unusual Forested Nature Preserve in Iceland

6 minute drive on Highway 848. Up to 30 minutes.

Skútustaðagígar Mývatn — Flies in mouth. 30 minute drive from Goðafoss Waterfall. Up to one hour. Highway 1 to straight on Highway 848 for 5.2 kilometers.

Húsavík — Blue whale?!? 47 minute drive. Whale watching less expensive but better than Akureyri. Discounts if booked at 4-8 pm; 3 hour tour. Highway 1 to right on Highway 87 to right on Highway 85 into town. North Sailing was the company.

Guesthouse Stöng and Cottages

Stöng, Myvatn 0660

+354 089 66074

49 minute drive from Húsavík. Highway 85 to Highway 845 to left on Highway 1 for 19.6 kilometers. Turn right onto Mývatnsheiðarvegur and go 5.1 kilometers.

Day 7 — Northern Iceland

15 hours

Víti crater — 40 minute drive from Guesthouse Stöng and Cottages. One hour at the most. Go back out to Highway 1 for 25.2 kilometers. Turn left and go 8.9 kilometers.

Krafla Lava Fields — 3 minute drive. 5 kilometer hike. Two hours at the most.

Shower. In the middle of nowhere. Went under square arch of pipes.

Dettifoss — Western side and Selfoss Waterfall — 45 minute drive. 60 to 90 minutes at the most. Go back out to Highway 1 for 20 kilometers. Turn left onto Dettifossvegur or Highway 862 for 9.9 kilometers. Continue onto Dettifoss Road for 11.1 kilometers. Turn right for 2.8 kilometers.

Hljóðaklettar — Basalt column structures. 40 minute drive. 60 minutes at the most. Right onto Highway 862 for 19.8 kilometers. F-road? Did not explore the entire area. Cave was a long hike away.

Ásbyrgi cliff — 18 minute drive. Can drive into it. Up to 45 minutes on foot. Take Highway 862 north to right on Highway 85 for 1.8 kilometers. Turn right for 1.9 kilometers.

Hafragilsfoss — 30 minute drive. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Back out to Highway 85 — right to Highway 864 — right 23.3 kilometers. Turn right for 500 meters.

Dettifoss — Eastern side and Selfoss Waterfall — 8 minute drive. 60 to 90 minutes at the most.

Seyðisfjörður — 3 hour drive. Eastern Iceland. Gufufoss is a roadside stop 22.8 kilometers on the right off of Highway 93. South on Highway 864 to left on Highway 1 for 128 kilometers. Left on Highway 93 for 27 kilometers. Explored town.

Nord Marina Guesthouse

Strandarvegur 21, Seyðisfjörður, 710

+354 787 0701

Right on Austurvegur from Highway 93. Slight left onto Hafnargata and go one kilometer. Continue onto Strandarvegur for 550 meters. Destination is on the left.

Day 8 — Eastern Iceland

15 hours

Gufufoss in daytime.

Hengifoss — Included waterfall below it. Litlanesfoss? One hour drive from Seyðisfjörður. 2.5 kilometer hike one way. Highway 93 to right on Highway 1 to left on Highway 95 to straight onto Upphéraðsvegur or Highway 931 for 22.6 kilometers.

Stopped at lookout on side of fjord.

Streitisviti Lighthouse — One hour and 49 minute drive. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Continue north on Highway 931 to right on Highway 1 for 103.2 kilometers.

Sveinsstekksfoss in Djupivogur — 30 minute drive. 30 to 45 minutes at the most. Drive 38.8 kilometers on Highway 1.

Hvalnes Lighthouse — Saw reindeer and black sand beach view. One hour drive. 30 minutes at the most. Drive 67.4 kilometers on Highway 1.

Stokksnes beach — 40 minute drive. 30 to 45 minutes at the most. Did not go because 800 Icelandic Krona per person. Take Highway 1 for 38.5 kilometers — sharp left and go 4.8 kilometers.

Jökulsárlón Lagoon and Vatnajokull Glacier— One hour 11 minute drive from Stokksnes beach. Standard tour 7,500 Icelandic Krona per person. Diamond beach included. 2 to 3 hours. Drive 81.2 kilometers on Highway 1 and turn right twice.

Fjallsárlón — 13 minute drive. 30 minutes. Drive 9.7 kilometers on Highway 1.

Skaftafell National Park — 55 minute drive from Klausturhof Guesthouse. Includes Svartifoss; view of Skaftafellsjokull; Hundafoss; and Magnusarfoss. 2 to 2.5 hours. Back out Highway 205 to backtrack on Highway 1 — turn left.

Dverghamrar — One hour and 11 minute drive. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Drive 100 kilometers west on Highway 1.

Foss á Síðu — One minute drive. 8 minute hike. Up to 30 minutes at the most.

Stjórnarfoss — 11 minute drive. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Drive on Highway 1 for 11.3 kilometers. Right turn onto Highway 203 for 1.1 kilometers.

Klausturhof Guesthouse

Klausturvegur 1-5, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, 880

+354 567 7600

One minute walk from Systrafoss.

Breakfast is € 16 extra per person.

Day 9 — Southern Iceland

13 hours

Systrafoss in Kirkjubæjarklaustur — Walking distance from guesthouse. 6 minute drive. 45 to 60 minutes at the most. Highway 203 south to right on Highway 205 at roundabout. Go 1.3 kilometers.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Closed Until June: A Taste of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland

One hour and two minute drive from Skaftafell National Park. 60 to 90 minutes at the most. Back out Highway 998 to right on Highway 1. Go 72.4 kilometers and turn right. Go 1.1 kilometers and turn left. Go 1.3 kilometers and another 900 meters.

Reynisfjara Beach — 1 hour drive. 30 to 45 minutes at the most. Drive 70.2 kilometers west on Highway 1. Turn left onto Reynishverfisvegur or Highway 215 and go 5.7 kilometers.

Dyrhólaey Viewpoint — 25 minute drive. 45 to 60 minutes at the most. Back out on Highway 215. Turn left on Highway 1 and go 7.6 kilometers. Turn left onto Highway 218 and go 6.4 kilometers.

Solheimasandur Plane Wreck — 20 minute drive. 90 minutes to 2 hours. Back out on Highway 218. Turn left on Highway 1 and go 10 kilometers. Path to wrecked airplane is on the left. Did not do because too long of a walk — changed the entrance to much longer walk.

Skógafoss Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss: One of the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland

11 minute drive. 60 to 90 minutes at the most. Drive on Highway 1 for 9.8 kilometers. Right turn, left turn, left turn, left turn.

Ferry to Westman Islands — 12 minute drive from Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. 32 minute ferry one way; 40 minute hike one way; up to 45 minutes at the volcano. 4 hours to 5 hours. Turn right on Highway 1; then left on Highway 254 to the end.

Welcome Edinborg

Lambafell, 861 Eyvindarhólar

+354 487 1212

10 minute drive west from Skógafoss. Drive on Highway 1 for 6.8 kilometers. Turn right onto Raufarfellsvegur for one kilometer.

Breakfast not included but available for € 14 per person.

Day 10 — Southern Iceland

8 hours

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Gljúfrabúi — 18 minute drive from Welcome Edinborg. 60 to 90 minutes at the most. Drive on Highway 1 for 20.3 kilometers. Turn right onto Þórsmerkurvegur for 750 meters. Turn right again.

Urriðafoss at Urriðafossvegur — 45 minute drive from ferry. Up to 30 minutes at the most. Back out Highway 254 to left on Highway 1 and go 49.3 kilometers. Turn left onto Urriðafossvegur for 650 meters.

Þjóðveldisbærinn Commonwealth Farm Settlement in Iceland — 30 minute drive. 15 to 30 minutes at the most. Continue on Highway 327 for 7.1 kilometers. Turn left onto Þjórsárdalsvegur or Highway 32 for 190 meters. Turn right onto Búrfellsstöð for 400 meters. Turn left onto Þjóðveldisbærinn for 600 meters.

Haifoss Waterfall, Háifoss — 2.5 hour drive from Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. Up to one hour. Head east on Suðurlandsbraut toward Hallarmúli for 1.7 kilometers. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Skeiðarvogur. Take the ramp onto Route 49 for 4.2 kilometers. Take Highway 1 to left on Highway 30 to right on Highway 32 to Highway 332 for approximately 7 kilometers.

Hjalparfoss — 6 minute drive. 30 to 45 minutes at the most. Back out to Highway 32 and turn left for 650 meters. Turn left onto Hjálparfoss for 1 kilometer.

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

Sudurlandsbraut 2, Reykjavik, 108

Telephone +354-444-5000

Take Highway 1 to Route 49 for 5.2 kilometers. Turn right onto Kringlumýrarbraut/Route 40 for 800 meters. Turn right onto Suðurlandsbraut. Hotel will be on the right.

Executive lounge access. Access to Nordica Spa — included?

Used free weekend night certificate.

Day 11

The Icelandic Phallological Museum
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

F-Road 9 hours without F-Road

Landmannalaugar — 3 hour drive from Reykjavik. Rainbow mountains. Requires F Road. Still was not open yet for the season.

Gjáin in Stangarvegur — 30 minute drive. 45 to 60 minutes at the most. Highway 332 to Highway 327 for 3.5 kilometers. Turn right onto Stangarvegur. Valley with a bunch of small waterfalls. Did not do it. Treacherous road.

Keflavik International Airport — 2 hours and 10 minutes drive. Back out to Highway 32 and turn left to Highway 30 — turn left. Turn right on Highway 1. Turn left on Highway 413. Take Highway 41 to the airport.

Drop off rental car at Procar Car Rental at 19:45 in the evening.

39 minutes and 46.7 kilometers from Hilton Reykjavik Nordica. Highway 40 to Highway 41 to Keflavik International Airport — drive 35.8 kilometers. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Flugvallarvegur and turn left onto Iðavellir — or turn right at the next roundabout near gasoline station onto Aðalgata and turn right onto Iðavellir.

Depart Reykjavik at 21:45 in the evening on Vueling flight for Barcelona — DO NOT BOOK A HOTEL

Arrive in Barcelona at 4:05 in the morning.

Final Boarding Call

Öxaráfoss Þingvellir National Park Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

This was my itinerary for Iceland and will serve as the master guide for the articles pertaining to Iceland which are posted to The Gate.

As the itinerary and master guide series of articles is a new project which I have taken on for easier access to information, your thoughts and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Other articles in the itinerary and master guide series at The Gate — but are still unfinished at the time this article was written — include:

All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

  1. When in Reykjavi , be sure to visit the Perlan Museum. Varmahlid 1 Oskjuhlid, Reykjavi . Absolutely fantastic!

    Both American Airlines and Iceland Air fly from the U.S. to Iceland. You can use Alaska Airlines miles to fly on Iceland Air. In June 2019, the miles needed for business class from Alaska Air were half those needed from American. Iceland Air did not have flat bed seats; American did. But for the return trip it didn’t matter, since it is an all daylight trip.

    Iceland is an absolutely beautiful country. But in 2019 they were not ready for the masses of tourists visiting the place. They are working on this, and maybe Covid will provide a reduction of the numbers, providing a golden opportunity to visit the place.

  2. Absolutely breathtaking… your photographs are beyond stunning!

    My youngest child has wanted to go to Iceland for a while. I have never been but, after seeing this, I am dying to take her.

    We will live vicariously through your blog posts for now – we look forward to the updates as they come online.

  3. I have a trip to Iceland planned in July so I have bookmarked this article to help plan my itinerary. Can you provide any information about the process of COVID testing prior to returning to the U.S.? I have done some research on a few sites and reviewed the information, but the process still seems very confusing.

    Maybe a quick recap of how you handled it would be helpful to those of us planning our trips.

    Thanks!

  4. Is there a guide book you recommend? You did so much and I’m trying distill it for a 1 week trip. The planning is a little tricky. Thanks

    1. I did not use a guide book for my trip to Iceland, Nun; so I cannot recommend one.

      All I can say is figure out what you like to do and do some research to see if Iceland offers what you like…

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!