Iceland road trip in June under the midnight sun

Reykjavik & Reykjanes: landing on another planet

Our trip begins in Reykjavik, a compact capital with colourful houses, trendy coffee bars and a fresh, creative energy. Between the street art and the sea in the background, you immediately feel that this city lives to the rhythm of nature: the ocean, the wind, the mountains in the distance. Not far from the airport and Reykjavik lies the Reykjanes peninsula, around Grindavík: lava fields stretching endlessly and, here and there, plumes of steam escaping from the earth. This is also the region of the world-famous Blue Lagoon. And that... we deliberately skipped. For our first experience with Icelandic hot water we preferred something less commercial and more in nature, and we found it along the way (*)

Golden Circle: the power of Gullfoss

After Reykjavik and Reykjanes we headed inland, towards the Golden Circle. At Gullfoss, often popularly twisted into "Sullfos", you literally feel the primal force of the water. From afar you can already hear the water plunging down in several steps.

Rangárþing ytra & Landmannalaugar: hiking through colourful mountains

After the Golden Circle we head down to Rangárþing ytra, our base for one of the most impressive places of the trip: Landmannalaugar.

This is where Iceland starts to feel like another planet. Landmannalaugar is a highland area full of reddish-brown, ochre-yellow and reddish rhyolite mountains, alternating with black lava fields and plumes of steam everywhere. You literally walk through a palette of colours: yellow, orange, green, black, sometimes even snow, all in one view. We set out on a solid hike, and at the end of the trail the reward was waiting: a natural hot spring in the open with a view of the mountains around us. (*)This is the hot-water experience we were looking for: no marble tiles, just a simple little river.

Dyrhólaey, Skaftárhreppur & Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður: along the south coast

Further east we follow the south coast along the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, hoping to spot the puffins that are there at that time of year.

In Skaftárhreppur and later in the region around Hornafjörður, the landscape changes again. Glaciers slide into the valleys like frozen rivers, lava fields are covered with a soft green blanket of moss, and everywhere you see the traces of old eruptions. Driving here never feels like “getting from A to B”: almost every kilometre you want to stop for a photo.

Northeast Iceland: the silence of the whales

From the southeast we headed to the northeast. The landscape becomes more open, the sky a little clearer, and fjords cut deep into the land. Even from the shore you can hear the powerful exhale of a whale ...an experience that becomes even more intense on board a boat trip.

Back to Reykjavik: Iceland that lingers

The circle was complete when we drove back to Reykjavik. We had seen glaciers, cliffs and black beaches, waterfalls and hot springs. Perhaps that is the essence of Iceland: you get the iconic views, but also the space to choose your own path. And on the way back home, I knew: Iceland won't let me go. On my next trip I would love to visit this magical country in the depths of winter for the northern lights and the white snowy plains.

Who is Iceland a good destination for?

• Summer in Iceland: for those who want to see and do a lot, love walking, want a logical road trip by car and enjoy long days, mild temperatures and vibrant nature. Ideal for active couples, families and road-trip lovers.
• Winter in Iceland: for those who dream of northern lights, snowy landscapes and a cosy winter feeling, and aren't afraid of cold, short daylight and a bit of adventure. Ideal for romantic couples, photographers and adventurous travellers who can handle flexibility.