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7 Essential Stops on Your Iceland Camper Van Road Trip

This article provides readers with tips on ways they can elevate their next trip to Iceland.

By hannahboothe789Published about a year ago 4 min read

Iceland is a country with unbelievably beautiful landscapes. A camper van road trip means one can get out there and tour its beautiful scenery in its own time. The journey promises amazing waterfalls and geothermal areas. Let's review these seven essential stops that are rightly on any camper van trip through Iceland so you have a deeper, more well-rounded experience.

1. Reykjavik

Through Reykjavik you come into Iceland with its breathtaking landscapes. Being the capital city, colorful architecture, rich history, and a vibrant culture are what it has. Harpa Concert Hall is renowned for its unique design, which is used for a variety of performances and events. Besides cultural attractions, Reykjavik is famous for its many shops, eateries, and museums all displaying glimpses of Icelandic culture. Driving your camper van road trip out of Reykjavik is something you'd want to stay in the city and soak the nearby attractions before going too far and having possibly unexpected natural beauty on your way.

2. The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle tourism route also provides various beautiful stop-over places, counseling trails, and geological and historical content. There are beautiful geese, fresh water lakes, and plant species that can only be seen in Þingvellir National Park and are ideal for hiking and taking shots with your camera. The Geysir Geothermal Area is not only the place with Strokkur; moreover, it includes colorful hot springs and mud pots just as if it were another planet. As travelers drive to Gullfoss, the sound of the waterfall can be heard from a distance, ending this magnificent, beautiful route massively for those planning their trip in a camper van.

3. Waterfalls of Mystique in Iceland

Still, in Skógafoss, you can see a rainbow that appears if the sun shines after the rain – it is just a bonus to the magnificent landscapes in the South of Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is a special place to visit because although the waterfall itself is utterly beautiful there is a chance to walk behind it, as it has a natural rock formation enabling the viewer to do this. They are also easily accessible, being within the vicinity of the Ring Road, perfect places to stop when on a camper van trip. These places are ideal for taking pictures since they take one directly into the heart of the beautiful country of Iceland.

4. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Close by a town called Vík, there is a black sand beach called Reynisfjara. The beach is very photogenic, with the bonus of impressive columnar basalt cliffs as well as interesting sea stacks. The black sand is pretty photogenic combined with the blue color of the sea. It is advised that the visitors also avoid these shores as the sea water sometimes surges with rather large waves that can come and hit the squares.

5. The Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon

This ice formation has a vibrant blue color, which creates a striking contrast against the surrounding background - it is incredibly calming to observe. Adjacent to the property is Diamond Beach, which is so-called due to the large ice pieces that come ashore and look like diamonds on the black sand. A visit through the lagoon is very exciting, especially riding through the narrow and shallow water surrounded by icebergs. It is always a bonus when including Jökulsárlón on your trip when choosing a camper rental in Iceland, so you will feel the ease of touring around and at the same time, be able to witness this fascination.

6. Mývatn Region

The Mývatn area is quite famous for its geothermal activity and wonderful sceneries. It features actively varying features such as mud pots, fumaroles and different forms of lava. The geothermal spa from Mývatn Nature Baths is one of the places allowing you to take a leisurely soak in naturally warmed waters while enjoying the views of nature. Exploring around, there is an ash deposit in Dimmuborgir lava fields that is interesting for hiking as it boasts interesting rock structures. Watching birds and other wildlife is very popular in the Mývatn area due to its many waterfowl species and the stark features of the landscape. When included in the camper van tour, this region offers the advantage of geology and natural beauty attractions.

7. Peninsula of Snæfellsnes

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a small but the most diverse area that provides a full variety of Icelandic landscapes. Volcanic craters, amiable fishing waterfronts, and beautiful stretches of coastline beckon the tourists. The feature that has made Kirkjufell Mountain a star on the list of the most photographed sites in Iceland is the waterfall, which is next to the mountain. Within the area of the national park, the Snæfellsjökull glacier can be explored and provides for hiking. It also has peculiar rock formations and boasts very diverse wildlife. Touring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in a camper van will present you with the wide diversity of Iceland and give you a great time.

Conclusion

With its brightly colored houses and cool neighborhoods of Reykjavik, waterfalls, and diamond beach in the south, geysers in the golden circle, and of course, the great Vatnajökull glacier, the Jöklusarlon Glacier Lagoon, here are seven stops that will show the best of Iceland. Planning your itinerary to feature these destinations makes your road trip through this fantastic country enjoyable and rewarding.

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