{"id":423,"date":"2021-08-04T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/catmantravels.com\/?p=423"},"modified":"2025-09-02T19:18:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T19:18:55","slug":"day-1-perfect-two-week-iceland-ring-road-trip-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catmantravels.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/04\/day-1-perfect-two-week-iceland-ring-road-trip-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"Iceland Day 1: Exploring Reykjav\u00edk & the Golden Circle of Iceland, and soaking in a hot spring straight out of a fairytale."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Looking for the perfect 14-day itinerary for Iceland? Look no further and follow in our footsteps! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had a 6 am arrival at Keflav\u00edk Airport. The immigration process was quick and easy. We simply presented our passports and were asked how long we would be staying in Iceland to which we answered 2 weeks. After we got through immigration, we picked up our bags and left the baggage claim area. It was at this point that we had to present the negative Covid-19 tests that we had taken 72hrs before our flights before we were truly set free. I tried to purchase sim cards at the supermarket in the airport, however, they did not have Saminn sim cards which have the best coverage in the country, so I opted to wait to purchase at a different location instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing we had to do was pick up what would be both our rental car and home for the next 2 weeks. We rented our campervan through Pro Camper<\/a>. The pickup process was very easy. We simply waited a few minutes at the information desk in the arrivals area of the airport for the shuttle to show up. The driver walked into the airport holding a sign with the Pro Car\/Pro Camper Rental logos on it and corralled all of us. We then had a 10-minute shuttle ride to the office where we signed some documents, got our keys, and were introduced to all the features of the tiny camper. A few last-minute checks and we were off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After our red-eye flight, we were both pretty tired and hungry so we stopped by the first bakery and cafe<\/a> that we passed for much-needed fuel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then we headed to the grocery store to stock up on our food supplies. At the time, the only place that was open at the time was a Kronan <\/a>near the airport. We would later learn that the Bonus grocery stores had the lowest prices so I would recommend going to the nearest Bonus instead for your supplies! The Bonus stores reminded me of Aldi’s back in the states. There also happens to be one right across<\/a> the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since we couldn’t get a S\u00c3\u00adminn sim card at the airport, our next mission was to locate a S\u00c3\u00adminn branch where we could get sim cards for our phones so we could have access to the internet. Since the nearest branch <\/a>was in the city of Reykjavik, we started the 40-minute drive into the capital city of Iceland. Everything went smoothly. We paid about $25 USD for a 15GB data sim once we arrived and went on to explore the sights and sounds of Reykjavik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first stop was the Hallgrimskirkja<\/a>, a Lutheran parish church in Reykjav\u00c3\u00adk, Iceland. At 74.5 meters tall, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hallgrimskirkja<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We wandered the beautiful streets of Old Reykjav\u00edk on foot and walked to the sun voyager and then back to the Church where our car was parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We stopped for lunch at Pad Thai Noodles<\/a> because we wanted to try Thai Food in Iceland. No food pics because we were too hungry, sorry not sorry! I would rate the hospitality at a 10\/10 and the food at a 6\/10. It would have been better if they didn’t use instant pad thai sauce from a bottle. The duck noodles were great, however. At this point, we just wanted to get out of the city to explore the nature Iceland had to offer so we started on our golden circle tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firs stop was Thingvellir National Park<\/a>. Thingvellir (or, in Icelandic, Thingvellir<\/a>) is the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental plates, in a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year. Part of the Golden Circle, Thingvellir is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an important historical location in Iceland. The park is also known for the Al\u00c3\u00being (Althing), the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Iceland’s first parliament!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next was Geysir<\/a>, a famous geothermal area in Haukadalur Valley. You literally can’t miss the famous geyser Strokkur at the center of it all which erupts every 6-10 minutes. Its usual height is 15-20 meters, although it can sometimes erupt up to 40 meters high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our first waterfall of the trip and it sure was epic! Gullfoss <\/a>means translated “Golden Falls” and is one of Iceland’s most beautiful and without a doubt Iceland’s most popular waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We ended our first day by dipping our toes in our first hot spring at Hrunalaug<\/a>. During the day, this hot spring can be very popular so we saved it for last and went around 9 pm. There were a few people there but everyone left within an hour or so and we had the entire place ourselves. This hot spring was so magical and looks straight out of a fairytale. Not to mention, the water temperature was perfect. Oh and best of all, it was free! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tonight, we are staying at \u00dej\u00f3rs\u00e1rdalur Camping Ground<\/a>. The cost was 1500kr and the only facilities onsite were some toilets but we decided to stay here because we wanted to visit Haifoss <\/a>early the next morning! Good night from Iceland!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.S. Here’s today’s complete roadmap. You can click on “More options” to see all the locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n