Iceland is probably my favorite place we have ever been!! Personally, I feel like Iceland could be a 4 day trip or a 2 week trip and you wouldn’t have enough time. We are already planning a trip back we loved it so much! Ideal for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and science lovers! It is indeed a captivating destination with its unique natural landscapes and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Language: The official language is Icelandic but English is spoken almost everywhere.
Currency: The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona but almost everywhere accepts card. There were a few gas stations that only accepted cash. Many places will accept US Dollars as well as Euros. Keep in mind, Iceland can be very expensive! Iceland is known for its relatively high cost of living, so being prepared for expenses is important for travelers.
Tipping: Tipping is not necessary in Iceland although, I always recommend tipping for especially good service and tours.
Transportation: I highly recommend getting a rental car if you’ll be driving anywhere outside of Reykjavik. You’ll want your maps to guide you while traveling.
Weather: Iceland is incredible during any month. June through September are the warmest months and also the most expensive and touristy. During the winter months, you’ll have a greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Weather can be unreliable year-round, so expect rain! We went in the middle of May and think it was the perfect time. Dress in layers as the weather can change quickly.
Road tripping: Check road conditions in case of bad weather. Closures can happen unexpectedly. Take advantage of restrooms when you see them (stops are few and far between). You’ll almost always have to pay for parking.
Safety: Iceland is a very safe country with a very low crime rate. Always use common sense though. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere!

Getting there:

We flew direct from JFK to KEF. The only flight available is the red-eye leaving at 11:25PM and arriving around 9 AM. We booked a last-minute car rental with Go Car. It turned out to be a fantastic experience. Once we landed we followed the signs to the rental car bus shuttle and got our Suzuki! We didn’t need a jeep or large car for our itinerary/ main attractions but you may want to look into this is you’re really going to be off-roading.

Where we stayed:

Our first 2 nights were spent in an Airbnb near Hvolsvöllur (or near Seljalandsfoss waterfall). The Airbnb was a red cabin called Bót, and we LOVED it. There are 2 sleeping cabins and 1 cabin that serves as a kitchen and bathroom. We couldn’t find any last minute stays in this part of Iceland with a personal bathroom (just fyi). However, our host was very accommodating and mentioned that they never book the other cabin unless the party is traveling together, to provide a more private experience. Our cabin was secluded, out in the countryside, and very cozy. I wish we had more time there to enjoy the property a little more. It was also the cheapest option we could find, which was a bonus! Our last night, we stayed at the ABC hotel in Keflavik next to the airport. It’s inexpensive! The outside looks scary, and so do the hallways. However, the rooms were really nice and super clean! Probably one of the most spacious hotel rooms we’ve stayed in.

Pro tip: Make sure to bring your own hairdryer if needed. None of the last minute accommodations included hairdryers.

What we did:

Day 1: Seljalandsfoss & Black Beaches

• Get rental car 
• Stop for lunch in Reykjavik 
• Drive the southern coast to Seljalandsfoss waterfall

• Gljufrabui waterfall (right next to Seljalandsfoss)
• Check-in to Airbnb (backtrack 10 min)
• Drive to Reynisfjara beach

• Town of Vik
• Black sand beaches of Vik 
• Dinner in Vik

Day 2: Skogafoss & Glaciers

• Turf houses
• Skogafoss waterfall (we decided to hike the trail above Skogafoss a good long way and it was well worth it)
• Grabbed a snack and gas in Vik 
• Fjadrargljufur canyon
• Long drive stopping lots along the way for pictures 
• Diamond beach 
• Jokuslaron Lagoon glaciers
• Dinner in Vik

Day 3: Road Trip Wrap-up through Thingvellir National Park & Reykjavik

• Thingvellir National Park (see the tectonic plates)
• Bruararfoss waterfall (you can hike to this waterfall or you can drive to a parking lot that is only a quick walk)
• Reykjavik Rainbow Road

• Hallgrimskirkja (famous church)

• Shop at local shops
• Dinner

What we ate: 

• Iceland Street Food in Reykjavik- The soup bread bowls were amazing!! We got lamb and tomato soup and they had free refills. They also had free waffles! Cutest little stop.
• Sudur-Vik in Vik- This was so good we ended up going there twice. It was delicious. Beef burger was incredible. The pizzas were out of this world. Our opinion? Better than Italy. The 5 cheese pizza was just wow. Also, get the brie starter because it is yum. Reservations are accepted!

• Lava Cafe- This was okay… a good snack but nothing special!
• Pastries were eh for us. Not worth the $$.
• 101 Reykjavik street food- This is a good budget friendly fish and chips place!
• Omnom ice cream- This was really good too! Especially fun for kids.

With more time I’d recommend the following:
1. Hike Glacier Caves
2. See erupting volcano
3. Get a camper van
4. Backpacking trip

Overall:

Iceland may be the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t recommend Iceland more. There were hardly any tourists during May and we could just explore everywhere. It is the trip of a lifetime.