We had been dreaming of going to Iceland for a long time, and since we wanted to do something truly special for our 30th anniversary, we decided to make that dream come true and set off to discover Vikings, hot springs, whales and puffins. This is how we spent 7 days in Iceland by campervan, driving all the way around the island.
Why We Chose 7 Days in Iceland for Our 30th Anniversary
We stayed for seven days and managed to drive around the entire island, sometimes covering long distances. Although Iceland is relatively small, it offers countless detours that let you truly appreciate its depth and diversity.
It was a shame that we couldn’t cross the island through the Highlands. The mountain roads usually don’t open until mid to late June, and our camper van was not permitted on the F-roads. If the Highlands are on your list, you’ll need a 4×4 camper and a summer trip.
Picking Up Our Camper at Rent.is
We arrived very early at the Rent.is office to pick up the camper van that would serve as our home on wheels. To be completely honest, this option is what made the trip possible for us. We received a very warm welcome, and the staff were genuinely friendly and professional.
Day 1: The Bridge Between Continents and Reykjavík
We began our journey in the middle of a storm with heavy rain. Our first stop was the Bridge Between Continents at Sandvík on the Reykjanes peninsula, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart. My husband crossed the bridge and returned to Europe, while I stayed in America.
We ended the day at the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík, which introduced us to the rich history of Iceland through exhibits organised chronologically on each floor.
Day 2: Laugarvatn, Gullfoss and the Lava Centre
The following day, we headed to Lake Laugarvatn. This lake is truly remarkable. Hot springs along its shore heat the sand so much that bread is baked in a pot buried in the ground for twenty-four hours.
We then continued to Gullfoss, the iconic and impressive waterfall that is a must-see for visitors. Places like this make you feel incredibly small compared to the power and scale of nature.
That Gullfoss can still be seen in its natural state today is often credited to Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a farmer’s daughter who, at the beginning of the twentieth century, fought plans by foreign investors to build a hydroelectric power station on the Hvítá River, which would have destroyed this magnificent natural site. Today the falls are officially protected.
And no trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur, since volcanic activity lies at the heart of the island’s formation. It was there that we tasted our first Icelandic speciality: kjötsúpa, traditional lamb soup. It was delicious!
Day 3: Jökulsárlón and the Viking Village at Vestrahorn
The next day, we travelled to the Viking Village at Vestrahorn, stopping first at Jökulsárlón and its icebergs. The icebergs displayed an incredible palette of icy blue shades.
The village is a reconstruction originally built as a film set for a movie that was never made, but the set remains. Everything is there, including the Viking longship.
Day 4: Puffins at Hafnarhólmi, Dettifoss and Selfoss
The following day was dedicated to puffin watching at Hafnarhólmi in Borgarfjörður Eystri. We saw hundreds of them coming and going, entering and leaving their burrows, alone or in pairs. It was a deeply moving experience.
We then continued our journey to see the magnificent Dettifoss and Selfoss waterfalls. Absolutely breathtaking!
Day 5: Whale Watching in Húsavík
The next day was another highlight: our whale-watching excursion in Húsavík. The whales did not disappoint. We spotted four in total. There were no spectacular breaches, but we saw clear signs of their presence: the columns of mist from their blows and their tails emerging before they dove into the depths of the sea. What an incredible feeling it was to be among the fortunate people who get to witness such a sight.
The icing on the cake was the Húsavík Eurovision exhibition, dedicated in part to the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, a movie I absolutely love! We saw costumes worn by Pierce Brosnan and Will Ferrell, as well as Rachel McAdams’ dresses. The exhibition also takes visitors through the history and major milestones of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Since it was our “whale day,” we could not miss the extraordinary Húsavík Whale Museum, with its impressive collection of skeletons from many species of whales and other cetaceans.
Day 6: Gunnuhver, Reykjanesviti and Reykjavík
Time passes quickly, and the next day we already had to start heading back toward the capital. We travelled south to the Reykjanes peninsula to see the Gunnuhver hot springs and the Reykjanesviti lighthouse. The volume and density of steam rising from the springs were astonishing. Walking through the area left us completely soaked from the condensation, as though we had just stepped out of a steam bath.
We still had time to explore Reykjavík: we visited the Settlement Exhibition, discovered a Northern Lights museum with a fantastic virtual reality experience, and strolled through the pedestrian streets lined with charming souvenir shops. See our guide to things to do in Reykjavík for more ideas.
Day 7: Viking World and Returning the Camper
Then came our final day. We visited the Viking World museum in Reykjanesbær, home to Íslendingur, a 22.5-metre replica of the Gokstad Viking ship, whose original was discovered in a burial mound in Norway in 1880. The museum also showcases Viking art and history through the ages. Afterwards, we enjoyed a walk along the coastline and admired the small lighthouse at Garður.
Our stay was coming to an end, and it was time to return the camper van before heading to the airport. Just as on the day we arrived, the staff at Rent.is gave us a very warm welcome. They were extremely accommodating: although we were supposed to return the vehicle before 9 a.m., they kindly allowed us to keep it until 3 p.m. so that we could enjoy our final day to the fullest. A staff member inspected the vehicle inside and out to make sure everything was in order, and then we headed to the airport on the Rent.is shuttle. The service was impeccable.
What 7 Days in Iceland Taught Us
Iceland is unique. This small piece of land is a jewel lost in the North Atlantic Ocean, shaped by a harsh climate and battered by strong winds. Its rich and vibrant history stretches back more than a thousand years.
The country offers such diversity that every place you visit becomes an experience to be lived, felt and breathed: hearing volcanic rocks crunch beneath your feet, feeling the vibrations and power of waterfalls, breathing in the sea spray from the coast and the falls, immersing yourself in history through museums and conversations with locals, and feeling powerful emotions as whales greet you on a boat trip in Húsavík while hundreds of puffins keep building their nests, seemingly oblivious to your presence.
Iceland also played a role in the European discovery of North America. The Icelandic-born explorer Leif Erikson is believed to have reached the coast of North America around the year 1000, centuries before Christopher Columbus. The remains of a Norse settlement have been found at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada.
We experienced many unforgettable moments. Our encounters with whales and puffins brought nature incredibly close and reminded us that we are part of it, and that it deserves far better treatment than it often receives. The museums recount Icelandic history, while the Northern Lights and Viking culture surround you. Reconstructions of Viking ships and villages transport you into a world that feels familiar yet remains mysterious. The traditions, mythology and runes seem known to us, and yet there is still so much to learn.
But how long does one need to stay in Iceland to truly know it? Every stretch of land and every detour reveals something new. There is always another discovery waiting: a flock of sheep or horses grazing peacefully, a volcano whose summit disappears into the clouds, mountain ranges still covered in snow in May, a lighthouse standing watch over the coastline, or black sand beaches sparkling in the sunlight.
After such a journey, Iceland gets under your skin, and the thought of leaving fills you with nostalgia. You want to learn more, to see more, but unfortunately time is limited. It is already time to go home.
What a pity! Yet the desire to return remains stronger than ever, and that is exactly what we intend to do, as soon as possible.
FAQ: 7 Days in Iceland by Campervan
Can you drive around Iceland in 7 days?
Yes, as this trip shows, but it means some long driving days. The Ring Road alone is about 1,330 km. If you want more time at each stop, plan for 10 days or more, or focus on the South Coast and Golden Circle in a week.
Can you drive F-roads in a regular campervan?
No. Most two-wheel-drive campervans are not allowed on Iceland’s F-roads, the mountain roads into the Highlands. To drive them, you need a 4×4 camper.
When do the Highland roads open in Iceland?
It depends on snow and road conditions each year, but most F-roads open between mid-June and early July. Check the current status on Umferdin.is before you travel.
Plan Your Own 7 Days in Iceland by Campervan
Whether it’s an anniversary, a honeymoon or the trip you’ve dreamed about for years, a campervan is the most flexible way to see Iceland. Rent.is has Iceland’s largest campervan fleet, with free 24/7 shuttle pickup just five minutes from Keflavík Airport.
