Solo Travel: Iceland Solo Travel Itinerary

Iceland is incredibly hot at the moment. Not in temperature since we are heading into winter but its tourist population is booming. What is amazing about Iceland is the fact that it is an incredibly safe country. For those that want to travel there, it has a little something for everyone. There are road trip opportunities, you can go there as a solo traveler, there are plenty of romantic areas for couples, and it is also great if you have kids. The following post is all about solo travel: Iceland. It is a short itinerary for Iceland solo travel. Enjoy!

Iceland’s Ring Road

It is a many splendored thing that Iceland is not a very large country. This makes road tripping a very manageable thing. A great place to start would be Iceland’s Ring Road. If its name did not give it away, it really is a road that makes a ring. This ring just so happens to go around almost all of the country. While it may only take 16 hours to drive, it could serve as a “road” map that a traveler could follow. You can make this road trip as long as you want but to give it any sort of justice you really need to spend several days making your way around.

If you are planning to road trip, then a car rental is an absolute must. If you have your own transportation then you are able to stop whenever you want. Trust me, you will want to stop. You will be traveling through all kinds of random villages and also beautiful scenery. If you are anything like me then you will want to take plenty of pictures and look for trinkets to purchase.

The blue Lagoon

Now, I have not always been a fan of public baths. The Blue Lagoon however, is a totally different beast and should not be missed if possible. Iceland is known for its famous geothermal heated pools. It is a pretty quick drive from the airport and an easy stop to hit on your itinerary. If you are lucky enough to go to Iceland in the Winter time then you have the ability to even watch the sun rise while you are maxing and relaxing.

Northern Lights

Many people who venture to Iceland are trying in some way to see the Northern Lights. There are only so many locations in the world where they are even visible. The months of March and September are definitely best if you want to see the lights at their brightest. You are definitely going to want to head out of town to catch the show though. Light pollution will definitely throw off your ability to see the lights so the rural locations are your best shot. Driving out of town, just 20-30 minutes, should be enough to catch a good show.

Bake Bread in the Earth

Have you ever baked bread using the heat naturally generated from the Earth? Well in Iceland you can do just that. Not every country has the ability to harness their geothermal energy in the same way that Iceland does so this is a rare opportunity. There are plenty of places that you can get this done including restaurants and different hotels. Check out Laugarvatn Fontana if it is in your area. The rye braid comes out nice and warm so the butter melts on it in the most luscious of ways. If you hit this place up let me know how it goes.

Whale Watching

If you have the patience, you can take a few hours to go whale watching. Iceland serves as the natural habitat for a variety of whale types. There are several reputable tour companies that can take you out of Reykjavik. I would make sure that you put aside at least 3-4 hours for the tour, but some may be longer. It is not something that you should go into with the idea that you will quickly find a whale and then head back to the shore. This is the kind of activity where you want to have some patience. If you are lucky you will see multiple whales and maybe even have one that will be close enough for you to be sprayed with water from a fin slap or blow hole.

Skaftafell Ice Cave

If you are looking for a place where you can combine hiking and glacier views then look no further that Skaftafell Ice Cave. One of the downfalls of Iceland is that there is little to no regulation with many of the glaciers. This means that as a tourist there is nothing stopping you from going to the glaciers on your own and saving money on a guided tour. The downfall of this is that it may be the last trip of your life. Let’s not play, glaciers are dangerous. This is one of the times where you really do need the help from a local tour guide. This way you can make ensure your safety and make it to additional locations and future trips.

Lake Mývatn

This is included on the list mostly to give you a place to take beautiful photos. The lake is very serene and a protected bird area. If you are looking for a place that is quiet, scenic, and near some volcanic activity then Lake Myvatn is the place for you. I can’t say that there is much else to do at the lake but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great addition to your itinerary.

Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach provides some of the most iconic Icelandic views. This beach has been included on several lists as one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. If you are wondering why the sand is black, it’s because the beach is made up of finely eroded volcanic rock. While walking along the beach you can enjoy the amazing sea stacks that line the beach’s coast. The beach is located in the southern part of Iceland and also has several caves that can be explored.

The Great Geysir

The Great Geysir is similar to other Geysirs in that it sporadically spouts out water which reaches great heights. This isn’t said to take away from the wonder that it still inspires in people but it is still a geysir. You can hit up this famous tourist site to see the geysir in action but that is all that you will be able to find. The geysir is located in the “golden circle” so it can be one of several sites that you see that day.

Silfra

The ability to dive and snorkle between two tectonic plates is truly a special one and that is exactly what you can get in Silfra. Located in Thingvellir National Park, Silfra is constantly changing. Every year the tectonic plates shift about 2 cm which can cause earthquakes, rock slides, and other natural reactions.

This means that the geography of the national park is constantly changing. It is a very lively site. From year to year you can always expect to find new caves and tunnels due to the yearly shifting of the plates. Not only are there naturally clear and beautiful waters to create beautiful and scenic photography opportunities but the snorkling and diving that is available can create a fun and active day for a solo traveler or couple.

Dettifoss Waterfall

Want a fun fact? Dettifoss Waterfall has the greatest volume of any waterfall in Europe with 0ver 500 cubic meters of water flowing over the edge every second. There are so many reason why this waterfall should be on your list of places to see while in Iceland.

Not only will you be able to experience the waterfall but there are hiking and camping opportunities that are available. This is a site that you can really make an all day affair. Dettifoss Waterfall is another site on “the golden circle” tour. You have the ability to see the waterfall, the beautiful mountains in the background, and can even stop into a local cafe for a soup and sandwich combo!

There you have it! 11 stops that you can add to you Solo Travel: Iceland itinerary.