An Iceland road trip itinerary for August
Across many parts of Europe and North America, the school summer holidays fall in August, which means it’s considered peak season. This will have a number of implications for a road trip around Iceland and though it shouldn’t rule one out, you might wish to make plans that take busier roads and higher prices into account. If you're planning a road trip in Iceland, it's worth understanding the unique conditions and opportunities of driving in Iceland in Summer, from longer daylight hours to increased tourist traffic.
In this article, we’ll suggest a driving itinerary that maximizes time off the beaten track, though unless you plan to camp, it's vital to lock in your accommodation well ahead of your trip as demand for hotels and guesthouses out in the countryside can exceed supply. You might also find that there’s better availability towards the end of the month, as seasonal activities such as puffin watching are over and families are focused on back-to-school preparations. Here’s a suggested itinerary that avoids the most popular sites but still offers an impressive array of sightseeing and activities.
Day 1
Beginning at Keflavik Airport or the capital region, head north and begin driving the ring road in a clockwise direction. Many travelers prefer to go anti-clockwise to tackle the many attractions of the south coast while they are still fresh, so bucking the trend should mean that the traffic isn’t as heavy. Focus your sightseeing on the Silver Circle.
This scenic route is far less well-known than its near-neighbour the Golden Circle, yet you’ll enjoy the views just as much. What Hraunfossar lacks in height, for instance, it makes up for in color – the rivulets of water cross a charcoal grey lava field but an abundance of vegetation surrounds the falls. Other highlights are the Húsafell hot springs and Giljaböð (Canyon Baths), which are a pair of geothermal lagoons; Krauma too is worth checking out.
Day 2
Detour onto the Snæfellsnes peninsula today. While some places are magnets to visitors – we’re talking about you, Kirkjufellsfoss – it’s still possible to find places that are overlooked by many tourists. For instance, consider stopping off at Selvallafoss; just like at Seljalandsfoss on the south coast, you can walk behind the curtain of water but far fewer people come here to do so as the waterfall isn’t as tall.
Further west, Bæjarfoss is another delightful waterfall surrounded in August by verdant countryside. Another crowd-dodging option might be to book a tour of the Vatnshellir lava tube as it’s only possible to do so with a guide and numbers are capped. Once you’re ready to wrap up your sightseeing for the day, make your way to the quaint port of Stykkishólmur, where there are a number of historic buildings to enjoy during an evening stroll.
Day 3
If you’re comfortable driving your rental car onto a ferry – and in August there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be – then the Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur ferry gives you a chance to relax as you make your way to the Westfjords. Even in summer, this part of Iceland is relatively off the beaten track as many travellers don’t have the time to do it justice. It’s only a 45-minute drive to Patreksfjörður which makes a convenient overnight stop, so that leaves plenty of time for some sightseeing along the way. We suggest detouring to one of Iceland’s most striking beaches, Rauðasandur. It’s remarkable for its red sand, and under August sunshine and blue skies, it’s at its photogenic best.
Days 4 and 5
Spend at least the next couple of days getting across the Westfjords to Ísafjörður, its regional capital. This is a part of Iceland where you’ll want to pull into a layby to admire the fjords and mountains beyond. Early in the morning and late in the evening they are even more beautiful bathed in the soft light. Seek out some of the region’s more interesting villages, such as Þingeyri, home to Simbahöllin, a seasonally open café that some would claim serves up the tastiest waffles in Iceland. Topped with generous amounts of rhubarb jam and cream, it’s hard to disagree.
Another must is Flateyri where you’ll find the country’s oldest bookstore. Ísafjörður itself has bags of charm. If you’re keen on wildlife, consider making at least a day trip over to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve where you might get lucky and spot an Arctic fox; if you don’t make do with the small museum on the edge of town devoted to this cute creature.
Day 6
Today it’s time to start making your way out of the Westfjords. Nevertheless, allow time to call into the quirky Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft at Hólmavík. It’s a reminder that superstitions and religious beliefs centuries ago led to some pretty dubious practices. The road winds around the fjords, so it takes at least three hours to reach the village and another two hours to get to Hvammstangi.
It’s worth calling into the Icelandic Seal Center while you’re there and depending on the time and the tide, also driving up the peninsula to see seals hauled out on the rocky shore. At the northern tip of the Vatnsnes peninsula check out a rock stack called Hvitserkur, which some say resembles the form of a dragon – or maybe a rhino.
Days 7 and 8
North Iceland feels relatively off the beaten track compared to the south, so spending a few days in this part of the country is a great idea in summer. Akureyri, the largest settlement in Iceland after Reykjavik, makes a convenient base, though there’s also a lot to be said for smaller places such as Siglufjörður or Húsavik. The former boasts a hotel that featured prominently in the Netflix series Trapped and also boasts a museum about the town’s herring processing heritage – more interesting than it sounds! The latter is a good choice for those keen to go whale watching, as humpbacks and other species are often sighted close to shore in or near Skjálfandi Bay. There’s also a fun Eurovision exhibition for those with an enthusiasm for the song contest or the Will Ferrell movie.
Day 9
Spend one last day in this part of Iceland so that you can experience the Diamond Circle. This is another signposted scenic driving route and among its attractions are a couple of standout waterfalls. Dettifoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Europe and the volume of water that crashes down over the rock here is astonishing.
Goðafoss is another popular stop as this horseshoe-shaped fall not only sits close to the ring road but played a role in Iceland’s early history as the place where replicas of pagan gods were symbolically thrown into the water to mark the conversion of the Norse settlers to Christianity. Another place on the Diamond Circle with a connection to the Norse era is the wooded Ásbyrgi Canyon, an impressive sight thanks to its 100-metre-high cliffs. So the legend goes, its horseshoe shape represents a hoof print made by Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
From here, depending on how much time you have at your disposal, you might continue through East Iceland and complete the full loop of the ring road, or backtrack for the six or seven-hour drive back to the capital region. Whichever you choose, August is the ideal month for driving in Iceland and this road trip will have been a memorable one.
