A Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe, Iceland is a stunning destination for travelers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.
The country is one of the safest to visit for travelers and one of the best places to explore on your own by car. Our 16-day trip in Iceland gave us one of the best experiences we have ever had. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík, home to about 36% of the country’s roughly 380,000 residents. The official language is Icelandic, and the currency is the Icelandic Krona, not the Euro.
Iceland lies on a rift between tectonic plates, leading to significant geologic activity, including geysers and frequent volcanic eruptions. A week before we arrived in Reykjavik, the city experienced a series of volcanic eruptions. One positive aspect is that they cordon off areas where such activities occur, allowing the rest of the city to continue their normal activities. It’s important to remember that there is always some activity going on beneath the surface.
Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite its latitude just south of the Arctic Circle. Its latitude and marine influence keep summers cool, and most of its islands have a polar climate.
For most of the tourists, the best way to explore Iceland is on their own. The road trip is one of the ways to explore at your own pace. They say they have 5 road trips where you can have the best experiences and customize to your speed and pace.
So jump in a car and head out on a road trip. There are five popular road trips with maps available online.
- The Golden Circle
- The Westfjords Way
- The Arctic Coast Way
- The South Coast
- The Ring Road
We did the Ring Road and included a few extra kilometers from the Western Fjords and made a sixth map of Road trip in Iceland.