My Iceland: Hafdís and Her Ring Road Faves

Today's guest blogger, Hafdís, is a veteran travel consultant at our Iceland office and an all-around fun person to have along for a drive around the country. Below she tells us about her favourites from Iceland's Ring Road (Route 1).

Exploring our destinations: all part of a day's work at Nordic Visitor! Second from right is Hafdís, today's guest blogger.

The best thing about driving around Iceland's main highway, the Ring Road, is the surprising variety of things you can see and do! I have a lot of favourites from the road trip I did in April with some other Nordic Visitor friends, but there are a few that stick out.

For one, we got to try an ATV tour on a black sand beach (by an old plane wreck!) with one of our tour operators. It's a different way of exploring nature with an adrenalin kick.

Hafdís' colleague Aníta in disguise. Behind her is a US Navy plane that made an emergency crash landing on Sólheimasandur (South Iceland) in 1973.

We also visited Fjallsárlón It's just a short distance off Route 1, near the bigger Jökulsárlón iceberg lagoon, and it is breathtaking. Almost like being in Greenland!

Hafdís recommends a visit to Fjallsárlón. There are far fewer people at this smaller lagoon than Jökulsárlón, making it ideal for photographers.

Up north, I LOVE Námaskarð in the Mývatn area of North Iceland... the colors are just beautiful. I have only visited before in the summertime, so this was a pleasant surprise. 

Steamy! Námaskarð has fumaroles, solfataras and other geological features. And because of the geothermal activity, you will notice an egg-like sulfur smell.

Vogafjós in the Mývatn area was my favorite accommodation on the Ring Road. Looking at the cows over a cup of coffee is a unique countryside experience to remember! The food at their "Cowshed Cafe" is also delicious, made from fresh and local meat and fish.

Happy Icelandic cow at Vogafjós. After visiting the cowshed we recommend going next door to the cafe to try the lake trout, lamb or "geyser bread".

For a perfect end to a day in the Mývatn area, I must recommend the Mývatn Nature Baths. Total relaxation!

Mývatn Nature Baths: geothermal bathing in the fresh open air with great views!

I also loved the tranquility of Siglufjörður in North Iceland and the mighty mountains standing over us. It is a small village but still has a vibrant and charming town centre.

The small fishing village of Siglufjörður, nestled in a narrow fjord of the same name.

My last bit of advice? Make sure to do some exploring on your own as there is always something interesting around the corner in Iceland!

Want to do a road trip in Iceland like Hafdís?

Check out our selection of self-drives tours available in all seasons, even winter.

The following post is part of our "My Destination" series, in which we ask our staff to tell us about their favourite highlights in Iceland and our other Nordic destinations.