Our family is off on another travel adventure, and our first stop was Iceland. If you don’t know already, Iceland Air has a great promotion where you can layover a few days for no additional airfare cost.
For our first leg of the trip, we decided to go camping. The interior of Iceland is closed in winter due to snow, but in summer it melts away, revealing many hidden gems to explore.
One Minute to Paradise: The Roof Tent That Changed Our Camping Game
We rented a car that came with a roof tent, thinking we’d try it out to see if we might want one long-term. Both my husband and I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to set up and take down – and how comfortable it is inside. I mean less than a minute to set up! You basically just pull up and you’re ready.
On a rainy day, it’s incredibly easy to stay dry. The bottom has a nice mattress layer to sleep and sit on, with plenty of headspace to sit up comfortably. I would definitely recommend roof tent camping. It almost feels like glamping, but you’re still in a tent and can go anywhere you want.
Discovering Iceland’s Hidden Interior
We decided that camping would make it easier to explore the interior without worrying about finding lodging in remote areas. Many farms actually have campsites that are very nice to stay on.
Farm Stay Gold: Why Afangagil Stole Our Hearts
We found one campsite especially idyllic: Afangagil. Picture-perfect countryside with nice rustic chic bathrooms and cabins. The owner was also very friendly and helpful. We would highly recommend staying there again.
Conquering Hekla: Dancing with Iceland’s Sleeping Giant
My husband climbed Hekla mountain, which erupted 20 years ago. The area is beautiful, with a large crater nearby featuring striking red rock. There are other large craters, lakes, and natural beauty throughout the greater area. It’s part of a large Icelandic nature preserve.
Nature’s Hot Tub: Finding Iceland’s Hidden Springs
We also checked out a local tourist attraction – a completely natural hot spring. It’s shallow, so it’s more for sitting if you want to fully soak. They say they have a changing area, though you may have to hunt to find it or plan ahead. It’s a pretty busy attraction, so you’ll find many people there with you. You can also camp there if you’d like convenient access to the hot spring. The surrounding area is stunning, but it’s busy enough that it has more of a tourist vibe.
Next blog: We chase geysers and discover where continents collide in Iceland’s geological wonderland.
For more travel adventures, check out our blog or for travel insights, check out our travel page.
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