This Ultimate Iceland guide is the accumulation of over 60 hours of planning and research and includes an interactive map, directions and exact GPS coordinates of where to camp, 65 stops and things to do, hiking and trail data, coupon codes for activities, best photo spots and times of day to shoot, and more in the form of a 7-8 day itinerary! This is a mobile friendly itinerary so you can use it throughout your trip in real time. This is the exact itinerary we used last year with optional add ons along the way. 

We took all of our experience from our trip to Iceland last year and our mishaps/what we wish we knew and compiled everything into this guide. The best part is as we go back to Iceland again this summer, you’ll get access to all of our new information as well since these guides are synced with live updates! You’ll have it for life and can access it any time.

Follow this guide exactly (weather and conditions permitting) for a guaranteed amazing set of experiences and vistas! Or, combine our insights with your own research to craft the trip of your dreams.

Tag us in the photos you take - we'd love to see your experience! @theloverspassport 


Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

If you want to avoid the crowds and capture the raw beauty of Iceland, the Highlands of this magical island offer a vast variety of stunningly beautiful landscapes. From moss covered volcanoes in the middle of a black ash desert to powerful waterfalls and colourful geothermal hotspots this guide for photographers and filmmakers will be your starting point to capture unbelievable images of this unreal landscape yourself. This guide covers:

• General guidance how to travel the Highlands as a photographer
• 14 EPIC locations, each with photography tips on how to get a great shot there and how to find these hidden gems of Iceland
• A Gear Guide on what to  pack
• 4 Longform Videos with additional information and inspiration

Hi, I am Joey Helms, a Chicago-based documentary filmmaker, nature photographer, and creative director, and this guide is designed to set you up for your photography trip to Iceland's most beautiful side. I cannot wait to see what you capture!

Iceland Highlands | Photographer's Guide

It took me hours and hours to find the best photo spots in the Golden Circle and Southern Iceland — but you’ll be quicker! In this guide you get:
• places off the beaten track, but also the must-sees ⭐️ 
• the exact location of each spot, so you can go straight there and take great pictures
• tips for the best landscape photos by a professional photographer (that’s me!)

How to reach the spots:
🚐 Accessible by car
🚜 Dirt road accessible with a 4x4
🥾 It takes a short hike to get there

Southern Iceland Photo Spots

This guide will take you on a journey around the famous ring road that encircles the entire country, visiting some of the finest luxury hotels & lagoons the land of fire & ice has to offer. 
Iceland doesn’t do outlandish luxury, here it’s the Scandinavia way. It’s all about the experience wrapped up in a minalmist no-fuss package where quality is king. 

When money is no object, Iceland offers some truly unique places to rest your head & treat yourself. There are not many places on earth where you can sleep in glass huts gazing up at the norther lights or sleep so close to an active volcano you can feel the tremors. Once in a lifetime experiences can be found in abundance on this Atlantic island nation. . 

LUXURY LODGING & LAGOONS | ICELAND EDITION

Explore Iceland Ring Road in 5 days. More than 1800 km in less than a week might sound like a challenge when you are traveling with kids but with multiple exciting stops on the way and a good night sleep in between the complaints will be limited. 

Kids will especially enjoy the drive during the summer when you can see a lot of animals (mostly 🐑) during the whole drive. June is especially nice to visit Iceland because there are a lot of baby animals that are such an excitement to spot!

Ring Road with Kids

My personal map of hot springs both wild ones and paid ones

Hot Spring Map Iceland

Iceland is the land of fire and ice. This volcanic island is a natural marvel with insane natural beauty, friendly people, good food, and neverending opportunities for adventures. 

Many guides I've seen for Iceland are focused specifically on photographers - where to go for the perfect shot, at what time of day. I too, love taking photos and trust me, I took a million when I visited Iceland. But getting the perfect shot wasn't always the priority, experiencing the country and just enjoying exploring it was. So I put together this 10-day itinerary, reflective of the trip that I took for those of you who just want to see the country, go on some hikes, soak in hot springs, eat good food, and. enjoy yourself. 

When I did this trip, I traveled in a car with 5 friends. So many of the logistics regarding accommodation center around the Airbnbs that we stayed in. If you're traveling with fewer people or by van, you'll need to figure out your own accommodation or campsite options - but that information is easy to find online. Also, you'll definitely need your own vehicle. I suggest getting something with 4x4 or AWD capabilities because this itinerary includes the full Ring Road of Iceland and some of the roads are not the best, especially if there's snow. I did this trip in March, so there was a lot of snow on the roads. Later in the summer would probably be easier, but it's doable in March.

The itinerary:
This trip is 10 days long, including 6 days around Ring Road. If you don't have 10 days, you could always cut one or more of the days where you're based in Reykjavik or one of the days in Vik to shorten the Ring Road drive.
I listed out the specific restaurants and accommodations that I stayed at. Of course, do with them what you will. If you want to try something else, that's your choice :) 

Buy this guide if:
- You have 8-10 days to visit Iceland.
- Feel comfortable driving yourself around the country.
- Want to take photos but don't necessarily need that to be your number one priority the entire trip.
- Enjoy adventure & are down to just go for it.

10 Days in Iceland for the Casual Traveler

Of course hot springs are biggest part of Wellness in Iceland but Here is couple options with more pizazz 

Spa & Wellness

Best Puffin Places

The Golden Circle is a 300km loop in Southern Iceland. I know it may sound daunting, especially if you are on a tight schedule to squeeze everything in. This guide will give you a schedule of the perfect way to plan a day trip in The Golden Circle. I’ve also added links of my experience in each activity and a recommend tour group if you aren’t ready to face the slippery roads during winter in Iceland.

The Golden Circle Day Trip: Iceland Winter Edition

Over the past few years, Iceland has been getting more and more popular by tourists. Nicknamed the Land of Fire and Ice because of its many volcanoes and glaciers, there are endless opportunities of gorgeous natural wonders to explore. Over 60% of the people that live in Iceland, live in the capital city of Reykjavik.

If you are not renting a car to avoid the intimidation of the slippery roads during winter, all of the activities below can be done right in Reykjavik or by a tour with transfer. I’ve gone ahead and provided all the links you need for each tour that I have personally done myself just this year (2022). Have a wonderful time exploring Iceland. 🇮🇸 

7 Days In Iceland Without A Car: Winter Edition

 Have you ever wanted to travel to Iceland or see the Northern Lights? Did you know Iceland is only a 5hr 50 min flight from NYC? I sure didn’t! If you want somewhere close to the US but feel like you’re WORLDS away, WITHOUT breaking the bank, THIS is the place for you! 

Start off in Reykjavík and make your way on an awesome road trip, that will lead you all the way to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and back, with iconic Waterfall stops, Black Sand Beaches featured on Game Of Thrones, The Blue Lagoon & More! 

 With this itinerary you have options that will keep you busy for days, seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth, in a short amount of time! I personally did this trip from a Thursday to Monday including the travel days! Let’s go adventure! ✈️


5 Day Icelandic Adventure- quick trip on a budget 

Whether you have a professional camera or an iPhone. This guide will take you on a photographic journey around the famous ring road that encircles the entire country, visiting some of the most epic photographic spots the land of fire & ice has to offer.

From off the beaten path locations to the classics you are sure to be awe-struck by the landscape. 
Active volcanoes, waterfalls & wild horses make Iceland one of the most unique places in the world for a photographer to visit.

This guide collects all the spots you'll want to hit - including all the classic shots you've seen online + some new locations that are harder to find. Use the photos I've shared of each spot + the interactive map included to identify the spots you most want to see & plan out your own trip accordingly. :)

ICELAND | THE DEFINITIVE RING ROAD PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

Golden circle intinerary for one day tour from Reykjavik 

Golden Circle One Day tour 

Iceland has many weird museums but these are my top 5

Quirky Museums of Iceland

Reykjavík

THE BEST EXCURSIONS TO BOOK FOR ICELAND DURING THE WINTER MONTHS ! LINKS WILL BE AVAILABLE INSIDE ITINERARY FOR DIRECT PLACE FOR BOOKING!

How To Explore Iceland the best in a 3-4 exploration during the Winter months!

This Exploration to Iceland took place in December. 

Note: During the Winter months in Iceland, Daylight is approximately 5-6 hours so plan your excursions or things to do accordingly to the short window of available sunlight.

Tag Me & Follow my IG @exploration_wonders. I will love to see where you end up in Iceland 🇮🇸!