By Liliana Ortiz
Camperstory submission October 2024
We landed on a cold day of September in Iceland and quickly made our way to the shuttle that would take us to go pick up what would be our home for the week. The day was not only cold, but it also marked the 40th year of me stepping into this planet, so suffice to say it was a special day.
A grey Volkswagen Caddy was handed over by the friendly staff at rent.is, with a promise: not only would it give us a smooth ride, but it would also be our reliable companion for our 7-day road trip through the south and west of Iceland. And, oh, did it deliver!
Our first stop was Reykjavik. Off we went in our Caddy, straight into the city to explore the beauty and charm of the capital. We sampled some delicious Icelandic food and even enjoyed the vibrant nightlife—turns out, Reykjavik knows how to celebrate!
That first night, we stayed at a campsite right in town, which gave us a chance to get familiar with the van. One of us took charge of putting up the curtains while the other set up the bed and sleeping bags—a little teamwork goes a long way in a campervan! Thankfully, our Caddy came equipped with a Webasto heating system, so we stayed warm and cozy all night long.
Heading South & the Golden Circle: Waterfalls, Hot Springs, and Ice Caves
We decided to head south first, and soon found ourselves surrounded by Iceland’s natural wonders. We visited stunning waterfalls, swam in a remote pool nestled in the mountains, and toured an ice cave—a true highlight of the trip.
Next, we made our way back north to explore the famous Golden Circle. The Caddy carried us to must-see sights like Geysir and Gullfoss falls, but we also ventured to more secluded sites. At Bruarhlod, we were mesmerized by the vivid blue of the water—it truly took our breath away.
After a stop at Thingvellir National Park, where we enjoyed the incredible mix of landscapes, we set out on scenic road 47 towards Borgarnes. The extra time on the road was well worth it, as the landscape became etched in our memories forever.
Snæfellsnes: Wind, Wonders, and Kleinas
In Borgarnes, we refueled—both ourselves at a local restaurant and the Caddy at the gas station—before heading to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The wind greeted us fiercely, reminding us that Icelandic weather is unpredictable and moody. Thankfully, our van always made us feel safe, while on the road and during some stops, where we even enjoyed a few homemade lunches with spectacular views from behind the windshield.
Snæfellsnes lived up to every expectation. We explored otherworldly lava fields, climbed a crater, walked along dramatic cliffs, and strolled through charming little towns where we were welcomed with open arms—and some tasty kleinas.
A Grand Finale Under the Northern Lights
Throughout our trip, we stayed at various campsites, from farms to funky hostels and even a golf course. Our Caddy got a real variety of places to sleep, and in return, it took care of us every step of the way.
On the last day of our 7-day adventure, we returned to Reykjavik for a final wander through the city before settling at a campsite near the airport. This night was special, as we were able to see the northern lights, which had been elusive for our whole trip, but they decided to make an appearance for us, to give our trip the grand finale it deserved.
Here are our tips for Campervanning in Iceland
- Beware the Wind! You’ve heard about it, but nothing quite prepares you for how strong Icelandic winds can be. Open car doors carefully, and don’t get too close to cliff edges—it can get scary fast!
- Pack Light. You’ll likely be wearing your winter or waterproof gear most of the time, so there’s no need to pack too many clothes. Keeping things minimal makes it easier to stay organized in a campervan.
- Allow for Flexibility. Don’t over-schedule your trip. Sometimes, a place will take your breath away, and you’ll want to linger. Walking beyond the tourist crowds gave us some of our most magical experiences and we wouldn’t have been able to do it if we had overbooked our schedule
- Download Parking Apps Before You Go. The parka and EasyPark apps are a must for paying at campsites and parking spots. They asked for a 2-step identification code sent to the phone, I did not have rooming during the trip, so had I been in Iceland when I downloaded the apps I would not had been able to make them work (and we saw people at the campsites unable to use the app because of that!). They work well to pay for most of your parking needs as well as a lot of the campsites. Just make sure to download and set them up before you arrive in Iceland!
- Food is Expensive but Worth It. Yes, meals are pricier than in most places, but we didn’t have a single disappointing dish. It’s all part of the experience of immersing yourself in a new country.
- Check the Apps to see the Northern Lights. Use the Aurora app and Vedur.is together to track your chances of seeing the lights. It worked for us!
- Bring Lip Balm. Did I mention the wind? Your lips will thank you!
- Forget Local Currency. We never needed to touch cash. Cards are accepted everywhere, so there’s no need to stress about local currency.
- Choose the right Van for your needs. When choosing your home for the trip, (AKA campervan) there are no right or wrong answers, it all depends on your group size, particular needs, and the type of roads you will go to. In our case, for example, we didn’t need a big vehicle, or to drive f-roads, but we didn’t want to depend on campsite electricity to be comfortable at night, so getting a self-sufficient van was very important, this feature was important a couple of times that we needed to nap while away from campsites.
- Get the best insurance you can get! This was a no-brainer for us, the peace-of-mind that brings to your trip is worthed.
#VANcation #camperstories
