Iceland can be summed up in one word – beautiful. The people are incredibly friendly, and nature is truly magical. That was what inspired us to go on this trip in the first place.
We spent a full seven days exploring Iceland, and in that time, we managed to experience everything we had planned before the trip, from the famous Golden Circle to the legendary Ring Road, with extra kilometres that took us even further north.
Before we left, I read a few travelogues, and what I wanted to know the most was how much time you need to see everything in Iceland that interests you, without rushing, and to truly enjoy it along the way.
For us, seven days was just the right amount. Of course we would have loved to stay longer, but in just seven days we saw incredible natural sights, relaxed in hot springs, went whale watching, admired breathtaking waterfalls, explored geothermal areas, and even made a few extra stops off the main road in the north.
The credit goes to nature itself – the long days and very short nights make you feel as if there are more hours in the day than usual. I highly recommend visiting Iceland in spring.
And now… Where even to begin when there is so much to share?
Our trip to Iceland began with a Wizz Air flight from Budapest to Keflavík. We chose Budapest mainly because the flights were cheaper compared to flying from Vienna, which was our other option.
Dates: 26 April to 3 May 2025
Duration: 7 days
Travelers: 2 adults + 2 children
Airline: Wizz Air
Departure: Budapest
Arrival: Keflavík Airport
To the airport in Budapest: by car
Across Iceland: with a rented campervan, which gave us the freedom and flexibility to explore at our own pace
Temperatures: from 4 °C to 17 °C
Season: officially winter, but felt like spring
Daylight: about 20 hours a day
Time zone: -2 hours according to Central European Time (CET)
Total: approximately 2,100 km, which includes the Golden Circle, the entire Ring Road and additional kilometres to the north
Capital: Reykjavík (about 140,000 people)
Second largest city: Akureyri (about 20,000 people)
Total population of Iceland: just under 400,000
Reykjavík is approximately 239 years old
In Iceland, the golden rule is: refuel while you still have half a tank. Gas stations are very rare in certain sections, sometimes 150 to 200 kilometres away. We always filled up when the tank was still half full.
When visiting the black sand beaches, pay attention to warning signs. Among the biggest natural hazards are the so-called sneaker waves. These are powerful, unexpected waves that can arrive without warning and reach far up the beach. They can suddenly drag you out to open sea.
We did not have any problems ourselves, but on the famous Reynisfjara Beach, we noticed a yellow warning sign, which means access to the beach is restricted. A red sign means entry to the beach is prohibited.
At the main tourist spots, paying for parking is mandatory. Payment is made through an app by simply scanning the QR code at the entrance, and the fee must be settled within 24 hours. You can also pay at a machine, which makes the process even easier.
The car parks are under video surveillance. The system records you on arrival. If you do not pay, you will have to settle the parking fee of 1000 ISK plus a fine of 2500 ISK when returning your car or campervan. Paying here is unavoidable.
Most of the stunning natural sites are free to visit, but you usually have to pay for parking.
Iceland is the cleanest country we have visited so far. We did not see a single piece of litter on the ground. There are not many bins, most are locked or only found in towns. We collected our rubbish in small bags and disposed of it whenever we had the chance.
Restaurants are incredibly expensive, so we prepared our food right in the camper. We did our shopping at Bónus, which offered the best balance between price and quality, and in the north we also visited Nettó and Krónan.
On the first night, when the shops mentioned earlier were already closed, we were too tired to make the detour to a store that is open 24/7. There, two 1.5-litre bottles of water cost us 14 euros!
Drinking water in Iceland is something special. With a pH of over 8.4, it is one of the most alkaline waters in the world, which is excellent for maintaining the body’s pH balance. You can drink it anywhere without any problems, except in car washes. You can also fill it into bottles at petrol stations.
At first glance, Iceland feels like a country of perfect order and well-organised society. Its social and economic system is considered one of the most advanced in Europe. But behind the impressive statistics, there are also less visible aspects. Salaries are well above the European average, but the high cost of living quickly reduces their value.
Tourism and fishing are currently the two main pillars of Iceland’s economy. Many businesses operate seasonally, some only in summer, others just during the winter months. Those who speak Icelandic fluently have better chances of finding stable, year-round employment. The system is well organised, similar to Finland, and during periods of unemployment it is possible to receive benefits, which are not high but still provide basic financial security. Higher taxes are therefore a kind of investment in solidarity and stability.
But Iceland is not just a country of nature, fish and tourists. Reykjavík has also recently become an important centre of technological development. The city hosts numerous conferences and innovative initiatives, and the local start-up scene is rapidly developing across the island.
Now let’s get into the trip, one day at a time…
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