5 days in a Campervan in Iceland: Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage

5 Days in a Campervan in Iceland

This year, to celebrate 10 years of marriage, Andrew and I decided to take an unforgettable adventure— 5 days in a campervan in Iceland. We rented a campervan from Campervan Iceland and explored the country with our 3-year-old daughter, Cece. We wanted a trip that was both exciting and flexible, allowing us to experience Iceland’s natural beauty while keeping things convenient for our little traveler.

Getting There & Picking Up Our Campervan

The flight from Boston to Reykjavík on Icelandic Air was super seamless. They were incredibly kid-friendly, offering special meals and toys for Cece, which made the journey much easier. Upon arrival, we picked up our campervan from Campervan Iceland. The experience was great—they even had a car seat rental option, which saved us from lugging one through the airport!

Why June Was the Perfect Time to Visit

Mid-June turned out to be an amazing time for this trip. We left the day that Cece got out of school for the summer. It wasn’t too crowded, the weather was temperate (mid-50s with only a little rain), and we had 20 hours of daylight—giving us plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed.

Trip Highlights

We focused on the South Coast and the Golden Circle. 5 days was a perfect amount of time to cover what we saw. I wish we had had 10 days to do the full Ring Road, but another time!

Reykjavík Area

• Blue Lagoon & Volcanic Views – We kicked off the trip at the famous Blue Lagoon. Yes, it’s touristy, but it was a fun way to dip our toes into Iceland’s geothermal magic. The real highlight? Driving in and seeing live lava from the active volcano!

South Coast

• Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach – The dramatic black sand and basalt columns were breathtaking. This was definitely more of a touristy spot and you had to walk a little ways down the beach to experience it without a ton of people. You have to be careful because some days there are sneaker waves that pull people out to sea – luckily it was calm the day we visited.
• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – A must stop! We took a boat ride through the lagoon, learning all about the icebergs, seals, and the area’s history. Just across the road, Diamond Beach was stunning with all the broken bits of the icebergs (it sparkles like diamonds on the black sand), and we even spotted a seal sunbathing!
• The Lupines – The wild purple lupines were in full bloom, covering the hillsides and highways—it felt like something out of a dream. I kept asking Andrew to stop on the side of the road to take another photo.
• The Town of Vík & Its Red Roof Churches – Such a charming stop with picturesque views. The pizza restaurant in town was so great that we ate there twice.
• Waterfalls Galore – We saw at least five waterfalls, each more stunning than the last. Skógafoss was really so impressive.

Golden Circle

• Kerid Crater – A must-see! The vibrant blue water against the red volcanic rock was surreal. This was about a 1 hour stop to explore.
• Efstidalur II – One of our favorite stops! This farm-to-table restaurant had the best cheeseburger and freshly made ice cream, which we enjoyed while watching the cows being milked. Very quaint location and Cece made friends with the farm’s dog while playing on their playground.
• Friðheimar Greenhouse & Secret Lagoon – Friðheimar’s greenhouse restaurant was such a cozy and unique experience, with delicious farm to table food. Before our meal, we spent time at the Secret Lagoon, a much more relaxed and intimate alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
• Icelandic Horses – We were obsessed with these gorgeous horses in the fields throughout our trip. On our last morning, we visited a small farm where Cece got a riding lesson and a stable tour. Of course, her favorite part? The barn cat.

Why 5 days in a Campervan in Iceland Was the Perfect Choice

Traveling with a toddler can be unpredictable, but the campervan gave us complete flexibility. Cece could nap whenever she needed, and we saved money by cooking meals instead of eating out. The campgrounds were easy to navigate, super clean, and many even had playgrounds and fun bubble trampolines for kids.

Final Thoughts

We only spent a few hours in Reykjavík, which was fine for us—we preferred exploring Iceland’s wild landscapes over city life. I was continuously impressed with the cleanliness of the island, the friendliness of its’ people, and the ease of traveling here. This trip was everything we hoped for and more, making for an incredible way to celebrate 10 years of marriage. Iceland, we’ll be back!