What you'll do
The Arctic Coast Way is a route next to the north-eastern coast of Iceland. You will leave big parts of the ring road behind to see the more secluded parts of Iceland. If you want to see a different part of Iceland and travel in a slow pace, this is the itinerary for you. But of course you can also just choose parts of it to explore.
There are several places on this route you could go for a riding tour or a whale watching tour.
This trip starts and ends "in the middle of the country", so you have to calculate a few extra days for the whole holiday.
It takes about 2,5 hour to drive from Reykjavík to the start of this route. You could still drive that distance together with the other sightseeing spots on day one, but you can also choose to stay the night somewhere on the way to the North. Borgarnes is a great place to find accommodation for example.
At the end of this 9 day route, you'll be in Vopnafjörður. From there you can drive back to the ring road and continue your trip via the east and south to Reykjavík. I would take at least 3 days for this. The other option is to drive back to Reykjavík on the ring road via Akureyri. I would take at least two days for this route.
Day 1
Day one you'll mainly be driving around the Vatnsnes peninsula. This peninsula is known for having the largest seal colony in Iceland. So if you want to spot some seals on your trip, this is the place to do it.
I've chosen the super cute dome my friends own to spend the night. If this one is already booked, I would try to get accommodation around Blönduós.
Blue Car Rental
car_rental
Blue Car Rental
If you book through my link (below) you'll get a 5% discount on your car rental!
Blue Car Rental is right at Keflavík Airport, so you can pick up your car immediately after landing.
In case you are driving around Iceland in summer, you really only need a 4x4 by when you go into the highlands (on the F-roads). Other than that, you will be fine with a regular 2x2 car.
In winter you actually also don't really need a 4x4, but I personally feel more comfortable in one when there is a lot of snow or ice. So I would recommend taking a 4x4 that time of year. But if you are used to snow and feel fine in a regular car, that is fine as well. And in winter, all cars in Iceland (both regular and 4x4) have spikes in their tires, so you will have a lot more grip on the road when it is icy.
Kolugljúfur Canyon
Waterfall
Canyon with a waterfall
This canyon is a little drive from the ring road, but it is very pretty. If you need a short stop to have a snack or something, this is the perfect place to go and sit and have a good view.
Skardsviti Lighthouse
Sightseeing
Lighthouse and hot spring
Not far from the main road you find this lighthouse that is still working.
There is also a hot spring, but the temperature is 73 degrees Celsius, so absolutely not suitable for bathing.
Illugastadir seal watching
Sightseeing
Seal watching
You can spot seals all around Iceland, but in some places they are just a lot easier to see than in others. This is one of those places, so if you’ve been wanting to photograph seals, this is the place to be!
Hvítserkur
Sightseeing
The troll of Nortwest Iceland
This basalt rock formation is a popular photo stop.
From the parking lot it is a short walk to the viewing point platform. But you can also walk down to the sea to get another angle on the rock. It can be a little scary to go down the hill there, because it is very steep.
Borgarvirki
Sightseeing
Fort
This area is much higher than the rest of the surroundings and has been used as a fort back in the days. When you visit, you’ll understand why. You have a great view over the area here.
Teni
restaurant
Ethiopian food
It’s not the first thing you expect to find in the Icelandic countryside, but there is a very good Ethiopian restaurant in Blönduós.
It’s best to make a reservation, because it is often quite busy here.
Hof í Vatnsdal
hotel
Sleep in a dome
I personally really love domes. So I can only recommend sleeping in one during your stay! This dome is on a working sheep farm.So if you go there during lambing season (May) you can see a lot of little lambs!