If you are looking for a great road trip, Iceland’s Ring Road is hard to beat. We just came back from our first full loop, 9 days and 2,258 km, and I want to share the sights, experiences, and practical tips that stood out.
Overview map of our full Iceland Ring Road route and major stops across all 9 days.
Is Iceland expensive?
The first thing to know is that Iceland is not a cheap place to visit. Food is expensive, almost double what we pay in Canada. Gas is about 30% more expensive. Flights and hotels were also pricey. Car rental was okay compared to the rest, but get ready to spend.
Why we chose May
Choosing May was part personal, part strategic.
The personal side is that it is when my birthday is.
The strategic side is that it is shoulder season, so it is supposed to be cheaper and less crowded than summer months.
I am not convinced about the “cheaper” part because we still found everything very expensive.
The less crowded part, I do believe. We still saw many people, but there were parking spots at attractions, and it did not feel too crowded, even though a few people commented that it was a bit crowded for shoulder season.
We booked hotels two months in advance because we wanted to guarantee places, but I did not find them cheap. It was between 200 and 350 per night, depending on the place.
In the end, we agreed that spring may still be better than summer. The best part of summer is the long sunny days, and we definitely missed that because almost all our days were cloudy. But if it had been sunny the whole time, it would have been hard not to get sunburned since there are almost no trees anywhere. Constant sun without shade may not be that comfortable either.
9-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary
Let me break down the itinerary day by day, including the attractions we saw, where we ate, and where we stayed. Hopefully this helps you plan your trip the way you want.
Day 1: Arrival and Reykjavík
We arrived in the morning, close to noon, and used the first day for grocery shopping and exploring Reykjavík. The goal was to get ready for the days ahead while recovering from jet lag, which was +7 hours for us.
Day 1 in Reykjavík, with the trip easing us into Iceland before the road trip really started.
Kökulist Bakery
After a 7-hour flight outside our sleep schedule, and not sleeping very well, we needed coffee to start the day. We stopped at Kökulist Bakery, which was close to the airport and had good options for pastries and other food.
We got coffee and a baguette, which was not cheap but really good (we later learned everything was expensive).
Costco and Bónus
After that, we went to Costco to stock up for the trip. We wanted to save money on meals, so we bought food to have two meals in the car. We bought most things at Costco but went to Bónus for smaller items that were not available at Costco.
Stocking up at Costco on day 1 so we could keep breakfasts and lunches simple throughout the road trip.
Hallgrimskirkja
After resting a few hours at the hotel, we started our touristy journey. The first stop was the famous Hallgrimskirkja church. It is really beautiful and nicely designed. We did not go inside, only stayed outside.
Hallgrimskirkja from outside, our first iconic stop in Reykjavík.
Downtown
After the church, we explored downtown on foot. We walked to the seaside, to the pond, and along the main streets.
Mostly, we appreciated the design and architecture from outside. The city is really nice, with no tall buildings, which gives it a small-town feel.
We strolled around Lake Tjörnin, which was really nice. We saw swans and other birds, and even a guy “talking” to a swan.
A calm walk through downtown Reykjavík and around Lake Tjörnin on our arrival day.
Food: Salka Valka restaurant
When looking for a restaurant, May found Salka Valka. She was looking for places with good food and simple options like rice, and this one caught her attention.
We wanted a good meal, and I got the fish stew while May got the fish of the day.
Dinner at Salka Valka, where we had one of our first proper meals in Iceland.
Food: Gaeta Gelato
It was cold, but we used the vacation excuse and stopped for gelato at Gaeta Gelato. They had really nice flavors, and I got skyr passion fruit and Oreo.
Cold weather, vacation logic, and a stop at Gaeta Gelato for skyr passion fruit and Oreo.
Stay: Hotel Ísland – Spa & Wellness Hotel
We stayed at Hotel Ísland – Spa & Wellness Hotel. The Standard Double Room was really cozy and comfortable. It was good to take a warm shower and rest before the next day.
Our first stay at Hotel Ísland, a cozy reset before starting longer driving days.
Day 2: Golden Circle and South Coast
This is where the trip really started. With logistics handled, it was time to enjoy it. It was a heavy driving day because we did not follow the full Golden Circle route like many people do. Our priority was Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.
Day 2 took us from hot springs to major geothermal sights and a long drive south.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
After a well-rested night, our first destination was Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River because we wanted our first hot spring bath.
It is a great hike where you can see a lot of things. The first is the view, which is really good. You start seeing Iceland in a very different way.
It was the first time we really saw boiling mud, and there was a lot of it. Also, I had never seen a river of hot springs.
Boiling mud and steam around Reykjadalur, where Iceland’s geothermal energy feels very real.
The whole hike is around 9 km. When you reach the halfway point, you get to the hot spring area where you can bathe, which I really recommend. It was great to be in the water after the cold hike. When we went, there were a lot of people in the pools, but there was enough space and we kind of got a private spot for ourselves.
The Reykjadalur thermal river after the hike, one of our favorite hot spring experiences of the trip.
This was one of the top attractions of the trip.
Thingvellir National Park
Our second stop of the day was Thingvellir National Park. We went to Öxarárfoss and walked around a few other attractions.
We saw a small waterfall, rock formations, and some scenic landscape that was nice, but nothing extraordinary.
Öxarárfoss in Thingvellir National Park, a nice stop before the stronger highlights of the day.
Of all the attractions that day, if we did it again, we would probably skip this one because the others were better.
Geysir Geothermal Area / Strokkur
This was one of the best stops of the trip. Strokkur erupted every few minutes, sometimes twice in a row.
Each eruption was basically an explosion of water. It did not last long, but it was nice to see the power of the geothermal area.
Strokkur erupting at the Geysir Geothermal Area, one of the most fun repeated stops to watch.
There were also hot springs always boiling around, which were really cool.
Gullfoss (Golden Falls)
Gullfoss is a double cascade dropping 32 m, and it was only a 10-minute drive from Geysir. It was super windy on the upper level. The lower level has the best view, and it is really worth it, but be prepared for the wind.
Gullfoss from day 2, with strong wind but incredible views from the lower level.
Food: Restaurant Kanslarinn
We did not have time to go to Selfoss for dinner, so we looked for something in Hella, closer to where we would stay. There were not many options, so we chose Restaurant Kanslarinn.
We ordered the lamb steak because it was on sale, and it was really good. Really good. Maybe it was also because it was our first warm meal of the day, but it ended up being the best lamb we ate on the whole trip.
Dinner at Restaurant Kanslarinn in Hella, where we had our favorite lamb of the trip.
Stay: Loa’s Nest
Loa’s Nest is located in Hella and has beautiful surroundings, since it is in the middle of the countryside. You can see horses on farms on the way to the hotel and bird nests around the guesthouse.
It is a guesthouse, so there is a shared kitchen area and living room. There were quite a few people staying there.
While breakfast was not included, the owners, Unnur and Inke, prepared coffee and waffles for everybody in the kitchen. They were really friendly. We talked a lot with Unnur. She was very kind and even shared a place where we were more likely to see puffins.
This was the stay with the best overall experience because of breakfast and the conversation with Unnur and the German couple we shared a table with.
Loa’s Nest in Hella, where warm waffles and good conversations made this one of our favorite stays.
Day 3: South Coast
Caffeinated and filled with the great waffles prepared by Inke, we headed into day 3.
Day 3 was all about the South Coast, with waterfalls, cliffs, and a lot of wind.
Seljalandsfoss
We stopped at Seljalandsfoss because it was on the way. I went around the falls, while May did not want to risk it. It is good to have waterproof clothing, otherwise you can get very wet. I got wet from the spray.
Seljalandsfoss, where going behind the waterfall is worth it if you have waterproof gear.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is an iconic 62 m waterfall and probably one of the most famous waterfalls in the country. It is really beautiful and huge, and there were even sheep around it, which made it look even better.
You can climb up, but it is high and a bit tiring, and some steps are missing, so be careful. The view from above is nice, but the lower view is better, so if you do not go up, do not feel like you missed too much.
Skógafoss in full force, one of Iceland’s iconic waterfalls and a must-stop on the South Coast.
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull is a massive glacier tongue, and it was nice to see a glacier meeting water. It was our first time seeing that. In Alberta, during our Canadian Rockies camping trip, the glacier views we had were mostly land-based.
Sólheimajökull glacier tongue meeting water, a type of glacier view we had not seen before.
Dyrhólaey Lighthouse
This was not a good experience because it was super windy. So windy that we had to bend to walk, and it was still hard.
Because of the wind, it was very cold. We stayed only a few minutes because it was not worth the suffering.
On the other side of the hill, at Kirkjufjara, we saw one puffin, but even with a big zoom lens we could not capture it. We were using the same setup I described in why I bought a camera for our safari.
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara Beach is huge and really nice. The problem was the weather, which did not help, so it was not as beautiful as it would be on a bright blue day.
We stayed near Reynisdrangar for a while, resting, appreciating the view, and watching waves hit the rocks. It is really nice to see the water disappear quickly into the rocky beach, and the sound is calming.
Reynisfjara and Reynisdrangar under dramatic weather, still one of the most memorable beaches of the trip.
Food: The Soup Company
After a cold and very windy day, we were looking for something hot to warm our souls, and The Soup Company was a great choice.
You can get soup in a bread bowl or a regular bowl, and you also get one free refill. May got lamb soup and creamy broccoli, while I got red hot lava and fish soup. The fish soup was the best.
A warm stop at The Soup Company in Vík after a windy day on the South Coast.
Stay: Lækjaborgir Guesthouse
A bit outside Vík, close to a river, is Lækjaborgir Guesthouse. We got a studio with a private entrance, but unfortunately ours was facing the base of the mountain.
The place is very peaceful, and you can hear birds singing. You can also see birds in the river, and there is a sheep farm nearby, so you can watch sheep too.
The cabin was really cozy. There was a small kitchenette, which was very useful for coffee in the morning, plus a table and a sofa. The downside is that you can hear noise from the neighboring cabin because they are attached and the sound isolation is not strong.
Our cozy studio at Lækjaborgir Guesthouse, a peaceful stay near Vík.
Day 4: Glaciers and Lagoons
We were excited for day 4 because it was the first day of the trip with sun. All previous days were cloudy and cold, and in some places very windy, sometimes even rainy.
After coffee, we took our time to enjoy the surroundings. From here, we started to slow down sightseeing, leaving later and arriving at hotels earlier so we could rest and relax.
Day 4 was the first bright day and brought some of the trip’s most dramatic glacier and lagoon scenery.
Lómagnúpur viewpoint
We stopped for pictures at Lómagnúpur viewpoint. It is a nice free stop right beside the road, so it is worth it.
A quick stop at Lómagnúpur viewpoint, one of those easy roadside views worth pulling over for.
Skaftafell (Svartifoss)
Skaftafell (Svartifoss) is a waterfall framed by basalt columns. It is a 4 km round-trip hike that is moderate because it is a bit steep in the beginning. The falls are unique because of the basalt columns, and it was the first waterfall we saw with this formation.
Svartifoss in Skaftafell, where the basalt columns make this waterfall stand out from the others.
Hofs Church (Hofskirkja)
We did a quick stop at Hofskirkja, one of the last remaining turf churches. It was closed, so we only took pictures from outside.
Hofskirkja, one of Iceland’s remaining turf churches, seen from outside during a quick stop.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
Múlagljúfur Canyon was the best canyon of the trip, and honestly one of the best we have ever visited. The steep cliffs, moss-covered walls, waterfalls, and birds flying around made it special.
To the point we went, it was a 5.5 km walk. Steep and hard in some parts, and somewhat slippery, so be careful. But it is totally worth it. If you want to continue hiking, the trail goes farther, but we decided we had already reached the best view. It is also a bit windy because it is high up.
Múlagljúfur Canyon, one of the most impressive hikes and viewpoints of the entire trip.
If you do not want to do two hikes, skip Svartifoss and do this one.
Diamond Beach
A bit disappointing. There were one or two ice “diamonds” on the beach and a lot of people taking photos.
The nice part was the icebergs on the other side of the bridge at the lagoon. It was really nice to see them moving in the water. There were birds flying around the icebergs, and I was also able to see harbor seals from far away.
Diamond Beach and nearby lagoon icebergs, better in motion and atmosphere than in close-up photos.
Food: Heppa Restaurant
We tried to go to Pakkhús, which is supposed to be good, but there was a 45-minute wait, so we went to Heppa Restaurant.
I got fish soup and a double IPA, while May got a Margherita pizza and an IPA. In the end, it was a better choice because it was cheaper and simpler, the way we like it.
A practical and tasty dinner at Heppa Restaurant after skipping the longer wait at Pakkhús.
Stay: Höfn Inn Guesthouse
We had a spacious Standard Double Room with a private bathroom, but the floor was a bit weird at first because it imitates a rocky black-sand-beach texture.
The room was not very dark, so sleep masks are essential. Also, because it is in the middle of town, you can hear car noise.
Our stay at Höfn Inn Guesthouse in town, spacious and convenient before the Eastfjords drive.
Day 5: Eastfjords
Day 5 involved a lot of driving and fewer stops. The good part is that the drive is incredibly scenic, with cliffs on one side and the sea on the other.
Another nice thing was seeing wild reindeer, which were beautiful and different from the ones we see in Canada.
Day 5 was mostly a scenic driving day through the Eastfjords, with a few memorable stops.
Viking Village (Film Set)
A few minutes after Höfn, there is Viking Cafe & Guesthouse, where there is a fake Viking village built as a film set for a movie that was never filmed. It is a paid attraction, but since we did not have much to see that day, we decided to stop. It was nice and worth the price.
The Viking village film set near Höfn, a fun paid stop on a lighter sightseeing day.
It is also a good place to see Vestrahorn Mountain with reflections in the water and black sand.
Vestrahorn views with black sand and reflections, one of the best landscapes on day 5.
Fauskasandur
We stopped at Fauskasandur, but it is mostly rock formations. It is fine to stretch your legs, but almost any other stop would do the same.
Food: Lúna Bakery
Since we had driven a lot and still had more ahead, we looked for a bakery in Egilsstaðir and chose Lúna Bakery. Simple bakery, good coffee, and a really good brownie.
Hafnarhólmi
This was a big detour from our original plan while we were staying in Seyðisfjörður.
Hafnarhólmi is a one-hour drive from Egilsstaðir, and we went there to look for puffins. It was a recommendation from Unnur at Loa’s Nest, and since we had not really seen puffins until then, we decided this 2-hour detour from our original plans.
It was really worth it. It was a great experience because there were many puffins and we could watch them for a while. It was really fun to see how they fly, land, and interact with each other.
Hafnarhólmi, where the puffin detour paid off with one of the trip’s best wildlife moments.
It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip and one of the benefits of going in May.
Stay: Snæfell - Hotel by Aldan
We got a double room at Snæfell - Hotel by Aldan, which is a charming old hotel in the surroundings of a lake.
The hotel has a shared kitchen, which may be useful for cooking or warming food. They also sell a few items there, which helps because the town supermarket closes at 6 PM.
Snæfell - Hotel by Aldan, our charming stay in Seyðisfjörður with practical shared kitchen space.
Day 6: Moving North
Since we were in the easternmost part of the island, it was time to start heading back west through the north.
The area is remote, with fewer tourist attractions, but the ones that exist are really nice.
Day 6 took us through the remote north, where the drive mattered as much as the stops.
Stuðlagil Canyon
Different from the previous canyon we visited, Stuðlagil is a basalt-column canyon.
You can stop on both sides of the canyon, but the famous view is only accessible from the side where you need to hike.
We stopped on the east side, which is the wrong side if you want the main iconic view. The east side is more prepared with walkways and good viewpoints, but you do not get the famous angle.
For that, you need to go to the west side, near Stuðlafoss Waterfall. From there, you do a 5 km hike down to the canyon. It is beautiful, and you can get the classic photo at the most photogenic spot.
Stuðlagil Canyon and its basalt walls, a striking stop while moving north.
On the way there, you may see many geese and also farms with sheep and lambs, which is nice.
Dettifoss
The last stop of the day was Dettifoss. It is another beautiful waterfall. It is supposed to be Europe’s most powerful waterfall, but it felt similar to other falls we had already seen.
Dettifoss, often called Europe’s most powerful waterfall, reached at the end of day 6.
Food: Gamli Bærinn
As with almost everywhere on the trip, there were not many dining options. While looking for a place to eat in Mývatn, we found Gamli Bærinn.
We got the all-you-can-eat soup and bread buffet, grabbed some beers, and had a good time.
Simple comfort food at Gamli Bærinn after a long driving and waterfall day.
Stay: Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Our fanciest hotel up to that point was Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels. It was also the only place where we stayed two nights, since we wanted to rest and relax.
They had hot tubs, and we stayed there relaxing. The hot tubs are geothermal, and you can smell the sulfur. It was very relaxing, and we enjoyed it a lot.
Our two-night stay at Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels, with geothermal hot tubs for recovery.
Day 7: Mývatn Exploration
Since we stayed in the same place on day 7 as day 6, this day was all about exploring Mývatn and relaxing.
Day 7 was a slower exploration day around Mývatn, with geothermal scenery and a bit more rest.
Námafjall Hverir Viewpoint
A very geothermally active place. There are many boiling mud pools and steam vents. It is a great place to see geothermal power up close. The downside is that parking was more expensive than average and there was no washroom.
Námafjall Hverir, where boiling mud pools and steam vents show Iceland’s geothermal core.
Viti Crater
We tried to go to Viti Crater, but it was so foggy that nothing was visible. It also looked frozen, so we would not have seen the blue water anyway.
Hverfjall Hverfell
Hiking Hverfell was really nice. It is a hike of less than 5 km, and you go up and walk around the whole crater rim. It is a bit windy, but the view is great. It is also a stereotypical volcano shape, which makes you really feel like you are on a volcano.
Hverfjall (Hverfell) crater rim hike, windy but with great volcanic views.
Grjótagjá
Grjótagjá is a thermal water-filled cave. The water is really blue, and it is a good spot for pictures (if you are patient waiting for people to move). Unfortunately, bathing is not allowed.
Grjótagjá’s blue thermal cave water, one of the most photogenic quick stops in the Mývatn area.
Geosea - Geothermal Sea Baths
May pointed out that we were already 7 days into Iceland and had only gone to a hot spring once, so we started looking for more options. We wanted free ones, but there were none nearby.
Because Forest Lagoon and Mývatn Nature Baths were temporarily unavailable for our timing, the closest option we found was Geosea - Geothermal Sea Baths, which required a 45-minute drive.
It was not cheap, but it was nice to relax in warm water with a sea view. The weather was mostly cloudy, which made the hot spring mood even better. We could see whale-watching boats, and we even saw signs of a whale from far away.
Geosea - Geothermal Sea Baths, a relaxing detour with warm water and ocean views.
Day 8: North to Troll Peninsula
At this point, we became more selective about stops because we were getting tired after many days on the road. We had also seen many similar attractions, so some places started to feel like “just one more waterfall.”
It was also a day with a good amount of driving, so we kept stops limited.
Day 8 was another long driving day, with a few practical stops and fewer big attractions.
Goðafoss Waterfall
At the Waterfall of the Gods, we stopped for the view. It was a good stop, and parking was free, so there was nothing to lose. The view was nice, but nothing exceptional.
Goðafoss, an easy and worthwhile free stop during a long day of driving.
Food: Nesti Ferskt og fljótt
Weirdly, the best stop of the day was at a gas station/bus stop.
Until then, we had not eaten the famous Icelandic hot dogs, the pylsur, so a bus stop felt like the perfect place to try them.
We got the pylsur with egg and bacon, which was good. The plain pylsur alone is nothing too exciting, but the egg and bacon made it much better.
Pylsur stop at Nesti, where egg and bacon made Iceland’s famous hot dog much better.
Deildartunguhver
A 20-minute stop from the hotel. It was nice to see the boiling water, but nothing special. It was not that worth it for us because we had already seen better geothermal spots.
Deildartunguhver, a quick geothermal stop near the hotel before the final day.
Stay: Bifrost Hotel
The Double Room at Bifrost Hotel was very spacious, the most spacious on our whole trip.
It was also the first hotel where breakfast was included, and it was a good breakfast.
The downside was that the washroom was a bit dark and the Wi-Fi did not work in the room.
Still, it had the best cost-benefit of the whole trip.
Bifröst Hotel offered our best cost-benefit stay, with a spacious room and solid breakfast.
Day 9: Final Soaks and Rest
On the last day, we drove back, visited a few final spots, and had one last soak.
Day 9 closed the loop with a few final stops, a hot soak, and the drive back to Keflavík.
Grábrók
Grábrók was a short mountain peak visit very close to the hotel. It was nice to stretch our legs after breakfast and see the surrounding views.
A short walk up Grábrók for final-day views and a good leg stretch before driving back.
Bridge Between Continents
Since we were in a place where two tectonic plates divide, we decided to visit the symbolic Bridge Between Continents. It is a quick photo stop: nice, but very simple.
Bridge Between Continents, a symbolic tectonic-plate stop near the end of the trip.
Reykjanes Lighthouse
We tried to see Reykjanes Lighthouse, but it was a very rainy and windy day, so it was uncomfortable to be outside the car.
Reykjanes Lighthouse in rough weather, one of those stops better in better conditions.
It was hard to see anything and hard to stay outside. Same for Gunnuhver: we stopped quickly but did not stay long.
Blue Lagoon
We already had tickets for Blue Lagoon because we bought them well in advance, so despite the rainy and windy day, we went.
The view from the lagoon was really nice with that dramatic weather, but the experience would have been better without the wind.
We stayed for more than two hours, since it was good to stay warm and we had the face masks and one drink included. There was kind of a cave area inside where you could escape from the cold wind.
Blue Lagoon on a windy day, expensive but still worth it for the full spa experience.
Despite being very expensive, the blue water and the full spa experience made it worth it.
Food: Oriento Middle East
When looking for something to eat in Keflavík, we chose Oriento Middle East because it looked like it had good options and we wanted to eat meat (we were tired of bread and carbs).
We got kebab, which was good but not excellent. It is hard to find truly excellent food that is not super expensive.
Dinner at Oriento Middle East in Keflavík before our final night in Iceland.
Stay: Keflavik Micro Suites
Our last stay was at Keflavik Micro Suites, a comfortable room in town. They even left a complimentary light breakfast, which helped for the next day’s return.
Final-night stay at Keflavik Micro Suites, comfortable and practical before the return flight.
It was also the last chance to shower in geothermal water, which is something I miss. The water was really nice, and you kind of start liking the smell.
Practical tips for Iceland in May
Meals and restaurants
We did not want to spend too much money eating out during the trip, and we also did not want to spend restaurant time that could be used for attractions.
So we bought groceries on the first day for almost the whole trip. The plan was to have breakfast and lunch in the car, then maybe have a proper sit-down dinner if we found interesting places that were not too expensive.
On some days, we skipped restaurant dinners and made our own meals.
We only got breakfast in one hotel. For all the others, we made it ourselves.
We bought bread, skyr, whey protein, bananas, ham, lettuce, tomato, mayo, salt, etc.
But if you plan to eat out, be prepared to spend. Menus in Iceland are not very creative. You can find fish and chips in almost any city. Another very common dish is lamb chops or steak, and Atlantic char prepared in different ways.
Another very common thing is soup. Icelandic lamb soup is almost everywhere.
We tried to look for dishes that included rice or less fast-food-style options (without fries), but it was not that easy, or the prices were too high.
Best things on the trip
The best thing overall is the landscape. It is beautiful all around the island. You get views with cliffs on one side, golden grass everywhere, sheep and horses in pastures, and the sea on the other side.
When I said it was perfect for a road trip, I meant you get great views almost the whole way around.
Also, attractions are usually close to the road, which makes access easy. While you need to pay for parking at almost all major attractions, they usually have washrooms, so it is easier to stay hydrated.
Seeing such a volcanic place is really cool. While we saw a few volcanic things on our Hawaii Big Island trip, we did not see boiling mud pools there. In Iceland, the number of hot springs is amazing.
Gas stations
One thing people online scare you about is the lack of gas stations in some regions, especially in the east. While it is true that they are more spread out there, there were more than I expected.
Because we were concerned, we always refueled around half a tank, so it was never a problem for us. You do need to be mindful and not wait until almost empty, but it is not as bad as some people make it sound.
The simple app Bensin shows all gas stations in the country and prices, so if you want to plan ahead, you can use it to check nearby stations.
Parking
Finding parking in May was not hard. The only issue is that parking is paid almost everywhere. Prices are usually around 1,000 kr, with some as low as 750 kr and others up to 1,400 kr.
The good part is that most places have washrooms, so you get a bit more value from the parking price.
To pay, many places have a payment totem, which is better because there is no additional app fee. If you want to pay in an app, Parka is the most common and the one we used. It has a small fee, but you need it for places without totems (smaller attractions).
Weather in May
People say Icelandic weather is unpredictable and changes fast, and May is especially one of those months.
During our trip, we got almost everything: rain, wind, cloudy days, sun, cold, etc. We just did not get snow.
The most common condition was cloudy weather. Only one day was sunny, and the other 8 were cloudy. There were two very windy days that made sightseeing hard, but the rest were manageable.
Rain was usually very light and did not bother much. The wind was the worst part.
Car rental
Car rental was not that expensive compared to everything else, including food. We got a mid-size SUV from Budget. They tried to give us a compact SUV even though we had booked a mid-size, but we pushed for the correct class (they said the other one was also mid-size, but a quick Google search said otherwise). We got a Hyundai Tucson, which is a great car for the road. It was a plug-in hybrid, but none of the chargers we found fit, so we ended up using only gas.