Keflavik International Airport is the main entry point for overseas visitors into Iceland. The city is a handy starting place for an Icelandic adventure, just 50 minutes by road to the capital, Reykjavik. While small in size, the island of Iceland may just be the world’s most perfectly formed road trip destination. You can experience natural geothermal wonders, see the spectacle of the Northern Lights, learn about proud Viking history, and it can all be comfortably covered in under a week.
Collecting a campervan hire to tour Iceland is a great option. Route 1, otherwise known as ‘The Ring Road’, encircles the whole island. There are several motorhome rental companies in Iceland, so using Motorhome Republic is a smart way of choosing the best camper and deal. Use the search engine to put in the dates of travel, location and driver’s age, and the full range of available vehicles will be displayed – from basic 2-berth to larger, luxury options. From there you can use filters to select the most appropriate vehicle and get the best price.
Driving in Keflavik – handy tips:
The road network is extensive and well maintained. All main routes are paved, but many minor roads are gravel, which require special care.
Extreme weather can result in road closures, so follow the forecasts and plan ahead.
Drivers must have their headlights on both day and night.
Things to see and do in Keflavik
The Blue Lagoon is a world famous attraction, 15 kilometres from Keflavik Airport. It has pleasantly warm, mineral-rich geothermal water, pooled amidst a black lava field. Minerals such as silica and algae create its famous colour and healing properties.
Viking World Museum, in nearby Reyjanesbaer, is the home of the replica Viking ship Islendigur, built in 1996 with traditional methods, and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 2000.
Airport Whale Watching operate three-hour tours out of Keflavik Harbour. It is possible to see minke, humpback, and killer whales, as well as white-beaked dolphins.
Food and Drink options: An Icelandic Culinary Journey
Iceland is an up-and-coming foodie destination with cuisine based on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Free-range lamb is a speciality - the sheep are raised in the mountains over summer, munching on wild berries and herbs. The best time to eat fresh lamb is in the late fall. Through the rest of the year, smoked lamb, ‘Hangikjot’, is available and especially popular at Christmas.
Being an island nation surrounded by cold Atlantic waters, seafood is fresh and freely available. Many hotels have on-site restaurants where seafood is given pride of place, such as Kef Restaurant in Hotel Keflavik. Good coffee and a range of micro-brewed beer can be sampled at Café Petit - a hidden local secret, but worth the effort to find.
Where to stay in Keflavik: Camping Spots for your Motorhome
Reykjavik campsite: Taking just under an hour to travel from Keflavik to the capital Reykjavik by camper, this is an easy first day destination. It is located in a green area close to the city, and is next door to a large geothermal swimming pool.
Austurvegur Camping Ground, Grindavik: A state of the art, family-friendly campground that opened in 2009, 20 minutes from the Airport.
For a camper-free night of luxury, Hotel Berg is highly rated, right in Keflavik.
A motorhome holiday road trip in Iceland:
It is possible to drive the whole coastline of Iceland on the Ring Road in your Iceland campervan hire. The high season is from June until September, when there is seemingly endless daylight. Iceland is unique in its presentation of natural phenomenon… ice and fire still do battle between active volcanoes, bubbling geothermal activity and massive glaciers. The Vatnajukull National Park is Europe’s largest, showcasing Vatnajukull glacier and surrounding dramatic landscape.
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