Immerse yourself in nature. Have time. Enjoy beautiful views. Let yourself drift. Satisfied with yourself and the world. Every night in a different place. Every day in fantastic landscapes. And the freedom in your luggage to stay where you want to stay. Camping is a way of life and Iceland is just the place for it. Whether with a rental car and tent, a practical campervan or a luxury motorhome, every camping friend will find offers for their taste here.
I open my eyes sleepily and need a moment to find my way. Right, I'm in Iceland and lie cuddled up in the trunk of our camper. I am listening. Last night the steady sound of the rain accompanied me to sleep. That didn't bother me warm and dry in our van, but new destinations are waiting for me today. It is quiet. A good sign. The first light of day penetrates through the pane. I carefully open the doors at the foot end and breathe in the wonderfully fresh air. This is what life feels like. I crawl back under the covers and with a view of the sea we enjoy the first rays of the rising sun.
The original landscape of Iceland enchants us. Snow-covered mountains, rough lava fields and pale green hills with thundering waterfalls alternate. And we are right in the middle. Endless streets lead through uninhabited areas and give us time to breathe deeply. When it rains we enjoy the roof over our heads, when the sun is shining we look for a place for a picnic. There are so many beautiful places to discover in Iceland. With your own camper you can travel relaxed and the journey itself becomes the destination. A bed in the green, a lunch break at Kirkjufell, the Ringroad in the rosy glow of the setting sun and cooking with a view of the fjords - that's camping in Iceland.
Mödrudalur campsite - through Iceland by campervan.
Can the day start better than with a good breakfast in the sunshine in the middle of nature?
The pretty Mödrudalur campsite is a little off the beaten track. Lots of space, a view of the river, a restaurant and a small playground on site. Ideal for relaxing and taking a break. The rustic hut with cooking facilities is not heated, but it is reminiscent of a small witch's house. Even the toilets here have traditional grass roofs. We feel like we have arrived immediately.
There are campsites for every taste in Iceland. There are secluded places of rest as well as night quarters in the immediate vicinity of well-known sights. The Skjol campsite, for example, is in the immediate vicinity of the famous Strokkur geyser and the large Gullfoss waterfall. The parking spaces are quite narrow, but there is a nice western-style restaurant and warm showers. Ideal as a stopover for one night and located in the middle of the Golden Circle Islands. Although the Grundarfjördur campsite has no amenities, it has a wonderful view of the sea and is only 3 km from the famous Kirkjufell mountain.
Many campsites are kept simple, but there are also places with high service. Campsite Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula, for example, offers a spacious, heated communal kitchen with a bright seating area and free hot showers. Ideal for arriving and departing, as Keflavik Airport is only 30 minutes away. The Heidarbaer campsite in northern Iceland even has a small swimming pool. Pure luxury in camping life.
Camping and car rental deals in Iceland
There are several companies that rent campervans and motorhomes in Iceland. Prices, size, comfort and equipment differ. First of all, it is important to know what is important to you yourself. Are you looking for a house on wheels or just a flexible place to sleep with auxiliary heating to make you feel at home? Are you traveling with your family or is a retreat enough for one or two people? Given the large number of different models and providers, it is worth comparing the rental car offers.
AGE ™ was around 3 weeks in a campervan for 2 people from City Car Rental on Iceland tour:
The driving experience with the small camper was very good and is definitely a plus compared to the more bulky large motorhomes. The search for a parking space remains relaxed, even with stronger gusts of wind he was safely on track. The high ground clearance also enabled problem-free use of small gravel paths or uneven camping sites. The large but flat storage compartment below the mattresses cannot hold an armada of suitcases, but it is completely sufficient for backpackers and camping enthusiasts. Trekking backpacks, food supplies, kitchen utensils and even two camping chairs including a table from the car rental company could easily be accommodated.
The included foldable mattresses were long enough for a good night's sleep. Blankets and pillows can be rented for a fee. This makes the nights cozy, even without your own sleeping bag. The low mattress thickness reduces the comfort a little, but enables the lying surface to be converted quickly and easily for the day. The auxiliary heating was great and very pleasant in the capricious summer of Iceland. The view from the bed through the rear window or the open doors of the van, out into the landscape, promises a real holiday feeling. The van perfectly combines the advantages of a compact car with the freedom to always have your bed with you and a solid roof over your head. Ideal for young and young at heart couples.
With a campervan you can fully enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a private tour. Picnic next to basalt rocks, sleep with a view of the sea and have breakfast next to waterfalls. Iceland's beauty is waiting for you!
How much does a camper van cost in Iceland?
Example: City Car Rental / Nordic Car Rental - Basic tariff camper: 50 to 120 euros per day - Motorhomes basic rate: 150 to 200 euros per day The daily rate increases depending on the equipment, additional driver and insurance. Please note possible changes. Status 2021. You can find current prices here.
How much time should I plan?
That depends mainly on your type of travel. Preferably more than you think and as much as you can. Iceland is beautiful and varied. Regardless of whether you like to drift or discover something new every day, the country offers endless possibilities.
The golden circle can be experienced in a few days that Ring road in 1,5 to 2 weeks. If you plan to make additional detours, such as the Snaefellsnes peninsula, in the Westfjords or for whale watching Dalvik and Husavik, he should plan 2 to 3 weeks. AGE ™ was in Iceland for a total of 5 weeks and there are still plenty of ideas for the next trip.
Which sights in Iceland can be reached in a campervan?
The famous Golden circle, the Ring road and most known Sights of Iceland can be approached with a camper without any problems. The campervan is prepared for all road conditions in the Icelandic summer. Waterfalls, Glacial lakes, fjords and Lava fields. Your camping holiday in Iceland can make all of these dreams come true.
Please note that F-roads may only be driven with 4-wheel drive. If you want to camp in the highlands, you can either hike or need an approved vehicle. All other roads in Iceland are open to you in the camper.
Good to know
Are there enough campsites in Iceland?
Iceland is well equipped for camping enthusiasts. Wild camping with a mobile home is forbidden, but not necessary either. Especially along the ring road, there are numerous opportunities to legally pitch your tent or to stay with a caravan. But the Snaefellsnes peninsula, the Westfjords, the Eastfjords and the north of Iceland also have many campsites to offer. Only in the south-west are the parking spaces a little tight.
About 150 campsites are on the website Tjalda registered for Iceland. Small camps and private offers are not included. Most of the campsites are easily accessible and easily reached via well-developed roads. For campsites in the highlands, for example at Landmannalaugar or Kerlingafjöll, a 4-wheel drive is necessary. There are also camps for hikers that can only be reached on foot.
Is the Camping Card worth it in Iceland?
The Campingcard is a great way to combine different places with each other at low cost. One card is valid for 2 adults including 4 children up to the age of 16 and for a maximum of 28 days. A maximum of 4 nights can be spent on the same campsite. After acquiring the Camp Card all participating campsites are free of charge. Only the night fee per mobile home or tent (approx. 333ISK), as well as any electricity costs, have to be paid additionally.
All in all a very fair offer and definitely to be recommended for families or travelers with a longer stay. Around 40 campsites were included in the map in 2020. You can find the latest information on the Camping Card homepage included campsites. The card is valid from mid-May to mid-September.
Why can additional insurance be useful?
Iceland is known to be the land of fire and ice and the environment cannot always be planned. This makes it all the more important to have adequate insurance cover for your rental car in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. Unfortunately, the basic insurance is often not sufficient for this, as damage caused by wind and weather is often excluded. What happens if a storm throws angular lava stones at the camper? Here it makes sense to read the fine print and, if in doubt, take out additional external insurance so that you can enjoy your vacation without worries. This is often cheaper in advance than with the provider on site.
This editorial contribution received external support
Disclosure: AGE™ were given discounted or free services as part of the report. The content of the contribution remains unaffected. The press code applies.
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Texts and photos are protected by copyright. The copyright for this article in words and images lies entirely with AGE ™. All rights are reserved. Content for print / online media can be licensed on request.
Liability
The campervan was perceived by AGE ™ as very practical accommodation and therefore featured in the travel magazine. If this does not match your personal experience, we assume no liability. The content of the article has been carefully researched. However, if information is misleading or incorrect, we accept no liability. Furthermore, circumstances can change. AGE ™ does not guarantee that it is up to date.
Source reference for text research
Information on site, as well as personal experiences while camping in Iceland in July / August 2020.
Computer Vision EHF - Website about camping in Iceland [online] Retrieved on 09.07.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: https://tjalda.is/yfirlitskort/
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A special experience!
A special experience!
How much does a camper van cost in Iceland?
How much does a camper van cost in Iceland?
How much time should I plan?
Which sights in Iceland can be reached in a campervan?
Are there enough campsites in Iceland?