Over the last decade, Iceland has become one the world’s top tourism destinations and for good reason: Iceland boasts some of the world’s most diverse and beautiful landscapes on a small geographical island! From active volcanoes and hot springs dotting the island, to thousands of waterfalls, black sand beaches, impressive glaciers and ice caves, and of course, the natural phenomenon of the breathtaking Northern Lights, Iceland is visually captivating in a way like no other country on Earth. It’s one of those places that is best seen via a road trip. That’s why we came up with the ultimate 10 day Iceland road trip.

Simply put, Iceland is the ultimate eye candy.

Drone shot of Gljufrabui Falls, Iceland

Landmannalaugar

About a year prior to our trip, we researched the best places in Iceland (both on and off the beaten path) by reading blogs and trusted websites like Lonely Planet, talking to travel buddies who had been, and of course, scouring through thousands of Iceland photos on Instagram (trust me, thousands!). We made a list of places that we wanted to see based on photos, research and recommendations, and then from there, put together a plan on the best way to see all those places.

Our list was HUGE. We quickly realized that we would need at least a month to really explore everything we wanted to. And that wasn’t going to happen only spending 10 days there, so we carefully narrowed our list down to the must-dos for our first trip to Iceland in the Summer.

Seljalandsfoss

From Day 1, we knew that we wanted to see Iceland via a camper van, where we could drive and sleep along the Ring Road (the highway that circles the entire island) at our own leisurely pace and also get the authentic experience of Iceland’s raw and wild beauty. We had heard from so many seasoned travelers that if there was ever a country more suitable for a road trip, it was Iceland, and so we knew that renting a camper van was the way to do it.

After some research we finally decided to rent a camper van from Kuku Campers. For one, they had reasonable prices which helped us stay within our budget but also, they had a variety of camper vans from 4X4’s, to camper vans that fit 2 to 5 adults comfortably, and also different sleeping arrangements and options.

Camping off the Ring Road in South Iceland with Kuku Campers

We loved that their camper vans offered all the amenities that we needed to have a successful road trip in Iceland, such as a portable heater (for those chilly nights/mornings), a fridge, a stove, and plenty of storage for our gear and food.

10 DAY ICELAND ITINERARY

We are going to cover the main highlights of each area we visited along with activities and excursions we recommend. We also like to leave room each day for unplanned exploration because trust me, you won’t want to follow a tight schedule! Iceland is full of surprises off the beaten path, so it’s good to be flexible and go with the flow a little.

A hidden canyon in Thorsmork

Please note that depending on your length of trip, you would need to adjust this itinerary accordingly. For example, if you are in Iceland for less than 10 days, don’t try to see the entire country and just focus on one area of Iceland (we would recommend the South/East part of Iceland if that is the case).

Or similarly, if you have at least 14 days in Iceland, we would recommend adding in the Westfjords and/or the Snaefellsjokull peninsula for a few days (we cut those areas out of our trip, but plan to explore them when we return). Also, this itinerary is more suited for late Spring/Summer/early Fall in Iceland, as many of the places on our list aren’t accessible or ideal in the Winter.

DAY 1: DRIVE THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

This would be your first FULL day in Iceland, depending on when you arrive. We arrived early in the morning, so our first full day was the day we arrived. Once you’ve picked up your rental car or camper van and are ready to hit the road, head for the Golden Circle, a short hour to two hour drive from Reykjavik.

Gullfoss along the Golden Circle

Highlights and stops along the Golden Circle include: Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur Geysir and the whole Geysir Geothermal Area in the Haukadalur Valley, and Lake Kerid. If you are feeling really adventurous, don’t miss out on scuba diving or snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, located in Thingvellir National Park. Silfra is a world famous dive site in which you dive in a ravine in the crystal clear waters between two tetonic plates, the North American and the Euroasian plates.

After a full day driving and stopping along the Golden Circle at the sights, we stayed a night in a quaint and perfect Airbnb apartment rental in downtown Reykjavik to get a good night’s rest (and a shower!) before heading out the next day and hitting the road for the next 9 days in our camper van.

DAY 2: HUNT FOR WATERFALLS

On Day 2, head south towards Vik. Along the drive and before you reach the famous waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, you will want to make a pit stop at Reykjadalur Thermal Hot Springs, a short one-hour hike up to some awesome natural hot springs in a river.

Hot Springs in Reykjadalur Valley in South Iceland

Reykjadalur was our first stop along the road, since it’s only a 45 min drive from Reykjavik. Make sure to careful follow directions on how to get here. The hike starts from the parking lot where you first cross a bridge over a river and a hike on a gravel trail leading to Reykjadalur hot steam valley (don’t forget your swimsuit and towel!). The hike is 1 mile long and takes about 45-60 minutes one way with plenty of photo ops.

It’s fairly easy, although there are some steep and narrow sections of the trail, so use caution as the trail has some sections of loose gravel. You will see some beautiful scenery, along with a view of the Djupagilsfoss waterfall, a stunning cascading waterfall in a canyon.

Once you reach the river, follow the path and cross the other side of the river. There are plenty of spots in the river to soak, however you might want to walk further up or down the river to find some solitude as these hot springs can be busy depending on the time of year you go. Further up the river is the confluence, where the hot river meets the cold river. The further up the valley, the hotter the river is.

You might get a little wet walking behind Seljalandsfoss, but it’s worth it.

Back on the road and headed south, our next major stop was Seljalandsfoss, a breathtaking waterfall that you can walk behind. This stop is hard to miss as these falls are visible right off the Ring Road to your left. With that being said, expect to see lots of other tourists. (*To avoid lots of people, try going early in the morning or later in the evening.) Depending on the time of year you go, be prepared to get wet too since these waterfalls produce a powerful spray. We would recommend wearing a rain jacket with a hood.

Walking through the hidden canyon to Gljufrabui Falls

A lesser known waterfall near Seljalandsfoss is Gljufrabui Falls, a short walk down the path to the left of Seljalandsfoss (if you’re facing the falls). These falls are found through a short canyon in a shallow creek, a bit hidden at first. We loved discovering these falls and even climbed up on some rocks in front of them to get a view of them from the top. Most tourists don’t know about these falls, so if you’re wanting to get away from the crowds that can sometimes be found at Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui is worth a visit.

The mighty Skogafoss, as seen from mid-way up the trail to the top

Further south but not far from Seljalandsfoss, is the famous Skogafoss. These waterfalls are also very accessible from the road and quite popular, so expect not to find solitude here unless you come first thing in the morning at sunrise (which we did and it was worth it!). There is a large parking lot here, along with a campground, hostel and restaurant. This waterfall is probably the most photographed waterfall in Iceland and for good reason, they are truly astounding and breathtaking.

Skogafoss is best seen early in morning or evening when crowds are slow.

There are lots of great views of Skogafoss. We loved taking photos from the river looking up to the falls, but we equally loved some of the views on the steep hike up to the top. Once you reach the top of the falls, you can see the valley and river in which they come from. There is also a world-famous hiking trail called Fimmvorduhals that starts at Skogafoss and ends in the highlands of Iceland in the beautiful valley of Thorsmork (approximately 15 miles long).

Originally, we had planned to do this hike, but the trail is only open in the Summer months and we were there in September. If you don’t want to attempt this hike by yourself and would prefer to go with a guide, we recommend using a company like Trek Iceland.

Kvernufoss is a hidden waterfall and worth a visit.

The last stop of Day 2 was Kvernufoss, a lesser-known waterfall near Skogafoss that really only locals know about. We followed directions to it and did the short hike (less than 0.5 mile) to this gorgeous waterfall up a scenic canyon that reminded us of Narnia. Just like Seljalandsfoss, you can also walk behind these falls. I can honestly say that out of the hundreds of waterfalls we saw in Iceland, these falls were in my top 3. It was such a treat to get them all to ourselves too!

It’s up to you on where you want to park and sleep for the night. You can opt to camp at Skogafoss and have access to a shower, bathroom, etc (which is quite expensive) or you can do what we did and pull off on a dirt road nearby and camp there for free. (It is Icelandic law that you can camp anywhere on public land for one night). Or if you prefer, you can purchase a camping card, which gives you access to all of Iceland’s campgrounds.

DAY 3: HIKE THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS

One place we really wanted to see and experience in Iceland was Landmannalaugar, often referred as the “painted mountains”. This picturesque landscape is made up of windswept rhyolite mountains, a rock type that creates a full spectrum of dazzling color on the mountainside. Shades of red, green, golden yellow, and even blue all change their tone, keeping in movement with the sun rays and creating an area of wilderness that resembles no place else on earth.

The colors of Landmannalaugar are visually captivating

Landmannalaugar is also known for its natural geothermal baths, so it’s the perfect place to soak after a long hike, which is exactly what we did!

The ideal time to visit this amazing landscape is in Summer or early Fall, as the roads close in the Winter. It’s truly a hikers and backpackers mecca, and consists of trails that are frequently ranked as some of the best hikes in the world, such as the Laugavegur trail, which runs from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork and takes approximately 6-7 days to complete, sleeping in huts along the way.

The best time to hike Landmannalaugar is Summer, when roads are accessible.

Landmannalaugar is located in the Southern highlands of Iceland and is only accessible by 4X4 or a special vehicle that has the proper tires since the roads to get there are, well, bumpy and rough. Since our camper van wasn’t a 4X4, nor did we want to risk damage to our vehicle, we decided to book an excursion with Trek Iceland. We chose to do the Landmannalaugar Day Hike since we didn’t have time for much more than a day hike here this trip. However, when we return, we definitely plan to do one of the multi-day backpacking treks.

Our day started out with catching the bus shuttle from Hella (they have options for pickup locations) and then driving about 2 hours inland to the highlands where we would start our hike. Our guide was awesome, and very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Our group was a lot of fun too, as we met people from all over the world. The trail we took was only about 5 miles round trip, but it took us a few hours to complete since we stopped to take photos and eat lunch.

We couldn’t get enough of the stunning landscape here. Photos simply don’t do a justice! Landmannalaugar definitely lived up to our high expectations. Finishing the hike in the natural hot springs was the icing on the cake. It was a long day, but we couldn’t have asked for a better experience with Trek Iceland.

A dip in the natural hot springs after a long hike is the best reward.

DAY 4: CLIMB A GLACIER

Did you know that 10% of Iceland is made up of glaciers? When you come to Iceland, you have to experience a glacier up close and personal. If you come in the winter or late-Fall, early-Spring, you can experience Iceland’s glaciers from the inside, such as the Crystal Ice Cave Tour.

These caves look incredible, but unfortunately for us, we were in Iceland at the tail end of Summer/early Fall, so we weren’t able to do any of these tours (they close these glacier caves for safety reasons). However, there are lots of ways to visit these amazing glaciers any time of year, such as go for a glacier hike and ice climb, which is exactly what we did.

Solheimajokull is a glacier that is shrinking incredibly fast and feeding a lake at the bottom.

Because walking on a glacier can be treacherous and dangerous, it is recommended to go with a guide or tour company. We chose Arctic Adventures because they are professional, trained and more importantly, were recommended to us by several friends. We chose the Glacier Hike & Ice Climb tour simply for the reason that we wanted to hike AND ice climb all in one day.

Our guide was amazing and very knowledgeable about glaciers and safety around glaciers. After we strapped on our harnesses, crampons and boots, and picked up our ice axes, we headed out onto the ice. The Solheimajokull glacier is a spectacular glacier located in the South of Iceland that is shrinking and retreating at a fast rate, leaving a lagoon that is growing larger with each year as the ice melts. Much of the lower portion of the glacier is covered in ash from the nearby volcano.

At first we were bummed to not be walking on the “blue ice” (which you have to climb higher up on the glacier to see or go in the winter when the glacier is covered in snow), but it ended up being just as cool and such an adventure. Hiking through a maze of towering ice formations, jagged ridges and crevasses was beyond anything we had ever experienced before!

Making our way up the glacier to ice climb

We took turns ice climbing on some tall walls of ice and let me tell you, it was so much fun! It was easier to catch on than we thought and our guide always made sure that we were safe. We even got to drink some glacier water–INCREDIBLE! Glacier water is the some of the cleanest, most pristine water you can drink on Earth.

After the tour, we headed southeast towards Vik to catch the sunset at the famous Reynisdrangar Beach and Dyrholaey overlook. Here you can walk along the beautiful black sand beach, climb the basalt columns and explore the cave on the beach. Dyrholaey is a short drive from Reynisdranger. It is a scenic overlook on some cliffs that piers out over the beach and ocean. There is also a lighthouse, which you can even stay at!

Climbing up the basalt columns at Reynisdranger Beach

The view from Dyrholaey

We camped just outside of Vik that night and ate at the most delicious local restaurant, Sudor Vik which plates consist of Icelandic staples like pan fried arctic char or fillet of lamb, coupled with grilled rosemary potatoes and fresh salads. The soups were amazing too!

DAY 5: DISCOVER THE LAND OF THOR

Thorsmork (or Porsmork), like Landmannalaugar, was on the top of our list of places we wanted to see in Iceland. Thorsmork in Icelandic translates into “valley of Thor”. Located in the Southern highlands and nestled between three glaciers, this nature reserve is a hiking lover’s mecca. Contrasting vistas of lush greenery and roaring glacier rivers cutting through black desert expanses make Thorsmork unique to not only Iceland, but anywhere else in the world.

Hiking to this vista overlooking Thorsmork was amazing!

After some research, we knew that the best way to experience this mystical valley was to explore it with a local guide in an off-road vehicle (since that’s required to get here). Boy, were we not disappointed! We hired a guide with Discover Iceland and booked a private Super Jeep tour which was well worth the splurge!

Our guide picked us up in a rugged SUV with giant tires (serious car envy!) and took us through some of the most beautiful terrain in all of Thorsmork. We spent all day crossing river after river, hiking up secret canyons to waterfalls and scenic vistas, and learning all about the history of Iceland and its culture. It was fascinating and one of our favorite days in Iceland!

Hiking up a secret canyon in Thorsmork to a waterfall

There are so many great multi-day hikes in Thorsmork, that we plan to do some backpacking through this area, as well as Landmannalaugar when we return. So much to see and so little time! After a day spent exploring Thorsmork, head southeast towards Hofn, about a 3 hour drive. If you have time, make sure to stop at Fjadrargljufur Canyon.

What an adventure with Discover Iceland!

DAY 6: PADDLE AMONGST THE ICE

At the base of Vatnajokull, Iceland’s biggest glacier, the scenery is breathtaking. Vatnajokull National Park, the largest national park in Europe, is situated near Hofn and home to the most amazing glacier lagoon you’ll ever lay eyes on. Jokulsarlon is a glacial lagoon, bordering Vatnajokull National Park in southeastern Iceland. It’s still, blue waters are dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, part of the larger Vatnajokull Glacier. The glacier lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach, nicknamed Diamond Beach.

Overlooking Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, part of Vatnajokull National Park

There are three ways to really experience the magic of this glacier lagoon. First is to take a zodiak boat tour out on the lagoon. You can also rent kayaks and go with a guide, such as Ice Guides, or lastly (and the way we chose), is to paddle board amongst these magnificent floating ice caps. I mean, who can say that they’ve paddle boarded around icebergs before? We knew when we saw people doing this, that we just had to do it.

Paddleboarding around glaciers at Jokulsarlon was epic.

We met Arctic Surfers in the parking lot and got suited up in our dry suits, booties, and helmet before heading out on the water. Even though we are both experienced paddle boarders, I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about standing on a board on top of freezing cold water and potentially falling in! Our guide (and also the owner), Eli, was awesome though and reassured us that if we fell in, that our dry suits would keep us warm and dry (which they did!).

The SUP tour on this glacier lagoon completely blew our minds. Exploring this jaw-dropping glacier lagoon up close and personal while learning about the geology of the area, its wild life and seeing these floating ice sculptures was like stepping into another world!

After taking in the beauty of Jokulsarlon, make sure to head over to the Diamond Beach just across the road. Diamond Beach was just as beautiful as Jokulsarlon with glistening icebergs lining the black sand beach. We got lucky to be there on a sunny day, which made the ice glitter in the sun. If you really want some fantastic photos, come here at sunrise when the light is ideal.

Diamond Beach will take your breath away!

Make sure to eat dinner in Hofn at Humarhofnin. We enjoyed the lobster (what Hofn is known for) and it was divine. Pakkus, another restaurant known for the lobster, is located on the harbor is supposedly good too. Right before sunset, head over to nearby Vestrahorn and Stokksnes Beach, another stunning black sand beach beneath some tall, craggy mountains.

Slightly off the beaten track, Vestrahorn is less ‘touristy’ than many of Iceland’s other mountains, making it popular with photographers. Worth going at sunset too! *Please note that this beach is private property so there is a small entrance fee paid to the landowner for visiting this beach.

Stokksnes Beach overlooking Vestrahorn

After dark, drive towards Breiddalsvik, which is northeast of Hofn a couple of hours. We drove later at night, which isn’t advised on Iceland’s Ring Road, but we wanted to break up our drive north so we didn’t have to spend a chunk of a day driving.

DAY 7: EXPLORE MYVATN

Depending on where you stay the night before, it will be a 2-4 hour drive to get to the Myvatn area in the north which means you will want to get an early start. Plan for some pit stops along the drive too, since you never know when you might see a magnificent waterfall off to the side of the road!

Make sure to stop to unnamed waterfalls off the side of the road like this one.

Make sure to stop at Dettifoss and Selfoss, which is just north of the Ring Road before you get to Myvatn. Dettifoss is the largest waterfall in Europe by volume (500 cubic meters per second plunge over this massive waterfall) and it’s quite impressive. Nearby Selfoss is worth the short hike as well. Plan for crowds of people though, so get your photos and then get out of there.

Overlooking Selfoss near Myvatn

Continue onto Myvatn, which about 10,000 years ago, was covered in glaciers and is now Iceland’s highest concentration of volcanic and geothermal sights. The whole area of the Myvatn Lake and surrounding territory used to be a barren wasteland, but shortly after that eruptions started and the glaciers mostly disappeared and vegetation established itself in the area.  A whole lot of molten lava raised down the slopes to the lowland and covered the countryside. The lake is huge and quite beautiful, especially in the summer when the surrounding hills and vegetation are lush and green.

The Myvatn Nature Baths are worth a visit if you have time. These soothing hot springs offer a completely natural experience that begins with a relaxing dip in clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the earth’s surface, and ends with a luxurious swim in a pool of geothermal water. Myvatn Nature Baths are a good alternative if you don’t want to spend the money to go to the more crowded, touristy Blue Lagoon.

Myvatn Baths in North Iceland

Right in Myvatn, don’t miss the most amazing Icelandic dining experience at the Vogafjos Farm Resort. This farm, located right on Lake Myvatn is a fully functioning farm and greenhouse, and also offers a cozy guesthouse and a restaurant next to the cowshed. A true farm-to-table experience, this was by far the best food we ate in Iceland. They offer homemade local food such as smoked trout, lamb shanks (amazing!), beef stew, and vegetable crepes. This meal was by far our favorite meal in Iceland.

If you have extra time while in Myvatn, look into doing a day tour to nearby craters, Askja and Viti, or Hverfell, a volcano. Also, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, swing by the Grjotagja hot springs cave, where a scene from the series was filmed. These hot springs used to be a popular bathing spot, but because the temperature of the water has risen in the last couple of decades, it is not recommended to soak in them anymore.

Grjotagja cave near Myvatn

Just past Myvatn, about 30 or so minutes, is Godafoss, and one of our favorite waterfalls we saw in Iceland. Nicknamed the “Beauty” to Dettifoss “Beast, these waterfalls were stunning to visit, especially at sunset. There are lots of vantage points, but we particularly loved witnessing them from the bottom (there is a path you can walk down and then across the rocks).

Godafoss at sunset was spectacular

We drove to Akureyri that night, less than an hour’s drive from Godafoss and wished we had more time to spend there. Such a beautiful, quaint city right on the water with the mountains as the backdrop. From hiking, to snow skiing in the winter, to mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and fishing, this town is a hub for all the action!

DAY 8: GO WHALE WATCHING

If you have the time and want to spend a bit more time in the north of Iceland, it’s worth a day trip to Husavik, a charming fishing village about an hour northeast from Akureyri. It’s also home to the best whale watching in all of Iceland. Unlike in other regions where you must sail a while to find whales, Husavik often has whales, porpoises, and even Iceland’s famous puffin birds a few minutes from the harbor.

Tours with companies such as Gentle Giants and North Sailing are done on newer, carbon-neutral ships that are quieter (nicer for whales) that don’t pollute the environment. Check out the whale museum and the church by Husavik harbor too.

Whale watching from Husavik is the best on the island.

If you have extra time after sailing and exploring Husavik, some other side trips in the area that are worth mentioning  are Asbyrgi Canyon, a breathtaking horseshoe shaped canyon that has some great hiking trails, such as Eyjan Hill or Klappir. This quiet canyon is a great place to get away from the main tourist spots to enjoy the nature.

If you opt to stay in Husavik, and then head southwest, continuing along the Ring Road towards Reykjavik, it’s best to break up the drive and camp along the way to avoid driving late in the night. We drove about 2-3 hours south of Akureyri before camping for the night and along the drive, witnessed the most spectacular display of Northern Lights we had seen throughout our trip in Iceland.

Witnessing the Northern Lights will be the highlight of your time in Iceland!

DAY 9: HIKE GLYMUR FALLS

Glymur Falls is relatively close to Reykjavik, about an hour’s drive north. This was our last major stop on the Ring Road before returning our camper van in the city. Glymur Falls is Iceland’s second tallest waterfall and a popular hike in the warmer months and definitely worth the trip if you have time (about 5 miles round trip). The terrain was different than what we saw all over Iceland, but exceptionally beautiful and unique. We climbed through a cave, crossed a river, and walked through trees and low shrubbery up a moderately steep trail to reach the falls.

The views down the canyon to Glymur Falls are beautiful!

You can also access Glymur Falls from the bottom of the canyon too, if you don’t mind getting your shoes wet since it requires hiking up the river bed. We wanted to do this, but ran out of time. The views from the top of the canyon overlooking the falls were spectacular though. We even got the drone out and flew it down the canyon for a closer look.

Glymur Falls

If you aren’t too pressed for time, a good side trip not far from Glymur Falls and also close to Reykjavik is Hraunfossar Falls and Barnafoss Falls. Hraunfossar is a series of creeks and cascades, both small and big streaming out of a lava bed. The color of the water is a brilliant turquoise, and quite beautiful. Barnafoss is another waterfall near Hraunfossar worth stopping at and a short walk from the parking lot.

DAY 10: SOAK IN THE BLUE LAGOON

We spent our last night in Reykjavik before hopping on an airplane and decided that the perfect way to end the trip was to soak in the famous geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. Let me preface that prior to the trip, we went back and forth about even going to the Blue Lagoon. Not being ones for a tourist trap, we had read that the Blue Lagoon was the #1 tourist destination in Iceland which to us, meant CROWDED.

Soaking in the Blue Lagoon early in the morning before the crowd arrives is worth the waking up for.

A couple of friends convinced us that the Blue Lagoon was worth the hype and we ended up caving and purchasing tickets for first thing in morning on our last day (*Tip: make sure to purchase tickets in advance and we suggest choosing the earliest or latest entrance times). Lots of people go to the Blue Lagoon on their first day in Iceland, but honestly, I think going on the last day is best.

After a long, adventure-packed trip around the country in 10 days in a camper van, it was heavenly to soak in these thermal waters on our last day. We got there at 8AM and enjoyed serenity and hardly a crowd for a couple of hours, which was the best part. Our entrance fee included a free drink and mud mask and we took full advantage of that too.

After spending a few hours relaxing and then showering at the Blue Lagoon, we headed into Reykjavik for one last Icelandic meal before flying out. There are so many good restaurants to eat in Reykjavik (be prepared for sticker shock though!), and this restaurant list includes a few that we ate at. You can’t come to Reykjavik without roaming through the quaint streets and neighborhoods too, and don’t miss the Hallgrimskirkja church, which stands on a hill in the center of the city.

Hallgrimskirkja church downtown Reykjavik

If you aren’t exhausted after an exhilarating trip around Iceland, than you didn’t do Iceland right! Iceland is one of the few countries that we have visited that has us itching to return already. So much to explore in such a small country that even after multiple trips here, you wouldn’t need to worry about seeing the same thing twice! Iceland captured our hearts forever and we can’t wait to come back!

Sri Lanka is the perfect place to explore if you’re looking for more than just sun and sand on your holidays. This tropical island set in the Indian Ocean and just a stone’s throw from the tip of Southern India, is stunningly beautiful, incredibly diverse and delightfully compact (roughly the same size as Ireland).

Why Sri Lanka?

A world class surf destination, Sri Lanka can offer some serious ticks off your family’s bucket list, which, when you’re shelling out for flights for the whole family, is a real draw. Lured by the promise of incredible wildlife (with affordable safaris), rich culture (numerous UNESCO world heritage sites) and tropical heat, Sri Lanka does not disappoint. I was longing to show my girls (6 and 9) elephants in the wild and introduce them to Buddha, whilst my surf-junkie husband had been hankering to explore legendary surf breaks on Arugam Bay’s East coast for years.

Dambulla Temple

Boasting average temperatures of between 28-32 degrees Celsius, the tropical climate of Sri Lanka is a magnet for those hunting winter sun. But what many find even more appealing is that Sri Lanka is actually an all year round destination. With two distinct monsoon seasons hitting the island from opposing directions, escaping the rain is easy by heading to the opposite coast for perfect beach conditions.

For example when the gentler Yala monsoon hits the south-west of Sri Lanka between mid May and September it’s dry season in the north east. During October, November and sometimes into December, when the heavier, more unpredictable north east monsoon blows, simply head to the south west part of the island.

Whether you’re a family weighing taking your kids for their first adventure into a third world country or you’re a hardcore seasoned traveling family, Sri Lanka ticks all the boxes – very kid friendly and safe, but at the same time it pushes the boundaries for those who want a deeper experience. Tropical, adventurous, rich in history, clean (especially for a third world country!), not to mention abundant wildlife, challenging hikes, incredible dives and delicious food. Sri Lanka exceeded every one of our expectations.

A local selling lotus flowers

Sri Lankans are known for being incredibly embracing, welcoming, and warmhearted and we were blown away by how wonderful the locals were – going out of their way to help us, always chatting and playing with the girls. The Sri Lankan’s love children! The island is relatively easy to get around, most people speak English and there are plenty of places to stay for all budgets.

Sri Lanka’s turbulent past of interminable civil war and the devastating tsunami of 2004 (which killed 375 people in Arugam Bay alone) have kept visitors at bay, preserving the island against mass tourism. Sri Lanka, now emerging into the spotlight as the gem in the Indian Ocean, is firmly back on the tourist trail and as such, prices are beginning to soar. So, if you’ve been thinking about visiting Sri Lanka, now is the time to go.

When to visit Sri Lanka?

Jan – March – most of the island is dry during these months and a great time to travel

April – the hottest month of the year, particularly in the cultural triangle with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees.

May -June – Yala monsoon in the South West (short, sharp showers that pass quickly)

July – Sept – Inter monsoon season with occasional showers but generally a great period in which to travel with temperatures around 29 degrees

Oct-Nov – Monsoon in the north east of the island

Dec – a good time to travel, excellent weather in the south east. Monsoon can linger from the north east some years.

Where to go in Sri Lanka with kids?

The adventurous should head to the North which promises off-the-beaten path pristine beaches, but less infrastructure having only relatively recently opened up since the civil war. A military presence is still felt here but tourism is building slowly and travelers report only jaw dropping accounts of the North being similar to Thailand 30 years ago …..

The center of the island, the cultural triangle, holds the greatest concentration of ancient sites and temples. Kandy, the capital and home to the ‘Buddha tooth temple’ may be a bustling city, but it’s a good starting point for visitors wanting to get their culture fix. From Kandy, it’s easy to access iconic sites such as the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla, or ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa only a couple of hours north. Kandy is also the perfect half way point to the East Coast.

The south west, blessed with picture postcard palm fringed beaches is packed with luxury resorts and decent surf. The less developed East Coast has, arguably, some of the best waves in Sri Lanka, with laid back Arugam Bay drawing in a mellow crowd. The famously cooler hill country in the center of the south of the island is the perfect place to escape the heat and also a hiker’s paradise.

The beaches of the East coast are breathtaking

We traveled for just under 4 weeks during August. Preferring to travel slowly, we prioritized wildlife, culture and surf, spending our first two weeks discovering the cultural triangle, going on a safari and exploring the hill country. Our second week we relaxed on the East Coast, surfing and chilling out. Extreme adventures were out of bounds for me with my fresh ACL knee graft on the mend, but we still managed to bag some amazing new experiences.

We spent on average $150 a day (for a family of four), but a large expense for us was hiring private drivers for most long distances driven which cut travel times considerably (most tourists do this in Sri Lanka due to the road conditions). Most trips via private driver run about $100. Taking the bus or train costs peanuts and something I’d be keen to do more of on a longer second trip to Sri Lanka.

Our accommodations were a mixed bag of budget to mid-range, such as Aloha Cabanas (running around only $50/night!) with a smattering of luxury like The Spice Trails (for around $150/night). The sweltering East Coast heat coupled with rough seas unsuitable for family swimming led us to occasionally book hotels with pools, which increased our daily accommodation spend from $50 to between $100-150.

Cooling off in our hotel pool

6 Outdoor Adventures You Don’t Want to Miss in Sri Lanka

1. Climb Pidurangala Rock at dawn

Pidurangala Rock at sunrise

One of the most iconic sites of Sri Lanka, the ancient Lion’s Rock fortress at Sigiria is a huge tourist attraction. For a more adventurous and spiritually enhancing experience choose to climb the alternative and neighboring rock, Pidurangala at dawn which guarantees spectacular views of the infamous Lion’s Rock but without the crowds.

Setting off in the dark, torches in hand, following roughly painted arrows through the rocks makes climbing up this relative easy hike a great adventure. The final approach, after a climb of 30 minutes, is a scramble between, through and over vast boulders. The last push to the summit is easy for the fit and the nimble, but enough to keep this previously little known secret still off the mass tourist trail. This was an unforgettable experience for us as a family. Don’t miss this. We have a blog post that covers all you need to know about climbing up Pidurangala.

Pidurangala Rock, quite an impressive sight

2. Go on a safari

Elephants in the wild

You’d expect to pay a fortune to take your family on a safari, but here in Sri Lanka it is surprisingly affordable. With 22 National Parks and with the highest density of wild elephants in Asia, you’ve got extremely high odds of seeing these incredible creatures. We took two safaris whilst in Sri Lanka – one to view The Gathering, the world’s largest wild elephant congregation which occurs every August at Minneryia and Kaudulla National Park and one in Yala National Park in the hope of spotting the elusive leopard.

We saw plenty of elephants which was a truly thrilling and humbling experience and an absolute highlight of our Sri Lankan visit. Unfortunately the leopards, which have notoriously lower sighting odds, escaped us this time. With safaris being as short as 2-3 hours, it’s a perfect introduction for families to serious wildlife.

We booked our safari in Yala National Park through Cadjan Villas and paid only $40 for our Jeep + 10% tip and entrance to the park. We also did a safari through Minneryia and Kaudulla National Parks and booked through our accommodation, Darshani Lodge in Sigiriya and paid about the same.

3. Surf the East coast

Arugam Bay on the East coast is famous for its mellow vibe with long consistent intermediate waves. It’s a 7 hour trek from Colombo to reach the East Coast which is why it’s always been the road less traveled. Our advice is to break up the journey in Kandy, explore the cultural triangle first, then continue onto Arugam Bay.  The vibe here is more “roll out of bed” and into the surf and you can do just that by staying in rustic affordable cabanas right on the beach.

For us, this was absolute heaven, although the lack of air conditioning in the 40 degree heat eventually forced us to book one of the handful of luxury poolside hotels. If you are looking for surf lessons, Amigo Surf School is great and teaches all ages and abilities.

Baby Bay, nestled into the curve of the main beach, is the perfect place for beginner surfers and kids, whilst the more experienced surfers can head to The Point nearby.

“Peanut Farm” Beach, a great place for surfing

When you’ve exhausted the waves in Arugam Bay, book a tuk tuk at dawn to access some of the more remote surf spots lining the coast where jungle meets sand and only a handful of surfers compete for waves. Peanut Farm, Elephant Rock and Puttuvil Point are all within a 30 minute tuk tuk ride, whilst hardcore surfers might want to head south to Okanda, a famous barreling surf break on the edge of Kumana National Park. Warning – do not enter lagoons. Crocodiles can be found in lagoons and sadly, one fatal croc attack occurred shorty after our visit.

4. Stay overnight in a tree house

Hilltop Cabanas

Concealing our excitement was impossible when, at the end of our month long stay in Sri Lanka, we spent 3 nights in a tree house cabana overlooking the ocean at Lighthouse Point. 25 kms from Arugam Bay, Hilltop Cabanas has slow living down to a tee and is truly an escape to a simple life, led by surf. With only a handful of cabanas on a remote beach boasting epic surf, life here is basic with communal dinners, solar lighting and well drawn water. The best part? Cabanas start at only $15/night.

The view from our cabana

Bedding down with the noise of the jungle, the crash of the surf and the pressing blackness of night, sleeping in a treehouse was an exceptional highlight of our trip. Frequent altercations within the local squirrel population kept us entertained as they squabbled, racing above us through the rafters and to the delight of the girls dropping occasional pellets on the top of our mosquito nets.

This paradise life is perfect for a night for non-surfing families purely for the adventure factor but our tip is, as there’s not much to do apart from surf and chill with no shade on the beach, young families should keep a stay here to around 3 nights.

5. Take the iconic train journey from Kandy to Ella

The train ride from Kandy to Ella is beyond gorgeous

Labelled one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, catch this infamous blue train from Kandy to Ella, deep in the hill country. A 7 hour journey may sound like hell with kids but trust me, this was one of the most relaxing journeys we took whilst in Sri Lanka. Verdant tea plantations roll on for as far as the eye can see, hour after hour of stunning scenery as this train rattles slowly through the hills. Getting a seat can be difficult with tickets for 1st class and 2nd class passengers reserved months ahead in peak season, so we recommend booking ahead if you know you will be going in peak season.

Either pay a bit more and book ahead to reserve tickets or take your chances like we did and catch the train one station before Kandy (snatching a seat before the crowds of Kandy swarm on). Whilst I couldn’t hang out of the doors and re-create many of Instagram images I’d seen of this iconic train trundling through the plantations (it was too packed, I couldn’t even get to the doors), we did get up close and personal with some lovely local families, which was a far richer experience.

6. Hike the hill country or walk the rails

The hike to Ella’s Rock

Ella, a small popular backpackers town in the cooler hill country is fast becoming a favorite for hikers. With famous climbs such as the revered 2,243 m Adam’s Peak (the route of an annual pilgrimage) and Ella’s Gap, this area is a walker’s paradise. Long hikes are a challenge in our family due to my youngest’s mild Cerebral Palsy, so we opted for the very easy 3km climb up Little Adam’s Peak.

Little Adam’s Peak

Even if we did brush shoulders with a stream of visitors ascending this extremely accessible and undemanding route, the views were outstanding as was the chance to see tea pickers harvesting the tea plantations at the base.

A local tea picker

Ella is the perfect base for exploration into the hill country, discover waterfalls and walk the rails. Pluck up the courage to sit atop the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and walk the tracks through the train tunnel where bats squeak and swoop.

About the Nixon family:

We are a family of four hailing from the UK with a love for adventure and the great outdoors. We spend the Winters in the Alps skiing and snowboarding and Summers at home, on the beautiful wild coast of North Devon. We are just an average working-class family that prioritizes adventure and travel to make our dreams come true. We love staying in unusual places, exploring new lands and trying out new experiences. We genuinely believe that through travel and meeting people from all walks of life, living abroad and occasionally going against the grain, that we can teach our kids invaluable lessons while also living life to the fullest.

To read more about this awesome, fun-loving family and their travels to Sri Lanka and beyond, visit The Family Freestylers and also make sure to connect with them on Instagram.

We’ve got an awesome guest post written by Jake and Dannie, who are professional photographers and family travel bloggers. They are sharing 10 of their best tips for how to take amazing outdoor travel photos!

1. Go for Golden Hour, not Sunset

Because sunrises and sunsets are so pretty, a lot of people will try to take their family photos just as the sun is dropping below the horizon. Though the sky is colorful at that moment, it actually creates very challenging light for photographing people. The best time for photography is in the hour or two before sunset or after sunrise. At this time, the light will shift to a golden color that will cast beautiful shadows and make the hair glow.

Golden hour at Aqueduct Park in Rome, Italy

2. Compose the Scenery First

The scenery isn’t likely to change much while you’re taking pictures, so get that squared away first. If you are following the kids around with the camera, you are leaving the scenery to luck. You’ll get much better shots by picking your angle ahead of time and then encouraging the family to move into your composition. The less time the kids have to spend posing while you hop around adjusting the background, the happier everyone will be.

Lady in red at Kotor, Montenegro

3. Mind Your Shutter Speed

Long exposures are great for misty waterfalls and night skies, but when you are photographing a family on the go, you don’t want to get home and zoom in on a lot of blurry faces. Generally speaking, you’re a lot better off with noise than motion blur, so bump up that ISO when you are in deep shade or low lighting conditions. In case you are unfamiliar with what ISO means, ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor.

The lower the ISO number the less sensitive your camera is to light and the finer the grain. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the sensor becomes, and the brighter the image will appear. There is no “correct” ISO, you will have to make your best guess based on how dark the scene looks, and then make adjustments as needed. Right after sunset I usually assume that the ISO needs to be at least 2000 (such as the photo pictured below).

Walking the streets of Paris in low-light

4. Don’t Use Auto White Balance

Sure, your camera can do an okay job guessing what color and light you are dealing with. But you’ll find in a lot of situations, small changes in the scenery or composition can change that guess from shot to shot, even when nothing has really changed. If you change the settings in your white balance depending on the lighting situation (for example, use the setting for cloudy skies if it’s overcast), you will avoid small shifts in tone and temperature from shot to shot. Simply put, white balance in digital photography means adjusting colors so that the image looks more natural.

To change the white balance in Lightroom, select your image and go into Develop Mode. In the sidebar on the right, Basic adjustments will be the first category and White Balance is the first adjustment you will see. You can try sliding the tint and temperature around until it looks right, but there is usually an easier way. If there is something in your image that you know is supposed to be white, click on the eyedropper tool and then click on the white part of the image.

Lightroom will then automatically adjust the entire image so that the white balance is correct. You can also select from the white balance presets (like shady, sunny, etc) and then fine tune it using the sliders. Once you have the right white balance for the first image, you can copy and paste it, along with any other adjustments you have made, onto the other images in the set.

5. Protect Your Gear

Shooting in moody weather in Glencoe, Scotland mountains

The outdoors is where weather lives! Rain, snow, sand, and even bird poo can turn your new camera into an expensive paper weight. A rain cover for your backpack is a great idea, but if you don’t have one, I recommend wrapping your camera up in multiple plastic bags. In the past, I’ve tried dry bags while kayaking, but be careful on humid days because condensation can form on the inside of the bag. You can also try doubling up on dry bags, as this ensures your camera equipment stays dry and condensation-free.

6. Get Front and Center With a Wide Angle

Sometimes there’s so much scenery that only a wide angle lens can capture it all. The downside of wide angle lenses is that they distort the image so that objects closer to the center of the image look farther away. Make sure you are close enough to the kids, so that they don’t look like little ants in the distance. Also, try your best to get everyone as close to the center of the frame as possible in a wide angle photo, since heavy distortion can make people look stretched out near the edges.

Playing in puddles in Glencoe, Scotland

7. Interact With The Environment

You didn’t climb up that mountain to grin awkwardly into the camera. Whether your family likes to play a game, set up a picnic or just strike a triumphant pose, make sure you get some photos of everyone being themselves in the moment. Those candid shots will always be your favorite.

Enjoying a picnic at Pont Dugard

8. Get Creative With Lighting

Sometimes backpack space is at a premium and the lighting gear just isn’t worth carrying. But there are still a lot of ways to improve your photos when the light gets spotty. On a sunny day, you can make a bounce light out of any reflective surface, like a shiny emergency blanket, the tinfoil from your sandwich, a white hoodie, or even a big, light colored rock (just avoid colorful bounce lights that can cast a funny hue on the subject). We’ve also lit photos with car headlights, flashlights and lanterns (but once again, watch your shutter speed).

9. Try a Silhouette

So the golden hour light has passed, and the sky is a lovely sheet of purple. It’s time to go for a silhouette. The key here is to forget about all the details and only think about the profile of your subjects. Make sure that there are no objects like trees or bushes intersecting their figures against the open sky. Next, ensure that they are posing so that all the information that needs to be captured could be seen by tracing their edges with your finger. Even if you can see their faces, the camera won’t. Their outline is all that matters. Now, just expose for the sky, and try out a few different poses.

Taking a sunset walk in Zukovica, Montenegro

10. Be Safe

Everyone wants to come home with a unique and exciting photo, but that’s no excuse to do something that jeopardizes what’s most important to you. No photo is worth risking a nasty fall, catching hypothermia, or approaching wild animals. There’s plenty to see out there in the wild, so make sure your whole family has a lot to smile about on this adventure and the next!

Keeping the little one safe from falling in the water at Perast, Montenegro

About Jake and Dannie:

Jake and Dannie are two professional photographers who put their business on hold to explore the world with their daughter, Lisa. She was one year old when they left and now she’s two, and they expect her to turn three next year while they are traveling in China. They are slow traveling, staying in each place they visit for a month at a time or more, getting to know their surroundings and creating the images they’ve always wanted. Their biggest outdoor adventure so far has been tent camping for three months in the highlands of Scotland, but their daughter’s first hike was in the gorgeous mountains over Kotor, Montenegro.

You can follow their journeys on their slow travel blog, or follow their adventures and see their beautiful captures around the world on Instagram.