Icelandic Road Trip – Part 5

For our overnight stay, we chose a quiet spot just a few minutes outside Akureyri, right by the coast, where the largest medieval trading port in northern Iceland, Gásir trading site, once stood.

Gásir – medieval commercial centre of northern Iceland

Gásir is an important archaeological site that once served as the main harbour and trading hub of northern Iceland during the Middle Ages. Until the 16th century, traders there dealt in valuable goods such as sulphur and falcons used for hunting. Today, traces of the former trading harbour are still visible, with information boards along the site that offer visitors insight into its history.

Every July, Gásir comes alive again as its history is brought back to life. The site hosts a Medieval Market, where participants bring the past to life by taking on the roles of medieval traders, craftsmen, and locals through live reenactments. All the activities take place in a reconstructed historical setting, which gives visitors a unique chance to step back in time for a moment.

For us, Gásir was first and foremost a peaceful place to spend the night, surrounded by nature, history, and that deep stillness that defines the north of Iceland.

Day seven – Akureyri and relaxation in natural thermal baths

We were awakened by a pleasant Icelandic morning. After breakfast, we headed out for a short walk around Akureyri, a small but very pleasant town that locals often call the “capital of the north”.

We took a few photos, stopped by a Bónus supermarket to stock up on supplies, and filled up the motorhome with water at a nearby petrol station. We then continued our journey back towards Keflavík, as our trip around Iceland was coming to an end.

About half an hour’s drive outside Akureyri, we unexpectedly came across some natural thermal pools in the middle of nowhere. We had been looking for them for a few days, but we did not want the more crowded places swarming with tourists. We were after something more intimate, quiet, and natural. And finally, we found it, just a day before the end of our journey.

We soaked in the warm water, surrounded by nature, far from the tourist crowds, with views of the hills and a lake stretching out in the distance. It was the perfect moment of relaxation, and a fitting end to almost a complete loop around Iceland.

Since we still had plenty of time that day, we decided to extend our route a little further north and explore an area we had not originally planned to visit. Our destination was the fishing town of Siglufjörður, tucked away among the fjords on the northern coast of Iceland.

When we arrived, it felt like we had gone back to wintertime. Temperatures were just a few degrees above freezing, and the surrounding hills were still covered in snow despite it being spring. I can hardly imagine how cold it must get here in the middle of winter.

After a few kilometres, we found a peaceful lake with beautiful views and decided to spend our final night there, on the way back to Keflavík, ahead of our flight home the next day.

Day eight – Icelandic horses, sheep and the way home

This was our last day in Iceland. Our flight was at 7 p.m., and from where we had stayed the night, it was still about a three-hour drive to Keflavík. Even so, we did not rush, as we still had enough time to take in the beauty of Icelandic nature one last time in peace.

On the drive, like every day before, we were accompanied by Icelandic horses, sheep grazing everywhere, and endless wide-open landscapes. During the trip, we were lucky enough to see all the animals I had hoped for: seals, whales, and puffins. There could have been no finer end to this journey.

The end of our trip

We bought food in shops and prepared it in the motorhome. That way, we saved quite a bit, as restaurant prices are extremely high. Restaurants are not found everywhere, nor are petrol stations. Planning and preparation are key when visiting Iceland, to make sure you do not end up hungry or even stranded with an empty tank.

For a road trip around Iceland, I would personally recommend hiring a motorhome, as it gives you far more freedom and saves a lot of time. We did not have to think about where to eat or sleep or waste time looking for apartments or restaurants. We were simply where we wanted to be. You need to keep in mind that in Iceland, restaurants and accommodation are not available everywhere.

We returned the motorhome two hours before our flight, which was more than enough time. I would recommend giving yourself plenty of time for the return, as the team checks the vehicle thoroughly. They took a full hour to inspect it from top to bottom.

Well, that's it! I hope you enjoyed reading my Iceland travelogue.

Þakka þér kærlega fyrir! (Thank you very much!)