Iceland - April, 2024
Embarking on a four-day adventure in the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland presents an exciting opportunity to capture stunning natural vistas while keeping an eye on your budget! From the iconic Golden Circle, home to mesmerizing geysers and magnificent waterfalls, to the dramatic coastlines of the South Coast, every unique location offers a captivating backdrop that will leave any photographer inspired.
In this blog, I'll share my experiences and some friendly tips on how to make the most of your time and resources. We'll dive into practical advices for renting a campervan and stocking up on essentials at budget-friendly grocery stores. Armed with my trusty Fujifilm X-T1 and the versatile XF 35mm F2 lens, I'll show you how I managed to capture the Icelandic scenery.
Day 1: Arrival & Þingvellir Camping
Locations: Keflavík Airport → Þingvellir National Park (camping)
The cold late-night air was staggering coming from Hungary’s warm spring weather, but it gave us a good first taste of the country. After picking up our car, we drove to Thingvellir to a camping site which took about an hour. After we settled and got electricity up and running, we went to sleep as we had a long day ahead tomorrow.
Day 2: Golden Circle & South Coast
Locations: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið Crater, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Eyvindarholt airplane wreck, Skógafoss camping
It was our longest day as we wanted to see as much as possible and we wanted to see how much we can take in so we planned a lot. Accordingly, we got up early and what we couldn’t see last night was that we were surrounded by great mountains and beautiful scenery. The air was again very cold and windy. After paying for the camping, we started our journey.
First, we visited Thingvellir national park where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and where the Vikings of old formed their first parliament, giving the place a geological and historical significance.
Thingvellir
The second stop was Geysir, which is what its name suggests: a few geysers, with the biggest one erupting every 5-10 minutes. If you haven’t seen a geyser before, it is a must.
The third stop was the Gullfoss Waterfall, which again is another awe-inspiring place with the enormous waterfall partly still frozen.
Gulfoss
Next stop was the Kerið crater, where a quick walk around gives you an amazing sense of the size of either the crater and the country.
Kerið Crater
After that, we went to Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, two amazing waterfalls in walking distance from each other. Also not far from them is a DC-3 airplane wreck which I fully recommend as the more famous plane wreck on the beach is only accessible with a 2-hour-long walk, which is not ideal if you are short on time.
Seljalandsfoss
Skógafoss camping
At the end of that very long day, we finally arrived at the Skógafoss camping. The camping is directly in front of the waterfall, which in my opinion gives it an amazing vibe. So regardless of the freezing temperatures and wind, we made a small picnic in front of the waterfall.
Day 3: South Coast & Reykjanes Peninsula
Locations: Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Reykjanes Peninsula, Reykjavík camping
Again, we got up early and started to hike above the waterfall, which in itself is about 60 meters and you go above it with about 20 meters on a narrow steel stair, so keep that in mind if you are traveling with older people as they may need to stop often and need your help.
Skógafoss
After reaching the top and taking as many photos as I could, we started to hike even further alongside the river. We walked about 2 hours and in that time, we lost count of how many waterfalls we encountered. Also, these waters are crystal clear, so we were very happy to fill our bottles with it.
One of many waterfalls along the Skógar river
After hiking back to the car, we set out to Dyrhólaey, which at the time had one of the most extreme winds I have ever encountered. Even walking and standing in it is a strain, making videos with usable audio is basically impossible. Despite all that, this was one of my favorite locations as it was beautiful and in the wind, you experience the raw power of nature, which in our human-regulated world is increasingly rare.
After that, we went to see the famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara. I took a few of my favorite photos here, but be careful with the sneaker waves as they come in farther than you would even expect and either make your feet wet or in the worst case scenario pull you into the water, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t give you the best survival chances.
Reynisfjara seen from Dyrhólaey
Next we drove to the Reykjanes Peninsula in the hopes of being able to see the ongoing volcanic eruption. Unfortunately but understandably, they won’t let you close if you are not a local or part of some kind of authority, but they let us park our car in a place where other hikes lead to the previous eruption sites. With a little bit of accidental off-track hiking, we managed to see the lava erupting and flying about 30 meters above the caldera. I don’t have good pictures of it because we only managed to get as close as 2 km, and that was the only time I regretted not bringing a telephoto lens. Lastly, we went to a camping in Reykjavík where for the first time since our journey began, we had warm water in the showers.
Day 4: Reykjavík & Akranes Day Trip
Locations: Reykjavik, Akranes, Blue Lagoon
On our last day, we went to see Reykjavík, which has a very friendly vibe to it. After power-walking through most of it, we decided that we had a little bit more time, so we drove up to Akranes, which is a nice little town with beautiful beaches and lighthouses. On our way back to the airport, we went to see the Blue Lagoon, which is not a budget-friendly place if you intend to warm up in the water, but it is completely free to walk around, and we had the chance to see 2-week-old lava, which has only recently solidified.
Lava fields near Grindavík
With that our trip came to an end but no worries as I plan to go back in a month and bring you more pictures and recommendations. Until then check out my instagram for more pictures from Iceland and many other beatiful places.
Extended Tips for Budget-Friendly Iceland Photography
Food & Groceries
• Bring non-perishables: Pack energy bars, nuts, or dried fruit from home to avoid airport markup.
• Shop at Bónus/Krónan: As these are the most affordable but still be mindful of your spendings
• Cook in your campervan: Use a portable stove or microwave to save on restaurant meals.
• Free water: Fill bottles at waterfalls or streams (safe to drink in Iceland).
Transport & Campervan Hacks
• Book early: Prices spike in summer.
• Check amenities: Ensure heating, bedding, and kitchenette are included.
• Fuel efficiency: Drive carefully—gas is pricey.
• Avoid car rental + hotel: Campervans cut costs by ~30% (no separate accommodation fees, only the price of the camping).
• Public transport: Use Reykjavík’s buses or ferries for Akranes/Blue Lagoon if not driving.
Gear & Photography Tips
Fujifilm X-T1 + XF 35mm F2:
• Weather resistance: Survives waterfall mist and wind.
• Lightweight: Ideal for hiking (no bulky telephoto unless needed).
Clothing:
• Layer up: Thermal base layers + windproof jacket.
• Gloves: Insulated ones for cold mornings.
Budget Activities
Free highlights:
• Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss.
• South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey.
• Reykjavík: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall (exterior).
Skip paid tours:
• Volcanoes: Hike to previous eruption sites (Reykjanes Peninsula).
• Ice caves: Focus on free outdoor spots (e.g., Jökulsárlón’s icebergs).
Timing: Visit attractions early to avoid crowds and midday light.
Avoiding Common Costs
• Alcohol: Buy in Bónus, but you will probably not drink much (cheaper than bars).
• Dining out: Eat at local cafés instead of restaurants.
• Souvenirs: Skip overpriced wool sweaters—opt for smaller items like lava salt or local art.