It’s strange how quickly a place can start to feel familiar.
Ten days earlier, Iceland felt exciting, unpredictable and completely unknown again.
Now, somehow, it felt difficult to leave.
Day 10 marked our final full day in Iceland — the last proper chapter of our campervan adventure around the Ring Road. And honestly, neither of us were ready for it to end.
But if Iceland was going to say goodbye to us, it certainly made sure it did it properly.
Because this final day gave us everything that makes Iceland unforgettable — waterfalls, geothermal landscapes, peaceful lagoons, dramatic winter roads and one final appearance from the Northern Lights before we flew home.
And honestly?
It felt like the perfect ending.
Waking Up in Hveragerði
We woke up in Hveragerði knowing this would be our final full day living the Iceland campervan life we’d completely fallen in love with over the last ten days.
Outside, the familiar Icelandic winter air greeted us once again while steam drifted through the surrounding geothermal landscape nearby.
By this point, the routine had become comforting.
Making coffee in the morning.
Packing up the van.
Checking the weather and road conditions before setting off.
Even the freezing cold mornings somehow felt normal now.
And honestly, part of us didn’t want to leave this lifestyle behind yet.
There’s something incredibly freeing about travelling Iceland by campervan.
Every day feels open-ended.
Every road feels like an adventure.
And even after ten days exploring the country, it still felt like there was so much left to discover.
Driving Through Selfoss & Into the Golden Circle
As we left Hveragerði behind, we headed through Selfoss and towards Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route.
Even though the Golden Circle is one of the country’s most popular tourist regions, travelling it in winter still felt magical.
Snow-covered landscapes stretched endlessly around us while the roads cut through frozen lava fields, rivers and mountains beneath dramatic Icelandic skies.
And despite it being our final full day, Iceland still somehow felt fresh and exciting.
Hjálparfoss – Iceland’s Hidden Beauty
Our first major stop of the day was Hjálparfoss.
And honestly, this waterfall instantly became one of the most underrated places we visited during the entire trip.
The twin waterfalls flow beautifully into a calm pool surrounded by dark volcanic rock formations, creating a scene that feels peaceful and dramatic all at once.
Covered in snow and ice, the whole landscape looked almost untouched.
There’s something about Icelandic waterfalls in winter that feels completely different from seeing them in summer.
Everything becomes quieter.
Softer.
More atmospheric.
Standing there in the freezing air listening to the sound of water echoing through the valley felt like the perfect way to start our final full day.
Gullfoss – Iceland at Full Power
From Hjálparfoss, we continued towards one of Iceland’s most famous natural landmarks — Gullfoss.
And honestly?
Even after seeing so many incredible places throughout the trip already, Gullfoss still completely blew us away.
The sheer force of the waterfall is impossible to properly describe until you’re standing beside it.
Massive amounts of glacial water thunder through the canyon while icy mist rises high into the freezing air around you.
The sound alone is overwhelming.
Standing there watching the water disappear dramatically into the canyon beneath thick snow and ice genuinely felt powerful.
This is one of those places where Iceland reminds you just how wild and untamed it really is.
No matter how many photos or videos you see beforehand, nothing compares to standing there in person.
The Famous Geysir Geothermal Area
Next came another iconic Iceland experience — Geysir.
By this point in the trip, Iceland had already shown us glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches and endless mountain roads.
But watching boiling geothermal water explode into the air every few minutes still somehow felt exciting.
The entire geothermal area feels alive.
Steam rises constantly from the ground while the smell of sulphur fills the freezing air around you.
Then suddenly, without warning, Strokkur erupts high into the sky before disappearing again beneath the earth.
And every single time, people around it react exactly the same way.
Pure excitement.
There’s something incredibly fun about Geysir.
It’s one of Iceland’s most famous attractions for a reason.
Laugarás Lagoon – The Perfect Final Relaxation Spot
After days of driving, exploring and constantly moving between locations, our final major stop of the trip felt perfectly timed.
Laugarás Lagoon.
And honestly?
This place completely surprised us.
Peaceful, modern and surrounded by beautiful scenery, the lagoon instantly became one of the most relaxing experiences of the entire trip.
Unlike some of Iceland’s larger, busier lagoons, Laugarás felt calm and intimate.
Exactly what we needed before the journey home.
Sitting in warm geothermal water while snow covered the landscape around us genuinely felt surreal.
And as we relaxed there reflecting on everything we’d experienced over the previous ten days, it suddenly hit us just how much we’d seen.
The Westfjords.
North Iceland.
Eastfjords.
The South Coast.
Glaciers.
Waterfalls.
Volcanic landscapes.
Northern Lights.
It almost felt impossible that all of it had happened within a single trip.
One Final Night in Garður
As evening arrived, we made our way towards Garður for our final night camping in the van.
And honestly, the atmosphere felt emotional.
The campervan had become such a huge part of the adventure that knowing this was our last night sleeping in it genuinely felt strange.
Over the last ten days it had been our transport, accommodation, kitchen and tiny little home while exploring one of the most beautiful countries on Earth.
And somehow, Iceland still had one final surprise waiting for us.
The Northern Lights Return
That evening, as darkness settled across the sky, faint green colours slowly began appearing above us once again.
The Northern Lights.
One final time.
And honestly, it felt like Iceland was giving us the perfect goodbye.
The aurora danced softly across the night sky while the freezing coastal air surrounded us and the campervan sat parked beneath the stars.
It wasn’t as intense as the huge G4 solar storm we experienced earlier in the trip.
But somehow, this moment felt even more emotional.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
The perfect final memory.
We stood outside in the cold for ages simply watching the sky above us, trying to soak in every final second of the adventure before it ended.
Returning the Campervan
The next morning arrived far too quickly.
We drove back towards CampEasy feeling tired, grateful and honestly slightly sad that the trip was over.
Returning the campervan genuinely felt emotional.
Over ten days, it had carried us thousands of miles through some of the most breathtaking landscapes we’ve ever seen.
From snowstorms and mountain passes to quiet campsites and Northern Lights displays, it had become part of the adventure itself.
Eventually, we made our way to Keflavík Airport for the journey home.
And sitting there reflecting on the trip, one thing became very clear.
This wasn’t goodbye to Iceland.
Not even close.
Final Thoughts on Our 10 Day Iceland Adventure
This trip became so much more than just a road trip.
It became an experience we’ll probably talk about for the rest of our lives.
Iceland has this strange ability to completely pull you in.
The landscapes.
The freedom.
The silence.
The unpredictability.
The feeling that around every corner there’s something incredible waiting for you.
Over ten days we drove through some of the most breathtaking scenery we’ve ever witnessed, experienced some unforgettable moments and created memories we genuinely don’t think we’ll ever forget.
And honestly?
We already know we’ll be back.
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