If you step off the plane in Iceland and feel like you’ve wandered onto the set of Interstellar or Star Wars, you’re not imagining things. The country’s eerie, ethereal beauty—vast black sand beaches, ancient lava fields, steamy geothermal pools, and jagged mountains—has made it a favorite filming location for Hollywood epics. But it’s not a movie set. Iceland is very real, and now, it’s just a direct flight away.
With IcelandAir’s new nonstop service from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), it’s easier than ever for Nashvillians to escape to this cinematic landscape. On a recent trip, I spent ample time researching and routing maps through the country to plan the perfect itinerary. And if I do say so myself, things worked pretty well.
Though I went into my trip well-researched, all you really need is a rental car, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to veer slightly off the beaten path. Here’s how we made the most of every mile across the country’s southern coast.
Day One: Sky Lagoon
After landing in Keflavík and breezing through car rental pickup (Europcar was quick and easy, with on-site service), we made the 45-minute drive into Reykjavik. We checked into the lovely Exeter Hotel, which offered a modern welcome and placed us within walking distance of dining, nightlife, and the sea.
With adrenaline overriding jet lag, we drove 20 minutes to Sky Lagoon. While Blue Lagoon gets most of the buzz, Sky Lagoon’s oceanfront infinity edge, newer facilities, and proximity to Reykjavik made it our top pick. We floated in geothermal waters, Icelandic drink in hand, and watched waves crash against the rocky shore.
Later that night, we soaked up Reykjavik’s friendly pub culture, stopping into The Drunk Rabbit and The English Pub for a warm welcome via local brews.
Day Two: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates
We drove an hour east to Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s famed Golden Circle. There, we booked a snorkeling tour through Dive.Is, which guides swimmers through the Silfra fissure—the only place in the world where you can snorkel directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Wrapped in dry suits and surrounded by crystal-clear glacial water, it was a bucket-list moment we won’t soon forget (and yes, it was very cold).
Next, we drove to the Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall, two iconic Golden Circle stops that show off Iceland’s natural drama. Our destination that night? A glass igloo in the small town of Hella. Surrounded by horses and far from city lights, the igloo offered the perfect stargazing setup.
Day Three: Glacier Lagoon
This was our longest drive—about three and a half hours to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon—but it was well worth it. After suiting up in insulated gear, we joined a Zodiac boat tour to zigzag through the floating icebergs, some freshly carved from the nearby glacier. Seals swam past and perched on the ice, and we marveled at the icy world around us.
A short walk from the lagoon brought us to Diamond Beach, where hunks of glacial ice wash ashore and sparkle like gems against the black volcanic sand. From there, we drove west to the seaside village of Vík and checked into Hótel Vík, a stylish stay tucked beneath misty mountains. We grabbed dinner at the charming Ströndin Pub and recharged for our final day.
Day Four: Ice Caves & Volcanoes
After coffee and a stroll along Vík’s black sand beach, we booked a last-minute tour to Katla Ice Cave—and it turned out to be one of the most thrilling parts of the trip. Riding in a tank-like sprinter van, we learned about Iceland’s volcanic activity, glacier formations, and folklore, before hiking into an icy cavern formed by a volcano still simmering beneath.
The off-roading continued as we bounced across beaches and lava fields, a “Viking Aurora Hunt” Spotify playlist blasting in the background. On the way back to Reykjavik, we stopped at the dramatic Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls—both Instagram-famous for good reason.
Along the way stands Hotel Ranga, one of the country’s most popular places to stay. While the well-appointed rooms and onsite restaurant and bar are natural draws, the hotel also offers travelers bookable tours and experiences like ATV adventures, snowmobiling, horseback riding, guided hikes, and paragliding. It’s a worthwhile place to stop off if you’re adding additional nights in Iceland.
Our final night was spent in luxury at the Iceland Parliament Hotel. After a memorable meal of Icelandic specialties, including whale, at Geiri Smart, we toasted the trip with Paper Plane cocktails and a vow to return.
You don’t need to plan every detail to have the trip of a lifetime.
Iceland is full of experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else.