A 10-Day Driving Route for the Ring Road in Iceland

Ah, Iceland. The land of fire and ice, where the houses have names and trolls turn into stone. This country is easily one of my all time favorites due to its wild landscapes that change at every turn and the folklore that made me love each place all the more.

Before I delve into all of the nitty gritty details of my time in Iceland, I want to share the route for my entire road trip. Because we saw so much, I think a nice quick day by day layout will be beneficial to anyone planning out a road trip around the Ring Road of Iceland.

We drove around the Ring Road in early March, so some places were unreachable due to road conditions. I will still list those places in case you want to check them out on your trip!

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Day 1: Keflavík to Reykjavik

Many people will start out their trip by heading to the Blue Lagoon. We opted not to do that and to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula a bit instead. There are many things to see on this peninsula.

• Hafnir: A small, picturesque town at the tip of the peninsula.
• The Bridge to America-Europe: Where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.
• Reykjanes Lighthouse and Valahnúkamöl: A beautiful ridge on the coast where you can watch powerful waves and birds coasting through the sky.
• Gunnhuver: a geothermal area named after a ghost, Gunna. The location of the biggest mud pool in Iceland.
• Brimketill and Oddnýjarlaug (Oddný’s Pool): A lovely place to view the coast and to see a pool where a troll spent too much time bathing and got caught in the sun before she made it home. The rock formation that was said to be Oddný has since been washed away by the ocean.
• Sun Voyager in Reykjavik: This is an iconic spot in Reykjavik. Have you even been to Iceland if you haven’t seen this boat?
• Hallgrímskirkja and Leifur Eiríksson Statue: This iconic church can be seen from most points in Reykjavik. It is a popular tourist spot and you can even go to the top to see an excellent view of the city (Just make sure you check their opening hours).
• Reykjavik Fish: A nice restaurant where you can get some good fish and chips and other Icelandic meals.
• Stayed at the City Park Hotel: Nice rooms and a great spread for breakfast.
• Stop in a Bónus store to stock up on snacks for the road!
  

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  Read more about Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula here.

Day 2: Waterfalls, Beaches, and Icelandic Horses

Driving along Southern Iceland, you will see some amazing waterfalls and beaches. Keep an eye out for things, you never know what you may find!

• Stórólfshvolskirkja in Hvolsvöllur: This is a lovely church on a hill with a view. We also stopped for gas in this area.
• Seljalandsfoss: This is one of the coolest waterfalls in my opinion because you can walk behind it. It was super cold and I got soaking wet, but it was totally worth it. Wear crampons if you have them. The ice can be dangerous here.
• Holtsós: A reflective body of water right off Highway 1. On a clear day, you can get some stunning photos, or just gaze out and see the sky and mountains reflections in the water.
• Skógafoss: This waterfall in Skógar is tall and powerful. Take the stairs to the right of the falls for a nice walk above. The stairs are exhausting, but the view is worth it. You can also grab a bite to eat in Skógar if you feel the need.
• Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and the arches: You need 4-wheel drive to get up here, but the view is just incredible. Once you come back down, you can turn right to visit the beach if you want. Access is limited during certain parts of the spring/summer for nesting season.
• Vik Horse Adventure: We decided to take a quick trail ride on the black sand beaches in Vik to get a feel for Icelandic horses. I highly recommend this experience. They are a unique breed!
• Dinner at The Soup Company in Vik: They have delicious soups that are great to warm you up after riding horses on the beach!
• Welcome Hotel Lambafell: If I had to plan it again, I would have stayed in Vik, but if you are looking for a place to stay near Skógar, this is a lovely cabin, with a good breakfast. There is even a hot tub outside, so maybe you will be able to catch the Northern Lights!
  

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  Read more about Southern Iceland here.

Day 3: Snow and Glaciers

This was a slightly terrifying day to drive. As I was driving the wind would blow thick sheets of snow across the road. Sometimes I would lose a car right in front of me. The roads were also very icy. Our route took us slowly and carefully to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

• Walk to Diamond Beach: Chunks of ice from the lagoon wash out to the ocean and then come back to rest on the black sands of Diamond Beach. You can walk from the lagoon, but I also recommend driving to the other side of the bridge to see some larger ice formations.
• Take a glacier tour: We found a tour through Extreme Iceland and ventured out onto one of Vatnajökull’s many fingers, named Breiðamerkurjökull (say that five times fast). Walking on the glacier, seeing crevasses, entering an ice cave, and then seeing the sunset over the lagoon make this experience fully worth the cost (~$150 USD). Book for the last tour of the day, as you might get a few extras if you guide is feeling nice (they have to stick to the time limit for earlier tours).
• Dinner at Z Bistro in Höfn: This place was recommended by our tour guides as a place to get good lobster and seafood for slightly less than other locations. It had a nice, homey atmosphere and the lobster melted in your mouth.
• Hotel Jökull: We stayed here just off highway 1 so that we could hop right on the road the following morning.
  

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  Considering taking an Ice Cave tour? Check out this article to learn more.

Days 4: Up the East Coast

We start our journey up the East coast towards the great white North of Iceland. The views along the way draw your eye, so try to focus on the road!

• Hvalnes Lighthouse: Just off Highway 1, this cute lighthouse just begs for a photo op. The wind is powerful so hold your ground!
• Fauskasandur: More black sand and rock formations (probably trolls).
• Djúpivogur: This town has a lovely harbor and lighthouse. Make a stop to see the stone eggs of Eggin Í Gleðivik.
• Fardagafoss: A waterfall just past Egilsstaðir. There is a short hike with a view of the valley below. Crampons would be useful if there is snow on the ground.
• Skutafoss and Gufu Waterfall: Two more waterfalls that you can see from the road.
• Seyðisfjörður: A charming town on the innermost point of the fjord of the same name. This town has an artsy scene and an iconic rainbow path (that you won’t be able to see if there is snow).
• Egilsstaðir: We stayed the night at Hotel Valaskjálf and had dinner at a healthy, yet diverse restaurant called Salt.
  

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  Check out my more detailed post on Eastern Iceland.

Days 5 & 6: In and Around Mývatn

Meaning “Midge Lake”, Mývatn is home to a LOT of volcanic activity. You will find giant craters, lava fields, and more in this area.

• Hverir: A geothermal area with bubbling pools of mud and sulfuric steam coming up from the ground will have your thinking you wandered onto Mars.
• Mývatn Nature Baths: A less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon. These baths are a wonderful way to relax and soak your troubles away with fewer people.
• Grótagjá Cave: This cave was made famous by a scene featuring Jon Snow and Ygritte in Game of Thrones. Swimming is no longer permitted due to the danger of rocks falling at any time. The cave is on private property, so respect the rules!
• Hverfell: Possibly the largest crater of its kind on planet Earth. Hike to the top. I recommend crampons in the snow (and it is much more strenuous in the snow).
• Vogafjós Farm: If you want to have your dinner on a dairy farm where you can see them milking cows from your table, this is the place for you. The food is amazing, and if you are there during milking, you may just get a shot glass full of fresh milk.
• Goðafoss: The “Waterfall of the Gods” is a powerful sight to behold.
• Húsavik: This town is known for its whale tours. There is a Whale museum where you can learn all about the whales of Iceland. Also, if you fancy another bath, Geospa is located near the lighthouse, and you can gaze out all the way to the Arctic Circle and maybe even see a whale as you soak.
• Explore the Mývatn area: We spent some time just driving around and saw some greenhouses, horses and more craters. This area is full of craters formed by volcanic activity.
• Dinner at Sel Mývatn Hotel: They have an excellent selection of Icelandic food.
• Stay at Laxá Hotel: This hotel is ideally situated for the Northern Lights, and they offer a wake-up call if the lights are spotted. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy during our stay.
  

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  Check out this article to learn more about Mývatn.

Day 7: Turf Houses, Graves, and Wind

At the recommendation of a local, we took a bit of a detour from Highway 1 to drive up the Troll Peninsula. He said that the views were much more dramatic on that route and the roads were clear on that day. Prepare for lots of driving, and more impressive landscapes!

• Akureyri: Make sure that you stop in Iceland’s second largest city. If you have time to spend a couple of days and explore, I would recommend it. We didn’t have the time, but I loved this city as soon as we entered it.
• Drive Road 82 to see the mountainous Troll Peninsula: points of interest include Ólafsfjörður, Siglufjörður, Miklavatn, and Hofsós. The views along the way are gorgeous. If you are visiting during the summer, I would not be surprised if you caught sight of a whale.
• Glaumbær: This is an old turf farm in North Iceland that is now a museum where you can learn more about the turf houses and some history of homes in Iceland.
• Hvítserkur Rock Formation: The drive to get here is terrible as the road is full of potholes, but the rock formation is pretty amazing to see. Locals in the area have petitioned the government to fix the roads.
• Tjörn Church: For fans of the book Burial Rites or those interested in the last execution in Iceland, Agnes Magnúsdóttir and Friðrik Sigurðsson was laid to rest in the graveyard of this church.
• Dinner at Sjavarborg Restaurant in Hvammstangi: This restaurant is located just above the Tourist Information and Icelandic Seal Center. Hvammstangi is known for its seals!
• Stay at Glauksmyri Lodge: This is a horse farm and guest house. We blew into this place with some extremely high winds, so we didn’t get to spend any time with the horses, but they do riding tours and lessons. This place makes you feel so welcome, and I would absolutely stay here again.

Day 8: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

This peninsula could be a day trip from Reykjavik. The scenery alone is worth the drive.

• Take a lava cave tour into Vanshellir Cave: Learn how lava tubes are formed and a little bit of lore surrounding the cave.
• Drive around the peninsula to see glaciers, mountains, and more waterfalls: the natural beauty of Snæfellsnes is just incredible.
• After you finish exploring, head back to Reykjavik.
• Old Iceland Restaurant: At the recommendation of a fellow blogger, we stopped in Old Iceland for dinner and were not disappointed.
• Walk around Laugavegur Street and explore the shops
• Stay at Hotel Heiðmörk: The owners of this hotel were so sweet and took great care of us during our stay.

Day 9: The Golden Circle

A trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without exploring the famous Golden Circle. The crowds are somewhat shocking after exploring the North, which has very few tourists to speak of. There is a lot to see here, though, so the appeal is obvious.

• Start out by exploring þingvellir National Park: This park sits in a rift valley where two tectonic plates separated.
  • Walk through the rift by the Visitors Center. When else will you be able to stand between two tectonic plates?
  • Öxrárfoss: a waterfall with a lovely path leading up to it
  • þinvellir Lagoon: You can walk through the lagoon on well-marked paths.
  • þingvallakirkja: One of Iceland’s first churches sits quietly by the Öxará River.
  • þinvellir House sits next to the church and is the Prime Minister’s summer home.
  • Silfra: This is a popular diving spot where you can dive between the fissures caused by the tectonic plates.
  • Flosagjá Fissure: Another fissure cause by the tectonic plates, named after a slave who jumped his way to freedom
• Haukadalur: The site of Geysir, which has not blown its top since 2000. Watch the more active Strokkur which erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. Walk through the other small geysers and mud pots, just be careful and diligent. You don’t want to get burned!
• Gullfoss: Another impressive waterfall in Iceland. Gullfoss has multiple walking paths to see the many angles of the falls. I recommend seeing them all!
• Friðheimar: This is a restaurant where you get to eat inside a greenhouse alongside the tomatoes. We just stopped in to look around as we were not hungry yet, but I honestly almost changed my mind. It smells like tomato vine and the tomato soup bar looked amazing. I did try some of their tomato sauces. The dessert sauce is a delightful surprise!
• Kerið Crater: It was far too snowy for us to see this crater, but I imagine it is beautiful when the snow melts!
• Dinner at Skyrgerðin Café and Bistro in Hveragerði: This small cafe and guesthouse had excellent food and a warm atmosphere.
• Last night at Hotel Heiðmörk.

Day 10: Farewell Iceland

Due to rain, we decided to do one last drive around Reykjavik to see some of the things we missed before we flew away from the land of fire and ice.

• Harpa: This concert hall is an architectural marvel, made of a steel framework of geometric shapes and glass panes. The colors reflecting off the building make it a sight to behold. If I were to spend a few days on Reykjavik, I would definitely want to see a performance in this hall.
• Grótta Lighthouse: There is only a 3-hour window between high and low tide where you can walk out to the lighthouse. This is said to be a great place to view the Northern Lights from within the city. There are plenty of walking trails in the area.
• Perlan – Wonders of Iceland: This dome-shaped building sits on top of Öskjuhlíð hill. There are many things to do inside, some for a cost, others free. We were lucky enough to get to go out on the deck for free (due to construction). From there we had a 360-degree view of Reykjavik.
• Nauthólsvik Geothermal Beach: The beach is an easy walk from Perlan. Lagoon and ocean water meet on this golden sand beach, which keeps the water’s temperature much more comfortable. Entrance to the lagoon and hot tub is free in the summer and a mere 500 ISK in the winter.
• Lunch at the Library Bistro/Bar in Keflavík: For one last meal before leaving, we had to stop in this bistro that has a comfortable library vibe. Eating a delicious meal surrounded by books is one of my favorite things.
• Now for the sad part: Leave Iceland.

Things We Did Not See

I am fairly certain that we drove by many sights, yet could not see them due to snow cover. However, seeing the world covered in snow is truly beautiful (I just imagine I’m in Narnia) and a very different experience of its own. We did not get to see the famous Dettifoss and Selfoss due to the roads being closed (they were full of snow). We would have seen them on Day 5 had the roads been open. By the end of our trip, we were starting to see more green on the ground, however, we were still getting snow. Make sure that you come prepared for snow and ice!

What Would I Do Differently?

Honestly, very little. I think the only thing that would have made things go more smoothly would have been booking our tours prior to booking our hotels. The tours were more of an afterthought, so we would find ourselves rushing to make it on time. Staying closer to our tour locations would have allowed us to move at a more leisurely pace on those days. I do wish we had stayed a bit longer so that we could have spent more time in each place. We didn’t catch the Northern Lights, and that was due in part to us moving around so frequently. Your chances go up when you stay in one spot!

I am going to be writing a lot more about Iceland in the upcoming weeks. Let me know if there is something in particular that you would like for me to write about. I have a lot of ideas, but you may have some that I haven’t thought of! Let me know!