Planning the Ring Road Journey
A 10-day Ring Road itinerary is a practical way to explore Iceland by self-drive along Route 1, the country’s main highway. During my own road trip, I found that 10 days was a great length for a first visit. A shorter trip of 2–4 days would feel rushed.
You can spend your days driving, stopping at viewpoints, and enjoying short hikes. Start in Reykjavik, near Keflavík International Airport (KEF), and choose either a clockwise or counter-clockwise route.
I prefer heading south first. The southern route packs many of Iceland’s waterfalls, volcanic fields, beaches, and glaciers into a relatively short distance. You can also add a 4-hour Golden Circle day trip before continuing farther around the island.
If you arrive from mainland Europe, plan your flying and driving days carefully. Keep the final part of your itinerary easy so you have enough time to return to the airport.
Quick Answer
An Iceland 10 Day Ring Road Itinerary is an excellent way to experience the country’s waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, fjords, geothermal areas, and small towns.
A clockwise route can take you from Reykjavík and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula through North Iceland and Akureyri, across the Eastfjords, and along the South Coast before returning to Reykjavík.
Major highlights include Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Seyðisfjörður, Vestrahorn, Vatnajökull, Jökulsárlón, Reynisfjara, Geysir, and the Golden Circle.
Allow extra time for scenic stops and changing weather. Always check road conditions before starting a long drive.
Weather, Seasons, and What to Expect
Iceland truly feels like the land of fire and ice. You will see volcanoes, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, dramatic landscapes, and scenery that can look like another planet.
In March and other colder months, weather can change quickly. Heavy snow, ice, storms, and road closures can make driving much slower. Always check road conditions before setting out and allow extra time.
Summer is very different. During June, long daylight hours and the midnight sun give you more time to explore. You can often fit in an extra hike or scenic stop without worrying about darkness.
Average temperatures can reach around 55°F, but conditions remain unpredictable. Pack layers and a warm jacket even during summer.
Do not plan your trip around the northern lights during bright summer months. The long daylight hours make aurora viewing impossible.
Along the route, you can enjoy Icelandic towns, local shopping, memorable meals, day trips, and quiet places between the major sights.
Zach and I loved stopping to photograph waterfalls and unusual landscapes. After visiting Iceland four times, I still believe a relaxed Ring Road trip is better than trying to see everything too quickly.
Stay safe, protect your energy, and give yourself time to enjoy the journey.
Day 1 of Iceland Road Trip — Reykjavík
Reaching Reykjavik is an easy way to begin an Iceland 10 Day Ring Road Itinerary. As the capital, Reykjavik is the country’s main cultural and transportation hub.
Most flights arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Many red-eye flights land early in the morning, giving you time to complete immigration, collect your rental car, and begin exploring.
A self-drive plan works well because you can pick up your rental car at the airport and drive into the city. Reykjavik itself is compact enough to explore on foot.
Summer brings long daylight hours and the midnight sun. Winter brings shorter days, early sunsets, and very limited daylight.
On one trip, Zach and I found that keeping the first day relaxed helped us save energy for the Ring Road ahead.
Things to Do in Reykjavík
For your first day, consider visiting the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s famous geothermal spa. It is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik.
Allow 2–3 hours for the thermal pools, saunas, and silica mud masks. Book a timed entry in advance because popular dates can sell out.
However, volcanic activity around Grindavik can affect access. Always check current safety information before visiting. If the Blue Lagoon is closed, Sky Lagoon is another excellent option near downtown Reykjavik.
After your spa visit, explore Hallgrímskirkja Church, Harpa Concert Hall, Sun Voyager, Rainbow Street, and Tjörnin Pond.
You can also visit local cafes, museums, and markets. For food, try an Icelandic hot dog, seafood, coffee, or a local food tour.
If you want to follow the Ring Road clockwise, Reykjavik makes a convenient starting point. You can begin with the quieter areas of Iceland before returning to the busier tourist attractions.
The first day requires very little driving, leaving plenty of time to recover from your overnight flight.
A More Relaxed First Day
If you prefer a slower arrival, spend the morning around Reykjavik. Visit bookshops and cafes before choosing a longer activity later in the day.
A volcano hike can be a memorable Icelandic experience. You may walk through geothermal landscapes filled with steam, mud pools, green valleys, and hot rivers.
Rain can also change your plans. Indoor attractions such as FlyOver Iceland and the Perlan Museum are useful alternatives on wet days.
With flexible timing and careful planning, you can enjoy Reykjavik without feeling rushed before starting your Iceland road trip.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Today, I would explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, one of my favorite areas in Iceland. It is often called Iceland in miniature because it contains so many different landscapes in a relatively small area.
You can see volcanoes, waterfalls, black-sand beaches, lava formations, cliffs, and coastal scenery during one road trip.
I recommend starting near Borgarnes and driving clockwise. This helps reduce unnecessary backtracking.
The main roads, Snaefellsnesvegur (Route 54) and Útnesvegur (Route 574), connect most of the major sights.
Start with Gerðuberg Cliffs, known for their dramatic basalt columns. Then visit Ytri Tunga, where you may spot seals on the golden beach.
Continue to Búðakirkja, the famous black church, before visiting Bjarnarfoss and Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge.
Next, drive to Arnarstapi for lunch. From there, follow the coastal path toward Stone Bridge and Gatklettur rock arch.
Continue toward Hellnar and Lóndrangar. The walking trails here provide excellent views of the coastline and unusual rock formations.
More Snaefellsnes Highlights
The western side of the peninsula has even more places to explore.
Visit Vatnshellir Lava Cave with a guided tour. Then walk along Djúpalónssandur Beach, climb Saxhóll Crater, and visit Skarðsvík Beach.
You can also stop at Ingjaldshólskirkja, a beautiful red-roofed church.
Svöðufoss provides another scenic waterfall stop. However, Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss are the biggest highlights for many visitors.
If you have a full summer day, you can see most of the major attractions without rushing. Still, I recommend prioritizing your favorite stops.
For the evening, stay in Grundarfjörður or continue to Stykkishólmur. Both towns have restaurants and accommodation.
Expect around 2.75–3.25 hours of driving, depending on where you stay.
Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerid
After Snaefellsnes, you can continue toward the Golden Circle.
At Geysir, you can watch geothermal activity and see Strokkur send water high into the air. The timing can vary, so be patient.
Nearby, Gullfoss, also known as Golden Falls, offers several excellent viewpoints. It is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, so expect more visitors.
For a quieter stop, consider a short detour to Skalholt Cathedral.
You can also visit Kerid, a striking volcanic crater lake. The caldera is about 55 meters deep, 170 meters wide, and 270 meters across.
You can walk around the crater and descend toward the water. Kerid also has an entrance fee.
Southern Waterfalls
I originally hoped to hike around Thórsmörk, but limited bus services during the shoulder season made the trip difficult.
Reaching Thórsmörk may require a tour, bus, or suitable vehicle capable of crossing rivers. Always make sure your rental agreement allows this type of driving.
Instead, focus on the waterfalls around the southern route.
Glugafoss, Gljúfrabúi, and Seljalandsfoss are all worth visiting.
Seljalandsfoss is especially memorable because a walking path takes you behind the waterfall. Be prepared to get wet from the spray.
Nearby Gljúfrabúi offers a quieter waterfall experience hidden behind a rock face.
The region is also connected to Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano glacier that erupted in 2010 and disrupted air travel across Europe.
Overnight in Hella
If you travel during summer, a camper van or RV can be a convenient option. Long daylight hours allow you to visit attractions early in the morning or later in the evening.
These quieter hours are also excellent for photography.
The drive to Hella covers roughly 135 km. The roads are generally easy to follow, and the changing landscapes make the journey enjoyable.
A family-run hotel in the area can provide a relaxing base. From Hella, you can visit Reynisfjara Beach, Seljalandsfoss, and Skogafoss.
Try to visit popular waterfalls early or late in the day. Tourist buses can make the main attractions much busier during peak hours.
Akureyri – The Diamond Circle of North Iceland
Akureyri is a natural gateway to North Iceland and the wider Diamond Circle region.
The area combines powerful waterfalls, geothermal landscapes, volcanic sites, and charming towns.
Dettifoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, while Lake Mývatn offers geothermal features and hot springs.
Akureyri itself has a unique identity. It is often called Iceland’s second capital and sits at the northern end of the country.
The town has a domestic airport, harbor, restaurants, and shops. Nearby Húsavík is also famous for whale-watching tours.
Around North Iceland
On the way toward Akureyri, consider stopping at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum.
This small family-run attraction explains how hákarl, Iceland’s fermented shark, is traditionally prepared.
Continue through Stykkishólmur if you missed it earlier. Then head toward Northwest Iceland and stop at Kolugljúfur Canyon.
From the bridge, you can see Kolufossar waterfall below.
After Blönduós, consider visiting Víðimýrarkirkja, a traditional turf church. You can also take a short walk to Reykjafoss waterfall.
Enter “Reykjafoss Car Park” into your GPS to find the correct parking area.
Hot Springs Near Akureyri
For a more natural bathing experience, visit Fosslaug, a wild hot spring near Reykjafoss.
Bring your own towel because there are no changing facilities.
If you have extra time, consider taking the longer route around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. However, this area deserves an additional day rather than being squeezed into an already busy itinerary.
On a rainy day, Jarðgangalaug provides another memorable hot thermal pool experience.
Always use caution around flowing water and slippery surfaces.
Exploring Akureyri
Once you reach Akureyri, you can explore several local attractions.
Stop at Valeria Cafe for a latte or visit Svalbarðseyri Lighthouse.
The Laufás Museum and Heritage Site offers a glimpse into Icelandic history. Check opening hours before visiting.
You may also see Icelandic horses along the route.
For food, Turninn Kebab offers a casual meal, while Akureyri Backpackers has a relaxed bar and restaurant atmosphere.
Campers can stay at Hamrar Campsite, which offers amenities, playgrounds, and trails.
Plan for roughly 5.5 hours of driving on the main route.
The Eastfjords
Start early when exploring the Eastfjords. This region combines dramatic mountains, quiet villages, winding roads, and spectacular coastal views.
Begin with the short drive to Seyðisfjörður, a charming fjord town surrounded by steep mountains.
Along the way, stop at Fardagafoss and Gufufoss. Fardagafoss requires a short hike.
In Seyðisfjörður, walk along the famous rainbow street toward Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, the distinctive blue church.
You will eventually return to Route 1 and continue through the fjords.
Near Stöðvarfjörður, visit Petra’s Stone Collection. This fascinating museum contains rocks and minerals collected by Ljósbjörg Petra María throughout her life.
Continue toward Djúpivogur for lunch. Hafið bistro is a good place to stop for fish and chips.
After lunch, see Eggin í Gleðivík, a collection of egg sculptures representing local birds.
Then continue toward Hvalnes Lighthouse and the Stokksnes Peninsula.
Vestrahorn and Stokksnes
Spend plenty of time at Stokksnes.
Here, Vestrahorn Mountain rises dramatically above black sand dunes and the coastline.
The area sits on private land, so you need to pay an entrance fee at the Viking Cafe.
The fee helps maintain the area and keeps visitor numbers more controlled.
Walk through the dunes, explore the beach, and look for the remains of the Viking village movie set.
You can also walk toward the nearby lighthouse before continuing to Höfn.
The complete drive takes around five hours, depending on your stops.
Toward Dettifoss
Another option takes you toward Dettifoss and Selfoss.
The Icelandic word “foss” means waterfall, so you will see it in the names of many waterfalls throughout the country.
Dettifoss is especially impressive. Around 500 cubic meters of water rush over the falls every second, dropping roughly 45 meters into the canyon.
Its enormous power has earned it the nickname “the beast.”
By comparison, Goðafoss is often called “the beauty.”
Road and trail conditions can change quickly. Some paths near Dettifoss and Selfoss may close, and flash floods can make certain areas dangerous.
Always follow local warnings and stay behind safety barriers.
Finish the day in Egilsstaðir, the largest town in eastern Iceland.
Traveling South
Continue traveling south through Iceland’s southern region, where dramatic viewpoints and popular attractions become more common.
Traveling during the shoulder season helped us avoid some of the largest crowds.
Going clockwise also meant we experienced Iceland’s quieter eastern and northern regions before reaching the busier South Coast.
As we moved south, we noticed more visitors and a stronger tourism infrastructure. There were more restaurants, larger facilities, and menus designed for international travelers.
One planned stop was Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, which was closed for trail restoration during our visit.
Instead, we visited Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and Reynisfjara Beach.
The cliffs near the lighthouse gave us our first real experience with Icelandic wind. It was extremely strong and cold.
The warning from our rental car agency about strong wind damaging a car door suddenly made perfect sense.
Reynisfjara Beach
At Reynisfjara Beach, I enjoyed learning about the local legends surrounding the dramatic rock formations.
According to the story, the rocks were once trolls trying to help a fishing boat during a violent storm.
They stayed out too long and could not reach the shore before sunrise. The sunlight turned them to stone.
Whether you believe the story or not, the legend adds even more character to this unforgettable stretch of Iceland’s southern coast.
Blönduós – Day 8
After spending a whole week in March, we were still waiting to see the aurora.
The Southeast coastline and North Iceland had not delivered the northern lights show we hoped for.
Instead of rushing to another destination, we decided to slow down and spend a night in Blönduós.
This lesser-known town is home to Iceland’s Textile Museum. Historically, the area depended heavily on agriculture before tourism became more important.
Blönduós is also a convenient stop between Akureyri and Snaefellsnes.
We enjoyed the scenic drive from Goðafoss to Blönduós and looked forward to a relaxing evening.
Our plan was simple: enjoy some wine, relax in the hotel hot tubs, and get some rest.
Then something unexpected happened.
Lady Aurora finally appeared.
After waiting for days, we finally watched the northern lights dance across the sky.
The timing made the experience even more special because we had almost stopped expecting to see them.
For photography, getting away from town can improve your chances. However, we did not need to go anywhere.
We simply lay on the ground and watched the incredible show above us.
Earlier, we had also visited Goðafoss, a spectacular waterfall connected to Iceland’s history and legends surrounding the Norse gods.
Arrive and Sleep
Flight times to Iceland can be awkward, especially when you arrive late at night.
After a direct flight, Bunny decided not to plan a special activity for the first day. Instead, she focused on getting some rest.
She chose Bed & Breakfast Keflavik Airport because it offered an affordable option by Icelandic standards and was only a short drive from the airport.
The hotel also provided a free airport shuttle, which made the late-night arrival easier.
The accommodation was practical rather than luxurious. After a long journey, getting some deep sleep mattered more than having fancy amenities.
It was the perfect place for a simple first night before beginning the road trip.
Glacier Walk and Fjallsarlon
Start Day 4 with a big breakfast before checking out and heading toward Vatnajökull for a glacier walk.
You need to backtrack slightly along the Ring Road to reach Skaftafell. The area sits about 20 minutes from the hotel and provides access to several hiking routes.
We chose a half-day Glacier Explorer tour with Glacier Guides.
A minibus carried our group to the foot of Falljökull glacier, where the hike began.
Once we reached the glacier, we put on crampons and carried ice axes.
Our guide led us across impressive ice formations and brilliant shades of blue. The panoramic views across the glacier were incredible.
The experience became more intense when we heard a huge sheet of ice crash down.
Later, we stood beside another ice structure that suddenly collapsed.
Despite those dramatic moments, Glacier Guides handled the experience professionally. The team kept everyone safe and comfortable throughout the tour.
After the hike, we collected our luggage and continued toward Höfn.
The drive covered about 110 km, and we stayed at Fosshotel Vatnajökull.
Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon
On the way to Höfn, we stopped at Fjallsarlon, a smaller glacier lagoon along the Ring Road.
Although it is not as famous as Jökulsárlón, Fjallsarlon is still worth visiting.
The area felt peaceful, especially compared with the larger tourist sites.
As we continued toward the hotel, the traffic became lighter. The scenery also became more dramatic.
Mountains gave way to glaciers and then to green pastures.
After reaching the hotel, we enjoyed dinner and turned in early. The next day included another long drive.
Puffins and Lava Fields
Day 6 became the biggest driving day of our Ring Road itinerary.
We started with an exciting detour to Borgarfjörður Eystri, about 60 kilometers away from the Ring Road.
The area is known for its puffin colony, so Bunny was determined to visit.
Unfortunately, thick fog made visibility poor. At times, the drive felt dangerous.
Fortunately, there was very little traffic. That made the difficult road slightly easier to manage.
The journey became worthwhile when we reached the puffin colony.
The fog lifted, the rain slowed to a light drizzle, and the birds appeared.
We could get surprisingly close to the puffins. Unlike boat-based wildlife experiences, this allowed us to watch the birds from land.
We spent a long time taking photographs and watching them interact.
Even better, there were very few tourists around. The experience felt peaceful and personal.
Myvatn and the Lava Fields
After leaving the puffin colony, we stopped at Alpha Cafe for apple pie and hot coffee.
The town also provided interesting photography opportunities, including traditional turf houses.
Then we continued toward Siglufjörður, with almost 400 kilometers of driving ahead.
We planned to stop around Mývatn for some geothermal experiences.
Many attractions around Mývatn sit close to the Ring Road, so major detours are not necessary.
We visited Krafla Volcano and explored the Leirhnjúkur lava fields.
Steam rose from the volcanic ground beside an acidic lake, creating one of the most dramatic landscapes of the trip.
Bunny especially enjoyed the Hverir Geothermal Field, located directly beside the Ring Road.
The combination of volcanic terrain, steaming ground, and geothermal activity created a striking contrast to our earlier wildlife experience.