Iceland Ring Road: 10-Day Complete Circle Adventure
Why This is the Ultimate Nordic Road Trip
The Iceland Ring Road (Route 1) is arguably one of the world's most spectacular circular driving routes, offering an unparalleled journey through some of Earth's most dramatic and diverse landscapes. This 828-mile (1,332 km) adventure takes you around the entire perimeter of Iceland, showcasing everything from thundering waterfalls and black sand beaches to glacial lagoons and volcanic landscapes that seem borrowed from another planet.
What makes this road trip truly extraordinary is the sheer density of natural wonders packed into a relatively compact route. Within just 10 days, you'll witness the raw power of geysers shooting steam into the arctic air, walk behind cascading waterfalls, soak in geothermal hot springs under the northern lights (in winter), and stand before massive glaciers that have been carving the landscape for millennia. The Ring Road is more than just a drive—it's a journey through geological time itself, where every turn reveals another masterpiece crafted by volcanic fire and glacial ice.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik to Selfoss
Distance: 35 miles (56 km) | Driving Time: 45 minutes
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Depart Reykjavik and pick up rental car
- Stop at Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant (64.0211° N, 21.3044° W) for visitor center tour
- Drive through Hveragerði, known as "Hot Spring Town"
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Lunch at Kaffi Krús in Selfoss (authentic Icelandic soup and bread)
- Explore Kerid Crater (64.0411° N, 20.8856° W) - a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater lake
- Visit Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) (64.1308° N, 20.3056° W) for your first geothermal bathing experience
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Dinner at Tryggvaskáli Restaurant - traditional Icelandic cuisine
- Stay: Hotel Selfoss or Guesthouse Geysi
Day 2: Selfoss to Vík via Golden Circle
Distance: 120 miles (193 km) | Driving Time: 3.5 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Geysir Geothermal Area (64.3107° N, 20.3028° W) - witness Strokkur geyser erupting every 5-10 minutes
- Gullfoss Waterfall (64.3271° N, 20.1219° W) - the "Golden Falls"
- Coffee break at Geysir Center Glíma Restaurant
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Þingvellir National Park (64.2556° N, 21.1175° W) - walk between the North American and European tectonic plates
- Lunch at Þingvellir Visitor Center Restaurant
- Drive to Vík via Seljalandsfoss (63.6156° N, 19.9886° W) - walk behind this 200-foot waterfall
- Skógafoss (63.5319° N, 19.5111° W) - climb 527 steps for panoramic views
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Explore Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (63.4040° N, 19.0444° W) and Reynisdrangar sea stacks
- Dinner at Suður-Vík Restaurant - local seafood specialties
- Stay: Hotel Katla or Puffin Hostel Vík
Day 3: Vík to Höfn
Distance: 165 miles (265 km) | Driving Time: 4 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Dyrhólaey Arch (63.3992° N, 19.1228° W) - dramatic coastal arch formation
- Drive through Eldhraun Lava Field - Europe's largest lava field
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (63.7710° N, 18.1749° W) - stunning moss-covered canyon (2 km hike)
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Lunch at Systrakaffi in Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- Skaftafell National Park (64.0167° N, 16.9667° W) - hike to Svartifoss (Black Falls) with basalt columns (3-hour round trip)
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (64.0784° N, 16.2306° W) - zodiac boat tour among icebergs
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Diamond Beach (64.0431° N, 16.1806° W) - icebergs on black volcanic sand
- Dinner at Humarhöfnin (Lobster House) in Höfn - famous langoustine
- Stay: Hotel Höfn or Fosshotel Vatnajökull
Day 4: Höfn to Egilsstaðir
Distance: 155 miles (250 km) | Driving Time: 4.5 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Vestrahorn Mountain (64.2383° N, 14.9517° W) - dramatic "Batman Mountain" photoshoot
- Drive through Berufjörður Fjord with stunning mountain reflections
- Coffee at Kaffi Hornið in Höfn before departing
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Navigate the winding mountain road through East Fjords
- Djúpivogur Village (64.6578° N, 14.2856° W) - charming fishing village lunch stop at Langabúð Café
- Petra's Stone Collection (65.0561° N, 14.2011° W) in Stöðvarfjörður - unique mineral museum
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Arrive in Egilsstaðir
- Dinner at Klausturkaffi - farm-to-table cuisine
- Evening walk around Lagarfljót Lake (possible monster spotting!)
- Stay: Icelandair Hotel Hérað or Tehúsið Guesthouse
Day 5: Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
Distance: 95 miles (153 km) | Driving Time: 2.5 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Hallormstaðaskógur Forest (65.0833° N, 14.7500° W) - Iceland's largest forest
- Hengifoss Waterfall (65.1167° N, 14.8833° W) - 3-hour round trip hike to see red-striped cliff waterfall
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Dettifoss Waterfall (65.8144° N, 16.3844° W) - Europe's most powerful waterfall
- Selfoss Waterfall (65.8167° N, 16.3747° W) - gentler "horseshoe falls" nearby
- Lunch at Dettifoss Café
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Check into accommodation near Lake Mývatn
- Mývatn Nature Baths (65.6503° N, 16.8703° W) - geothermal spa with mountain views
- Dinner at Vogafjós Farm Resort - watch cows being milked while dining
- Stay: Fosshotel Mývatn or Dimmuborgir Guesthouse
Day 6: Exploring Lake Mývatn Area
Distance: 30 miles (48 km) of local exploration | Driving Time: 1 hour total
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Dimmuborgir Lava Formations (65.5900° N, 16.9083° W) - "Dark Castles" walking trail
- Grjótagjá Cave (65.6322° N, 16.8719° W) - hot spring cave (Game of Thrones filming location)
- Hverir Geothermal Area (65.6417° N, 16.8083° W) - bubbling mud pots and steam vents
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Lunch at Gamli Bærinn in Reykjahlíð
- Skutustadagigar Pseudocraters (65.5667° N, 16.9833° W) - walk among unique volcanic formations
- Krafla Geothermal Area (65.7167° N, 16.7833° W) and Víti Crater - turquoise crater lake
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Goðafoss Waterfall (65.6833° N, 17.5500° W) - "Waterfall of the Gods"
- Dinner at Sel-Hótel Mývatn Restaurant
- Stay: Same accommodation as Day 5
Day 7: Mývatn to Akureyri
Distance: 65 miles (105 km) | Driving Time: 1.5 hours
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Drive to Akureyri, Iceland's "Northern Capital"
- Akureyrarkirkja Church (65.6839° N, 18.0911° W) - iconic hilltop church
- Explore downtown Akureyri's charming streets
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Lunch at Bautinn Restaurant - famous for their fish and chips
- Akureyri Botanical Garden (65.6817° N, 18.1000° W) - surprising Arctic flora
- Whale watching tour from Akureyri Harbor (3-hour excursion)
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Forest Lagoon (65.6408° N, 18.1264° W) - newest geothermal spa with fjord views
- Dinner at Strikið Restaurant - panoramic views of Eyjafjörður fjord
- Stay: Hotel Kea or Akureyri Backpackers
Day 8: Akureyri to Borgarnes via Tröllaskagi Peninsula
Distance: 185 miles (298 km) | Driving Time: 4 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Siglufjörður (66.1500° N, 18.9167° W) - picturesque fishing village and herring museum
- Drive through Tröllaskagi Peninsula - dramatic mountain landscapes
- Ólafsfjörður tunnel and village stop
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Hvítserkur Sea Stack (65.6033° N, 20.6167° W) - elephant-shaped rock formation
- Lunch at Kaffi Hvammstangi
- Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi (65.4056° N, 20.3972° W)
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Arrive in Borgarnes
- Borgarnes Settlement Center - Viking history exhibition
- Dinner at The Settlement Center Restaurant - medieval feast experience
- Stay: Hotel Borgarnes or B59 Guesthouse
Day 9: Borgarnes to Reykjavik via Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Distance: 125 miles (201 km) | Driving Time: 3 hours
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls (64.7028° N, 20.9772° W) - water flowing through lava fields
- Deildartunguhver Hot Springs (64.6667° N, 20.9167° W) - Europe's most powerful hot spring
- Reykholt - Snorri Sturluson medieval history center
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- Enter Snæfellsnes Peninsula - "Iceland in Miniature"
- Kirkjufell Mountain (64.9244° N, 23.3117° W) - most photographed mountain in Iceland
- Lunch at Bjargarsteinn Mathús in Grundarfjörður
- Snæfellsjökull National Park (64.8000° N, 23.7833° W) - glacier-capped volcano (Journey to Center of Earth)
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Arnarstapi Coastal Cliffs (64.7578° N, 23.6233° W) - dramatic basalt formations
- Drive back toward Reykjavik
- Stay: Hotel Borg Reykjavik or Center Hotels Plaza
Day 10: Reykjavik Exploration & Blue Lagoon
Distance: 30 miles (48 km) | Driving Time: 45 minutes
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Hallgrímskirkja Church (64.1417° N, 21.9167° W) - take elevator to top for city views
- Harpa Concert Hall (64.1500° N, 21.9333° W) - stunning glass architecture
- Coffee at Reykjavik Roasters
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
- National Museum of Iceland - comprehensive Viking to modern history
- Lunch at Dill Restaurant - Michelin-starred New Nordic cuisine
- Perlan Museum (64.1308° N, 21.9181° W) - interactive nature exhibitions and observation deck
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Blue Lagoon (63.8804° N, 22.4495° W) - world-famous geothermal spa (pre-booking essential)
- Farewell dinner at Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market) - modern Icelandic cuisine
- Return rental car at Keflavik Airport or downtown
Practical Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June-August):
- Pros: 24-hour daylight, all roads accessible, lupine flowers, warmest weather (50-60°F)
- Cons: Peak tourist season, highest prices, no Northern Lights
- Best for: First-time visitors, families, camping
Winter (November-March):
- Pros: Northern Lights viewing, ice caves, smaller crowds, dramatic winter landscapes
- Cons: Limited daylight (4-6 hours), icy roads, some highland areas closed
- Best for: Aurora hunters, photography enthusiasts
Shoulder Seasons (April-May, September-October):
- Pros: Moderate crowds, decent weather, possible Northern Lights (fall), lower prices
- Cons: Unpredictable weather, some services may be limited
What to Pack
Essential Items:
- Waterproof, windpr