Driving ring road and the golden circle in iceland

When I first told a friend I was going to Iceland, her response was: β€œI hope you’re ready to have a spiritual awakening.”

Fast-forward to three weeks later in June, when I landed in Iceland and it took my breath away.

Iceland’s scenery is something out of a fairytale. Driving theΒ Ring Road (the main road which trails the border of the island) and Iceland’s Golden Circle, it’s not uncommon to stop every 10 minutes for a photo – the landscape constantly changes as if someone has flipped a switch, and each oneΒ is completely unique.

If you are planning a trip to Iceland in the near future (and I really think you should!), read on for our 10 day road tripΒ itinerary for the Ring Road and must-sees at each stop along the way…

beautiful colors of iceland on ring roadbaby sheep in icelandHouse built into rock and horse in icelandlandscapes in icelandcute town under waterfall in icelandIn front of the glacial lagoon iceland

10 DAYS

 

needed to take it all in

DAY 1

Arrive in Reykjavik

Visit: The Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik Town

Our first dayΒ in Iceland we landed, rented our car, and drove straight to theΒ Blue Lagoon.Β It’s important to note that the Blue Lagoon isΒ out of the way from Reykjavik and the Ring Road, and after getting off a long flight a spa day at one of the world’s most famous hotspots isn’t a bad idea!

Tips for the Blue Lagoon: arrive early if you can, and buy your tickets in advance. The experience and the restaurant is pricey, so decide ahead of time if you want to splurge on a meal or eatΒ elsewhere.

After you’ve had a dip, drive straight to Reykjavik (approximately 40 minutes away) and get a good night’s rest before setting out — your road trip starts tomorrow!

Here’s the full driving route – click here for the interactive map:

Iceland driving route of ring road in 10 Days

Iceland’s Ring Road in 10 Days

 

DAY 2

Reykjavik -> Selfoss (0:41 drive)

Visit: Gulfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir

Now the real drivingΒ begins! I recommend setting outΒ after breakfast on a drive to Selfoss, where you can visit Gulfoss waterfall: a staggeringly beautiful waterfall in Iceland’s Golden Circle. Nearby here is Strokkur Geysir, which shoots a tower of warm water out every 8-10 minutes (I can say warm because I stood right under it to get a photo…and ended up getting soaked!)

Tips for Gulfoss Waterfall: It gets windy here, so make sure you have ample layers and a cozy scarf.

Tips for Strokkur Geysir: Don’t stand where no one else is, thinking you are still behind the rope and won’t get soaked. You will.

Gullfoss Falls in Iceland finduslost

Gullfoss Falls

Hot springs next to Strokkur geyser iceland

The hot springs next to Strokkur Geysir

There’s a cafΓ© across from the Strokkur Geyser, so grabΒ a typical Icelandic meal before heading to your hotel. We loved theΒ Ion Hotel in Selfoss.

 

DAY 3

Selfoss -> Vik (1:36 drive)

Visit: Thingviller National Park, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall, Kerid Crater Lake

If you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I’d suggestΒ diving the Silfra FissureΒ which is located in the Thingviller National Park. It’sΒ a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates which hasΒ some of the clearest water in the world. Keep in mind you’ll be bathing in water that’s 2Β°C — I mean it when I say I’ve never appreciated hot chocolate more than I did after thisΒ dive!

After the Silfra Fissure,Β you can also check out the nearbyΒ Γ–xarΓ‘rfoss waterfall, which features a walking path right along the water that’s perfect for photos of the fissure and falls.

The Γ–xarΓ‘rfoss waterfall above the Silfra Fissure in Iceland via finduslost

The Γ–xarΓ‘rfoss Waterfall above the Silfra Fissure

Side note: yes, there really are this many waterfalls to see in Iceland and they are all worth getting out of your car for. The majority of this day involved us pulling over at every turn, and just when we’d think the next sight couldn’t get more stunning — it always did.Β Make sure your camera has enough space so you can max out on photos!

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland via finduslost

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Kerid Crater Lake in Iceland Ring Road Trip via finduslost

Kerid Crater Lake

Skogafoss Waterfall in Iceland via finduslost

Skogafoss Waterfall

Hotel tip:Β ThereΒ are not many options for hotels here and theyΒ are all understated —Β so book early and cozy up! WeΒ spent the night here at Hotel Katla in Hofdabrekka, right next to Vik.

 

DAY 4

Vik -> Hofn (3:13 drive)

Visit: Reynisfjara Beach, VatnajΓΆkulsthjΓ³dgardur, SvinafellsjΓΆkul Glacier

Before heading out of town today, I’d recommend spending the morΒ­ning visiting Reynisfjara BeachΒ before the crowds arrive. This black sand beach features the most amazing basalt columns, and is a photographer’s heaven. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot an Icelandic puffin.

Basalt columns at Reynisfjara via Finduslost

Basalt columns at Reynisfjara Beach

Rock formations at Reynisfjara Beach via finduslost

Rock formations at Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach via Finduslost

Reynisfjara Beach

Then, drive along the coast towards HΓΆfn, a quaint fishing town. Don’t be surprised when you get aΒ first glimpse of the VatnajΓΆkull glacier (we saw it through fog and could’ve sworn a wall of water was going to sweep our car away!).

View of the VatnajΓΆkull glacier from Ring Road Iceland via finduslost

View of the VatnajΓΆkull glacier from the Ring Road

It’s hard to get close to theΒ glacier unless you are taking part in a glacier hike, but you can grab a stunning view of it (that not many people know about!)Β off of the Ring Road’s Highway 1. Immediately after you see the glacier arm on the left, take a left onto Svinafellsjokulsvegur (a road 17.3 km before the town of Hof). There will be a small parking lot and you can take the trail up for this view:

VatnajΓΆkulsthjΓ³dgardur Glacier via finduslost

Above VatnajΓΆkull Glacier

We stayed at Hotel Smyrlajorg in the town of Kirkubajaulester (just before HΓΆfn) this evening, but it’s worth checking HΓΆfn for available hotels and Airbnbs.

HΓΆfn tip: grab dinner at HumarhΓΆfnin to try the local flavors, specifically the fresh seafood plates.

DAY 5

HΓΆfn -> Egilsstadir (3:09 drive)

Visit: GlacialΒ Lagoon JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n and beach

On day fiveΒ we booked a tour of the Glacier Lagoon in SunnuhlΓ­Γ°, just south of HΓΆfn. It’s the best way to experience the lagoon! Don’t forget to stroll on the beach where the water from the lagoonΒ flows out to the ocean: the giant chunks of ice stranded on the black sand are a must-see.

JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon in Iceland via finduslost

JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon

JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n beach next to glacier ice lagoon

JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Beach

black sand beach next to glacial ice lagoon iceland

Chunks of ice on the beach

Afterwards, I suggest drivingΒ through the mountains until you reach EgilsstaΓ°ir, a small town with our favorite hotel: Guesthouse EgilsstaΓ°ir. The grounds behind the hotel are worth the stay and though the hotel’s restaurant is a splurge, it’s well worth it.

The coast en route to EgilsstaΓ°ir

The coastline from the Ring Road

Mountain views in Iceland via finduslost

Mountain views

Driving through the mountains in iceland finduslost

Snow in the mountains en route to EgilsstaΓ°ir

 

DAY 6

EgilsstaΓ°ir -> Lake MΓ½vatn (2:23 drive)

Visit: Sulphur Springs, Lava Caves, Volcanos, Mud Pools, Viti Crater, Dettifoss Waterfall, Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area, Dimmuborgir Rock Formations, Grjotagja Cave

There’s a lot to see in MΓ½vatn. If you are only staying for one night (as we did), pick and choose sights beforehand.Β We loved the lava fields at the Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area, looking out over the turquoise water in Viti Crater, and walking insideΒ Grjotagja, a small lava cave with thermal spring inside. (Game of Thrones fans: Grjotagja is where John Snow had his memorable encounter with Ygritte.)

Viti Crater in Iceland finduslost

Viti Crater

Geothermal Area

Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area

I’d recommend booking anΒ Airbnb in MΓ½vatn. We stayed at Trod North and had a delicious home-cooked meal amongst great company. Locals hereΒ are very friendly, and this stay was one of our most memorable.

 

DAY 7

MΓ½vatn -> HΓΊsavΓ­k -> Akureyri (1:45 drive)

Visit: HΓΊsavΓ­k town, Akureyri town

Since HΓΊsavΓ­k is only a half hour drive from Lake MΓ½vatn, it’s possible to do a day tripΒ there instead of spending the night. HΓΊsavΓ­k is known for whale-watching, and though we booked a whale-watching tourΒ we ended up skipping itΒ because the weather was so bad.

HΓΊsavΓ­k tip: have lunch at Naustid on the harbor. Their buttery fish willΒ melt in your mouth.

From Husavik, enjoy the drive through the fjords to the bustling lake town of Akureyri. Airbnbs are the way to go here as well; we stayed in one of these small Airbnb houses overlooking Akureyri lake.Β If you’re new to Airbnb, here’s $40 off your first stay!

The beautiful fjords of iceland via finduslost

The beautiful fjords

 

DAY 8 & 9

Akureyri -> StykkishΓ³lmur (4:15 drive)

Visit: Landbrotaloaug Hotpot, StykkishΓ³lmur TownΒ 

Akureyri to StykkishΓ³lmurΒ is the longest leg of the Ring Road drive, so on arrival toΒ StykkishΓ³lmur we settled in for a couple nights relax and explore town. Plus, the Landbrotalaug hotpot (a natural hot springs)Β isΒ nearby – we took two trips here and it still wasn’t enough!

Landbrotalaug Hot Pot Snaefellsnes Iceland

Landbrotalaug Hot Pot

Landbrotalaug hotpot tip: you’ll need to plug in these coordinates to find it –Β 64Β°49’56.0″N 22Β°19’06.6″W. Drive until you pass the coordinates on the map, then turn right down a small dirt road and follow it to the end.

GeneralΒ tip: on our last night here, we took a drive just before midnight to see the midnight sun. Do it – you can’t beat this view:

The midnight sun through haze in Iceland finduslost

Chasing the midnight sun

DAY 10

StykkishΓ³lmur -> Reykjavik (2:18)

Reykjavik Town

We opted toΒ spend our last nightΒ in Reykjavik after driving in from StykkishΓ³lmur. If you can add an extra day, I’d suggest wandering around town and gettingΒ lost in the rows of colorful buildings. Otherwise, you could fly outΒ on this day.

DAY 11

Depart from Reykjavik

It was extremely hard for us to say goodbye to Iceland! We tried to fit as much as possible in our road trip, but it only left us wanting more. I’d loveΒ to go back and visit the northwestern leg of the country, where a much smaller percentage of touristsΒ go — rumor is the the fjords are well worth it!

Final tips:

  • Don’t forget to check Iceland’s road conditions, as the weather is unpredictable.
  • If you’re visiting in summer, keep in mind the sun doesn’t set until midnight! You’ll have ample sunlit driving hours, so don’t worry aboutΒ missing sights or drivingΒ when it’s dark.
  • Iceland can be pricey, so bookΒ as much as you can in advance.

Have we inspired you to go to Iceland? Let us know in the comments below!
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