When I first told a friend I was going to Iceland, her response was: βI hope youβre ready to have a spiritual awakening.β
Fast-forward to three weeks later in June, when I landed in Iceland and it took my breath away.
Icelandβs 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, itβs not uncommon to stop every 10 minutes for a photo β 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…
10 DAYS
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needed to take it all in
DAY 1
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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 worldβs 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 nightβs rest before setting out — your road trip starts tomorrow!
Here’s the full driving route – click here for the interactive map:

Iceland’s Ring Road in 10 Days
DAY 2
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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 Icelandβs 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 photoβ¦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: Donβt stand where no one else is, thinking you are still behind the rope and wonβt get soaked. You will.

Gullfoss Falls

The hot springs next to Strokkur Geysir
Thereβs 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
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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 thatβs 2Β°C — I mean it when I say Iβve never appreciated hot chocolate more than I did after thisΒ dive!
After the Silfra Fissure,Β you can also check out the nearbyΒ ΓxarΓ‘rfoss waterfall, which features a walking path right along the water thatβs perfect for photos of the fissure and falls.

The ΓxarΓ‘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 couldnβt get more stunning — it always did.Β Make sure your camera has enough space so you can max out on photos!

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Kerid Crater Lake

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
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Vik -> Hofn (3:13 drive)
Visit: Reynisfjara Beach, VatnajΓΆkulsthjΓ³dgardur, SvinafellsjΓΆkul Glacier
Before heading out of town today, Iβd recommend spending the morΒning visiting Reynisfjara BeachΒ before the crowds arrive. This black sand beach features the most amazing basalt columns, and is a photographerβs heaven. If youβre lucky, youβll also spot an Icelandic puffin.

Basalt columns at Reynisfjara Beach

Rock formations at Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach
Then, drive along the coast towards HΓΆfn, a quaint fishing town. Donβt be surprised when you get aΒ first glimpse of the VatnajΓΆkull glacier (we saw it through fog and couldβve sworn a wall of water was going to sweep our car away!).

View of the VatnajΓΆkull glacier from the Ring Road
Itβs 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 Roadβs 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:

Above VatnajΓΆkull Glacier
We stayed at Hotel Smyrlajorg in the town of Kirkubajaulester (just before HΓΆfn) this evening, but itβs 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
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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. Itβs the best way to experience the lagoon! Donβt 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

JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Beach

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 hotelβs restaurant is a splurge, itβs well worth it.

The coastline from the Ring Road

Mountain views

Snow in the mountains en route to EgilsstaΓ°ir
DAY 6
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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
Thereβs 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

Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area
Iβd 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
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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
DAY 8 & 9
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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 β we took two trips here and it still wasnβt enough!

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 canβt beat this view:

Chasing the midnight sun
DAY 10
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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
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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:
- Donβt forget to check Icelandβs road conditions, as the weather is unpredictable.
- If youβre visiting in summer, keep in mind the sun doesnβt set until midnight! Youβll have ample sunlit driving hours, so donβt worry aboutΒ missing sights or drivingΒ when it’s dark.
- Iceland can be pricey, so bookΒ as much as you can in advance.
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Have we inspired you to go to Iceland? Let us know in the comments below!
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Lake Toba Says
These photos so breathtaking, so gorgeous. thanks alot for this post
Selena Says
Post authorThank you!
Krista Bose Says
Hi there! I’m a huge fan of your blog- I’ve been following along for a while now. You make me want to go everywhere!
My partner and I are surprising his Mom for her birthday with a trip to Iceland in December! Of course I checked your blog post several times to try and figure out what’s best to do… We’re only there for three days/two nights, and our big question is whether or not to splurge and get tickets for the Blue Lagoon… They cost 73Β£ for the weekend we’re there- per person!! Is it worth the splurge?
Thanks in advance!
Happy Traveling!
Selena Says
Post authorOoh that’s a tough one! I’d say since you’re only there for three days…maybe go for it if she likes spa days? And make it an afternoon with lunch so it’s more of a destination? There are alternatives that are cheaper (and also picturesque) but they are quite far away.
Do keep in mind that the Blue Lagoon is close to the airport and not much else, so it is best to plan out when you’ll be there in advance!
Enjoy Iceland, it’s breathtaking xx
fabio Says
Nice brief description and nice pictures! π I guess in 10 days it was a bit of a “run” around the whole island.. or is that enough time?
Selena Says
Post authorIt depends on your preference! What makes a road trip amazing is seeing new scenery every day — in some parts of Iceland (especially the east) it’s very quiet with not much nearby, so I wouldn’t have wanted to add an additional night. We also went in summer, which meant it was always light out — and we could easily take our time and arrive at our hotel at 10pm if we wanted.
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Sarah Says
Just found this post through your Instagram stories and it couldnβt have come at a better time!!! Iβm traveling to Iceland on Monday and still trying to gather more travel tips before I leave. This post was tremendously helpful! So much inspo, thank you!
Selena Says
Post authorSo glad to hear that! Enjoy Iceland, I’m jealous π xx
Nandini Nigam Says
Hi Selena,
Can you please suggest a good itinerary for 6 nights and 7 days during July,2018 starting from Reykjavik. Also please give us the names of Airbnb you used in Iceland .
Will truly appreciate your help.
Selena Says
Post authorHi Nandini! For a 7 day trip I’d recommend exploring a couple days exploring Reykjavik and then moving on to the golden circle for a few days (Thingviller National Park, Gulfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir, and Kerid Crater). You could also continue on to the Reynisfjara Beach area if you don’t mind driving a bit further.
As for the Airbnbs, we stayed in both of the places below (I also linked to them above):
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5438286
http://www.booking.com/hotel/is/trod-north-guesthouse.html?aid=1322311&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA
Enjoy Iceland!
Lauren Says
I was curious as to how much rental cars are there and the cost of gas
- Selena Says
Post authorHi Lauren! Gas prices are high compared to the U.S. (almost double, I believe). Try Kayak to compare rental cars and find a deal: https://www.kayak.com/Cheap-Reykjavik-Car-Rentals.11024.cars.ksp
Good luck!
Cindy Says
Are there any dos or don’t for an April trip? Horseback riding is primary on my list of things to do and I would like to ride several times if possible but we’re also thinking of driving the whole ring road and venturing off the path. We prefer less touristy travel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
- Selena Says
Post authorHey Cindy! Sorry I missed this earlier. We looooved driving the ring road, so I’d highly recommend that. You’ll find plenty to see and do just from doing that trip. I’d recommend staying with a local one night when you can, we did an Airbnb there and loved it!
Cindy Says
This was a great read! Very helpful! My husband and I are planning a trip for next April 2018. There’s so much to see. I’ve just realized we won’t see it all and that’s ok! Thanks for your itinerary.
- Selena Says
Post authorThanks Cindy, so glad it’s useful for you! I hear you — we thought we could fit in the majority of sights on this trip. The reality is you can see all of it and still feel like there’s more…Iceland is just breathtaking and we’d go back in a heartbeat. xx
Kim Says
This post was so helpful!! My husband and I really want to plan a trip to Iceland…and a road trip sounds like the perfect way to explore the country π When do you think the best time to go is?…I hear in the winter…. you can see the northern lights…but the summer weather is nicer…would love any thoughts or tips you have for planning our trip:) thanks son much:)
Ps. What you guys are doing is so cool and so inspiring…my husband and I decided to start traveling more and working less in December…we just got back from 4 months in south east Asia…which was incredible π
- Selena Says
Post authorWe went in June and absolutely loved it. I think it was a great time to go because since the sun never really sets, we could spend as long as we wanted driving and didn’t have to worry about making it to our next place to stay before it got dark! The midnight sun is also beautiful. Enjoy Iceland — it’s one of my favorite destinations!
And that’s amazing — I would love to spend that much time in SE Asia. Cheers to you two! Traveling should always be a priority π
Vicki Says
Hi Selena. I was wondering what time of year did you go to Iceland? And if you don’t mind sharing how much it costed you for 10 days. We are thinking of following almost the same path you guys did..Thanks????
Ollie Says
I was really confused, and this answered all my qusntiose.
- Selena Says
Post authorHi Vicki! We went in June. To be honest I don’t remember our total cost, but it’s unfortunately not the cheapest trip. I’d say on average we probably spent around $300/day total. I would recommend staying in Airbnb’s to keep your costs down — we stayed in two and they were both our favorite stays! I’m happy to send them to you if you’re interested. Just shoot an email over to finduslost@gmail.com. π
Wouter Says
We went to Iceland last spring, it was really amazing! Thank so much for your work and info! It was my second time i have visited Iceland but after reading your inspiration and want to jump on the plane again.
- Selena Says
Post authorI know the feeling, I think about going back to Iceland every other week! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. π xx
Becky Moore Says
I loved Iceland but we went in the middle of the winter, looked very different then! π
- Selena Says
Post authorI can imagine. π We’d definitely go back in winter to see the northern lights…I hope you caught them!
Angie Mykieta Says
Just finished your Iceland blog and absolutely loved it. It not only inspirited me but it made me want to follow your footsteps. I am a traveler myself and I appreciate your organized, clean and very informative blog. Iceland has been on my list for a while now and I am dying to plan a trip soon. Thank you for all your amazing tips.
- Selena Says
Post authorThank you Angie! Means a lot. I’m very visual but also like to plan ahead based on info I find online, so I’m glad that translated to this post for you. π Happy traveling!