If you haven’t yet decided how many days to dedicate to your trip, our complete Iceland ring road itinerary can help you plan the perfect adventure, whether it’s a week or longer.

Day 1: Golden Circle & Hot Springs

Once you’ve picked up your car from our Keflavik or Reykjavik base, it’s time to get acquainted with driving in Iceland. Though many travellers hit the south first, there’s something to be said for learning the rules of the road and getting used to your new wheels where there are fewer distractions.

Set your sights on Hvammsvik Hot Springs. These fabulous geothermal baths is home to a cluster of hot tubs that litter the beach beside tranquil Hvalfjörður. It’s a lovely place to relax and chat about the plans you have made and the sights you plan to see. Afterwards, backtrack to the 48 and head inland to Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir was the original site where the Althing met until parliamentary functions were relocated to Reykjavik. Entering the Almannagjá gorge, you can almost feel the past as you approach the Lögberg and look out over the river’s flood plain. Walk a little further from the parking lot and you’ll see a sign for Öxarárfoss, one of Iceland’s many exquisite waterfalls.

Continuing broadly north east, you’ll reach Geysir Geothermal Area in around half an hour or so. There are numerous areas in Iceland where you can see hot springs, mud pools and steaming fumaroles but this is where you can watch the biggest geyser in the country as it erupts every five to ten minutes with jaw-dropping intensity and reliability.

Finally, don’t turn south until you’ve walked alongside Gullfoss. This mighty waterfall, fed by meltwater from Langjökull glacier, forms a dramatic cascade over stepped rock in the Hvitá River, with an 11 metre drop followed by a 21 metre drop. As much as 140 cubic metres of water per second plummets over the rocks here in summer, a little less in winter.

Together, Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss form the core of the Golden Circle, making this the perfect introduction to your trip and a must for anyone planning a Golden Circle drive Iceland adventure.

Overnight: the Golden Circle

Day 2: South Coast

Today it’s time to hit the ring road proper as you head south to Selfoss and then begin making your way east. Driving the South Coast is the busiest stretch of Route 1; its many visitor attractions target day-trippers from Reykjavik as well as those embarking on a longer road trip.

There are numerous places to spend time, so think carefully about what you’d like to see before settling on a final plan. For instance, you might hop on the tourist shuttle to reach Sólheimasandur’s plane wreck. This US cargo plane crashed in bad weather back in 1973; there was no loss of life but the increasingly weathered fuselage has been deteriorating ever since. It’s certainly one of the more unusual visitor destinations close to the ring road.

Fans of nature will enjoy waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. From the top of the latter a series of smaller falls punctuates the river as you head inland. Eventually, you’d come to Þórsmork, a verdant oasis in the southern highlands. It’s a challenging day’s hike even for the super-fit, so bear this in mind before lacing up your boots. There’s plenty to see much closer to the ring road.

Your journey will take you close to the coast and at Vik you’ll be within sight of the ocean as you pull into the car park. This is a popular stop for visitors, though if you intend to stay here in summer note that accommodation often sells out. With a wide range of activities available locally from beach-based horse rides to ice cave tours, there’s no shortage of things to fill your time. Don’t miss iconic Reynisfjara black sand beach on the edge of town.

Overnight: Vik

Day 3: Glacier Lagoon

It would be hard to tear yourself away from Vik were it not for the fact that there is – arguably – even more breathtaking scenery further east. We’re talking about Iceland’s famous iceberg-strewn glacier lagoons of course and a visit to Jökulsárlón or the smaller and more intimate Fjallsárlón is a must.

No matter how fleeting your visit, there’s sure to be time for a boat trip out on the lake – amphibious boat tours on Jökulsárlón require less than an hour of your time. The icebergs that litter Diamond Beach are a photographer’s favourite throughout the year; in winter, it’s a perfect spot to snap images of the Northern Lights while in summer you can experience the Midnight Sun here.

The landscapes are just as striking on the Stokknes peninsula in the south east of Iceland. Here, the craggy outline of Vestrahorn makes an instant impression. But this mountain overlooks a beach scattered with dune grasses. Depending on the tide, you might get more than you bargained for as Vestrahorn’s jagged shape is reflected in the wet sand.

Nearby Höfn is the self-styled lobster capital of Iceland. Though there are many places in the country where you’ll eat high quality seafood, there’s something special about dining here on Icelandic lobster in all its forms (don’t miss the soup), particularly in June when there’s a festival in its honour.

Overnight: Höfn

Day 4: East Fjörds and Stuðlagil Canyon

Austurland awaits and the pace of your road trip seems to slow down as you enter this delightful region. Here, it’s a joy to simply point your MyCar rental along a fjordside road and drive beside the water. Whether you pull off the road at one of the tiny villages that litter the area or park up in splendid isolation, this part of Iceland is all about the view.

The ring road hugs the coast for a while, but as you venture further north, you’ll need to detour to reach the water. If you only do this once, make it Seyðisfjörður. This is where the ferry connects Iceland with Denmark and the Faroe Islands, but there are also a number of historic buildings, not least a quaint little church accessed along a street painted in the colours of the rainbow.

The sparse population also makes this a great spot for birdwatchers, especially in the summer when Iceland’s cutest visitors appear. We’re talking about puffins of course, which come in April to nest and rear their chicks before flying off to the open ocean once more in mid-August. Get a close-up look at the marina in Borgarfjörður Eystri.

It’s not only the coast that has the wow factor. A recent addition to Iceland’s tourist scene –after a fall in the river level revealed a magnificent canyon that had previously been submerged – is colourful Stuðlagil. The vivid turquoise of the water will take your breath away, no matter where you view it from.

Overnight: Egilsstaðir

Day 5: The Diamond Circle & Akureyri

The north of Iceland beckons and with it, the promise of yet more stellar landscapes. This is where you’ll come for the other-worldly mists that hang over the mountains, bare earth streaked with mineral deposits, the gnarly lava fields where rumour has it Iceland’s fabled Yule Lads hang out and the chance to relax in warm geothermal water as you reach the Nature Baths beside Lake Mývatn.

Don’t linger too long if you are to make headway on the Diamond Circle, a must-see sightseeing route that is an irresistible detour for most ring road explorers. Two more waterfalls are essential stops – Goðafoss and Dettifoss – while you might also admire horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon. Legend has it that it gets its shape from the hoof print left by Odin’s horse.

Depending on how you’re going for time – and time of year: in this respect, summer is your friend if you are on an Iceland ring road itinerary that you’re trying to fit into 7 days – you might also consider driving to Húsavik. Well known to Eurovision fans thanks to the 2020 movie, this place built a reputation as a whale watching centre long before Will Ferrell showed up, and it’s a highlight worth including even if you’re following an Iceland ring road itinerary 5 days or longer.

Overnight: Akureyri

Day 6: Tröllaskagi Peninsula

Spend a few hours this morning getting to know Akureyri. Perhaps enjoy a leisurely brunch within the town’s pretty botanical garden or take a stroll alongside the harbour. The old town is another cool destination, as is the chance to take a soak surrounded by silver birch trees at Forest Lagoon – an under-the-radar alternative to the Blue Lagoon in Reykjanes.

But Tröllaskagi is not to be missed: a standout destination among many enticing peninsulas along Iceland’s north coast. Make your way along the East Coast. At Dalvik, you’ll have another opportunity to sign up for a whale watching trip. Alternatively, don a wetsuit to view Migandifoss from a jet ski or your swimming costume to experience the de-stressing effects of hops and yeast at the Beer Spa.

At the northern tip of the peninsula, you’ll reach sleepy Siglufjörður, though it hasn’t always been this way. Onc,e this was a bustling port where hundreds of workers flocked here to work in the herring processing industry. One day, the fish left and so too did those who could no longer find work. The Herring Era Museum fills in the detail of this absorbing story.

Overnight: Siglufjörður

Day 7: Return to Reykjavík

There are several options as you point your MyCar rental in the direction of Reykjavik today: drive the five-hour journey non-stop and spend the time in Reykjavik, do the same but switch out the Icelandic capital for the attractions of West Iceland’s Silver Circle or pick out some more interesting places in north-west Iceland before turning south.

However, you’ve chosen to put together your Iceland ring road itinerary in 7 days, you’ll have made lasting memories. We’re pretty sure you’ll be back for a second trip, perhaps to follow a more relaxed Iceland ring road itinerary 10 days, and we’ll have another MyCar rental car waiting for you when you do.