Iceland’s Ring Road: Itineraries & Travel Tips
Originally built to link remote communities, it’s now one of the world’s most scenic road trips in the world.
The road trip is over 1,300 km long and it can be driven in a few days or taken in over a week or more.
Each region in Iceland is unique, from the Eastfjords to the martian-like desert of the North. The Ring Road is the road trip that gives you all the must-sees of Iceland in a few days.
Shortcuts:
What is the Ring Road in Iceland?
What can I expect in different parts of Iceland during the Ring Road trip?
The Ring Route Stops That Stun
Off the Beaten Track Ring Road Stops in Iceland
Iceland Ring Road Itineraries for both short and long trips
2–3 Days: The South Coast Sprint (No Shame in the Short Trip)
4–6 Days: Full Loop With Some Wiggle Room
What is the Ring Road in Iceland?
The Ring Road goes around almost the entire country in 1,332-kilometers (828-mile). It’s officially designated name is Road 1.
It connects major regions and towns—from Reykjavík in the southwest to the fishing villages in the fjords of the East and the volcanic plains of the North.
It wasn’t fully completed until 1974, in honor of Iceland’s 1,100th anniversary of settlement. Until then, parts of the country were cut off from other parts. Some villages were only accessible by ferries, seaplanes or foot.
To this day, Route 1 is a living artery. A path through deep valleys, along glacier tongues, across lava plains, over moss heaths and through fjords that stretch into the horizon.
What can I expect in different parts of Iceland during the Ring Road trip?
When driving the south coast, the landscape will be more flat and for the first half, it has been irrigated with planted forests. You will however see into the highlands when you look far north – glaciers, mountains and glacier rivers.
After you have passed the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, you will notice that the landscape has shifted from green to stone grey, with black desert sands that seem to stretch for hours.
There are no villages from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Höfn – make sure to have sufficient fuel on your vehicle or map out the few petrol stations that are in between.
After driving the south coast to the east, your journey will take you up north to Egilsstaðir while you thread the East Fjords.
You can expect farms near the road and small villages popping up once in a while amongst the dramatic mountain landscape. And yes, reindeer! During the summer, they usually graze at higher altitudes but during the winter, they come closer to the coast and you might see them close to the road or on the road.
From Egilsstaðir, you will head through the highlands on the road to Akureyri. At first you will elevate slowly for an hour until you reach the highlands.
Expect a mixture of flat landscape with mountains on the horizon in all directions. The landscape will remind you of images from the Mars rovers until you reach the geothermal areas around Lake Mývatn and the lake itself. Fuel up before leaving Egilsstaðir just to be play it safe.
The road from Mývatn to Akureyri is filled with some of the most beautiful scenery in Iceland. Pro tip: Skip the tunnel once you are close to Akureyri. You will save the cost of entering the tunnel but spend extra 10 minutes driving in a Tolkien like setting.
The ring road from Akureyri to Reykjavík offers you something completely different from what you just left behind.
Every hour of driving, a new town or a village will pop up on the side of the road. And between every town is usually a heath that you will drive over. You will drive close to the mountains, next to the mountain rivers while they trickle down towards to the ocean.
Ring Route Stops That Stun
Some places are in the guidebooks for a reason. The classic stops are still worth the sop, even if a few other tourists are snapping selfies nearby.
- Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss – Bring rain gear to protect you from the myst that comes from the waterfalls.
- Reynisfjara Beach – The Black sand beach. Towering basalt columns. Sea stacks that look like monsters rising from the Atlantic. Warning: those waves are no joke – don’t venture too close to them.
- Skaftafell national park – Glacier tongues, green hills and waterfalls. It’s like hiking through a Tolkien chapter.
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach – Icebergs that float in a glacier lagoon, then end up at the beach as shattered diamonds.
- Lake Mývatn – An otherworldly area with an expansive lava field that encircles the lake, a geothermal area and the Blue Lagoon’s lesser known cousin, Mývatn Nature Baths.
- Goðafoss – The name is derived from an event during the conversion from norse paganism to Christianity, when the local chieftain threw his idols of the pagan gods into the waterfall.
- Akureyri – Iceland’s second city, full of charm, mountain views and old, historical buildings.
- Fjord Hvalfjörður or the Whale Fjord used to be part of the Ring Road until the underwater tunnel opened in 1998. It’s a road less travelled these days that offers amazing views of the most spectacular fjord in Iceland. It adds 40 minutes to your trip, that is if you drive straight through without exploring the many waterfalls or making a stop at the Spa at Hvammsvík Nature Resort and Hot Springs.
Off the Beaten Track Ring Road Stops in Iceland
The Ring Road has other stops that are well worth the stop or the detour.
- Gljúfrabúi – Just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss, this waterfall hides behind a narrow canyon slit.
- Fosslaug – A hot spring next to a river, near the small village of Varmahlíð. No changing rooms, no crowds. Only steam, grass, and sky.
- Stuðlagil Canyon – A canyon with walls of basalt columns that appear to have been made out of rock Legos.
- Vestrahorn – Moody mountain meets mirror-flat black sand beach. Photographers go wild here, especially at sunrise.
- Kolugljúfur Canyon – You don’t hear much about it, which is wild. Because this jagged canyon with its layered waterfalls is jaw-dropping and barely visited.
Iceland Ring Road Trip Itineraries for both short and long trips
Whether you’ve got a weekend or nearly two weeks, you can experience the Ring Road. You’ll just do it differently depending on your pace.
2–3 Days: The South Coast Sprint (No Shame in the Short Trip)
Best For: Layover adventurers, conference tagalongs, or anyone doing the “taste test” version of Iceland.
Day 1 – Reykjavík to Höfn
- Make stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Check out the DC-3 plane wreck trail if weather permits.
- Make a stop at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Have lunch in Hvolsvöllur the traditional lamb stew in Vík for. Have dinner at Höfn.
Day 2 – Höfn to Lake Mývatn
- Drive through the many small villages that you will see on the fjord route.
- Make a stop at the rock museum at Stöðvarfjörður. Rocks as in minerals, not music.
- If you have time, make a small detour off Road 1 from Egilsstaðir and head over the heath to Seyðisfjörður. One of the greatest sushi restaurants in Iceland is located there.
- Drive through the highlands to Lake Mývatn.
Day 3 – Lake Mývatn to Reykjavík
- Rise up early and head over to Akureyri and enjoy breakfast at one of their bakeries. You can then enjoy a stroll around the downtown area of the town and pick up some souvenirs.
- On the way to Reykjavík, there are two villages that are along the ring road. But you will have to go off road one and head into the hearts of the villages. First comes Blönduós, that might seem like a few buildings and a gas station but if you wonder closer to the harbour, you will find a cozy fishing village. Few hours later, you will drive through Borgarnes, just an hour from Reykjavík. It’s filled with charm that you will find beyond the gas station.
- The fjord Hvalfjörður used to be part of the ring road but the underwater tunnel meant that there is almost no traffic there and some sights of interest. Get off the ring road well before the tunnel and enjoy one of the most beautiful fjords in Iceland. For WW2 or history buffs, the War and Peace museum focuses on World War 2 in Iceland.
To clean off the road dust, make a stop at Hvammsvík Hot Springs for a nice hot soak in the geothermal pools and have the famous seafood soup at the Bistro. You can also book accommodation there. The last leg after Hvammsvík to Reykjavík takes only 45 minutes.
4–6 Days: Full Loop With Some Wiggle Room
Best For: First-timers wanting the full-circle experience, without white-knuckling it.
Day 1 – Reykjavík to Vík
Start your trip with a stop at Seljalandsfoss to walk behind the waterfall, then visit the roaring Skógafoss just up the road. If you’re feeling adventurous, stretch your legs on the Sólheimajökull Glacier trail before reaching the black sands of Reynisfjara – but follow the alerts carefully. End the day in Vík, where you can have dinner with a view of the sea stacks.
Day 2 – Vík to Höfn
This stretch is glacier country. Spend time hiking in Skaftafell National Park, then continue to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where the icebergs drift out to sea. Stay the night in Höfn, a fishing town famous for its lobster soup.
Day 3 – Höfn to Egilsstaðir
Drive the winding roads of the Eastfjords, where fishing villages sit beneath steep mountains. Make stops in Djúpivogur or Fáskrúðsfjörður for a taste of quiet coastal life. Overnight in Egilsstaðir, the gateway to East Iceland.
Day 4 – Egilsstaðir to Akureyri
This day is packed. Head north to see Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, then explore the geothermal landscapes around Lake Mývatn—mud pots, craters, and lava fields. Visit Goðafoss before arriving in Akureyri for the night.
Day 5 – Akureyri to Borgarnes
Start the morning with a walk around Akureyri’s colorful streets or head out for whale watching in Dalvík. Later, take a break at Kolugljúfur Canyon before reaching Borgarnes.
Day 6 – Borgarnes to Reykjavík
On your last day, visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, and perhaps the historical site of Reykholt. Make a stop at Hvammsvík Hot Springs before returning to Reykjavík in the evening.
Bonus: explore Reykholt, Snorri Sturluson’s old home.
7–12 Days: The Epic Slow-Burn Road Trip
Best For: Dreamers, storytellers, and people who want to leave no hot spring behind.
Day 1 – Reykjavík to Hella or Vík
Ease into the trip with a stop at the Secret Lagoon or a short hike to Reykjadalur hot spring river. Continue to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara Beach. Stay overnight in Hella for a quieter evening or in Vík for an early start along the coast.
Day 2 – Vík to Höfn
Take your time exploring moss-covered lava fields and glacier views. Spend a few hours hiking in Skaftafell, then make your way to Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach before arriving in Höfn for fresh seafood.
Day 3 – Höfn to Djúpivogur or Egilsstaðir
The Eastfjords are perfect for slow travel. Pause often to enjoy the views and visit small harbors. Spend the night in a fjordside guesthouse in Djúpivogur or continue to Egilsstaðir.
Day 4 – Borgarfjörður Eystri Day Trip
From Egilsstaðir, take the winding road to Borgarfjörður Eystri for puffin watching (in summer) or the Stórurð hike with its surreal blue-green pools. Return to Egilsstaðir for the night.
Day 5 – Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
Stop at Dettifoss en route, then settle into the Mývatn area for geothermal wonders like Hverir and the Krafla volcano. Soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths before calling it a night.
Day 6 – Explore Mývatn
Spend the day visiting Dimmuborgir lava formations, the Grjótagjá cave, and nearby craters. Stay another night to make the most of the region.
Day 7 – Mývatn to Akureyri
Visit Goðafoss on your way to Akureyri. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Iceland’s northern capital—good coffee, harbor views, and maybe a botanical garden stroll.
Day 8 – Akureyri to Hvammstangi or Snæfellsnes
Take a slower route through the north, stopping for seals at Hvammstangi or heading toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Overnight locally.
Day 9–11 – Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Explore Kirkjufell, Búðir black church, basalt cliffs at Arnarstapi, and Snæfellsjökull glacier. Spend a night or two to see it all without rushing.
Day 12 – Return to Reykjavík
Make your way back to the capital, stopping at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes and have a relaxing soak at Hvammsvík Hot Springs before ending your trip.
FAQ: Iceland Ring Road Tips
When’s the best time to go?
- Summer (June–Aug): Near 24-hour daylight. Dry roads. High prices.
- Shoulder (May, Sept): Fewer crowds, better deals, mixed weather.
- Winter (Oct–Apr): Aurora season! But roads can be sketchy. Check road.is religiously.
What kind of car do I need for the Ring Road?
- Summer: Regular 2WD is usually fine.
- Winter: Get 4WD, always. Look for studded tires if you’re nervous.
- Pro tip: Don’t trust Google Maps on travel times—it doesn’t account for wind, sheep, or lava rock detours.
Do I need car rental insurance?
Yes, get the gravel protection. Even if you’re careful, Iceland’s wind throws rocks. Also: wind damage insurance isn’t a joke.
How is the mobile signal on the ring road in Iceland?
Mostly, yes. But download offline maps on Google Maps or Maps.me. The Westfjords and some highland roads are spotty.
Can I camp anywhere in Iceland?
Not anymore. Stick to registered campgrounds (open mid-May to mid-Sept). They’re generally clean, cheap, and scenic.
Are the sheep a problem on the roads in Iceland?
Yes—and no. They roam freely, and sometimes nap in the middle of the road. Slow down. Honk gently. Wave thanks.
How bad is the wind in Iceland
It can get car-door-ripping-off bad during storms. Park into the wind. Always check vedur.is for wind warnings.