Ring of Iceland

Circle Iceland’s dramatic Ring Road and discover a land shaped by fire, ice, and ocean. From Reykjavík’s creative energy to black-sand beaches, glacial lagoons, steaming geothermal landscapes, and the wild beauty of Snæfellsnes, every stretch of the journey feels cinematic.

🚗 DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Ready-made country and city routes with daily plans, sights, transport and accommodation. Buy PDF guides for independent travel.

🚗 DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day 1 — Reykjavík and the Golden Circle: an easy start behind the wheel

🚗 Start: Reykjavík. Finish: Reykjavík. About 230 km, with pure driving time around 3.5–4 hours. This is the ideal first day after picking up the car: you get used to Icelandic roads without going too far. The main stops are Þingvellir National Park, a convenient place to begin getting to know the country; the geothermal area Geysir; and the waterfall Gullfoss. If you still have energy left, you can add a short detour to Kerið crater. Parking at Þingvellir is officially paid, and it is best to pay right away via terminal or app; paid parking is also common at popular locations in South Iceland. Today’s roads are paved and straightforward, with no F-roads and no need for 4x4. Staying overnight in Reykjavík or at the city campsite makes sense so you do not have to change base on the very first day. The day is realistic for an average driver: short transfers, lots of infrastructure, cafés, toilets, and gas stations.

Day 2 — Reykjavík → Vík: waterfalls, black beach, and the south coast

🚗 Start: Reykjavík. Finish: Vík. About 190 km, with pure driving time around 2.5–3 hours, but with stops this easily turns into a full beautiful day. The main stops are Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall; Skógafoss; and Dyrhólaey or Reynisfjara beach before arriving in Vík. Parking at the key waterfalls is usually officially organized, but in windy weather car doors must be opened very carefully: in Iceland strong crosswinds are a real risk for rental cars. At Reynisfjara you must not go close to the water because of dangerous sneaker waves. The road follows Route 1, and this section is comfortable and tourist-friendly. It is best to stay overnight in Vík: it is a convenient base before the long southeastern drive. The day is realistic because the mileage is small and the stops are almost all in a straight line.

Day 3 — Vík → Höfn: lava fields, canyons, Skaftafell, and the glacier lagoon

🚗 Start: Vík. Finish: Höfn. About 270 km, with pure driving time around 3.5–4 hours. This is one of the most scenic days of the ring route. The main stops are Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in normal weather, the Skaftafell area in Vatnajökull National Park, and Jökulsárlón with Diamond Beach. At Skaftafell it is convenient to leave the car and do a short hike to viewpoints or simply walk around the visitor area; there is an official visitor center and campsite here. Some parking lots in the national park use a paid system, so it is important not to miss the payment signs. There are few large settlements on the way, so it is better to fuel up and buy food in Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur in advance. Staying overnight in Höfn is convenient logistically: the town completes the long southern section and offers a choice between a hotel and a campsite. The day is realistic for an average driver: the road is straightforward, but because of the number of photo stops it is best to leave early.

Day 4 — Höfn → Egilsstaðir: the Eastfjords and a calm road

🚗 Start: Höfn. Finish: Egilsstaðir. About 255 km, with pure driving time around 3.5–4.5 hours depending on stops and weather. The main stops are the headland and views at Stokksnes if you wish, scenic sections of the Eastfjords, and small fishing villages such as Djúpivogur or Breiðdalsvík. This day is not overloaded with must-see locations, but it lets you feel the real road-trip side of Iceland: sea, fog, mountains, and long sweeping highway curves. Road notes: the section is scenic, winding in places, sometimes with strong wind and fog; overtake only where it is truly safe. Gas stations in the east are less frequent than in the south, so do not wait until the tank is almost empty. Staying overnight in Egilsstaðir is especially convenient because it is a practical transport hub of East Iceland with shops, services, charging stations, and a good choice of accommodation. The day is realistic: moderate mileage and minimal demanding hiking.

Day 5 — Egilsstaðir: Stuðlagil, Seyðisfjörður, and thermal relaxation

🚗 Start: Egilsstaðir. Finish: Egilsstaðir. About 180–210 km depending on the chosen side trips, with pure driving time around 3.5–4 hours. The main stops are Stuðlagil Canyon, picturesque Seyðisfjörður with its blue church and rainbow street, and in the evening Vök Baths for relaxation after several days on the road. This is an intentionally designed radial day without changing hotels: your luggage stays in one place while you explore the surroundings light. Road notes: the approach to Stuðlagil requires attention to the type of access road and parking; Seyðisfjörður is reached via the beautiful mountain pass on Route 93, which in bad weather can be slower than usual because of fog and strong wind. Overnight stay again in Egilsstaðir. The day is realistic because it eases the route before the north and gives you a proper rest without a major base-to-base transfer.

Day 6 — Egilsstaðir → Mývatn: northeast, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes

🚗 Start: Egilsstaðir. Finish: Lake Mývatn area. About 170–190 km, with pure driving time around 2.5–3 hours. The main stops are powerful Dettifoss via the more convenient western access road 862 in the season of normal passability, the geothermal area Námaskarð/Hverir, and an evening walk through the lava fields around Mývatn. It is important not to go onto F-roads and not to drive on closed roads: for this, you should check road conditions in the morning using official services. At Dettifoss the parking and approach can be windy and wet, so waterproof shoes are useful. On arrival at Mývatn, it is a good idea either to check in right away or visit Mývatn Nature Baths if you want a calmer evening than at the Blue Lagoon in the south. Overnight stay in the Reykjahlíð/Hlíð area. The day is realistic: not too long a drive and a logical combination of northeastern natural sights.

Day 7 — Mývatn → Akureyri: Goðafoss and the northern capital

🚗 Start: Mývatn area. Finish: Akureyri. About 115–140 km, with pure driving time around 1.5–2 hours. This is a comfortable short day after several busy transfers. The main stops are the volcanic area Krafla or Víti crater in the first half of the day, then the beautiful and very conveniently located waterfall Goðafoss, followed by a calm finish in Akureyri. The roads are good, the section along Route 1 is straightforward and safe, but even in summer the wind in open spaces can be sharp. In Akureyri it is already easier with city parking, cafés, and services. It is a good place to restock, do laundry, and enjoy a more comfortable hotel night. The day is realistic for an average driver precisely because it gives a pause and does not require heroic hours behind the wheel.

Day 8 — Akureyri → Snæfellsnes: a long but honest drive west

🚗 Start: Akureyri. Finish: Stykkishólmur or the Hellnar/Arnarstapi area on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. About 395–430 km, with pure driving time around 5.5–6.5 hours. This is the longest driving day of the route, so it is designed almost like a transfer with 1–2 meaningful breaks. The main stops are the Varmahlíð or Blönduós area for rest and fuel, and closer to the finish you can make a short break in Borgarnes. Road notes: the section is long, so it is important not to wait until the tank is empty and to change drivers if possible. There is no toll road on the main route; the Hvalfjörður tunnel on Route 1 is currently free, but near Akureyri there is the paid Vaðlaheiði Tunnel as a local bypass option, and you do not need to use it. Staying overnight on Snæfellsnes makes it possible not to return to the capital immediately and to explore the peninsula calmly the next day. The day is realistic because it is the only route day this long and it comes after a short northern day.

Day 9 — Snæfellsnes → Reykjavík: the peninsula as mini-Iceland

🚗 Start: Snæfellsnes. Finish: Reykjavík. About 250–300 km depending on your overnight location, with pure driving time around 4–5 hours. The main stops are Kirkjufell, the basalt and coastal landscapes at Arnarstapi and Hellnar, and also the black church Búðakirkja or the beach Djúpalónssandur. The peninsula is often called “Iceland in miniature,” and for a road trip this is a very accurate description: glacier, ocean, lava fields, cliffs, and small roads with almost no unnecessary bustle. Parking at the most popular spots may be paid or limited in capacity during the season, so it is better to arrive either in the morning or closer to evening. After sightseeing, the return to Reykjavík via the western direction is already easy. Overnight stay in Reykjavík so you can conveniently return the car the next day or spend your final evening in the capital. The day is realistic: it is full, but without extreme mileage.

Day 10 — Reykjavík and the Reykjanes Peninsula: the final driving day before returning the car

🚗 Start: Reykjavík. Finish: Reykjavík or Keflavík Airport for an evening flight. About 90–160 km, with pure driving time around 1.5–2.5 hours. This is a backup and very sensible final day: it is not tied to a long transfer and lets you flexibly fit in weather, shopping, city отдых or a short trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula. The main stops are viewpoints and lava landscapes of Reykjanes, the Bridge Between Continents, the Gunnuhver area, or, if you want to finish beautifully, a visit to a thermal complex in the capital area or the Blue Lagoon with a pre-booked time slot. The road notes are simple: do not plan a long outing before an international flight, leave time for car washing/inspection and for transfer to the rental. If you are staying overnight in the city, it makes sense to spend the last night in Reykjavík; if the flight is early, you can shift the finish closer to Keflavík. The day is realistic because it works as a safety buffer and removes stress from returning the car.

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