Iceland is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. The glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and roaring waterfalls are unlike anything else on Earth.
This guide covers the complete Iceland Ring Road itinerary for 7 to 10 days.
We have helped dozens of travelers plan this exact route. You will know where to go each day, what to see and skip, and how to save time on the road.
No fluff. Just a clear, day-by-day plan that works.
Iceland Trip Overview
Iceland sits in the North Atlantic and runs on raw natural energy. Volcanoes shape the land. Glaciers cover the highlands. Waterfalls drop from clifftops everywhere you look. Black sand beaches line the southern coast.
The Ring Road, also called Route 1, circles the entire island. It is roughly 1,332 kilometers long. Most of it is paved and easy to drive.
This route gives you the full Iceland experience in one trip. You see the south coast, the east fjords, the north, and the west, all without backtracking.
Best time to go: Summer, June to September, for road trips and mild weather. Winter, November to February, for Northern Lights.
This is a self-drive road trip. You rent a car at the airport and go at your own pace. No group tours. No fixed schedules.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Drive out of Reykjavik and start the Ring Road.
- Day 2: Stand between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park.
- Day 3: Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall and stand at the base of Skogafoss.
- Day 4: Set foot on a glacier and watch icebergs float at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
- Day 5: Wind through the east fjords past tiny fishing villages and sea cliffs.
- Day 6: See Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, and the strange lava fields of Lake Myvatn.
- Day 7: Spend time in Akureyri, Iceland's second city, and spot whales offshore.
- Day 8: Soak in hot springs and walk through lava fields in West Iceland.
- Day 9: Return to Reykjavik with time to walk the city streets.
- Day 10: Return your car and head to the airport.
