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Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is 1,332km of some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth — glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and the Northern Lights. This 10-day guide covers the complete loop.
10-Day Ring Road Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik Arrive, pick up your 4WD rental, and explore the world’s northernmost capital. Visit Hallgrímskirkja church, walk Laugavegur shopping street, and eat at Hlemmur Mathöll food hall.
Day 2: Golden Circle The classic triangle: Þingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates rift apart), Geysir geothermal area (Strokkur erupts every 5-8 minutes), and Gullfoss waterfall (the Golden Falls). Return to Reykjavik for the night.
Day 3-4: South Coast Drive to Seljalandsfoss (the waterfall you can walk behind) and Skógafoss (600 steps to the top). Day 4: Reynisfjara black sand beach with basalt columns and the dramatic sea stacks of Reynisdrangar. Stay in Vík.
Day 5-6: Skaftafell + Jökulsárlón Skaftafell National Park (part of Vatnajökull) — hike to Svartifoss, the black waterfall inside a basalt canyon. Day 6: Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — seal-watching boat tour among floating icebergs, then walk across the Diamond Beach where icebergs wash up on black sand.
Day 7: East Fjords The most scenic section of the Ring Road — steep fjords, small fishing villages, and zero crowds. Drive from Höfn to Egilsstaðir through Djúpivogur and papey.
Day 8: Lake Mývatn Geothermal wonderland: pseudocraters, lava fields, the Viti crater lake (actually a explosion crater you can walk into), and the Mývatn nature baths (less crowded than Blue Lagoon). The geothermal areas smell like sulfur but are fascinating.
Day 9: Akureyri + Diamond Circle Iceland’s “capital of the north.” Visit the botanical gardens, then drive to Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful waterfall) and Húsavík for whale watching (the whale-watching capital of Europe).
**Day 10: Return to Reykjavik Drive the final stretch back to Reykjavik via the interior route (requires 4WD) or the scenic coastal route.
Car Rental
A 4WD is mandatory for Iceland’s F-roads (mountain roads) and recommended for the Ring Road in any season. Book via AutoEurope — expect $80-150/day for a 4WD. Full insurance (CDW) is essential — volcanic rock chips are expensive to repair.
Northern Lights Strategy
- September to March: best visibility
- Check vedur.is for aurora forecasts
- Cloud cover is the enemy — head inland where skies are clearer
- Rent a car and chase them yourself rather than tour groups
Budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights (US/Europe-Reykjavik) | $400-800 |
| Car rental (10 days, 4WD) | $800-1500 |
| Accommodation (9 nights) | $600-1500 |
| Glacier hike tour | $150-200 |
| Activities (whale watching, etc.) | $100-200 |
| Gas | $200-300 |
| Total | $2250-4500/person |
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