A 7-Day Ring Road Adventure in Iceland: A Complete Travel Guide

Iceland has been one of my dream countries for years but timing and other logistics always seemed to get in the way. This summer, I made it my goal to visit, and it did not disappoint. Iceland is one place everyone should try to visit in their lifetime, simply because there is no place like it. Despite the relatively small size of Iceland, it hosts an abundance of diversity that makes it one of the most unique places on earth. 

Most, if not all, tourists in Iceland, not just those transiting through, aim to drive Ring Road, also known as Route 1, which encircles the entire island. I spent 7 days in Iceland, which, in my opinion, was a good amount of time, but definitely the bare minimum to complete the Ring Road. An extra day would’ve been beneficial, as some days felt rushed. The days were long, but the rewarding views made it worthwhile. I typically woke up around 5:30 AM and hit the road around 7:00 to beat the crowds, which usually arrived around 9:00.

Items you’ll need for your adventure (regardless of the season)

• Waterproof clothing (jacket, pants, socks, and hiking shoes)
• Multiple layers (light and heavy coat + thermal shirts)
• Waterproof backpack
• Quick dry towel 
• Water bottle 
• Portable charger & spare camera batteries
• Food & snacks for the road
• Apply Pay installed on your phone! 
  • This is for parking. Iceland is largely a cashless society.

Transportation

You can join a tour group or drive yourself. With a tour group, you benefit from not having to plan your trip, but you’ll likely be competing with hundreds of other tourists, as most tour buses arrive around the same time.

I rented a vehicle from Lotus Car Rental. Their customer service is superb; they pick you up from the airport and drive you to their office upon your arrival. I paid $825 to rent a Toyota Yaris for 7 days, which included the highest level of insurance (platinum) and free pocket Wi-Fi. I highly recommend the platinum insurance for peace of mind since it covers everything and includes Wi-Fi. That Wi-Fi will be a lifesaver when you’re out and get lost. Trust me, your international plan won’t work in the most rural parts of Iceland (I have T-Mobile). 

The 7-Day Journey

Day 1: Exploring Reykjavik – A Restful Start 

Reykjavik is Iceland’s largest city and your introduction to the country. I’ll be honest, there isn’t much to see here. Other blogs may rave about churches and Rainbow Road, but they weren’t that impressive to me. After all, you came here to see nature, right? Now, one place I did enjoy was Árbær Open Air Museum; it offers a unique opportunity to experience the architecture and lifestyles of Reykjavík’s past.

Many flights, especially those from the U.S., arrive in Iceland very early in the morning (mine was before 5:00 AM), so I had no intention of starting Ring Road day 1. Use this day to rest, go grocery shopping (saves you a lot of money), and prepare for the journey. Be sure to try fish & chips here, as Iceland has some of the world’s best cod!

There aren’t many places to stop along Ring Road aside from gas stations, so you’ll need to prepare your breakfast and lunch ahead of time. The hotels that do offer free breakfast often start too late, and if you want to beat the crowds, you’ll need to be on the road by 7:00 AM.

Day 2: The Golden Circle

• Endpoint: Hella
• Drive Time: 3.5 hours

This is probably the shortest day of the journey, so enjoy it because the remaining days are much longer! Here are the main sights you’ll see (in order). Use Google Maps to plug in all the places in order to get an idea of the distance in between destinations.

1. Porufoss
2. Öxarárfoss
3. Geyser
4. Gullfoss Falls
5. Hrunalaug

1) Porufoss

2) Öxarárfoss

3) Geyser

• This is one of the most popular landmarks. You’ll have to wait anywhere from 10-15 minutes (nobody truly knows) to see the geyser erupt. And yes, everyone just sits there with their phone/camera in place waiting for it to erupt.

4) Gullfoss Falls 

• This place is massive and truly breathtaking. Be sure to bring your raincoat if you choose to walk down to the viewpoint over the waterfall.

5) Hrunalaug

• This is a remote hot spring and great alternative for those looking for the hot spring experience but not have herds of tourists surrounding them. You can rent a towel from the ticket booth, and there are small changing rooms around the corner.

Day 3: South Coast 

• Endpoint: Vik
• Drive Time: 2.5-3 hours

1. Seljalandsfoss + Gljufrabui 
2. Skogafoss
3. Solhiemasandur Plane
4. Dyrholaey Viewpoint 
5. Halsanefshellir Cave 

1) Seljalandsfoss + Gljufrabui 

• This was my favorite waterfall by far! Try to arrive by 8:00 AM to beat the crowds; it will be worth it. Remember to wear your raincoat, waterproof pants, and shoes. You will also need a camera cover.

• Gljufrabui is about a 10 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss. Once you make a loop around Seljalandsfoss head west and follow the path until you reach Gljufrabui.

2) Skogafoss

• Skogafoss is stunning and often regarded as Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. There is a hike adjacent to this waterfall that most people do afterwards. There didn’t seem to be a clear end, so I turned around midway.

3) Solhiemasandur Plane

• In 1973, a United States Navy plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur. Fortunately, everyone survived 🙂 Decades later, this crash site remains a tourist attraction for those visiting Iceland. Putting Sólheimasandur in your GPS won’t actually take you to the plane but rather the entrance to the path. You have two methods: walk 45 minutes one-way or take one of the buses, which runs frequently between 10:00 and 17:00. The ticket was a little too expensive for my liking, so I opted to walk, but I quickly regretted that on the way back to the parking lot.

4) Dyrholaey Viewpoint 

5) Halsanefshellir Cave 

• This was my least favorite place; there were just too many people on the beach for me. If you’re short on time, you can skip this place.

Day 4: The Glacier Land  

This is a long day, but the ending is worth it, trust me! 🙂

• Endpoint: Hofn
• Drive Time: 3.5-4 hours

1. Fjaorargliufur 
2. Skaftafell + hike to Svartifoss 
3. Múlagljúfur Canyon 
4. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon + Diamond Beach

1) Fjaorargliufur

2) Skaftafell + Hike to Svartifoss 

3) Múlagljúfur Canyon 

• This is one of those times where photos don’t do it justice. This canyon offers some of the most stunning views in Iceland. The hike takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete. Unfortunately, it was rainy and foggy when I hiked, which made the hike a bit challenging. At one point, I lost the trail, slipped down a mini hill and was covered in mud; had I fell down a bit further, it would’ve been bad. Avoid this trail if it’s raining out.

4) Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon + Diamond Beach

• This was my absolute favorite place in all of Iceland! After a long day of driving, this was the perfect ending to the day. There is something peaceful about watching the glaciers slowly drift in the vast sea.

Day 5: The Eastern Region 

• Endpoint: Egilsstaðir
• Drive Time: 6.5-7 hours

Prepare for A LOT of driving on this day. The distance from the first stop (Stokksnes) to second (Litlanesfoss) is 3 hours alone.

1. Stokksnes
2. Litlanesfoss + Hengifoss
3. Seydisfjordur + Gufu Falls
4. Lindarbakki 

1) Stokksnes

2) Litlanesfoss & Hengifoss

• Hengifoss is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, measuring 128 m falling from the plateau into a magnificent gorge with a colorful rock face.

3) Seydisfjordur + Gufu Falls

• Seydisfjordur is a little neat town and a good place to rest. Check out Gufu Falls before arriving, then see Rainbow Road and Seyðisfjarðarkirkja (right next to each other).

4) Lindarbakki

• I loved this little town! It’s out of the way and a bit of a drive (1 hour) but a great way to experience life in a small Icelandic village.

Day 6: North Iceland

• Endpoint: Akureyri
• Drive Time: 5.5 hours

You’re at the home stretch now; this is another long day but packed with adventure. Here are the main stops for the day.

1. Stuðlagil Canyon 
2. Dettifoss 
3. Hverir Geothermal Park
4. Grjotagja 
5. Krafla 
6. Hverfjall volcano 
7. Goðafoss Waterfall 

1) Stuðlagil Canyon

2)Dettifoss

3) Hverir Geothermal Park

• Hverir offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the Earth’s geological processes in action.

4) Grjotagja

• Grjótagjá is a small lava cave famous for its beautiful geothermal hot spring. Fun fact: this cave was featured in Game of Thrones!

5) Krafla

6) Hverfjall Volcano 

7) Goðafoss Waterfall 

7) Return to Reykjavik/Keflavik 

• Drive Time: 8 hours

1. Kirkjufell Mountain (sole stop for the day)

Kirkjufell Mountain

• This is Iceland’s most photographed waterfall, and I can definitely see why. The name “Kirkjufell” means “Church Mountain” in Icelandic, as the mountain’s shape resembles a church steeple.

Budget

We all know Iceland is expensive, but the question remains, “Just how expensive?” Here’s a breakdown of my 7-day journey.

Total: $3,135 for 7 days around Iceland

1. Car rental for 7 days with insurance: $825
2. Gas for 7 days: $260
3. Hotel for 7 nights: $1500
   • This is largely depends on which season you visit, but don’t expect to find any single rooms for under $150.
4. Parking Fees: $150
5. Food: $400
   • This depends on your personal preference. During my 7 days, I only ate at a nice restaurant once and only really ate out during dinner time. Having food prepared from the grocery store for breakfast and lunch will save you a lot of money.

Overall Thoughts?

Iceland was everything I hoped for, and very few places on earth rival the natural beauty of this land. It is worth every penny. I do wish I extended this journey to another day or so, as the long hours on the road was a bit draining. However, looking back at the trip now, I miss the days on Ring Road and the endless views. 10/10 adventure! Have you all been to Iceland before? If so, what did you think? Leave a comment below!