10 Day Self-Drive Tour | Ring Road Trip

This package is ideal for morning arrivals. After you pick up your rental car at the airport, you’ll head inland, driving through the capital city, Reykjavík.

The Golden Circle Route

Your epic journey will start with the most epic touring route in Iceland: the Golden Circle. This is a day tour that navigates along the most scenic sites that can be found near Reykjavík.

Thingvellir National Park

Your first stop will be at the nation’s heart, also known as Thingvellir National Park. This is a UNESCO site and the world’s oldest parliament was established here in 930 AD. The park now has turned into a serene land where, in still weather, Lake Thingvallavatn becomes a blue mirror doubling the surroundings, creating a surreal world.

The nearby Silfra fissure is a unique point between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can sign up for a snorkeling adventure in the clear water and literally touch the borders between continents.

Geysir Geothermal Field

Moving on to the renowned Geysir Geothermal Field, you’ll see the unpredictable Geysir and its dynamic neighbor, Strokkur. Strokkur shoots out water up to 65 ft. (20 m) high every 6-10 minutes. Geysir has been less active in recent years but when it erupts, it can reach 229 ft. (70 m) high. The area is filled with bubbling hot springs, steaming mud pods, and smoking fumaroles. It is quite a spectacle to see for yourself.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Next, you’ll see the powerful Gullfoss waterfall. The voluminous Hvita river flows with a huge rumbling sound as it rushes into the misty gorge. The overwhelming energy of the water is awe-inspiring. Downstream, Hvita is completely different from the turbulent waterfall. It becomes a calm blue waterway where you can take a jetboat ride to continue sightseeing in the area.

Faxi Waterfall

Before you finish your day, you can stop at Faxi waterfall along the way. It doesn’t have as big of a drop as Gullfoss but the cascade is wide and very pretty, making a great photo opportunity.

For the night, you’ll either stay in the Golden Circle area or the Hvolsvollur area.

After a nice breakfast, you’ll resume your journey to the picturesque South Coast. During this section of the Ring Road, you’ll pass through the dramatic landscapes.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui Waterfalls

Soon you’ll reach your first stop: Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland since you can walk behind the waterfall to see the whole area from the opposite angle, which is quite amazing. The waterfall is 206 ft. (63 m) high and the water originates from the notorious volcano-glacier, Eyjafjallajokull.

Only a 5-minute walk away from Seljalandsfoss, you’ll find a secret waterfall hidden behind the cliffs. Its name is Gljufrabui. It’s a good idea to put on your waterproof jacket, pants, and boots before entering the small canyon and see this waterfall, though.

Skogafoss Waterfall

The next highlight along the coastline is a 25-minute drive down the road. Skogafoss waterfall is like nothing you have seen so far. It has an enormous cascade that plunges from 196 ft. (60 m) overhead. As one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, Skogafoss is always accompanied by a rainbow on sunny days. Witnessing such a spectacular scene in the middle of beautiful landscapes is an experience not to be missed.

Glacier Hiking Tour 

Next, prepare for a spine-tingling glacier hiking tour. At 1:30 p.m., you’ll meet our expert glacier guide and head out to Solheimajokull Glacier for your adventure. This unforgettable experience will take you out on Solheimajokull Glacier tongue while a friendly glacier guide shares their knowledge of Icelandic glaciers.

Dyrholaey, Reynisfjara, and Vík

Then, you’ll drive to the picturesque seafront town of Vik. On your way, you can stop by Dyrholaey, a promontory rising 393 ft. (120 m) above the sea. The area is a paradise for seabirds, including the cute puffins. There’s a white lighthouse on top.

From there, the amazing scenery of the South Coast will spread out before you in a spectacular panorama. You’ll see the silver glaciers, the different shades of mountains, the charming black sand beaches, and the stunning sea stacks.

Then, you’ll head to Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach with basalt columns and picturesque sea stacks. Your accommodation will be in either Vik or the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Leaving the southernmost tip of Iceland, you’ll head east along the Ring Road to visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which is the crown jewel of natural attractions in the country. On your way, you’ll see glaciers rising to more than 3280 ft. (1000 m) above sea level. On your right-hand side, you’ll see the lowlands stretching to the sea.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon will be your first stop of the day. This is an insanely picturesque canyon that is 1.24 mi. (2 km) long and 328 ft. (100 m) deep. The whole area looks like it comes straight out of a fairytale. It is not surprising that Justin Bieber used this location in one of his famous music videos (for the song “I’ll Show You”).

Skaftafell and Svartifoss Waterfall

From there, you’ll head to Skaftafell, which is part of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Skaftafell is where you can start a journey to hike on a glacier or, in the winter, visit an enchanting crystal ice cave. You can also choose to take a hike to visit Svartifoss, a 65-foot (20-meter) tall waterfall that drops from basalt columns in geometrical patterns. It’s only a 40-minute walk each way to reach the waterfall and its surroundings are completely breathtaking.

The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Diamond Beach

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is about a 46-minute drive from the Skaftafell Visitor Center. The drive takes you through exotic lava fields on both sides of the Ring Road. These alien landscapes were formed by volcanic activity and glacial movements. As you drive past Breidamerkurjokull glacier tongue, you’ll see huge icebergs floating on cerulean water. This is a sign that you are approaching the Jokulsarlon parking lot.

Fed by glacial meltwater from Breidamerkurjokull, Jokulsarlon is now the deepest lake in Iceland. Its deepest point reaches down to 813 ft. (248 m). In summer, there are boat tours that take visitors closer to the icebergs. If you are lucky, you’ll see seals swimming and enjoying their day in the lake.

Next to the lagoon is the black sand beach that we call the Diamond Beach. The name is a vivid depiction of the melting icebergs that are washed up onshore. In their stranded glamor, they continue to amaze people with their charming shades of blue. There are glacier tours to Vatnajokull that depart from the lagoon’s parking lot as well.

Höfn Village

After a complete visit to the lagoon area, you’ll drive to Skaftafell or the Hofn area for your accommodation. A flourishing harbor town, Hofn is a nice stop if you are looking for recreational spots, cozy restaurants, grocery stores, and thermal swimming pools. A lobster festival is hosted every year in Hofn that attracts a lot of visitors for the local gourmet food.

The Eastfjords

The road to the Eastfjords is extraordinarily scenic as you will start to move into the unique fjord scenery that was carved by glaciers many centuries ago. This will be one of the most exciting moments during your Icelandic road trip. You’ll soon reach the spectacular mountain of Vestrahorn. Its jagged appearance stands out against the beach and the mossy bumps in the nearby fields. If you are an avid photographer, this is the moment you have been waiting for to capture the splendor of Iceland’s natural beauty.

Djupivogur Village

Next up is a nice fishing village named Djupivogur. The vibrant town, located between mountains and lagoons, is a perfect bird watching base for nature lovers. A colony of seals is often spotted in the area.

East Iceland isn’t only famous for its fishing towns and fjord scenery. You’ll also find numerous points of interests along your drive. For example, Stodvarfjordur is a town rich in Icelandic culture heritage, even though there are only 200 inhabitants. One popular site is Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection. You’ll see a range of Icelandic stones in different shapes, colors, and textures while learning a great deal about Iceland’s geography.

Lagarfljót Lake

The Ring Road will lead you to a long lake called Lagarfljot. According to legend, a giant serpent lives in this lake of which sightings have been reported for centuries. Some people have even caught this serpent on video, you can look it up on YouTube!

Borgarfjörður

When you reach the town of Egilsstadir, the capital of East Iceland, you’ll leave the Ring Road behind for a detour to the most beautiful fjord in the Eastfjords area: Borgarfjordur. You’ll drive along empty roads, even in the busiest part of tourist season. This area is so remote that you won’t meet many tourists along your way. After a scenic drive, your final stop of the day will be at Borgarfjörður Eystri, a fjord-side village known as a natural paradise in the east.

The town has a population of only about 100 inhabitants. Located in a long and fertile valley surrounded by incredibly sharp and dramatic mountains, Borgarfjörður Eystri is often referred to as one of the most beautiful locations in Iceland.

Your accommodation for the night will be in this area.

Hafnarhólmi Cape

Start your day by exploring Hafnarhólmi Cape, one of Iceland’s most unique bird-watching sites. A busy, adorable puffin colony lives on a tiny headland by the harbor. You can reach it via a small bridge. The puffins are abundant here and can be observed from very close up. These silly looking birds are not afraid of humans at all!

The Dyrfjöll Mountain Range

Today, you can go hiking in the Dyrfjöll mountains. The natural scenery around Borgarfjordur Eystri is matchless, making it no wonder why this place is a favored holiday destination for Icelanders. The Dyrfjöll mountain range is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in all of Iceland. It’s famously wild and beautiful from all four directions.

Stórurð

The hike to the most illustrious spot in the area takes you to Stórurð (the “giant boulders”). This interesting natural attraction consists of gigantic tuff boulders, charming meadows, and attractive turquoise-colored ponds. The hike starts higher from the road on the mountain pass over the village. There are plenty of other scenic hiking options to choose from. Wherever you go, you are very likely to encounter some reindeer along the way!

After the day, you’ll find your accommodation in the area of Borgarfjörður Eystri.

Driving from East Iceland northwards, you’ll traverse the wilderness that the reindeer call home. If you are lucky, you’ll even spot a herd of reindeer, Arctic foxes, and Icelandic horses along the way.

Dettifoss Waterfall

North Iceland has a lot to offer tourists. The first stop will be the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall. As the most voluminous waterfall in Europe, the width of Dettifoss extends over 328 ft. (100 m) with an overwhelming fall of 147 ft. (45 m). The magnitude of the falling flow creates a great – and constant – amount of spray floating over the canyon. This makes it very scenic; the perfect spot for filming a movie on a mythological subject. The 2012 film Prometheus took advantage of this area for that reason.

After appreciating the sheer volume of water that flows over the cascades at Dettifoss, you’ll head to one of the most popular routes in Iceland, the Diamond Circle Route. This route consists of a group of unique landscapes and diverse attractions.

Hverarond and the Namafjall Area

The first stop will be in the Hverarond and Namafjall area. The area looks out of this world since it’s completely infertile and filled with a sulphuric smell. As the scattered cracks shoot steam out from under the earth, the bubbling mud pots will roll amidst dried clay next to you.

The Myvatn Area

Next, you’ll head to the Myvatn area. Myvatn Nature Baths is a northern alternative to the Blue Lagoon, with the advantage of being less crowded. You can choose to spend a relaxing time in the natural baths at an additional cost or can continue your journey to Myvatn. This huge lake is surrounded by tiny craters. Its name has a very interesting meaning in Icelandic, as it literally means “midge lake”. But laying eyes on this beautiful lake is the opposite of hearing the unpleasant sound of those pesky insects. The area is very picturesque.

The Dimmuborgir Rocks

After a complete visit to Myvatn Lake, you can drop by the Dimmuborgir rocks. This is an area full of weirdly shaped rock formations that subarctic vegetation calls home.

Godafoss Waterfall

The next stop, Godafoss, is a mind-blowing waterfall that has a look as mighty as its name. Its name means the “waterfall of the gods” in Icelandic. This beauty has an almost perfectly symmetrical layout as the cascades pour over the edge of the 39-foot (12-meter) cliff over a width of 98 feet (30 meters). It’s a popular site for landscape photography, so you definitely won’t be disappointed with your results.

Akureyri city

Finally, you’ll drive to Akureyri, the capital of the North. The city has a great vibe for nightlife and several attractions worth exploring. You’ll stay in either Akureyri or the Eyjafjordur area for the night.

Waking up in the Akureyri area, you’ll feel refreshed as the vibrant city gives off a great mix of remoteness and hospitality. Many cultural and musical festivals are hosted here every year, so please check the city’s event calendar before coming! You can also spend some quality time in Akureyri visiting the botanical gardens and colorful streets.

Skagafjordur Fjord

You’ll continue your road trip westwards as you drive along Skagafjordur. The biggest landmark in this area is the 700,000-year-old island of Drangey rising far above the ocean in an isolated pose. The edge of this volcano remnant is considerably deep and the cliffs are a paradise for seabirds.

The Hvitserkur Sea Stack

Next up is a visit to the impressive Hvitserkur sea stack. The natural monument has earned a few nicknames over the years since its shape resembles either a rhino or an elephant. Some even say it looks like a dragon from some angles. This remote sea stack is located off the eastern shore of Vatnsnes.

As you approach Vatnsnes, you’ll have completed many turns and curves on Route 1 in North Iceland during your scenic drive. You’ll stay in the Vatnsnes area for the night in a comfortable room that we have pre-booked for you. The town of Vatnsnes is quite beautiful. Once there, you can take a leisurely stroll to see seals or seabirds, especially in summer when you have longer periods of daylight hours.

On Day 8, you’ll head to the west to visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This is the charming region of Iceland that we have nicknamed “Miniature Iceland.” The drive from the north to the west is never a boring one since you’ll pass by shallow shores, grassy fields, and rolling mountains. Kolugljufur Canyon will be your first stop of the day. This hidden gem has an awesome waterfall that runs over the hilly area before falling into the bottom of the canyon.

Grabrok Crater

Grabrok crater is the next stop before you steer your vehicle towards the peninsula. The height of the crater’s edge can reach up to 557 ft. (170 m) and the panoramic view from the top is simply fabulous.

Stykkisholmur

Then you’ll get off the Ring Road and drive towards the tip of Snaefellsnes. Stykkisholmur can be your first stop as this town is located on the north side of the peninsula. You’ll definitely find the tiny, colorful town quite charming. You can even try some dried fish there.

Kirkjufell Mountain

The highlight of the day is when you reach Kirkjufell. This is the most popular attraction in Snaefellsnes. Together, the 1519-foot (463-meter) Kirkjufell mountain and the fabulous Kirkjufell waterfall are photographed by many artists as a most classic composition.

The Budir Church and the Londrangar Rock Pinnacles

As you drive further into the peninsula, you’ll be getting closer to the sublime ice-capped Snaefellsjokull glacier. In this protected area, known as Snaefellsnes National Park, you’ll find Iceland’s rare white – or even golden – beach with the black church of Budir sitting on it. Djupalonssandur and Dritvik cove and the Londrangar rock pinnacles are also worth seeing in this national park. The area is truly the best representation of the diverse landscapes of Iceland.

Continuing eastwards, you’ll reach Hellnar and Arnarstapi. Both locations are famous for their picturesque coastal views. You’ll see the white waves crashing into the bottom of the basalt cliffs along the coastline where several species of seabirds choose to nest.

You’ll stay on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula for the night in a comfortable room.

You’ll get back on the Ring Road on Day 9 as your journey takes you back towards the capital. But, before you reach Reykjavik later in the day, there is a lot for you to see and visit along Route 1.

Gerduberg Cliff

First, you’ll arrive at Gerduberg Cliff, a gigantic wall of huge basalt columns rising 46 ft. (14 m) from the ground. The style is like nothing that you have already seen in Iceland. Its sheer size alone makes this cliff overwhelmingly impressive.

The Silver Circle Route

Next up, you’ll drive along the less busy but equally stunning Silver Circle Route. It resembles the Golden Circle Route as it also has beautiful waterfalls, geothermal fields, and cultural heritage.

Deildartunguhver Hot Spring

The most powerful hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver hot spring, is the first site you’ll stop at. It’s capable of producing 50 gallons (180 liters) of 97°C (200°F) water every second. The nearby towns’ household heating depends on this powerful supply of thermal energy.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls

Next, you’ll visit two beautiful waterfalls that are very close to each other. Hraunfossar has countless streams that flow out of the lava fields in the middle of the vegetation. This is how the waterfall got its name, which translates as the “lava waterfall”. No matter if it’s summer or winter, Hraunfossar always has something unique to show visitors. A few minute’s walk away, you’ll find Barnafoss waterfall forcefully cascading down into a small canyon. The entire area is fabulous, especially in autumn.

Akranes City

Continue driving towards the capital and you’ll pass Akranes, a scenic town that’s about a one-hour drive from Reykjavik. You’ll find an old lighthouse at the tip of the town, serving as a reminder of the old days when marine life was essential to Icelanders. Then you’ll drive past Hvalfjordur, choosing to go either through the tunnel or via Road 47 for more sightseeing, if time allows.

Finally, in the evening, you’ll reach Reykjavik for a nice dinner, if you want. You will check in to your accommodation that we have booked for you in the Capital Region.

This is the last day of your 10-day road trip via the Icelandic Ring Road as today, you’ll head to Keflavik International Airport for your departure. But before you board your flight, be sure to make the most of your remaining time in Iceland since you are going to drive through the Reykjanes Peninsula where the famous Blue Lagoon is located.

The Reykjanes Peninsula

If your flight schedule allows enough time, you can explore the region that contains the following highlights. The southern part of the peninsula has numerous attractions such as the port town of Grindavik, the magnificent view to be enjoyed from Hopsnes Peninsula, the Bridge Between Continents, and the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon

After visiting the Reykjanes Peninsula, if you are not in a rush to catch your flight, we highly recommend a soak in the milky blue waters at the Blue Lagoon. Since the entry fee is not included in our package, it’s best to book your spot online in advance. You can relax in the warmth of the therapeutic water while you think about the 10-day adventure you have just had.

The 10-day self-drive tour – with Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and Snaefellsnes Peninsula included – is an ideal road trip package in which you’ll see the best and most beautiful things that the land of fire and ice has to offer. For many self-planned road trips, going through several steps before you rent a car seems time-consuming.

In this package, all you need to do is to pick your ideal rental car since we take care of a huge portion of the planning and provide helpful information. We have carefully designed this 10-day itinerary for a slow-paced self-drive experience to make sure that it will be both amazing and unforgettable.