Iceland Ring Road Itinerary - 10 Days Around the Island
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Iceland’s ring road is the country’s famous highway that does a loop around the entire coastline. Taking you past most of Iceland’s jaw-dropping sights, it’s pretty much the perfect route for a memorable road trip.
And with 10 days in the country, you’ll have just the right amount of time to do it! While two weeks is ideal so that you can take it easy and explore more in depth, you can manage a very solid trip in 10 days that hits all the big sights while still making time for some detours and improvisation along the way.
Of course, there’s always more that can be seen and done, and 10 days won’t let you do it. But for that, you’ll just have to come back for another visit!
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Table of Contents
What to know when planning your trip
How long to spend
When to visit
Transportation and getting around
Expenses and typical costs
What to pack
Daylight hours
10-day Ring Road Itinerary
Day 1: The Golden Circle
Day 2: South Iceland to Vik
Day 3: Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Skaftafell and Svartifoss, Vatanajokull Glacier
Day4: Vatnajökull National Park
Day 5: The East Fjords
Day 6: Lake Mývatn
Day 7: Whale Watching & Akureyri
Day 8: The Arctic Coast Way – Northwest Iceland
Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 10: West Iceland and Reykjavik
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What to know when planning your trip
How long to spend
If you want to get the most out of a Ring Road itinerary, you need anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks. While there are people who will tell you that you can do the whole circuit in as little as 7 days, that’s not true - not if you want to actually enjoy yourself anyways. A 7-day ride along the Ring Road is simply a mad dash where you rush crazily from one sight to the next, without ever having time to slow down and actually enjoy yourself. Simply put, I don’t recommend it.
The Ring Road encircles just about the entire country and there are spectacular places to visit all along the route, meaning that even when driving times on a given day are relatively short, you’ll likely be getting out of the car for frequent stops, some of which might turn into multi-hour hikes or excursions (boat trips, ATV rides, glacier hikes, etc.).
So, even when your total driving time on a day is only 2 hours, for instance, you might end up with a full day of sightseeing along the route.
There are also lots of places to detour off to along the route, so you could easily eat up additional days exploring deeper in places like the Highlands, East Fjords, north Iceland, or West Fjords.
With all of the above in mind, 10 days, as I’ve planned for this itinerary, is a very good amount of time for driving the Ring Road. You won’t really have time to divert off the road too much, but you won’t ever have to rush and will be able to make stops along the way at everywhere that interests you. There’ll also be enough time for you to do some excursions/activities, like a Zodiac boat ride, a glacial hike, some ATV riding, and plenty of hiking.
Two weeks allows for an even better journey, with ample time for side trips, like a day or two of hiking in the Highlands, some relaxed sightseeing in either the East or West Fjords, and a chance to get away from the crowds in north Iceland, exploring bucolic countryside and a part of the country that few people do more than quickly pass through.
When to visit
The best time to visit Iceland is either in spring or fall. These are the shoulder seasons, where crowds are fewer yet nearly all tours are still operating. Prices for accommodation and car rental are also cheaper – always helpful in a country as expensive as Iceland.
Visiting in Spring: Traveling in Iceland in spring is a liberating feeling. After a long and dark winter, the country is beginning to wake up. The snow is melting, the rivers are running swiftly, and the days get noticeably longer with each passing week. The slow trickle of visitors is beginning to pick up speed, but it’s still delightfully easy to find a waterfall or a hot spring all to yourself.
Visiting in Fall: Fall is much the same as spring in many respects, but the days begin to get shorter with each passing week, the weather is getting moodier, and the skies threaten snow. But with the darker skies comes a good chance to catch the northern lights, and the rapidly changing weather can be an attraction. In both seasons, almost the entire country is accessible, and the weather is relatively stable.
Visiting in Summer: Summer in Iceland is for mild and stable weather, expensive everything, and big crowds everywhere. Still, if you’re after the best time to see wildlife (puffins and whales), or explore the remote Highlands with a 4x4, this is your best chance.
Visiting in Winter: Visit in winter and Iceland transforms into a different country with frozen waterfalls, snow-covered landscapes, and a shifting gray light during the short hours of daylight. Know that in winter most of the tourism industry shuts down, and roads may close due to the weather, potentially disrupting your plans.
Nevertheless, winter is the ideal time to witness the enchanting northern lights above a snowy landscape – if you’re not trapped in Reykjavik due to a 3-day blizzard.
If you’re visiting in winter, this 10-day itinerary is probably too much; instead, you should plan to stick closer to Reykjavik. Make sure to check out this 5-day itinerary, available year-round barring any winter storms.
Transportation and getting around
To truly experience the great outdoors in Iceland, having your own car is essential. Many attractions can only be accessed by car, and without one, you’ll be limited to costly tours or relying on public transport.
Although the latter has improved in recent years, it’s still mainly public buses that connect towns rather than the waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, and volcanoes in between those towns. Often, a car is crucial for a rewarding journey in Iceland.
Getting around in Iceland is relatively easy, although visitors should know that driving in Iceland is a different beast. Roads are narrow, and strong winds have been known to swoop in and rock smaller vehicles off the side of the road. Speaking of roads, while the ring road may be paved, there are also a lot of dirt tracks as well. Make sure to research well how accessible they are for 2WD vehicles before tackling them.
Roads closures can occur for various reasons, even in the summer. There could be a weather warning that locks down all travel in an area, with high winds that could sweep a lighter car off the road. Or there could be a glacial flood that washes away a key bridge. In winter, roads close due to heavy snow, and sometimes it can take a while before the snowplows reach an area.
Whether you need a 4x4 or not depends on what you’ll want to see. For the Highlands, a 4x4 is essential – it’s illegal to take a 2WD on any F-roads, and heavy fines await those who do. Other than that, a 4x4 can come in handy in the Westfjords, known for its bumpy roads, or for anyone looking to easily access some sights in the country without worrying about damaging the bottom of the vehicle.
Also, a 4x4 comes in handy if you’re driving in winter, when roads are icy, and the weather is at its most dramatic. Although it should be said that all vehicles are equipped with winter tires from November onward.
Where to rent a car
DiscoverCars is a car rental website that I always recommend checking. It includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can frequently find terrific deals.
Expenses and typical travel costs
Iceland is almost offensively expensive, so throw away any ideas of a budget-friendly trip. Even the wealthiest of travelers are taken aback at the price of some things. The high cost of goods in Iceland is primarily due to the need to import most of it, high taxes on those imports, and a record-high VAT rate.
Key expenses for a trip include car rental, petrol, and accommodation for the night. Note that in the shoulder and off-seasons, prices will be much lower for car rental, accommodation, and flights.
Here are some representative costs of goods/services:
A meal at a mid-range restaurant for two people: between $80 and $120
3-hour glacier hike group tour/private tour: $100/$200
Cheapest daily car rental in summer: $100+
Cheapest daily car rental in winter: $25
Price for a liter of gasoline: $2.20
Night at a mid-range hotel: between $150 and $250
What to pack
Layers are key in Iceland, letting you adjust as the weather cycles through fierce wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail, and sunshine, sometimes in less than 15 minutes.
Layers: to start off with, plan on wearing a base layer of a long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of long underwear each day. From there, layer up with comfortable, casual clothing – a t-shirt and a warmer overlay like a fleece or a good woolen sweater. On the bottom, casual trousers are fine, but for any extensive hiking, a pair of waterproof hiking trousers are essential.
Outerwear: speaking of waterproof, you should always come to Iceland with a waterproof jacket. Weatherproof is fine too, although be sure to pack a proper rain jacket to throw on top if things turn nasty. Also necessary are a pair of warm gloves and a beanie.
Footwear: when it comes to footwear, a pair of comfortable walking shoes are sufficient for light roadside stops and short walks. For anything beyond that, waterproof hiking boots are essential – and note that Iceland isn’t the place to break in a new pair. A pair of flip-flops also comes in handy.
Extras: a pair of sunglasses is a good idea for driving and hiking. In summer a sleeping mask will come in handy, and finally, swimwear and a quick-dry towel are also essential.
Daylight hours
Marooned so far north, the different seasons in Iceland have a profound impact on daylight hours.
In spring, March has around 12 hours of daylight, and by May, that number has jumped to around 18 hours.
Come summer, the daylight is pretty much endless, with ‘nighttime’ just the fuzzy grey-gold light of dawn.
Winter is the opposite, with only around 4 hours of daylight on the shortest day in December.
Traveling in the fall, expect a decreasing amount of daylight as the weeks go by. At the beginning of September, there are around 12 hours, but by the end of November, that number shrinks to 5 hours.
Day 1: The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most famous tourist routes, with a trio of stunning attractions: the historic Thingvellir National Park, the erupting Geysir, and the waterfall Gullfoss.
From Reykjavik, it’s so easy to start any trip to Iceland with a tour of the Golden Circle. It makes a lot of sense: you can start off with one of the most touristed parts of the country (and get it out of the way), and easily link up with the ring road afterward.
First up is Thingvellir National Park – only 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Not only does this area have an impressive geological pedigree thanks to the two tectonic plates rising above the ground, but it’s also one of the most important historical locations in the country.
It was here where Iceland’s Althing (National Parliament) first met in the Viking age when chieftains from all over the country would gather to pass laws, trade, relay news, and settle disputes.
From Thingvellir, it’s about another 45-minute drive to the Haukadalur geothermal valley, more often called Geysir. It’s here where the geyser called Strokkur erupts in a plume of water and steam every 6–10 minutes, wowing audiences as they look on.
Don’t leave without paying a quick stop to the Great Geysir, from which all other geysers around the world are named. It’s only erupted twice since the year 2000, but who knows, you might get lucky.
Then, Gullfoss waterfall awaits at the end of the Golden Circle, thundering down a set of cliffs in an impressive display of power.
Afterward, you could also finish your day with a soak at the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir before retreating to a warm hotel for the evening. There are plenty to choose from in the area.
Overnight in Flúðir
Flúðir is a cute town with a few good hotel options. It’s not as big or as busy as other towns near to the Golden Circle, but that means that hotel prices are generally much more reasonable.
Here are a few places I recommend:
Gardur Stay Inn - Guesthouse with bright, spacious, and comfy rooms just a stone’s throw away from the Secret Lagoon. A major bonus, all rooms have little kitchenettes in case you want to prepare your own rooms. Nightly rates from around $250 USD.
Blue Hotel Fagrilundur - About 10 minutes away from Fludir and located right near the famous Friðheimar tomato farm and restaurant, this modern hotel offers comfortable and stylish-enough rooms in a pretty area. Prices range from $160-350 USD depending on the season.
Hill Hotel at Fludir - Big, open rooms with comfortable beds and nice bathrooms. Lots of parking and free hot tubs on the property. $150 USD per night.
Klettar Tower - A fun option for a unique stay in a very curious property. As the name suggests, rooms are located inside a round tower (a silo) in an open field. Views from the observation desk are great and rooms, while small and unusual, are very thoughtfully designed. Rooms from $150 USD.
Guesthouse Fludir - Basic, but functional motel-style accommodation. This is a totally forgettable hotel, but it gets the job done for a budget price. Nightly rates start at $140 USD.
Day 2: South Iceland to Vik
Today, you’ll head south to link up with the ring road and venture into South Iceland, a region where waterfalls charge off the highland shelf, glaciers sit atop brooding volcanoes, and powerful waves smash into the coast of black sand.
Leave the Golden Circle area and you’ll quickly find yourself on the ring road. Turning south takes you through a few small villages, but it’s not until you get closer to the coast do the natural attractions begin – and there are a lot of them squeezed into a small area.
The first stop is the waterfall Seljalandsfoss, shooting off the cliffs and glimpsed from afar as you travel along the ring road. Also in the area is a second waterfall called Gljúfrabúi, hidden within the cliffs north of Seljalandsfoss. Clamber into the small gorge to see the waterfall as it drops down from a hole in the cliffs above, but don’t forget your raincoat.
30 minutes further brings you to Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most beloved waterfalls. A perfect sheet of water crashing down between moss-laden cliffs, it’s a beautiful sight. You can also climb to the top of the cliffs for a different perspective.
Nearby to Skogafoss is another waterfall called Kvernufoss, well worth the short walk into the valley just to the east of the Skógar History Museum.
Further south, the coast has some stunning attractions. Dyrhólaey Peninsula offers panoramic views over the black sand beaches below and the mountainous interior, while Reynisfjara is the country’s most famous black sand beach, best visited in the late afternoon or early evening after the tour buses have returned to Reykjavik.
Then, it’s onward to Vik, a busy little hamlet on the south coast with hotels and restaurants for the night.
Overnight in Vik
Vik is a fun place to spend the night, and you’re sure to encounter plenty of other travelers too. You have restaurants, bars, a grocery store, gas stations, tour operators, and anything else you could need. You have lots of accommodation options in the countryside outside of town, but I think you should stay in the center.
Here are some hotels I like:
Hotel Vik I Myrdal - Everything at this new hotel feels design-forward with lots of steel, glass, and wood, and they’ve thoughtfully covered all the bases. The showers are excellent, sitting around the fire in the lobby is pleasant, and breakfast is very good. Rooms start at $350 USD, increasing in high season.
Hotel Kría - The style here is pretty similar to Vik I Myrdal (although a bit simpler) and it’s also just a few hundred meters away. Rooms have giant glass windows that offer gorgeous views and everything is modern and new. Nightly rates from $230 USD.
Hotel Katla - Off of the Ring road a little ways east of Vik, this larger hotel has over a 100 rooms in a few different buildings. It’s not fancy, but the rooms are modern, spacious, and well maintained and the common areas have been nicely spruced up. Room prices range from $220-350 USD, depending on the season.
The Barn - Just outside of town, this new hostel offers beds in small dorms and private rooms. A bed in a 4-bed dorm costs around $90 USD which is really expensive compared to hostels most places, but ok value for Iceland. Private rooms with en suite bathroom cost $200 USD.
Day 3: Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Skaftafell and Svartifoss, Vatanajokull Glacier
Today you’re driving from Vik to Vatnajökull park and the Skaftafell wilderness area. Plan on spending the day hiking, glacier walking, snowmobiling, and any other outdoor/adventure activities that peak your interest.
On day 3 of the ring road itinerary, you'll drive from Vik towards Vatnajökull National Park, which protects Iceland's largest ice cap and the surrounding landscapes shaped by the glacier. The drive offers stunning scenery with landscapes dominated by eerie lava fields and vast swathes of black sand.
Depart from Vik in the early morning heading in the direction of the Skaftafell preserve within Vatnajökull park. The drive takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes, although a bit longer if you make a stop to walk within (or atop) the twisting glacial canyon Fjaðrárgljúfur near the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Skaftafell is home to some of Iceland’s most gorgeous scenery. Hit the trails and you’ll quickly find yourself exploring the valleys that cut into the icecap above, with glacier tongues flowing down toward sea level, their runoff draining out to the ocean through a vast and flat plain of black sand.
The hike to Svartifoss waterfall - beautiful cascades of powerful running water that plunge over grey basalt columns - begins at the Skaftafell visitor center and will take about 2 hours round trip. Along the hike, you should stop at the Sjónarnípa viewpoint for a bird's-eye view of the glacier tongue Skaftafellsjökull.
Vatnajökull Glacier is the best choice in Iceland for a glacier hike, so make sure to jump on a tour while you’re in the area.
You also have a couple of full-day hikes in this area as well as a host outdoor/adventure activities, so check out your options well in advance.
Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur is a tiny little town on the Ring road, between Vik and Hofn. There’s nothing to see or do, but its proximity to Vatnajökull makes it ideal for an overnight. It’s about 1-hour from town to Skaftafell, and a bit further to the lagoons.
To minimize driving, staying the night just outside the park is better than returning to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, but there is limited accommodation. You can also look at the coast north of Skaftafell (halfway towards the town of Hofn) where you’ll find some basic 3-star options.
A few of my tried and true hotels are below:
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon - This upscale hotel is a no-brainer if the price works with your budget. It’s located as close to the park and lagoons as you can get and rooms are stylish and comfortable. Nightly rates start at $300 USD.
Hotel Skaftafell - Basic for the price, but you’re paying for the location just outside Skaftafell. In terms of sheer convenience, it’s tough to beat. Rooms cost $250 USD and up depending on the season.
Hotel Klaustur - Modern hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur with well-equipped, comfortable rooms, and a good location. The hotel restaurant is actually pretty good, there’s a bar, and breakfast is very nice. Rooms from $200 USD.
Hunkubakkar Guesthouse - Charming private cabins dotting an idyllic slice of countryside in Kirkjubæjarklaustur make this one of my favorite places to stay. Dinner in the on-site restaurant is very good. You can get a cabin with multiple beds for $200 USD in shoulder season.
Landbrot Guesthouse - Brand new hotel with small, but immaculately clean and comfortable rooms outfitted with little kitchenettes. In Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Nightly rates from $200 USD.
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Day 4: Vatnajökull National Park and Glacier Lagoons
Today, loop around Vatnajökull’s southern tip toward Múlagljúfur, a lush and green canyon with waterfalls dropping down the sides, running over the gray-basalt cliffs.
Then, a short drive onward is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most famous sights. For a great experience, book a Zodiac boat tour to get out onto the water and see the glaciers up close. I actually recommend doing your Zodiac tour at the smaller of the two glacier lagoons, Fjallsárlón, as it tends to be much less busy.
In the lake, large icebergs fall off the retreating glacier tongue, crashing into the expansive lagoon where they’re pulled and shaped by the tides and winds. Once they’ve been pulled out to sea, the tide washes them back up onto Diamond Beach, which you should visit next.
Time permitting, the park has all sorts of other activities you could partake in like ice caves, glacier walks, snowmobiling, etc,
Before it’s too late in the day, prepare for an hour’s drive to the town of Hofn, where you’ll be spending the night.
Overnight in Hofn
Höfn is the main settlement in East Iceland. It’s a busy little port town that acts as a homebase for the glacier guides and fishermen who haul in nets of fresh lobster that’s later served in a handful of great restaurants around town.
Fosshotel Vatnajökull - Modern, comfortable, and clean hotel right on Route 1, ten minutes’ outside of Hofn town. Rooms are bright and big with large windows, some of which offer glacier views. $180-350 USD.
Berjaya Iceland Hotels - Rooms here have been recently refreshed and the location right in town and overlooking both the mountains and the harbor is extremely convenient. It’s a pretty standard hotel, but if you want to be in town, it’s a safe bet. Nightly rates from $150-320 USD.
Milk Factory - Another basic hotel, but with spacious and comfortable rooms (with decent-sized bathrooms) right at the entrance to town. Family rooms are very convenient if you’re traveling with kids. You can find a room from $140 USD.
Arnanes Country Hotel - Located just off Route 1 a few miles before the entrance to Hofn town, this is a simple little spot with really clean rooms and beautiful views all around you. Rooms from $125-300 USD.
Guesthouse Nypugardar - Basic, but pleasant private cabins, many with multiple beds and sea/glacier views. 30 minutes from Hofn. $90-200 USD
Old Airline Guesthouse - If you’re on a budget, want a kitchen, and are ok sharing a bathroom, the rooms here are nice enough and the location is good. $100 USD per night.
Day 5: The East Fjords
After the south coast, Iceland’s East Fjords are startingly quiet, a place to enjoy scenic drives and stop at the small fishing villages strung along the coast.
Most travelers will zip through the East Fjords on their way north, but there’s a lot to be said for slowing down in this region of Iceland. It’s an area of incredible, and simple, beauty.
Traveling through this region is about stopping by waterfalls without any name, admiring the way the morning sun casts across the jagged mountain peaks, and whiling away an afternoon in a quiet fishing village.
Just outside Höfn is the Stokksnes Peninsula. Once you’ve paid for the entrance, a long bumpy road leads onto the peninsula, which is covered in black sand. There’s a moody beach, the memorable Vestrahorn mountain, and an abandoned World War II radar station, a reminder of the US military presence in Iceland during that time.
From here, there’s nothing but gorgeous countryside as you cruise into the East Fjords. Make sure to pull over often, not just at the dedicated viewpoints, but also in the small towns themselves.
There’s the sleepy town of Djúpivogur, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Breiðdalsvík, and Stöðvarfjörður, home to a stunning collection of rocks and minerals at Petra’s Stone Collection.
Overnight in Seyðisfjörður
For the evening, Seyðisfjörður on the coast is a great place to end up. This pretty little town is dwarfed by the mountains on either side, an incredible setting for a night. It’s also the backdoor into Iceland, where the ferry arrives to unload visitors from mainland Europe.
Langahlid Cottages - If you’re traveling with a larger group, consider renting this 3-bedroom house located literally on a fjord outside of town. It’s a lovely property where the owners have thought of everything you might need and the location, with incredible views, is unbeatable. Nightly rates for the whole house are usually around $500 USD.
Við Lónið Guesthouse - Charming B&B next to the lake right in the center of town. Rooms have a pleasant Scandinavian aesthetic, the beds are super comfortable, and the hosts are very nice and helpful. Rooms start at $200 USD.
Hotel Aldan The Bank - If the kick of staying in an old bank appeals, here you go. I like this spot because the property is neat and the rooms, with hardwood floors and furniture, have a little more character than many of the rather anonymous, modern hotels you find along the Ring Road.
Hafaldan HI Hostel - Calling a hostel charming is not something I usually do, but if the shoe fits… This really is a very nice little place. Private rooms from $200 USD (2-4 beds) and dorms from $40.
Day 6: Northeast Iceland & Lake Mývatn
Today you’ll drive toward Lake Mývatn, home to some of Iceland’s most volcanic landscapes.
From the East, it’s a long drive along the ring road toward Mývatn. On the way, you could make the detour to Stuðlagil Canyon to admire the basalt columns that make up both sides of the canyon, with icy-blue water between them.
Otherwise, it’s just more gorgeous countryside on the way toward Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe with an average flow rate of 193m3 every second pouring over the edge. To admire its raw power, make sure to take the paved road on the western side of the canyon to get there, road 862.
Then, it’s onto the area around Lake Mývatn. This is one of Iceland’s most volcanically active areas, filled with geothermal wonders, lava fields, and volcanic craters. There’s the Krafla volcanic caldera, where you’ll drive past a huge geothermal power station toward a beautiful volcanic crater called Viti.
Back near the ring road, the geothermal area of Hverir feels like another planet, with orange-red earth, steaming fumaroles, and mud pots that hiss, sizzle, and boil.
Powered by the same volcanic system are the Mývatn Nature Baths, North Iceland’s answer to the Blue Lagoon.
And then, on the shores of Lake Mývatn itself, plenty more to keep you busy for a day. There’s the lava field of Dimmuborgir, a volcano called Hverfjall that you can climb, and the underground hot spring cave of Grjótagjá (too hot for swimming). The lake itself is also beautiful and is brimming with bird life.
Overnight in Laugar or Reykjahlíð
Both of these littles towns are near to the Mývatn area (Reykjahlíð really being right at the edge of it), so they’re the logical places to spend the night if you want to avoid having to drive all the way to Akureyri. Laugar has cheaper accommodation.
Fosshotel Myvatn - Like other Fosshotels, this is a super modern property with lots of nice touches. It’s got some character, a good restaurant, a sauna & spa, and the rooms are very nice. Nightly rates range from $200-400 USD.
Sel Hotel Myvatn - Located right on the shores of the lake, you get some great panoramas here. The rooms, while not super stylish, are very big by Icelandic standards, and the property is super clean and well maintained. Nightly rates run from 180 - 350 USD.
Hotel Laxa - Just outside the Myvatn nature area, this hotel is modern with all the necessary amenities. Large rooms, big bathrooms, and helpful staff. Rooms from $150 in shoulder season, rising to $300 over the summer.
Narfastadir Guesthouse - The decor here is rather retro, but it’s very cozy and breakfast is great. Rooms with 4 beds are great for families or friends. Nightly rates are usually around $200 USD.
Breidamyri Farm Apartments - Comfortable private apartments with kitchenettes in Laugar. One bedroom apartments start at $160 USD.
Guesthouse Storu-Laugar - Simple rooms with a homey feel make this guesthouse a solid budget option. You can sometimes snag a room for under $100 USD.
Day 7: Whale Watching & Akureyri, Capital of the North
Húsavík is Iceland’s capital of whale watching; the perfect spot to jump on a tour, running from March until November. Afterward, it’s on to Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland.
Any visit to northeast Iceland between the months of March and November is ideal for a whale-watching tour in Húsavík. The town sits on the shores of Skjálfandi Bay, just 45 minutes northwest of Lake Mývatn. The waters here are rich in nutrients, attracting plentiful fish and krill, which in turn attracts the whales.
From Húsavík, it’s a short drive into Akureyri, the unofficial capital of the north (make sure to stop off at Goðafoss Waterfall along the way). With a prime position on the shores of Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is a lovely town that’s worth a stop for a poke around. There are restaurants, bookshops, and cafes to enjoy, and after a week on the road, you might be inclined to simply take it easy for an afternoon in a bit of civilization.
Nearby, the Forest Lagoon is another luxurious hot spring, while the Laufas Turf House and History Museum offers a good look at the Iceland of old.
If you plan to hang around here for a bit, I also recommend taking a scenic drive south into the valley, where there’s rich countryside, tempting guesthouses for your evening, and more than a few horse farms.
Overnight in/around Akureyri
Akureyri is a real charmer of a town. The location, sandwiched between ocean and snow-capped mountains, is stunning and the colorful wooden houses are lovely. You have some nice bars, cafes, and restaurants, and it’s just an all around pleasant place to hang out, with a bit of a frontier feel.
Hotel Kea - I think the 4-star rating here is a bit of a stretch, but it’s a nice hotel. The location, right in the center of downtown and walkable to everything, is great and the rooms are big, bright, and comfy. The bar and restaurant are more stylish than the rooms. Expect to pay from $180 USD for a room.
Viking Cottages - If you want a private place in nature with a kitchen, hot tub, and a little bit of style, then these “cottages” are a solid choice. 1-bedroom apartments start at $200 a night.
Akureyri Berjaya Hotel (Icelandair Hotel Akureyri) - The name has changed, but this feels a bit like what it is - a hotel made by an airline company. It’s actually pretty nice, so I don’t really mean that in a bad way. Everything is new and modern and it’s all very functional, so a perfectly nice option in the center of town. Rooms start at $125 USD.
Hafdals Hotel - On the road approaching town, this small and family-run hotel has nice rooms and sweeping panoramas. $120 a night.
Hotel North - On a hill overlooking town, you get farmhouse-chic vibes here and lovely views at nighttime. It’s simple, but pleasant. Nightly rates from $120 USD.
Íslandsbærinn - Old Farm - 5 minutes before the entrance to Akureyri town, this recently renovated farmhouse with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen is perfect for families or large groups of friends. You have a grill and hot tub too, making it ideal for longer stays. The entire house costs about $430 USD per night.
Day 8: The Arctic Coast Way: Northwest Iceland
From Akureyri, leave the ring road behind and head further north, tracing the Arctic Coast Way.
With just a few days left, there’s time to take a mountainous detour along the Tröllaskagi Peninsula in northern Iceland. This area is known for its incredible coastal scenery, while the mountains themselves are a popular spot for heli-skiing and other luxurious adventures.
You’ll also be on one of the best stretches of The Arctic Coast Way, a tourist route launched in 2019 that traces the entire northern coast of Iceland. The route is a celebration of the sub-arctic landscapes, windswept coastline, and cozy villages dotted along the sea.
You’ll pass through three of those villages on Tröllaskagi: Dalvik, Ólafsfjörður, and Siglufjörður. Siglufjörður is the most scenic, clinging to the tip of the peninsula on the edge of a most spectacular fjord.
In the 1940s, this quiet town was the busiest port in Iceland thanks to a bountiful population of herring offshore. People came from the world over to make their fortune, and times were good. It all came crashing down in the 1960s when the herring simply disappeared; the rise and fall is detailed in the fascinating Herring Era Museum.
As you continue along the coast, you'll come across scenic spots like the village Hofsós with its famous infinity swimming pool, and Grafarkirkja, the oldest church in Iceland.
Drive further west and you’ll eventually reach the base of the Vatnsnes Peninsula, where once again you can shoot off the ring road for some windswept coastal scenery. It’s here where you’ll find the large rock that resembles an elephant, Hvitserkur, and have a pretty good chance to see some seals lazing on the coast. End your day in quaint Hvammstangi.
Overnight in Hvammstangi
Hvammstangi is a tiny little town and you don’t have many options, so just pick whatever you like best and don’t worry about the location.
Hotel Hvammstangi - Simple rooms in a functional hotel right in town. Rooms from $140-220 USD.
Hvammstangi Cottages - Little wooden cabins with kitchenettes at the entrance to town. Nightly rates from $120 USD.
Guesthouse Höfðabraut - Basic guesthouse with very clean rooms and a good communal kitchen. It lists as “Guesthouse 46” on Booking. You can usually find a room for under $100 USD
Day 9: The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Snæfellsnes is often dubbed ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to it containing everything you’ll see around the rest of the country.
On the second-to-last day on the road, once again you’ll veer off the ring road onto the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Home to some of Iceland’s most arresting landscapes, the drive onto the peninsula is incredible, with plenty of places to pull over and gawk at the views.
Stykkishólmur is a beautiful little village, dotted with prim Danish merchant houses painted in bright colors, and from the harbor, you can cross over onto Súgandisey Island, from where you can enjoy gorgeous views over town and the small islands dotted throughout the fjord.
Next is Grundarfjörður, a busy little fishing village surrounded by stupendous landscapes and the famous Kirkjufell Mountain. At the tip of the peninsula lies Snæfellsjökull National Park, showcasing Iceland's geological wonders like lava fields, sea stacks, volcanic craters, and black sand beaches.
For the rest of the day, make sure to stop at as many of those sights as you can, like the Djúpalónssandur black sand beach or the Lóndrangar sea stacks. In the small village of Arnarstapi, you can find a rugged coastline complete with a photogenic sea arch and a handful of accommodation options to choose from. Otherwise, continue east along the peninsula to turn up a few more farm-stays and guesthouses.
Overnight in/around Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi is tiny and aside from a few colorful houses, there’s absolutely nothing to do in town. But it has all the basic services you need in order to refuel and restock, and it puts you in easy reach of Snæfellsjökull National Park.
Hotel Budir - Pretty accommodation with style somewhere between a hotel and a B&B in the town of Budir, about 15 minutes from Arnarstapi. Prices per night start at $200 USD.
Fosshotel Hellnar - Nice hotel like all the other Fosshotels with Scandi design and a location right in front of the sea. It’s in Hellnar, 5 minutes from Arnarstapi. Rooms from $165 USD
Arnarstapi Hotel - Very new, modern, and comfortable hotel right near the town harbor. Rooms from $150 USD.
Arnarstapi Cottages - Cute private cottages in a stunning location just on the edge of town. Nightly rates start at $140 USD.
Day 10: Southern Snæfellsnes, West Iceland, & Reykjavik
On your final day, you’ll finish off Snafellsnes Peninsula and venture further into West Iceland, where a knot of rivers and roads are the historic heart of the country.
Wake up early for a quick detour to the photogenic Búðakirkja, a black wooden church by the coast with the Snæfellsjökull glacier as the perfect backdrop.
Then, the southern edge of the peninsula, an area that serves as a reminder as to just how big Iceland is, and how you could easily spend a lifetime exploring every nook and cranny of the country. The mountainous spine of the peninsula hides away valleys, waterfalls, and other secrets, while the coast to the other side is vast and beautiful.
Once you hit the ring road, you’ll quickly leave it again into the knot of rivers and roads that make up the historic heart of Iceland. Northwest of Borgarnes is Saga country, where a lot of Iceland’s most famous historical figures carried out the stories detailed in the Icelandic Sagas.
As far as attractions go, there’s Deildartunguhver hot spring, Europe’s most powerful, pumping out an astounding 180 liters of boiling water every second and powering everything in a 60-mile radius. Further up the road, the small village of Reykholt is where Snorri Sturluson, a prolific author of many Icelandic Sagas, got down to work.
The museum here, Snorrastofa, is one of the best places to learn about the Sagas. Further inland, a pair of waterfalls draw visitors: Hraunfossar (lava falls) and Barnafossar (children’s falls).
Then, it’s back to Reykjavik. The main route shoots underneath Hvalfjörður via a tunnel, but if you have time and would like to take the scenic route, the old road that traces the fjord is very tempting.
Overnight in Reykjavik
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