Iceland Ring Road 10-day itinerary

All About Ring Road, Iceland

Iconic for its dramatic landscape, magical night views and natural grace, Iceland is on the bucket list of many travelers all around the world. Driving in this country is truly a heavenly experience as you will get to see picturesque views surrounded by snow-capped mountains, enchanting nights and crystal clear waters covered in mystical fog. If you wish to cover most of Iceland and see its maximum attractions, then a trip on the Ring Road is the best thing for you.

In this blog, we have covered everything about Route 1 including an itinerary that will help you plan your trip.

What is Ring Road?

Ring Road, also known as Route 1, circles the majority of the island of Iceland. This road covers many attractions of the country, including Vatnajökull National Park and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is prominent for scenic views, fjords, waterfalls and beaches.

Since it is a circle, the road starts from Reykjavík and ends here only. You can start your trip either clockwise or anticlockwise as you are comfortable.

Iceland Ring Road map

How many miles is the ring road?

The length of Ring Road is 828 miles which is about 1,332 kilometres. It covers many areas namely Vik, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Mývatn and Akureyri.

How long does it take to drive the ring road?

It would take around 18 hours for you to cover the entire ring road without making any stops. To plan a complete itinerary, at least 7 days are required. However, to make the most out of your trip, 10 days is enough. If you wish, you can expand your trip to 12 days as well.

What are the main Iceland Ring Road sights?

While driving around the Ring Road, you will come across many attractions. However, there are some things that you should not miss while on the trip. To name a few, these are Vatnajökull National Park, Snæfellsjökull National Park, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Dyrhólaey, National Museum and Dynjandi.

Golden Circle vs Ring Road

Golden Circle is at a short distance from Reykjavík and covers an area of 140 miles. On the other hand, a road trip on Ring Road is comparatively much longer and it covers most of Iceland. To cover Golden Circle, you would require a maximum of 2 days and to cover the entire ring road, 10 days would be sufficient.

What is the best time to drive on Ring Road?

The best time to drive on Ring Road is during winter as you will be able to see Northern Lights and frosty landscape. Many travelers choose this time of the year to visit Iceland. The summer season in this country brings a lot of sunlight for easy driving and sightseeing. You can decide the time as per your comfort and the type of activities you wish to do during your trip.

The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary for Ring Road, Iceland

We recommend taking a 10-day trip to Iceland along the Ring Road to fully explore and witness the best of this country. Kickstart your trip from Reykjavík by landing at the airport. If you are coming from overseas, you will have to catch a flight to Keflavík International Airport and then come to Reykjavík.

Here is our 10-day itinerary for Ring Road that you can read to get all the information and plan your trip ahead. We have mentioned the trip in a clockwise direction, you may plan anti-clockwise.

Day 1 - Reykjavík to Grábrók

Start your day by having a nice breakfast in Reykjavík and then commence your journey to Borgarnes which will take you around 1 hour to reach. Nestled in the West of Iceland, it is a beautiful town with less population. Here, you can visit the Settlement Center if you are into history. You can make a stop here, eat some snacks and enjoy the beauty of this town.

Heading to the north direction, you will come across Grábrók. You can park your vehicle at the parking and climb to the top. The view is outstandingly beautiful from there and you can click pictures with your family and friends. There is a boardwalk available for easy walking.

After this trek, you can do a little detour to see the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar which is around 54 km from Grábrók. Relax yourself in the melody of waterfalls and watch the sunset over the horizon.

Day 2 - Hraunfossar to Akureyri

On your second day, head to Hofsós which will take around 3.5 hours from Hraunfossar. It is a calming village on the Eastern shore of Skagafjörður Fjord. Here you can take a break and have a nice lunch whilst you enjoy the views.

Thereafter, start your drive to Akureyri which is at a distance of 132.4 km. It is an exquisite town in the north of Iceland capable of stealing your heart with its charm.

Pro Tip: Do visit Glaumbær's open-air folk museum which will give you a glimpse into the lives of people in Iceland in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Day 3 - Akureyri to Mývatn

Before you leave Akureyri, do visit the church. On the third day of the trip, head to Goðafoss Falls which is a 40-minute drive from the town. Also known as Waterfall of the Gods, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iceland. Spend some time here and indulge in tranquility as the view is bound to stun you with its beauty.

Pro Tip: Wake up early in the morning and watch the sunrise on Goðafoss Falls. During this time, the colors are bright which will make your day.

After witnessing the beauty of Goðafoss Falls, head to Mývatn which takes 40 minutes to reach. This is the most enjoyable place and you can explore a lot when here. Spend an entire day at this place. Go on hikes, take walks in fields and take a dip in Mývatn Nature Baths.

Day 4 - Mývatn to Eastfjords

On this day, get ready to witness Iceland’s most gigantic and epic waterfall, Dettifoss. Reaching here and exploring this place is going to take time, so prepare yourself for the drive. But as you reach there, it is going to be worth everything as this magnificent waterfall is covered with rainbows and fog that will enchant you.

After visiting Dettifoss Waterfalls, head to the final destination of the day which is Eastfjords. The distance between the two is 148 km, so this day of yours will be mostly covered in drive.

Day 5 - Eastfjords to Höfn

On your fifth day, embark upon a journey to Southeast Iceland which will take you nearly 3 hours to reach. The splendid beauty of the land and magnificent scenery are what you will witness throughout your drive. So, take your time and click lots of pictures whilst you enjoy the panorama.

Behold the grandeur of mountains along the seaside as the roads take you between the two at Hvalnes Point. Stop at the lighthouse to enjoy the view and calm your soul down. Thereafter, resume your journey to the final destination of the day which is Höfn. During your journey, you will get a glimpse of Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull.

Höfn is a town nestled in Southeastern Iceland. It has plenty of restaurants and BnBs. End your day under the starry night of Höfn. You may also witness Aurora along the shores.

Day 6 - Explore Southeast Iceland

On this day, give yourself a break from all the long drive and visit the main attractions near Höfn. You can do various activities there to make your trip adventurous. Within an hour's drive, there is Glacier Lagoon which is also called Jökulsárlón. It is Iceland’s one of the most spectacular wonders consisting of graceful floating glaciers. While here, you can go for boat tours and ice cave tours. Stroll to the Diamond Beach where ice fragments from the lagoon are scattered like sparkling diamonds.

Within a 15-minute drive, there is Fjallsárlón Glacier which is less crowded and totally worth a visit. If you like hiking, you can also go to Skaftafell National Park which takes about half an hour from Fjallsárlón. This place has a lot of places to hike where you can enjoy lush surroundings and breathtaking views.

Day 7 - See Sights of Vik

On the seventh day, head to Vík which is a charming small town and a popular sightseeing place. Spend an entire day here watching aesthetic scenery. While here, you can also visit Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss which are the two most famous waterfalls in the country. Go to the cliffs of Dyrhólaey for birdwatching. Sit there and let the air fill you with tranquility as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 8 and Day 9 - Voyage Around Golden Circle

Hit the road and head to Golden Circle, the next destination of your itinerary. Start early as this is going to be a trip in itself because some of the most stunning geological wonders Iceland has to offer are situated here. Dedicate your full two days to this location to explore it fully. These days are going to be loaded with stunning landmarks and historically significant places.

Popular places on this trip are Þingvellir, Laugarvatn, Geyser, Gullfoss, Reykholt, Brúarhlöð, Flúðir, Skálholt and Kerið. Spend the whole two days visiting each of them and exploring hidden gems.

Pro Tip: If you are a Game of Thrones fan, take a hike to a lovely waterfall called Oxararfoss. You will find several spots there where the show’s Beyond the Wall and the other related scenes were shot.

Day 10 - Wander in Reykjavik

Head to your final destination of the trip which is Reykjavik. Since the distance between the two is short, you can start your journey a little late as well. As you reach Reykjavik, pay a visit to Blue Lagoon if you wish to. Or else, you can spend a day driving in and around the city indulging in Icelandic food and strolling in the streets of Reykjavik. Visit the church, Harpa Concert Hall and Old Harbor and go to exhibitions where you can learn about Iceland.

Useful Tips for Visiting Ring Road