Iceland road trip: The ultimate guide

An Iceland road trip seems to be on everyone’s list these days. Putting the road trip together though is an adventure on its own, as Iceland offers countless things to see and do, making one feel overwhelmed about it quite easily.

During the last three years, we spent close to two months in Iceland over multiple trips. And no, we haven’t visited all of Iceland, but we’re working on that! We must confess, Iceland ranks easily among our all-time favorite destinations.

With the experience acquired in the land of ice and fire, we decided to put together the ultimate guide for an Iceland road trip, including all you need to successfully plan your own! If you’re looking into itineraries, when to go, trip duration, must-see sights, useful tips, and juicy extras, look no further, you are in the right place.

What this guide includes

• Base itinerary
• Extras and off the beaten path
• Planning tips and suggestions
• Map with points of interest
• Car rental and driving
• Packing and accommodation
• ..and more!

Planning

Let’s look at what you need in order to start planning today your Iceland road trip.

Trip duration and itinerary

Trip duration is crucial to determine how ambitious you can be for your trip. Anything is possible, really. Iceland has plenty to offer for any trip duration.

For this guide, we’re focusing on helping to prepare for the essential Iceland road trip itinerary, which involves going around the country, mostly using the famous ring road or road no 1, and seeing many of the impressive natural features. This means that something in the range of at least 8 to 12 days is recommended to tackle this itinerary. Many more days for the extras we have besides the essentials.

If you don’t have the time required for this, don’t give up on Iceland just yet. You can visit for a shorter time and still have a blast. For this, stick to one or two regions of the country. We’ll write about shorter trips to Iceland in a future article.

When to go

Choosing when to go is very important and greatly affects the duration needed for your trip. Two important things to bear in mind are the number of daylight hours and the weather.

The high-season in Iceland starts from mid-June and peaks in July until the end of August, when it slows down. The weather is notoriously unpredictable, but the Summer months bring the best of it and also a lot of daylight hours, almost 24h in fact – which is perfect for long days of exploration and the midnight sun. The interior of Iceland, known as the Highlands, also has its roads open. The prices are higher, sometimes dramatically, and most of the scarce accommodation sell out well in advance. May and September are usually great months to visit.

On the contrary, Winter months have fewer daylight hours and rougher weather, leading to road closures and a need for a plan B in case the main itinerary cannot go ahead. During this time, the cold and dark bring the possibility of seeing the northern lights. The prices are lower and most of the places even quieter. Early or late winter, such as October and March are also very suitable for a visit.

Be sure that Iceland is a great place to visit both Summer and Winter, it’s just a whole different experience.

Essential Iceland road trip

The essential Iceland road trip is around 12 days and we’ve prepared a detailed itinerary to make your trip a success. This itinerary includes day-by-day information about sights to see, things to do, where to sleep and lots of tips.

This itinerary of 12 days can be shortened or extended. Read below for more on how to achieve this.

Day 1 – Reykjavík

The capital Reykjavík is usually the first stop on any trip to Iceland. The area around it is where the majority of the Icelandic population lives and offers a vast range of amenities and things to do, from museums to restaurants and shopping. Reykjavík is the ideal place to stock up for your Iceland road trip.

Central Reykjavík is very small and ideal for walking. The two major highlights are Hallgrimskirkja, an impressive church that offers excellent views from the top of its 73 m high tower, and Harpa, the modern concert hall just by the sea. Don’t forget to visit Harpa at night to see the color of the façade changing.

The main shopping area is at the most famous street, Laugavegur, where many restaurants are located. Lake Tjörnin, just next to the city hall, is a very pleasant area to visit and the ideal place to relax on a bench while enjoying the views of the city across it.

In terms of museums, the National Museum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafnið) is where you can find all about the history of the country. Worth a visit. Also worth going are the Saga Museum and 871±2, the settlement exhibition. Recently opened, Whales of Iceland is also a great exhibition to see, as it showcases full-scale whale replicas!

A bit further afield from the city center are Perlan and Grotta. The first is a futurist building offering spectacular views of Reykjavík and the surroundings, whilst Grotta is a lighthouse on a tiny island where many birds can be found.

To fully enjoy Reykjavík, don’t forget to walk its streets, including at the seafront.

Find out more about Reyjkávik and how it serves as the perfect introduction to Iceland.

Day 2 – Golden Circle

Without a doubt the most popular day in Iceland. In just a few hours, the Golden Circle route allows you to visit at least 3 places: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. This is as touristy as Iceland can get, and by Icelandic standards, it’s not that much. In order to avoid the “crowds”, try to make it there before 10 am, when the tour buses start to arrive, or later in the day. For example, Gullfoss after 6 PM is likely to be empty or close to it.

Þingvellir is a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its importance comes from the fact that it’s located in a rift valley, where the North American and Eurasian plates drift apart, and also due to being home to the seat of the original Icelandic parliament (Alþingi). If you fancy an adventure, try snorkeling or scuba diving between tectonic plates at Silfra.

Geysir is the father of all geysers and is located on a very active geothermal area. Eruptions have decreased and if you’re looking for some activity, look for the neighbor geyser Strokkur which erupts every few minutes.

Gullfoss is a spectacular waterfall and it really needs to be seen. Try the different viewpoints to get multiple perspectives. It can be reached from the top at different positions and at a lower level as well. Be careful as the lower level one, close to the waterfall, will be frozen in the winter and slippery in the summer, making a lot of water spray.

One bonus place to visit is Kerið, a beautiful volcanic crater lake. A track goes around the top of the crater and it’s also possible to go down to the water level.

After visiting these 4 places, it is recommended to stay in the area, since the next day the itinerary of the Iceland road trip goes further South. Around road 35 there are many accommodation options available.

If you want to relax, pay a visit to the Secret Lagoon hot springs in Flúðir.

Day 3 – The South

To head South, get back on road 1. You’ll be passing by a couple of small towns which offer a gas station and supermarket.

First stop of the day is at Seljalandsfoss, a magnificent and unique waterfall. What makes Seljalandsfoss unique is the fact that you can go behind it! Yes, there’s even a perfectly marked path and stairs on the left-hand side of it. In order not to ruin your day, be prepared if you really want to go behind it. There’s a lot of water spray and you’ll get drenched without proper waterproof gear. See clothing for more.

Most people leave immediately after seeing Seljalandsfoss. Don’t do it. Instead, walk 500 m following the footpath across the small bridge and you’ll reach Gljúfrabúi, also known as the hidden waterfall. This is due to the fact that it’s hidden behind a cliff and inside a canyon, which is pretty amazing, and the best to way experience it is to go inside the canyon. This requires some caution and, again, proper waterproof gear. Going inside it is unbelievable.

Back on road 1, a very popular place these days is the Eyjafjallajökull Erupts museum. Here you can watch a short film about the eruption, from the family across the road that experienced it first hand, and the damage that was caused to their farm.

The next stop is at Skógafoss, another breathtaking Icelandic waterfall. You’ll definitely feel very tiny when getting close to it. A good way to explore Skógafoss is to take the stairs on the right-hand side that lead all the way up to the top of the waterfall. And, if you have time there’s a hiking path that follows the river upstream with many other smaller waterfalls along the way.

Nearby Skógafoss is Skógar, a tiny settlement where the main attraction is the Folk Museum. This is an open-air museum with a few interesting historical buildings, namely turf houses.

If you want to do glacier hiking, there’s a chance to do it at Sólheimajökull glacier, accessible on road 221. Even if not doing a glacier walk, you can do a short hike to see the glacier up and close.

One of the most intriguing places on your Iceland road trip will definitely be the wreck of the Dakota plane at Sólheimasandur. To get there, you need a 4×4 car and to find the correct gate entrance, on the right-hand side of the road 1, just 2 km after passing the turn to road 221. UPDATE: as of 2016 it’s no longer possible to drive all the way to the plane wreck. You must park your car and walk.

Shortly before reaching Vík, there are two must-visit places, Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara. Dyrhólaey is a peninsula with interesting cliffs housing many birds, including puffins in the Summer. You can go up to the lighthouse for magnificent views, but mind the road as it’s not suitable for regular cars. Reynisfjara is a black sand beach with basalt stacks. Very popular and also very dangerous, so don’t ignore the warnings and get too close to the sea.

The highlight of Vík is going up to the cemetery for great views of the ocean and cliffs, which include the very photo-friendly church. Don’t forget to stop at the beach as well.

Sleep around Vík. Vík also has a gas station, supermarket and a couple of dining options. Every time we’ve been to the area, we’ve stayed at the Guesthouse Steig, a friendly family-run hotel very close to Vík and, especially, Dyrhólaey.

Day 4 – Vatnajökull

This day covers our favorite stretch of road 1. Seriously, the scenery is out of this world! Many opportunities to stop for a photo.

Often overlooked, Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is one of the most beautiful places you’ll find during your Iceland road trip and is definitely worth a stop. We’ve written all about Fjaðrárgljúfur in the past, including how to get there.

The next stop, Skaftafell will keep you busy for at least half-day. Part of Vatnajökull National Park, there are many things to do here. The essentials are hiking to Svartifoss, which takes around two hours return at a comfortable pace, hiking to Skaftafellsjökull glacier, which takes around 1 hour return, and going on a glacier hiking tour, that departs next to the National Park information center.

Around mid-afternoon, you should start heading east towards Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Shortly before is Fjallsárlón, another amazing glacier lagoon. These places will definitely blow your mind with their beauty.  Jökulsárlón is a glacier lagoon that we’ve covered in the past and is a mandatory stop, particularly at sunset. In the winter, ice cave tours depart from here. Be sure to book well in advance! Don’t forget to go across the road to the iceberg beach known as the diamond beach.

The day ends here and there are not that many options for accommodation available before Höfn. If you don’t want to drive all the way there, Hali is an option very close by.

Day 5 – East Fjords

The East Fjords of Iceland are characterized by a dramatic winding coastline of narrow fjords where tiny fishing villages take harbor. The drive along the coast is one of the most scenic of any Iceland road trip and well worth the detour off road 1.

Before heading to the East Fjords, stop first at Stokksnes, just outside Höfn, to admire the beautiful mountain Vestrahorn.

There are many opportunities to stop along the way, including at the villages. Some of the most interesting are Djúpivogur, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Neskaupstaður, and Seyðisfjörður. The French heritage at Fáskrúðsfjörður is particularly interesting and so are the road and views to Neskaupstaður.

Sleep around Egilsstaðir, the hub of the region for those passing by.

Day 6 – Dettifoss and Húsavík

This day takes you through the lunar landscape of the Jökuldalsheiði plateau. Before leaving Egilsstaðir, there’s a possible detour around Lake Lagarfljót in order to hike to Hengifoss waterfall, the third highest in Iceland.

The first major stop will be at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. It can be accessed both from West and East, something we highly recommend doing. Next to Dettifoss is Selfoss, another waterfall.

Head north to the Ásbyrgi canyon. With enough time, there are plenty of hiking opportunities in the vicinity.

Húsavík, the whale-watching capital of Iceland, is the final stop of the day. Embark on one of the tours for a chance to see some whales! Be ready for the rough sea and the cold.

You can sleep in Húsavík or south in Mývatn, which is under an hour away.

Day 7 – Mývatn

Mývatn is one of those places where you could spend many days. It will be for sure one of the highlights of your Iceland road trip. The number of things to see and do is quite substantial and we decided to dedicate an entire day to it.

On a side note, when we visited, we could see in the distance a red flame in the sky from the Bárðarbunga eruption.

Let’s start with the lake. Lake Mývatn is gorgeous and has a very high population of birds, including many and diverse species of ducks. When closer to the water and during the Summer months be aware that there is a higher risk of being bothered by midges. Try not to eat them!

There are many possibilities for hiking. A relatively easy one is the Hverfjall volcano. Loose rock makes it a bit tougher to get to the top, but the views are definitely rewarding. You’ll be able to see the lake and the pseudo craters, which require a visit on its own as well.

Slightly outside Mývatn is Hverir, a hot spring area with marked walking paths. If you head further out past Krafla Power Station, you’ll get to the Krafla volcano area. This includes the beautiful crater lake Víti and the Leirhnjúkur lava fields. Exploring the lava fields on foot is an amazing experience. Allow a couple of hours for this.

To relax at the end of a long and active day, go to the Mývatn Nature Baths.

If you want to splurge, taking a scenic flight is a great way to experience Mývatn.

Sleep around Lake Mývatn.

Day 8 – Mývatn and Akureyri

For this second day in Mývatn, take half-day to explore a bit more of it and then start heading to Akureyri.

Our main suggestion is to go to Dimmuborgir, another truly spectacular lava field. This one has the weirdest shapes and rock formations, including some caves, plus a nice setting with lots of vegetation. There are clearly marked walking paths throughout the lava field.

Don’t forget to stop at the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters before going back to road 1.

Once back on the road, you can’t miss Goðafoss, the waterfall of gods. It sits right next to the road, with plenty of parking and different viewing angles.

The road towards Akureyri is also very scenic. Once you reach the second biggest settlement in Iceland you’ll have time to walk around and explore the city center. The main highlights are the church Akureyrarkirkja, which has a good view of the downtown area, and the botanical gardens.

Sleep around Akureyri.

Day 9 – Northwest

To start this day, you face two possible itineraries. The shortest and least interesting one follows road 1 out of Akureyri. The second and highly recommended one heads North towards Dalvík and the Tröllaskagi peninsula, before joining the road 1.

The Tröllaskagi peninsula makes a beautiful drive and includes a couple of tunnels as well. It’s a very mountainous region with plenty of high peaks and stunning nature. A couple of villages are also worth taking a look, Siglufjörður, and Hofsós. In Hofsós, there’s a very picturesque swimming pool with incredible sea views.

You’ll eventually make it to Varmahlíð where you can visit a couple of places of interest nearby. The farm of Glaumbær is famous due to its well-preserved turf houses, and the Víðimýrarkirkja turf church is lovely.

Back on road 1, head towards Blönduós. A detour we recommend is the Vatnsnes peninsula, where the Hvítserkur arch is located. The west coast of the peninsula is also very pretty and nature-friendly. Maybe you’ll spot some seals!

Sleep around Laugarbakki or Hvammstangi.

Day 10 – Snæfellsnes

Head early to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. This region of Iceland is a personal favorite due to the number of amazing things to see in such a small area, particularly the westernmost part of it.

Start with by driving to the North of the peninsula. Admire the landscape while on the way to Stykkishólmur and then Grundarfjörður. At Stykkishólmur, you can see the Breiðafjörður bay and at Grundarfjörður, Iceland’s most famous and photographed mountain Kirkjufell and the Kirkjufellfoss waterfall.

The west of the peninsula is totally worth spending a good amount of time. There are lava fields all the way to the ocean and the Snæfellsjökull volcano and glacier in the background. The beaches of Skardsvík and Dritvík are a must. If you like lighthouses, there are a few of them to be seen.

South Snæfellsnes has a couple of mandatory stops at Hellnar and Anarstapi, with plenty to do in the area. The narrow Rauðfeldar Canyon is also worth a quick visit.

Sleep in the peninsula, preferably on the South tip.

Day 11 – West

In the morning, you’ll have time to explore a little bit more of the Snæfellsnes peninsula while heading east. The Gerduberg basalt columns and the Eldborg crater will keep you busy.

Head towards Borgarnes and optionally to Bifröst. Here you’ll find a couple of waterfalls and a lava field. The best part of the day will be at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The colors of Hraunfossar are amazing!

It’s time to go back towards Reyjkavík. The fastest way is getting back on road 1 and then through the toll tunnel. The best way is around the bay to get a chance to hike to the Glymur waterfall, the tallest in Iceland.

For those not visiting during the winter, there’s still a possibility to experience an ice cave, the man-made one at the Langjökull glacier.

Sleep around Reykjavík.

Day 12 – Reykjanes

This is the final day of your Iceland road trip. Time for some last minute shopping in Reykjavík before heading out to explore the Reykjanes peninsula. Worry not, there will be time for some relaxation at the famous Blue Lagoon. Just remember that it is required to book in advance.

The highlights of the Reykjanes peninsula are the Krýsuvík geothermal area and the neighbor lakes, the beautiful south coast all the way to the Reykjanes hill lighthouse and bird cliffs, and the bridge between two continents.

If you’re feeling adventurous and have the time, you may want to try something unique like going inside Thrihnukagigur, a dormant volcano whose last eruption was 4000 years ago and that is now open for tourists. The tour involves descending 120 m into the depths of the volcano, an expensive yet extraordinary experience.

What can be changed

With 12 days you can:

• change the first couple of days (Reykjavík and Golden Circle) to the end of your Iceland road trip
• head to the Blue Lagoon on the first day

If you don’t have 12 days available for the essential Iceland road trip, it can be shortened by sacrificing some sights and places, plus driving for long hours and rushing a little bit. Here’s what can be changed:

• spend only 1 day in Mývatn
• go straight from Mývatn to the West, only passing by Akureyri and not sleeping there
• skip Snæfellsnes
• skip the East Fjords
• skip Reykjavík

There are other options, some crazier than others.

Extra days

Do you have more days? Great, your Iceland road trip deserves it. Here are a few suggestions.

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve and one of the most popular highland destinations in Iceland. You can get there on your own 4×4 rental or by bus. Whatever transport you choose, there will be plenty of nature-related activities to keep you busy for at least a day, including short to medium distance hikes and hot springs. It’s here that the hiking trail Laugavegur starts. Find out more about

Find out more about Landmannalaugar.

Westman Islands

The Westman Islands are a small archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. For your Iceland road trip, you can reach Heimaey, the main island, by ferry from Landeyjahöfn in 35 minutes (Summer only) or Þorlákshöfn. Flying there is also possible from Reyjkjavík. Embark on a day trip to the archipelago and discover more about Heimaey and the Westman Islands.

Westfjords

The Westfjords are the most remote inhabited region of Iceland. This unexplored part of the country has stunning raw landscapes and beauty, and the perfect addition to your Iceland road trip. Allow 2 to 3 days to go there and, if you visit during the right time of the year, you can even see some adorable Puffins.

To get a glimpse of the Westfjords read our article about it.

Þórsmörk/Thórsmörk

Þórsmörk is a nature reserve on the edge of the highlands of Iceland, between Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. It is one of the most beautiful places in the country with spectacular vistas and still not very popular among most travelers. There are plenty of hiking options available ranging from day to multi-day trails. Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls, two of the most famous Icelandic trails, pass through Þórsmörk.

Getting there is the tricky part because of the rough terrain and multiple river crossings, including the dangerous Krossá river that only experienced drivers with real 4x4s should attempt to cross. The best alternatives are leaving your own 4×4 before the river and using the seasonal wooden bridges, or the bus from Reykjavík, which stops along the way at Hvolsvöllur and Seljalandsfoss, the two most convenient stops closer to Þórsmörk.

Find out more about Thórsmörk.

Kjölur

Kjölur is an ancient route in the highlands of Iceland connecting the south and the north of the country alongside two glaciers, Langjökull and Hofsjökull. If you like scenic drives, then this desert plateau is for you. Two mandatory stops along the way are Hveravellir, a set of hot springs and other geothermal features, and Kerlingarfjöll, a beautiful and colorful rhyolite mountain range of volcanic origin.

This route is only open in the summer but despite that, it’s one of the easiest Highland roads in Iceland, even suitable for small SUVs. Kjölur is known as road 35.

Find out more about the Kjölur route.

Other options

There are many other options. Here are some we haven’t visited yet:

• Lakagigar
• Askja

Mapping the Iceland road trip

We’ve mentioned many places throughout this guide and not to make you feel lost, we’ve mapped all of them so you can easily find them.

As a travel companion for your Iceland road trip, we highly recommend the map created by International Photographer.

Choosing a car and driving

Rest assured, driving in Iceland is not difficult. If we exclude Reykjavik and some sections of the ring road, traffic is virtually non-existent and the further afield you go, the calmer it is. So calm that you will encounter sheep on the road.

In short, there are paved and gravel roads. Paved roads are of a very good quality and well signaled, including most of the sights you’ll want to be stopping at, and the speed limit is 90 km/h. Gravel roads are limited to 80 km/h and are generally in good shape, but may be bumpy at times and include potholes. These roads can be further split into another category, mountain roads or tracks, commonly identified with the F prefix. These will include much rougher terrain and potentially rivers to ford.

The biggest threat while driving in Iceland is getting distracted by the scenery. Paying attention to the road is important as in most cases there are no side protections on the road. Always drive to the conditions. Look at the weather forecast and road closures. If traveling during the winter months there can be temporary road closures and the mountain roads will definitely be closed.

To check for road conditions, visit the official the site of the Icelandic road and coastal administration site at road.is. They provide up to date information about all the road conditions. Check this daily before traveling.

Choosing a car needs not to be complicated. If you don’t plan to drive any of the mountain tracks (F roads) then you can stick to a normal 2×2 car as you don’t need a 4×4. If you do, keep in mind that some city grade 4×4 cars are not good enough for the majority of the rougher tracks.

One thing to remember: never drive off-road! It’s forbidden and besides damaging the environment you can incur on heavy fines.

Gas is available throughout the country, but sometimes the gas stations are far apart. We recommend that you fill your tank once it gets close to half capacity. Most of the rural gas pumps will be automatic and work with debit and credit cards that have a pin code. Without a pin code, it won’t work.

We often get asked which car rental company we used for our trips to Iceland. The answer is Blue Car Rental. Good price, quality, and friendly service. You can’t go wrong with these guys.

Weather

We’ve mentioned the weather and seasons a few times. The best way is to be ready for everything and check the weather forecasts regularly. The best source is the Icelandic MET Office.

Packing

Packing is always important and even if you’re a seasoned traveler, going on an Iceland road trip requires some preparation. The weather is tricky and there is a common saying that if you’re not happy with the weather, you just need to wait five minutes. The rule of thumb is to dress in layers and have a good wind and waterproof jacket.

We’ve written in detail what to pack for a trip to Iceland. Make sure to read it.

Accommodation

Accommodation is heavily dependent on the travel style and budget. Iceland has a range of hotels, hostels, country hotels, farms, and b&bs. One thing to keep in mind is that accommodation in Iceland is on the expensive side, similar to other higher standard of living countries.

When it comes to searching for accommodation, Booking.com is our engine of choice for Iceland with plenty of options available for all styles and budgets. Airbnb is also very popular in Iceland.

Due to the increase in tourism in recent years, the offer available is not enough at the peak of the Summer despite a recent boom in construction. It is recommended to book well in advance for July and August. During the Winter, some accommodation will be closed for the season or for same day bookings and will only be available in advance. This applies to the most remote areas.

Camping is also widely available and is by far the cheapest option, albeit not very practical during the Winter months.

Food

We loved food in Iceland. You’ll find plenty of excellent quality fish and lamb, the traditional meat soup (Kjötsúpa), the super popular Icelandic hot dog, and the delicious yogurt-like Skyr, which we became addicted to. In Reykjávik, you’ll find all kinds of cuisine, whilst around the country, especially in rural areas, the choice becomes more limited.

Taste our experience with Icelandic food.

Money saving tips

Traveling to Iceland is not a cheap affair, with pretty much everything at the highest end of the European price scale. There are more options these days that cater to different types of budgets but still with prices above average if compared to other popular destinations.

Some tips to keep the costs down for those with a tighter budget:

• Shop for food at the supermarkets (main chains are Bónus and Krónan)

• Sandwiches for lunch

• Don’t eat out often and stay at a place where you can make your own meals

• Don’t spend too much on drinks (they are very expensive)

• Stay at places with shared bathroom or camp

• Visit during the shoulder seasons

Ready for your Iceland road trip? Let us know if you have any questions or something to add!

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