Iceland, also known as the land of fire and ice, has made it’s way to the top of many travel bucket-lists recently. And it is very easy to see why! There are not many places in the world with landscapes like Iceland. From the active volcanoes, to the dramatic mountain peaks, to the Glacier filled lagoons, there is so much to see and do here!
The main road around the entire country of Iceland is known as the “Ring Road” or Route 1. The road is a 1322 Kilometer loop (approximately 821 miles). While it can be done in a few days, we highly recommend taking your time to fully enjoy all of the sites around the Ring Road.
If you are looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then look no further. An Iceland road trip is exactly what you need!
In this blog post, we will be sharing our entire itinerary from our 10 day Ring Road road-trip. Whether you are taking a 7 day or an extended road trip around the Ring Road, this itinerary is very flexible and can be suited for any trip.
Best Time To For an Iceland Road Trip
Summer Season
The main summer season that is ideal for a Ring Road road-trip would be from June to August. All the main sites are easily accessible, all campsites are open and the weather is the most ideal. This time frame also includes the “midnight sun”, which is a phenomenon where the sun sets for a short period of time. This is ideal for a great golden hour glow throughout the night and gives you plenty of time to see the sites!
This is also the “high” season for tourists. So be prepared for busy sites all around the ring road.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season falls in May as well as September and October. The shoulder season offers an excellent chance to see all the sights without the crowds. These months also have fairly consistent weather. However, it is important to note that not all campsites are open during shoulder seasons. So be sure to check the route you plan on taking and what campsites may or may not be available during that time. September and October mark the beginning of the Northern Lights season in Iceland as well!
WINTER SEASON
The Winter season offers the best chance to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. The weather is quite cold and there is plenty of snow. To drive the Ring Road during the winter, you will require studded tires on your rental. Also, please note that some portions of the ring road and more remote areas can be inaccessible during the winter months due to inclement weather.
Things To Know Before You Visit
Language
Icelandic is the predominant language in the country. However, we found many people speak fluent English, especially in the larger towns and more touristy areas.
Currency
The Icelandic Krona (ISK) is the the major currency in the country, however some businesses will accept euros and USD. We found that almost every establishment took all major credit cards, and that is what we used the most. We were told that most Debit and Credit cards require a PIN and Chip however, so definitely come prepared with at least one card meeting that criteria.
Cost
Iceland is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world. The price of gas, food and alcohol were honestly a bit shocking at first. We found restaurants to be very expensive. Since we had the Camper, we found ourselves cooking our own meals 99% of the time.
Outlets
Iceland has Type F outlets, with a voltage of 230 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. We highly recommend bringing a universal adapter with you as we found no North American plugs during our stay. If you plan on using hot tools like a steamer or hair dryer, than we recommend a convertor with adaptable pieces.
Preparing for your Iceland Road Trip: The Camper Van
The first thing we did when we landed was pick up our Campervan. We used the company Happy Campers . They had a shuttle straight from the airport to their office. We rented the Happy 2 Auto – 3pax which had lots of space for two people. The Campervan came fully equipped with kitchen supplies, an electric cooler, blankets and pillows. We upgraded a few things, like towels, camp chairs and an outdoor table. With such a small space over the next 10 days, we wanted to make sure we felt very comfortable!
Happy Campers provided us with a GPS that came equipped with Wifi! This was great as we had the ability to be connected throughout our entire trip. The GPS came with sample itineraries, suggestions on places to visit once you began driving, and a map of all the Camp sites in the country with their amenities and hours listed. We found this super helpful as we could just decide where we wanted to camp that night and find a site that suited our needs best, that was also open during the shoulder season.
Now that we are prepared for our trip, let’s get into our itinerary!
Day One
Stops: Reykjavik, Hot Springs and Waterfalls
1st Stop: Grocery Store
Our first order of business was heading to the grocery store to stock up on all our necessary supplies for a few days of camping. We decided to split up grocery shopping over a few days so we did not waste food. There are a few different grocery chains in Iceland, and we stopped at Krónan right by the Happy Campers office.
2nd Stop: Hot Spring River
Once we were fully stocked on groceries, we plugged in our first destination in the GPS: Reykjadalur Hot Springs. Located approximately 45 minutes east of Reykjavik, this hot spring river flows through a valley and is about a 45 minute hike from the parking lot. This hot spring is fairly popular and can get busy during the mid day, so we suggest arriving as early as possible, or around sunset to avoid the crowds. There are some changing walls and walkways that have been built along the river for ease of access and privacy.
3rd Stop: Waterfalls
Our next stop was one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss for sunset. This waterfall has a walking path that will take you directly behind the waterfall. The golden hour and sunset at this place was spectacular. The reflection off of the water fall is incredible, and the waterfall flows this beautiful orange and pink during the sunset.
If you take a short walk from Seljalandsfoss, you will find Gljúfrabúi, a powerful waterfall tucked inside of a gorge. If you did not know it was there, you would miss it. This waterfall is a stunning and is absolutely worth the short walk to get there. Please note, that because this waterfall is inside of a gorge, you will get wet (shoes included as you walk in a river to enter the gorge).
Last Stop: Campsite
Iceland’s most famous waterfall Skogafoss has a campsite located directly in the parking lot. This was a great spot to end our first day! We pulled in and paid 1500 ISK per person to camp for the night. They have washrooms and showers (300 ISK for 5 minutes) as well as a wash station and electric sites should you need that.
There were plenty of places to park the campsite is the entire Skogafoss parking lot), and some picnic tables scattered throughout the site. We got super lucky and backed up to face the waterfall directly. We cooked dinner in front of this stunning waterfall.
NORTHERN LIGHTS! If you are visiting Iceland during their Northern lights season, there is a good chance that Aurora will put on quite a show for you over Skogafoss. We were very lucky to witness this, especially was September is just the beginning of the season.
Day Two
Waterfalls, Plane Wreck, Black Sand and Cliffs
1st Stop: Waterfalls
We woke up and were very excited to see Skogafoss in all of its glory during the daylight. There is a staircase that brings you to the top of the waterfall for a different view point, however we found the view from the bottom the most spectacular.
We read about a lesser known waterfall just a short drive from Skogafoss, so we knew we had to go there. Kvernufoss did not disappoint. Set in a valley, this waterfall is so powerful and offers the chance to walk behind it and marvel at it’s size! The walk was flat and took about 5 minutes from the parking lot. Highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
2nd Stop: Plane Wreck
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck is a popular stop along the ring road that is an 8km round trip walk. This United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black sand beach. Everyone survived, but the plane was left and the shell still stands today.
This spot can get a bit crowded but we arrived mid morning and only were met with a small crowd. There is a shuttle bus that runs from the parking lot to the plane wreck site that is fairly new and dropped a few people off during our hike. It is 2900 ISK and runs every 30 minutes. If you are short on time, perhaps the shuttle is worth it, but the hike is flat and easy and we feel 2900 ISK is a bit steep!
3rd Stop: Black Sand Beach
Reynisfjara Black sand beach is a very popular stop along the ring road, and for good reason, this place is spectacular! This beach has massive towering basalt columns that make for a great photo opportunity. There is a also a large cave that is a must see just a short walk up the beach.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you may recognize this spot as East Watch!
SAFETY NOTE: This beach is considered once of the most deadly in Iceland due to “sneaker” waves. They are rare but these waves come up very fast and are very powerful and will pull you into the ocean where the current is very strong. DO NOT turn your back to the ocean at this beach.
4th Stop: Sunset on the Cliffs and Puffins
With a small back track about 20 minutes, you will find Dyrhólaey Cliffs. These towering cliffs overlook a stunning black sand beach below and a beautiful valley. This is a great place to watch the sunset from, and it is the least crowded at this time. If you are visiting during the summer month, the evening is the best time to see Puffins at this spot.
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Campsite: Vik
The town of VIk is home to some very trendy restaurants and coffee shops. They also have a large campsite fully equipped with showers, laundry, washroom facilities, an indoor community kitchen and WIfi. The site was 1850 ISK per person and the showers were included in this price!
Day Three
Canyons, Glaciers and Diamonds
1st Stop: Vik
There is a small white church, Reyniskirkja Church, that is extremely picturesque in VIk and should not be missed. We visited that first thing in the morning. We then made a pit stop at Skool Beans which is a internet famous coffee shop inside of a school bus. They make great coffee and the staff is super friendly!
2nd Stop: Canyons
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is a stunning canyon that is a just a short walk from it’s parking lot. There are some really beautiful photo spots here and we think this is a must stop!
3rd Stop: Canyons
Mulagljufur Canyon is a hidden gem in Iceland and is a hike we think you can’t miss! The hike is 6 miles round trip and has very minimal elevation. It should take around 2 hours to complete this hike.
This is one spot we unfortunately did not have time for, but it is on our list for next time!
4th Stop: Glaciers
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a unique stop along the southern portion of the Ring Road. This lagoon is bright blue in color and has pieces of the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and part of larger Vatnajökull Glacier floating in it. The lagoon feeds directly into the Atlantic Ocean. You can do a Zodiac boat tour if you want to get up close to the glaciers. Otherwise, you can spark and marvel at the size of the glacier pieces from the shoreline. We were luck enough to see a sea lion swim in the lagoon when we were visiting.
TIP: Visit early in the day if you want to avoid crowds. We arrived in mid- afternoon and the parking lot was nearly full.
5th Stop: Diamond Beach
Located across the street from the glacier lagoon is Diamond Beach. The black sand beach earned this nickname from the pieces of glacier that wash up on it’s shores. Depending on the time of year, the amount of glacier pieces in the lagoon and weather, will determine how many “diamonds” are on the beach!
Campsite: Vestrahorn
Vestrahorn Campsite is located at the base of Vestrahorn Mountain near Stokksnes beach! This has to be one of the most beautiful campsite views we have ever had! This campsite itself is truly nothing special, there are showers, washrooms and dish washing facilities and the campsite itself is a small parking lot. However, the true magic is Vestrahorn and Stokksnes!
With the campsite fee of 2000 ISK per person, you get unlimited visits to the beach (other wise if you were to stop here, it would cost 800 ISK per person to visit one time). This fee also includes entry to the Viking Village onsite.
Stokksnes Beach is a great place to watch the sunset and the sunrise from!
Day Four
Scenic Drives and Waterfall Hikes
This day was quite a bit of driving, but it was very scenic and had plenty of places to stop and take in the beautiful views!
1st Stop: Waterfall Hike
While we did stop many times to take in the view along the way, our first official stop was Hengifoss Waterfall, This stunning waterfall has large red lines running through the walls surrounding it, and we have never seen any other waterfall so unique!
To the lookout point below the waterfall, it is approximately a 4 km walk round trip. There is some elevation gain at the beginning, but there is a walking path and it is quite a easy hike.
We did an adventure to the top of the waterfall which we have pictured here. This is not part of the walking path and requires a bit of exploring, but once you find it, it is stunning!
2nd Stop: Small Towns and Breweries
After our waterfall hike, we stopped in Egilsstaðir Town at Askur Taproom for pizza and locally brewed beer. The pizza and beer were great but keep in mind, restaurant dining in Iceland is quite expensive! This was a splurge for us after a few nights of Ramen Noodles haha!
Campsite: Egilsstaðir
Egilsstaðir Campsite is a large campsite with many amenities. You must book the campsite online, otherwise they do charge a premium to book in person (if anyone is there working at the time you arrive). The fee was 2000 ISK per person, and included showers, washrooms and a kitchen. There is a communal area with cards and games. They also have coin laundry available on site.
Day Five
Canyons and Nature Baths
1st Stop: Stuðlagil Canyon
Just a short drive from the campsite is Stuðlagil Canyon. Iceland as a whole feels other-worldly, but this canyon truly is something out of a movie! After a flat walk from the parking lot (4 miles round trip), you will find a path leading to the bottom of the canyon. During certain times of the year the water is low and is a beautiful blue color (summer months mainly), otherwise the water fast moving and this ominous grey color.
NOTE: There are TWO ways to access Stuðlagil Canyon. One is a parking lot to a lookout, and one is a parking lot to the bottom of the canyon.
2nd Stop: Geothermal Fields
On the way to our next stop, we happened to spot Namafjall, a geothermal field. We made a short stop to marvel at all the steam!
3rd Stop: Hot Springs
Myvatn Nature Baths was our second stop of the day! This spot came highly recommended from our followers and it did not disappoint. These Nature Baths have a stunning light blue color and vary in temperature depending on where you are sitting. There is a bar available with wine, cider and beer on tap. We spent a few hours relaxing and soaking here. It was the perfect afternoon!
The admission is 5000 ISK for adults. There is also a small fee for towel rental.
4th Stop: Waterfalls
Goðafoss is another famous waterfall in Iceland. We learned that it is called the “Waterfall of the Gods” as statues of Norse gods were supposedly thrown over the waterfall when Christianity became the prominent religion in Iceland.
Campsite: Hamrar
Our last stop was in Akureyri, the fifth largest city in Iceland! We stopped here to restock our groceries and walk around. We then headed to the campsite! The campsite was 1900 ISK per person and was a quiet place to spend the night.
Day Six
Scenic Drives and Iconic Views
After some driving along the northern portion of Iceland, we arrived in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula! This iconic peninsula is known to be one of the most scenic portions of Iceland! We highly recommend adding this to your Ring Road Itinerary. We made many road side stops along our journey through the peninsula. The best part of a road trip is finding things off the beaten path!
1st Stop: Kirkjufell Mountain
Although this technically was not our first stop, this was the first stop with a name! Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell Mountain lookout is the most photographed place in Iceland by professional photographers. This viewpoint is absolutely stunning and is worth the stop.
2nd Stop: Black Church
Our next stop was the very famous Budir Black Church. This tiny church, painted all black, sits among some beautiful cliffs and waterfalls. This is a popular spot for elopements and weddings (there was one happening when we stopped here) in Iceland.
3rd Stop: Waterfalls
Bjarnarfoss Waterfall is located just a short one minute drive from Budir Black Church. There is a small walking path to the base of the waterfall from the parking lot! There is not better place to chase waterfalls, than in Iceland!
Campsite: Laugar
Laugar Campsite is located on the site of Hotel Edda. This campsite is only open during the summer months however the very nice owner let us camp overnight as there truly is nothing close by. When the site is open, they have showers and washroom facilities, as well as kitchen washing facilities and a small common room.
Onsite is the hidden Gudrunarlaug hot spring. This was a specific bucketlist spot for us and we knew we had to camp here!
Day Seven
Hot Spring Heaven
1st Stop: Hidden Hot Spring
One of the main reasons we chose this particular campsite, was because of Gudrunarlaug hot spring. We woke up early in the morning and watched the sun rise over the mountains surrounding the valley. We had the hot spring to ourselves for quite some time. The perfect way to start the morning!
2nd Stop: Small Towns and Hotel Pampering
We headed next to Husafell! This tiny town is located off the Ring Road and holds on of the best kept secrets in Iceland! We took a one night break from Van Life and spent the night at the stunning Hotel Husafell.
This very modern hotel offers quaint and clean rooms, friendly staff, a wonderful happy hour and a great restaurant! We tried their fixed dinner menu full of traditional Icelandic dishes and everything was so good!
3rd Stop: Hot Spring
Husafell Canyon Baths is a hot spring experience unlike any other in Iceland. There are only a small amount of people allowed to visit daily and you must visit with a guide. The tour starts at Hotel Husafell, and takes you to a waterfall lookout first. Then the journey to the Canyon Bath’s begins with a short walk down into the valley. At the bottom there are two small change rooms and two hot spring pools to enjoy.
We can’t recommend visiting Husafell Canyon Baths enough!
Day Eight
Day in Reykjavik
Stop 1: Church
HallgrÃmskirkja Church is the largest church in Iceland. There are 29 chimes in the church that go off every hour. It is absolutely worth the visit.
Stop 2: Rainbow Street Reykjavik
Located between Bergstaðastræti and Laugavegur, the Raindbow Street is a main tourist attraction in the City Centre. The Rainbow street actually leads right to the church!
Stop 3: Restaurants
The food scene in Reykjavik is unbelievable! We highly recommend a stop at Sushi Social, Reykjavik Kitchen, and grabbing a pastry at Braud & Co.!
Stop 4: Hot Springs
If you are looking for a retreat within the City, then Sky Lagoon is a great place to escape to! With a 7 step ritual unlike any other lagoon in Iceland, they truly offer a unique experience. We absolutely loved our time at Sky Lagoon!
Campsite: Reykjavik City
Reykjavik Campsite is located just a short drive from the city center. The campsite has showers, washroom facilities, paid laundry, and an indoor dining area with kitchen facilities. The campsite was 2900 ISK per person.
Day Nine
Golden Circle, Hidden Hot Springs and Sleeping Under The stars
1st Stop: Hidden Hot Springs
Hrunalaug Hot Springs are secluded hot springs on a local farmer’s land. They have gotten more popular in recent years, however they are absolutely worth the visit. We recommend visiting early in the morning to beat the crowds that can develop at this site.
There is an honor system for entry to this hot spring. There is a 1000 ISK cash entrance fee per person.
2nd Stop: Geysir
The Great Geysir is a popular stop on the Golden Circle route. The Geysir goes off every 5-10 minutes.
3rd Stop: Waterfalls
Gullfoss Waterfall is another stop along the golden circle. There is a short walk required to a viewing platform of the waterfall. In the parking lot, there is also a cafe and gift shop!
4th Stop: Volcanic Crater
Kerið Crater is famous stop long the Golden Circle. There is a small hike down the crater and also a walk around the top! There is a small fee of 400 ISK per person to enter and they take cash and card!
Bucket List Stay at Panorama Glass Lodge
Panorama Glass Lodge are a set of luxury glass lodges located in a beautiful valley in Southern Iceland. With views of Volcano Hekla and the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to sleep under the stars, and even get a peak of the Northern Lights, this is truly a bucketlist stay!
We stayed in the Odin Cabin which came equipped with a fully stocked kitchen, a hot tub, a large net hammock, and access to a beautiful Sauna that is shared with one other cabin!
If you get the opportunity to stay here, we HIGHLY recommend it! You can check out the cabins here.
Day Ten
Camper return, blue lagoon, Airport
1st Stop: Camper Van Return
After a short drive from Panorama Glass Lodge, we arrived at Happy Campers office to return our Campervan! The process was quick and easy. We then took the shuttle that Happy Campers provides, to Blue Lagoon Iceland.
2nd Stop: Blue Lagoon Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is an iconic stop for any Iceland Trip. Although it is highly commercialized, it is absolutely worth the hype in our opinion. We booked the Premium Package, which included a drink of choice in the lagoon, 3 masks, and the use of a towel and robe!
They also have a Spa Retreat which includes 5 hours in their exclusive Spa.
We HIGHLY recommend heading to the Blue Lagoon as your last stop during your trip to Iceland. It is a great way to relax and unwind after a week or more if hiking and adventures. They also offer a free Airport shuttle from the Blue Lagoon, meaning you can head straight to the Airport to catch your flight home after a relaxing few hours.
Last Stop: Airport
It has come time to say goodbye to Iceland!
The Blue Lagoon shuttle dropped us off at the airport and we made it to our gate with plenty of time to reflect on the incredible time we had in Iceland.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then Iceland is the perfect place to do that! With out of this world landscapes, endless bucket list experiences to be had, friendly people and a beautiful culture, we highly recommend a visit to this incredible country!
To enhance your adventure, we highly recommend a Camper Van Road trip along the iconic Ring Road! Allow plenty of time to see the sights and really dive into all of the incredible experiences that Iceland has to offer.
