7 Days Driving Iceland's Ring Road

Experience the ultimate Iceland road trip as we drive around Iceland’s Ring Road in 7 unforgettable days! From towering waterfalls and black sand beaches to glaciers, volcanoes, and dramatic coastal cliffs, this 7-day Iceland itinerary captures the best of the Ring Road (Route 1).

Join us as we explore Iceland’s top highlights, hidden gems, and scenic drives—perfect inspiration for anyone planning an Iceland road trip, self-drive adventure, or van life journey. Whether you’re visiting Iceland for the first time or dreaming of the perfect Iceland travel guide, this video shows what it’s really like to drive the Ring Road in one epic week.

The reality is that we saw way more than what we captured on video, so here’s a more detailed look at our itinerary:

Day 1: Reykjavík to Flúðir
Places we stopped: Thingvellir National Park, Silfra Fissure, Geysir, Gullfoss

Day 2: Flúðir to Reynisfjara Beach
Places we stopped: Sigöldugljúfur (out and back), Selfoss, Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi (same place), Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Beach
Places on our itinerary that we didn’t stop: Kerid Crater

Day 3: Reynisfjara Beach to Hali
Places we stopped: Vik, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach (same place)
Notes: We liked Vik better than Reynisfjara Beach, and you didn’t even have to get off Route 1 to get there. You can walk to both Skaftafellsjökull and Svartifoss at Skaftafell. Quite honestly, the walk to Svartifoss was unpleasantly steep and on the scale of Iceland waterfalls, not really worth the effort. But don’t let us stop you!

Day 4: Hali to Egilsstaðir
Places we stopped: Stokksnes Beach, Borgarfjarðarhöfn Puffin Colony
Places on our itinerary that we didn’t stop: Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss
Notes: We used the laundromat at Camp Egilsstaðir.

Day 5: Egilsstaðir to Akureyri
Places we stopped: Stuðlagil Canyon, Krafla, Forest Lagoon
Places on our itinerary that we didn’t stop: Lake Mývatn (looked too crowded)
Notes: Don’t bother taking the tunnel to get into Akureyri. It’s only an extra 15 minutes to go around it and it’s way more scenic (and doesn’t have a toll!).

Day 6-7: Akureyri to Stykkishólmur (2-night stay)
Places we stopped: Búðardalur, Route 54/574 loop around Snæfellsnes Peninsula, including Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi (natural bridge), Búðakirkja, Eldborg Crater, Hellissandur
Places on our itinerary that we didn’t stop: Hvítserkur (tide times weren’t in our favour)

Day 8: Stykkishólmur to Reykjavík
Returned the hire car and walked around town. Bought a puffin Christmas ornament. Regretfully, did not buy the $300 puffin blanket.

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