A 2026 10 day Iceland ring road itinerary (no 4×4 needed!)

You don’t need a 4×4 to drive Iceland’s ring road and this 10 day anti-clockwise Iceland ring road itinerary proves it.

Iceland is by no means a hidden gem and the rumours are true: it converts virtually all visitors to superfans. It has the beauty of feeling remote, wild and unspoilt, even with many paths well-trodden, especially as you get away from the most touristy areas.

This Iceland ring road itinerary is designed to take you anti-clockwise around the country in 10 days, hitting all the best spots you can reach with a small hire car – no 4×4 or F roads needed! There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get straight into it.

FAQs | Iceland ring road itinerary

When is the best time of year to drive Iceland’s ring road without a 4×4?

Summer (late May – early September) is without a doubt the best time to drive Iceland’s ring road without a 4×4, thanks to lower risk of snow & ice.

What type of car should I hire?

In the summer, you can get away with even a small car. While more rocky in particularly strong winds, our Toyota Aygo served us perfectly on the ring road’s excellent conditions. If you want something more spacious, Dacia Dusters are extremely popular or you can go all the way up to different types of campers.

How much should I budget for my trip to Iceland?

Iceland is famously expensive but it’s totally possible to do a 10 day Iceland road trip without breaking the bank – this itinerary is proof of that! Read my full post on how to plan an affordable trip to Iceland for all my top tips and tricks.

Do I need to book in advance?

During peak seasons, it’s best to book anything you’ve got your heart set on ahead of time. We arranged our accommodation ahead of time, as the affordable and popular spots get booked up quickly.

While some tours we found pretty straightforward to get on last-minute, some have more limited availability – for example, kayaking at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Where should I stay in Iceland?

If you’re looking for an affordable but not super low-budget trip to Iceland, I’ve written an entire post on affordable places to stay in Iceland. For a quick snapshot, this map shows all the places we stayed below:

We chose mainly guesthouses with private bathrooms, cooking facilities and parking as our non-negotiable criteria, but some of them come with other perks too!

Iceland ring road day 1: Keflavík to Vík | 224 km / 139 miles

Your adventure begins upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, where hopefully you’ll have seen a gorgeous view over Iceland on your descent.

We had an early flight so this itinerary kicks off with a long (but totally beautiful) driving day. If you arrive later on, no worries! In that case, I’d recommend swapping day #1 with #9 to spend an afternoon in Reykjavik, before heading out on the ring road the following day.

If you’ve landed early like we did, it’s time to collect your rental car and start the road trip!

Things to do

Reykjadalur Thermal Bathing Pools: Your first glimpse of Iceland’s steaming ground and bubbling pools. It’s around 30 minutes hike to the river itself, but worth it to immerse yourself in the many hot pools once you’re there!

Selfoss: A cute nearby town, great for a lunch stop if you aren’t grabbing a sandwich on the go.

Caves of Hella: We didn’t stop at these, but they do look pretty cool if you’re in the market for a guided tour (£31).

Seljalandsfoss: the waterfall from the Microsoft screensavers that’s even more breathtaking in real life. It’s so big, you won’t miss this from the road and was one of my favourite places in Iceland! Stroll down the path to Gljufrabui too, the waterfall inside a canyon.

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool: you won’t have time for this and the thermal river on your first day so pick just one!

Skógafoss: Another incredibly atmospheric waterfall which you can see from the viewing platform at the top and up close at ground level.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: We just about caught the sunset here and while you’ll want to layer up to avoid the wind, it’s the best spot to end your first day.

Tip: There are a couple of supermarkets on today’s route where you can stock up on food if you’re cooking along the way. We did our big shop at Bonus, Hveragerði, the town closest to the thermal river.

Where to stay in Vik

Perfectly located just five minutes drive from Reynisfjara beach, The Barn is aesthetically pleasing hostel is on the expensive side but has comfy double bunks, a lovely common area and really clean, well-stocked modern kitchen.

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Iceland ring road day 2: Vík to Höfn | 270km / 168 miles

This south coast route was one of my favourite days of the entire trip. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but all of it utterly spectacular!

In the summer especially, the contrast between miles of stark lava fields and spectacular glaciers is breathtaking. There’s so much to see that you could spend two days here easily and if you aren’t planning to visit the Arctic Henge in the north, I’d say this is easily possible as you won’t have a long detour.

Things to do

Uxafoss: A lovely waterfall close to Vik that makes a cute ten minute roadside stop.

Eldhraun lava field: You’ll be driving through miles of lava before you reach the field, so you won’t see anything different here, but it’s cool to see the formations close up. Again, this is a quick 15 minute stop.

Fjaðrargljufur canyon: I was really excited for this stop and it didn’t disappoint: a stunning natural wonder carved by glacial meltwater, the viewpoints at this canyon were busy but spectacular. Definitely don’t skip it!

Skaftafell: We’re now entering the majestic Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. At Skaftafell, you can hike to Svartifoss, a powerful cascade framed by dramatic black columns, or the foot of the glacier itself. We didn’t have time to do both sadly so chose the glacier hike, but it’s a great reason to extend your stay in this region if possible.

Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon: I’d never heard of this lagoon, but we stopped on our way to the more famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon when we just couldn’t believe how beautiful the vast glacier looked from the road. We pulled into the car park and walked closer, only for this wintery paradise to reveal itself. A must-visit and the highlight of day 2 for me!

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach: See where icebergs meet the sea and wash back up on the black sand beach. The icebergs here are huge and if you’re planning in advance, definitely book a boat or kayak tour through here. You’ll need to be speedy, as only one company run the kayaking tours so they sell out fast!

Where to stay in Höfn

Spend the night at Hofn HI Hostel, a social hub on the outskirts of the town of Höfn. The rooms are comfortable, there are plenty of bathrooms and a great kitchen/communal area.

Tip: if you’d like to spend more timein this part of Iceland, check out this 5 day Iceland south coast itinerary for a slower itinerary breakdown.

Iceland ring road day 3: Höfn to Egilsstaðir | 251km / 156 miles

Today’s journey takes you through the eastern fjords, a region known for its rugged beauty and unique wildlife.

The weather took a turn for us here, so we didn’t make as many stops as we planned, but the drive is undeniably beautiful even in the rain!

Things to do

Viking village: Honestly, I wasn’t interested in this attraction but we stopped on the way to Skóksnes(you pay one fee to enter both) and it was actually pretty cool! This was originally built as a set for a film that never got made.

Skóksnes & Vestrahorn: So the rain wasn’t in our favour at this point, and we actually never got to see Vestrahorn,a dramatic mountain often nicknamed “the Matterhorn of Iceland.” We were really disappointed, however even with barely any visibility, the black-sand Skóksnes beach was incredible. I can confirm it’s still worth a visit in head-to-toe waterproofs!

Fauskasandur beach: A quick pit stop on your drive east, this beach has unique rock formations.

Folaldafoss: A powerful waterfall cascading into a narrow canyon, this looks like it had similar formations to those at Svartifoss. This is a great late lunch spot to break up the drive, as there are amazing views surrounding the falls and car park.

Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss: Due to the weather, we didn’t take the detour to these two waterfalls. However if you had long daylight hours and better conditions, they look spectacular!

Vok Baths: One for if you’re staying in Egilsstaðir, as it’s just five minutes drive from the town. We visited Vok Baths on a whim and had a wonderful time in the luxurious thermal pools, surrounded by a lake for cold plunging too!

Where to stay in Egilsstaðir

We chose Skipalækur Guesthouse and Camping, a really clean lakeside guesthouse with a small kitchen and dining room. The town of Egilsstaðir seems lovely and is larger than those of the previous two nights, so it’s great to refuel and get some groceries here ready for your long drive through Iceland’s more remote north.

Iceland ring road day 4: Egilsstaðir to Húsavík | 219km / 136 miles

This was the first day we really felt like we were heading into rural Iceland, with so many different landscapes and natural wonders all in one day.

The itinerary I’ve suggested is avoids going back on yourself on day 5 like we accidentally did. However, if you don’t want to move accommodation absolutely every night, you could drive to Lake Mývatn after Húsavík and spend two nights there as well!

Things to do

Rjukandi: A cute roadside waterfall, a short walk up from the road. We stopped here on a whim, but it was really lovely.

Utsynisstaðor viewpoint: This was completely otherworldly. From the lush, waterfall-laden East coast, you’ll basically teleport to Mars with the vast panoramic vistas of the surrounding barren landscape that will leave you breathless – literally, as the wind here was super powerful! If you stop, be careful which direction you park the car.

Dettifoss: The most powerful waterfall in Europe and your first stop on the Diamond Circle, the north’s accompaniment to the famous Golden Circle. You can also walk to Selfoss from here, a really spectacular series of waterfalls that feed Dettifoss.

Hafragilsfoss: The third in this waterfall trio, this is a little further from the other two but still only five minutes by car. The track is bumpy, but well worth it to feel like you’re virtually alone in this vast canyon. This spot holds a really special place in my heart.

Arctic Henge: A really cool spot that’s still under construction in mainland Iceland’s most northern settlement, Raufarhöfn, the Arctic Henge will become Iceland’s Stonehenge – albeit, far more modern. There’s tons of interesting history behind the construction of the Arctic Henge which the linked article can explain way better than me.

A quick note: the Arctic Henge is a long detour from the ring road – around two hours and 145km / 90 miles return journey from the nearest attraction, Ásbyrgi canyon. If you decide to go, I’d suggest leaving Dettifoss and its surrounding waterfalls until the next day to make the most of your time.

Ásbyrgi: a stunning horseshoe-shaped canyon with unique rock formations, we actually didn’t realise this was part of the Diamond Circle but loved a stroll through its lush trees. We felt like we were in a little summer oasis, sheltered by the cold wind we felt elsewhere!

Húsavík: An absolute must-do is an unforgettable whale-watching adventure in Húsavík, a charming town which is well-known for having a 99% success rate in the summer! We spotted a beautiful humpback whale and rounded off the trip with cinnamon buns and hot chocolate – perfect.

Where to stay in Húsavík

As mentioned before, we stayed two nights at Lake Mývatn instead but I’d usually pick somewhere like Haosavak Cape – close to town, good reviews and affordable.

Iceland ring road day 5: Húsavík to Lake Mývatn | 57km / 35 miles

Today is a much shorter driving day as you continue the tour of Iceland’s North, but with no shortage of incredible things to see on your way.

As well as all the options below, you can slot in Dettifoss, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss easily if you skipped them yesterday.

Things to do

Geosea baths: If you stay in Húsavík, so many people rave about the Geosea baths! However, the below baths are even more famous so weigh both up and pick the one the appeals most to you!

Mývatn Nature Baths: This is North Iceland’s answer to the Blue Lagoon, with similarly milky blue waters. We actually planned to visit here, but honestly, the fact that it might smell like the (incredible) geothermal park below put me off a bit.

Hverir: This geothermal area is spectacular! A vibrant, orange landscape filled with bubbling mud pools, fumaroles and steaming vents is incredibly impressive, but also pretty stinky with all the sulphur. It’s well worth a visit, don’t listen to the negative reviews floating around on Google, and you can hike up the steep nearby mountain too.

Krafla: Krafla is a really short drive from Hverir and has two parts to it. Krafla itself is a volcanic crater lake with super blue water that’s great for a quick stop.

Leirhnjúkur lava field: This is the second part to the Krafla area and these lava fields are really impressive! You could spend a good couple of hours strolling and hiking around the gently steaming landscape that was formed in the 1970s.

Grjótagjá: This hidden cave with hot, geothermal waters inside is well known from its appearance on Game of Thrones. Again, a super quick stop but a must for any fans of the show.

Stóragjá canyon: If you have some extra time, have a walk down Grjótagjá’s counterpart. There is a tiny pool down here with a rope if you want to go for a warm-ish dip, but in all honesty access isn’t great so it’s a nice stop, but not an essential!

Where to stay at Lake Mývatn

Guesthouse Stöng is located near Lake Mývatn, a few kilometres down a track of its own. It’d be an unbelievable place to spot the Northern Lights in the right season.

If you’re cooking on the go like we were, just be aware that there’s no kitchen at Guesthouse Stöng – I didn’t realise!

Iceland ring road day 6: Lake Mývatn to Akureyri | 74km / 50 miles

We’re over halfway through this Iceland ring road itinerary now and it’s time to head off towards the biggest city outside Reykjavik. It’s a short drive too, so if there’s anything you didn’t manage to see in the last couple of days, this is a great time to tick it off before leaving the area.

However, if you’re fully up to date, this is a nice chilled out day – and one that’s much needed after the busy itinerary so far.

Things to do

Goðafoss: The “Waterfall of the Gods” is a powerful cascade with a dramatic horseshoe-shaped drop. It’s super accessible, with two car parks nearby, and you can see the waterfall for quite a few different angles too which is really nice.

Forest Lagoon: One of Iceland’s newest thermal spas, the Forest Lagoon is just outside Akureyri but feels super hidden while you’re relaxing in an infinity pool inside a pine forest.

Akureyri: Iceland’s prettiest city is located right on a fjord, meaning gorgeous views literally everywhere you turn – including before you even arrive! Known for its charming vibe and even its winter ski scene, it’s super small so you’ll be able to get a great sense of Akureyri in an afternoon. Some highlights include:

Akureyrarkirkja: A distinctive church with a modern design. Sadly, it was closed when we visited, but the famous steps are home to competitions where Icelanders see who can run up them the fastest!

Akureyri Botanical Garden: Honestly, I was so impressed by this gorgeous spot. The gardens are beautifully landscaped, with loads of sections to explore and a lovely café in the heart of it. We even saw peonies blooming in September!

Where to stay in Akureyri

In the heart of Akureyri, Apótek Guesthouse is really well-located. Our room was a little small, but had everything we needed including a really big common area. Because it’s right in town, it was a little loud with building work in the morning – although saying that, loud for Iceland is still not anything that’ll cause you an issue!

Iceland ring road day 7: Akureyri to Búðardalur | 272km / 169 miles

It’s back to rural Iceland now as we leave Akureyri to head south. This is a longer driving day and while there are some stops you can make on the way, there wasn’t a huge amount of spectacular options that jumped out to me when doing my research.

So, we opted to do most of the five hour drive in one big chunk, making just one pit stop to stretch our legs, and instead enjoying the town of Búðardalur on our arrival.

Things to do

Kolugljufur falls: Our one stop just off the main road was actually well worth it – although busier than I expected for such a remote location! There are several waterfalls flowing into a deep canyon, which you can gently scramble into from a certain point, or walk along the top with wild horses all around.

Erpsstaðir Creamery: A dairy farm with a cute ice cream shop attached, this is super close to Búðardalur but worth the slight detour. They also stock super cute souvenir items – I couldn’t help but pick up of their Icelandic wool newborn mittens as presents for my friends!

Guðrúnarlaug: Once you’ve unpacked at your accommodation, consider heading about 20 minutes north to the very start of the Westfjords – an area of Iceland we sadly didn’t have time (or the vehicle!) to explore on this trip.

Here, you’ll find Guðrúnarlaug, a natural spring uniquely shaped like a hot tub. It’s large enough for around 8 people to sit in it, with a wooden shelter for changing – although it wasn’t super hot when we visited. If you have cash on you, there’s an honesty box for donations.

You can also combine your visit with a trip to the less rustic Sælingsdalslaug public baths if you want to do some actual swimming – they share the same car park!

Where to stay in Búðardalur

Located right on the beachfront, The Castle has two parts: the main house and outdoor cabins. The cabins are really cute and well stocked – alongside the communal (beautiful!) kitchen and dining area, the cabins also have their own fridge, microwave and toaster for those who want to enjoy a chilled out meal in the room. We really enjoyed our stay here!

Iceland ring road day 8: Búðardalur to Grundarfjörður | 106km / 66 miles

Today, we’re heading to the Snaefellsnes peninsula and I hope you had better weather than we did! With a yellow weather warning for wind, we battled our little Toyota Aygo through some pretty gusty weather and I genuinely thought our day here would be a write-off. Luckily, however, it improved enough in the afternoon so we could explore some of the many attractions without worry.

We headed south down route 55 then looped around the peninsula clockwise to end at Grundarfjörður for the night and I think it’s a pretty good route to end on a high at Kirkjufell!

The places I’ve listed below are where I’d consider the best to see on the peninsula, but you could split them up between day 8 and 9 depending on your schedule and where you’re staying!

Things to do

Hótel Snaefellsnes: We didn’t stop in many cafes on our road trip, but this was an incredibly welcome pit stop from the battering winds. It does a top hot chocolate with delicious cakes and the main meals looked great too.

Bjarnarfoss: Just off the road is Bjarnarfoss, a waterfall that flows dramatically down steep cliffs. You can hike pretty far up to the falls – if you don’t mind getting a bit soggy!

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge: Hop across the river via stepping stones to access the first section of this gorge. The first bit is pretty easy, but I wasn’t adventurous enough to tackle the rest like some others.

Kirka, Búðakirkja and Ingjaldshólskirkja: the Snaefellsnes peninsula has many adorable churches and these are just a few of them. You may recognise Kirka if you’ve seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, although it’s a little tricky to access.

Saxhóll Crater: A former volcanic cone offering gorgeous panoramic vistas. I wasn’t sure if it’d be worth the stop, but it absolutely is!

Skarðsvík Beach: Golden sands await! We got so lucky on our visit to the beach when the sun came out just in time for golden hour, making it an absolutely stunning place to stop. It suddenly felt like we were transported to somewhere completely different and really came as a surprise compared to all the black sand we’d seen so far.

Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfossar: The absolute highlight of the peninsula for me and many others! This is Iceland’s most photographed mountain for a reason – it’s truly spectacular and surrounded by gorgeous scenery from all angles. We stayed right opposite the bay here and eating our dinner/breakfast with a view of Kirkjufell was completely unmatched.

Where to stay in Grundarfjörður

Located in a former fish factory, Stöð Guesthouse feels a little militaristic with its long corridors and thin carpet, but its rooms are nicely spacious and cosy. Again, the kitchen was well-stocked and if you’re lucky enough to bag a room with one of the incredible mountain views, you’ll never want to leave.

Iceland ring road day 9: Grundarfjörður to Reykjavík | 177km / 48 miles

Waking up on Snaefellsnes, you’ve got two options for today. Either, continue the countryside explorations for the rest of day 9, heading to Reykjavik in late afternoon ready for dinner, or set off early to enjoy more time in the city.

It’s a bit of a drive to Reykjavik – around three hours – and the roads definitely start to feel busier and less isolated now as we head to the most touristy part of our itinerary. Tip: we also noticed more speed cameras!

Things to do

Glymur Waterfall hike: We originally intended to do this challenging, but rewarding hike to Iceland’s second highest waterfall, but after seeing so many spectacular waterfalls already, we decided to head straight to Reykjavik. If you’ve got more energy than us at this point however, definitely give it a try.

Hallgrimskirkja: One of the most photographed spots in the city, the towering church dominates Reykjavik’s skyline and is said to resemble the basalt columns seen surrounding so many of the island’s waterfalls. We sadly missed the opening times to have a peek inside, but  you can go up the tower for views across the whole city.

Rainbow Street: Shopping galore – this vibrant pedestrian street is lined with colourful cafes and gorgeous boutique stores. Well worth a stroll down, especially as it’s just down the road from Hallgrimskirkja.

Where to stay in Reyjkavik

For our final stop, we chose a hotel just outside the city centre for its easy access to the ring road and free parking. R13 – A Townhouse Hotel was a great place to end the trip, with a more boujie design than the rest of our guesthouses and our own kitchenette to cook in. Keeping to our budget, we had a pizza movie night and it felt like such a treat.

Iceland ring road day 10: Golden Circle | 350km / 217m return

It’s the final day and to end this Iceland ring road itinerary in style, it’s time to explore the iconic Golden Circle, a must-see destination for any visitor to Iceland. In all honesty, having seen so many incredible sights already, the Golden Circle’s (still beautiful) sights weren’t up there in my favourites but there was one activity that really made this day special.

Things to do

Kerið crater: Similar to Krafla in North Iceland, this is another volcanic crater filled with turquoise water. You’ll need to pay for entry here, unlike the other main Golden Circle attractions, but it’s definitely a pretty stopping point.

Gullfoss: This powerful waterfall cascades into a dramatic canyon and has similarities to Dettifoss in the north, although on a slightly smaller scale. On a sunny day, you might be lucky enough to catch a rainbow soaring over the falls – the best photo moment!

Geysir: A geothermal area known for its spouting hot springs, Geysir is a pretty unique sight. While the Great Geysir is mainly dormant today, the famous Strokkur geyser still erupts every 4 – 10 minutes on average. We saw it pop up a few times – once just a small bump in the water but the other two shot straight up for metres!

Thingvellir National Park: Before visiting, I actually wasn’t sure what there was to do in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, as the original Viking parliament meeting place and the only place in the world where you can actively witness the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drifting apart, it’s undoubtedly a special location. As well as Öxarárfoss and standing at the edge of a tectonic plate itself, we were really here for one main event, which deserves a bullet all to itself.

Snorkel in Silfra: In the ‘no mans land’ between two tectonic plates, crystal-clear ice-cold water fills the fault line and now, it’s possible to snorkel and dive between two continents – the only place on Earth where that’s possible!

We booked our tour with Adventure Vikings and had an utterly fantastic experience to remember with Nico. I also have a 10% off code so if you’re interested in booking for yourself, message me!

Restaurant Varma: Before heading back to your accommodation to pack, we treated ourselves to a celebratory meal at Restaurant Varma.

Located at the bottom of the thermal river we visited on day #1 – throwback! – this hotel restaurant cooks some of its dishes in the heat generated by the hot spring and the food was exquisite. It was a totally gorgeous way to round off our trip.

And there you have it – one absolutely epic 10 day Iceland ring road itinerary!

While we saw so much of Iceland during this time, I have absolutely no doubt that there are many many more wonders yet to uncover.

I’d urge anybody to go and explore for as long as their time and budget allows: it’s worth every penny to have the time and flexibility to leave Reyjkavik and head into the countryside! Iceland, you have my heart.

Laura x

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