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The Ultimate 10 Day Iceland Itinerary for your Road Trip Adventure

Iceland is a stunning country with a diverse landscape, rich culture, and plenty of natural wonders to explore. Here is an Iceland itinerary for a 10-day trip that covers some of the best sights and activities the country has to offer.

Iceland’s Ring Road is an amazing route that takes you through some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes, from rugged coastlines to glaciers, waterfalls, and hot springs. A 10-day road trip around Iceland’s Ring Road will give you enough time to explore the natural wonders that Iceland has to offer.

In this post we are sharing our Iceland Itinerary. We took a lot of time to plan this route and used many different websites and sources to compare, so we could end up with an amazing itinerary without stress and that showed us all of Iceland that we were hoping for.

We hope you can use this itinerary as an inspiration for your future Iceland trip. We are sure you will fall in love with this country just as we did. We included a full hotel list for this itinerary at the bottom of the post.

What is the perfect Iceland Itinerary for a Full Ring Road Trip?

We arrived on day zero (not included in the itinerary) in the early evening. So we just drove to our Hotel, had a nice meal and went to bed early so we could have an early start on day 1.

We stayed at the Viking Village just a bit outside of Reykjavik, because we had the capital planned for the last part of our route. This hotel was a fun start of our trip and very budget friendly as well. You feel like you’re in a tiny old fashioned Viking Village and the restaurant is awesome. On some nights there is even live music.

If you have more time on day zero, then you could also start your trip at the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. We ended our trip there. So feel free to mix and match a bit with the schedule below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments.

Day 1: Golden Circle

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Thingvellir National Park
– Geysir & Strokkur
– Gullfoss Watefall
– Fridheimar Tomato Farm for lunch
– Hrunalaug Hot Spring
– Urridafoss
– Panorama Glass Lodge

On day one, we drove the famous Golden Circle, which includes three of Iceland’s most iconic natural attractions: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. But we also included some hidden gems: Fridheimar Tomato Farm, Hrunalaug Hot Spring and Urridafoss Waterfall.

We started at Thingvellir National Park. This is the place in Iceland where you can walk between the two tectonic plates that are still moving apart little by little each year. Walking around this gorgeous nature is a nice start of the day.

Then move on to the Geysir geothermal area, only a short drive away from Thingvellir. This area is stunning. Smoke coming up from several holes and pools in the ground. And of course the actual geysir spitting its water up from below every 10 minutes. Geysir itself has been dormant for years, but Strokkur took over. It really is such a special wonder of nature to witness.

Next up: Gullfoss waterfall only a few minutes by car from the geysir. This is one of the most famous and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk a path right up to the edge of the water and feel the thunderous power it has. (note: the path can be closed, depending on the season you visit)

Time for some lunch. Fridheimar Tomato Farm is a must-visit place. It is so unique and the food is amazing. It’s a large greenhouse in which they grow tomatoes using the warmth from the water they get from the natural sources. Bumble Bees imported from the Netherlands do the rest. They have a few terraces in the greenhouse where you can have the best tomato soup you will ever taste. And amazing fresh bread along with it. And it is all-you-can-eat for the soup and bread. We had such a great time. We were here early May, so it wasn’t super crowded. If you travel in peak-season, make sure to reserve your spot. The restaurant is only open from 12 till 4 PM each day.

After lunch we drove to Hrunalaug Hot Spring. This was another amazing hidden gem. Tucked away in a small valley, there are three pools and a small hut to get changed in. You pay around 10 euros (15 dollars) at a guy in a car, the owner of the land, and walk down a path to get to the pools. When we arrived there were just a few other tourists in the pools and they left after ten minutes. So we had the entire place to ourselves, which made it even more special. Being in nature in the warm water, all alone… magical.

Time to drive towards our final destination of the day: our Panorama Glass Lodge. We splurged on this cabin for just one night. So we wanted to spend some quality time there. It was so stunning. It had had a hot-tub outside with a view over the valley. This combined with the sunset just blew our minds. You feel completely alone with all this nature around you. Before we arrived at this cabin, we made a stop at the Urridafoss waterfall. One that many people don’t add to their itinerary even though it is right next to the ring road.

Day 2: Chasing Waterfalls in the South of Iceland

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
– Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
– Skogafoss Waterfall
– Kvernufoss Waterfall
– Dyrholaey
– Lava Show Vik
– Reynifsjara Black Sand Beach

Day two will focus on all the amazing waterfalls in the South of Iceland. Not that much driving and a lot of nature to enjoy. First up Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. You can even walk behind the waterfall, but make sure to wear a raincoat and protect your camera.

Leave your car parked at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and walk about 400 meters to the left to find Gljúfrabúi Waterfall. This is a hidden waterfall inside a little canyon. You have to walk over some slippery stones laying in the water to enter the canyon/cave but the reward is spectacular. Such a unique waterfall and photo opportunity. (again: wear your raincoat)

Bonus tip: if you want another outdoor pool experience: right before arriving at Skogafoss Waterfall you could make some time to swim in Seljavallalaug Pool. We didn’t have time for this because of our ticket for the Lava Show in Vik. But next time we will definitely visit.

Time to head over to the next waterfall, only a short drive along the Iceland ring road: Skogafoss waterfall. This is one of the most iconic and second to most photographed waterfalls of Iceland. Walk up to the water from ground level or walk up the stairs for a top view.

Next, just drive a few minutes passed the Skogafoss Museum to park your car to walk up to the Kvernufoss Waterfall. A short walk, that not many tourists take the effort, making this another great hidden gem. Kvernufoss is situated in a beautiful small canyon, the hike to the waterfall alone is stunning. Definitely a must-visit.

Now it’s time to drive to Vik. But first make a stop at Dyrholaey for an amazing view over the black sand beach from above. If you are lucky you will find many Puffins here. They come on land in May.

In Vik we visited the Lava Show. Seeing re-melted lava up-close was a once in a lifetime experience. The heat was real. The guide showed how the lava reacts to different circumstances. All in all a interesting one-hour show we didn’t want to miss. They opened up a show in Reykjavik as well. So if you are not able to catch it in Vik, then try again in Reykjavik. Check their website for showtimes and tickets.

We ended our day at Reynifsjara Black Sand Beach, another iconic spot in Iceland. Enjoy the black sand, the blue water, the basalt columns and cave and the stunning views. Be careful of the waves, in some weather conditions they can sneak up on you.

HOTEL TIP: We stayed at Black Beach Suites, at walking distance from the beach with great views over the landscape and beach. We can definitely recommend this spot. They have different rooms for various budgets and a restaurant as well.

Booking.com

Day 3: Canyons and Caves

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Joda Cave
– Elves houses Laufskálavarða
– Green Moss Scenic Walk
– Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
– Svartifoss
– Skaftafell

Day three is again not that much driving. The total route will take you 1 hour and 40 minutes with lots and lots of great stops along the way. First stop, a real hidden gem: Joda’s Cave. A cave that looks just like Joda from the Star-wars movies. Just a short detour from the ring road.

Another short stop right there along the ring road are the Elves Houses at Laufskálavarða. Many piles of rocks making up the houses for the Elves to live in. Add a stone to the houses and enjoy walking around all these formations.

Next is another short stop along the way: the Green Moss Scenic Walk. You will see the green moss all over Iceland, but you are not supposed to walk on it, because it will die when you do. So this very short scenic walk will take you up close to enjoy the moss fields for yourself.

This is what we loved so much about Iceland. Awesome short stops all along the ring road, giving you a new and unique experience all of the time.

The next stop is a little detour from the ring road: Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, one of the most beautiful canyons on Iceland. Park the car at the bottom of the canyon then walk up all the way to the top view point. There are several other viewpoints along the way. Gorgeous!

The time had come to drive up to our final destination of the day: Hotel Skaftafell. We chose this location because we wanted to hike up to the Svartifoss waterfall. Also known as the Black Waterfall with the black basalt columns. In our opinion the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. The hike is uphill and will take you about 40 minutes one-way. But worth the climb!

A second reason to book Hotel Skaftafell was the proximity to the spot where we had booked out Glacier walk the next morning. Super efficient. Since there are not many hotels in this area, Hotel Skaftafell was perfect. A simple hotel, with simple rooms and very budget friendly. The food in the restaurant was amazing! If you are on a budget, the food at the gas station across the street is really good as well. We had lunch there the next day and I enjoyed the lamb burger very much.

Day 4: Glacier Walk and Icebergs

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Skaftafell Glacier Walk & Ice Cave Tour
– Diamond Beach
– Jokulsarlon Iceberg lagoon
– Höfn
– Stokksnes Beach & Vesturhorn

Today’s drive is around 1 hour and 45 minutes with several stops along the way. We start the day at Skaftafell Visitor Center where we booked our Glacier Walk. This walk takes around 3 to 4 hours, so a great way to start the day with. Our tour included a visit to a small Ice Cave, which was amazing and a unique experience. Please note that including an ice cave in the glacier walk is seasonal. (we were here from the end of April till early May)


The Glacier Walk was absolutely amazing. We learned so much and it was so cool to walk over the ice and experience the glacier up-close. We definitely recommend you taking the time to add this to your itinerary even though it takes up half a day. It is so worth it.

After the walk we were hungry. So we stopped at the gas station across from Hotel Skaftafell, where we stayed the night. The food at gas stations in Iceland is really good. They have a small restaurant where you can enjoy your meal. I loved the fresh lamb burger. Even though the lamb were being cute and cuddly right outside of the gas station…

Next stop: Diamond Beach right next to the Iceberg Lagoon. This is the iconic beach where shards of ice are stranded at the beach. Pick a few up and admire the clear ice. The ice comes from the big icebergs at our next stop only 2 minutes away from Diamond Beach: Jokulsarlon the Iceberg Lagoon.

Jokulsarlon is maybe the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. Floating icebergs in a lake… stunning. The scenery changing right before your eyes. We sat there a while and were mesmerized by the beauty. If you have time you can even book a boat tour and get up-close with the icebergs.

We had to almost force ourselves to get back in the car for our next stop, because we didn’t want to leave this beautiful site. Back on the ring road it is. We visited the town of Höfn for an amazing meal at the Pakkhus Restaurant. We definitely recommend the licorice creme brulee they serve.

After dinner we drove to our hotel for the night: The Viking Café. A small and simple hotel, bugdet friendly and with great breakfast waffles. What is also awesome is that the hotel room includes the entry fee to get to the Stokksnes Beach to walk along the shore and enjoy the view over the Vesturhorn mountain. Spectacular.
It also included entry to the cute leftover Viking Village. But we did that the next morning.

Day 5: East Fjords and Rainbows

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Viking Village in Höfn
– Drive along the East Fjords
– Seyðisfjörður
– Egilsstaðir

We started the day walking through the remnants of a Viking Village right outside our hotel. The entry price was included with the room, so that was awesome. Then it was time to get back into our car.

Drive through the East Fjords, a region known for its stunning scenery and charming fishing villages.
Today’s drive is around 3 hours but with amazing views and some cute towns to stop, if you feel like it.

Optional: Take a detour and hike up to Hengifoss waterfall. It is quite a hike, so this will make for a tight schedule on this day. We opted not to visit this waterfall and have a more relaxed drive along the Eastfjords and time to stop whenever we saw something we liked.



We arrived in Egilsstadir, the town where we booked our cabin for the night. We found a really nice American Diner called Skálinn Diner, where we decided to have lunch. We then drove over the mountains (stunning route by the way) to the cute fisherman’s town of Seydisfjordur. Colorful houses, a nice lake and harbour. It was very nice to explore on foot. Of course we had to take some pictures on the famous rainbouw road with the blue church in the back. You can easily make a nice hike in the surrounding hills with great views off the region.

We drove back to Egilsstadir and checked in to our cabin at Ormurinn Cottages. A Cabin with a view over a huge lake. Really cool spot and very budget friendly. We cooked our own meal in the cabin and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Iceland Travel Guide

CABIN TIP: We found this awesome cottage in Egilstadir (East of Iceland.) Really cute and with a stunning view over a lake. It has a kitchen so you can cook your own meal. Prices were very reasonable. We absolutely recommend booking this for your road trip. Check out the link below:

Ormurinn Cottages in Egilstadir on Booking.com

Day 6: Studlagil Canyon and lots of Steam

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Studlagil Canyon Hike
– Myvatn Geothermal Area
– Hverir Sulferic Smoker
– Grjótagjá (Game of Thrones Location)
– Vogafjós Farm

Today is another 3 hour drive. Plus you will need some time for Studlagil Canyon, so make sure to not sleep in too late.

Studlagil Canyon is a stunning geological formation located in the northeastern part of Iceland. The canyon is famous for its towering basalt columns and crystal-clear blue waters, making it a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts.

If you type in Studlagil Canyon on Google Maps you will be led to a viewpoint from the top, but this is not the best option. You will not be able to see the best part of the canyon from here. We suggest you using the link to the new Studlagil parking place and walking up to the canyon from there. (you will cross the river to get to the new parking area) Then you will be able to see the full canyon and climb down to waterlevel as well. The hike will take around 45 minutes (one-way) and will bring you to a beautiful waterfall as added bonus. The road to the parking lot is gravel so make sure to drive carefully. We really advice you to make time for this canyon on your itinerary, you won’t regret it.

Optional: If you have enough time you could take a detour to see the Dettifoss Waterfall. This will be a detour that will take another 1,5 hours or a bit more. We chose not to include it, so we had enough time for what was about to come.

Next up: Drive north to Myvatn Geothermal Area called Hverir, a volcanic landscape filled with geothermal activity. Explore the pseudocraters, bubbling mud pools and Hverir Sulferic Smoker. It is as if you are walking on the moon or any other planet. We loved it. It felt as seeing how nature began. So raw and pure and rough.

Our next stop was Grjótagjá, a cave with a hot water pool inside. Unfortunately you are not allowed to swim in it anymore. This cave was a filming location for Game of Thrones. Remember the scene when Jon Snow and Igrid first made love? This is it.

For dinner we found a really awesome farmhouse with a restaurant. Vogafjós Farm serves traditional Icelandic food. You can even sit next to a window looking into the barn with the cows. Really awesome.
And the food was amazing. Want a fresh glass of milk? They just milked the cows that morning, so it couldn’t be any fresher.

We found Hlid Bed & Breakfast for the night. A very simple and small room but very budget friendly. The room included a simple but nice breakfast and views over the lavafields. If you want a bit more luxury we can recommend the Myvo Studio Apartment.

Day 7: Akyureyri & Whales in the capital of the North

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Godafoss
– Exploring Akureyri
– Whale Watching boat trip

Before driving to the Capital of the North of Iceland you will first make a stop at Godafoss Waterfall.
We suggest using the East Bank parking lot (cross the river first). This way you can walk up to both a viewpoint and waterlevel as well. Stunning!

Next up: Head to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, and spend the day exploring the town and its surroundings. Make sure to visit the Akureyrarkirkja Church and check the statue of the Sail Ship. Walk around downtown for some shopping and many nice restaurants. Here you can find lots of international restaurants with food from all over the world.

You will have enough time to book a whale watching tour on a boat. So check out the various options from the harbour. They say this is the perfect location to spot many whales. We had already been on a whale watching tour on a previous trip so we decided to enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the center of Akureyri.

For dinner we went to Centrum Kitchen & Bar for some amazing burgers and desserts.
The hotel we booked was Hotel Akureyri, a very nice hotel near the main church and shopping street. It is located right across the street from the harbour and has free parking spaces available. There is even a great breakfast restaurant downstairs (not included in the room price).

Iceland Travel Guide

HOTEL TIP FOR AKUREYRI:
Looking for a great hotel across from the Harbour of Akureyri and right at the beginning of the centre of town? Hotel Akureyri was perfect for us. Nice rooms, nice and stylish decor. There is a breakfast restaurant downstairs and lots of free parking outside. Here is the link:

Hotel Akureyri on Booking.com

Day 8: Driving to the South-West

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Driving to Snaefellsnes Peninsula (4,5 hour drive)
– Helgafell

We started the day getting some breakfast (and lunch for in the car) at a bakery in Akureyri. Then we started our 4,5 hour drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Because of heavy snow fall the drive took us a bit longer and we decided to not make any stops along the way. We just wanted to get through the storm to the other side.

Optional (quick) stops along the way:
– The Víðimýrarkirkja Turf Church
– Viking museum
– the monument Minnisvarði um Stephan G Stephansson

When we arrived at Snaefellsnes Peninsula we went straight to our cabin, the gorgeous Helgafell 2 cabin. Just two cabins all alone in nature. Overlooking a lake and church in the back and the Helgafell mountain. We cooked our own meal and enjoyed the nature surrounding our cabin. We loved it and can highly recommend you booking this cabin. Prices were not that extreme and the cabin has everything you need.

If weather and time allow it, you can already explore a bit of the peninsula, like the cute town of Stykkishólmur. Tomorrow there is plenty of time to see the rest this amazing peninsula has to offer.

Day 9: Snaefellsnes Peninsula & arriving in Reykjavik

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– Kirkjufellsfoss
– Djúpalónssandur Beach
– Lóndrangar
– Hellnar
– Arnastapi Gatklettur Stone Bridge
– Búðakirkja ( Black Church )
– Reykjavik
– Harpa
– Hallgrímskirkja

Make sure to wake up early so there is enough time to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is often referred to as “Iceland in miniature.” The peninsula features everything from lava fields to glacier-capped peaks, and is home to iconic landmarks like Kirkjufell Mountain. Some suggested stops in logical order:(driving from Helgafell from the top of peninsula to the west and back to Reykjavik through the bottom half of the peninsula).

Kirkjufell Mountain and Waterfall: One of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks, Kirkjufell is a stunning mountain that rises dramatically from the sea. It’s a popular spot for hiking and photography. Make sure to include the gorgeous waterfall in the photo.

Djúpalónssandur Beach: This black sand beach is known for its stunning rock formations, including the famous “lifting stones” that were once used to test the strength of fishermen. Can you try and lift them all? What we loved as well were all the rusty heaps of metal from a shipwreck scattered over the beach. The shipwreck leftovers gave this spot a very unique vibe.

Continue on the road leading you over the peninsula and make a quick stop at Lóndrangar View Point. Stunning view over the cliffs and enjoy all the seagulls singing for you.

Arnarstapi and Hellnar: These two small fishing villages offer breathtaking views of the ocean and the nearby cliffs. The area is also home to many seabirds, including puffins. Make sure to check out the Gatklettur Stone Bridge as well. You can make a short hike taking you from Arnastapi to Hellnar and back. If you don’t have the hour for the hike, than just make a stop at Hellnar as well as Arnastapi. If you are lucky the cute tearoom, Fjöruhúsið café, in Hellnar is open. It has a terrace overlooking the see and the cliffs.

A final stop should be the Búðakirkja ( Black Church ). An iconic spot on the peninsula seen in many tourist folders and websites.

At the end of the afternoon it is time to drive back to Reykjavik. It will feel weird to drive back into a bigger city after having been surrounded by nature and small towns and lots of emptyness for the last days.

Park your car, check into your hotel and then it’s time to explore Reykjavik and get some food.
Our hotel pick for Reykjavik was Kvosin Downtown Hotel. Really perfect choice for us. Very central and with enough free parking available.

We walked around the city center. We grabbed a hotdog at the famous hotdog stand. Admired the beautiful architecture of the Harpa opera building from the inside and out. Took some pictures at the iconic Sun Voyager statue and enjoyed the colorful buildings in every street. For food we ended up at Dragon Dim Sum. We love Asian food so this was perfect for us, and rather budget friendly too. Reykjavik has many amazing fish and sea food restaurants as well, so definitely have a look around.

The Hallgrímskirkja Church was already closed for the day, so we decided to come back tomorrow morning.

Day 10: Reykjavik, Volcano and the Blue Lagoon

Today we suggest the following stops in this order:
– More of Reyjavik
– Puffin Boat Tour
– Hallgrímskirkja
– Cafe Loki traditional Icelandic food (including fermented Shark)
– Fagradalsfjall Volcano
– Blue Lagoon

Spend your last day in Reykjavik, shopping for souvenirs, or taking a final stroll through the city before your departure. We booked a Puffin Boat Tour since we hadn’t seen puffins on land yet. Because we made our trip at the end of April / beginning of May it was still a bit too early for the puffins to come to the main land. They start arriving from early / mid May. So the one hour boat tour was a perfect solution to see a lot of these cute animals.

After the boat trip we visited Hallgrímskirkja on the inside. Definitely worth a visit to see the very minimalist architecture of this amazing building.

For lunch we went to Café Loki right across the street from the Hallgrímskirkja. Café Loki is well known for its traditional Icelandic Food and we even tasted the fermented shark. A nice way to close off the food part of our trip.

Time to leave the city and start driving towards the airport. But before checking into our Airport hotel for the night (we had a very early morning flight the next day), we had two more amazing stops planned.

First up: Fagradalsfjall Volcano . Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a newly erupted volcano located in the Reykjanes Peninsula, just a short drive from Reykjavik. The volcano erupted in March 2021, marking the first time in over 800 years that a volcano had erupted in this area.

Since the eruption, Fagradalsfjall has become a popular destination for tourists. Visitors can hike up to the volcano and watch as molten lava flows out of the earth and into the surrounding valleys. The lava flows have created a unique landscape of blackened earth and hardened lava, which makes for stunning photos. Our minds were blown by this wonder of nature. You could feel the power of the lava. Since it will take a very long time for the lava to fully harden, some parts still had smoke coming up.

Visiting Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a unique and unforgettable experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to witness the power and beauty of Iceland’s geological forces. It’s a must-see destination for anyone interested in Iceland’s natural wonders.

Our final stop was the famous Blue Lagoon. Tourist trap or unique location? A bit of both in our opinion. It is unique for sure. But also very expensive. But if you forget the price it definitely is a unique experience to check off your bucket-list. Even though the pools are big enough, this was the most tourists gathered together we had seen on our entire trip. Some people recommend the newer Sky Lagoon as an alternative. Maybe have a look if this interests you. Sky Lagoon, however, does not have the iconic milky water.

Do you need an Iceland Itinerary for 3 to 50 days?

The Iceland itinerary in this article will allow you to see some of Iceland’s most iconic sights while also taking in some of the country’s lesser-known regions. However, if you only have 3 to 5 days to visit Iceland, you will not be able to do a full circle ring road trip.

We suggest you do day 1, day 2 and drive up to Jokulsarlon the Iceberg lagoon. And then as an extra day visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula as well.

Where to Stay in Iceland? Hotels and Cabins

Looking for hotels or cabins to stay in Iceland? Here is the full list of places we stayed in Iceland. We included them in the day to day itinerary, but we thought is was handy to have this overview as well.

Booking.com

This was it for our epic Iceland adventure. We honestly had the best time ever and can highly recommend anyone saving up for this trip. If you are on a budget, read our article on how to travel Iceland cheap. It has some very helpful tips.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away in the comments. We wish you an amazing and unforgettable trip to Iceland.

Check out our video on this 10 day Iceland Itinerary:

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