Iceland is a country of unparalleled natural beauty, and what better way to experience it than with a road trip? Driving through Iceland's stunning landscapes is a bucket-list experience that should be on everyone's travel itinerary. From glaciers to waterfalls, geysers to hot springs, Iceland has something for every type of traveler. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan and experience the perfect road trip in Iceland. This guide will take you along the Iceland’s Ring Road with all my favorite spots and some hidden gems along the way!
Things to do - Two weeks Iceland travel guide
Did you know there are more sheep than people living in Iceland? Fun fact, but you’ll most likely see more sheep on your Ring Road trip than human beings. Two weeks are the ideal amount of days to fully experience Iceland but you could also make it in 10 days (will just mean more driving on each day). No matter what time of the year, always make sure to check road conditions on road.is- the weather in Iceland can be extremely wild and unpredictable!
Day 1: Arrival
Consider renting a campervan or car upon arrival and be sure to stock up on groceries for the first few days. It's crucial to determine if your vehicle runs on gasoline or diesel before embarking on your journey. I suggest renting a Kukucampers to make your trip comfortable and enjoyable - they offer an airport pickup and will give you all the necessary information for your unforgettable Iceland road trip! Make sure to book it early in advance as cars sell out fast especially in high season.
While it's tempting to start driving on day one, we advise getting to know your vehicle, plan your route depending on the weather forecast, and install a GPS. I do recommend to take just the short drive to Reykjanes and Reykjanes Lighthouse you could watch sunset here (depending on the time of arrival) or visit also the Gunnuhver geothermal field. Gunnuhver stands in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark where the North Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean and it gives you already a first feeling of the upcoming adventure!
Tip: Only drive on F-roads with a 4×4 car. You can check the road numbers on Google Maps .
For your first night in the camper you could stay here at Grindavik and have a good rest.
Today’s drive: 40min
Day 2: Waterfalls, Geysir (& Highlands)
Today you drive toward Gullfoss and you can stop at the Volcano crater Kerið which is a nice stop on the go. You’ll also need to stop by at the Geysir as it is a famous hot spring in the geothermal area. It shoots boiling water about 20 meters high up into the air and will leave you speechless. This happens about every 5-10 minutes and is a nice spectacle after the drive.
Gullfoss is a little 10 minute drive further along and you’ll be impressed by the powerful water masses.
From Gullfoss I recommend you two different options, depending on your interest.
1. You could drive to Haifoss and Þjórsárdalur canyon and also sleep around there.
2. If you fancy more adventure, have a 4x4 car and have the energy for a longer ride you should visit Landmannalaugar (only open mid-June through early September). Here you would drive up to the campsite and stay overnight. Always be careful when crossing rivers and only do so as recommended by the local guide and camper company.
Today’s drive: 4-6 hours
Day 3: Hike and Relax
Today you should start with a wonderful hike around the canyon or if you are in the Highlands, make sure to explore at least parts of the area. There is a 55km long trek to Þórsmörk which might be cool for a highlands trip only. Check the local map and ask for advice if the weather looks bad.
Next stop is Secret Lagoon. It’s the oldest swimming pool that feeds from the geothermal area near Flúðir dating back to 1891!
Today’s drive: 3-4 hours
Day 4: Waterfalls and plane wreck
Next up are my absolutely favorite waterfalls! We will first stop at Seljalandsfoss. In summer you can take the walk behind the waterfall and it’s super stunning. If you have time also walk to further into the valley to Gljúfrabúi - it’s about 15 minutes only but absolutely amazing. Here you might get wet - so take your rain jacket with you.
A 30 minutes ride further you will reach the most famous AND beautiful waterfall of Iceland. Skogafoss. It is truly impressive with its 60 meters height and 25 meters width. I would plan around 1 hour here so you have enough time to visit it from below and climb up the start to a fantastic viewpoint from above.
From the waterfall you will continue your trip to Vík and of course to the iconic Vík i Myrdal Church. In between you can stop at the Solheimasandur plane wreck. Note that it is a 4 kilometer walk, however during daytime (from 10-17) there is a shuttle driving you.
I recommend you also to have a quick stop at the famous Reynisfjara (black sand beach) and Reynisdranger. It is beautiful but also very deceiving therefore follow the signs on the parking entrance. Some tragedies happen every year because people do underestimate the power of the high waves.
Once you arrive in Vík make sure to visit the iconic church and also do some grocery shopping at Kronan. If you want to try the very best burger (of my life! / in Iceland) you should visit Smiðjan Brugghús!
Today’s drive: 1.5 hours
The camping space in town is very nice and I found the atmosphere great too.
Day 5: Panoramic Views and Caves
Starting the day from Vík is very comfortable and if you fancy you can get a delicious coffee for example at the Skool Beans Bus.
First in the morning drive about 15 minutes to Dyrhólaey where you can enjoy a beautiful view over the black sand beach. We were even lucky to spot some puffins there. So have a good watch out!
This is an optional stop and might depend on the road conditions to access. Hjörleifshöfði Cave is a lovely hidden place that needs no walking and you can simply get into the cave and take a few photos.
After this It is a 1.5 hours drive to Skaftafell. The area has beautiful hiking paths to offer. Have a look on the ground with the maps and learn more about the trails and also about the glaciers in Iceland.
Camp at the campsite of the Skaftafell park and take a good rest.
Today’s drive: 2.5 hours
Day 6: Glacier Lagoon
Today you’ll get the remarkable landmark of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is the largest and best known glacial lake in Iceland and makes you speechless. The masses of glacier ice and the swimming ice bergs are a spectacular attraction. In summer you can do Kayaking tours and in winter you can visit the ice caves. I highly recommend Heading North for your private glacier experience. You can book other very attractive adventures on GetYourGuide. You can also just take a boat tour or watch the seals form the coast.
Across the road you can walk to the ocean and if you are visiting around May/June or in November to January. I went twice and never saw the famous diamonds. So I assume that it’s not a 365-days attraction.
The final part of the day leads to Stokksnes. This is my favorite place of Iceland. The wild black sand beach, the dunes and the lagoon in front of the Vestrahorn have something so fascinating. If you are interested you can also visit the Viking Village. I highly recommend to sleep on the Campsite just next to the café so you can also have a nice breakfast or coffee in the morning. The Viking Cafe has also a few rooms for accommodation if you prefer something more comforting.
Today’s drive: 3 hours
Day 7: Waterfall & Sunset view
Sunrise is usually very nice at Stokksnes but you can also simply sleep in a bit longer (especially in summer months). Today starts with a longer ride to Hengifoss. It might seem like a detour but I promise that is it absolutely worth it! The rock layers of red clay with the water stream are unique! To reach Hengifoss you’ll need to calculate about 2-3 hours. The hike is not difficult but has an elevation gain of 300 meters and will take you about 1 hour (way up).
After the physical activity you drive back towards Egilsstaðir and you can relax for the evening at Vök Baths. It is the only natural floating geothermal pool in Iceland and Vök Baths is located on the bank of Urriðavatn lake. The sunset view over the lake is very beautiful.
For the night you can sleep at one of the few campsites nearby.
Today’s drive: 3.5 hours
Day 8: Canyon views
The drive to the Stuðlagil Canyon Viewpoint takes about 1 hour. If you navigate to the “viewpoint” you will just see the canyon from above. The trail to the canyon itself takes about 2.5 hours in total and for this you would need to navigate to the parking on the other side of the river (turning left before reaching the actual canyon.
Now you will have a longer drive northwards. You can stop at Dettifoss which is the most second most powerful waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls. For a reason, because I’ve never seen anything like it before!
From here it is a 40 minutes drive to Myvatn where you can visit the geothermal area (Stóragjá and the sulfuric smokers are spectacular) and also just there enjoy a relaxing sunset at the Mývatn nature baths.
For the night you stay at a nearby Campsite.
Day 9: The Rhino and more hot springs
For today you have a long drive ahead. You can stop at Godafoss which is just on the road. Next up you’ll pass at Akureyri, which is the capital of North-Iceland. It is a lovely town and has many restaurants and shops. You can have lunch here, wander around and stock up your supplies in a supermarket.
Now it’s 2.5 hours drive further west. You can visit the mysterious “Rhino” or Hvítserkur. The Icelandic tale goes that Hvítserkur is a petrified troll. There are campgrounds just nearby but I highly recommend you to drive to the Tjaldsvæði Sæberg camping! We loved it so much and it has also a hot pool outside with a fantastic sunset view.
Today’s drive: 3.5-4.5 hours
Day 10: Snaefellsness
Today we drive further west to explore the peninsula Snaefellsnes. On the program are the black church, cliffs at Arnarstapi (lovely for a costline walk).
You can simply continue the coastline road on the peninsula through the lava fields. There are also many orange lighthouses along the way which are worth a stop. Last sight of the day is the beautiful Ingjaldshólskirkja. In summer it is surrounded by Lupines and truly an eye-catching sight.
For the campsite I recommend to stay at Grundarfjördur. As it is near Kirkjufell you can visit it for sunset or then the next morning for sunrise too.
Today’s drive: 3.5-4 hours
Day 11: Waterfalls
Do not leave the peninsula without stopping at the most photographed spot of Iceland - Kirkjufell. Sunsets are the most amazing, so if you have time visit it the day before.
Todays drive leads you to the next waterfall Glymur. It’s the second biggest waterfall in Iceland with a 198-meter drop. Here you’ll need 2-4 hours to do the full hiking trail.
Day 12 - 14: Reykjavik
After many wild experiences it’s time to visit the capital of Iceland. We stayed at the Mosskogar Campsite which was 40 min from the center away. You can spend the full day with sightseeing, for example the Hallgrímskirkja church, shopping, rainbow street, colored houses and maybe treat yourself to a delicious dinner at a restaurant. The Icelandic barinn was our absolute favorite and it serves specialties you won’t find anywhere else.
Start your morning in Reykjavik by having breakfast at the Braud & Co, the best bakery in town. Their cinnamon rolls (also vegan) are THE best! Depending on your flight you can visit Blue Lagoon or any other thermal bath such as Hvammsvik, Sky Lagoon or Krauma. Ideally you plan your visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. They are the cherry on top of your Iceland adventure.
Iceland is a breathtaking destination that offers something for every type of traveler. With its unique landscapes, natural wonders, and friendly locals, it's no surprise that Iceland has become one of the most sought-after destinations in recent years. By following the tips and advice outlined in this ultimate guide, you'll be able to plan and execute a memorable road trip that will leave you with unforgettable experiences and memories. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in Iceland!
