If there’s one place that rewires your sense of wonder, it’s Iceland. Think steaming geothermal fields, thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and coastlines so dramatic they look straight out of a fantasy film. This is a country built for road trippers – every corner is a new “wait, is this even real?” moment.
This 10-day Iceland road trip itinerary is designed for travelers who want to see a lot in a short amount of time. It’s fast-paced, packed with the country’s biggest highlights, and sprinkled with a few lesser-known stops that made my own summer trip unforgettable. Whether you’re craving waterfalls, wildlife, hot springs, or mind-blowing scenery, this guide will help you plan an adventure-filled loop around Iceland’s iconic Ring Road – even if you’re short on time.
Why Visit Iceland in the Summer?
Visiting Iceland in summer (June to August) has some major perks:
- Midnight sun: Long daylight hours mean more time to explore and fewer crowds at popular spots.
- Milder weather: Average temperatures range from 10–15°C (50–59°F), making it the warmest time of year.
- Accessible roads: Most of the country, including the Highlands and remote regions, are open to drivers.
- Lush landscapes: Wildflowers, mossy lava fields, and green hills make the scenery even more magical.
Essential Road Trip Tips
- Rent a car: Book your rental well in advance, especially in summer. I used Blue Car Rental and had a great experience.
- Plan for fuel: Gas stations can be sparse in remote areas, so fill up often.
- Pack smart: Bring layers, waterproof gear, hiking boots, and snacks. Check out my packing guide here.
- Book ahead: Accommodation options, especially in small towns, fill up fast in summer.
- Respect nature: Stick to marked trails, don’t drive off-road, and always follow Leave No Trace principles. Note: you can only access ‘F Roads’ with a 4×4.
Staying Connected in Iceland
From navigating those winding Ring Road drives to checking live updates on weather and road conditions (which change fast in Iceland!), having reliable data is a total lifesaver. I used an eSIM from Airalo and it worked perfectly! I’ve used it on every trip since.
10-Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary Overview
Here’s a quick look at the route you’ll follow. This loop takes you clockwise around the Ring Road, with some extra detours along the way:
| DAY | ITINERARY |
|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Reykjavik |
| Day 3 | Reykjavik – Selfoss |
| Day 4 | Selfoss – Vik |
| Day 5 | Vik – Hofn |
| Day 6 | Hofn – Egilsstadir |
| Day 7 | Egilsstadir – Myvatn |
| Day 8-9 | Myvatn |
| Day 10 | Myvatn – Reykjavik |
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
Pick up your rental car or arrange a shuttle to the city and get settled in Iceland’s capital. If you arrive early, explore downtown Reykjavik: Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, and Sun Voyager are all must-sees. Grab dinner at one of the city’s trendy restaurants or try a classic Icelandic hot dog.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
Accommodation Recommendations:
Luxury: Fosshotel Baron
Mid-Range: Hotel Cabin
Budget: Nordic Hostel
Explore Reykjavik
Reykjavik may be small, but there’s so much to see and do! We started our Icelandic adventure with a visit to Hallgrimskirkja Church, one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks. The church’s architecture is a masterpiece, and the panoramic view from the top, accessible by elevator for a small fee, was well worth it. We timed our visit to hear the bells chime on the hour – a great experience.
We also wandered the charming streets around the church, where we discovered Rainbow Road (perfect for photos!) and explored the city’s art-filled lanes. Our first meal in Reykjavik was at a cozy fish and chips joint, embracing the classic tourist experience!
Day 2: Explore Reykjavik
You can choose to either hit the road or take a relaxing second day in Reykjavik. We opted for a laid-back day, starting with the Sun Voyager Monument, enjoying brunch at a quirky café, exploring hidden gems like the Mario Wall, and wandering through the industrial district, where we stumbled upon OmNom Chocolate Factory, featured in Zac Efron’s Netflix documentary!
In the evening, we stocked up on snacks for the journey ahead. I became immediately addicted to Hraun Chocolate Lava Bites for the whole trip haha!
Though our original plan was to visit the Blue Lagoon, we had to postpone due to a volcanic eruption in the area – just casually when you’re in Iceland!
Midnight Sun
One of the coolest parts of summer in Iceland is the Midnight Sun. At 11:09 pm, we marvelled at the glowing sky from our apartment – the sun barely dips below the horizon.
Day 3: Reykjavik – Selfoss
Ring Road Adventure Begins
Our road trip officially started on Iceland’s Ring Road, which forms a loop around the island. We decided to travel counterclockwise, starting with the Golden Circle. You can either choose to take a Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik or get started on your road trip from here. The Golden Circle features three major sights: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. We also stopped at Bruarfoss along the way which isn’t one of the ‘main stops’ but was so worth it so I’ve added it here!
Thingvellir National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage site is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It’s also home to Althing, one of the oldest parliaments in the world. You can spend a few hours here exploring the walking trails – you can even snorkel in the crystal-clear waters between the tectonic plates!
Bruarfoss
While not usually part of the typical Golden Circle route, Bruarfoss was one of our favorite hidden gems. The bright blue waters of the waterfall are breathtaking, and the drive to get there is a bit rugged, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Here you’ll witness Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser, erupting every 4-10 minutes. It’s a thrilling spectacle. The smell of sulfur is quite strong in the area, so prepare for that!
Gullfoss
This is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. It’s massive and powerful, and if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, you might catch a rainbow over the falls! This was just one of our many favorite waterfalls from our trip to Iceland.
Where to Stay in Selfoss
Recommendations according to price range:
Luxury: Hotel Selfoss
Mid-Range: Ásahraun Guesthouse
Budget: Selfoss Hostel
Day 4: Selfoss – Vik
Kerið Crater
Another busy day of sightseeing took us to Kerið Crater, a volcanic crater lake where we walked around the rim and descended to the water’s edge. We spent the rest of the day chasing some iconic waterfalls.
Seljalandafoss
You can walk behind this waterfall – an amazing, surreal experience! Be sure to wear waterproof gear (rain pants are a must!). As a Disney Jungle Cruise fan I loved this waterfall because you can literally see ‘the eighth wonder of the world – the back side of water!’
Gljúfrabúi
Just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss is this hidden waterfall, tucked away in a cave. It’s a little trickier to get to, but totally worth the adventure.
Íráfoss
This hidden gem was a fantastic surprise. We had it all to ourselves, and it felt like something out of a fairytale.
Turf Houses
There are ‘turf houses’ all around Iceland and they are just the cutest. The one in the picture below felt like it was right out of a fairytale! It was built into this giant rock and you could even go inside and see the cave and old infrastructure.
Skogafoss
This waterfall is one of the most famous in Iceland, and for good reason. You can get up close and feel the mist (get ready to get soaked!). You can also climb the stairs to view the falls from the top. 10/10 loved this spot.
Reynisfjara Beach
We didn’t have time to visit Reynisfjara Beach, but I highly recommend it if you can! It is famous for it’s black sand beach and basalt columns.
Where to Stay in Vik
Accommodation Recommendations:
Luxury: Hótel Kría
Mid-Range: Hótel Dyrhólaey
Budget: The Barn
Day 5: Vik – Hofn
The main event of the day is going on a glacier hike at Skaftafell Glacier. Along the way we stopped at: Laufskálavarða Lava Ridge, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and all the viewpoints as you get closer to the glacier.
Laufskálavarða Lava Ridge
This is a quirky stop where travellers would pile rocks on this lava ridge for good luck before the long journey across Mýrdalssandur desert. When we visited it was insanely windy and cold so it was just a quick visit. Well worth a stop before the long drive ahead.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
This canyon was STUNNING. I wish I had dedicated more time to explore here as there looked like there were a lot of trails along the canyon and around the area.
Skaftafell Glacier
Today’s highlight was our glacier hike at Skaftafell Glacier. The hike took us through the Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest, and it was absolutely mesmerising to walk on ice. We joined a beginner tour, where we were equipped with ice picks and crampons. Don’t forget to bring sturdy hiking boots! We even had the opportunity to drink glacier water straight from the glacier! (by learning how to do what our guide called a ‘viking push-up’ haha!)
You cannot venture on the glacier without a guide so you will need to book a tour for this experience. There are lots of glacier hike tours to choose from – for all skill levels. This adventure was so epic, I’ve dedicated a whole post to it here.
Where to Stay in Hofn
Accommodation Recommendations:
Luxury: Aurora Cabins
Mid-Range: REY Stays – Small & Cozy Studio
Budget: Höfn Hostel
Day 6: Hofn – Egilsstadir
Today’s main event was a boat tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where we got up close to a glacier and icebergs. We also stopped at Diamond Beach before embarking on a four-hour drive along the East Fjords, which turned out to be one of the most scenic drives of my life.
Diamond Beach
Before our glacier lagoon boat tour, we spent some time exploring Diamond Beach. The ice from the glacier lagoon breaks up in the ocean waves and washes up on this black sand beach, creating ice formations that look like sparkling diamonds (hence the name). Finding ice on a beach in Australia is pretty much unheard of, so this was truly a magical moment for me.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The main highlight of today was the glacier lagoon boat tour! While there are many tours to choose from, but after doing some research, I found the smaller speed boat tours to be the best option. The recommendation was to go for the smaller Zodiac boat instead of the big ones, as it allows you to get much closer to the glacier and the icebergs. The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Boat Tour was an unforgettable experience – we got super close to the ice, and you could even grab a piece of glacier ice from the water to taste. This was a core memory day!
East Fjords
After our glacier lagoon experience, we began the long drive along the East Fjords toward Egilsstadir. The East Fjords are hands down one of the most beautiful, scenic drives I’ve ever experienced. There are multiple stops along the way for photo opportunities, which made the four-hour journey stretch into a much longer one (thank goodness for the midnight sun!).
We even got our lupin flower Instagram moment (technically weeds, but they make for a beautiful photoshoot backdrop!).
Nykurhylsfoss
To break up the long drive, we took a quick hike to Nykurhylsfoss, an absolute hidden gem! It was a peaceful, stunning hike, and the waterfall at the end was simply breathtaking. A perfect spot to stretch our legs!
Where to Stay in Egilsstadir
Accommodation Recommendations:
Luxury: Hérað – Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Mid-Range: Ormurinn Cottages
Budget: Stóri-Bakki Guesthouse
Day 7: Egilsstadir – Myvatn
On our way to Lake Myvatn, we made a couple of stops to find the famous little blue church in Seydisfjordur and, of course, PUFFINS!
Fardagafoss
On the way to Seydisfjordur, we stopped for a quick hike to see Fardagafoss, a beautiful waterfall that offered the perfect place for a snack break with a stunning view.
Next, we made our way to the viewpoint at Egilsstaðir útsýnisstaður, which offered incredible panoramic views of the Egilsstadir area.
Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass
The road to Seydisfjordur was a journey in itself. We didn’t realize that driving through the Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass would be as much of a destination as Seydisfjordur itself! The snow-covered backdrop (yes, in the middle of summer!) and waterfalls at every turn made it feel like we were driving through a postcard.
We made a few stops along the way, including Gljúfurfoss, Haífoss, and our favorite, Gufu waterfall (mainly because “Gufu” is one of the only things we could confidently pronounce!).
Seyðisfjarðarkirkja
At the end of the scenic mountain pass, we reached the charming town of Seydisfjordur and finally got that picture of the famous little blue church with the rainbow path. #Adorable #MissionAccomplished
Borgarfjarðarhöfn: PUFFINS!
Our next mission for the day was to find puffins! And find them we did – at Borgarfjarðarhöfn. I was expecting to see just one or two puffins, so imagine my surprise when we saw an entire mini island completely packed with these adorable birds! We spent hours just watching them, totally in awe. Check out my post on the best places to see puffins in Iceland here!
Stuðlagil Canyon
Before reaching Myvatn, we made one last stop at Stuðlagil Canyon, a stunning site with unique rock formations. Unfortunately, after a long day of driving, we didn’t have the energy or time to fully explore this area. If I were to do it again, I’d add an extra day in the area to fully appreciate this unique spot.
Where to Stay in Myvatn
Accommodation Recommendations:
Luxury: Aska, Modern Cabin
Mid-Range: Mývatn – Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Budget: Hlid Hostel
Day 8-9: Mytavn
The Myvatn area offers so much to explore that we ended up staying here for a few days. Some must-sees include: Lake Myvatn, Hverir Geothermal Area, Krafla Crater, Leirhnjúkur Volcano, Dettifoss, Dimmuborgir Lava Field, and Myvatn Nature Baths.
The drive around Lake Myvatn was, like much of Iceland, incredibly scenic. We stopped to admire unique lava formations, strange moss-covered craters, and even made a snowman!
Hverir Geothermal Area
This place felt like we had stepped onto Mars! Bubbling pits and steaming rocks created an otherworldly landscape (but be ready for the strong sulfur smell!). There is a hiking trail to the top of the mountain next to this site, but it is very much for advanced hikers (we gave up 5 minutes in haha!)
Krafla Crater
A massive collapsed volcano, Krafla Crater was impressive. It was so cold that the water at the bottom of the crater was frozen.
Leirhnjúkur Volcano
Exploring Leirhnjúkur Volcano was an adventure. The hike took us across snowy and muddy fields to a wooden path that led to bubbling geothermal pits and an enormous lava field. The fog that blanketed the area that day gave it an eerie and surreal feel.
Dettifoss
Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, is absolutely stunning. It’s hard to fully grasp the sheer power of it until you stand right beside it.
Dimmuborgir Lava Field
This lava field is known for its volcanic formations. It felt more touristy than Leirhnjúkur, but there are plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Mytavn Nature Baths
After a week of hardcore adventuring, we relaxed at Mytavn Nature Baths, a geothermal bath with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It was the perfect way to unwind after such an action-packed journey. Blue Lagoon or Mytavn Nature Baths? We did both!
Day 10: Myvatn – ReykJavik
Your final day in Iceland is a big driving day — but don’t worry, the route from Mývatn to Reykjavík is absolutely stacked with scenic stops, waterfalls, wildlife, and cosy cafés to break up the journey. Today is all about soaking up every last Iceland moment before returning to the capital.
Goðafoss
This horseshoe-shaped waterfall is unbelievably beautiful, especially if you catch it in the morning light. It’s a quick stop (30–45 minutes), with viewpoints on both sides of the river. Perfect for that last waterfall photo op before your long drive!
Hraunfossar
On the way, we stopped at some lava fields and Hraunfossar, a series of stunning waterfalls that cascade from beneath a lava field. It was a beautiful sight to end our waterfall journey in Iceland.
Blue Lagoon
We had originally planned to visit the Blue Lagoon at the beginning of our trip, but due to a nearby volcanic eruption, the lagoon had been closed for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, by the end of our trip, it was safe to visit but the roads were still smoking from the recently removed lava!
The Blue Lagoon was the perfect way to unwind after two weeks of nonstop adventure. We soaked in the warm, mineral-rich waters, enjoying one final moment of tranquility before heading back home. It’s important to book your ticket in advance so you don’t miss out.
The most epic roap trip ever.
And just like that, you’ve come full circle – back to Reykjavík with a camera full of memories, a car dusted in Icelandic road-trip glory, and a heart that’s probably a teensy bit too attached to hot springs and fjord views. This final drive is your gentle landing back into civilization, a chance to swap mountain silhouettes for city rooftops and settle in for your last nights in Iceland. Take a deep breath, grab one more cinnamon roll from Brauð & Co., and give yourself a moment to soak it all in – you just conquered an epic adventure around one of the most magical places on earth.
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