Iceland's Ring Road

The trip

Iceland's Ring Road circles the island in about 1,330km, and every day brings a new landscape. Driving it in eleven days leaves time for detours, hot springs and long lunches, with no more than about four hours at the wheel a day. It is three hours' flight from London.

The route

Start in Reykjavík, then head east along the south coast past Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to Vík and the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Continue through the East Fjords to Lake Mývatn and Akureyri in the north, then back west to Reykjavík via the lava fields and farmland. Go anticlockwise for the most dramatic scenery first.

Day by day

Book hotels in advance in summer; outside Reykjavík there are relatively few, and they fill up.

1. Days 1-2

   Reykjavík and the Golden Circle

   Arrive and settle in. Þingvellir, the Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall, then dinner in the capital.

   Stay Hotel in Reykjavík

   Travel Airport transfer, about 45 minutes

2. Days 3-4

   The south coast

   Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, Skógafoss, the black beach of Reynisfjara and the arch at Dyrhólaey.

   Stay Hotel near Hella or Vík

   Travel Drive, about 2 hours

3. Day 5

   Jökulsárlón

   A boat among the icebergs in the glacier lagoon, then the ice on Diamond Beach, and a walk at Skaftafell.

   Stay Hotel near the glacier lagoon

   Travel Drive, about 3 hours

4. Day 6

   The East Fjords

   Quiet coastal roads through fishing villages and fjords, with reindeer on the hillsides.

   Stay Hotel in the East Fjords

   Travel Drive, about 4 hours

5. Days 7-8

   Lake Mývatn

   Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the Mývatn Nature Baths and whale watching from Húsavík.

   Stay Hotel at Mývatn

   Travel Drive, about 3 hours

6. Day 9

   Akureyri

   Goðafoss on the way, then Iceland's charming northern town and its botanical garden.

   Stay Hotel in Akureyri

   Travel Drive, about 1 hour

7. Days 10-11

   West Iceland and Reykjavík

   Turf houses and lava caves on the drive south, a last soak at the Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon, then fly home.

   Stay Hotel in Reykjavík

   Travel Drive, about 4 hours 30 minutes

When to go

June to August has the midnight sun, every road open and puffins on the cliffs; it is also busiest and most expensive. May and September are quieter, with good weather and, in September, the first Northern Lights. The full ring in winter is possible but weather can close roads; we recommend summer for the full loop.

Where to stay

Iceland's hotels are mostly modern and simple; a few outstanding lodges are worth building the route around. Price bands are a typical night for two sharing; expect more at peak dates.

Featured stay

Hotel Rangá

Hella, South Iceland

£££

Couples and friends who want comfort and the best chance of the northern lights in South Iceland.

Hotel Rangá is a warm, log-built country hotel on the banks of the East Rangá river in South Iceland, famous for its aurora wake-up calls, its own observatory with an astronomer, and outdoor hot tubs under the stars. It is the perfect first stop on the Ring Road, an hour and a half from Reykjavík.

Rooms

Standard to themed Master Suites

Food

Rangá Restaurant, modern Nordic

Best time to go

September to March for the aurora

Read our full review →

What it costs

Allow from about £4,500 per person for 11 days with good hotels, car hire and a couple of excursions, excluding flights. With top hotels and private guides, expect £9,000 or more. Food and drink are expensive in Iceland.

Pace and fitness

Mostly driving, with short walks to waterfalls and viewpoints; some paths are wet and slippery. Roads are good but weather changes fast, so check forecasts and road conditions each morning.

How to book

Our advisors plan this trip end to end: flights, hotels, guides and the small details that make the days easy. Tell us your dates and the style of stay you like, and we will build it around you. Speak to an advisor.