Iceland Ring Road Express

7days
26stops
1293drive km
Day 1: The Golden Circle
2h 25min · 165km4 stops
Keflavík Airport
09:00
1h 20min · 95km
Þingvellir National Park
11:00
50min · 60km
Geysir Hot Springs
14:00
15min · 10km
Gullfoss Falls
16:00
Day 2: South Coast Waterfalls
1h 5min · 75km4 stops
Seljalandsfoss
09:00
25min · 30km
Skógafoss
11:30
30min · 35km
Reynisfjara Beach
14:30
10min · 10km
Vík í Mýrdal
16:30
Day 3: Glaciers & Lagoons
1h 5min · 68km4 stops
Skaftafell
10:00
45min · 55km
Fjallsárlón
13:30
15min · 12km
Jökulsárlón
15:00
5min · 1.0km
Diamond Beach
16:30
Day 4: The East Fjords
3h 45min · 250km3 stops
Vestrahorn
09:00
1h 30min · 100km
Djúpivogur
12:00
2h 15min · 150km
Seyðisfjörður
16:00
Day 5: Mývatn & Geothermal Power
1h 55min · 125km4 stops
Dettifoss
10:30
1h · 70km
Hverir
13:00
10min · 5.0km
Mývatn Nature Baths
15:00
45min · 50km
Goðafoss
17:00
Day 6: The North to West
5h · 380km3 stops
Akureyri
09:00
2h 45min · 200km
Hvítserkur
13:00
2h 15min · 180km
Kirkjufell
17:00
Day 7: Snæfellsnes to KEF
3h 15min · 230km4 stops
Djúpalónssandur
09:30
25min · 20km
Arnarstapi
11:30
2h 30min · 190km
Blue Lagoon
15:00
20min · 20km
Keflavík Airport
17:30
Heads Up
  1. Weather can change in minutes
  2. Gas stations are sparse in the East
  3. Strict speed limit enforcement
  4. Day 2: hotel change (Hella or Hvolsvöllur → Vík í Mýrdal) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  5. Day 3: hotel change (Vík í Mýrdal → Höfn) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  6. Day 4: hotel change (Höfn → Egilsstaðir) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  7. Day 5: hotel change (Egilsstaðir → Akureyri) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  8. Day 6: hotel change (Akureyri → Grundarfjörður) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer
  9. Day 7: hotel change (Grundarfjörður → Departure) — allow 1-2h check-out + transfer

Iceland Ring Road Express

A whirlwind 7-day journey covering the entire 1,332km Ring Road plus the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This route hits every major geological highlight from glaciers to volcanoes.

KEF Airport → Golden Circle → South Coast → East Fjords → Mývatn → Akureyri → Snæfellsnes → KEF Airport

  1. The Golden Circle

    Start your journey from KEF airport and head straight into the heart of Iceland's geological wonders on the Golden Circle route.

    • Keflavík Airport

      Pick up your 4WD vehicle and head east toward the volcanic landscapes.

    • Þingvellir National Park

      Walk through the Almannagjá gorge where the North American and Eurasian plates drift apart.

    • Geysir Hot Springs

      Watch Strokkur erupt every 6-10 minutes, shooting boiling water high into the air.

    • Gullfoss Falls

      Witness the 'Golden Falls' as the Hvítá river plunges into a deep canyon.

  2. South Coast Waterfalls

    Drive along the dramatic southern coastline, home to iconic waterfalls and black sand beaches.

    • Seljalandsfoss

      Take the path that leads behind the waterfall for a unique perspective.

    • Skógafoss

      Climb the 500 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the coastline.

    • Reynisfjara Beach

      Explore basalt columns and watch the powerful Atlantic waves crash on black sand.

    • Vík í Mýrdal

      Visit the iconic red-roofed church overlooking the village and sea stacks.

  3. Glaciers & Lagoons

    Enter the Vatnajökull region, where massive ice caps meet the sea in spectacular lagoons.

    • Skaftafell

      Hike to Svartifoss, the waterfall framed by dark hexagonal basalt columns.

    • Fjallsárlón

      A quieter, more intimate glacier lagoon with the ice wall visible in the background.

    • Jökulsárlón

      The crown jewel of Iceland; watch seals swim among massive floating icebergs.

    • Diamond Beach

      See chunks of ice washed ashore on black sand, glistening like diamonds.

  4. The East Fjords

    Navigate the winding coastal roads of the East Fjords, passing through tiny fishing villages.

    • Vestrahorn

      Photograph the dramatic 'Batman Mountain' reflected in the tidal flats.

    • Djúpivogur

      A charming village known for the 'Eggs of Merry Bay' outdoor art installation.

    • Seyðisfjörður

      Drive over the mountain pass to reach this artistic town with its rainbow path.

  5. Mývatn & Geothermal Power

    Head into the volcanic North to explore bubbling mud pools and massive waterfalls.

    • Dettifoss

      Feel the ground shake near Europe's most powerful waterfall.

    • Hverir

      Walk among steaming fumaroles and boiling mud pots in a Martian landscape.

    • Mývatn Nature Baths

      Relax in the milky blue geothermal waters overlooking the lake.

    • Goðafoss

      The 'Waterfall of the Gods', where Iceland's conversion to Christianity was sealed.

  6. The North to West

    Travel through the rolling hills of the North toward the dramatic Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

    • Akureyri

      Explore the world's northernmost botanical garden before leaving town.

    • Hvítserkur

      A 15m tall basalt stack that looks like a dragon drinking from the sea.

    • Kirkjufell

      The most photographed mountain in Iceland, famous from Game of Thrones.

  7. Snæfellsnes to KEF

    Complete the loop by exploring 'Iceland in Miniature' before heading back to the airport.

    • Djúpalónssandur

      Test your strength with the ancient lifting stones on this pebble beach.

    • Arnarstapi

      Walk the dramatic coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar.

    • Blue Lagoon

      The ultimate finale; soak in the silica-rich waters near the airport.

    • Keflavík Airport

      Return your rental car and check in for your evening flight.