Iceland Ring Road 5D
The ultimate 5-day dash around Iceland's Ring Road, hitting every major waterfall, glacier, and canyon.
Keflavík → Reykjavik → South Coast → Jökulsárlón → Mývatn → Akureyri → Reykjavik
- Blue Lagoon
- Skógafoss
- Jökulsárlón
- Stuðlagil Canyon
- Goðafoss
Day 1 · Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik
Land at KEF, soak in the milky blue waters, then hit the capital. 5-day route: KEF → South Coast → Glacier Lagoon → East Fjords → Myvatn → Akureyri → Reykjavik, ~1,400km.
Keflavík Airport
Grab your 4WD rental and some snacks for the road.
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa
Iceland's most famous spa. The silica-rich water is great for the skin and even better for photos.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
The iconic basalt-column inspired church that towers over the city. The view from the top is the best in town.
Sun Voyager Sculpture
A massive stainless steel 'dream boat' on the waterfront. Perfect for a sunset stroll.
Day 2 · South Coast Waterfalls
Head south for the heavy hitters—massive falls and the famous black sand beach.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
The one you can walk behind! It's a 60m drop that feels incredibly powerful from the cave.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is a waterfall on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliff marking the former coastline. After the coastline had receded, the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.
Dyrhólaey Arch
A massive stone arch and promontory with views of the endless black coastline.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
World-famous beach with basalt columns and 'sneaker waves'. It's moody, dark, and beautiful.
Day 3 · Glaciers & Icebergs
Drive east to the land of ice. Huge glaciers and lagoons filled with floating bergs.
Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park
A hiker's paradise. You can walk to the edge of a glacier tongue or see Svartifoss waterfall.
Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon
The quieter cousin of Jökulsárlón. You get much closer to the glacier wall here.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Massive icebergs break off the glacier and float out to sea. Look for seals playing in the water.
Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
Where the icebergs wash up on the black sand, looking like giant diamonds. Unreal at sunset.
Day 4 · Canyons & Geothermal
A long drive north to the Mývatn area. Expect volcanic craters and steaming vents.
Stuðlagil Basalt Canyon
One of the world's most stunning basalt column formations. The turquoise water against the columns is insane.
Hverir Geothermal Area
A Martian landscape of bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. It smells like sulfur, but looks incredible.
Grjótagjá Cave
A small lava cave with a thermal spring inside. Famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Mývatn Nature Baths
The 'Blue Lagoon of the North'. Less crowded, cheaper, and just as relaxing.
Day 5 · The Road Back
Visit the 'Waterfall of the Gods' and the capital of the North before the long haul back to Reykjavik.
Goðafoss Waterfall
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, shaped like a horseshoe.
Akureyri Town Center
The 'Capital of the North'. A charming town with botanical gardens and great cafes.
Glaumbær Turf Houses
Beautifully preserved 18th-century turf farm. It looks like something out of a fairytale.
Reykjavik City
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is located on the southern shore of the Faxaflói bay in southwest Iceland and has a latitude of 64°08′ N, making it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state.
- Rent a 4WD for the North
- Gas is expensive, budget accordingly
- Weather changes in minutes
- Day 5: 5h 30m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 5: last stop 18:30 — leave earlier or drop a stop
- Day 5: 9h 9m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 5: 9h 8m driving — plan rest stops