Iceland: express Ring Road self-drive tour

Keflavik International Airport - Brattholt

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland!

Welcome to Iceland! Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you'll pick up your rental car and set straight off on your adventure.

The Golden Circle's trio of incredible sights are Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall. Today you'll be able to see all three of these amazing sights before checking in at your hotel for the night.

Brattholt - Skogafoss - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day 2: The scenic south coast

The scenic south coast is home to many of Iceland's most famous attractions. As you drive, you’ll take in stunning landscapes of glaciers and volcanoes.

Highlights include Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, unique to Iceland with a path allowing visitors to walk behind the rushing water. The picture-perfect Skógafoss Waterfall is another beauty, and the black-sand beaches of Reynisfjara offer fantastic views of sea stacks and Dyrhólaey Cliff. Enjoy your drive and take in the views before checking in at your next hotel.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur - Jokulsarlon - Höfn

Day 3: Glacier exploration

The landscape of Southeast Iceland is dominated by Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Nestled between is the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve which offers a wonderful variety of hiking options, including a walk to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue or a short hike to Svartifoss Waterfall. 

Jökulsárlón is a popular glacier lagoon in Iceland, dotted with icebergs that flow out to sea. If you visit during the winter, you could try glacier hiking or visit an ice cave, while in summer boat trips across the Jökulsárlón Lagoon are a great option.

Höfn - Egilsstaðir

Day 4: The East Fjords

Iceland's East Fjords is one of the country's most spectacular areas. Home to towering mountains, beautiful fjords, and charming fishing villages, this region is a special place to visit. 

Egilsstaðir is the largest town in the East of Iceland, set on the banks of Lake Lagarfljót, which is rumored to host an aquatic monster! The drive around the lake takes you through the largest forest in Iceland, and here hikers can take a short trip up to the Hengifoss Waterfall if they like. The Studlagil Canyon features some of the most impressive basalt column formations in Iceland and makes another great stop.

Egilsstaðir - Skútustaðagígar - Mývatn

Day 5: Lake Mývatn & the north

The volcanic area of Lake Mývatn is surrounded by diverse natural wonders, including the fascinating rock formations at the Dimmuborgir Lava Field. There are also the unusual craters at Skútustaðagígar and bubbling geothermal areas at the Víti and Hverfjall craters.  

Fans of the TV series Game of Thrones might recognize the Grjótagjá Lava Cave which was featured in the show. There are also some incredible natural hot springs to enjoy at Mývatn Nature Baths. With your own transport, you’ll be able to explore the whole area, spending more time at your favorite spots.

Mývatn - Akureyri - Midfjordur

Day 6: Akureyri & Godafoss Waterfall

The city of Akureyri is the heart of North Iceland with a charming downtown area, several interesting museums and the beautiful Botanical Gardens.

Nicknamed ‘the beauty’, Goðafoss Waterfall is just a short detour off the Ring Road route. The Northwest of Iceland is an often-overlooked region with several options for lesser-visited detours to the Vatnsnes and Tröllaskagi peninsulas. Here you can find the colorful fishing village of Siglufjörður, the Hvitserkur sea stack and Borgarvirki Fortress. 

Midfjordur - Keflavik International Airport

Day 7: Your last day of adventure

Depending on what time your flight is, you may have time to see a few more sights. You'll be driving back down towards the airport on the western side of Iceland. Other stops to consider include a short hike to the unique waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, or the longer exhilarating hike to see the 198m-high Glymur Waterfall.   

After that, drop off your rental car and say goodbye to Iceland! Board your flight, and have a safe journey home.