A road trip in Iceland is like traveling through an epic fantasy novel – every day reveals otherworldly landscapes, from steaming geothermal fields and thundering waterfalls to iceberg-studded lagoons and black sand beaches. The day I watched the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was the day I decided I am going to Iceland and I guess I am not alone! This 7-day itinerary follows the famous Ring Road (Route 1) around Iceland's highlights, with a focus on nature, adventure, and a few tucked-away spots that many tourists miss. Get ready to soak in geothermal pools, hike to hidden waterfalls, and maybe even glimpse the Northern Lights if you visit in the darker months. (Note: Iceland is expensive – we'll add in budget tips like camping and cooking for you, as well as some worthwhile splurges.)
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík and visiting the Golden Circle
Morning in Reykjavík
Fly in at the airport in Keflavík and take Flybus, or rent a car. Spend your first day in the capital, Reykjavík. The city is very compact, and a few hours is sufficient for the main sights. Take a stroll through the colorful city center, spot the Atlantic puffin statues in the souvenir shops, climb up the tower in Hallgrímskirkja church for a glimpse over the city roofs and harbor, grab a fast meal (try the fabled lamb hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand), and begin your journey. Btw if you want to spend full day here, you should check out this one day Reykjavik itinerary which we loved ourselves!
Afternoon – Golden Circle
Set out from Reykjavík and begin the popular Golden Circle tour. First, stop in Thingvellir National Park, a UN World Heritage site, where more than 1,000 years ago the first parliament in the world was held. Their is an entry fees to the park for vehicles - approx 3 USD for motorcycle and 8 USD for passenger car. Take a stroll through the Almannagjá rift valley – literally, between the Eurasian and North America tectonic plates. Next, head to the Geysir geothermal area. The Great Geysir is nowadays rather quiet (it is from here that all geysers derive their name), but nearby, Strokkur erupts regularly, sending boiling water up to 30m in the air. When hearing the bubbling and seeing the water dome rise, be prepared with your camera in hand! Next, drive for a mere 10 minutes (just a short distance) to Gullfoss ("Golden Falls"). This two-stage waterfall is so cacophonous that you feel the spray. Approach the top viewpoint for a spectacular view right over the edge of the water. In winter, chunks of the falls freeze into glinting ice forms; in summer, rainbows appear in the mist.
Evening
Stay in the area around Gullfoss and Geysir so that you can begin your second day early and have something planned for the evening. Unwind in Flúdir village at the Secret Lagoon – a very ancient hot spring that is cheaper than the Blue Lagoon. Basking in warm water outside, with the beautiful green fields of ancient lava all around, is the perfect way to cap your first day. (Budget tip: Skip the pricey restaurant and purchase food in a store, cooking it in the shared kitchens that most guesthouses offer).
Budget Tip: Icelandic tap water is incredibly pure and free. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout your trip to save money and reduce plastic waste.
Day 2: South Coast – Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches
Morning – Waterfalls on the South Coast
Drive along the Ring Road towards Iceland's stunning South Coast. First stop: Seljalandsfoss. This picture-perfect waterfall plunges from ancient sea cliffs, and uniquely, you can walk behind it into a cavern. Take the trail behind the falls for a refreshing (and drenching) view through the curtain of water – you'll feel like you're in a secret hideout. A few minutes' walk to the left (north) along the cliff base is Gljúfrabúi, a hidden gem waterfall inside a mossy slot canyon. To see it up close, hop across a few stepping stones in the creek and squeeze into the opening – suddenly you're in a mist-filled grotto with water cascading from above. Most tour buses skip Gljúfrabúi, so you might even have it to yourself. Continue 30 minutes down the road to Skógafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls at 60m high. You'll likely spot its mist from afar. Climb the long staircase to the right of Skógafoss for a top-down view and to access trails along the Skógá River (there are dozens of smaller falls upstream for eager hikers). Standing at Skógafoss's base is humbling – the roar, the spray, and often a vivid rainbow on sunny days.
Afternoon – Reynisfjara Beach & Vík
After the waterfalls, head toward Vík í Mýrdal, the southernmost village. Nearby Reynisfjara Beach is renowned for its black sand and powerful waves. Marvel at the tall basalt column cave (Hálsanefshellir) – these hexagonal columns look man-made but are entirely natural, formed by cooling lava. Out in the ocean rise the Reynisdrangar sea stacks; local legend says they were trolls caught in the sunrise, turned to stone. Feel the might of the Atlantic here, but heed the warning signs – the waves can be unpredictable and dangerous. Before leaving Vík, consider popping into the local wool factory shop for an Icelandic sweater or take a short hike up to the red-roofed church on the hill for a sweeping view over town and coast.
Evening
Continue east a bit to stay near Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell for the night. If you have daylight (or in summer, you will!), you could make a quick stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon just before Kirkjubæjarklaustur (yes we know the Icelandic names could be looooong and difficult to pronounce haha). It's a serpentine canyon with sheer walls – a short hike leads to epic viewpoints over the winding green gorge. Settle in at your accommodation – perhaps a farmhouse guesthouse with fields of Icelandic horses outside. With little light pollution in this area, step outside before bed and look up: if it's winter and clear, you might catch the Northern Lights dancing; if it's summer, the near-midnight twilight casts a peaceful glow.
Safety Note: Be extremely cautious at Reynisfjara Beach. Never turn your back on the ocean, as "sneaker waves" can appear suddenly and have claimed lives. Stay well away from the water's edge.
Day 3: Glaciers & Icebergs – Skaftafell to Jökulsárlón
Morning – Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park
Start at Skaftafell, part of Europe's largest national park, home to Iceland's highest peaks and largest ice cap. There are great hikes for all levels here. A popular easy hike (about 1.5 hours round-trip) is to Svartifoss, the "Black Waterfall." It's framed by hexagonal black basalt columns that resemble a giant pipe organ – these inspired the design of Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík. The trail is fairly gentle and offers nice views of the Skaftafell valley. More adventurous hikers can trek to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue viewpoint or hire a guide to actually walk on a glacier. Glacier hiking was one of the best experience for us in Iceland: you'll strap on crampons and crunch over blue ice, peer into deep moulins (vertical shafts), and learn how the glaciers are (sadly) rapidly receding.
Afternoon – Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach
Drive about 40 minutes further east to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a true highlight of Iceland. This lagoon is where chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier break off (forming icebergs) and drift slowly out to sea. Park and wander along the lagoon's shore – you might see seals pop their heads between the floating icebergs. The ice ranges from milky white to startling blue, some pieces as big as houses. If you want, join an amphibious boat tour to sail among the bergs in summer (in winter the lagoon can be too icy for boats). Across the highway, be sure to walk along Diamond Beach, where smaller icebergs often wash up on the black sand and lie glittering like (you guessed it) diamonds. It's especially beautiful in the late-day light. Keep your camera ready for close-ups of ice sculptures – each piece is unique, carved by the waves.
Evening
Begin the journey back west (unless you're continuing the Ring Road to the East Fjords). Many travelers turn around at Jökulsárlón on a 7-day trip. You can stay overnight in the small town of Höfn (known for langoustine lobsters) about an hour east, or backtrack and overnight around Skaftafell/Kirkjubæjarklaustur again. If you're up for a soak, consider the Hofsós hot tubs in Höfn or even an impromptu dip in one of the accessible natural hot pots noted on maps (like the one near Hoffell, outside Höfn). A warm bath under the open sky is a perfect Icelandic way to cap your day.
Day 4: Northbound – Backtracking and Hidden Gems
Morning – Crossing the South Coast
The drive back across the South Coast offers a second chance to see anything you missed or that bad weather might have obscured. Maybe today you can see the glacier-topped volcano Eyjafjallajökull (which erupted in 2010) clearly from the road, whereas before it was shrouded. If you skipped Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon or Dyrhólaey Arch near Vík (a promontory with great puffin watching in summer), now's the time to catch them. Enjoy the fact that in Iceland, the scenery can look totally different depending on time of day and weather – those lava fields and waterfalls often merit a second look.
Afternoon – Hvolsvöllur to Reykholt
Instead of returning straight to Reykjavík, consider a detour through West Iceland for your last full day. From the South Coast, swing north via Hvolsvöllur and Selfoss towards Borgarnes. Stop at Reykholt, the medieval home of writer Snorri Sturluson – you can see Snorri's Pool, a small geothermally heated stone tub he soaked in 800 years ago (history feels very tangible in Iceland!). Not far is Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls streaming out of a lava field into the Hvítá River – hundreds of rivulets filtering through volcanic rock, creating a wide veil of water. It's incredibly beautiful, especially with autumn foliage or surrounded by snow. Just upstream is Barnafoss, the "Children's Falls," with a tragic legend and turquoise rapids rushing through a narrow gorge.
Evening – Reykjavík Farewell
Head back to Reykjavík (about 1.5 hours from Hraunfossar) for your final night. If you didn't do the Blue Lagoon near Keflavík, you can detour there either this evening or tomorrow before your flight (just be sure to pre-book a slot). In Reykjavík, celebrate your journey with a nice dinner – maybe try local delicacies like arctic char or free-range lamb at a downtown bistro. For a budget meal, the city's food halls (Hlemmur Mathöll or Grandi Mathöll) offer everything from fish tacos to Vietnamese spring rolls. Stroll the streets one last time – perhaps you'll catch some live music at a bar or just enjoy the late evening twilight in summer.
Day 5: Departure from Keflavík
Morning
If time allows, squeeze in one more activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula on your way to Keflavík Airport. The bridge between continents at Sandvík is a quick photo stop (a small footbridge spans a gash in the earth symbolically connecting the tectonic plates). The Gunnuhver mud pools and Krisuvík geothermal area showcase Reykjanes's raw geothermal power with boiling mud and steaming vents. It's a fitting final taste of Iceland's "Land of Fire and Ice" character.
Head to the airport, drop off your trusty car, and bid bless (bye) to Iceland. In one week, you've driven through a tapestry of natural wonders: erupting geysers, sprawling glaciers, black deserts, and green fjords. You camped under the midnight sun or soaked in hot springs under the stars. Maybe you even picked up a few Icelandic phrases (at least "takk" for thank you!).
Travel Tips
Budget Tip
To save money in Iceland, travel like an Icelander. Many past visitors note that camping is not only the cheapest option, but also one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the landscape. Campsites are affordable and everywhere – some even have natural hot pots nearby. Self-catering is key: stock up on groceries at Bonus or Kronan (discount supermarkets) and cook your meals or packed picnics. Gas stations often have hearty (if basic) meals like meat soup or pylsur (hot dogs) for cheap. And skip bottled water – Icelandic tap water is delicious. To save even more why not find a travel partner when you are travelling solo and split costs!
Camping Tip: Iceland's camping laws allow you to pitch a tent for one night in uncultivated areas if you're away from farms and homes. However, established campsites are often more comfortable with facilities and sometimes hot showers.
Luxury Tip
If you have room to splurge, consider a helicopter tour for a bird's-eye view of glaciers and volcanoes – an absolute once-in-a-lifetime thrill. Indulge in an afternoon at the Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon, where you can enjoy swim-up bars and rejuvenating spa treatments in geothermal waters. Dining at a high-end Reykjavik restaurant on your last night – savoring dishes like reindeer, langoustine, or wild mushrooms – will let you literally taste the Icelandic terroir. Also, private super-jeep tours can take you to remote highland locations in comfort and style that regular vehicles can't reach.
As your plane takes off over volcanic landscapes and the endless Atlantic, you might already be planning a return to see what you missed (the Westfjords? Northern Lights in winter? The interior highlands?). That's the thing about Iceland – there's always more magic around the next bend. Takk fyrir (thank you) for joining this adventure, and happy travels until next time!
