Driving around Iceland is pretty simple because there’s only one road. Nicknamed the “Ring Road” – the famous route 1 thoroughfare runs all the way around the island and is considered one of the best road trip adventures in the world. If you’re wondering what can be accomplished in 7 days, check out this itinerary. We covered a lot of ground and never felt rushed. Glaciers, hot springs, mountains, black sand beaches, boiling mud – Iceland has it all! Please note: we visited in the spring and decided to skip the Western Fjords region.
Day 1
- Land in Reykjavik
- Buy some alcohol at Duty-Free
- Alcoholic drinks are really expensive in Iceland. This is will save you money.
- Pick up rental car
- Breakfast in Reykjavik at Prikið ehf
- Get food and snacks at Bonus
- Reykjadalur Hot Springs
- Check-In at Hotel in Reykjavik
- Happy hour beers
- Dinner
- Explore Reykjavik Bars
- Live Jazz music at Húrra
Day 2
- Coffee at Reykjavik Roasters
- Make sure to stop in here. The coffee is fantastic!
- Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui Waterfalls
- Seljavallalaug Hot Spring Pool and hiking
- Skogafoss Waterfall
- Check-In at Hvoll Cottages (near Vik)
- Unique cottages right on the beach outside Vik
Day 3
- Skaftafell Glacier Hike
- You’ll need a guide and equipment. We booked ours through Troll Expeditions
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
- Diamond Beach
- Hoffell Hot Pots
- Check-In to The Milk Factory hotel
- They converted this old Milk Factory into a neat bed & breakfast
- Dinner at Hafnarbuðin
- Drinks at Hafið
Day 4
- Delicious breakfast at the Milk Factory Hotel
- Drive through scenic Eastern Fjords to Egilsstaðir (3.5 hr drive)
- NOTE: In the summer you can drive a shorter route directly to Egilsstaðir
- Lunch in Egilsstaðir (gas station hot dogs)
- Drive to Hverir Boiling Mud Pits (2 hr drive)
- Very weird geothermal area that feels like another planet
- Check-In at Guesthouse Storu-Laugar
- Soak in our private hot tub
- Watch for Northern Lights
Day 5
- Homemade breakfast at our Guesthouse
- Explore Lake Mývatn
- Grjótagjá Hot Spring Cave
- Several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here
- Drive to Húsavik
- Beautiful small port town
- Godafoss Waterfall
- Definitely my favorite waterfall from the trip
- Drive to Akureyri
- Iceland’s second largest city
- Check-In at apartment in Akureyri
- Buy groceries and supplies at Bonus
- We cooked breakfast at our apartment every morning
- Dinner at Greifinn
- Get the Troll Burger if you’re hungry
Day 6
- Make breakfast at apartment in Akureyri
- Explore downtown Akureyri
- Visit Holtsel farm and try their fresh-made ice cream
- Drive up to Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort
- During our stay the 2018 Icelandic Winter Games were going on
- Dinner at apartment. We cooked pasta that evening to save some money
- Night out in Akureryi
- The local bars are a lot of fun. Götubarinn had a piano that a local guy was playing traditional Icelandic songs. Everybody seemed to know the words except for us.
Day 7
- Breakfast at our apartment in Akureyri
- Drive to Reykjafoss and Fosslaug Hot Spring Pool
- My favorite hot spring from the trip out in a scenic mountain valley
- Drive to Reykjavik (3.5 hour drive)
- Check-In at hotel
- Dinner at Hlemmur Mathöll
- Hip new food hall in Reykjavik. Try the Arctic Char from Skál and grab an nitrogen-made ice cream at Ísleifur Heppni
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