Ultimate Fire and Ice Roadtrip: 7 Days on Iceland’s Ring Road

A typical overnight flight from the U.S. will arrive at Keflavik Airport between 6-9 a.m. local time. Many airport transfers will add a stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way to Reykjavik, which is a fantastic way to spend the morning before hotel check-in is available. Spend the day enjoying the lagoon, browsing the shops downtown, and adjusting to the time change. For those wanting to maximize rest and relaxation, stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland and enjoy a full day at the lagoon instead of driving into Reykjavik.

Technically a detour from the ring road itself, a visit to the Snaefellsnes peninsula is well worth it. Taking Route 54/574 to encircle the glacier-topped volcano, Snæfellsjökull, you’ll spot towering rock formations emerging from the ocean, charming lighthouses, and centuries-old churches in idyllic grassy fields. Snjofell Restaurant in Arnastapi serves up phenomenal fish and chips and is a great choice for a lunch stop. End your night in the quiet town of Bordeyri along the fjord.

If you are spending more than a week on the road and want to explore the Westfjords region, this would be the place to add it in. But if you’re sticking relatively close to Route 1, I recommend spending day three hitting a few stops along the Vatnsnes Peninsula instead. Route 711 will take you along the outskirts of the peninsula, where you can view harbor seals and rock formations along the rugged coastline. End your day in the northern town of Akureyri.

Northeast Iceland boasts an abundance of majestic waterfalls like Godafoss and Selfoss, as well as the famed Grjotagja Cave, featured in Game of Thrones. This stretch of Route 1 is the most remote section of the drive, so don’t leave Akureyri until you’ve checked the road conditions. Askur Pizzeria in Egilsstadir is a great spot to wind down after a long day with wood-fired pizza and craft beer.

The southeastern portion of Route 1 winds down the scenic coastline and around Iceland’s largest national park, Vatnajokull. Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoon are a must-see along the south coast route, as well as Fjadrargljufur Canyon. The town of Vik is a great spot to spend the night, and is a common launch point for tours of Katla Ice Cave, which can be scheduled for the following day.

Instead of pressing on to Reykjavik for day six, I highly recommend a guided tour of the Katla Ice Cave and Kötlujökull glacier from Vik. These tours are generally available year-round, pending unsafe weather conditions, and afford visitors a safe way to peek into the icy interior of the island. After your tour, enjoy some sightseeing in the town of Vik and take a walk at one of the local black sand beaches.

For your final day on the Ring Road, make your way back to Reykjavik with stops at Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Stop for lunch at Pylsuvagninn Selfossi in the town of Selfoss, and visit the Skyrland museum to learn about the history of Icelandic yogurt. End your day back in the capital city of Reykjavik and enjoy a sunset trip to the Sky Lagoon.

I added a trip around the Golden Circle to our trip for an extra day of driving before the Ring Road, and a few days in Reykjavik afterwards to relax before heading back home. Reykjavik is packed with options for immersive cultural and culinary experiences, and is well worth spending at least a day or two in the city. My top recommendations for spending a day in Reykjavik are local food tours, museums, and a visit to the iconic downtown church, Hallgrimskirkja.