Around Iceland in 10 Days: The Complete Ring Road Adventure

Get ready for a classic, full-circle road trip around Iceland’s Ring Road — a 10-day, 9-night self-drive adventure that hits remote fjords, glacial lagoons, volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches, and charming fishing villages.

This tour is ideal for independent travelers who want a comprehensive, flexible journey with comfortable stays, a rental car included, and expert support along the way.

Trip Highlights

Complete full circle of Iceland’s Ring Road in 10 days

Explore all major regions: Snæfellsnes Peninsula, North Iceland, East Fjords, South Coast & Golden Circle

Visit iconic sights: Reynisfjara Black-Sand Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Goðafoss

Discover geothermal wonders around Lake Mývatn

See dramatic fjords, fishing villages & remote coastal landscapes in the east

Walk lava fields, volcano-shaped landscapes & waterfall canyons

Enjoy whale-watching opportunities in Húsavík

Travel independently with rental car included, unlimited mileage

Stay in comfort-level accommodations with private bathrooms + breakfast

Benefit from a digital travel guide app with maps, navigation, tips & support

Why This Trip?

You circle the entire island — from rugged coastal cliffs to glacier lagoons and geothermal hot spots.
All accommodations are in rooms with private bathrooms + breakfast.
Rental car (10 days, unlimited mileage, CDW insurance) is included — ideal for exploring Iceland at your own pace.
You get a “travel assistant” app (map, navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot, local tips, support), making the journey smoother and more spontaneous.
The itinerary blends iconic must-see sights with hidden gems — from glacier lagoons to quiet coastal villages.

Trip Stats

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Trip Style: Self-Drive Road Trip
Route Type: Full Iceland Ring Road Circuit
Distance Covered: ~1,332 km / 828 miles (Ring Road), more with side trips
Driving Time: 3–5 hrs per day on average
Best Season: May – September
Accommodation: Rooms with private bath + daily breakfast
Car Rental: Included (10 days, unlimited mileage, CDW insurance)
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (long driving days, short hikes optional)

Trip Itinerary

Arrival Day | Reykjavík

Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, pick up your rental car and begin your Iceland adventure. If time allows, consider a visit to the iconic Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa (advance booking required), conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from the airport.

Reykjavík is a safe, lively, and creative capital, offering an engaging mix of museums, historic landmarks, galleries, boutiques, and open-air geothermal swimming pools. The city’s dining scene is equally impressive, with a wide range of restaurants serving everything from traditional Icelandic dishes to innovative modern cuisine.

Accommodation: Overnight in Reykjavík (optional and not included in the tour price).

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Day 1 | Borgarfjörður Area

Today you explore the scenic Borgarfjörður region, celebrated for its natural beauty and deep connection to the Icelandic Sagas. Visit Reykholt, one of Iceland’s most important historical sites, before continuing to the remarkable Hraunfossar Lava Falls, where clear glacial water emerges directly from the Hallmundarhraun lava field in a series of delicate cascades.

Nearby, stop at the powerful Barnafoss Waterfalls and see Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, where boiling water surges from deep underground.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Snæfellsnes area.

Day 2 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Spend the day exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “Iceland in miniature” for its incredible variety of scenery. This region is known for its glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields, and historic fishing villages.

Visit the coastal village of Arnarstapi, with its striking basalt cliffs and natural stone arches, then continue to the iconic Búðir Church, set against a vast backdrop of lava fields and mountains. Walk along the black sands of Djúpalónssandur Beach and admire the imposing Snæfellsjökull Glacier, which local legend names as one of Earth’s seven energy centers.

Later, stop in Grundarfjörður for breathtaking views of Mt. Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain, and the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Húnaflói / Skagafjörður area.

Day 3 | Northwest Iceland & Akureyri

Today you travel through the scenic landscapes of Northwest Iceland, beginning with a stop at the striking Hvítserkur Cliff. Rising 15 meters from the sea just off the Vatnsnes Peninsula, this dramatic basalt formation is steeped in local legend and often described as a petrified troll. The surrounding coastline is also Iceland’s largest seal habitat, and seals are frequently spotted resting along the shore. The cliff itself is a nesting site for seabirds, including gulls and fulmars.

Continue inland to visit Glaumbær, a beautifully preserved turf farmhouse, followed by the historic Víðimýri Turf Church, offering a glimpse into Iceland’s rural past. The day concludes in Akureyri, Iceland’s vibrant northern capital, known for its charming harbor, botanical gardens, and cultural scene.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Akureyri area.

Day 4 | Lake Mývatn Area

Begin the day with a visit to Goðafoss, the dramatic Waterfall of the Gods and one of Iceland’s most impressive cascades. From here, continue east to the Lake Mývatn region, an area renowned for its otherworldly volcanic landscapes and geothermal activity.

Explore the striking formations of Dimmuborgir Lava Fields, followed by a stop at the Námufjall Geothermal Area, where steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pools paint the landscape in vivid colors. End the day with a relaxing soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, offering panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Húsavík / Lake Mývatn area (2 nights).

Day 5 | Northeast Iceland

Begin the day in Húsavík, Iceland’s whale-watching capital, known for its colorful harbor houses, small museums, and views of snow-capped peaks across Skjálfandi Bay. Join a whale-watching excursion (optional) for the chance to observe whales in their natural habitat.

Continue along the Tjörnes Peninsula, an area famed for its rich fossil beds and population of ptarmigan, before traveling through Öxarfjörður, a scenic fjord characterized by woodlands and distinctive tuff mountains. The journey then leads into the northern reaches of Vatnajökull National Park, home to some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes.

Highlights include the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon, the thundering Dettifoss Waterfall—Europe’s most powerful waterfall—and the unique basalt formations of Hljóðaklettar Echo Cliffs.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Húsavík / Lake Mývatn area.

Day 6 | East Iceland

Travel east through the vast, otherworldly highlands of Möðrudalsöræfi, one of Iceland’s most remote and sparsely populated regions, as you make your way to the town of Egilsstaðir. Set along the banks of the Lagarfljót River, the town is steeped in local legend and is said to be home to the mythical Lagarfljótsormur sea serpent.

The surrounding area offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural history. Visit Hengifoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, framed by striking layers of red clay and basalt. Nearby, explore Hallormsstaður National Forest, Iceland’s largest woodland, and the Skriðuklaustur Centre of Culture and History, which reveals insights into medieval Icelandic life.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Egilsstaðir area.

Day 7 | The Eastfjords

Driving through the Eastfjords is one of Iceland’s most peaceful and scenic experiences. Rugged coastlines, towering mountains, remote farms, and small fishing villages define this tranquil stretch of the country.

Along the way, discover highlights such as Papey Island, a protected nature reserve known for birdlife, and the picturesque village of Seyðisfjörður, famous for its colorful houses and artistic spirit. Continue through Fáskrúðsfjörður, where views extend toward the striking hollow cliff island of Skrúður, rising dramatically from the sea just east of the bay.

The day concludes in Höfn, a charming coastal town set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and glaciers, and well known for its exceptional lobster dishes.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Höfn area.

Day 8 | Vatnajökull National Park

Drive along Iceland’s dramatic southeast coast, where sweeping ocean views and glacial landscapes define the journey. Stop at the iconic Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the largest of its kind in Iceland, where towering icebergs drift serenely through the water and seals are often seen swimming among the ice. An optional boat cruise allows you to glide between the icebergs for a closer look.

Continue to Ingólfshöfði, an isolated cape set between the black sands of the South Coast and the Atlantic Ocean. From May to August, an optional guided visit by hay wagon offers a unique way to explore this protected area, known for its birdlife and sweeping coastal views.

Later, explore Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, where well-marked walking and hiking trails lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking glaciers, mountains, and cascading waterfalls.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Vík / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 9 | South Iceland

Today showcases some of South Iceland’s most iconic landscapes. Begin with a visit to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a dramatic, moss-covered gorge located near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Continue to Vík, Iceland’s southernmost village, and explore nearby Reynisfjara, a striking black-sand beach famous for its basalt columns and offshore sea stacks.

Just south of Vík lies Dyrhólaey, a 120-meter-high promontory and protected nature reserve offering sweeping ocean views and towering cliff walls alive with seabirds. As you continue west, stop at Skógar to admire the powerful Skógafoss Waterfall and visit the Skógar Folk Museum, which offers insight into Iceland’s cultural and agricultural history.

End the day at Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most unique waterfalls, where a footpath allows you to walk behind the cascading water.

Accommodation: Overnight in the Gullfoss / Geysir area.

Day 10 | Gullfoss & Geysir

The final day highlights the cultural history and natural wonders of South Iceland. Begin with a visit to Skálholt Cathedral, one of Iceland’s most important historical and religious sites and a setting for many of the country’s famous sagas. Continue to Kerið Crater, a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater lake located in the Grímsnes area, known for its vivid blue water and red volcanic rock.

From here, explore the iconic Golden Circle, featuring the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall, the erupting geysers of the Geysir Hot Spring Area, and Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Iceland’s first parliament was founded and the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

Accommodation: Overnight in Reykjavík (optional and not included in the tour price).

Additional Trip Info

9 nights accommodation in rooms with private bathroom and daily breakfast

10-day rental car with unlimited mileage and CDW insurance

Guide App – your personal travel assistant, providing route mapping, navigation, nearby highlights, and local recommendations

GPS navigation system
Wi-Fi hotspot
Curated points of interest along the route
In-app messaging for support during your trip

Airport pick-up and drop-off fee for the rental car at Keflavík International Airport

Digital e-itinerary with tour map, location points, and photos available before departure

Free Wi-Fi hotspot throughout the journey

All taxes and service fees

Emergency phone support line

Travel Insurance - We recommend Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue
Items not mentioned

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Iceland

A self-drive journey through Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes — glaciers, volcanoes, fjords & waterfalls

Around Iceland in 10 Days: The Complete Ring Road Adventure

A self-drive journey through Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes — glaciers, volcanoes, fjords & waterfalls

Trip Highlights

Why This Trip?

Trip Stats

Trip Itinerary

Arrival Day | Reykjavík

Day 1 | Borgarfjörður Area

Day 2 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Day 3 | Northwest Iceland & Akureyri

Day 4 | Lake Mývatn Area

Day 5 | Northeast Iceland

Day 6 | East Iceland

Day 7 | The Eastfjords

Day 8 | Vatnajökull National Park

Day 9 | South Iceland

Day 10 | Gullfoss & Geysir

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Iceland

Around Iceland in 10 Days: The Complete Ring Road Adventure

A self-drive journey through Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes — glaciers, volcanoes, fjords & waterfalls

Around Iceland in 10 Days: The Complete Ring Road Adventure

A self-drive journey through Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes — glaciers, volcanoes, fjords & waterfalls

Trip Highlights

Why This Trip?

Trip Stats

Trip Itinerary

Arrival Day | Reykjavík

Day 1 | Borgarfjörður Area

Day 2 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Day 3 | Northwest Iceland & Akureyri

Day 4 | Lake Mývatn Area

Day 5 | Northeast Iceland

Day 6 | East Iceland

Day 7 | The Eastfjords

Day 8 | Vatnajökull National Park

Day 9 | South Iceland

Day 10 | Gullfoss & Geysir

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

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6-Day Self-Drive Tour of Iceland: Waterfalls, Glaciers & the Golden Circle

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Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.