Iceland may be tiny, but this Nordic country is packed with some of the planet’s most beautiful landscapes, from colossal mountains and massive glaciers to black sand beaches and Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. With so much to see, it can be difficult to settle on an itinerary. This seven-day Iceland road trip route will take you to some of the best stops along Ring Road, including Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík, Vestrahorn, Akureyri, Kirkjufell, and more.
⚠️ Always check https://en.vedur.is for weather updates before traveling on Iceland’s roads.
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Claudia Cardia - Video Editor
Tiana Attride - AFAR Producer
Elizabeth See - Designer
Sarika Bansal - Editorial Director
Michelle Heimerman - Photo Editor
MUSIC
“Golden” Utah / Musicbed
FOOTAGE / PHOTOGRAPHY
Storyblocks
iStock
Alberto Canamero Nalda
zakaz86
Uldis Laganovskis
WLDavies
benedek
⚠️ Always check https://en.vedur.is for weather updates before traveling on Iceland’s roads.
----
CONNECT WITH AFAR
Afar.com is a digital and print magazine that publishes travel tips, guides, news, and stories: https://www.afar.com
Get updates on the latest articles, travel news, and more from AFAR by signing up for the AFAR newsletter: https://afar.com/newsletters
Follow AFAR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfarMedia
Follow AFAR on Twitter: https://twitter.com/afarmedia
Follow AFAR on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afarmedia
Follow AFAR on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/afarmedia
----
CREDITS
Claudia Cardia - Video Editor
Tiana Attride - AFAR Producer
Elizabeth See - Designer
Sarika Bansal - Editorial Director
Michelle Heimerman - Photo Editor
MUSIC
“Golden” Utah / Musicbed
FOOTAGE / PHOTOGRAPHY
Storyblocks
iStock
Alberto Canamero Nalda
zakaz86
Uldis Laganovskis
WLDavies
benedek
Category
🏖
TravelTranscript
00:00Iceland is one of the most otherworldly places on the planet.
00:07Despite being a country smaller than Colorado, it's packed with colossal mountains, massive glaciers, powerful waterfalls,
00:13and some of Europe's most beautiful, and difficult to pronounce, landscapes.
00:17So we don't blame anyone who struggles to pick a road trip route.
00:20This 7 day itinerary will show you some of the best places to stop along Iceland's Ring Road, plus what to know before you go.
00:31Assuming you land in Reykjavik first thing in the morning, pick up your rental car and grab some road trip snacks in town before setting out.
00:38Many people will tell you to spend day 1 traveling around the Golden Circle, but we recommend skipping it for more impressive sights.
00:44Instead, make the 3 hour drive from Reykjavik to Vik along the south coast.
00:48You'll start your trip with several quintessential Icelandic landmarks, including Seljalandsfoss, Glófrábui, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara, Iceland's most famous beach.
00:56For accommodations tonight, head for the Vik campsite, which lets you sleep in the shadow of mountains that cradle the town, or the modern Hotel Vik for a more upscale stay.
01:04Day 2 will take you from Vik to the Stokksnes Peninsula, about a 3 and a half hour drive.
01:08Just off Ring Road, you might consider a 2 hour round trip hike to Múla Glófr, a steep, craggy canyon with a river snaking through it, and a magnificent 331 foot waterfall hidden at the end of the trail.
01:19Otherwise, you can head to Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón, an impressive glacial lagoon.
01:23You'll end your day on the Stokksnes Peninsula at one of the most incredible sights in Iceland, Vestrahorn, a jagged, jet-black mountain that juts up dramatically from a black sand beach on the country's east coast.
01:33Just around the corner from Vestrahorn, set up camp for the night in the town of Hörpen.
01:37There are several basic hotels in town, as well as Camping Hörpen, a scenic campground with cottages, RV sites, and views across the Stokksnes mountainscape.
01:45Days 3 and 4 will be your longest travel days by far, so stock up on snacks in Hörpen.
01:50Leaving town, you'll drive in and out of the fjords along Iceland's east coast.
01:53Along the route, you'll spot impressive landscapes, including Ístrahorn Mountain, Vestrahorn's lesser-known, equally beautiful sibling, just 40 minutes away.
02:00We recommend an overnight stay in Ílstadir, the largest town in eastern Iceland, where you'll find plenty of lakeside B&Bs and hotels overlooking Lake Lurin.
02:08About an hour from town, you can see puffins near the village of Borgafjörður Eistri during the summer, or take a dip at the Vak baths, thermal baths that float on Lake Úrðbátn year-round.
02:17From Ílstadir, travel on to Mývatn, a massive volcanic lake.
02:21Spend the afternoon soaking in the geothermally heated Mývatn baths before landing in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of northern Iceland.
02:28While there are plenty of hotel options and campsites in and around town, you can't go wrong with the Hotel Akureyri.
02:33At this point, you may want a rest day. Walk around town, enjoy the laid-back vibes, and look out for Akureyri's famous heart-shaped streetlights.
02:40If you're up for it, there are plenty of day trips nearby.
02:43Make the one-hour drive to Húsavík, the whale-watching capital of Iceland, or the 30-minute drive to Gótafoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
02:51The stretch of ring road between Akureyri and Reykjavík is filled with options, so here are two recommendations for the last leg of your trip.
02:57You could travel to the Snefellsnes Peninsula to see the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain.
03:01From there, those who want to extend their trip can take a ferry from nearby Stikisölnur up to the Westfjords, the wildest, least touristed part of Iceland.
03:08Or head back to Reykjavík.
03:09While many people say that the Icelandic capital is a one-day stop at best, we would tend to disagree.
03:14If you know where to look, there's enough to do in the world's northernmost capital city to merit its own guide.
03:19Unique museums, Michelin-starred restaurants, the famous Helgrimskirkja church, and easy access to geothermal baths like the Sky Lagoon, a less-crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
03:29Here are four things to know before you go on an Icelandic road trip.
03:31First, always get the best car insurance your rental company offers.
03:36Iceland's roads are gravelly, windy, and winding, so it's best to be prepared.
03:40Two, remember to check Iceland's leading weather app and website, Vedder.is, for the weather forecast before you drive.
03:46The weather changes fast here, and trust me, you do not want to end up in a rain or snow storm when you're driving along the fjords.
03:52Three, speaking of weather, you'll want to pack for it all.
03:55You will never regret bringing a few extra warm layers, as well as waterproof boots, pants, and jackets that'll keep you dry as you explore.
04:02And four, stay flexible with your plans.
04:05Between weather, seasonal road closures, volcanic activity, and long driving days, Iceland is a destination best explored slowly and flexibly.
04:13And there you have it. Let us know in the comments if there are any other stops you'd add to this trip.
04:17Thanks for watching, and we'll catch you next time.