Are you looking for some of the most epic landscapes in the world? Then look no further than Iceland, the land of fire and ice! Iceland has everything from volcanos to glaciers, black sand beaches to snowy mountains, and almost everything in between. One of the best ways to see Iceland is on a five day road trip itinerary around the ring road!
Ready to get started? Check out my action-packed itinerary below!
Logistics
Before we jump into all the day-by-day details, a few logistics to note.
Also known as Route 1, the ring road will take you all the way around the island of Iceland. This makes Iceland the perfect place for a road trip! If you’re up for the adventure, I recommend renting a camper van. This will give you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to explore. Plus, as Iceland is known for being very expensive, this will help you save on accommodation!
Speaking of expensive, another cost-saving tip is to pack as many non-perishable food items as you can. Since almost everything has to be imported to Iceland, food costs can be quite high.
One item you’ll want to consider is what season to visit. Each season has its benefits: spring and autumn are less crowded, summer has the midnight sun and puffins, winter has northern lights. We visited in October, which we thought was perfect because of the low crowds, decent sunlight, and chance of northern lights.
No matter what season you visit, the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack for anything. In October, thermal layers, hiking boots, waterproof winter coats and hats were all essentials!
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: Day 1
Arrive in Reykjavik
Your Iceland road trip promises some epic views like this!
Land in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, early in the morning on day one to make the most of your five day ring road itinerary!
First stop will be to pick up your trusty camper van. There are several good companies in Iceland, but we went with Cozy Campers. We liked that the vans had decent amenities inside, like a sink, rope lights, and easy-to-make bed. We also liked that the company offers free rides from Keflavik airport to their pickup site. (If you choose to book a taxi, know that there aren’t your typical rideshare companies on the island, so you will have to use a local taxi like Hreyfill, which could cost over $150 to get to downtown Reykjavik.)
Get settled in your van, and then hit the road!
Before you get too far, I recommend stopping for groceries. In the city of Selfoss, about an hour outside of Reykjavik, there are inexpensive grocery stores like Bonus or Krónan right off of Route 1 that make for an easy pit stop. Pick up supplies for meals on the road – during our trip, we ate breakfast and lunch in the van and then went out to dinner each night. To save even more money, consider packing non-perishables in your luggage if you have the space. Since almost everything has to be imported to Iceland, food costs can be quite high. Our breakfast and lunch ingredients were almost $50!
Walk Behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall…be prepared to get soaked!
Continue driving east for another hour to reach your first official stop of the trip, the beautiful (and popular) Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This spot is famous for being easily accessible. The waterfall is visible from Route 1 and is just a short walk from the parking lot. You can even walk behind the falls (if you don’t mind getting wet)!
Since this stop is so close to Reykjavik, you’ll have to share it with lots of other tourists (and tour buses), so adjust your expectations accordingly. Despite the crowds, this is still an enjoyable stop! We loved being able to get so close to such powerful falls.
If you’ve got time and want to escape the crowds, there are a few paths nearby where you can walk around to other falls dripping down the side of the mountains.
Note there is a small fee for parking, but there are good facilities onsite, including toilets and a coffee shop.
Get Soaked at Skogafoss Waterfall
I love the rainbows at Skogafoss.
Another 30 minutes east and you’ll be at an even more impressive waterfall! Skogafoss is also visible from Route 1 and easily accessible from the parking lot, which is free of charge. Because of this, be prepared for crowds here as well.
Here you can walk up to the base of the falls and really feel the power of the water! Also, there are often rainbows near the falls, which are gorgeous.
Take in the Views at Dyrholaey
Dyrholaey has the most magical sunset views.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of waterfalls, hop back in the van and keep heading east. Another 30 minutes of driving will take you up a short cliff to a breathtaking viewpoint at Dyrholaey. Here you can walk out onto a peninsula and take in sweeping views of the mountains, black sand beaches, and rock formations in the ocean.
If you visit in the summer, you may encounter puffins here! This is a popular nesting spot, so there may be closures as well in order to protect the birds.
Climb Basalt Columns at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
You can’t miss taking a photo on the columns!
End the first of your five day Iceland ring road itinerary at another insta-famous location, Reynisfjara black sand beach. You’ve definitely seen photos of these basalt columns before!
The parking lot is free and is shared with a small restaurant. A short distance away is the beach. On your right you will see the rock formations of Dyrholaey (where you just left), and on your left you will see the basalt columns, a basalt cave (if the tide is out), and sea stacks.
Just be very careful not to get too close to the water. This beach is known for ‘sneaker waves,’ which are essentially waves that look small until they get closer to shore and combine with other waves to make large, dangerous waves. There have been several tourist injuries and deaths here as a result.
Eat and Rest in Vik
Your final stop of the day is the coastal city of Vik. This is a short 20 minute drive from the previous stop.
In the summertime, beautiful lupine flowers will cover the grass around the city. Make sure to stop at the Icelandic church on the hill overlooking the city. It’s picturesque!
Finally, you’ve had a long first day, so treat yourself to dinner out. We loved Smiðjan Brugghús, a local brewery with amazing burgers and cauliflower wings.
Camp at Vik Camping, which has lots of space and is open year-round. Bathrooms are spacious, modern, and clean.
Bonus: Watch out for the Northern Lights!
Northern lights from the Dyrholaey viewpoint.
If you visit Iceland between September and April, you have a fairly good chance of seeing the northern lights! This beautiful phenomenon, more formally known as the aurora borealis, is caused by solar activity entering the atmosphere and being pulled to the poles. Because of this (and the frequent cloud cover in Iceland), I recommend keeping an eye out for the lights every night of your trip. You just never know when the stars will align and you’ll see them!
We got lucky on our very first night of the trip and saw the northern lights in Vik. Unfortunately, during the rest of our stay, the solar activity wasn’t strong enough, or there was too much cloud cover, so we didn’t see them again.
To get your best chance at seeing the lights, monitor solar activity using the Aurora app. It’s free to download and will predict the activity based on your location.
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: Day 2
Marvel at Fjadrargljufur Canyon
Sunrise, the open road, and our trusty van!
Get an early start to day two of your Iceland ring road five day itinerary and head out before sunrise. Today’s itinerary might be my favorite of the whole trip, so get excited!
The majority of your drive this morning will be through sprawling lava fields covered in green moss. There are a few turn offs you can stop and learn more about the geology of the area. I love the unique terrain of Iceland, there’s nothing else like it!
A beautiful sunrise at Fjadrargljufur Canyon.
After driving an hour east, you will reach Fjadrargljufur Canyon. The canyon is located off a short but fairly rough road, and the parking lot is merely a small turnoff. After parking, follow the path for a short hike downhill from the parking lot. At the end you will reach metal viewing platforms that allow you to get a view of the inside of the canyon.
This place is magnificent, especially at sunrise. The waterfall, winding river, and towering cliffs really display the power and beauty of nature.
If you have time, there is a pathway along the canyon rim that you can hike. This will allow you to see into other parts of the canyon. The pathway is fairly flat and only a few miles long.
Explore Svinafellsjokull Glacier Viewpoint
Have you ever been this close to a glacier?
Hop back in the car and head another 70 minutes east to Svinafellsjokull Glacier Viewpoint. This was one of my favorite stops in Iceland! I think it’s very underrated (especially compared to the popular stops of day 1).
Svinafellsjokull Glacier is located in a national park right off of Route 1. Park in the free parking lot and follow the pathway a short distance until you turn a corner and see the glacier spread out before you. There are several pathways that you can walk around to get different vantage points of the ice and mountains. Please do not go off the pathways and onto the glacier without a professional guide, as this can be very dangerous!
I love Iceland’s moody vibes.
There are plenty of spots around the park where you can get away from other tourists and feel like you have the entire place to yourself. It’s such a humbling feeling to be right next to such a large and powerful force of nature. One of my favorite parts of this stop was just enjoying the sounds of cracking glacier piercing the silence of the mountains. I guarantee you’ll love it too!
This is a nice spot to stop and have a picnic lunch using the groceries you bought yesterday!
Enjoy the Beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
These icebergs were mesmerizing.
Another hour east will take you to one of my other favorite spots in Iceland! The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a beautiful, large glacial lake filled with icebergs from a nearby glacier. As the icebergs break off, they float through the lagoon and out to sea. (This is where the ice chunks on Diamond Beach come from, which you’ll visit next!)
You can spend time walking around the lake, admiring and photographing the icebergs. It’s a mesmerizing landscape unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.
If you feel up to it, you can book a boat ride on the lagoon. This is one thing I didn’t do and regret! You can either go on a duck boat or a zodiac. Getting up close and personal with the icebergs would be epic! Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some seals in the lagoon.
Parking here is free and there are lots of facilities onsite, including toilets and food.
Watch Sunset at Diamond Beach
Another beautiful sunset!
Next, head across the road to visit the famous Diamond Beach. The name comes from the ice chunks that wash up on the black sand beach and look like diamonds! Depending on the time of day, the beach may be filled with ice or there may only be a few blocks. Either way, it is definitely worth a stop!
There are entrances to the beach on either side of the bridge. Feel free to head to whichever one has less people or more ice!
If you can, watch the sunset here. The golden light glinting off the shiny ice is just beautiful!
Finally, drive the final hour east to your last stop of the day, the little town of Hofn.
Eat and Rest in Hofn
It’s been another long day, so enjoy some time out of the car by eating dinner at Pakkaus Restaurant. This cute restaurant is located in the fishing village of Hofn, right near the pier. Don’t miss their creamy lobster soup, local lamb, or if you’re feeling adventurous, the horse.
Camp at Camping Hofn. Facilities, including toilets and showers, were basic yet clean.
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: Day 3
Watch Sunrise at Stokksnes Beach
Having this beach all to ourselves at sunrise was magical.
Today you can sleep in (just a little bit), as you are only 20 minutes away from your sunrise destination!
Stokksnes is a beautiful crescent beach on the southeastern coast of Iceland that is known for reflecting the surrounding mountains in the water. Going at sunrise will make this view even more beautiful!
To get here, you will have to stop at the Viking Cafe and pay a small entrance fee. Once past the gate, you can stop at the beach for photos, walk to the lighthouse, and even visit a replica Viking village!
Once you’ve gotten your fill of beach views, treat yourself to a coffee or hot chocolate at the cafe, and then head on the road – you’re turning north today!
Drive Along the East Fjords
The underrated but beautiful east fjords.
The drive along the east fjords is gorgeous. You’ll wind along the coastline, hugging the edge between mountain and water, and pass a variety of diverse landscapes. While there are no specific stops along this section, I guarantee you’ll be wanting to pull over every few minutes for photos!
If you’re lucky (sadly, we weren’t), you may even see reindeer on this part of the drive!
You’re getting into the more remote part of Iceland, so make sure your car is full of gas and you’ve got plenty of food and water to last the length of the drive. It will take you about three hours to get to the next stop, but I recommend budgeting four hours to allow for stops!
Hike to Hengifoss
Can you spot the red stripes of Hengifoss?
Hengifoss is the third highest waterfall in Iceland and is definitely worth a small detour on your ring road itinerary! It’s also famous for the bright red rings in the earth around the falls.
The hike to the base of the waterfall is about 3 miles roundtrip and quite steep. However, you can cut off about a mile from this if you stop at the viewing platform / bridge and don’t walk all the way to the base.
I recommend hiking up on the left side of the canyon and hiking down on the right side. That way you get to enjoy all of the epic views!
We liked this stop because it wasn’t as crowded as some of the other waterfalls you’ll see on the trip, but you also don’t get as close to the water either. Just keep that in mind when developing your expectations!
The drive up to the parking lot is beautiful too – right along a lake with beautiful hills surrounding the valley. The parking lot is free and has a clean restroom.
Go Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Seydisfjordur
Seydisfjordur looked like a Christmas card!
Before ending your day, stop in the quaint fishing village of Seydisfjordur. Tucked between mountains and coastline, this was one of the prettiest villages we saw in Iceland!
To get to Seydisfjordur, you’ll have to drive what I affectionately call ‘the mountain pass’. This road winds up from the town of Egilsstaðir, through the mountains, and takes you down into a valley with the town. There are plenty of gorgeous views, so don’t forget to stop and take some photos!
Feeling the love in Iceland!
Take a stroll around the lake and enjoy the beautiful mountain reflections. Don’t forget to stop at the insta-famous rainbow crosswalk outside of Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, the church in the center of town. Originally built to symbolize the inclusive attitudes in Iceland (which we love, by the way), it’s now a popular photo spot.
Eat and Rest in Egilsstaðir
Head back through the mountain pass back to Egilsstaðir. On the way down to town, the views are breathtaking: twinkling lights from town, sunset reflecting off the nearby glacial lake, and white powdery snow.
For dinner, stop at Gistihúsið – Lake Hótel Egilsstaðir for a surprisingly refined meal! The fish and lamb we ordered was delicious and presented in a beautiful way. Plus, if you sit near the window, you’ll get gorgeous lake views.
Camp at Camp Egilsstaðir. Again, the toilets and showers were basic yet clean.
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: Day 4
Visit Stuðlagil Canyon
Yes, the water really was that blue!
Today is the earliest wake-up of your five day ring road itinerary around Iceland because it involves a lot of driving! The views along the drive are nothing short of epic though, so you’re bound to enjoy it!
Wake up early to drive 90 minutes from Egilsstaðir to get to Stuðlagil canyon by sunrise. This canyon is famous for its tall, vertical basalt columns and bright blue water running through the ravine below.
You have two options for your visit here. If you input Stuðlagil canyon on Google Maps, you’ll be taken to a free parking lot and campsite where you can immediately walk down a long set of steps to a viewing platform over the canyon. This is a convenient option (despite the stairs).
Views looking down from the viewing platform.
However, you can also visit the other side of the canyon if you input ‘Carpark Stuðlagil East side Canyon’ into Google Maps. From here, you can hike about a mile through a farmer’s property (allowed as long as visitors respect the land) to the east side of the canyon. This is where a lot of the popular photos of this place are taken, and the views are gorgeous!
I’ll admit that we didn’t feel like doing this hike, so we opted for the first option. (In the winter, this route will also be very icy, another reason we opted out.) This was still a worthwhile stop. The unique formation of the basalt columns combined with the bright blue water is definitely something to marvel at, especially at sunrise!
Gawk at Godafoss Waterfall
Gorgeous Godafoss! And another rainbow too!
Head back to the car and drive two and a half hours west to Godafoss waterfall. This large and powerful waterfall is a site to see! If you have time, you can visit both sides of the waterfall – they’re just a short walk on a paved pathway from the parking lot.
This is also a great spot to fill up on gasoline and use the restroom before the longest drive of the trip.
Drive Across Northern Iceland
Spending the morning winding through these gorgeous mountains wasn’t too bad at all!
Next up is the long, 4+ hour drive across northern Iceland. This is another one of those drives that doesn’t have a lot of specific stops, but feel free to pull over any time you see something interesting! We loved the first part of the drive through the mountains – the scenery was absolutely stunning, and we felt like we were the only people for miles.
If you want, you can make a pit stop in Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city, for lunch. Just don’t forget to pay the toll online for the 7km tunnel you pass through just before reaching the city.
Now, you have a choice to make. You can continue following Route 1 and end the evening quite close to Reykjavik, in the town of Borgarnes. However, if you have a little more time and sunlight, and don’t mind a little longer of a drive, you can head west to the town of Grundarfjörður in the Snæfellsjökull peninsula. This is a beautiful area of western Iceland with moody bluffs and ocean views.
Famous views of Kirkjufellsfoss.
We made the drive out to Grundarfjörður because we wanted to watch the sunset at Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. However, I don’t think I would do this again unless I had a little more time to explore this area. If you plan to go this way, prepare for rough roads (I recommend a 4×4 for this). And don’t miss dinner at Bjargarsteinn Mathús, the coziest restaurant in an old house overlooking the sea. The rotten shark is a must-try!
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: Day 5
Spend your last morning of your Iceland ring road itinerary tidying up the van and preparing to drop it off. Once you’re all set, make the final drive of the trip down to Reykjavik.
More moodiness!
Lunch in Reykjavik
You can’t leave Iceland without a little time exploring its capital city. Don’t miss stopping by the famous church in the center of the city, Hallgrimskirkja. The architecture is super unique!
For lunch, eat at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a hot dog stand made famous when Bill Clinton visited during his presidency. This isn’t a tourist trap, however – you’ll find locals and tourists alike queuing for a delicious dog! Made from beef, lamb, and pork and topped with several sauces, they’re definitely worth a stop.
If you’ve got the time, there are lots of cute shops, restaurants, and bars around Reykjavik that you can visit too!
Now’s the time to return your camper van and get ready to head home.
Relax at the Blue Lagoon
The most relaxing way to end your trip.
After spending five days of this itinerary driving and hiking around the many sites of Iceland’s ring road, you deserve an afternoon of relaxation! The perfect place to do this is at the Blue Lagoon. The thermal mineral waters are said to have healing properties. Plus, the milky blue water is gorgeous!
This insta-famous spot is perfectly situated between Reykjavik and Keflavik airport, making it an ideal stop before flying home. There is a luggage storage area at the Lagoon as well that is quite handy.
To get to the Blue Lagoon, I recommend taking one of the Destination Blue Lagoon shuttles from the Reykjavik Terminal. These shuttles run about every hour and can be pre-booked online. While not inexpensive, this is definitely cheaper than a taxi!
Silica mud mask!
Make sure to book your Blue Lagoon entry ticket online in advance. With a standard ticket, you get access to the thermal pools, a silica mud mask, and one drink. We found this to be plenty to enjoy our stay! Just make sure to put your hair up before going in the water, as the silica can make it quite tangled.
After a few hours of bliss, rinse off and get ready to head home.
Fly Home
Tiny Icelandic horses are the cutest. (I gave it some blueberries.)
And just like that, it’s the end of your Iceland ring road five day itinerary! I don’t know about you, but I was so sad to leave this beautiful country.
To get to the airport from the Blue Lagoon, you can either reserve a taxi or take the Destination Blue Lagoon shuttle, which leaves periodically from the lagoon parking lot. If you take a taxi, expect to pay at least $70.
If you missed out on any souvenirs, there are a few shops at the airport that sell locally made Icelandic products.
LGBTQ+ Considerations
Iceland is perfect for queer couples!
Iceland is a super progressive country, so it’s the perfect destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. I loved seeing rainbows everywhere – from sidewalks to benches to flags on restaurants. My wife and I felt very comfortable this entire trip. We didn’t get any unusual looks when we rented a tiny van together or registered at campsites (even in small towns). Just another great reason to visit this amazing country!
Read more: Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers
Overall
Iceland is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, and I hope that after following this itinerary, it will be one of yours too! There’s nothing better than spending a week disconnecting in beautiful, isolated scenery.
In the comments, let me know your favorite parts of the Iceland ring road five day itinerary!
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