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Recommended itinerary:

Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

One of the world’s greatest road trips – 13 days circumnavigating Iceland’s onf the Route 1 ring road. Recommended by destination expert and travel writer Oliver Berry.

Editor note – Oliver has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Iceland destination guide. You also don’t have to do all of the days – some are optional!

Kick your trip off with a half-day in downtown Reykjavik, factoring in visits to the Perlan Museum (to learn the science behind Iceland’s famous geology), the Hallgrimskjirka, the National Museum of Iceland and the Reykjavik Art Museum according to your interests.

Have a fishy lunch at Grandi Matholl, then drive out to the Blue Lagoon for an afternoon soak. If it’s of interest, stop first for an hour at the nearby Viking World Museum.

Back in Reykjavik, treat yourself to dinner at one of Reykjavik’s top restaurants: Dill or Matur og Drykkur. Stay the night in Reykjavik, or treat yourself to the Blue Lagoon Retreat.

Perlan Museum

Reykjavik, Iceland

A high-tech museum that recreates Iceland’s geological wonders: volcanoes, ice caves, glaciers, sea cliffs and even the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Best for ages: 4+ | £25 | 1 night

front view of the Hallgrimskirkja
Experience

Hallgrimskirkja

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s tallest church, built from 1945 to 1986, has become a symbol of Iceland’s identity and a Reykjavik landmark. It’s striking design is inspired by Iceland’s geothermal geology – it’s supposed to resemble basalt lava and trap rocks. It’s also a decent viewpoint. Take an elevator ride to the top for sweeping views over the city.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Exterior of the Hafnarhus art museum in Reykjavik
Experience

Hafnarhus art museum

Reykjavik, Iceland

An art museum on the Reykjavik waterfront showcases the work of pop artist Erro alongside new installations by local and international artists. One of three museums that officially make up the Reykjavik Art Museum. Open daily.

Best for ages: 13+ | £12 | 1 night

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Asmundarsafn art museum
Experience

Asmundarsafn art museum

Reykjavik, Iceland

An art museum and sculpture collection featuring white Viking figures and curvaceous shapes, housed in the former studio of Icelandic sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson. One of three museums that officially make up the Reykjavik Art Museum. Open daily.

Best for ages: 13+ | £12 | 1 night

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Get an early morning start on the Golden Circle crowds and drive out to see Gullfoss and Geysir, about 110km drive northwest of Reykjavik. Stop for lunch at Hotel Gullfoss or Icelandic farm restaurant The Barnloft.

Circle back via Thingvellir National Park. Book in to snorkel in the Silfra rift, an underground tour of the Little Bjorn-Vorduhellir lava tunnel, or just wander the paths enjoying the scenery.

Head back to your hotel in Reykjavik, or spend the night at the excellent Ion Adventure Hotel, on the south side of Thingvallavatn Lake.

Geysir (& Gulfoss)

Iceland

The world’s most famous water spout, and the geyser that gave all other geysers their name. It’s one of Iceland’s ‘Golden Circle’ sights, including Gullfoss and Thingvellir.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 1 night

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Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

A wonderous landscape of geological wonders – lakes, lava flows, striking rock formations, and tectonic rifts – only 40km from Reykjavik.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1 night

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Tour group underground in a tunnel listening to tour guide
Experience

Little Bjorn- Vorouhellir Lava Tunnels

Iceland

For the full-on caving experience, visit these neighbouring caves in Thingvellir National Park, including the longest of all, 1,100m-long Vorouhellir. Initially thought to be separate, the caves are actually connected – and you get to squeeze through narrow tunnels joining the two systems.

Best for ages: 6+ | £35

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From Reykjavik, head to north to Husafell, a remote town in the interior highlands perched on the western edge of the epic Langjokull glacier. You’ll get fine views north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula as you drive the coast road. If Iceland’s history is of interest, stop at the Settlement Centre in the coastal town of Borgarnes.

Check in to the lovely Hotel Husafell, and from there book onto a glacier walk that includes an ice cave tour. There are several geothermal baths in the area e.g. Krauma, for a muscle-soothing soak after. Dine at Hotel Husafell.

You could spend an extra day here – there are some excellent hikes, or you could join a tour to explore the Vidgelmir lava tunnel.

Settlement Centre
Experience

Settlement Centre

Borgarnes, Iceland

The quiet west coast town of Bogarnes is home to the Settlement Centre, an interesting museum that tells the story of how settlers came to Iceland from Scandinavia during the 9th century. A second exhibition brings one of the most famous sagas, Egils Saga, to life. Open daily.

Best for ages: 8+ | £15

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Langjokull Glacier
Experience

Langjokull Glacier

Iceland

The second largest ice sheet after Vatnajokull, the ‘Long Glacier’ is a favourite for all-terrain jeep and snowmobiling trips, as well as guided hikes and glacier skiing for those who are experienced enough. There are also many ice caves to explore. It lies in the interior highlands, and can be reached from Thingvellir National Park.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1 night

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View down a yellow walkway descending into a tunnel
Experience

Vidgelmir Lava Tunnel

Borgarfjordur, Iceland

An accessible, family-friendly cave in the Hallmundarhraun lava field, in Borgarfjordur. It’s a great choice for kids, as most of the cave is reached via a walkway, and illuminated by fixed lighting. No squeezing, sliding or slipping required here.

Best for ages: 6+ | £40

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Rejoin the Ring Road for a day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and its many remote coves, cliffs and beaches. Book on a 4WD tour, or self-drive, to see Djupalon Beach and the pyramidal Mount Kirkjufell. If time allows, head for a soak in the Lysuholslaug baths.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Iceland

A wild western peninsula offering fabulous hiking, coastal drives, beaches and glacier walks, easily accessible in a day’s drive from Reykjavik.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 1 night

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Mount Kirkjufell
Experience

Mount Kirkjufell

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Overlooking Grundarfjordur, this pyramid-shaped peak is a postcard image of West Iceland, and looks like something out of a fantasy novel. You might see scores of photographers gathered here at sunset, as well as at the nearby waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss.

Best for ages: 10+ | Free | 1 night

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Djupalon beach
Experience

Djupalon beach

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Beaches don’t get any wilder or more windswept than here, a crescent of black sand and rock formations surrounded by – well nothing much at all, really. West facing, it’s an incredible place to watch the sunset.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 1 night

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Lysuholslaug geothermal baths
Experience

Lysuholslaug geothermal baths

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Snaefellsnes has its own answer to the Blue Lagoon – and while the site isn’t quite as impressive, it’s still a soothing place for a dip. The water often looks a murky green from the minerals and algae, but don’t fret – it’s completely clean, and warm as a bath.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 night

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Continue eastwards on the Ring Road, then detour north for a visit to the traditional turf houses at Glaumbaer, and a night in the coastal town of Saudarkrokur. There are a few roadside diners along the way for lunch. Experience the battle of Orlygsstaoir in VR at the 1238 museum.

Overnight at the pleasant Hofsstadir Guesthouse. Alternatively, since sights in this part of Iceland are fairly thin on the ground, devote most of the day to covering the distance to Akureyri.

Glaumbaer
Experience

Glaumbaer

Skagafjordur, Iceland

This folk museum is one of the few places in Iceland where you can view traditional turf houses, which were still in use into the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The grass roofs and turf walls acted as insulation, and made a convenient construction method in a place where timber was pretty much non-existent. There’s also a cute little cafe where staff wear traditional Icelandic dress.

Best for ages: 8+ | £10

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1238
Experience

1238

Sauoarkrokur, Iceland

A museum with a difference: the chance to experience a key moment in Icelandic history, the battle of Orlygsstaoir in 1238, using VR headsets to really bring the experience to life.

Best for ages: 13+ | £22 | 1 night

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Rejoin the Ring Road and continue east to Iceland’s ‘second city’, Akureyri, which has some (mildly) interesting museums and galleries.

An hour further on is the town of Husavik, Iceland’s whale-watching capital. Book a tour, then return to Akureyri for dinner with a view at Strikid restaurant.

Whale-watching in Iceland

Iceland

Once-in-a-lifetime trips to see migrating humpback and minke whales up close, as they pass by on their annual north–south migration. Tours from Husavik, Akureyri and Reykjavik can be arranged.

Best for ages: 4+ | £70 | 3-4 hours

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Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

Akureyri, Iceland

A modern, functional hotel in Akureyri, sparsely furnished but well placed for exploring Iceland’s northern attractions.

Official star rating:

Continue east to spend the day exploring the volcanic landscapes around Lake Myvatn (1-hour drive). Stop halfway at the mighty Godafoss waterfall.

At Lake Myvatn, have lunch at Vogafjos Cafe, then walk around the area’s volcanic sites, including Dimmuborgir, Krafla and the hike to the Viti volcano. Book in for an evening dip in the Myvatn Nature Baths.

Overnight at the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse.

Godafoss

Iceland

The Waterfall of the Gods marks the spot where Iceland exchanged its pagan past for Christianity. These days, it’s a photographers’ dream come true.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 1 night

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Myvatn Lake

Iceland

A strange landscape of smoking volcanoes and lava fields set around a glinting lake.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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The Myvatn Nature Baths natural bathing site. Here people can bathe in a lagoon that has many beneficial properties due minerals content in water
Experience

Myvatn Nature Baths

Myvatn Lake, Iceland

Myvatn Nature Baths at Jardbodin are known as the northern version of the Blue Lagoon – a large outdoor geothermal pool and steam room complex with views of Myvatn Lake.

Best for ages: 6+ | £35

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Namafjall Hverir geothermal area in Iceland. Boiling mud pots surrounded by sulfur crystals, natural travel background, tourist attraction
Experience

Hverir Mud Pools

Myvatn Lake, Iceland

Hold your nose: this bizarre landscape of bubbling mud pools and smoking fumaroles stinks to high heaven from all the sulphur, but it feels a little like walking on the surface of another planet.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

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Get an early start for a side-trip to see the stunning waterfall of Dettifoss. From here, you’ll continue on the Ring Road to the town of Egilsstadir, a convenient base for exploring the remote eastern fjords and fishing towns like Seydisfjordur and Reydarfjordur.

Stay at Hotel 1001 Nott, in a great position on Lake Lagarfljot.

Dettifoss

Iceland

One of the mightiest of Iceland’s many waterfalls, a maelstrom of sound, foam and spray that’s guaranteed to get your attention.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Hotel 1001 Nott

Egilsstaoir, Iceland

A modern, single-storey hotel that’s ideal for exploring the fjords and fishing villages of East Iceland, with an attractive location near Lake Lagarfljot.

Official star rating:

The southeastern section of the Ring Road feels seriously remote, and the coast views here are unceasingly stunning. There are some lovely beaches, coves and fjords to explore here.

You’ll reach the coastal town of Hofn by afternoon. Book ahead for a seafood lunch or dinner at Pakkhus. This traditional restaurant is famous for its humar (langoustines).

Langoustines in Hofn
Experience

Langoustines in Hofn

Hofn, Iceland

Hofn is a salty fishing town on the southeast coast, but amongst Icelanders it’s famous for one thing: its seafood, especially its langoustines. These tasty crustaceans can be tasted at several restaurants around town – you’ll never taste them sweeter or fresher. Time to get cracking…

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Milk Factory

Hofn, Iceland

A former dairy plant that’s been turned into a simple, stylish guesthouse. It’s the ideal stop for a night near Hofn and its renowned seafood restaurants.

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With an early start from Hofn, you’ll reach Jokulsarlon in time for a morning cruise around the iceberg-filled lagoon. For lunch, there are usually a couple of good food carts in the parking lot to choose from.

You should also be able to squeeze in an afternoon snowmobile ride on the Skaftafell glacier.

Snowmobiling in Iceland

Iceland

Race across Iceland’s icy wildernesses, surrounded by nothing but mountains and fresh powder, at up to 70 kph. Heart-in-the-mouth thrills for adventure enthusiasts.

Best for ages: 6+ | £60 | 2+ hours

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Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Oraefi, Iceland

An architecturally contemporary hotel on the south coast, offering top-end luxury and an excellent modern Icelandic restaurant, and a handy location halfway between Jokulsarlon and Skaftafell.

Official star rating:

Day 11 is for exploring the dramatic stretch of the south coast under the Vatnajokull Glacier.

Stop first at Vik to visit Reynisfjara beach (the Black Beach restaurant is ideal for lunch). Then head to the waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss en route to Hella.

If you have more time available, you could also add in a snowmobile trip to Eyjafjallajokull.

Dine and stay the night at the excellent Hotel Ranga, where you can star-gaze from their mini-observatory and/or soak in the outdoor hot tub. It’s also a good location for horse riding if you have an extra day to spare – if that’s your thing, stay at Skalakot Manor instead.

Vatnajokull Glacier
Experience

Vatnajokull Glacier

Iceland

The granddaddy of the glaciers: stretching from Iceland’s north to south, this is the biggest ice sheet in Europe. It’s so huge, it encompasses two national parks: the southern area is more visited, with a range of glacier walks and snowmobiling trips from Skaftafell.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1 night

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Reynisfjara Beach, a black sand beach in southern iceland. view of sea and cliffs
Experience

Reynisfjara beach

Iceland

Even the beaches in Iceland are weird. Instead of soft white powder, here you’re more likely to find the beaches made of jet-black sand – a reminder of the volcanic forces that continue to shape the island. Reynisfara is probably the most famous of all, located on the south coast, roughly halfway between Reykjavik and Skaftafell.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 night

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Skogafoss Waterfall
Experience

Skogafoss Waterfall

Iceland

At 200ft (60m) high, this mighty column of water is one of the most impressive of all Iceland’s waterfalls. Local legend claims that there is treasure hidden behind the falls.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Take an optional detour inland today to visit the drama-packed Landmannalaugar National Park. There are a variety of short, scenic trails to choose from, ranging from a couple of hours to full-day hikes, such as the ones to Ljotipollur Lake or Brennisteinsalda.

Return to Hotel Ranga for dinner and overnight.

Hotel Ranga

Hella, Iceland

A quirky, ranch-style hotel that’s your best base for exploring SW Iceland. The in-house restaurant is excellent, as is the stargazing and Northern Lights viewing.

Official star rating:

On your final day, book in for a jaw-dropping, half-day descent into the Thrihnukagigur volcano (either morning or afternoon). For the remainder of the day, or as alternatives, either stop en-route to Reykjavik at the Lava Centre, the Selfoss waterfall, or book a tour of the Raufarholshellir lava tunnel.

Back in Reykjavik, perhaps visit any final stops you missed on day 1 if you have time, then treat yourself to an end-of-trip, slap-up seafood supper at modern Fiskmarkadurinn or cosy Fiskfelagid.

People visiting the Raufarholshellir lava tube tunnel and caves, one of the longest in Iceland.
Experience

Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel

Iceland

One of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland – 1360m long, 30m wide and up to 10m high. The ‘Standard’ lava tunnel tour (1 hour) visits the most accessible section of the cave, while the longer ‘Adventure’ tour (3-4 hours) ventures into the deeper sections.

Best for ages: 6+ | £45

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