Iceland is one big road tripper’s paradise, with wild landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and otherworldly scenery. Breathtaking vistas of towering waterfalls and steaming geothermal pools loom around seemingly every bend in the serpentine roads. Here is a detailed itinerary designed to take you through some of Iceland’s most memorable routes and attractions, guaranteeing that your road trip in this mesmerizing land of fire and ice is absolutely spectacular. Iceland Road Trip
1. The Classic Route: The Golden Circle
Embark on an Iconic Journey
Iceland‘s most renowned driving route is the Golden Circle. It is so for a good reason, though. This 300 km loop introduces you to some of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders: the mighty waterfall at Gullfoss, the bubbling geothermal area of Geysir, and on to the historic ground at Þingvellir National Park, home of the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Golden Circle: Highlight
In your travels to the Golden Circle, be sure to experience the energy of Gullfoss, with Hvítá River shooting into a canyon of astonishing depth as breathtaking evidence of the force of nature. Experience the otherworldly feel of the landscape at Geysir, where superheated steam vents and bubbling pools can give visitors the genuine sense of being on another planet. And then there’s the chance to walk between two tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park, which brings geology to life in all its splendor.
Gullfoss, often called the “Golden Falls,” ranks among Iceland’s largest waterfalls. Hvítá is the rushing southward river, which in two steps falls into a 32-m deep crevice. It’s hypnotizing and humbling to watch the power of the unruly nature. Mist from the falls proffers beautiful rainbows to this wonderful event.
Next up is the Geysir geothermal area. Although the Great Geysir has lost much of its power and only erupts on rare occasions, next door the Geyser Strokkur, an active geyser that frequently fountains water every 5-10 minutes, will leave you full of adrenaline, as the bright blue, boiling water shoots 30 meters up into the air. There are numerous hot springs and fumaroles around the geysers, the juxtaposition of bubbling and boiling waters with the cool, crisp air, bathed in a soft light, is quite spectacular.
Finally, Þingvellir National Park is not only a site of great geological fascination but also of historical importance. It harbors the Alþingi, the oldest parliament in the world, which was founded in 930 AD. The Almannagjá rift valley affords a thoroughfare through which, here, it is possible to walk along while holding one step in the North American and one in the Eurasian tectonic plates. Dreamlike landscapes of fis-sures, lakes, and lava fields are an intrinsic part of the park, which rightfully contains one of the key jewels on a trip around Iceland. Iceland Road Trip
2. The Ring Road: A Full Circle
Set Yourself for an Incredible Adventure
However, the ultimate Iceland experience on the road has to be the Ring Road. This route—a big, whopping loop of 1,332 kilometers—will take you right around this amazing island, through arguably some of the most varied and breathtaking landscapes you will ever set your sights upon. From towering glaciers and black-sand beaches to tiny fishing villages and volcanic craters, a lap of the Ring Road will surely leave a trace of everything. Iceland Road Trip
The best of things to see along the Ring Road, in fact, may include
The surrounding area is too beautiful to believe, with Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, reaching to the heavens. One cannot skip the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, where icebergs bob in the blue waters serenely. The experience is overwhelmingly captivating. The towering cliffs plunge into the sea while charming fishing villages dot the coastline. Not forgetting to detour south to the far-flung Westfjords where dramatic, rugged cliffs hide undiscovered beaches, and majestic waterfalls await around every corner. Iceland Road Trip
A visit to Vatnajökull National Park, occupying 14% of the country’s land area, in which Europe’s most voluminous glacier can be found, is undebatably gigantic and magnificent in scale. Join a guided glacier walk that explores the inside of an ice cave, crevasses, and ice formations towering above you. Even more powerful is a snowmobile trip on the glacier. Iceland Road Trip
One of the most attractive natural features in Iceland is Jökulsarlón. It is an ice-filled lagoon with floating icebergs, which have calved from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The icebergs float calmly around the lagoon in bright blue and white colors, making a wonderfully silent, postcard-like picture. There are boat trips inside the lagoon to see these ice formations up close, alongside the seals that also swim among these formations quite often. Iceland Road Trip
The East Fjords are dramatic landscape at its best, with no shortage of rugged coastlines, steep cliffs, and small fishing villages. You then drive to the picturesque town of Seyðisfjörður, with its colorful, wooden houses and lively arts scene. Once again along the fjords, literally every corner is another jawdropping view. Iceland Road Trip
Heading towards the Westfjords, the landscapes don’t have a match in terms of remote and wild beauty. Indications of the area are wildlife of puffins, arctic foxes, and dramatic cliffs, far-reaching remote beaches. The people in the areas regard Dynjandi as a series of waterfalls that fall down the mountain to be a great treasure. Westfjords attract very few tourists, and its nature is clean and unspoiled.
3. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula: A Microcosm of Iceland
Travel Through a Land of Contrasts
Often called “Iceland in Miniature,” the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is best described as many of the country’s most iconic landscapes compacted into one. Over just 90-kilometers, it maxes out at a mere five miles across showcasing soaring mountains, windswept beaches, dramatic sea cliffs, and the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano, made famous through Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
Best of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Discover the picturesque views from the top of Snæfellsjökull over the Snæfellsnes Peninsula—on clear days you can see the views all the way for Reykjavik and beyond. Treat yourself to the culture as you wander the small, charming fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. So many walks beside the craggy coastline with chances to taste fresh seafood from local restaurants. And make sure you don’t miss the chance to relax in the geothermal waters that steam from the famous Kirjufell hot spring, the most magical outdoor swimming spot snuggled at the bottom of Iceland’s most photographed mountain.
A national park would be the jewel on the crown of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The Snæfellsjökull volcano is a perfect example of a landscape with a glacier-covered peak. Hiking to the summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, replete with the dramatic coastline and distant mountains. Varieties of bird species also make a home in the park, making it a great place for bird watching enthusiasts.
Farther along the coast, the seasided villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, forming charming and picturesque delights with their cliffs that host uncountable seabirds, and a mesmerizing basaltic formation of sea stacks that offer a theatrical background. Only 2 kilometers of walking exist between the two villages, and it offers a remarkable coast view. Also, it’s pretty easy, so it suits all ages.
Kirkjufell or “Church Mountain” as it is known is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. The special shape and the location near the coast result in lots of photographers visiting this mountain. The Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall nearby then forms an unmissable perfect work of Icelandic nature.
4. Explore the South Coast: Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches, and Beyond
Discover Miracle of Nature
Some of the other highlights on Iceland’s South Coast include the very beautiful Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, black basalt beaches at Reynisfjara and Dyrhólaey, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Iceland Road Trip
On the drive along the South Coast, take time to stop and investigate the great power and beauty of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, where falling water from great heights leaps over great cliffs and falls into a misty pond below. Discover the otherworldly scenes of Reynisfjara and Dyrhólaey, with its sea stacks and the basalt columns, rising from the sea like old watches. And don’t miss the chance to go hiking on the otherworldly Sólheimajökull glacier, where the impacts of climate change are literally on display.
Seljalandsfoss is considered one of the very special waterfalls in Iceland because it allows one to walk behind it. The way is through a cave directing people behind the falls, giving a view from a different perspective, with the possibility of taking really wonderful pictures. The sounds of the water crashing down with the spray in the air form a totally magical moment. Iceland Road Trip
As one of the largest waterfalls in all of Iceland, Skógafoss roars powerfully into its abyss. Looming 60 meters high and 25 wide, the mist of the falling water often creates rainbows. Stairs go right up beside the waterfall. They lead up to a top viewing platform on which you’ll get another different, mind-blowing view down on the landscape. Iceland Road Trip
A visit to the black-sand beach, Reynisfjara, is a must on the South Coast. The black beach is in stark contrast to the white waves arriving and breaking on the black beach next to basalt sea stacks rising from the ocean. This beach is famous for waves that could be fatal, so be sure to consider caution with water proximity. Iceland Road Trip
Dyrhólaey is also a headland protruding into the sea with a natural arch, and it gives terrific beautiful scenery over the South Coast. On a clear day, in northern direction, there is a view towards the glacier Mýrdalsjökull, and black sand beaches widen towards the east and the west. The area is home to puffins in summer, so it is perfect for watching birds from. Iceland Road Trip
Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and an increasingly popular site for guided glacier hikes. Tour groups are led up onto the ice with challenges such as crevasses, ice caves, and ridges to negotiate. Being in a constant state of flux, melting and shifting, the glacier acts like a living, breathing entity and makes an exciting field of exploration. Iceland Road Trip
5. The Highlands: Remote and Untamed
Go on a Wilderness Experience
The vast and untamed wilderness of the Highlands of Iceland hosts some of the most remote landscapes in the country. Barren volcanic plains, jagged mountain ranges and steaming geothermal vents characterize this sparsely populated region that acts as a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Iceland Road Trip
Highlights of the Highlands
Get ready to leave this civilization behind and enter the raw beauty of the interior Highlands of Iceland. It’s a land of multicolored rhyolite mountains and hot springs with bubbling pools. Hike across the rugged terrain of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This is the realm of hidden waterfalls, virgin lakes, and dramatic canyons, all coming your way at every turn. And do not forget to take the opportunity to plunge into the boiling waters of the hot spring at Hveravellir—a place where you can truly enjoy and relax amidst the magnificent panorama of the Icelandic wilderness. Iceland Road Trip
Landmannalaugar is most widely known for its colourful rhyolite mountains and is an absolute paradise for hikers. The Laugavegur Hiking Trail crosses through Landmannalaugar on its route to Þórsmörk and is Iceland’s most popular trekking tour. It brings you through a varied landscape of mountains, glaciers, and hot springs. Iceland Road Trip
Further north in the Highlands is the Fjallabak Nature Reserve; a large reserve with some of the most scenic landscapes in it. An equal number of hiking trails can be found further north in the later, of which the popular one is the Hrafntinnusker route. The Highland, later, is a rough zone with volcanic formations, galcially carved terrains, icecaps and geothermal features. Iceland Road Trip
Hveravellir, located at central Highlands, is also an area for geothermal, natural hot springs. The hot springs are an ideal place to relax after a whole day of hiking and exploration. Simultaneously, the entire area is set in spectacular landscapes, like the Kjölur highland route, which provides an awesome view of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Iceland Road Trip
Practical information – How to prepare for your road trip in Iceland
Preparing for the Journey
Ensure that you are fully prepared before starting your road trip in Iceland. The weather in Iceland is highly variable, and conditions can worsen rapidly, especially in the Highlands and other secluded regions. Some of the practical advices you can follow:
- Vehicle Choice: Choose a vehicle that suits your travel plans. Visit the Golden Circle and the Ring Road with a standard car, but if one’s adventure involves the Highlands and rougher roads, it is advised that a 4WD vehicle be considered. Ensure that your car rental comes with GPS as well as a local SIM card, for proper navigation as well as communication on the difficult terrains. Iceland Road Trip
- Checking road conditions: Check road conditions and weather forecasts on a regular basis. Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) WHAT: Information on the opening closing status, roads, weather alerts, and travelling conditions can be found on the website of the IRCA. You could also download their app to keep yourself updated in real time as you drive along. Iceland Road Trip
- Pack Wisely This: Pack multiple layers of clothing to accommodate the vagaries in weather. Wear a good, waterproof, and windproof outer covering and strong hiking shoes. Add to that a hat and gloves. Do not forget to pack thermal innerwear; bring along a first aid kit and some emergency supplies, as well as a high-visibility vest to wear. Iceland Road Trip
- Route Planning: Plan your route and arrange accommodation in advance, especially if you are traveling in the high tourist season. Also, do some research about the campsites and hotels in the places you’ll go through, so you can be free of doubt about where you are going to lay your head each night. If you’re looking to miss the crowds and really seek out those off-the-beaten-path experiences, throw in some surprises or offbeat attractions. Iceland Road Trip
- Respect Nature: Iceland’s nature is raw and delicate. Stick to established paths and roads.Do not disturb wildlife or landscape. Please always respect the principles of Leave No Trace to preserve nature for the coming generations. Iceland Road Trip
Hidden Gems You Cannot Miss Out on Your Road Trip to Iceland
Explore The Unseen Beauty
Though the popular beauty of Iceland can be seen by eyes, many hidden gems provide mesmerizing beauty without the usual crowd. Here are a few not-so-famous places to include in your itinerary:
- Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: These are unique waterfalls found in the part of West Iceland. Hraunfossar, which translates to “Lava Falls,” consists of a sequence of small waterfalls emerging from a lava field, presenting a striking visual spectacle. Nearby is the Barnafoss, otherwise known as “Children’s Fall,” having its folklore of tragedy and striking blue waters.
- Þórsmörk Valley: A secluded and striking valley within the king of the glaciers in South Iceland, Þórsmörk is an area of deep contrasts famous for dramatic landscapes with excellent hiking trails. Accessible only by 4WD vehicles, this untouched paradise of greens, river crossings, and vistas opens up in front of you. Iceland Road Trip
- Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands): This is an archipelago located just off the south coast of Iceland. It has nice landscapes, a remarkable history, and abundant wildlife. The main island, Heimaey, which can be reached for free by a ferry, offers hiking trails, the volcano museum, and the puffin just some meters in front of you. Iceland Road Trip
- Hvítserkur: Popularly known as the “Dinosaur Rock,” Hvítserkur is the out-of-the-world basalt rock shape that remains off North Iceland. Standing at a height of 15 meters, its appearance resembles that of a dragon or dinosaur sipping water from the ocean. Iceland Road Trip
- Askja Caldera: This huge volcanic caldera dominates the remote Highlands, containing a breathtaking, out-of-this-world opacity-turquoise crater lake called Viti. One will be needing to take a 4WD vehicle in this area because it will make you feel walking on a totally different planet.
Take an Adventurous Tour in Iceland
A road trip through Iceland is likely to leave you with an experience of exploring some of Earth’s most amazing landscape and wonders of the world. So, whether you stick to the classic Route of the Golden Circle, go on a circumnavigation of the entire island within the confines of the Ring Road, or set off into the remote wilderness of the Highlands, you are bound to be met with breathtaking landscapes and adventures to remember your entire life. Iceland Road Trip
So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for some awe-inspiring experiences across Iceland’s stunning landscapes. Enormous waterfalls and steaming geothermal pools meet rugged coastlines and remote mountain passes—Land of Fire and Ice, ready to be explored—one unforgettable road trip at a time. Iceland Road Trip
FAQs About Road Tripping Through Iceland
Is it safe to drive in Iceland?
Yes, Iceland is considered one of the safest driving places in the world because of well-maintained roads and relatively low volumes of traffic. That said, caution is still wise to be enacted, particularly when driving in rural areas or during bad weather. Make sure that before you set off on a road trip, you become fully conversant with the rules of the road, regulations, and restrictions put in place pertaining to speed limits, right-of-way, and parking. Iceland Road Trip
What is the best time of year to go road tripping in Iceland?
The best time to go road tripping in Iceland will usually depend on individual preferences and interests. Summer, from June to August, has very long daylight, good temperatures, plus highland roads and hiking trails are generally open. But it’s also the busiest part of the year when the prices are high and most of the attractions are crowded. Spring, April to May, and autumn, September to October, are the in-between seasons, having fewer crowds, lower prices, and beautiful landscapes and the possibility of seeing Northern Lights in autumn. Iceland Road Trip
Dynamically, a trip to Iceland can be enjoyed during the winter season between November to March, when it is all snowed up, icy falls, and brilliant displays of the Northern Lights. Still, winter road conditions at times can bring a bit of trouble, and vigilance in observing the road conditions and the weather forecasts has to be maintained constantly. Iceland Road Trip
Do I need a 4WD car to travel around Iceland?
Though a lot of the main roads in Iceland are paved and see plenty of regular cars, many of the offbeat areas in this rugged country require a 4×4 when winter takes hold or you intend to head to remote destinations. If you are to explore the Highlands of Iceland or many of its gravel roads, it’s strongly recommended that you have a 4WD with good ground clearance for your own comfort and safety.
Wondering what to pack for your Iceland road trip?
It gets cold and to whatever extent and weather condition ever thought of, one has to be prepared for it. In view of that, when packing items, one should consider carrying along items such as thick warm layers, heavy warm insulated clothing, for both the upper body and lower part, in addition to an insulated layer of clothing from the outside, a rain jacket, hiking boots, hats, gloves, and a scarf. Iceland Road Trip
It’s also safe to bring along a small first aid package, emergency supplies, and a retro-reflective safety vest just for such occasions. Providing for a road map or GPS device, a mobile phone with a local SIM card or one that provides for international roaming, sufficiently stocked snacks, and water for the journey goes without saying. Iceland Road Trip
Are There Campsites and Accommodations around Iceland’s Roads?
Yes, there are many campsites and accommodation available on Iceland’s roads, from organized campgrounds with toilets and showers to remote wilderness campsites with nothing. In addition, there are plenty of in-town and country hotels, guesthouses, and hostels offering comfortable stay options at all kinds of traveler budgets. It’s better to plan your route in advance and book accommodation, as in high summer, accommodation tends to fill up quickly. Iceland Road Trip