Iceland Ring Road in 9 Days
Iceland
Overview
This route circles Iceland's Ring Road counter-clockwise from Reykjavik, covering the south coast's waterfalls and black beaches, the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón, the East Fjords, the volcanic Mývatn area, and Akureyri before returning. A 4x4 rental car is essential — distances are long and weather changes fast.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Pace
- Fast-paced
- Transport
- Rental car
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,500–€1,900
Route
1. Reykjavik2. Vik3. Höfn4. Egilsstaðir5. Mývatn6. Akureyri7. Reykjavik
Highlights
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
- Mývatn's volcanic craters and geothermal baths
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
Worth knowing
- Long driving days, especially through the East Fjords
- Weather can close mountain roads with little warning, even in summer
- One of the most expensive trips per day on this list
Day by day
Day 1
ReykjavikMain activities
- Arrive, pick up rental car
- Reykjavik old town and harbour
Optional additions
- Hallgrímskirkja church tower view
Overnight: Reykjavik
Day 2
Reykjavik → VikMain activities
- Golden Circle en route (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss)
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
- Reynisfjara black beach
~4.5 hours with stops · Self-drive, Route 1 south coastOvernight: Vik
Day 3
Vik → HöfnMain activities
- Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
Optional additions
- Glacier walk on Vatnajökull (book ahead)
~2.5 hours with stopsOvernight: Höfn
Day 4
Höfn → EgilsstaðirMain activities
- Drive through the East Fjords
- Fishing villages en route
~3.5 hoursOvernight: Egilsstaðir
Day 5
Egilsstaðir → MývatnMain activities
- Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall
- Mývatn's pseudo-craters and lava fields
Optional additions
- Mývatn Nature Baths
~3 hours with stopsOvernight: Mývatn
Day 6
Mývatn → AkureyriMain activities
- Goðafoss waterfall en route
- Akureyri town and botanical garden
Optional additions
- Whale watching from Húsavík (detour)
~1.5 hoursOvernight: Akureyri
Day 7
AkureyriMain activities
- Free day exploring North Iceland
Optional additions
- Day trip to Lake Mývatn's Krafla volcano
Overnight: Akureyri
Day 8
Akureyri → ReykjavikMain activities
- Return drive through the interior highlands road (weather permitting) or back via Route 1
~4.5 hoursOvernight: Reykjavik
Day 9
ReykjavikMain activities
- Blue Lagoon before departure
Overnight: Reykjavik
Alternatives
Shorter version · 6 days
Drop the East Fjords and Akureyri, turning back at Jökulsárlón for a south-coast-only loop.
Longer extension · 12 days
Add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, 'Iceland in miniature', on the way back to Reykjavik.