7-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
A full loop of Iceland's Route 1 in one week. Rent a 4x4, drive counter-clockwise, never backtrack.
Build this tripAt a glance
- Duration
- 7 days
- Cities
- 4
- Flight legs
- 0
- Budget/day
- $280
Cities
- Reykjavik
- Vik
- Hofn
- Akureyri
The plan
Day 1: Arrive Keflavik, pick up car, head east toward Selfoss. Day 2: South coast -- Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara black beach, overnight Vik. Day 3: Glacier lagoon Jokulsarlon, drive to Hofn. Day 4: East fjords, overnight Egilsstadir. Day 5: Myvatn thermal area, overnight Akureyri. Day 6: Whale watching Husavik or west toward Snaefellsnes peninsula. Day 7: Back to Reykjavik via Borgarnes, fly home. July-August for midnight sun; September-October for fewer crowds.
When to go
June-August for open roads; September for northern lights chance.