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Icelandair serves 5 domestic destinations and 54 international destinations in 20 countries, as of April 2024.

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Icelandair departs from 59 airports in 20 countries, as of April 2024.

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• Airlines + Airports

What to Know Before Flying Icelandair, According to Passenger Reviews

Here's everything you need to know before you fly, according to Icelandair reviews.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Founded in 1937, Icelandair connects destinations in North America and Europe via its hub, Keflavik International Airport — Iceland's largest airport. With affordable flights to and from major U.S. cities, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and more, Icelandair is a popular airline for travelers hoping to explore Iceland , either on a vacation to the island nation or during a quick stopover en route to their final destination. The Icelandair Stopover makes it easy to include Iceland on transatlantic trips, allowing travelers to make a one- to seven-day stop in Iceland at no additional airfare — that's plenty of time to check out the destination's famous geysers, waterfalls, and volcanos and take a dip in the Blue Lagoon continuing your journey. The airline also offers package vacations (including trips for northern lights seekers) for visitors hoping to discover the land of fire and ice.

Here's everything you need to know before you fly, including baggage policies, fare classes, and more, according to Icelandair reviews.

Fare Classes

There are five classes of service on international Icelandair flights: Economy Light, Economy Standard, Economy Flex, Saga Premium, and Saga Premium Flex. As the name implies, Flex fares allow more flexibility with the ability to cancel or change your flight or get a refund for partly used tickets. All fares include complimentary in-flight entertainment, blankets and pillows, and nonalcoholic beverages.

Economy Light is the least expensive option, and it's also the most restrictive. It doesn't include checked baggage or seat selection, but passengers can bring a carry-on bag and a personal item. Economy Standard is a basic main cabin option that includes a checked bag, a carry-on and personal item, seat selection, and nonalcoholic beverages. Economy Flex offers those perks plus gate-to-gate Wi-Fi and flight changes and refunds.

Tripadvisor reviewer Christoph R . spoke highly of his economy flight, saying "Really good experience, even for Economy. Friendly staff, nice new planes, good service."

Saga Premium is Icelandair's premium cabin, akin to business class. This fare includes two checked bags, a carry-on and personal item, priority boarding, priority check-in, fast track through security, seat selection featuring more spacious seats, complimentary meals, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, and lounge access. Finally, Saga Premium Flex includes all that plus an additional carry-on, easier ticket changes, and full refunds. Other perks for the Saga Premium class include headsets, alcoholic beverages, hot towels, and power sockets.

Comparing the levels of service, Tripadvisor reviewer Tim Y. said, "Economy class cost on Icelandair is reasonable as long as you pack your own food with you, and Saga Premium is not inexpensive, but is definitely worth it if you think of it as cheap Business."

Flight Change and Cancellation Policy

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Icelandair altered its flight change policies. You can change your flight without paying a fee for all international flights and for domestic flights booked for a certain time frame. You can receive a full refund if you cancel a reservation (made more than seven days in advance of your departure) within 24 hours after booking. For the most flexibility and peace of mind, Flex fares might be your best option, as they allow for changes (although a fare difference may apply), cancellations, and refunds of partly used tickets.

Baggage Policies and Fees

All international fare classes include one carry-on bag (up to 22 pounds) and one personal item, and Saga Premium Flex passengers can bring two carry-on bags on board. For international flights, Economy Light does not include a checked bag, Economy Standard and Economy Flex include one checked bag that weighs up to 50 pounds, and Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex include two checked bags that weigh up to 70 pounds. For overweight bags 50 to 70 pounds, there is a charge of $50 to $80, and extra bags cost $59 to $95, depending on your destination. You can pre-purchase baggage online before your trip for a discount.

Several online reviewers recommend reading up on the airline's baggage policies before getting to the airport so you can avoid paying extra fees. Tripadvisor reviewer AliciaM said, "Note to all travelers — read the emails before the flights, measure your luggage, and weigh it. This didn't seem to be as big of an issue in other countries, but many people were getting bags pulled and charged to check them in the U.S. This is incredibly expensive, so pay attention to the requirements."

Seats and Legroom

Icelandair uses two configurations across its fleet, but economy seats generally have 32 inches of legroom and Saga Premium seats have 40 inches. On the 737 and 757 planes, the economy cabin is laid out with 3-3 seating configurations, while Saga Premium has 2-2 configurations. On the 767, seating configurations are 2-3-2 in economy and 2-1-2 in Saga Premium. Online reviews of Icelandair's seats are varied — some say the legroom is sufficient and comparable to major U.S. airlines, while others say the seats are uncomfortable for long-haul flights.

Amenities and Entertainment

Complimentary in-flight entertainment, including movies and TV shows as well as a selection of Icelandic music, is available on international flights. Meals and alcoholic beverages are included for Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex fares, and they're available for purchase with debit or credit cards or Icelandair Saga Points for passengers in economy (a selection of nonalcoholic beverages is included). Children ages two to 11 get a free kids meal with juice on international flights. Wi-Fi is included with Economy Flex, Saga Premium, and Saga Flex fares, and other customers can purchase it.

The stopover program is a favorite among travelers flying Icelandair. Tripadvisor reviewer Chris_elliott57 said , "The stopover was excellent... a must as Iceland is a fantastic country."

Icelandair Credit Cards

The First National Bank of Omaha offers two Icelandair credit cards available to U.S. residents — the Icelandair Mastercard and the Icelandair Premium Mastercard. Both offer points on purchases, bonus points after first purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. Unless you're a frequent traveler to Iceland, it would probably be wise to opt for a different travel card .

Simple Flying

A brief guide to icelandair's domestic network.

A look at traveling around the picturesque Atlantic nation by aircraft.

Before discussing domestic flights within Iceland , one must learn why a country in the middle of the North Atlantic has become such a popular travel destination. Linked culturally with Europe, Iceland is a Nordic nation of just 380,000 people, of which 122,000 live in the capital city of Reykjavík.

Despite being located just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a temperate climate thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. A land of volcanoes, glaciers, and fjords, Iceland became a popular stopover spot on transatlantic trips and a hot destination in itself for the adventurous and culture-hungry.

Icelandic national flag carrier Icelandair has been offering stopovers since the 1960s, and pushed this campaign even harder in 2014 with the launch of the #MyStopover campaign. It was the airline's first major global campaign and solidified its position as an airline of choice for flying between North America and Europe. Others have joined the fold too, such as now-defunct WOW and newcomer PLAY.

For passengers taking advantage of the stopover programs offered by Icelandic carriers, flying domestically can open up more of the country for their adventure. Icelandair operates a robust domestic route network, making it easy to explore the less-touristed areas rather than staying in the capital.

Travel to, from, and within Iceland

Most international flights to and from Iceland use Keflavík International Airport (KEF) , located 30 miles southwest of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. To fly domestically within Iceland, people must travel to Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). Located just a mile and a quarter from the city center, Reykjavik Airport has a much shorter runway than Keflavík, but because of its proximity to the capital, it is the airport of choice for short-haul domestic flights.

To get between the two airports, passengers should give themselves 90 minutes for a bus transfer or 60 minutes if traveling by private car or taxi.

Iceland's flag carrier operates a Boeing 757, 767, and 737 MAX aircraft fleet for international flights while using three de Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q200s and three DHC-8-Q400s for its domestic network. Icelandair offers domestic flights within the country from Reykjavík Airport to the following airports:

• Akureyri Airport (AEY)
• Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)
• Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)

Icelandair domestic destinations

Nicknamed "The Capital of the North," Iceland's second-largest city is home to 18,000 people. Situated at the end of the country's longest fjord, Akureyri's ice-free harbor has made it an important center for the nation's fishing industry. Tourists can take a 40-minute flight to Akureyri and use the town as a base to explore many of Iceland's natural wonders, including the Goðafoss waterfall.

Egilsstaðir

Located 400 miles from the capital Reykjavík, beside the Lagarfljót River, Egilsstaðir is the largest town in Eastern Iceland, with around 2,500 inhabitants. Tourists visit the area for its vast network of hiking trails that offer amazing views and lead to lakes, waterfalls, canyons, caves, and inlets by the sea.

Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður is located in Iceland's northwest and has a population of around 2,700. Once a former Danish trading post, the town is famous for its 18th-century timber-framed houses. With a tundra climate, the area known as Westfjords is freezing in the winter and has the coolest summer temperatures in Iceland. Less frequented by tourists than other parts of Iceland, visitors can marvel at the spectacular scenery in relative solitude. One of the area's main attractions is the 328-foot-high Dynjandi waterfall.

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Iceland's other domestic airlines

Besides Icelandair, the country has two other air carriers that offer domestic flights. The largest is Norlandair which operates out of Akureyri Airport and Reykjavík Airport.

With its fleet of de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters , Norlandair flies to the following destination airports:

• Grímsey Airport (GRY)
• Vopnafjörður Airport (VPN)
• Þórshöfn Airport (THO)
• Gjögur Airport (GJR)
• Bíldudalur Airport (BIU)
• Nerlerit Inaat Airport (CNP) in Greenland

Based at Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV), Eagle Air offers flight aboard its British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft to the following destinations:

• Westman Islands
• Höfn in Hornafjördur (Vatnajökull Region)
• Húsavik (North)
• Bildudalur (West Fjords)
• Gjögur (West Fjords)

Sources: ch-aviation

About Iceland

Visa information, geography of iceland, general information, the northern lights, volcanic eruptions, sustainable travel, iceland academy, plan your trip, how to get there, accommodation, things to do, map your journey, getting around, visitor numbers, carbon footprint, destinations, the regions, scenic routes, national parks, trip suggestions, towns & villages, inspiration, food and beverages, lbgt+ travel, escape the ordinary.

Read handpicked articles to get you inspired by Iceland

Planning a trip to Iceland

How many days are enough for a trip around Iceland? Depending on how many days you‘re planning, what travel type you are, whom you are traveling with as well as the season you are traveling in, you might need some ideas.  

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VOLCANIC ACTIVITY ON THE REYKJANES PENINSULA

Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula has witnessed a surge in seismic activity, including several volcanic eruptions. Despite this, Iceland has remained a safe and open destination for travelers. For a detailed look into the recent volcanic activities and their safety implications, the Icelandic Meteorological Office offers insights through this informative video.

Embark on the journey of a lifetime in Iceland!

With our new interactive map feature, you can easily plan every step of your adventure. From cozy accommodations to unforgettable activities, the possibilities are endless. Dream big, plan smart, and chart your path with our personalized itinerary feature. Make the most of every moment in Iceland!

Take the Icelandic Pledge

Are you visiting Iceland? Be a responsible tourist and take the Icelandic pledge. Encourage your friends to do the same!

Looking for things to do?

Regions of Iceland

Iceland is typically divided into 7 different geographical regions. Each region differs slightly in respect to culture and landscapes, but are uniquely Icelandic. Find your favorite part of Iceland.

Iceland is a popular travel destination. Sometimes, certain places can be busier than others. Skip the hectic tourist traffic at the most popular destinations and plan your trip to make the most of your time in Iceland. Use our tourist counter to see peak visitor times and plan accordingly. 

Appreciate our towns & villages

Did you know that there are over 100 towns and villages to explore throughout Iceland? We encourage you to stop and look into these charming, beautiful, and often quirky places. History, art, nature, local cuisine, and year-round swimming pools abound. You might be surprised at what you find!

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Stay connected and find out what is happening in Iceland.

Maps of Iceland

Iceland Quick Facts

Where is iceland, the weather in iceland, what language do they speak in iceland, what is the capital of iceland, what are the regions of iceland, what is the currency in iceland, iceland road map for travel plans, iceland ring road driving map, iceland ring road and westfjords map, westfjords map.

• The Golden Circle & West Iceland Driving Map
• Iceland's South Coast Driving Map

Map of Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Map of north iceland, lake myvatn geothermal area, asbyrgi canyon map.

• Map of Iceland's Natural Attractions
• Map of Iceland's Waterfalls
• Map of Iceland's Hot Springs and Swimming Pools
• Map of Iceland's Volcanoes

Reykjavik Maps

• Map of Reykjavik's Main Attractions
• Map of Reykjavik's Nightlife
• Map of Reykjavik's Swimming Pools
• Map of Iceland's Towns & Villages
• A Driving Tour of Iceland's Towns and Cities

Map of Akureyri

Husavik map, map of selfoss, plan your trip to iceland.

Find the map of Iceland you need with these 20 Icelandic attraction maps. We have created all the essential maps of Iceland's must-see attractions in Google Maps to easily help you navigate where to go. 

Whether you're looking for waterfalls, volcanoes, or fun things to do, these maps will help you find anything you need to locate in Iceland. We also recommend browsing Iceland's largest selection of tours . Or, if you prefer to drive, hire a rental car or book a self-drive tour . Go here to find the cheapest hotels in Iceland  before you book your trip. 

Organizing an itinerary in a foreign country can be overwhelming, especially if you haven't been before. Most guests want to know what to do and where to go before they arrive. Should you stay in one place, take day tours, or head to a different city every night? Where can you find the most beautiful natural wonders, what are the primary sites around where you're staying, and how to reach the best tourist attractions in Iceland?

• Find out exactly What to Do and Where to Go in Iceland

This is where an Iceland sights map would come in handy.

We have created a variety of Iceland traveler maps to help you plan your perfect trip, such as the best routes around the country, the most beautiful waterfalls , and where to go in Reykjavik. Even travelers who don't like planning ahead will find a map of Iceland's attractions helpful for simple navigation.

• Discover the Best Attractions by the Ring Road of Iceland

You can rent a car in Iceland and  book a self-drive tour or guided vacation package  that will schedule your route, accommodation, and activities. The following maps can help you visualize what is ahead and get excited about your journey. In addition to this, all individual self-drive and vacation packages come with a map attached.

Want to know more about Iceland before your trip? Let's look at a few useful facts to learn more about the country.

Before diving into the various maps of Iceland, firstly, let's answer where Iceland is on the world map. Iceland is a European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Norway and Greenland. Most of Iceland is just south of the Arctic Circle , though the tiny island of Grimsey is within the limits of the Arctic Circle.

• Read more: Where is Iceland?
• See also: Iceland and Greenland - What's the Difference Between the Countries?

The average temperature in the capital, Reykjavik is around 54 F (12 C) in summer and about 33–35 F (1–2 C) in winter. But the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, with sunshine and snowstorms being minutes apart.

Its high latitude means you can experience the midnight sun in the summer and long nights in the winter, ideal for seeing the northern lights .

Iceland's official language is Icelandic , but most Icelanders also speak and understand English.

The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik , on the edge of the Southern Peninsula in the Southwest. About 135,000 people live in  Reykjavik , about one-third of the country's population. If you include the surrounding townships of the Capital Region , the population is about 220,000.

Iceland is divided into eight regions. Take a look at the map of Icelandic regions below — the regions are marked with numbers.

Image by NordNordWest on Wikimedia Commons

These regions are:

• Capital Region
• Southern Peninsula
• West Iceland
• Northwest Iceland
• Northeast Iceland
• East Iceland
• South Iceland

There's a bit of overlap between Northwest Iceland and Northeast Iceland. Sometimes, they're collectively referred to as North Iceland . Sometimes, the Icelandic Highlands , located in central Iceland, are referred to as a region of their own.

Iceland's currency is the Icelandic krona. Some larger hotels might accept payment in euros or US dollars — but you should always check before you travel. It's also important to check the exchange rate when you are preparing for your trip. Most places in Iceland do take credit cards, even taxis, but it's always wise to carry some Icelandic currency to be sure.

While many travelers to Iceland are happy to stay in Reykjavik and travel out each day, some also wish to travel around the country on an epic road trip.

Booking a self-drive tour can help organize this for you, with accommodations being booked in advance as you traverse the country. These driving maps of Iceland can help you pick which places to go if you're planning your trip independently.

The most comprehensive road trip is to go around the entire Ring Road.

This is a road map of Iceland with all the main sights marked in varying color tags. Feel free to zoom in to look at each attraction's location.

Iceland's Ring Road (Route 1) is a popular route that circles the entire island.

This Iceland attractions map includes the most famous waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and beaches along the route. It's also easy to stray a little off the Ring Road to include some of the lesser-known attractions in Eastfjords or the beautiful Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland .

If you want to visit Iceland's northern or eastern regions, you should aspire to drive the whole circle from Reykjavik.

It's roughly the same distance to drive from Reykjavik to the town of Egilsstadir in East Iceland via the northern or southern routes. And the two routes show a vastly different side of the country.

Popular self-drive tours

10-day self-drive tour of the complete ring road of iceland with top attractions & snaefellsnes, best 1-week summer self-drive tour of the ring road of iceland & golden circle, best 7-day northern lights self drive tour through south iceland to jokulsarlon ice cave.

It's possible to drive the Ring Road in six days, but the longer you take, the more sites you can see and the longer you can spend at them. For example, you can do a 10-day self-drive tour of Ring Road and the Snaefellsnes peninsula .

The Westfjords are Iceland's second most remote area behind the uninhabited Highlands. It's cut off from the Ring Road and requires a bit of a detour to reach. But by adding it to the trip, you'll fully encircle Iceland, as seen on this second Iceland driving map.

Many of the roads in the area are gravel, and snowstorms on mountain passes can happen even in summer, so you'll need to take your time as you drive from one scenic fjord to another.

The Westfjords are barely accessible during winter due to heavy snowfalls, closed roads, and even avalanche threats, but they are magical in summer. So think of this as the off-beat Iceland attractions map.

• See also: The Ultimate Guide to the Westfjords of Iceland

You can take the ferry Baldur between Stykkisholmur and Brjanslaekur in the Westfjords to decrease driving time, with an optional stop at the tranquil Flatey island , one of Iceland's hidden gems .

If you want to spend two weeks exploring the whole country at an affordable price, this 14-day budget Ring Road self-drive tour is for you.

For those who prefer a bit more luxury and an ensuite bathroom during your stay, this 14-day self-drive around Iceland and Westfjords tour is also available.

You can also explore the beautiful Westfjords on your own. See the Westfjords map below for its top attractions:

The capital of the Westfjords region is the town of Isafjordur . With a population of just over 2,500, it makes an excellent base for exploring the sights of the remote Westfjords.

These sights include the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve , home to Arctic foxes and some of Iceland's most notable birds , like Arctic terns and black guillemots. If you want to go birdwatching, visit the Latrabjarg bird cliffs . The cliffs are 9 miles (14 kilometers) long and are the largest bird cliffs in Europe, so it's a great place to see the famous Atlantic puffin.

While in the Westfjords, you can also visit the 'Jewel of the Westfjords,' the stunning  Dynjandi waterfall  with its cascading flow down dramatic cliffs. We also recommend seeing  Raudisandur beach , which is unusual for Iceland as its sands are naturally reddish-pink rather than the typical volcanic black.

Try this two-day wildlife tour to see what animals you can spot, or go on an 11-hour hiking tour through the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve . The Westfjords also have excellent opportunities for kayaking — you could even see whales or dolphins on this 2-hour kayaking tour  departing from Isafjordur.

The Golden Circle & West Iceland Driving Map

This map of Iceland attractions features the best locations in Southwest Iceland, including the Golden Circle sites and the many highlights of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

The Golden Circle is the country's most popular sightseeing route and an excellent choice for those who find the Westfjords too remote or visit in the winter.

You can visit the Gullfoss waterfall , the Geysir geothermal area , and Thingvellir National Park . It also includes natural sights like the Hraunfossar waterfall and human-made attractions such as the world-famous Blue Lagoon .

Since the capital is located in the center of the west's attractions, you can visit all major sites while staying in Reykjavik. Think of this as a highlights map of Iceland if you want to see the area's top sights in just a few days.

While traveling in  West Iceland , you may want to spend more than a day exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula. This two-day West Coast and Snaefellsnes peninsula winter tour is a great option to make the most of each location, whereas this six-day winter self-drive tour of the Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes peninsula is tailored towards northern lights hunting.

Iceland's South Coast Driving Map

The landscape of the  South Coast of Iceland  is known for its dramatic volcanic deserts and beautiful waterfalls. It has quickly become one of the most popular routes because it's close to Reykjavik and accessible. In one day, you can enjoy a round trip of visiting black sand beaches, taking a glacier hike tour , and exploring waterfalls and volcanoes.

You can reach the magnificent Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon in two days, and if traveling between mid-October and March, you can explore the insides of  ice caves .

If you're traveling to Iceland in the winter, the South Coast, the Snaefellsnes peninsula, and the Golden Circle are the three routes with good accessibility year-round.

If you want to enjoy all three of these routes on a budget, this seven-day self-drive tour of South Iceland is highly recommended.

If you only have a few days in Iceland and want to spend time on the South Coast, you can take a two-day summer South Coast tour or a two-day winter South Coast tour that will take you to all the highlights.

• Discover more: The Ultimate Guide to Iceland's South Coast

Skaftafell Nature Reserve is located within Vatnajokull National Park  in Southeast Iceland. You can see where the nature reserve is located on the map of Skaftafell below.

The nature reserve is a hiker's paradise with many hikes available, whether it be a day hike or a multi-day journey. It makes a suitable base camp for anyone who wants to climb Hvannadalshnukur , the highest peak in Iceland. Take a Hvannadalshnukur climbing tour to ensure you can hike up safely with the expertise of a local guide.

Other popular routes in the area include a walk up to Svartifoss waterfall  with its iconic basalt columns and another to Svinafellsjokull glacier , an outlier glacier of Vatnajokull. You can also take a 3.5-hour Glacier Hike on the Fallsjokull glacier  with a licensed guide.

Also nearby is the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, a large lake filled with enormous icebergs that break off from a glacial tongue and drift slowly out to sea. The lake is the deepest in Iceland and is also home to many seals that might say hi to visitors. The best way to experience this unique natural wonder is a  boat tour of the Jokulsarlon lagoon to experience the icebergs up close.

Top South Coast Tours

Best ice cave tour in vatnajokull glacier starting from jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, 2 day ice cave tour with south coast waterfalls & jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, 3-day northern lights tour of iceland’s golden circle & south coast with ice caving & glacier hiking.

North Iceland is known for its deep fjords, beautiful lakes, and interesting cultural sites. It takes about a 6-hour drive to reach the north while departing from Reykjavik.

It's also home to the second-largest settlement outside the Capital Region, Akureyri . You can also visit the ' whale watching capital of Europe' Husavik , the beautiful Lake Myvatn and the stunning Asbyrgi canyon.

Many of the attractions are also covered in the Ring Road map, but down below, you can find more detailed maps of Lake Myvatn and Asbyrgi Canyon:

Lake Myvatn is definitely worth a visit while exploring North Iceland. The lake is the fourth largest in the country and is dotted with small islands. It's in a highly active geothermal area with many unique geological features and hot springs. You can take a dip in the geothermal water at Myvatn Nature Baths , which has large pools of warm mineral-rich water as well as two steam baths. Booking admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths is a great way to unwind after a day of exploring this beautiful area.

As you can see on the map of Myvatn lake above, the lake is also close to Krafla volcano and the Viti crater . The region is excellent for birdwatching and even the arctic fox can sometimes be spotted near nesting sites.

You can take a one-day tour of Lake Myvatn from Akureyri . Alternatively, if you're traveling in winter, you can go on an incredible dog-sledding tour  pulled by adorable Siberian huskies.

• See more: A Complete Guide to Lake Myvatn

Asbyrgi Canyon in Northeast Iceland is best known for its horseshoe shape. There's a lot of interesting folklore surrounding the canyon — legend has it that it was formed by the footprint of Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.

The canyon is on the Diamond Circle route , about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Husavik . Take a look at the map of the Diamond Circle below.

If you visit Asbyrgi canyon, don't forget to stop at the nearby Jokulsargljufur canyon and Dettifoss waterfall , the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. The whole area is an excellent place to see the northern lights, and there are tours dedicated to helping visitors do just that. Try this northern lights tour from Akureyri , or sign up for a 10-hour Diamond Circle tour to see all the best sights in the area.

Map of Iceland's Natural Attractions

Iceland is world-renowned for its incredible natural wonders, including waterfalls, hot springs, and volcanoes, with fascinating towns and villages along the way.

The following maps are a great place to start if you seek such natural and cultural delights.

Map of Iceland's Waterfalls

Iceland's rugged landscape, with its wealth of  glaciers and rivers, means there are more waterfalls than you can count all around the country. You don't even need to leave the city borders of Reykjavik since there's a waterfall found right in the valley of Ellidaardalur !

It would be impossible to try to count all the waterfalls that exist in Iceland. Many of them have no names, and new ones form each year from melting glaciers or changes in the ground due to earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

You can find a map of some of Iceland's most dramatic, powerful, and beautiful waterfalls above.

Gullfoss waterfall is Iceland's most famous waterfall. Its name, meaning 'Golden Falls,' is earned for its remarkable beauty and the rainbow crown that forms above it on sunny days. You can find it on the world-renowned Golden Circle route.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skogafoss waterfall are a pair of popular and easily accessible waterfalls on the South Coast. They're 19 miles (30 kilometers) apart, connected by the Ring Road. Near them are other smaller waterfalls you can explore while there. Taking a minibus tour of the South Coast will not only bring you to both of these waterfalls, but you will also get to take part in an exciting glacier hike!

Only a short walk from Seljalandsfoss, you can find  Gljufrabui waterfall . It is tucked between two cliffs, forming a hidden cave about 0.5 miles (800 meters) from Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Hiking up the trail at the top of Skogafoss waterfall will lead you to around 30 more waterfalls, one after the other.

Dettifoss waterfall, featured in the opening scene of the motion picture Prometheus , can be found in Northeast Iceland.

Glymur  in the Westfjords is the tallest waterfall in the country that can be easily accessed. Another must-see waterfall in the Westfjords includes  Dynjandi , with its cascading water flowing down a tall cliff, making it a very dramatic sight.

Iceland is known for its hexagon-shaped basalt columns, which has even inspired some of the country's architecture. Svartifoss waterfall in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve has water flowing down a backdrop of black basalt columns, making it a very special waterfall.

• See also: The Basalt Columns of Iceland

The smaller waterfalls are still impressive due to their picturesque nature or location, like Kirkjufellsfoss, which nestles close to the cone-shaped Kirkjufell mountain on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, or Hraunfossar falls , which trickles out of the lava in the western part of Iceland.

No matter which direction you decide to go, you'll surely find some impressive waterfalls.

While driving the Ring Road or through the Westfjords, you'll see more than you can count, providing countless photo opportunities and some magnificent sights.

• See also: Waterfalls in Iceland

Map of Iceland's Hot Springs and Swimming Pools

One thing you'll notice while driving around Iceland is that every town and village, no matter how small, will have a swimming pool .

The Greater Reykjavik area has a whopping 17 of them! In addition to the swimming pools in Reykjavik , there are also several hot springs and spas around the country you can bathe in, both human-made and natural.

You can easily find the swimming pools, as there will be a sign pointing the way to each one within each town, and since Iceland's towns and villages are small, finding them takes just minutes.

Arguably, the most stunning swimming pool in Iceland is the swimming pool in Hofsos , which boasts an undisturbed ocean view of Skagafjordur bay in North Iceland.

The natural pools are harder to pin down as many do not appear on Google Maps. But it's such a treat that we've added the ones we can find to this map of Iceland with attractions. Some are in the middle of nowhere, with no roads near them. Others are unmarked, so it's best to ask the locals if there are any hot pools in the vicinity.

The pools also vary in look, size, and temperature. Some natural hot springs are forbidden to enter because of danger (high temperature or falling rocks) or to protect the pools and the delicate surrounding nature.

If the hot springs are on private land, you need to ask for permission before entering the pool.

The above map is for a two-week summer hot spring self-drive tour that lists many pools, spas, geothermal areas, natural hot springs, and notable attractions along the route.

Deciding which pools to seek out will depend on what you're looking for. If you want modern comforts like a changing room, showers, and bathrooms, you'll be looking for something quite different from a natural pool that requires you to disrobe outdoors in the sun, rain, wind, or snow.

The Blue Lagoon is a world-famous geothermal water spa on the Reykjanes peninsula . It has showers, restrooms, changing facilities, on-site massages, a bar, a cafe, a restaurant, and even a hotel if you want to spend the night or have private access to the lagoon. Make sure to book your ticket to the Blue Lagoon early, as admission is limited and demand is high! 

With a small geyser bubbling nearby, another hot pool is the historic  Secret Lagoon by the town of  Fludir in South Iceland. It is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, built in 1891, but was transformed in the 21st century into a comfortable, warm geothermal pool. It has become more popular to end a tour of the Golden Circle by relaxing in the Secret Lagoon .

The Sky Lagoon is the perfect option if you'd prefer to stay in the capital region. Located in Kopavogur , it has a large geothermal pool with additional facilities, including a cold mist room, sauna and steam room, as well as a restaurant and an in-pool bar. It was opened in 2021 and has already gained a lot of popularity.

You can also head to Fontana Spa by Lake Laugavatn , where you can enjoy a sauna that's built right on top of a steaming geyser with a beautiful lake view. To lower the sauna's temperature, you simply open the door to let in some fresh air. The Myvatn Nature Baths in North Iceland offer a similar experience if you're exploring the region.

Krauma is one of the newest spa additions in Iceland, located right next to Deildartunguhver hot spring , the hot spring with the highest flow of water in the all of Europe. Getting a ticket to Krauma will grant you access to their sleek hot tubs and saunas, and don't forget to check out the stylish restaurant on-site.

Other new spas include the Geosea baths in North Iceland, fed with naturally heated saltwater, and the Vok Baths in the east.

• See also: The 30 Best Hot Springs and Geothermal Pools in Iceland

Map of Iceland's Volcanoes

There are around 130 volcanoes in Iceland, although most are dormant.

The sheer amount of volcanoes means not all would fit on a map, but you can see the most notable ones above.  

Some of them are very picturesque from afar, such as the Snaefellsjokull volcano, which crowns the Snaefellsnes peninsula and, in clear weather, can be seen from the capital.

It's also famous for being the entry point to the Earth's core in Jules Verne's science fiction classic from 1864, Journey to the Center of the Earth .

Other volcanoes require challenging but spectacular hikes to reach, such as Eyjafjallajokull , which is found right by the famous  Fimmvorduhals trek. This volcano became world-famous in 2010 when its eruption grounded flights all over Europe for weeks, as well as puzzling news anchors and journalists attempting to pronounce its name.

You can also explore beautiful volcanic craters that are easy to hike up to and around, such as Hverfjall and Kerid . You can even enter the now dormant caldera of a volcano with the Inside the Volcano tour . It's the only caldera on Earth where you can descend into it and explore its vast and colorful magma chamber.

Other volcanoes are tucked away in the Highlands , such as Bardarbunga volcano  or Holuhraun volcano , where their destructive powers can change the landscape but do no harm to towns or villages nestled on the country's shores. Even so, the effects of the ash on farmland and air travel can still be catastrophic.

• Learn more: Iceland's Volcanoes: The Complete Guide

Almost all guests will spend at least one night of their holiday in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. Naturally, we have more than one map of Reykjavik for you.

Map of Reykjavik's Main Attractions

If you're looking for a detailed map of Iceland, then you also need a dedicated map of Reykjavik. Iceland's capital is full of interesting attractions, including impressive architecture, art galleries, museums, parks, and markets.

The most iconic landmark is the 245-foot (74.5-meter) tall Hallgrimskirkja church , visible from almost every angle in Reykjavik and beyond the city limits. From its top, you have a great view of the city (although visitors must pay a small fee, around 7 USD, to take the lift up the tower). You can find another viewing platform at Perlan , or The Pearl, which also houses several exhibitions, a cafe, and a restaurant.

The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center is an attraction due to its impressive architecture, featuring a glass facade lit up with LED lights, and its many concerts, festivals, and exhibitions. Make sure you check the events calendar for Harpa before your visit.

• See also: Sightseeing in Reykjavik

For a little natural beauty in the city, visitors can enjoy the views of the pond  Tjornin , located right next to Reykjavik City Hall . The City Hall is open to all visitors, with many art showings and music events throughout the year.

If you're curious about the Icelandic art scene, then there are dozens of art galleries, museums, and street art exhibits from which to choose. The main art galleries have been included in the map above. Furthermore, you can find many smaller ones on the main shopping streets of Laugavegur , Skolavordustigur, Hverfisgata, and the surrounding streets.

• See also: Art Galleries in Reykjavik

You can also find many sculptures throughout the city. The most famous one is most likely  Solfarid, or The Sun Voyager , with its impressive seaside view of Faxafloi bay . We recommend a museum for Iceland's greatest sculptor, the Einar Jonsson Museum , located next to Hallgrimskirkja, with a beautiful sculpture garden with free entry behind it. If you venture to Laugardalur , Reykjavik's recreational area, you can also visit the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum .

Laugardalur also has a botanical garden, a family park and zoo, the country's largest swimming pool ( Laugardalslaug ), a football stadium, a skating rink, and a campsite. 

See also: The Top 20 Festivals in Iceland

See also: Top 10 Things to do in Reykjavík

Outdoor markets are uncommon in Iceland, but you will find the fleamarket Kolaportid by the Old Harbor . In 2017, a food market opened at the  Hlemmur bus stop , called 'Hlemmur Matholl,' and another food market, 'Grandi Matholl,' opened shortly after that near the harbor.

If you want to leave the city center for some beautiful sunset views or to see the northern lights in the winter, then head to the lighthouse at Grotta  peninsula. Another unique place just outside the city is  Videy island , which can be reached by ferry departing from the harbor, where you can see the historical Videyjarstofa and the  Imagine Peace art installation  by Yoko Ono. Alternatively, you can head to Ellidaardalur valley to enjoy a midnight picnic right next to a waterfall within the city's borders.

Map of Reykjavik's Nightlife

It's easy to navigate Reykjavik's nightlife on foot, especially if you're staying in the city center. There aren't many nightclubs, as most of Reykjavik's nightlife venues lead double or triple lives as cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, music venues, and clubs.

You'll find almost all the bars you'll need on or by Reykjavik's main shopping street: Laugavegur. It can take as little as a few seconds to go from one bar to the next in this lively Nordic capital.

• See also: Nightlife in Reykjavik
• See also: Happy Hour - Reykjavik's Cheapest Bars

If you're planning on barhopping, you could start by sipping on a cocktail at your hotel. Many of the upscale hotels in Reykjavik double as popular hangout places for fancy cocktails with house restaurants where you can have a glass of wine or two with your meal.

If you're more into craft beers, there are a few locales where you can start your night instead. The best bars for craft beer in Reykjavik are Skuli Craft Bar, MicroBar, and Bryggjan Brewery.

See also: Where to Stay in Reykjavik

Following a drink at a hotel or a craft beer bar, you can go to one of the hostels, such as Loft Hostel or KEX Hostel , where there's usually live music or stand-up comedy.

Here, the crowds are more relaxed, and it's easier to mingle with strangers when you're both laughing or enjoying the same live jazz. To end the night, choose between many bars that double as nightclubs, with music playing long into the night (most venues close at 5 AM on weekends).

See also: Icelandic Music

Tjarnarbio, Idno, and Thjodleikhusid host theater performances, live music, and improv comedy throughout the week and are great spots to check out. If you're looking for live rock music, Dillon, Gaukurinn and Lemmy's are the best choices downtown.

Bio Paradis is not just a great spot to watch classic Icelandic films (with English subtitles) or international art-house films. It also serves beer and has a cozy sofa area surrounded by movie posters frequented by locals looking to relax or play games.

• See also: Secret Reykjavik

Map of Reykjavik's Swimming Pools

You can find hundreds of swimming pools all over Iceland. Many Icelandic swimming pools would be considered spas in other countries but still have an unbeatable entry price.

The largest pool in Reykjavik and all of Iceland is the Laugardalslaug swimming pool , which sports both an indoor and outdoor pool, saunas, a massage room, seven hot tubs, and also a cold tub. If that wasn't enough, there's also a large gym next door called with the secluded spa for an additional cost.

The most central swimming pool in Reykjavik is the historical  Sundholl Reykjavikur . It is the oldest swimming pool in Reykjavik but was renovated in 2017 with an additional outdoor pool, sauna, as well as hot and cold tubs. Two other swimming pools are relatively close to Reykjavik's city center, Vesturbaejarlaug and Seltjarnarneslaug. Both are outdoor (heated) pools with several hot tubs and saunas.

Map of Iceland's Towns & Villages

Reykjavik is the only actual city in Iceland. The other settlements in the country are small by the global standard and considered towns or villages. Each one has its own distinct character and charm, with at least a few places of note that are worth a visit. Below, you'll find a map of some of the most famous or popular towns in Iceland to help plan your trip:

The largest town outside of the capital region is Akureyri , with a population of about 20,00, sometimes called 'the Capital of the North.' Other popular towns across Iceland are Selfoss in South Iceland , Egilsstadir , the largest settlement of East Iceland , and the secluded Isafjordur in the Westfjords. Selfoss has just under 7,000 people, while Egilsstadir and Isfjordur have roughly 2,500 people living there.

The largest towns in West Iceland are Borgarnes and Stykkisholmur , with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants.

These smaller towns tend to have limited numbers of grocery stores , hotels, and restaurants compared to Reykjavik. However, you should be able to find the basic amenities you're looking for. Researching your destination before traveling is a good idea to ensure you have enough food and supplies for your stay.

A Driving Tour of Iceland's Towns and Cities

If you're planning to tour Iceland's towns, look at the towns and cities map below. The map has a suggested route for your trip that visits some of Iceland's most notable towns and cities.

The route can be done in seven days, but you'll definitely want more time than this to explore all the sights and attractions you'll pass along the way. The route starts and ends at Reykjavik and passes through towns such as Vik , Selfoss , Hofn , Egilsstadir, Husavik , and Isafjordur. You can learn more about some of these towns below.

Akureyri is called the "Capital of the North" as it is the largest town in Iceland outside of the Greater Reykjavik Area. It's the cultural hub of North Iceland and has plenty to keep visitors occupied during their stay. The below map of Akureyri shows some of the best things to do in the area.

Attractions in Akureyri include the Laufas turf house , the northernmost botanical garden in the world , a swimming pool, and the Akureyrarkirkja church , with its iconic stairs leading up to the church door. In the winter, you can go skiing on Mount Hlidarfjall , one of the best ski resorts in the country. There's also a fun Christmas House , which celebrates Christmas year-round and sells all sorts of festive trinkets and treats.

You can also drive to Dalvik to take the ferry to Hrisey island , a beautiful and tranquil place with an interesting history.

Husavik is a small town in North Iceland and one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. Most boat tour operators offer 100% sighting rates in the summer months. The water is home to baleen whales, dolphins and porpoises, and Arctic puffins are also often seen in the area. Browse a wide range of whale-watching tours and book before you travel.

Husavik was also featured in the 2020 film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga . There's now a bar inspired by the film in the town, Jaja Ding Dong Husavik.

Beyond whales and films, it's a beautiful place to visit and has a fascinating history. Take a look at the below map of Husavik to see some of the best things to do while visiting there.

Selfoss is a town in South Iceland with a population of just under 7,000 people. It's about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Reykjavik. You can see a map of Selfoss and some of the best things to do here.

Selfoss is a good base if you want to explore the sights of the Golden Circle, but it's also close to the world-famous Geysir hot springs. From Selfoss, you can also reach Kerid crater,  Ingolfsfjall mountain  and the hot springs valley of Reykjadalur .

You'll find an interesting church and a museum dedicated to the chess player Bobby Fischer, who became an Icelandic citizen in his later years, in the town itself. The town is also home to the 'Sumar a Selfossi' (Summer in Selfoss) festival, with musical acts and a fete.

Organizing a trip to a new country can be tricky. But with the maps of Iceland in this article, you'll be ready to go no matter what type of vacation you're planning. The only thing left to do now is to book your trip and start having fun!

Is there an Iceland travel map missing that you'd like to see on this list? Did these maps of Iceland with attractions help you plan your trip to Iceland? Log in to Facebook to see or add to the comment section below!

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The Best 5 Day Iceland Itinerary with Free Maps

Iceland is one of the most amazing countries in the world and if you’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to see it in only 5 days, this 5 Day Iceland Itinerary guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary combines the best of all that Iceland has to offer.  From the lagoons and glacier hikes, to waterfalls and lava fields, to the black beaches and national parks, and of course, to the enchanting Northern Lights – you’ll get a chance to witness it all!

Contents hide Is 5 Days enough for Iceland? How to Get Around Iceland When to Go for Your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary Day 1: Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula Day 2: Head towards the Golden Circle Day 3: From Vik to Jökulsárlón to Skaftafell Day 4: See the South Coast's Waterfalls Day 5: Visit Reykjavik Conclusion: 5 Day Iceland Itinerary

Is 5 Days enough for Iceland?

Yes! 5 days is enough to see parts of Iceland. Although, you shouldn’t expect to see the entire country. Iceland is a huge place with various main attractions and tourist spots that are quite far from each other . You can be driving for two hours with nothing but vast lands beyond.

So naturally for a 5 day Iceland Itinerary , you’re going to have to choose a route to follow. In this self-drive 5 day Iceland Itinerary , we didn’t go to the North and North West Fjords.

However, our Iceland 5 day Road Trip does cover a bit of everything. We got a taste of all the must-sees of Iceland such as visiting  Reykjavik, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Golden Circle, the South Coast and even as far as the Glacier Lagoons near the East Fjords .

In this 5 day Iceland Itinerary, you will be able to witness different landscapes from mountaintops, glacier lagoons, waterfalls, and other geographical wonders.

If a self-drive itinerary by car or by campervan is not suitable for you, we have also included tour options to look into in the next section.

How to Get Around Iceland

Travel around iceland by car/campervan.

To make this 5 day Iceland Itinerary possible, you will have to rent a car in Iceland or even rent a campervan . It’s impossible to see as much as places as we did without a car or without joining a tour. Taking public transportation is not an option.

Having your own vehicle entails freedom to go wherever you want and see all the places you desire. It’s also more independent to have your own car if you are thinking about chasing the magical Northern Lights . 

Travel Around Iceland by Tour

You also have the choice to go with a group tour . There are various Iceland tours available for 4-7 days that take you through the main highlights of Iceland. These tours include accommodation, transfers, breakfast, WiFi, and sometimes even the entrance fees to different tourist attractions.

For a curated selection of the best tours for a 5 Day Iceland Itinerary , you can check the options below.

When to Go for Your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary

The next question remains: when is the best time to go for a 5 day Iceland Itinerary? Well that answer depends entirely on you! 

Personally, we prefer to go to Iceland in the winter . One of our top bucket list dreams was to see the Northern Lights and these lights are only visible from as early as September to as late as April. If your main reason for going is to have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, then going on these months would be the ideal time.

However if you prefer to go when the weather is warmer , the days are longer , and also, when you can have the chance to experience the peak of the Whale Season and witness the famed Midnight Sun (i.e. when the sun never sets or sets only on midnight), then going in the late Spring or Summer months between May to August is the best choice for you.

Day 1: Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The first day of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary , we landed in Keflavik, rented our vehicle, and drove out of Reykjavik.

We had plans of exploring Reykjavik on the last day of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary, so we skipped it for now and headed towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula .

DRIVING MAP FOR DAY ONE OF ICELAND ITINERARY

Where to Stay in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

There aren’t too many places to stay in Snæfellsnes Peninsula , but here are our top picks:

– The Freezer Hostel & Culture Center : For those on a budget, this hostel has nightly rates of only 22 euros/bed .

–  North Star Guesthouse Snæfellsnes : An affordable option for couples with room rates starting at 72 euros/night with shared bathroom.

– Hotel Búdir : A modern hotel in the heart of Snæfellsnes with room rates starting at 190 euros/night .

– Arnarstapi Hotel : Another modern and beautiful hotel near the cliffs of Snæfellsnes with room rates starting at 160 euros/night .

Gerðuberg Cliffs

The first stop of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary is Gerðuberg Cliffs – a dramatic formation of cliffs created from black lava-rock columns. 

It’s around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Reykjavik to get to this spot. It’s also especially impressive in the colder seasons as you get the chance to see hints of the black cliffs dusted in snow.

Lava Rock Formations / Berserkjahraun Lava Fields

After Gerðuberg Cliffs, we drove towards Bersekjahraun Lava Fields which is 30 minutes away . It’s not so well-known, but the views and landscapes are absolutely amazing. 

This location feels truly otherworldly, as if you’re stepping into another planet. We found it to be absolutely stunning during the winter time as you can see layers upon layers of lava rocks over a backdrop of mountains covered in snow. 

Kolgrafarfjördur Viewpoint

About 10 to 15 minutes away from the lava fields is another amazing viewpoint called Kolgrafarfjördur. 

This is a great time to take a break and have lunch. We stopped by a supermarket near Kirkjufellsfoss for some snacks and sandwiches. Gas stations also sell food in case the supermarkets are closed.

You can also stock up in advance some snacks and food from the Netto and Bonus in Reykjavik for the entire duration of your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary. 

Kirkjufellsfoss Mountain and Waterfall

After the viewpoint, we drove 10 minutes over to the iconic Kirkjufellsfoss Mountain and Waterfall as seen in the Game of Thrones .

This is truly one of the most uniquely shaped mountains you’ll ever see. Here, you can do a hike around and take some beautiful shots and long exposures of the sceneries.

After Kirkjufellsfoss, we ended our day in the Snæfellsjökull National Park – specifically in the area of Gatklettur. This place boasts coastline views and reminds us a little bit of Ireland but with snow .

As we were planning to see the Black Beach in Vik, we chose not to go to the Djúpalónssandur Black Beach in Snæfellsjökull National Park, but you can also include this to your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary since it’s not too far away from our final stop for day one.

Northern Lights at Snæfellsnes Peninsula

On our first night, we went to bed at 8pm and put an alarm for 1am, hoping to catch the Northern Lights. 

Since we had clear skies and aurora activity on this side of the island, we wanted to try our luck in seeing the Northern Lights. With a little bit of patience , there it was amidst the coast of Snæfellsjökull.

Day 2: Head towards the Golden Circle

For the second day of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary , we drove straight to the Golden Circle after having breakfast.

DRIVING MAP FOR DAY TWO OF ICELAND ITINERARY

Where to Stay in the Golden Circle Iceland

There are, fortunately, many great places to stay in the Golden Circle that are affordable. Below we list down our favorites:

– Welcome Riverside Guesthouse : An affordable place to stay in Hella with room rates starting at 47 euros/night .

– Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast : Another affordable bed and breakfast with room rates starting at 58 euros/night .

– Húsid Guesthouse : A charming guesthouse with room rates starting at 65 euros/night .

– Efra-Sel Hostel : A modern hostel with room rates starting at 75 euros/night with shared bathroom.

– Hekla Cabin 3 Volcano and Glacier View : A beautiful cabin and vacation home with a garden, this is the perfect choice for those on a honeymoon as you have an entire rental to yourself with rates starting at 125 euros/night .

Hvalfjörður

From the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, we drove back for an hour 30 minutes to Hvalfjörður . Here, we had brunch and hiked around the lake.

Thingvellir National Park

After spending some time exploring Hvalfjörður, we then drove for 40 minutes to Thingvellir National Park . We spent around 2 hours exploring the park and its incredible landscapes. You can easily spend more time here if you would like to during your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary.

Strokkur and Gullfoss Falls

After Thingvellir, we drove up to Strokkur and Gullfoss Falls which is around 40 minutes away . These two spots are well-known in the Golden Circle of Iceland and are must-see spots for a 5 Day Iceland Itinerary.

Strokkur is a popular and active geyser erupting every few minutes with hot water shooting into the air up to 40 meters high. Meanwhile, Gullfoss Falls is known for its multi-step cascade along the Hvitá River. 

Secret Lagoon Hot Spring

Our last stop for day two of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary is a less touristy geothermal pool (compared to Blue Lagoon’s 80 euro price tag) called Secret Lagoon  where prices are only 20 euros per person .

If you don’t want to pay crazy prices for a lagoon with way less people , then Secret Lagoon is the spot to go to. We’re glad we didn’t visit Blue Lagoon and went to this spot instead.

We ended our day in the charming town of Hella . At this point, the weather wasn’t too good with snow falling and the sky full of clouds. So there was no chance to see the Northern Lights.

Day 3: From Vik to Jökulsárlón to Skaftafell

This was our longest driving day as we went from Vik to Fjallsárlón and Jokularson , and then back to Skaftafell. 

The road between Vik and Skaftafell is mostly barren so we recommend you have a good playlist on and simply appreciate the changing backdrops from incredible landscapes to pure nothingness but even that emptiness is some of the most wonderful things you’ll ever see during this 5 Day Iceland Itinerary.

DRIVING MAP FOR DAY THREE OF ICELAND ITINERARY

Where to Stay in Skaftafell National Park

There aren’t too many options for places to stay in Skaftafell. You can find our top three choices below:

– Fosshotel Nupar : A modern hotel featuring incredible views of Skaftafell with room rates starting at 90 euros/night .

–  Hotel Skaftafell : A beautiful hotel at the heart of Skaftafell with views of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjukur as well as the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. Room rates start at 155 euros/night .

– Adventure Hotel Hof : Another beautiful at the foot of the Skaftafell mountains with room rates starting at 150 euros/night with breakfast .

Reynisfjara Beach

Our first stop for day three of this 5 Day Iceland Itinerary is Reynisfjara Beach , which is an hour away from Hella.

Reynisfjara is a popular black beach with intricate rock formations . It almost feels like you’re somewhere in outer space as you walk through the black sand.

Fjallsárlón / Jökulsárlón

We really wanted to see the glaciers so this was the longest drive in our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary . From Vik to Jökulsárlón , it’s more than a 2 hour ride. Hence, it’s important that you start your day early so that you can get to the glaciers by mid afternoon.

These glaciers are truly one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever see in your life. Jökulsárlón  is the biggest glacier in all of Europe while  Fjallsárlón is a bit more offbeat. We suggest spending plenty of time in both places and even doing the Jökulsárlón Crystal Ice Cave Tour . We ended up staying here till sunset.

After the glaciers, we ended our day by driving back to a hotel near Skaftafell, which is also where we start our exploration on day four of our 5 day Iceland Itinerary.

Day 4: See the South Coast's Waterfalls

The fourth day of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary is the chillest because our focus was mainly on seeing Iceland’s plethora of waterfalls in the South Coast . Namely, Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Gluggafoss.

Furthermore, we had a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights forecast on the last night of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary . Thus, we wanted to have a relaxed adventure, so that we could chase for them on that same evening.

DRIVING MAP FOR DAY FOUR OF ICELAND ITINERARY

Where to Stay in the South Coast of Iceland

There are many wonderful places to stay in the South Coast of Iceland with lovely views, hot tubs, and much more. To see our best picks for the area, see below:

– Welcome Edinborg : An affordable place to stay in the South Coast of Iceland, 5 to 10 minutes from the waterfall. Room rates start at 58 euros/night .

– Borg Apartments : A studio apartment with a private kitchen for an affordable price that starts at 90 euros/night .

– Stora Mark : A beautiful farm property with rooms equipped with its own kitchen and boasting lovely views. Room rates start at 90 euros/night with buffet breakfast .

– Midgard Base Camp : The perfect place for those on a honeymoon, this hotel features has a hot tub, entertainment facilities, and a shared kitchen for a rate starting at 120 euros/night .

Skaftafell National Park

Day four of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary started in Skaftafell National Park . We had breakfast and proceeded to go on a few hikes in the park. Like Thingvellir, you could easily spend many days in this park if you wanted to .

Furthermore, Skaftafell is  well-known for its glacier walks , if that’s an activity you’re looking to do. It’s also a great location to be up close and personal with the famous Icelandic horses – the purest breed of horses in the entire world.

Skogafoss - Seljalandsfoss

After an early morning in Skaftafell, we headed back to the sights we passed through on our way to Vik – particularly all the waterfalls. The drive back took us more than 2 hours.

Our next stop in this 5 Day Iceland Itinerary are the waterfalls of  Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss . These two are literally a 10 minute drive from one another. 

We had a late lunch amidst the beautiful backdrop of Skogafoss and took a nice hike up to the waterfall. 

Seljalandsfoss is also another beautiful waterfall just nearby. It’s much taller, but we actually preferred Skogafoss more.

Around 30 minutes from Seljalandsfoss and a 10 minutes drive to where we were staying for the night (Hvolsvöllur) is our favorite waterfall in Iceland called Gluggafoss . 

It’s way more offbeat and not very well known which is why we loved it so much. We were the only ones in the spot except for a few photographers taking nature shots. 

Here we spent sunset – hiking around and relaxing while enjoying an apero.

Inner Highlands (Keldur) - Northern Lights

After checking in, we had dinner and rested for a bit. Once night fell, we started our chase for the Northern Lights. We drove for 30 minutes towards the inner highlands , which is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights due to the lack of civilization.

We waited, prayed for luck, and to our absolute delight, at 8:30pm, the lights started to appear.

The Northern Lights Show on this day was way more impressive than on the first night of our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary.

For us, this was the perfect way to end our last night in Iceland. The lights gave us an unforgettable 1 hour spectacle , dancing with different colors of red, white and purple. It was one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in all our travels.

Day 5: Visit Reykjavik

Driving map for day five of iceland itinerary.

Since our flight was at the end of the day five in our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary , our agenda was simply to tour Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik , which we skipped on our first day.

After dropping off our rental at around noon, we walked around Reykjavik and then visited one of the many Local Hot Tub and Sauna Centers. It’s cheap and a great way to feel refreshed before our flight. After that, we had dinner and took the bus to Keflavik Airport . It was a great end to our 5 Day Iceland Itinerary.

Conclusion: 5 Day Iceland Itinerary

So there you have it! We hope this helps you plan for your 5 Day Iceland Itinerary . Iceland is truly a country of incredible landscapes, sceneries, and out of this world experiences. 

If you’ve been planning a trip to Iceland, we definitely recommend you to stay for 5 days or more , especially if you’ll have a vehicle to drive around in or if you’ll be joining a multi-day tour .

Have you ever been to Iceland? What was your experience like and what was your favorite spot ? If not, where do you plan to go for your Iceland trip? Let us know your questions and thoughts about this 5 Day Iceland Itinerary in the comments below!

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We enjoyed our first visit to Iceland. Good to now a return visit for 5 days would let me see so much more. The Northern Lights are definitely on our travel wish list. So maybe a car rental would give us the flexibility to chase them!

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Iceland is on my travel list! It’s good to know that 5 days would be long enough to see and do most things. Your photo of the Aurora Borealis is great, I’d love to see them one day!

Wow what stunning pictures and looks like a fab trip. I absolutely love iceland and did self drive trips for both of my visits. I didn’t go quite as west but will definitely make sure i get to Kirkjufellsfoss next time.

Iceland is on my to-visit list. You surely have some great tips here!

This is a fantastic thorough itinerary with options for everyone’s tastes and style.

Wow, I don’t think 5 days is enough. This is a beautiful must-visit country.

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Check out the main monuments, museums, squares, churches and attractions in our map of Iceland. Click on each icon to see what it is.

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Awesome Iceland Itinerary: 7 Days on the Ring Road + Maps, Tips, & More!

Last Updated: April 15, 2023 //  by  Guest Author Leave a Comment

Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is a popular bucket list item for travelers, and with this Iceland itinerary 7 days is perfect to introduce you to Iceland’s magnificence.

If you have just a long weekend to visit, or want to visit on a quick stopover on the way to somewhere else, you can certainly experience much of what Iceland has to offer. This 4-day Iceland itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to stick to the Reykjavik area and who don’t want to bother with renting a car.

However, if you have a few more days, you can explore so much more of this amazing and endlessly beautiful country! This 7-day Iceland itinerary will take you around the entire island on a trip you’ll never forget.

This post was originally written by a friend of mine who has since retired his travel blog. He has allowed me to make it mine and republish it here on MWL.

Table of Contents

Iceland Ring Road itinerary – 7 days

I visited Iceland in July, smack in the middle of the high summer season. If you’re planning the same, you’ll need to prepare your budget and book your accommodation as far in advance as possible. It gets busy this time of year, but it’s so worth it. This Iceland Ring Road itinerary will help you break away from the typical Reykjavik home base and experience more of Iceland’s magic.

The Iceland Ring Road offers spectacular landscapes, a sense of adventure, and a change of scenery about once an hour. You’ll go from lush lagoons to moon-like craters, with dozens of epic waterfalls in between.

While you can see plenty in and around the Reykjavik area, the whole country offers so much more beyond that. My favorite parts of exploring Iceland in 7 days were almost all a significant drive from the capital. The variety of what you can see is unmatched. So, pack your bags and grab some road snacks, because here we go!

Preparing for your Iceland Ring Road trip

First things first, there are certain things you must prepare for when planning a road trip around Iceland’s Ring Road. Because Iceland has become such a popular destination, you’ll need to book some aspects of this 7-day Iceland itinerary in advance.

The summer crowds in Iceland are certainly noticeable. Considering certain areas of the country only have one accommodation option, they’re competitive as well. With these limitations in mind, the things I most highly recommend booking in advance are:

• Accommodations for every night of your trip , especially in the more remote areas. You can read reviews here on Tripadvisor , then book them here on Booking.com . Don’t forget about vacation rentals as an option too.
• A rental car . For this, RentalCars.com is the best place to start.
• Specific Iceland tours and activities like the Blue Lagoon, glacier hikes, horseback riding, etc.
• An Iceland guidebook . Check out Rick Steves , Rough Guides , or Fodor’s and choose your favorite. Also pick up the Iceland Culture Smart guide .

Want to pick the perfect hotel every time? Check out my post on the 16 most important factors to consider when choosing a hotel .

Planning ahead for your 7-day Iceland itinerary is a must. Unless you’ll be sleeping in campervan every night, you should know your rest stop and accommodation for each evening. (Campervans are an extremely popular way to see Iceland, but inventory is limited so check on this early!)

Additionally, be prepared for traffic and crowds at the more popular locations. Thankfully, with this Ring Road guide you’ll visit some of the less crowded (but even more spectacular) locales as well. You won’t feel claustrophobic in this wide open country!

What to pack for Iceland’s Ring Road

For starters, everything you need to know about what to pack for Iceland in the summer can be found in that link. This complete guide covers everything you’ll need: apparel, adventure essentials, electronics, toiletries, and more. And don’t forget to grab your free, printable Iceland packing checklist here:

Iceland Packing List

For the Ring Road especially, where the weather is known for being unpredictable, here are the most important items:

Weatherproof gear

Pack a quality rain jacket and rain pants because you’ll most definitely encounter rain, wind, and waterfalls on your trip. I’m a big fan of Columbia’s rain gear. It’s perfect for rain, as a stellar windbreaker, and a must-have for getting up close to Iceland’s many waterfalls. Shop them here (lots of colors to choose from):

• Columbia rain jacket for women / for men , and on Amazon for women / for men
• Columbia rain pants for women / for men , and on Amazon for women / for men

A quality down jacket and/or fleece jacket are also great for the chilly summer temperatures. I particularly like Columbia’s fleece jackets which you can choose from here and here . And their lightweight down jackets which you can find here for women, and here and here for men.

Good hiking shoes

You’ll also need a solid pair of hiking boots—this is a non-negotiable given Iceland’s weather and terrain. And you’ll get tons of use out of them on this 7-day Iceland itinerary. Seriously, you probably only need this one pair of shoes for the whole week.

I can’t say enough good things about my Oboz Bridger hiking boots . These are such good quality, comfortable, and were good-to-go right out of the box. No breaking in period required. I’ve worn them hiking all over the world and they still look and feel new. Shop them here:

• Oboz Bridger BDry for women / for men on Amazon
• Oboz Bridger BDry for women / for men on Zappos.com (my favorite shoe site ever!)
• And don’t forget the world’s best hiking socks to wear with them!

Stay gassed up

One piece of advice I read before my trip was to fill up at every gas station, no matter how full your tank was. It ended up becoming a running joke with my travel buddy because we’d see gas stations after having just filled up an hour earlier. I did find out why that advice existed though.

Driving through the northern highlands, I passed a gas station with about half a tank on my biggest driving day. The next several miles were largely uphill, and my needle plummeted as my little car chugged along.

I managed to get to my destination, but we were so low on gas I was nearly in tears at the sight of the next gas station. After filling up, I calculated that we probably had about 1/3 of a LITER of gas left at that point. From that point forward, we instituted the fill up no matter what policy.

Scheduling your 7-day Iceland itinerary

Since you’re on a road trip and have complete control over your schedule, timing doesn’t have to be too strict. However, there are a few exceptions:

• You’ll want to be up at sunrise for some of the busy days and to catch some beautiful views.
• Some of the more remote B&Bs stop serving dinner at a certain time. (And there are no grocery stores or restaurants anywhere nearby.)
• Some of the B&Bs also stop accepting guests after a certain hour, even if you have a pre-booked reservation. So, be sure you know what those times are for the places you book.

I’m used to packing a lot of activities into one day so I ran afoul of those latter points a few times. Thankfully, they sometimes made exceptions with the food and always made exceptions with the check-ins. Although, not without letting me know I was late.

I would, however, highly recommend stashing some sandwich supplies to keep in the car with you in the event that you can’t get food in the evening.

Alright, you’ve booked your accommodation and rental car (even if those are one in the same), packed a variety of clothing with plenty of light layers and, of course, your camera! Now, it’s time to get off your flight and hop on the Iceland Ring Road to explore everything this gorgeous country has to offer in one unforgettable week.

Day 1: Arrival, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon

Hop off your plane at Iceland’s Keflavik airport, grab your rental car, and hit the road! All flights arriving in Reykjavik from the U.S. land between 6:00 and 6:40 AM, regardless of departure point. (No idea why they do this.) This first day in Iceland is a great time to rest, adjust to the time difference, and prepare for your upcoming 7-day Iceland itinerary.

This is also a great chance to check out some of Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city. In between stocking up on road trip supplies, you can:

• Take a great walking tour of the city
• head up to the top of Hallgrímskirkja for some aerial views
• take a whale watching tour or a puffin tour if that interests you,
• Grab some pastries from Brauð & Co., lobster soup from the Sea Baron, and one of Iceland’s famous hot dogs from the BBP.
• Check out the Sun Voyager sculpture, some of Reykjavik’s colorful street art, and more.

This is also the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon—Iceland’s world famous geothermal spa. While you’ll encounter many geothermal areas during your 7-day Iceland itinerary, the Blue Lagoon is interesting in its own ways!

I highly recommend a visit and I’ve visited a couple of times already. For everything you need to know about visiting the Blue Lagoon , check out that link! And for everything else you can see and do during your time in Reykjavik, check out my shorter Iceland itinerary .

Day 1 accommodation suggestions

Downtown Reykjavik is a great place to stay on the first night of your 7-day Iceland itinerary. However, keep in mind that parking is not widely available. Many downtown hotels simply rely on public parking. You can always search Booking.com and filter for hotels with parking to see your other options. Besides that, here are some downtown Reykjavik hotel recommendations:

• Center Hotels Plaza – Where I stayed on my latest visit to Iceland and it’s perfect! Walking distance to everything in town, affordable, clean, friendly staff, highly recommend!
• Kvosin Downtown Hotel – (Paid) parking nearby, great terrace with views, continental breakfast, popular place!
• Hotel Holt – Free private parking, great location within walking distance of everything, helpful and friendly staff.

Day 2: Iceland’s Golden Circle + more

Today is departure day for your Iceland Ring Road adventure! Today, we’ll explore Iceland’s famous Golden Circle and see a number of unique landscapes and visit some ancient historical sites.

For my Ring Road adventure, I drove against the usual clockwise route and the difference was noticeable. There were many cars going the opposite direction and not a whole lot going my way. I’m not entirely sure why most people begin the Ring Road going north, but I think driving counter-clockwise made a significant difference in crowds and traffic for me.

First stop: Þingvellir National Park

On the second day of your 7-day Iceland itinerary, you’ll visit many of Iceland’s most popular destinations to kick off your road trip. Just 30 minutes outside Reykjavik lies the Golden Circle, a collection of Iceland’s most popular destinations not too far from the capital.

The first of these is Þingvellir National Park , home to Iceland’s first parliament and the continental divide between the North American and European tectonic plates.

If you have the time and the desire, this is also the place where you can famously snorkel Silfra , the lake that bridges the two tectonic plates. (You can even do this in the winter!) The water in Silfra is some of the world’s clearest and it’s a truly special experience to swim between two continents.

Stop 2: Geysir and more geysers

An hour up the road from Þingvellir is Geysir , the famous Geyser from which all other such phenomena get their names. Unfortunately, Geysir itself rarely erupts but the nearby Stokkur geyser erupts frequently (every 5-10 minutes).

I loved Strokkur because of the magnificent blue bubble that forms with every eruption. The site itself is a large geothermal area with lots of spots to check out. Boiling springs and other tiny geysers can be seen here as well. Take your time and check it all out.

Stop 3: Gullfoss

Ten minutes down the road from Geysir you’ll find Gullfoss , one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. Gullfoss is also the largest waterfall in Europe (by volume). Because it’s so well known and lies on the Golden Circle, be prepared for large crowds at this stop.

There are two ways to see Gullfoss. One is up close and personal from the lower viewpoint. The other is a high and wide view of the whole place from the deck on top. Both are just short walks, but you’ll fight large tour bus crowds on both of them.

Just put on your patience cap (and your waterproof gear) and wait your turn to get pictures from the railings. It’s a fairly quick stop compared to the others today but still worth it for the scale of the falls. There is also a gift shop and café on site for a quick lunch and restroom break.

Stop 4: Háifoss

Háifoss isn’t part of the Golden Circle, but it’s somewhat nearby. It also was one of my favorite waterfalls in all of Iceland.

Getting there is a fairly lengthy detour down some rough roads. Be prepared for a bumpy ride and take special care over the rocks that make a sort of stair formation partway through the drive, as you don’t want to rip off your oil pan!

Though some people have made it to Háifoss in a small car, you’ll definitely feel better navigating this 7-day Iceland itinerary in a 4×4, so rent responsibly .

Can you visit Háifoss with a small car if you have to though? Get everything you need to know about visiting Háifoss waterfall without a 4×4 here.

Háifoss is the third largest waterfall in Iceland and is actually two waterfalls for the price of one. (Even though the price is actually free.) The second waterfall is known as Granni. The river and canyon at the bottom of the falls create a beautiful vista. The desire to hike down there to see the falls up close is one of the things that makes me want to return to Iceland the most.

Not only is Háifoss one of the most scenic waterfalls I’ve ever seen, but I was lucky enough to be graced with incredible scattered light the day I was there. When you visit, be sure to exercise patience and wait for clouds to clear. You’ll be rewarded with one of my favorite sights on this entire 7-day Iceland itinerary and great photos.

Stop 5: Kerið Crater Lake

Afterwards, gingerly make your way back down the rocky road from Háifoss. Next up is over to the Kerið volcanic crater to see its lake’s vibrant colors.

Kerið Crater Lake is about 3,000 years old and is found in an area known as Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone. The minerals of the nearby rocks cause the vibrant turquoise color of the lake. The lake itself is pretty shallow and you can even take a path all the way down to the water.

Many guided tours include a stop at Kerið volcanic crater on their sightseeing itineraries, but it’s just as easy to visit on your self-drive. However, be prepared to pay a small fee in order to visit the site. (This helps the landowners preserve the natural site and maintain the parking area.)

Stop 6: Skogafoss

Yes, the stop count is getting high now! I actually did not stop at Skogafoss simply because Iceland is absolutely covered in waterfalls so I had to pick and choose.

However, if I were to do it over again, I would have spent less time at Kerið and stopped at Skogafoss instead. Skogafoss is an extremely easy waterfall to visit—you can even see it from the road. Skogafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland and you can walk up pretty close to it to really feel its power. Just be sure to wear your rain gear for this one!

This will be your last stop for the night unless you’re feeling especially motivated. In that case, you should try to squeeze in one more stop if you can…

Stop 7: Seljalandsfoss (time permitting)

If you still have time on your first big day on Iceland’s Ring Road, try and catch the sunset at Seljalandsfoss. I saved it for the following morning, but as I saw the next day it’s really a sunset waterfall. I’ll explain more on tomorrow’s schedule.

However, you can absolutely save it for day two and it will still impress.

Day 2 accommodation suggestions

For hotels on the second night of your 7-day Iceland itinerary, look for properties in Hella, Iceland . You can start here with the full list, or check out these top recommendations. All have free parking and free WiFi.

• Hótel Lækur – Phenomenal reviews, great food, family owned, hot tub!
• Loa’s Nest – More great reviews, nice breakfast, kind and welcoming owners, mountain views.
• Farmer’s Guest House – Clean and comfortable, a lot of privacy, they have horses!

Day 3: Iceland road trip variety pack

Day 3 of your Iceland Ring Road itinerary is a busy day filled with activities and hugely different sights. So, get an early start and hit Iceland’s Ring Road at sunrise.

Looking back at all the different things I did on this stretch, it’s hard to believe it all happened in one day! I went from cold, howling winds at Dyrhólaey to beautiful sunshine on the Skaftafell Glacier to a gorgeous sunset on a glacier lake. It’s going to be a great day!

Stop 1: Seljalandsfoss

If you didn’t catch sunset here last night, Seljalandsfoss will be your first stop of the day. Seljalandsfoss is known for being the waterfall you can walk behind, and get ready to get wet if you do. Seljalandsfoss flows over a cave and has an easy walking dirt path running all the way around it.

The opening of the cave faces west, so as I mentioned earlier you will get the best photos if you arrive at sunset instead of sunrise. I arrived right at sunrise and didn’t get the best light, but it did help me more or less have the place to myself which is always a plus!

Stop 2: Dyrhólaey

After you’ve had your fun at Seljalandsfoss (or if you already saw it last night), hop back on the Ring Road route #1 and head south. You’ll eventually turn onto a gravel road and head to the black sand beaches of Dyrhólaey. Because it’s on the coast, expect brutally high winds on a regular basis. The wind was absolutely howling on the morning I visited and it was tough to even open my car door.

The most famous sight at Dyrhólaey is the arch that stretches out to sea. There are views of it from the bottom parking lot which Google Maps will point you to if you type in Dyrhólaey . However, the best views are at the top of the cliff to the west.

Other than the obligatory arch photo, you can also (carefully!) sit on any number of rocky precipices in the area. Take in the view of the black sand beach as the birds soar along the cliffs, casually hovering on gusts of wind.

Stop 3: Fjaðrárgljúfur

If you’ve gotten your fill of freezing wind, get back on the Ring Road and drive just over an hour to Fjaðrárgljúfur. This will be quite a change of pace from the wide open beaches of Dyrhólaey. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow canyon with a beautiful double waterfall at the end, like a mini version of Háifoss.

When I visited, there was quite a bit of construction underway to create some new walking paths. There were also many other well-worn paths roped off and forbidden to access (in an effort to preserve the fauna). As a result, Fjaðrárgljúfur is less of an “explore me” destination and more of a place where you’ll just stick to the path.

Stop 4: Vatnajökull Glacier Hike

This was possibly my favorite activity on my entire Ring Road Iceland itinerary. If you’re interested in touring the glacier, take a look at this small-group Vatnajökull glacier hike – it was unforgettable!

We were provided with helmets, crampons, and ice axes, although the latter ended up being unnecessary. As you can see from the photo, it wasn’t very cold either. We had beautiful sunshine for the entire hike.

If you book one excursion during your 7 days in Iceland, this should be it ! Just be sure to arrive at the Skaftafell visitor center early as parking was a bit tough to find.

Stop 5: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake

Your final stop for the day is the stunning and ever popular Jökulsárlón glacier lake. The icebergs come from the glacier you just hiked on, which calves into the lake before the chunks of ice float out to sea.

I was initially worried about whether or not there would be enough ice in the lake during my summer visit to make the stop worthwhile, but as you can see below that clearly wasn’t an issue.

Not only was Jökulsárlón filled with icebergs, but it was also teeming with birds flying off into the sunset as well as several seals. The sun stayed low in the sky and gave a nice warm color to the scenery for what seemed like hours.

It’s easy to see why Jökulsárlón is such a popular destination. It certainly lives up to the hype. After you’ve taken it all in, make the quick 10-minute drive to your accommodation for the evening and enjoy a meal before resting up for another long day on Iceland’s Ring Road.

Day 3 accommodation suggestions

In this remote location, there are just a handful of accommodation options. Here are the two highest-rated properties in the area:

• Hali Country Hotel – Nice restaurant on site for both breakfast and dinner, and even pack lunches available for purchase for the next day, free parking and WiFi, tons of great reviews! (This is where I stayed.)
• Ekra Glacier Lagoon – Excellent reviews, free private parking and free WiFi, people find it to be a great value for the money

Day 4: The long, open road

Day 4 of your 7-day Iceland itinerary is going to be a driving day with some sights at the end. The good news is that since the schedule of the day is a bit flexible, this is your chance to sleep in if you need to. I had a casual breakfast after a long night of sleep and hopped back on the Ring Road around 10 am.

Many people either make this is a strict driving day through the north or stop for the evening somewhere in the east fjords, often in the charming town of Seydisfjorður. My goal for the day was to make it to Dettifoss with enough time to grab dinner in the evening.

Getting to Northern Iceland

Instead of winding my way through the eastern fjords, I opted to depart the Iceland Ring Road and cut through on highway 939. Highway 939 is also known as the Öxi Pass and is an unpaved highway that winds through the mountains. Taking this route instead of the Ring Road saves about 45 minutes of driving time, leaving you more at your destination, and offers great views.

However, if you did want (or have) to take the long way, you’ll pass by the town of Reyðarfjörður. Here, you can visit one of Iceland’s great World War II museums , among other things.

It should be noted that Highway 939 is a summer short cut only , and should not be attempted during the rest of the year. You can drive this road in a non-4×4 vehicle, but be sure to do so carefully to avoid car damage from potholes and kicked-up rocks.

Remember my gas story earlier? That happened today, as I drove through Egilsstaðir with just over half a tank. Don’t make the same mistake as me; that town is the last gas stop until Reykjahlíð. I’m glad I rented a fuel efficient subcompact instead of a 4×4 for this reason alone as that is a very long stretch of road for any car to go without filling up.

Dettifoss is tied with Háifoss for my favorite waterfall in Iceland. It’s the most powerful waterfall and you can walk right up to the edge without any issues. (But, as always, do so at your own risk!)

One thing to note for Dettifoss is that there are two entrances and both require a fairly lengthy detour from the Ring Road. If you want to get any kind of decent experience from this stop, you must enter from the east side on highway 864 . GPS will not always lead you in this direction.

I happened to pick this side out of pure luck and was very glad I did. If you enter from the other side on Highway 862, all you get is a distant view of the falls and every single bit of spray coming your direction. See the cliffs at the top right of the photo? That’s the viewpoint from the west side.

Returning to civilization

I continued back on the Ring Road to my destination for the night, nervously watching my gas gauge the entire time. Between Dettifoss and Reykjahlíð you can see some spectacular lunar landscapes as well. Thankfully, I made it to Reykjahlíð with my whopping 0.3 liters of gas and vowed never to cut it that close again.

By the time I arrived at Langavatn Guesthouse, they had already stopped serving dinner. Thankfully, they made an exception for me. My bed for the night was in a charming farmhouse and I was treated to an otherworldly sunset enveloped in a thick fog before tucking in for the night.

Day 4 accommodation suggestions

At the end of your fourth day you’ll find yourself in another remote location with few options. Here are the best ones:

• Langavatn Guesthouse – Where I stayed, beautiful farmhouse B&B, breakfast included, free Wifi, comfortable rooms, surrounded by animals!
• Guesthouse Brúnahlíð – Excellent reviews, free WiFi, comfortable rooms, great views and horses! (Can you see where my priorities lie?)

Day 5: Sulfur pots, horse trots, & secret hot spots

Phew! Hope you’re rested up from that massive driving day. We’re back to packing our days with scenery and activity, and today will provide us with a variety of both. So pack your sandwiches, make sure your tank is topped off, and head back to the Mývatn area for some otherworldly landscapes.

Stop 1: Hverir Mud Pits

We’re backtracking a bit and driving just east of Reykjahlíð over Mt. Námafjall to the Hverir Geothermal Area. It’s impossible to miss because you’ll feel like you’ve landed on Venus and the welcome center is a sulfur factory.

The smell of sulfur really is overpowering in this area and I couldn’t spend too much time up close to the mud pits. Despite the odor, however, the area is really cool. I felt like I was on another planet (I say that often about Iceland, don’t I?) while I walked through the desolate, bubbling landscape.

The Hverir area also has a steam vent that seems to perpetually spew into the air. It makes an awesome, powerful noise as it billows clouds out like some earth-powered steam engine. It’s a cool sight and well worth the backtrack.

Stop 2: Mývatn Scenic Loop

Alright, this is more of a drive than a stop, but with plenty of things to see along the way. The loop begins in Reykjahlíð and continues around Lake Mývatn, meeting back up with the Ring Road in the southwest corner.

The Mývatn area is filled with interesting scenery like the lava fields of Dimmuborgir and the rootless cones (pseudo-craters) surrounding the lake. I stopped by the visitor center in the south to hike along these craters, but I had a few unwelcome locals there to greet me.

Be aware: there are tons of flies around Lake Mývatn. (It’s literally named after the hordes of midges that call it home.) I walked around the craters, but there were probably a few dozen flies per cubic feet of air here. It made for an interesting walk, but honestly it was not the most enjoyable.

These midges thankfully don’t bite and are just a bit of a nuisance, but it did add a challenge to seeing the cool sights around Lake Mývatn. Get in and out of your car as quickly as possible to avoid any flying hitchhikers.

Stop 3: Goðafoss

About 30 minutes down the road you’ll find Goðafoss, another impressive waterfall. As legend has it, Goðafoss got its name when the lawmaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði (yes, THAT Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði) made Christianity the official religion of Iceland and threw his statues of the old Norse gods over the falls.

The whole Goðafoss area is a great stop with a visitor center that sells coffee and food, has accessible bathrooms, and plenty more to explore. There’s a bridge crossing the river in the area that makes it easy to walk along both sides of the waterfall and even down to the river to get a view from below. Enjoy a snack and check your watch because the next activity is one that you’ll need to book in advance.

Stop 4: Horseback riding in the Icelandic countryside

Here’s your opportunity to ride genuine Icelandic horses, the only type of horses allowed in the country. These horses are beautiful, friendly, uniquely small, and playful with puppy-like dispositions. I went riding with this Hestasport tour , located about 2 hours west of Goðafoss.

Even with my amateur horseback riding status I was still able to experience the tölt, a gait unique to Iceland’s horses. It’s a fast-paced but smooth trot. I loved the ride and it was certainly a unique experience. As a bonus, I’m usually massively allergic to horses, but had way fewer issues with the Icelandic horses. So, if that’s you too, take that into account!

You’ll need to book your horseback riding excursion ahead of time. Check out the horseback riding options for this area here.

Stop 5: Fosslaug, a secret hot spring

Our amazing horseback riding guide tipped us off to a secluded hot spring nearby. To reach it, continue past the stables down highway 753 until the road ends, then turn left. Continue down that road until you reach the end, park, and walk through the gate towards the river, passing the waterfall.

If you follow the path, you’ll eventually cross a small bridge after which you’ll continue forward. After cresting the small hill, you’ll find Fosslaug, a small and super charming natural hot spring situated alongside the river.

This surprise stop is another reason you should always bring a bathing suit to Iceland, regardless of season. There are always geothermally-heated spots to warm yourself up in. This was a great next stop to soothe those sore horseback riding muscles.

Heading in for the night

We spent a bit more time at Fosslaug than we should have, and as a result we arrived late to our accommodation again. Luckily, we were able to check in and get some delicious fish and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Day 5 accommodation suggestions

As another remote stop on your 7-day Iceland itinerary, your options are limited. I stayed at the lovely Guesthouse Hof in Vatnsdalur, but there’s another option nearby.

• Guesthouse Hof in Vatnsdalur – Where I stayed, awesome nature views, free WiFi, buffet breakfast each morning, dinner offerings, working farm with horses, sheep, chickens, and more.
• Hvammur 2 Guesthouse – Mountain views, more like a hostel, I’m not sure they serve food there? You also have to pay for parking here for some reason. Go with the first option.

Day 6: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

It’s time to move on to the last major area of our 7-day Iceland itinerary and Ring Road road trip, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

To get there from last night’s accommodation takes about three hours, with much of it over unpaved roads once you reach the peninsula. If you’d like to break up the drive, this is a great opportunity to see Hvitserkur, the famous stone troll. (I’ve included it in the map.)

I opted to head straight down the Ring Road to Snæfellsnes because I could hardly contain my excitement.

Getting to the peninsula requires departing the Ring Road and heading through many twists and turns on unpaved gravel roads. It’s slow and bumpy but at least you get some great views. You’ll also get some bragging rights for having the dirtiest car on the planet.

Stop 1: Kirkjufell

Eventually you’ll arrive at Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain. Located just west of Grundarfjörður, it’s a cute little area that’s fun to walk around. It’s almost a sport now to find the best, most precise spot to train your camera for the prime composition. Most people come out of it with the same iconic shot with the waterfalls in the foreground. (see below)

It’s nice to walk around looking at all of the different angles of this picturesque spot and sitting on the small island in the middle of it all is a peaceful experience. Take your time to soak it up, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll have another chance to check it out tomorrow.

Leg 2: Snæfellsjökull National Park

After Kirkjufell, keep going west down the road onto Highway 574 where you’ll enter Snæfellsjökull National Park. It’s a short loop that takes around an hour to drive, but of course you’ll want to stop for photos and walks along the way.

The national park is home to the Snæfellsjökull glacier, a towering mountain that looms over the entire peninsula. It’s said to be one of the seven energy centers of the earth and is also the setting for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth . The glacier’s presence is palpable.

Besides Snæfellsjökull, the loop through the national park is said to be like driving through a miniature Iceland, and I have to agree. In that short hour the landscape changes constantly from one unique vista to the next.

One pleasant place to stop and break up the loop is the Malariff Lighthouse, located on the southwest corner of the peninsula. It stands among rocky cliff sides and there are plenty of walking paths in the area to stretch your legs.

Another option is to tour Vatnshellir Cave which is in the same area. From what I saw, it required reservations, so be sure to prepare in advance if you want to experience your own journey to the center of the earth.

Day 6 accommodation suggestions

After you’ve casually made your loop around the peninsula, grab some dinner in town then make your way to your accommodation for the night. I stayed in Grundarfjörður, a charming town right next to Kirkjufell, but another option would be to stay in Ólafsvík .

• Grund í Grundarfirdi – Where I stayed, doesn’t serve any food but does offer free laundry, spacious and comfortable rooms, free parking, free Wifi, and has excellent reviews.

Day 7: The scenic route to Reykjavik

Today, the last of your 7-day Iceland itinerary, you’ll head back to Reykjavik. (But not without stuffing even more sights in along the way.)

If there’s a cruise ship in the harbor, prepare for big crowds in the city if you were considering going out for breakfast. Otherwise, swing by Kirkjufell early to beat the crowds and try to catch a nice sunrise before you head back towards the Ring Road.

Stop 1: Búðakirkja

Leaving Grundarfjörður, head south down Highway 54 and make a quick pit stop at Búðakirkja. This black painted church in the middle of nowhere makes for a unique photo op, even if you only spend 15 minutes there. If you’d like to spend more time, there are hiking trails in the area down the coastline as well.

Stop 2: Ytri Tunga seals

Just a 15-minute drive from Búðakirkja lies Ytri Tunga State Beach, home to a large colony of seals. It’s said that the best time to see the seals is in June or July, so I’m glad that’s when I was there.

When I visited, most of the seals were on a small peninsula just to the east of the parking lot, but I imagine it’s different day-to-day. I was fortunate to see so many active seals out on the rocks eyeing us inquisitively.

If you visit and want to know where the seals are, just look for all the people and that’s probably a good starting point.

Stop 3: Glymur waterfall

My biggest regret of Iceland is that I was unable to do the hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second highest waterfall. Unfortunately, when you only allow one day for an activity, it doesn’t always work out. Surely enough, the skies opened up as I approached the turnoff for the hike.

After a week on the road, I couldn’t convince myself to hike several hours through the rain and mud. However, though I’ve read it’s one of Iceland most beautiful hikes, if you can’t see 50 feet in front of you it somewhat defeats the purpose.

Anyhow, if you can squeeze it in and the weather cooperates, please let me know how you liked it. At least I’ve got a few good excuses to plan another 7-day Iceland itinerary now.

Stop 4: Back in Reykjavik

You’re back in the city! Congratulations on circumnavigating the Iceland Ring Road in 7 days! You’ll probably be getting in fairly late if you did the Glymur hike. But, if you ended up going straight to Reykjavik like I did, then take time to explore more of this beautiful city.

If you want to have an amazing and unforgettable meal on your last night in Iceland, book a reservation at Apotek . You will not regret it. Also don’t miss Reykjavik’s cool craft beer scene and the famous Lebowski Bar .

Day 7 accommodation suggestions

Back in Reykjavik, I still recommend Center Hotels Plaza or the Kvosin Downtown Hotel . If you want to see other options, check out all Reykjavik hotels here.

Depending on when your flight leaves Iceland, you might have some more time in Reykjavik the next morning or even opt for another day to decompress. Either way, there’s plenty to see in this capital city before heading back towards the airport and turning in your extremely dirty car. I hope with this 7-day Iceland itinerary you have a trip you’ll never forget!

Have a great time on your week in Iceland!

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Complete Iceland Ring Road Itinerary (+Map & Tips for Your Trip)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024

Are you planning a road trip in Iceland and looking for the best itinerary that covers the entire Ring Road? This guide is for you! This ultimate Iceland Ring Road itinerary brings you to all the must-see places in 10 days. Find out!

There are so many amazing places to see in Iceland and so many different ways to plan your Iceland itinerary ! But if you are planning your first trip to Iceland and want to see all the ‘musts’, there is really no better way to do it than driving the entire Ring Road of Iceland. Iceland’s main road #1 (Þjóðvegur 1, aka Route 1) goes all around the island, and driving it is the best way to explore the main landmarks and tourist sights in Iceland.

In this article, we share the best itinerary for the complete Ring Road of Iceland in 10 days . Why 10? Because – in our opinion – this is really the shortest amount of time you need in order to enjoy all the main sights and not just tick the boxes and say that you’ve done it.

Even with 10 days for the entire Ring Road, your itinerary will be quite packed, but in a nice way, without being too stressful. If you have less time, we recommend this 7-day Iceland itinerary instead.

To help you plan your trip, we also created a map of the complete Ring Road itinerary indicating all the places mentioned in this article. You can see a photo of the map below. At the bottom of this article, you can also find an interactive version of this map that you can save to your phone and use during your trip.

Top experiences not to miss in this itinerary:

• Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon (do one at the beginning and the other one at the end of your trip).
• Silfra Snorkeling .
• Katla Ice Cave .
• GeoSea or Myvatn Nature Baths .
• Whale Watching in Husavik .

Good to know: The Ring Road trip itinerary described below can best be done between May and September – the beginning of October. While – weather permitting – you can drive the Ring Road of Iceland in any season, we don’t recommend a self-drive road trip in winter because Icelandic weather is really unpredictable. Driving in Iceland in winter is often not for the faint-hearted.

If you are visiting Iceland between mid-October and mid-April, please take a look at our recommended Iceland winter itinerary . Be sure to also check our winter travel tips for Iceland .

We recommend renting your car via the RentalCars website . Not only can you compare different providers and find the best car hire deals in Iceland, but you also have a much better cancelation policy. Furthermore, you are better protected in case a local company goes bankrupt as recently happened with our favorite car rental company in Iceland. We now use RentalCars for all our car hire, all over the world, and they have refunded all our bookings for the trips we had to cancel.

TIP: Using the detailed Ring Road itinerary, our suggestions, and tips below, you will be easily able to plan your own perfect self-drive road trip in Iceland . However, if you find it overwhelming, you can also book a guided multi-day tour that covers the entire Ring Road.

If you are visiting in winter and/or rather go with an organized tour , this 8-day tour is one of the best options for the entire Ring Road. Plus, you have to add a day in Reykjavik at the beginning and also at the end of the trip, so it’s also 10 days in total.

This is our recommended 10-day itinerary for Iceland’s Ring Road:

Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik

Driving distance/ time: 70 km (45 miles), 1 hour .

Upon arrival at Keflavik airport, pick up your rental car . We recommend checking this website for the best car rental deals . You don’t need a 4×4 for this Ring Road trip, but a 4WD is always a good idea in Iceland, especially if you are visiting outside of the warmest months between June and August.

Many people like to start their Iceland trip with a soak in the warm geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon . Located just 20 minutes drive from the airport, this is indeed a nice stop, especially if you are coming on a red-eye flight from the U.S. Just be sure to book your (timed) Blue Lagoon tickets in advance or you risk not being able to visit!

Alternative: The recently-opened Sky Lagoon is a very popular alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon (and the majority of our readers who visited both lagoons, prefer Sky by far). It’s located closer to Reykjavik center and is easier to visit. Also here, you really have to book tickets in advance .

Then head to Reykjavik , about 40 minutes drive from the Blue Lagoon.

The rest of your day will depend a bit on how much time you have. The city center is not big and quite walkable, so you could leave your car in the hotel and go explore some of the highlights of Reykjavik on foot.

TIP: If you are too early and can’t check in at your hotel yet, you could first go to Perlan, the Wonders of Iceland . It’s one of the best museums in Reykjavik, with a real ice tunnel, a fantastic aurora show, and great views of the city and surroundings. Because this museum is located a bit outside the center, it’s easier to go there by car anyway.

In Reykjavik city center, go for a walk along the waterfront where you’ll find the Sun Voyager statue and the impressive Harpa concert hall building. A bit further along the shore, you’ll find two other great attractions – Whales of Iceland and FlyOver Iceland . These are both AMAZING attractions that are well worth your time. It’s also something nice to do on a rainy day and definitely if traveling with a family.

Then check out the Althingi Parliament House and Tjornin Lake . Walk on the main shopping streets Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, and be sure to go up the Hallgrimskirkja church tower for the best views of the city.

You’ll also find plenty of cafes, bars, and nice restaurants in Reykjavik’s city center. Or you can opt for this popular Icelandic food tour instead – there are various departure times throughout the day and it’s a nice way to familiarize yourself with the local dishes at the start of your trip.

Where to stay: There are many nice accommodations and hotels in Reykjavik city center. Since you’ll have a car, we recommend Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel as one of the best choices – it has a great location and free parking. Here you can find our complete guide to the best places to stay in Reykjavik .

Day 2: Golden Circle

Driving distance/ time: 225 km (140 miles), 3 hours . This is purely driving time, not counting any stops.

Today, you visit one of the most popular areas in Iceland, known as the Golden Circle . There are three main places that you have to see here: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.

Your first stop today is Thingvellir National Park , about 45 minutes drive from Reykjavik. This is where you can see the mid-Atlantic Ridge , where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The best views can be found at the visitor center, and you can take a short walk here. Be sure not to miss the Öxarárfoss Waterfall , the Nikulasargja Gorge, and Thingvellir church.

TIP: Lake Thingvallavatn is home to the impressive Silfra Gorge where you can go snorkeling between the two continents . Snorkeling in the crystal-clear glacial waters here is one of the most unique things you can do in Iceland!

If you book the first snorkeling tour available in the morning (usually around 9-10 AM), you’ll still have plenty of time left for the other Golden Circle attractions. You can find all the practical information and book the best-rated Silfra snorkeling tours here .

Your next stop is Geysir Geothermal Area , about 50 minutes drive from Thingvellir.

Here, you’ll find Geysir, the original geyser that gave name to all the others, but it’s been dormant for years. The good news is that the Strokkur geyser just next to it is still very active. It erupts every 5-7 minutes, spouting water up to 30 meters (100 ft) into the air – always an amazing sight!

Don’t forget to explore the nearby Geysir Center where you’ll find interesting displays about geothermal activity and earthquakes that keep on shaping Iceland. You can even try their earthquake simulator…

The next must-see place along the Golden Circle is the Golden Waterfall – Gullfoss , about 10 minutes drive from Geysir.

Gullfoss is fed by Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, and is a very powerful waterfall. It’s usually quite windy and cold here, but if the sun is shining, you are likely to see some spectacular rainbows over the falls.

There are several walking paths here allowing you to see the waterfall from various angles. In the summer, you can walk really close to the waterfall – see the picture below.

TIP: Langjokull Glacier is a very popular place for snowmobile tours in Iceland (and they are available the whole year). If this is something you are interested in, here you can find more information and book the best glacier snowmobile tour (or this tour that also includes a visit to an ice cave).

Usually, these tours run at around noon, so it’s quite easy to fit a tour like this in your itinerary. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to do much afterwards anymore (which may not be a big deal since you cover all the musts before you come here).

If you start your day early and don’t do any special tours, you’ll likely be done with all the sightseeing at the Golden Circle in the early afternoon. In that case, head to the nearby Fridheimar Tomato Farm and Restaurant for lunch.

This is the most popular restaurant in the area. It’s located inside a greenhouse where they also grow tomatoes, and their menu includes all kinds of tomato dishes. Tomato soup is delicious, but we weren’t particularly fond of tomato ice cream. In high season, you really should reserve a table here in advance.

Another nice stop in this area is Kerid Crater , where you can walk around the dormant volcano crater or even take the stairs down to see the bottom of the crater. Count at least half an hour for a visit. This is also one of the few nature destinations in Iceland where there’s a small entrance fee.

There are several geothermal pools in this area as well, so if you still have some time and energy, you may want to go for a warm soak there. In that case, we recommend going to Secret Lagoon before you go to Kerid Crater.

Alternatively, head to your accommodation. Depending on where you’re staying, you could go for a swim in one of the local pools or relax in a hot tub at your hotel.

Where to stay: Stay in Hella or in Hvolsvöllur – this area fits this itinerary best and there’s a nice public pool in Hella. The best luxury hotel in this area is Hotel Ranga . On a mid-range budget, check out Stracta Hotel Hella – both these hotels have hot tubs. Hotel Kanslarinn Hella is a good no-thrills option on a somewhat lower budget. If you are looking for hostel-style accommodation, then Midgard Base Camp is the place to be.

Day 3: South Coast

Driving distance/ time: 290 km (180 miles), 3.5 hours .

Today, you drive Iceland’s Ring Road in the easterly direction and visit the beautiful South Coast of Iceland. After the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, this is another one of the most visited places in the country.

There are many great things to do on the South Coast of Iceland , and you could spend several days just exploring this area. However, if you are driving the entire Ring Road in 10 days, you’ll have just one day for this area and will have to be more selective.

The main places that you have to see along the South Coast are Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and the black sand beach in Vik . Another popular stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon .

TIP: If you want to visit a natural ice cave or go hiking on a glacier in Iceland , the South Coast is the best place for that.

With just one day on the South Coast, we recommend that you do the following.

Start your day early and drive to Seljalandsfoss waterfall (about half an hour drive from Hella). This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland, famous for the fact that you can walk behind it. Prepare to get wet! Just a short walk to the left of the falls, there’s another waterfall hidden inside a gorge – Gljúfrabúi waterfall . Be sure to check it out too!

Afterwards, continue further east to Skogafoss , another must-see waterfall along the South Coast. Here, you can take a staircase to the top of the falls, and also visit the nearby Skógar Museum . This is a great place if you want to see some turf houses in Iceland.

Another half an hour’s drive further, you’ll find the small town of Vik. It’s best known for the black sand beach Reynisfjara and it’s really a must-see.

Another nice place to check out in Vik is the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and rock formations . In summer, this might be a good place to see puffins, but not ideal during the day because they are usually ‘gone fishing’ then. Also, there’s a better place for that on the next day of this itinerary – more info further below.

TIP: If you want to visit a natural ice cave in Iceland , this is the only place where you can do that at any time of the year. In that case, be sure to prebook this ice cave tour . It starts in Vik, takes about 3 hours, and has several departure times during the day, including one at around noon, which would fit this itinerary best.

Please note that most glacier tours in Iceland don’t allow kids under 8, but there’s also another tour to this same ice cave and they say they allow children from 6 years old. A nice alternative family-friendly activity in Vik is the Icelandic Lava Show .

After that, continue to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon , stopping at the Eldhraun lava field along the way. The Hofskirkja turf church is another nice short stop further down the Ring Road.

If you don’t do the ice cave tour, or if you are visiting in summer when the days are very long, be sure to also stop at Skaftafell Nature Reserve . There are several really nice hikes here, and they have a visitor center where you can get all the info. If you do just one short hike, the best option is Svartifoss (aka the Black Waterfall), about 3 km (2 miles) in total, and will likely take you at least 1.5 hours.

The Skaftafell area is also one of the best places to go glacier hiking and this is one of the best tours , with several departure times during the day. But since you only have time for one tour, my personal recommendation would be the earlier-mentioned ice cave tour from Vik.

Where to stay: The nicest and best-located hotels in this area are Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (higher budget) and Hali Country Hotel (mid-range). Here you can find more suggestions on where to stay near Jokulsarlon .

TIP: If you still have some energy, you may want to check out Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach in the evening. It’s nice to be here without the crowds of day-trippers, and this place is truly beautiful at sunset.

Day 4: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Stokksnes & East Fjords (+Puffins)

Driving distance/ time: 270 km (170 miles), 3.5 hours. This doesn’t include sightseeing or detours.

Today, you’ll be visiting one of the most popular landmarks of Iceland – the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon . This glacial lake is filled with big chunks of ice that come from a nearby glacier, and the scenery changes all the time. So even if you visited last night, it will likely be totally different in the morning.

You can simply walk along the lagoon and one of the beaches across the road , popularly known as the Diamond Beach. Depending on the season and the weather, you’ll often find icebergs washed ashore here. It’s especially impressive in winter, but always worth checking out since you really can’t predict what you’ll find here.

If you want to get very close to the icebergs (and seals), you can also opt for a boat tour on the lagoon. This is one of the most popular tours on the South Coast and you have an option between amphibian boats or zodiac boats.

The amphibian boat tours are cheaper and take just half an hour, whereas zodiac boat tours take about 1 hour and are usually able to get a bit closer to the ice. Both are really nice experiences, and you’ll get to see amazing scenery either way. If you are planning on taking a boat here, opt for the earliest tour available (it’s best for this itinerary)!

Next, stop at Stokksnes . This is a beautiful coastal area with black sand and an impressive Vestrahorn mountain backdrop that makes for some spectacular pictures. Since it’s located on private land, there’s a small fee to enter.

Afterwards, continue your journey to the Eastfjords . This is one of the least developed regions along Iceland’s Ring Road, and a good place to see wildlife, especially reindeer.

There are several places where you can stop when touring the Eastfjords. Petra’s Stone Collection is one of the quirkiest places and also Lagarfljót Lake is worth a quick photo stop, and potentially also Hallormsstaðaskógur, the biggest forest in Iceland, or the picturesque village Eskifjörður , but it’s a bit out of your way.

Another popular place is Seydisfjordur . This is a small town best known for its rainbow path leading towards the local church, but one of the nicest things to do is simply the drive to get there.

Where to stay: Stay in Egilsstaðir , the biggest town in this area. Lake Hotel is the nicest hotel in town, but Icelandair Hotel Herad also offers great value for a much better price and is perfect for a one-night stay. On a budget, check out Lyngas Guesthouse .

TIP: About a 1-hour drive northeast of Egillstadir, there’s a tiny village Borgarfjörður Eystri . If you drive all the way to the end of the road here, you’ll find a place called Borgarfjarðarhöfn . This is one of the best places to see puffins when driving the Ring Road of Iceland. And yes, it’s a detour from the Ring Road, but since you are staying in Egillstadir for the night, it’s perfectly doable.

The best time to see puffins is from mid-May to mid-August, and going there in the evening is always better since the birds return from the sea for the night. The days are endless at this time of the year, so there’s no need to worry about having to drive back in the dark.

TIP: Just north of Egillstadir, you can find one of the newest geothermal baths in Iceland, Vök Baths . They are usually open until 10 PM and can be a nice place to end your day of sightseeing. It’s actually probably worth your time more than many of the stops along the Eastfjords (not to mention that it’s more relaxing).

Day 5: Myvatn Area

Driving distance/ time: 300 km (185 miles), 3.5 hours. This includes detours as described below, but not the time for sightseeing.

There are several ways how you could fill this day. Doing the trip as we recommend below means that you can spend the night in Husavik, which tends to be somewhat cheaper and less popular with groups than the hotels around Myvatn. But you could perfectly stay in Myvatn as well and go to Husavik the next morning.

Your first stop today is Dettifoss , about 2 hours drive from Egilsstadir. This is Europe’s most powerful waterfall and a must-see in North Iceland! This waterfall can be visited from two sides – via road 864 on the east, or via road 862 on the west.

Both sides are very impressive, but the western side is easier to get to and the road is paved all the way to the parking lot. From there, it’s about 15-20 minutes walk to the viewing platforms at Dettifoss, and you can also see another nice waterfall – Sellfoss. If you have a 4WD car, you can also visit the eastern side, but doing both would mean that you’ll lose about half a day for this waterfall alone.

Next, head in the direction of Lake Myvatn, where you’ll find quite a few interesting places. First, take a small road to the right off the Ring Road in the direction of the Krafla Power Plant. At the end of the road, you’ll find the Viti volcano crater (aka Krafla Volcano) with a green lake inside it.

It’s just a short walk from the car to the crater (or you can go all the way around it), and it’s well worth seeing. You can also stop for a short walk in the Leirhnjukur area.

The next stop is the Námaskarð geothermal area , aka Hverir , just next to the Ring Road. The colorful landscape with mud cauldrons, steaming vents, and fumaroles, makes this one of the most unique places to see along the Ring Road in Northern Iceland. Just be prepared for the strong smell of sulfur and stay on the marked paths!

After this, you can take a small detour to Grjótagjá , an underground lava cave with water inside. It only takes a few minutes to see the cave, so it might be worth a small detour (swimming is not allowed here).

Then, head to Myvatn Lake and drive all around it.

One of the must-see stops here is the Dimmuborgir lava field. There are several short hiking trails here (partially paved and easily accessible). If you feel like stretching your legs, go for a walk on the Kirkjuhringur trail. It’s a loop of about 2.2 km (1.4 miles) and shouldn’t take you more than 30-45 minutes, or you can just do a small part on the paved track. There is also a nice cafe here where you could get lunch.

Along the southern side of the lake, be sure to also stop at Skútustaðir . This is the best area to see the pseudocraters of Lake Myvatn.

But be prepared for bugs! Myvatn literally means ‘the mosquito lake’ and it’s usually full of little flies here in summer. They don’t bite but crawl inside your ears, your nose, and your mouth if you are not careful… We recommend packing a small head net – it doesn’t cost much and fits in your pocket and you’ll be glad to have it here.

By now, you’ll have covered most of the Myvatn attractions (or at least the main ones that you can see in a day), and you could drive on to Husavik where we recommend spending the night. The drive from Myvatn to Husavik is about 45 minutes.

TIP: There is a nice geothermal pool in Husavik called Geosea , and it’s a great place to end your day. Alternatively, head to the famous Myvatn Nature Baths before you drive to Husavik.

It’s really hard to compare these pools since they are so different. The one in Husavik is more expensive and has a smaller limit on the number of people allowed at the same time. It’s more exclusive, plus it boasts amazing ocean views. Whereas Myvatn Nature Baths are much better known and quite busy (more comparable to the Blue Lagoon).

Where to stay: We recommend staying in Husavik. As already said before, Myvatn accommodation tends to be (even more) expensive, and staying in Husavik will make it easier to plan your next day too. The nicest hotel here is Fosshotel Husavik . A better value hotel is Post-Plaza Guesthouse , one of the top picks in Husavik. Accommodations in this part of Iceland are quite expensive and often fully booked long in advance. So you really should reserve as soon as you know your travel dates.

Day 6: Whales, Godafoss & Akureyri

Driving distance/ time: 115 km (70 miles), 1.5 hours. This includes all detours described below.

Husavik is the whale-watching capital of Iceland . So if you want to see whales in Iceland (and summer is a great season for that), this is the best place to do that. There are many whale watching tours and their itineraries and prices are quite similar (and they’ll likely all go to the same place when the whales are located).

Be sure to book in advance and take the earliest tour you can (usually around 9.30-10 AM). These tours take about 3 hours, so it will be past noon by the time you are back and you could have lunch in Husavik. This is fine because the drive to Akureyri isn’t that long and you can choose to visit a few places along the way if you want to and make this day as full or as relaxing as you feel like.

Also, there’s a nice museum – The Husavik Whale Museum – that you could visit before or after your boat tour.

Good to know: If you absolutely want to, you could also take a detour from Husavik to the nearby Asbyrgi Canyon . But it’s about 60km (40 mi) out of the way, so you’d need at least 2 hours extra for this. While a nice place to see, if you have to choose between Asbyrgi or whale watching in Husavik, I’d go for the latter. You can also do both, of course – that would mean less time in Akureyri and surroundings, so see what interests you more. You can read about Asbyrgi Canyon in our guide to the Myvatn area .

Another must-see place today is Godafoss Waterfall . It’s located right next to Ring Road, about 35 minutes drive from Husavik. There are two parking areas on different sides of the river, and they are also connected by a small bridge. So you can leave your car on one side and go explore the waterfall on foot. You can spend just 15-20 minutes here or more than an hour – the choice is yours.

It’s just a short 30 min drive from Godafoss to Akureyri following the Ring Road westwards, via the toll tunnel. This is the only toll road on this trip and you can pay the toll 24 hours before or after you drive via the tunnel via this website . But there’s a much nicer alternative – taking the old mountain road #84, which is not just free of charge, but also more scenic. It’s a good road and – in summer – adds just 10-15 minutes to your journey, and you don’t have to worry about the toll.

Also, if you take the scenic route, you’ll drive past a small village Svalbarðseyri . There’s a quirky art gallery just next to the road that you may want to check out, and there’s also a very picturesque orange lighthouse in the village itself.

For the lighthouse, you’ll have to take a small detour off the main road, but it’s literally just a minute or two down the road. It’s such a nice place for a photo stop and no tourists in sight.

On your way to Akureyri, you could also take a small detour via roads 829 and 821 to one of the quirkiest attractions nearby – Jólahúsið (Christmas House) . It’s Christmas the whole year round in this shop!

We also enjoyed a short stop at the nearby Kaffi Ku , which is a working farm with a restaurant above the cowshed. They are open for lunch (noon to 5 PM) and serve some delicious Icelandic waffles. Coming from Godafoss, you’ll pass the cow café first, before you get to Christmas House.

In Akureyri, you can also stop at the Botanical Gardens , on the outskirts of town. The entrance is free of charge and it’s a really nice place for a short walk. Afterwards, head to your hotel, leave the car, and go explore Iceland’s second-largest ‘city’. Akureyri is so small that you can see the city center in an hour or so. You’ll find lots of nice cafes and restaurants here for dinner and there’s also a nice public pool in town that’s usually open late in the evening.

TIP: If you didn’t do the whale-watching trip in Husavik, you could also opt for a whale tour from Akureyri . There are quite a few tour options , including a midnight-sun/whale-watching combination trip on summer evenings. Also, there is a new geothermal pool opening in Akureyri – Forest Lagoon . It could be another nice addition to this itinerary if you have an hour or two to spare.

Where to stay: There are lots of accommodation options in Akureyri , and since there’s not that much choice further westwards, it’s probably better to just take it easy and stay here for the night. Hotel Kea by Keahotels is one of the nicest hotels in town. On a mid-range budget, check the Centrum Hotel . On a lower budget, Hrafninn Guesthouse .

However, keep in mind that parking can be a bit problematic if you stay in the center on weekdays. It’s usually not a big issue to find a spot not too far from the hotel, but sometimes you also have to pay, so keep an eye on that. We recommend Icelandair Hotel Akureyri ; it’s just a bit outside of the busiest area (still very close to everything) and parking is much easier here.

Day 7: Tröllaskagi Peninsula

Driving distance/ time: 265 km (165 miles), 3.5 hours. This includes driving past all the stops mentioned below, but not the sightseeing time.

Today, we recommend that you visit one of the nicest areas of Northern Iceland, the Trollaskagi Peninsula . This is a place that you’ll hardly ever see in any Iceland Ring Road itineraries, but we find that it’s worth your time more than some places that others visit in western Iceland just because they are closer to the main road…

The first stop is Siglufjörður , about 1-1.5 hours drive from Akureyri. This is a nice little town with an extremely picturesque harbor area.

There are some nice things to do in Siglufjordur , but if you visit just one place, don’t miss the Herring Era Museum . Please note that the museum is open daily from 10 AM in June, July, and August, but only opens in the afternoon during the shoulder season (more info on their website ).

Continue your trip further along the coast and soon you’ll see Trollaskagi Lighthouse at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. The road to get to it is quite steep and gravel, but you can just see it from the road. The scenery here is beautiful!

From then on, the views just keep getting better and better, and if you are driving here on a sunny day, you’ll have to agree with me that the scenery along Road #76 is one of the most scenic places in Iceland!

The next stop is a small village called Hofsós. The main reason to come here is the local Hofsos swimming pool which has some of the best pool views in Iceland!

Following this itinerary, you’ll likely be here in the middle of the day, but I really recommend stopping here. It’s such a nice place! If the weather would be really bad, then skip it, but if it’s not raining, definitely go for a swim or a soak in the hot tub. This pool is normally open daily, from 9 AM to 9 PM. We spent about an hour here.

Just outside the village, you can find one of the oldest turf churches in Iceland, Grafarkirkja . It’s extremely picturesque and the surroundings make it look even more special. Don’t miss it! Here you can read our detailed guide for all the places mentioned above: Road 76, Hofos, Grafarkirkja, and more .

There is one more nice place to check out before you get back to the Ring Road, Glaumbær Farm & Museum . This is a reconstructed farm where you can see how people used to live in Iceland about 150-250 years ago. It’s really worth a visit, which shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes. In the summer season, it’s open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. More info on their website .

Once you reach the Ring Road, we recommend taking a small detour south on Road #752 to a beautiful waterfall called Reykjafoss .

It’s a bit of a hidden gem and there is a natural hot tub in that same area. It was well indicated when we visited and there were quite some people here, so it seems that it’s not that unknown anymore. Also, you have to walk for about 10-15 minutes to reach the falls, and a few minutes extra to find the hot tub next to the river. I’d say it’s not a must, but if you have some time left, it can be a nice stop.

Good to know: The natural hot tub can be found on the other side of the wooden bridge and over the hill to the right. If you plan to go swimming here, you should know that there are no facilities whatsoever. And the hot tub was also crowded when we were there. Let’s just say that we prefer the Hofsos swimming pool by far, and there’s also a nice swimming pool in Blönduós where we recommend spending the night. So plenty of places to go for a swim in the warm geothermal waters today!

The last photo stop today is Víðimýrarkirkja. It’s another really nice turf church, but because it’s located just next to the Ring Road, it can get quite busy here. It doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes to visit, so be sure to check it out!

End your day in Blönduós, one of the bigger towns in this area. You’ll find all kinds of facilities here and also some accommodations. As already mentioned, there is a nice public swimming pool in this town as well, and it’s usually open quite late.

Where to stay: We recommend Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse , or on a somewhat lower budget – Hotel Blanda . Both are really nice places and the hotel also has a good restaurant. There are several other options on a lower budget here as well, but accommodation choice is quite limited.

Day 8: North Coast to Snaefellsnes

Driving distance/ time: 260 km (160 miles), 4 hours. This includes all the detours mentioned below.

Today, you could just take the Ring Road and head straight to western Iceland, but you can also opt for a few short detours along the way. There are several places that we recommend checking out and I think they’re worth it more than some of the places in the west (in particular, Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls that are quite often included in the Ring Road itinerary).

Just as you leave Blonduos, you could take a detour on Road #721 to see Þingeyraklausturskirkja church , one of the oldest stone buildings in Iceland.

One of the best stops we recommend today is Hvitserkur , a rhino-shaped rock just next to the beautiful black sand beach on Vatnsnes Peninsula. On the way there, you could also stop at Borgarvirki , a medieval fortification that dates from the 9th-11th centuries. There are also several places where you can see seals in this area.

In addition, close to Ring Road 1 in this area, there’s also a nice canyon with a waterfall, Kolugljúfur Canyon . You can find more information about all these places in our guide to visiting Hvitserkur .

Continuing your way to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you can also stop at Eiriksstadir – Viking Longhouse . It’s a replica of a Viking-era farm with turf buildings, guides dressed in period clothing, etc. It’s a great place to learn more about Iceland’s history, so it’s better to ask for a guided tour, or you won’t appreciate it the same way. This open-air museum is open daily from June to September, from 10 AM to 4 PM. More info on their website .

Next is the famous Snaefellsnes Peninsula , home to one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains and waterfalls – Kirkjufellsfoss . You’ll have an entire day here the next day as well, but there’s so much to see and do in Snaefellsnes that it’s better to visit a few places today already.

Be sure to visit Stykkishólmur , a picturesque fishing village and the main town in this area. You can leave your car by the harbor and take a short walk to Súgandisey Island Lighthouse . Stykkisholmur is also one of the best places to stay in Snaefellsnes Peninsula , and there are some nice hotels and restaurants here. But ideally, for this itinerary, you drive just a bit further west today.

On the way, check out the Berserkjahraun lava field and potentially also the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum (it’s usually open until 5 PM in summer).

TIP: We recommend staying in Grundarfjörður town, which is just near Kirkjufell mountain and waterfall . This would give you a unique opportunity to visit this popular place without the crowds and maybe even see a really nice sunset here.

Where to stay: Accommodation options in Grundarfjörður are quite limited, but if you book in advance, it’s usually possible to find something suitable. The nicest place to stay is Dis Cottages , and the most popular highly-rated option is Kirkjufell Guesthouse and Apartments .

We stayed at Grundarfjordur Bed and Breakfast , which was the only accommodation available here that could accommodate a big family like ours. It’s a good no thrills choice in Grundafjordur, and they also have a nice local restaurant where you can have dinner (also if you are not staying here).

Day 9: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Driving distance/ time: 265 km (165 miles), 3.5 hours. This is the distance counting from Grundarfjörður, visiting all the Snaefelsness Peninsula attractions as described below and ending in Reykjavik. Driving time doesn’t include sightseeing.

Today, spend as much time as you can exploring Snaefellsnes Peninsula, before driving to Reykjavik. We have a very complete guide to the area where you can find all the practical information for your visit to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, so please see that article for more details. It even has a suggested 1-day itinerary.

Below is just an overview of the best places not to miss, listed in the right order, how you’ll be driving. Start with Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss . Even if you already saw this place last night, you may want to stop here for a quick picture in a different light once again. Then continue to Skarðsvík Beach where you can also visit the Öndverðarnes and Svörtuloft Lighthouses .

Other nice places along the way are Svödufoss (waterfall) and Ingjaldshólskirkja (church), but with so many other amazing places, don’t feel bad if you skip these two.

Don’t miss the Saxholar Volcano Crater – you can take stairs and see it from the top. And also Djúpalónssandur Beach is a beautiful place where you can take a walk between some cool rock formations and on a nice black sand beach.

If you do just one tour on the peninsula, make it the 8000-year-old Vatnshellir lava cave . It’s best to book your time slot in advance (try by phone +354 787 0001 since their website isn’t really working as it should) or you risk that it’s sold out as it was when we visited.

This tour takes about 1 hour and is one of the most unique places you can see here! I’d book it for either 1 PM or 2 PM. There are many other places nearby, so you can quite easily adjust your visit to the other areas based on the tour time you booked here.

Driving further around the peninsula, check out Malariff Lighthouse and Londrangar View Point .

Next, head to Arnarstapi where you’ll find the most spectacular coastline and interesting rock formations. There’s a nice hike that you can do here, between Hellnar and Arnarstapi, but with just a day in Snaefellsnes, it’s going to be difficult to squeeze it all in. That’s why we recommend going straight to Arnarstapi and making a short walk along the coast there. This is a must-see, so don’t miss it!

Other nice stops include Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge , Búðakirkja , and Bjarnarfoss . You could also stop at Ytri Tunga beach , where you can sometimes see seals. As you drive in the direction of Reykjavik, you can also stop for a photo at Gerðuberg Cliffs . You can find more information about all these places in our guide to the best things to do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula .

Where to stay: With 10 days in Iceland, we recommend that you drive to Reykjavik in the evening on day 9, after visiting Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Here you can find our detailed guide on where to stay in Reykjavik .

In case your flight departs very early the next day, it’s best to sleep closer to the airport. B&B Hotel Keflavik Airport is a good choice with easy parking, a restaurant next door, and a free airport shuttle if you need it.

Day 10: Reykjavik, Reykjanes Peninsula & Departure

Driving distance/ time from Reykjavik to the airport: 50 km (30 miles), 45 min.

Depending on your flight time, you may want to explore more of Reykjavik. See our suggestions on day 1 of this itinerary or check out this guide to the best things to do in Reykjavik .

Alternatively, go bathing in the Blue Lagoon if you didn’t do it at the beginning of your trip, or visit some of the attractions of Reykjanes Peninsula on your way to the airport.

Another nice geothermal pool to check out is the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik. This warm pool boasts amazing ocean views and is a great alternative to the Blue Lagoon (and a wonderful way to end your trip).

READ ALSO: One Day in Reykjavik: Detailed Itinerary

If you have more time…

One area where you could easily add a day or two extra is Iceland’s South Coast , from where you can also take a day tour to Landmannalaugar in the Icelandic Highlands. I really recommend adding a day between day 3 and day 4 in this itinerary and doing the South Coast over two days if you can squeeze it in. You’ll have more time to explore all the places mentioned in this guide, instead of just passing by. In that case, stay in Vik on day 3.

You could also spend more time in the north or northwest , visit the Westfjords , etc.

Many standard Ring Road itineraries also include a day in West Iceland , an area a bit in between Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Reykjavik. With just 10 days in Iceland and doing the entire Ring Road, we recommend Trollaskagi Peninsula (see day 7) instead of this area, but if you have a day extra, you could definitely add it here.

In that case, stay in Borgarnes town or e.g. Icelandair Hotel Hamar on day 9 of this trip. Then on day 10, visit Deildartunguhver , the largest hot spring in Europe (not for swimming), Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls , and – if you are into history and Icelandic sagas, you may want to check out the Snorrastofa museum , the medieval research institute in Reykholt.

In this area, you can also take a tour of a man-made ice cave at Langjökull glacier , and the largest lava cave in Iceland, Víðgelmir . You can visit the Vidgelmir lava cave or the Langjokull glacier separately.

TIP: Don’t miss the recently opened Krauma Geothermal Baths in Reykholt.

As you can see, there are so many nice places that you could add to your Ring Road itinerary if you have more time! But if you are visiting Iceland for the first time, have about 10 days, and want to see the musts along Iceland’s Ring Road, then this itinerary is truly one of the best ways to do that.

Iceland Ring Road Itinerary on the Map

TIP: To make your trip planning easier, I also created this map , indicating all the places mentioned in our detailed 10-day Iceland Ring Road self-drive trip itinerary.

As you can see, we gave each day a different color so that you have a better idea of where everything is located and how it all fits in this itinerary.

Further below – under the FAQ section – you can also see a map indicating the total distance and driving time for Iceland’s Ring Road.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

So, this is my suggested 10-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary. As you can see, it’s quite packed and includes not just the very best places, but also some hidden gems that will make your trip even more special.

Please note that driving the entire Ring Road in 10 days will be rushed, even in summer when the days are long and the roads are good. So if you can, plan a few days extra. But if you want to make the most of your time, this is the best way to see all the best places in Iceland that you can indeed see in about 10 days.

Below, you can find some of the frequently asked questions that we get from our readers. Check it out and – if you don’t find an answer here or in our article – feel free to leave a reply below and I’ll try to help. Alternatively, please join our Facebook group for Iceland & Scandinavia Travel – it’s a great place to meet other travelers, ask questions, and share travel experiences.

Iceland Ring Road FAQ

Iceland’s Ring Road no. 1 encircles the entire island and is about 1,320 km (820 miles) long. Driving the entire Ring Road without any stops or delays would take about 16 hours (see the map above). However, this isn’t a very realistic estimate because driving in Iceland is much slower than what Google Maps indicates, and there’s so much to see and do along the Ring Rod that you wouldn’t want to just drive by anyway.

While you can drive the entire Ring Road of Iceland in just a day or two, you need at least 7 days if you want to see just the main landmarks. Ideally, plan 10-12 days for Iceland’s Ring Road. This will allow you to see all the best places along Route 1, get a bit off the beaten path, take a tour or two, and explore some areas a bit deeper.

Yes, it is possible to see the main highlights along Iceland’s Ring Road in 7 days. It will be rushed and you won’t have time to explore deeper, but you will be able to see some of the best places and get a taste of what Iceland is about. If you only have 7 days and absolutely want to do the entire circle, we recommend this itinerary: Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik Day 2: South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Day 3: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Eastfjords Day 4: Lake Myvatn area Day 5: The North Coast of Iceland Day 6: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day 7: Reykjavik and departure

While it is usually possible to drive around the entire Ring Road in Iceland in winter, we do not recommend a self-drive trip around the entire island in the darkest and coldest months. There are just a few hours of daylight at that time of the year, the weather is very unpredictable, and snowstorms are common. Furthermore, the roads in the Eastfjords and in North Iceland often get closed in winter, disrupting your travel plans. If you want to do the Ring Road in winter, we recommend going with a local driver/ organized tour. If you are doing a self-drive trip, it’s best to stick to the South Coast. Also, be sure that you know what to expect when driving in Iceland in winter and keep your travel plans very flexible.

All these suggestions are based on our multiple trips to Iceland. And while this trip covers all the main sights along the Ring Road, you won’t find the exact same self-drive itinerary anywhere else. I hope that these additional details and our recommendations will help you plan a more memorable trip to Iceland than just using a standard copy-paste Ring Road itinerary used by most agencies and tour operators.

Have a wonderful time in Iceland!

TIP: If you are looking for more information for your trip to Iceland, practical travel tips, clothing & packing advice, etc. please check our complete travel guide to Iceland . It contains an overview of all our articles about Iceland.

READ ALSO: How Expensive is Iceland (+ How To Save Money)

More tips for your trip to Iceland:

• When to travel: Best time to visit Iceland: summer vs winter
• What to see: Best places to see in Iceland
• Airport transfers: How to get to Reykjavik city from Keflavik airport
• Packing: What to wear in Iceland in summer
• Tours: Best tours in Iceland
• Itinerary Suggestions: Iceland Itinerary Suggestions for 1 to 14 Days
• South Coast: 4 days in Iceland – best short itinerary for your first trip
• South & West itinerary: 7 days in Iceland

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Wednesday 14th of February 2024

Jurga, I found that your article is very helpful, It quite hard for me to plan my trip on Myvatn area, I can spend at least 4 nights here and I really like to stay at Husavik and take a slow time at these lovely village and also I like to take a day tour to Askja Caldera, it so much things to do, ha ha. Could you help me plan on this area? Please🙏 Thank you so much, NANTY

Sunday 18th of February 2024

Hi Nanty, please take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Myvatn for suggestions on what to see and do there. As for help with the planning, unfortunately, we really have no time to help our readers with individual itinerary advice. As much as I would like to help everyone, it's just not feasible. There are also too many options and everyone has different interests, budgets, etc. But 4 nights in that area should be enough for all the highlights, just be sure to book all tours/excursions in advance.

Wednesday 17th of January 2024

Great article. The information and effort is very much appreciated!

I'm planning a trip to Iceland, (first time) but I'm only in the researching stage. My main interest is landscape/nature photography. I have little interest in some of the more commercial tourist locations. The wilder, the quieter and the less traveled the better. I've lived in Alaska and the western US, so I'm used to the back country. It also means I've seen the northern lights countless times although it never gets old! Still... while I'd love to finally photograph them, they're not my number one priority. Finally my question(s). :-) What would you consider the best time of the year and the ideal length of time, (within reason of course) for a trip? That should at least be enough to get me started but if you know of any general areas to avoid or that are "must sees" please let me know.

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experience, Rick

Thursday 18th of January 2024

Hi Rick, that's really hard to answer since everyone travels with different expectations. For the best season. If you don't absolutely need to see auroras, ice caves, and wintery landscapes, then the summer months are by far the best time to visit, with endless daylight and easy travel conditions. For more in-depth info and what to expect in summer vs winter, please see this guide: Best time to visit Iceland. As for non-touristy locations, this depends. Even the busiest places can be very quiet if you are there at a less popular time. If you absolutely want to avoid the most popular spots, then skip the Golden Circle and the waterfalls of the South Coast. But remember that they are popular for a good reason. So my advice would be to visit those early in the morning or late in the evening. If traveling in the summer, the days are so long that you can easily do this. If you want to get completely off the beaten path, go deep into the highlands, but remember that traveling there comes with many challenges, such as dangerous river crossings which also require a certain type of car and experience. Easier to visit are the Eastern fjords which are also generally very quiet. The Westfjords also have some amazing places where you hardly meet anyone even in the summer. Here are a few articles you may want to check out: - Icelandic highlands with a private driver - 10-days North and West Iceland itinerary As for the ideal duration, it really depends on what you decide to do and in which season you travel. You can visit for a week or for a month - there's plenty to see and do. Whatever you decide, remember that Iceland has limited options when it comes to accommodations outside the main tourist hot spots, so booking long ahead is a must, definitely in the summer. If you plan to rent a car, also do it as soon as you know your travel dates. Good luck!

Sunday 14th of January 2024

On day 9 of your Ring Rd itinerary, you mention staying at B & B Hotel Keflavik Airport if flight leaves early next day. I clicked on your link and it took me to Booking.com. Does hotel have its own website so I can book with them directly? Or is it only available via third party? Thanks for all the info you have provided! It helps us to make better decisions.

Tuesday 16th of January 2024

Hi Val, most hotels have their own websites if you prefer to book directly and I'm sure you can find them online. We personally book all our accommodations via Booking.com and that's also what we recommend to our readers. I could write the whole article about what and why, but it's really up to you. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Friday 29th of December 2023

Hello Jurga,

For someone visiting Iceland for the first and last time, do you recommend the 10 days in Iceland Itinerary for the West, North & the Highlands OR the Complete Iceland Ring Road itinerary (Also, 10 days long)?

Thanking you in advance.

Best, Parag

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Hi Parag, it really depends on your interests and the time of the year when you travel. The Ring Road itinerary covers all the 'must sees' and is therefore a better option for first timers who want to see all the top spots. The other itinerary - as explained in that article - takes you a bit off the beaten path and is more suitable for someone who has been to Iceland before and is looking for something different for a repeat trip. You can also make a combination of the two... But if you only have ten days and you want to see all the places that made Iceland famous, then this Ring Road itinerary is the way to go. Just book well in advance, especially if traveling in the summer!

Monday 6th of November 2023

Hello. We can spend 12 days in Iceland. I really want to see the aurora. Would it be ok if we are there 28Sept-9Oct 2024? (I dont think we are fit to travel during peak winter Nov-Feb/Mar).

& can we do the Ring Road trip?

Thank you in advance

Hi Shahidah, yes, the end of September - beginning of October is a good time to see the Northern Lights. It's also not wintery yet (normally), so driving the entire Ring Road should be perfectly doable. Just keep in mind that the days are shorter and it gets darker earlier, so start your days early and you should be able to cover most sights on this itinerary.

Moscow - Interactive map

Information about the map.

Check out the main monuments, museums, squares, churches and attractions in our map of Moscow. Click on each icon to see what it is.

To help you find your way once you get to your destination, the map you print out will have numbers on the various icons that correspond to a list with the most interesting tourist attractions. This way, you’ll be able to see where each attraction is.

Icons on the Moscow interactive map

The map is very easy to use:

• Check out information about the destination: click on the color indicators.
• Move across the map: shift your mouse across the map.
• Zoom in: double click on the left-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel upwards.
• Zoom out: double click on the right-hand side of the mouse on the map or move the scroll wheel downwards.

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Learn everything you need to know for your trip to Moscow, from visa requirements and currency to language tips and which plugs to bring! We'll try and answer all of your most frequently asked questions.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

• September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

• Moscow Red Square
• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

• Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
• Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

• Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
• VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
• GULAG Museum
• Metro stations
• The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

• Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
• The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
• Zaryadye Park
• Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
• Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

• Patriarch Ponds
• Tchistye Prudy
• Kuznetsky most
• Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

• Go to Red Square
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
• See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
• Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
• And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

• First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
• Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

• Visit estimate time : 1h30
• Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
• Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
• Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
• Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

• Open 24 hours a day
• Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

• Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
• See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
• Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
• Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

• Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

• How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

• Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
• Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
• Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
• Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
• Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

• Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
• Prices. 2200 RUB per person
• Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

• Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
• Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa
• Christmas and New Year in Moscow
• What is the best time to visit Moscow?

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