9 Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Day 1 // The Blue Lagoon
Arrive Iceland early morning and head straight to The Retreat
Spend time in the Blue Lagoon
Stay: The Retreat - this hotel is really something special. With your stay, you get access to the Blue Lagoon and private area of the lagoon, The Spa, The Four Step Ritual, and so much more. It is absolutely worth a splurge one night on the trip!
Dinner: Lava at The Retreat (get the arctic char, cauliflower soup, and cod!)
Day 2 // South Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall - walking distance or 2 min drive
Drive from Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss
Solheimajokull outlet glacier hike - we used Mountain Guides Iceland
Stay and explore Vik
Day 3 // SouthEast Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach (black sand beach)
Dyrhólaey Lighthouse Viewpoint at Reynisfjara
Drive from Lighthouse to Diamond Beach
Day 4 // East Iceland
Snowmobiling on Vatnajökull Glacier
Lunch in Hofn *go to Pakkus on the water
Hike Litlanesfoss if you have time
Stop by Gufu waterfall
Explore Seydisfjordur or go for dinner
Day 5 // Northeast Iceland
Drive to Studlagil Canyon and hike to the basalt slabs ~8 km hike (5 mi)
tip: if you want an extra walk (making it about 3.5 miles one day) park at the first parking lot. It’s not a hard hike. More of a walk. The road from the first parking lot to the second parking lot is quite rough so only drive it with 4WD vehicle.
Drive from STUDlagil Canyon to Myvatn Nature Baths
Stop at Fjallakaffi on the way
Grjotagja cave hot spring near Myvtan
Drive from Myvatn Nature Baths to hotel
Stay: Guesthouse Brekka
Day 6 // North Iceland
Visit Godafoss then to Aldeyjarfoss
Drive from Godafoss to Husavik - try to find puffins!
Drive from Husavik to Foss hot pot (a must!)
Explore Akureyri
Day 7 // Northwest Iceland + Reykjavik
Breakfast at the cafe in the art museum (yummm)
Drive from Akureyri to Fosslaug hot pot
*tip: it is right next to the waterfall just hidden behind it. Park in the waterfall parking lot and keep walking.
Drive from Fosslog to Hvitserkur
Drive from Hvitskur to Reykjavik
Day 8 // Reykjavik
Hrunalaug Waterfall
Hrunalaug natural hot pot
Lunch at Fridheimar
Sky Lagoon (make a reservation ahead of time and definitely get the 7 step ritual)
Day 9 // Depart
Explore Reyk in the morning
Depart Iceland
Reyk Restaurants:
Braud & co. sourdough bread
Baka baka bakery
Grill Market
Saeta svinid
Monkeys
Tips:
Get gas when you can! Towns are few and far between on the Ring Road
Almost everywhere took Apple pay - cash not necessary
Check google maps and look online for road closures depending on the weather
Bring waterproof jackets to the waterfalls - you will get wet!
Bring towels for hot pots if you can fit them
Bring Reusable water bottles
Hiking boots for almost everything because of rain, water and uneven terrain
Visit the western fjords if you have time! You could spend a whole week or two here.
Even though the guesthouses (basically bed & breakfasts along the ring road) seem like they are in the middle of nowhere, it is perfectly safe
