The Ultimate 5-Day Ring Road Itinerary: An Expert Guide
Five days might seem short for Iceland’s 1,332-kilometer Ring Road, but with an early start and good planning, you can see many of the country’s most breathtaking sights. This 5-day Iceland itinerary takes you on a full loop around the island, from thundering waterfalls and black sand beaches to iceberg lagoons and steaming geothermal fields.
Note: This itinerary is designed for a morning start on Day 1 and a morning return on Day 6, giving you five full days to explore Iceland by road.
What You Won’t See on This 5-Day Itinerary (and Why)
With just five days, you’ll be moving quickly, which means skipping some of Iceland’s regions. The Westfjords are left out because they require a major detour and more driving time than a short trip allows. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula also isn’t covered here – it deserves at least a day or two on its own to fully explore its lava fields and fishing villages.
You’ll also only skim the surface of East Iceland and North Iceland, so if you want to hike deep into the Eastfjords or linger longer around Lake Mývatn, plan a longer trip or a return visit. Highland adventures like Askja and Landmannalaugar require extra days and a 4x4 vehicle, making them better suited to extended itineraries as well.
Day 1: Vehicle Pickup & The Golden Circle
- Day 1 Drive: 259 km (160 miles) | 3 hours 30 minutes
- Start: Go Car Rental in Keflavik
- Finish: Hvolsvöllur area.
The first day of your trip starts with a speedy vehicle pickup before hitting the road, embarking on a day that takes you through past the capital area and toward the Golden Circle.
From Keflavik, you’ll quickly reach the Reykjavik area in about 40 minutes along the main highway between the city and airport. But there’s no stopping here today; shoot right through and then follow Route 36 in the direction of Þingvellir National Park, your first stop on the trip. This is the birthplace of Iceland’s democracy, and a site where you can walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Most visitors take the walking trail to the waterfall Öxarárfoss and back from the Visitor’s Centre.
From Thingvellir, it’s about a 45-minute drive onward to the Geysir Geothermal Area, where the erupting Strokkur goes off every 5 minutes or so in a tall plume of steam and spray. There’s also a large visitor’s center here with a small food court, souvenirs, and public toilets. A good spot for lunch.
From Geysir, it’s only 10 minutes to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, one of the largest in the country. This thundering, two-tiered cascade originates from the glacier Langjökull, which you’ll see in the distance on a clear day. Then, after viewing it from the several different viewing platforms, in half an hour you can be soaking in the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon hot spring in Flúðir before continuing onto your accommodation for the evening.
We recommend staying overnight near Hvolsvöllur for an easy start on the South Coast for day 2.
What You’ll Miss
There will inevitably be some sights you won’t have time to see – this itinerary focuses on the main attractions. In the Golden Circle area, you probably don’t have time to do a snorkeling tour of Silfra. We also haven’t included a stop at Bruarfoss Waterfall, although it’s entirely possible for those who get a good start in the early morning and don’t mind a longer day out exploring.
Day 2: South Coast Wonders
- Day 2 Drive: 362 km (224 miles) | 4 hours 30 minutes
- Start: Hvolsvöllur area
- Finish: Jökulsárlón or Höfn area
Your second day takes you east along Iceland’s dramatic South Coast, where the scenery shifts from farmlands to steep mountains, waterfalls streaming down cliffs, and giant glaciers.
From Hvolsvöllur, it’s only a short drive to the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall crashing down from the Highland shelf. Also in the area is Gljúfrabúi waterfall; both are very popular, so the earlier you arrive, the quieter it’ll be. At the height of summer, there are often queues to enter the cliff where you’ll find Gljúfrabúi.
From Seljalandsfoss, in half an hour along the Ring Road, and you’ll arrive at Skógafoss Waterfall, another famous and beautiful cascade on the south coast that drops 60 meters over the cliffs, often throwing rainbows up in its mist.
From here, the Ring Road passes under the shadow of Eyjafjallajökull volcano; a quick detour to the south near Vik brings you to Reynisfjara, the country’s most famous black sand beach, with its basalt columns and powerful surf. Make a quick pit stop in Vik to fill up with petrol and snacks before continuing east. Continuing east, the landscape softens into sweeping moss-covered lava fields, which slowly fades into a vast expanse of black sand – glacial outwash as you draw nearer to the glacier Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest ice cap.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where icebergs drift from Vatnajökull glacier into the sea. Overnight near the lagoon or continue on to Höfn for fresh seafood and a quiet end to the day.
What You’ll Miss
This stretch of ring road is densely packed with amazing things to see and do, so it’s a big day of sacrifices. We’ve prioritized a stop at Reynisfjara over the nearby Dyrhólaey Peninsula; there’s also no time to do the Katla Ice Cave tours that depart from Vik.
Further along the ring road, you’ll also skip over Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Skaftafell, inside which you can find the pretty Svartifoss waterfall. If you’re not afraid of a very long day’s drive, you can add a few of these as well, although the Katla Ice Cave remains too long a tour to add and complete the day.
Day 3: The East Fjords
- Day 3 Drive: 316 km (196 miles) | 4 hours 30 minutes
- Start: Jökulsárlón or Höfn area
- Finish: Egilsstaðir
Day three shifts gears as you leave the glaciers behind and follow the twisting coastline into Iceland’s remote Eastfjords, home to jagged peaks towering over quiet villages.
The Ring Road in this stretch of the country hugs the coastline and provides some stellar views over the ocean. Start your day with a detour to the Stokksnes Peninsula, an area of windswept black beaches and a scenic mountain range called Vestrahorn. A bit further along the road, another black sand beach awaits with more stunning views at Hvalnes, complete with a lighthouse.
From here, the ring road winds through the villages of the East. Djúpivogur is a nice little place to stop off for lunch, with some great views all around. Outside of town, the waterfall Nykurhylsfoss is also an awesome and quick stop to make as you continue.
More villages await; take the coastal road and you’ll pass through Breiðdalsvík and Stöðvarfjörður, while Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður lie a very short detour off the ring road. Each little village has a café or restaurant and a harbor to admire, making them worth a stop, if only to stretch your legs and take in the jaw-dropping scenery these villages call home.
As you reach Egilsstaðir, we highly recommend shooting over the mountain pass to visit Seyðisfjörður, a colorful and artsy little community at the base of some stunning mountains. It’s also where the ferry arrives from Denmark. Spend the evening back in the Egilsstaðir area; the nearby Vök Baths are open late in summer for an evening soak, or you can enjoy an evening walk along the shores of Lagarfljót, said to be the home of a large monster.
What You’ll Miss
This part of the country isn’t filled with huge, unmissable sights; instead, it’s a great place to simply get into the groove of your road trip and take in the scenery from behind the wheel, while also hopping out plenty of times for photo stops as well. So, you’re not missing a lot of stuff on this day.
As you get closer to Egilsstaðir, however, we’ve left out the impressive waterfall Hengifoss; to truly appreciate it, it requires about a 3-hour return hike from the parking area.
Day 4: North Iceland & Lake Mývatn
- Day 4 Drive: 334 km (207 miles) | 4 hours 25 minutes
- Start: Egilsstaðir
- Finish: Akureyri
As you leave Egilsstaðir behind, the Ring Road cuts inland, and the scenery shifts again from fjords to highland plateaus and volcanic desert. The road here is long and straight, with sweeping views of barren landscapes that feel almost lunar.
Your first major stop is Stuðlagil Canyon, about a 1-hour drive from Egilsstaðir, where basalt columns frame a river that’s often a steely-blue color. Park on the eastern side to be able to climb down to the river itself; the western side has access to viewing platforms, but from a higher vantage point.
From Stuðlagil, you’ll cover a long stretch of ring road (about 1 hour and 40 minutes) toward Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall. Depending on the season and road conditions, you can reach it via Route 862 (paved) or 864 (gravel). The sheer force of the falls is staggering, with water thundering into the canyon below. A short hike upstream also brings you to Selfoss, a wide curtain-like cascade worth the detour.
From here, the road carries you west into the Lake Mývatn region, one of Iceland’s geothermal hotspots. Stop first at Hverir, a steaming, sulfur-scented geothermal area where boiling mud pools and hissing fumaroles bubble out of the bright orange earth. Just over the hill are the Mývatn Nature Baths, a steamy hot spring and the north’s answer to the Blue Lagoon.
If you’re doing well for time, it’s worth stopping at some of the sights around Lake Mývatn. Grjótagjá is a hot spring cave – very cool to see even if swimming there is forbidden. Then, a short and easy walk through the Dimmuborgir lava field, home to the Icelandic Yule Lads, the 13 mischievous trolls who together are Iceland’s version of Santa Claus.
Before reaching Akureyri, make one last stop at Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods,” where a wide curtain of water arcs into a turquoise pool. It’s a softer, more serene contrast to the raw power of Dettifoss.
Spend the evening in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, nestled at the base of Eyjafjörður. The colorful houses and mountain backdrop make a pleasant end to a day of volcanic landscapes and roaring waterfalls.
What You’ll Miss
With so much packed into this stretch, you won’t have time for every stop. Ásbyrgi Canyon and the whale-watching town of Húsavík are both worthwhile detours but would add several hours to the day. In the Mývatn area, you’ll also have to pick and choose between the lava fields, caves, and hikes unless you dedicate extra time here.
Day 5: The Return to Reykjavik
- Day 5 Drive: 395 km (245 miles) | 5–5.5 hours
- Start: Akureyri
- Finish: Borgarfjörður or West Iceland countryside
Your final full day on the Ring Road carries you into Iceland’s quieter west, swapping volcanic deserts and towering waterfalls for rolling farmland, glacial rivers, and broad valleys. The pace of the drive eases here, giving you time to settle into the slower scenery and soak in the last stretches of the open road.
Leaving Akureyri, the Ring Road cuts inland, heading west across the region. About an hour into the drive, make a detour near Varmahlíð to Fosslaug, a small, hidden hot spring perched above a gentle waterfall and river. The pool is basic and natural, but the setting makes it one of the more peaceful soaks of the trip.
Continuing west, take another short detour to Kolugljúfur Canyon, where a series of waterfalls plunge into a narrow gorge. It’s a quick stop, but the sight of rushing water cutting through the quiet farmland landscape is a striking contrast, and it’s a good place to stretch your legs on a longer day of driving.
From here, the Ring Road heads through the heart of North Iceland’s agricultural country before arcing down towards West Iceland, home to even more gentle countryside – the perfect accompaniment for a meditative drive back toward the capital.
But before you get there, you can make a quick roadside stop at the impressive Grábrók crater, where a stair lets you easily climb to the top for stunning views over the surrounding countryside, thick with lava. If you fancy one more stop, make it the Hvammsvík Hot Spring in Hvalfjörður, a short detour from the main route; otherwise, head into Reykjavik for the evening, spending a few hours exploring the main sights and enjoying a good dinner after your 5 days on the road.
What You’ll Miss
This section of the Ring Road is light on major attractions, but detours into the Tröllaskagi Peninsula or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula would add significant driving time. We’ve also left out the popular Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls in Borgarfjörður – both are easy enough to add if you arrive early enough in the afternoon.
Driving Clockwise? Here’s your Route.
If you’d rather flip the route and drive Iceland’s Ring Road clockwise, the itinerary changes slightly but still packs in the same highlights. Starting with the country’s quieter west and north gives you more breathing room at the beginning of the trip before you hit the dramatic South Coast at the end. The scenery unfolds in reverse, trading early waterfalls and black sand beaches for rolling farmland, volcanic plateaus, and remote fjords on your first few days.
Day 1: West Iceland to Akureyri
- Drive: 395 km (245 miles) | 5–5.5 hours
- Start: Keflavík
- Finish: Akureyri
Pick up your car and head straight into Iceland’s quieter west. Rolling farmland and glacial rivers give way to broad valleys and smooth, easy driving. Make a stop at Grábrók crater to stretch your legs, or detour to Kolugljúfur Canyon for waterfalls plunging into a narrow gorge. End the day in Akureyri, Iceland’s northern hub, with colorful houses set against snow-dusted mountains.
Day 2: Lake Mývatn & North Iceland
- Drive: 334 km (207 miles) | 4–4.5 hours
- Start: Akureyri
- Finish: Egilsstaðir
Begin with Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods,” before crossing into the volcanic landscapes around Lake Mývatn. Stop at Hverir’s steaming mud pools, wander the Dimmuborgir lava field, or soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths. Dettifoss and Selfoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, are a short detour away. The scenery shifts again as you drive into the vast highland plateaus of the east, finishing in Egilsstaðir after a stop at Stuðlagil Canyon.
Day 3: The East Fjords
- Drive: 316 km (196 miles) | 4–4.5 hours
- Start: Egilsstaðir
- Finish: Jökulsárlón or Höfn area
Today is all jagged peaks and twisting coastal roads as you wind your way down through the Eastfjords. Pause in tiny fishing villages like Seyðisfjörður, Djúpivogur, or Breiðdalsvík for harbor views and a taste of small-town Iceland, before checking out the black sand beaches – Hvalnes and Stokksnes – in the southeast corner. From here, end you day in nearby Höfn whose restaurants are famous for the langoustine.
Day 4: South Coast Wonders
- Drive: 362 km (224 miles) | 4.5 hours
- Start: Höfn or Jökulsárlón area
- Finish: Hvolsvöllur area
Follow the Ring Road west along Iceland’s dramatic South Coast, passing vast glacial outwash plains and mossy lava fields. Stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach, framed by basalt columns and pounding surf, before visiting the iconic waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Overnight near Hvolsvöllur to set up for the Golden Circle the next morning.
Day 5: The Golden Circle & Return
- Drive: 259 km (160 miles) | 3–3.5 hours
- Start: Hvolsvöllur area
- Finish: Keflavík
End your trip with Iceland’s most famous trio. Start with a morning soak at the Secret Lagoon and then head up to Gullfoss waterfall, thundering into a glacial canyon. Then, onward toward Geysir, erupting every 5 minutes, and then the famous Þingvellir National Park offers history and tectonic drama. Afterward, finish in Reykjavík for a taste of Iceland’s capital or stay out near the airport for an early morning vehicle return and flight home.
When to Skip the Ring Road (and What to Do Instead)
Driving the full Ring Road in five days is a whirlwind, and it’s not for everyone. If you’d rather travel at a slower pace with more time to explore, consider skipping the full loop and focusing on just part of Iceland instead.
The South Coast and Golden Circle make an excellent 5-day itinerary on their own. You’ll still see some of Iceland’s most iconic sights – Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, plus the geothermal wonders of the Golden Circle – without the long drives through the Eastfjords and North Iceland.
Another good alternative is combining the South Coast with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, trading the full loop for lava fields, sea cliffs, and fishing villages in West Iceland. This route keeps driving distances shorter and gives you time for longer hikes, glacier tours, or simply soaking in hot springs without rushing to cover ground each day.
If you only have five days and want to dive deeper into Iceland’s landscapes instead of circling the entire island, these partial routes can deliver just as much magic without the need to watch the clock.
Route Map
To make things easier and clearer, here is a map of the route:
Iceland in Fast-Forward
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road in five days is a whirlwind, but it’s one of the best ways to see the country’s raw beauty in a short time. From black sand beaches and iceberg lagoons to hot springs and waterfalls, this itinerary packs some of Iceland’s most unforgettable landscapes into a compact adventure you won’t forget.