Experience the most iconic landscapes on this self-drive adventure along the Ring Road. From Skógafoss Waterfall to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, this 10-day Iceland itinerary offers a new highlight each day. We've laid out realistic drive times and practical stay suggestions so you can focus on the journey.
Day 1: Reykjavik: Arrival
Most international flights land early at Keflavík Airport. Pick up your car rental in Iceland and drive 45 minutes to Reykjavik on Route 41. After checking in, head to the city center and visit Hallgrímskirkja Church for views over the rooftops. From there, walk down Rainbow Street, lined with small shops and local cafés.
Harpa Concert Hall near the harbor is also worth a stop for its colorful glass panels. Try Kattakaffihúsið if you need coffee to shake off the flight. Take the rest of the evening at your own pace, because your 10-day Iceland itinerary officially begins tomorrow.
Related: Top 17 Things to Do in Reykjavík
Day 2: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Drive toward Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about 177 kilometers (110 miles) from Reykjavik and roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by car depending on your stops. Visit Kirkjufell, a cone-shaped mountain near Grundarfjörður with Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in front.
Stop at Búðakirkja, a small black church first established in 1703, with the current structure rebuilt in 1987, sitting alone in a lava field near Búðir. Stay in Stykkishólmur or Grundarfjörður tonight.
Day 3: Northbound to Akureyri
Follow the coastal road north through the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. The route passes through the fishing villages of Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður, with narrow fjords and mountain views along the way. Stop briefly in Siglufjörður, a small fishing village worth a quick look at the harbor, before continuing toward Akureyri.
Akureyri is Iceland's second-largest city with about 19,000 people. Visit the Akureyri Botanical Gardens near the city center for a walk through local and foreign plant collections. The city has the widest range of restaurants and cafés in North Iceland.
Related: Top 13 Things To Do in Akureyri
Day 4: Húsavík & Lake Mývatn
Drive about 45 minutes to Húsavík, a small fishing town on the north coast, with whale-watching tours running from April to October. Minke whales and humpbacks are commonly seen during summer. From Húsavík, drive about 56 kilometers (35 miles) south to Lake Mývatn.
The Dimmuborgir lava formations on the east side are black rock towers and caves. Walk through them on marked trails in 30 minutes to an hour. The Mývatn Nature Baths nearby use geothermal water and are less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. Finish the day with a soak at the Nature Baths before settling in for the night.
Day 5: The Diamond Circle
Cover the Diamond Circle loop north of Lake Mývatn today, a route of about 257 kilometers (160 miles). Start at Goðafoss, a wide, curved waterfall that sits right on the Ring Road and takes about 20 minutes to see. Continue to Ásbyrgi Canyon, a horseshoe-shaped canyon filled with birch trees and quiet walking paths.
Next, head to Dettifoss, one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls, where grey glacial water crashes into a deep canyon. End the day back in Húsavík or near Lake Mývatn for the night.
Day 6: The Eastfjords
Head east toward the Eastfjords. You'll pass small fishing villages along coastal roads toward Seydisfjördur, a small town sitting at the end of a narrow fjord surrounded by mountains. Arrive and browse the art galleries and colorful wooden buildings in the town center.
Walk around the harbor to see old fishing warehouses now serving as cafés. Stay overnight here, as it is the most convenient base.
Day 7: Southward to Höfn
Leave the fjords and drive toward Höfn. Stop in Fáskrúðsfjörður for coffee if you need a break. The town has a French history and bilingual street signs. Continue your drive toward Höfn, a town known for its fresh langoustine and good restaurants along the harbor. Stay here tonight before exploring the glaciers tomorrow.
Day 8: Vatnajökull National Park
Head west toward the glacier lagoons. Fjallsárlón is a smaller glacier lagoon that sees fewer visitors than its neighbor. Continue to Jökulsárlón, the larger of the two lagoons. Boat tours run from May to October. Diamond Beach sits across the road with chunks of ice washed up on black sand. Short glacier hikes with a guide take about three to four hours.
Ice cave tours run from November to March when the caves are stable. Drive toward Vík for the night.
Related: Your Complete Guide to Diamond Beach
Day 9: The South Coast
Continue west on the Ring Road toward Vik. Start at Reynisfjara black sand beach, known for its tall basalt columns and sea stacks called Reynisdrangar. The waves here are strong, so stay alert and keep facing the ocean at all times. Visit Skógafoss Waterfall, which drops 60 meters (200 feet) straight down, and climb the stairs for views over the coastline.
End the day at Seljalandsfoss, where a narrow path lets you walk behind the waterfall. Stay in Selfoss or Hveragerði for the night.
Day 10: The Golden Circle and Departure
Day 10 is built around day trips to the Golden Circle loop before heading to the airport. Begin at Gullfoss, a two-stage waterfall dropping into a narrow canyon. Next, head to Geysir Hot Springs to watch Strokkur erupt every 6 to 10 minutes. Finish at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where two tectonic plates pull apart, as this is the closest stop to the airport.
Stop at the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon to relax in geothermal water before your flight. Return your rental car and leave at least three hours between your lagoon visit and your flight departure time.
Start Planning Your Road Trip in Iceland
This 10-day Iceland itinerary takes you around the Ring Road with stops at the Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The pace gives you time to see each stop without rushing. Book your flights early, and start renting a car as soon as your dates are confirmed. Glacier hikes and whale-watching tours fill up fast, so reserve those ahead of time, too.
Browse our Iceland self-drive tours to find the right package for your 10-day Iceland itinerary, as everything else on this route is flexible enough to adjust as you go. It also gives you the best conditions for each long drive between stops.
FAQs about 10 day Iceland itineraries
Yes, 10 days gives you enough time to drive the Ring Road and see major sites like waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches without rushing.
Yes, a 10-day Iceland itinerary allows you to complete the Ring Road with time for stops at glacier lagoon, waterfalls, and small towns along the way.
Budget 280,000–490,000 ISK ($2,000–$3,500) per person for a thrifty trip, or 490,000–630,000+ ISK ($3,500–$4,500+) for hotels and guided activities, not including flights.
Summer (June to August) offers the best weather and long daylight hours. Winter (November to March) brings ice caves and northern lights, but has icy roads and shorter days.
A regular car works fine for the Ring Road and paved routes in summer. You need a 4x4 for highland F-roads or winter driving in snow and ice.
Driving clockwise keeps you ahead of most tour groups and gives you quieter roads early on. It also means you reach the South Coast glaciers and waterfalls at the end of your trip, which makes for a strong finish.
