Iceland Ring Road in a Week

7 days / 6 nights
7 days / 6 nights
Reynisfjara with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks by sunset
Lupines in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance
Reynisfjara with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks by sunset
Lupines in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance
Reynisfjara with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks by sunset
Best price guarantee
There’s no availability for the combination you’ve chosen.
Please try another combination.

Adults

Ages 12+

2

Children

Ages 2-11

0

Infants

Ages 0-1

0

One week, one legendary route

The Ring Road, aka Route 1, is the most popular road trip in Iceland. On this 7-day self-drive tour, you’ll follow this epic route past lava fields, waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers.

If you want to pack a whole load of Iceland’s natural wonders into just 1 week, this is the trip for you. You’ll get to see all of the most popular attractions in the comfort of your own car. Stop where you like, and crank up the tunes!

Travel styleSelf-drive
Trip length7 days / 6 nights
VibeShort & sweet
SeasonSummer
(1 Apr–31 Oct)
TransportRental car
Starts fromReykjavík
Tour codeSD21

On this tour you will...

  • Complete the classic Golden Circle route

  • Experience the tranquility of the Eastfjords region

  • Feel the power of Iceland’s wondrous waterfalls

  • Admire gnarly lava formations in North Iceland

  • Get up close to glaciers in Vatnajökull National Park

  • Have the chance to spot whales and puffins

Top attractions

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise with a pink sky

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The edge of the Vatnajökull glacier

Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

Mountains in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve on a cloudy day

Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Lake Mývatn in its autumn colors

Lake Mývatn

The Goðafoss waterfall in summer

Goðafoss

The skyline of Akureyri, North Iceland

Akureyri

The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

Why book a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Start your tour on the date that suits you

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

  • New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard

  • Handpicked local accommodation options

  • Best Price Guarantee

Your 7-day self-drive itinerary

Your 7-day self-drive itinerary
Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)
Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

Your memorable, Iceland adventure begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Once you pick up your rental vehicle, you’ll head directly for Reykjavík and your exciting, first night in Iceland.

Highlights

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Extra activities

Riders on FlyOver Iceland above a virtual waterfallExtra

FlyOver Iceland

The Sky Lagoon at sunsetExtra

Sky Lagoon Pure Pass

Staying inAkureyri area
Driving distance450 km (280 mi)
Staying inAkureyri area
Driving distance450 km (280 mi)

Your next day’s journey continues toward the northern part of Iceland, ending in the north’s capital, Akureyri. As you head toward Borgarfjörður, we recommend stopping by the magnificent Hraunfossar waterfalls, where the water seems to magically flows from the lava bed into the river below. You’ll then continue your journey toward Akureyri, passing through Skagafjörður, known for exceptional horse breeding; in fact, many stunning Icelandic horses can be seen on your drive

Highlights

Borgarnes

Borgarnes

Water coming out of colorful rocks at Deildartunguhver hot spring

Deildartunguhver

The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

A row of houses at the Glaumbær turf farm

Glaumbær turf farm

The skyline of Akureyri, North Iceland

Akureyri

Extra activities

The Krauma geothermal baths at DeildartunguhverExtra

Krauma Geothermal Baths

People bathing at Forest LagoonExtra

Forest Lagoon Geothermal Spa

Staying inMývatn/Húsavík area
Driving distance200 km (124 mi)
Staying inMývatn/Húsavík area
Driving distance200 km (124 mi)

The whole day is dedicated to the marvels of Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve known as one of Iceland’s most fascinating areas of natural beauty. On the way to Mývatn you must make a stop at the impressive waterfall Goðafoss “The fall of the gods”. One of its main attractions near Mývatn is the Námaskarð geothermal area where you will find bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents. You must not miss the Krafla area with the crater Víti and the Leirhnjúkur area. Later on you can venture a walk up to the top of Hverfjall crater or dip into the geothermal water of the natural baths located east of the Lake.

Highlights

The Goðafoss waterfall in summer

Goðafoss

Lake Mývatn in its autumn colors

Lake Mývatn

The Dimmuborgir lava formations in North Iceland

Dimmuborgir

The Krafla crater on a sunny day

Krafla and Leirhnjúkur

Extra activities

A woman relaxing in Mývatn Nature BathsExtra

Mývatn Nature Baths

Staying inHöfn area
Driving distance460 km (286 mi)
Staying inHöfn area
Driving distance460 km (286 mi)

Today is the day to discover the Eastfjords. Start towards the fjord Reyðarfjörður, where a small-but-fascinating World War II history museum is located, and continue along the fjords toward Southeast Iceland. At times, the road hangs precariously high on the mountain slopes. Finally, you drive through the tunnel of Almannaskarð to arrive in the Höfn region, where you will spend that night.

Highlights

View over the Fellabær neighborhood of Egilsstaðir

Egilsstaðir

The town of Reyðarfjörður, East Iceland, seen from above

Reyðarfjörður

The village of Djúpivogur seen from a distance

Djúpivogur

The harbor at Höfn í Hornafirði

Höfn í Hornafirði

Extra activities

The Vök Baths at sunsetExtra

Vök Baths

Staying inHvolsvöllur/Hella area
Driving distance365 km (227 mi)
Staying inHvolsvöllur/Hella area
Driving distance365 km (227 mi)

Your next stop is Iceland’s scenic southeast. After passing various outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you’ll arrive at the stunningly surreal beauty of Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve is another area definitely worth a visit. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for great hiking. Continue through Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, the Eldhraun lava field and the Mýrdalssandur plain, before you arrive in the Vík area. We recommend you stop at Reynisfjara beach; a black sand beach famous for the Reynisdrangar rock stacks that rise from the sea just off the shore and for its basalt columns.

You can also stop at Dyrhólaey cape, which is the southernmost point of Iceland. Continue westbound; the village of Skógar is the next place of interest with its beautiful waterfall and the local folk museum. As you continue towards Hella you can stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can actually walk behind the waterfall. You then follow the main road to arrive in Hella.

Highlights

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise with a pink sky

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The edge of the Vatnajökull glacier

Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park

Mountains in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve on a cloudy day

Skaftafell Nature Reserve

The village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on a sunny day

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance

Vík í Mýrdal

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

The Eldhraun lava field showing moss-covered lava rocks

Eldhraun lava field

Extra activities

Jökulsárlón Amphibian Boat Tour between two icebergsExtra

Jökulsárlón Amphibian Boat Tour

The zodiac boat tour on Fjallsárlón glacier lagoonExtra

Fjallsárlón Zodiac Boat Tour

Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance220 km (137 mi)
Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance220 km (137 mi)

Continue westbound to the south coast of Iceland and explore the Golden Circle, which takes you to the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland: Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park.

Your day will end in Reykjavík where you will spend your last night in Iceland.

Highlights

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Extra activities

A woman bathing in the Secret Lagoon (Gamla laugin)Extra

Secret Lagoon (Gamla laugin)

Raufarhólshellir Lava TunnelExtra

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel

Mountaineers of Iceland Langjökull snowmobile tourExtra

Snowmobiling on Langjökull (Meet at Gullfoss)

Snorkeling in the Silfra gorge © DIVE.isExtra

Snorkeling at Silfra

The Laugarvatn Fontana spa as seen from aboveExtra

Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Spa

Driving distance50 km (31 mi)
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

It seems as if your journey to fabulous Iceland only began a moment ago, but now it is time to head back home, driving back to Keflavík Airport for your flight. Depending on your flight’s time, you may be able to squeeze in a last day in Reykjavík or an extra night in there to experience all the amazing things that the city has to offer.

Highlights

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Extra activities

Riders on FlyOver Iceland above a virtual waterfallExtra

FlyOver Iceland

The Sky Lagoon at sunsetExtra

Sky Lagoon Pure Pass

What’s included?

Detailed itinerary

Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

Rental car of your choice for 6 days

2 authorized drivers as standard

Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi

Unlimited mileage

Collision damage waiver

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Fuel & parking charges

Personal travel insurance

Choose your rental car

Included as standard:

Collision damage waiver

2 authorized drivers

Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi

Renault Captur
Automatic

CO₂ 217g/km Plug-in hybrid

Renault Captur or similar

Class P6
x5
x5
x3
Toyota Aygo
Manual

CO₂ 95g/km

Toyota Aygo or similar

Class Z
x4
x3
x1
Volkswagen Golf
Manual

CO₂ 196g/km

Volkswagen Golf or similar

Class  B
x5
x5
x3
Volkswagen Caravelle
Manual

CO₂ 198g/km

Volkswagen Caravelle 4×4 or similar

Class D
x9
x5
x7
Toyota Yaris
Automatic

CO₂ 114g/km

Toyota Yaris or similar

Class Y
x4
x5
x2
Dacia Duster
Manual

CO₂ 116g/km

Dacia Duster 4×4 or similar

Class E2
x5
x5
x3
Renault Captur
Automatic

CO₂ 217g/km Plug-in hybrid

Renault Captur or similar

Class P6
x5
x5
x3
Toyota Aygo
Manual

CO₂ 95g/km

Toyota Aygo or similar

Class Z
x4
x3
x1
Volkswagen Golf
Manual

CO₂ 196g/km

Volkswagen Golf or similar

Class  B
x5
x5
x3
Volkswagen Caravelle
Manual

CO₂ 198g/km

Volkswagen Caravelle 4×4 or similar

Class D
x9
x5
x7
Toyota Yaris
Automatic

CO₂ 114g/km

Toyota Yaris or similar

Class Y
x4
x5
x2
Dacia Duster
Manual

CO₂ 116g/km

Dacia Duster 4×4 or similar

Class E2
x5
x5
x3
Volkswagen Caravelle
Automatic

CO₂ 198g/km

Volkswagen Caravelle 4×4 or similar

Class D2
x9
x5
x7
Kia Nero
Automatic

CO₂ 29g/km Plug-in hybrid

Kia Niro or similar

Class B3
x5
x5
x3
Kia Sportage
Automatic

CO₂ 176g/km

Kia Sportage 4×4 or similar

Class O
x5
x5
x3
Toyota Yaris
Manual

CO₂ 109g/km

Toyota Yaris or similar

Class A
x4
x5
x2
Toyota Land Cruiser
Automatic

CO₂ 213g/km

Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 or similar

Class I
x5
x5
x5
Kia Sportage
Manual

CO₂ 176g/km

Kia Sportage 4×4 or similar

Class F
x5
x5
x3
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Automatic

CO₂ 130g/km Plug-in hybrid

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 4×4 or similar

Class N3
x5
x5
x3
Volkswagen Golf
Automatic

CO₂ 273g/km

Volkswagen Golf or similar

Class B2
x5
x5
x3

Trip summary

Best price guarantee
There’s no availability for the combination you’ve chosen.
Please try another combination.

Adults

Ages 12+

2

Children

Ages 2-11

0

Infants

Ages 0-1

0

FAQs about our self-drive trips

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