Ring Road Itinerary: 10 Days in Iceland
The Ring Road (Route 1) encircles Iceland, connecting many of the most popular attractions. Paved for most of its 1,332-km (827-mi) length, the Ring Road is the most accessible route around the country. Driving along, you’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes ranging from towering mountains to barren lava fields to glaciers looming in the distance.
The Ring Road is popular for a reason: The loop is a convenient way to see the best of Iceland’s nature, starting with the most popular attractions in the south to lesser-known gems around the island. For travelers who have at least 10 days, driving the Ring Road is ideal, the best use of time to see as much as possible without backtracking to one or two bases.
Some of the can’t-miss sites in this itinerary include the Golden Circle attractions, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls in the south, Skaftafell and Jókulsárlón in the east, the Mývatn area and Akureyri in the north, and Snæfellsnes in the west. For activities, it’s highly recommended to take a whale-watching tour in Húsavík and take a boat tour among the icebergs at Jókulsárlón.
Planning the Drive
Seasonal Considerations and Road Conditions
Plan your trip on the Ring Road in summer (June-August) and the shoulder months May and September. Iceland’s weather is known for being notoriously changeable and this, of course, impacts a Ring Road drive. Sunny skies can give way to fog in seconds, rain comes and goes, and drivers must be aware of wind speeds that can be dangerous.
The summer is the most popular time to undergo a Ring Road trip, as the weather is most favorable and the landscape is lush and green. The good weather draws a large number of tourists, but the Ring Road rarely feels crowded, with the most traffic in the south.
Despite snow removal during winter, snowfall, ice, and high winds can make driving challenging. It’s important to frequently check the weather forecast and road conditions, as windstorms can strike any time of year, making driving hazardous.
Keep in mind that it’s always necessary to check road conditions before you head out in your car. Weather changes rapidly in Iceland, and you do not want to be unprepared. You should check weather and road conditions at the beginning of each day before hitting the road. Important websites to look at include www.road.is and www.vedur.is.
Renting Your Car
For a summer road trip, a standard 2WD car will be adequate, though having a 4WD vehicle won’t hurt. In the winter, you will want a car with studded tires for potentially icy roads. You should only rent a campervan in the summer months, when campsites are open.
The Ring Road can be driven in any car. It comes down to preference, and some travelers prefer a larger vehicle. In Iceland, you will find a number of international rental car agencies, including Hertz, Avis, and Budget, as well as local rental agencies. It’s best to book your rental directly instead of through third parties. Small car rentals with insurance start at 15,000ISK per day, and a large SUV can start at 40,000ISK per day. It is best to book ahead, at least three months before your trip.
In addition to collision damage waiver insurance, it is recommended to get additional gravel protection insurance, and possibly sand and ash insurance as well. When collecting your car, you should take photos of existing damage to the vehicle and make sure you understand your rental agreement and insurance policy. Check lights and tires, and make sure there’s a spare tire. GPS devices can be rented through your car rental agency for a small fee. It’s always a good idea to have paper maps too, just in case.
What to Pack
Packing for a road trip can seem daunting, so here is a handy guide.
- Paper maps, which can be purchased at gas stations or tourist information centers; optionally a GPS receiver
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks for the car
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots with good tread
- Layers and waterproof outerwear
- Bathing suit for swimming pools and hot springs
- Mobile phone, chargers, and adapters
Getting Gas
Gas stations are located around the Ring Road, but there are pockets where they become scarce, namely between Vík in the south and Mývatn in the north. It’s a good idea to fully fill your tank when you have the opportunity.
For a medium-size car, it costs about 15,000ISK to fill up a tank with petrol. At the time of writing, petrol costs about 260ISK per L (990ISK per gal) and diesel costs 292ISK per L (1,110ISK per gal). You can check up-to-date fuel prices at www.gsmbensin.is.
Unstaffed gas stations are popular in rural areas. You must have a four-digit PIN for your credit card to fill up at these gas stations. If you don’t have a card with a PIN, contact your bank ahead of your visit.
Environmentally Friendly Travel
Here are some tips for making your Ring Road trip more environmentally friendly:
- Drink the tap water instead of buying bottles of water in shops. Iceland has some of the cleanest water on the planet.
- Protect the land by never driving off-road.
- Be sure to camp within campsites.
- Make sure you recycle.
Unfortunately, Iceland’s current infrastructure does not make it feasible to rent an electric car for this road trip. Charging stations are still too few and far between in many areas of the island.
Driving Laws
There are a few rules travelers should be aware of when driving the Ring Road.
- Off-road driving is strictly prohibited and there are hefty fines from authorities.
- All passengers in a vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Talking on a mobile phone while driving is prohibited.
- Driving under the influence is illegal, and fines start at 100,000ISK.
- Drivers must use headlights at all times, even in bright daylight.
Speed Limits
Speeding fines are high, and can be collected through the rental car company, which will have an imprint of your credit card. Fines can range 30,000-200,000ISK. There are speed cameras along the Ring Road. The speed limits are:
- 90 km/h (56 mph) on paved roads like the Ring Road
- 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravel roads
- 50 km/h (31 mph) or less in residential areas
Cell Phone Service
Iceland has surprisingly good cell phone service across the island, even in the highlands. You can purchase SIM cards at Keflavik airport as well as at shops around the country. The three main cell phone providers in Iceland are Vodafone, Siminn, and Nova. Always make sure your mobile phone is fully charged. In case of an emergency, the national emergency number is 112.
Food, Accommodations, and Camping
Accommodations along the Ring Road range from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels. It is strongly recommended to book accommodations in advance, as options are limited in many parts of the island. You should also have a rough plan for where and when you want to eat along your route, as choices in rural areas can be few and far between. If you are staying in self-catering accommodations, it makes sense to buy food from supermarkets, and in general it’s smart to stock up on snacks and meals for the road. It is not necessary to make reservations for restaurants in the countryside.
Camping season is June 1-mid-September; the rest of the year, most campsites are closed. Campsites are independently owned, so amenities vary, but most have showers, electricity, and an area to prepare food; all have toilets, and some have washing machines. Dispersed camping in Iceland is against the law without permission from the landowner. A campsite can range 1,200-2,500ISK per night. Campers should be sure to bring a three-season tent and a warm sleeping bag; you can also park a campervan at campsites.
Planning Your Time
To do the Ring Road justice, you should allocate at least 10 days to the trip. It is possible to drive it in as few as 7 days in summer, but that would mean less time for sightseeing and activities, cutting down on time in the Eastfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula detour in the west. In the winter, 10 days should be the minimum, as the unpredictable weather may require a buffer day or two. You can expect to drive on average 200 km (124 mi) per day, depending on the attractions and activities planned.
Advance bookings are necessary for many activities, including the Blue Lagoon and the Glacier Lagoon boat tour at Jökulsárlón.
Day 1: Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon
Afternoon
Driving time: 25 minutes; Driving distance: 21.5 km (13 mi); Directions: Route 41 to Route 43 south to the Blue Lagoon
After landing at Keflavík International Airport (Keflavíkurflugvöllur; tel. 354/425-6000), pick up your rental car and head south on Route 43.
Blue Lagoon
Svartsengi; tel. 354/420-8800; www.bluelagoon.com; 9am-9pm daily, must be booked in advance
Make a stop at the Blue Lagoon near Grindavík to soak in the soothing, geothermally heated water.
Evening
Driving time: 50 minutes; Driving distance: 49 km (30 mi); Directions: Route 43 north to Route 41 east to Reykjavik; Route 41 becomes Route 40; turn on Route 49 west to get to Reykjavík city center
Revived, you’re ready to drive to Reykjavík to explore the capital city.
Reykjavík
In the evening, walk along Tjörnin (the Pond) before visiting the harbor, Grandi. See the glass-paneled Harpa concert hall (Austurbakki 2; tel. 354/528-5000; www.harpa.is; 9am-10pm daily) and the Sun Voyager (Sólfar) sculpture, which resembles a Viking ship.
For dinner, stop by Hlemmur Mathöll (Laugavegur 107; tel. 354/577-6200; www.hlemmurmatholl.is; 10am-11pm daily) for a satisfying meal. Spend the night at well-located Hótel Frón (Laugavegur 22A; tel. 354/511-4666; www.hotelfron.is; from 30,000ISK).
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Day 2: The Golden Circle
Morning
Driving time: 50 minutes; Driving distance: 48 km (30 mi); Directions: Route 49 east turns into Route 1 (the Ring Road); Route 1 to Route 36 east to Þingvellir National Park
From Reykjavík, set off on a tour of the Golden Circle, a trio of must-see sights.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park is a geological wonder and also the birthplace of democracy in Iceland. The Þingvellir Interpretive Center (tel. 354/482-2660; www.thingvellir.is; 9am-8pm daily June-Aug., 9am-5pm daily Sept.-Apr.; free, parking 1,000ISK) gives a great overview of the national park’s history and geographical significance, along with maps for hiking trails. Spend 1-2 hours roaming this UNESCO World Heritage site’s main sights, including Almannagjá (All Man’s Gorge) and Lögberg (Law Rock).
Afternoon
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 70 km (43 mi); Directions: Route 36 to Route 365, Route 37, and Route 35 northeast to Geysir and Gullfoss
Geysir
Heading east, Route 36 turns into Route 365, through a roundabout to Route 37 to the geothermal area of Geysir, about a 50-minute drive. The famous Geysir hasn’t erupted since 2005, but nearby Strokkur erupts every 5-7 minutes. Eat lunch in the Geysir Center cafeteria (Biskupstungnabraut; tel. 354/519-6020; 10am-8pm daily), where you can also shop for souvenirs.
Gullfoss
After lunch, head 10 minutes east on Route 35 to the famous Gullfoss, where white water thrashes down two tiers.
Evening
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 72 km (45 mi); Directions: Route 35 southwest to Route 1 southeast to Selfoss
Selfoss
After a day of sightseeing, drive to Selfoss, the largest town in South Iceland, where you will have dinner and spend the night at Hotel South Coast (Eyravegur 11-13; tel. 354/464-1113; www.hotelsouthcoast.is; from 33,000ISK).
Day 3: The South Coast
Morning
Driving time: 1.5 hours; Driving distance: 100 km (62 mi); Directions: Route 1 east to Route 249 north to Seljalandsfoss; Route 1 east to Skógafoss
Seljalandsfoss
From Selfoss, drive along the spectacular south coast on Route 1, with your first stop at Seljalandsfoss, a beautiful waterfall about an hour east. Turn left on Þórsmerkurvegur (Route 249), where a car park for Seljalandsfoss is clearly signed. At Seljalandsfoss, you can actually walk behind the falls on a footpath at the base of the waterfall. Explore and snap some photos for about an hour.
Skógafoss
After visiting Seljalandsfoss, continue on Route 1 east for another 30 minutes to Skógafoss. Turn left on Skógar, then left again on Skógafoss, where you’ll see the car park for the massive 60-m (197-ft) waterfall in the village of Skógar.
Afternoon and Evening
Driving time: 45 minutes; Driving distance: 46 km (29 mi); Directions: Route 1 east to Route 215 south to Reynisfjara; Route 1 east to Vík
Reynisfjara
Next, head to Reynisfjara beach near the village of Vík. This is about a 30-minute drive east, turning right toward the coast on Reynishverfisvegur (Route 215). This is perhaps the most famous black-sand beach in Iceland, due to its unique basalt columns.
Vík
Backtrack to Route 1 and head east to the tiny town of Vík. Have a snack at the darling Skool Beans (Klettsvegur; tel. 354/830-0079; www.skoolbeans.com; 9am-3pm Wed.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.-Sun.). After lunch, take a fun two-hour zip-line tour with True Adventure (Suðurvíkurvegur 5; tel. 354/698-8890; www. trueadventure.is; 11,900ISK), headquartered just on the other side of the Ring Road, a 12-minute walk or 2-minute drive.
Have dinner at Suður-Vík Restaurant and Café (Suðurvíkurvegur 1; tel. 354/487-1515; noon-9pm daily; entrées from 3,900ISK), right next to True Adventure. Add some much-needed variety to your diet in Iceland with their perfectly spiced Thai dishes. Spend the night at spacious, contemporary Hotel Kría (Sléttuvegur 12-14; tel. 354/416-2100; www.hotelkria.is; from 44,000ISK).
Day 4: The Glacial East
Morning
Driving time: 2 hours; Driving distance: 140 km (87 mi); Directions: Route 1 east to Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park
Get ready to see some icebergs today as you drive the Ring Road to Vatnajökull National Park, which is just under two hours east of Vík on Route 1. Turn left on Skaftafellsvegur, which turns into Hæðavegur.
Vatnajökull National Park is the home of Europe’s largest ice cap, specifically Skaftafell, the southern part of Vatnajökull, which used to be its own national park. Stop by Skaftafellsoffa (Skaftafellsvegur; tel. 354/478-1627; www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is; 10am-6pm daily Nov.-Feb., 9am-6pm daily Mar.-May and Sept.-Oct., 8am-7pm daily June-Aug.), the national park office, for information about the many footpaths and hiking trails in the region. Plan to spend the morning here hiking and taking in some of the park’s many vistas and waterfalls.
Afternoon
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 58 km (36 mi); Directions: Route 1 east to Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón
Continue on Route 1 for about an hour to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon, where you will see huge chunks of ice floating in the water and, if you’re lucky, a curious seal or two. Take a 40-minute boat tour of the lagoon, which you should book in advance, with Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón Ehf; tel. 354/478-2222; www.icelagoon.is; 10am-5pm daily May and Oct., 9am-7pm daily June-Sept.; 6,700ISK) to get close to icebergs and even get a chance to taste the ice.
Evening
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 80 km (50 mi); Directions: Route 1 east to Route 99 South to Höfn
Höfn
Drive another hour on Route 1 to the sleepy town of Höfn, the gateway for travelers seeking to visit the glacier, where you can have a fantastic lobster dinner at Þakkhús (Krosseyjarvegi 3; tel. 354/478-2280; www.pakkhus.is; entrées from 4,950ISK) and spend the night in the brightly decorated Hótel Höfn (Víkurbraut 20; tel. 354/478-1240; www.hotelhofn.is; from 45,000ISK).
Day 5: The Eastfjords to Mývatn
Morning
Driving time: 3 hours; Driving distance: 211 km (131 mi); Directions: Route 1 north to Stöðvarfjörður and Route 955 to Fáskrúðsfjörður
Petra’s Stone & Mineral Collection
Fjarðarbraut 21, Stöðvarfjörður; tel. 354/475-8834; www.steinapetra.is; 9am-5pm daily May-Oct. 15, by appointment Oct. 16-Apr.; adults 2,000ISK, under age 14 free
Today’s long drive takes you north to the spectacular Eastfjords, dotted with small fishing villages and quirky attractions. About 2.5 hours in, make a stop at Petra’s Mineral Collection, right off the Ring Road in Stöðvarfjörður, to check out an enormous collection of geodes, minerals, and found objects.
Fáskrúðsfjörður
It’s just over 25 minutes to the unique town of Fáskrúðsfjörður, distinguished by its French influence. Have lunch at Café Sumarlína (Búðavegur 59; tel. 354/475-1575; www.sumarlina.is; 11am-8pm Mon.-Fri., 2pm-8pm Sat.-Sun., entrées from 2,950ISK).
Afternoon
Driving time: 3 hours; Driving distance: 257 km (160 mi); Directions: Route 1 north to Egilsstaðir and west to Krafla turnoff and Námaskarð
Lagarfljót
Continue about an hour north on Route 1 to Egilsstaðir and the long and narrow lake Lagarfljót. Get out of the car to stretch your legs and take a look at the dramatic lake.
Krafla
Drive another two hours northwest toward Lake Mývatn, turning off the Ring Road just before the lake to visit the huge 300-m (984-ft) crater of the Krafla volcano. A paved road leads up to the lava fields, where you can hike to hot springs and mud pools.
Námaskarð
Less than 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the turnoff for Krafla on Route 1 is the sulfurous, multicolored Námaskarð pass (15 km/9 mi northeast of Mývatn on Route 1). A short walking path encircles the mud pools.
Evening
Driving time: 25 minutes; Driving distance: 20 km (12 mi); Directions: Route 1 west to Lake Mývatn area; Route 848 south to Vogafjós Restaurant and Hotel Laxá
Lake Mývatn
Mývatn Nature Baths
tel. 354/464-4411; www.myvatnnaturebaths.is; noon-10pm daily, 6,900ISK
Back on Route 1, head west toward Lake Mývatn for 1.7 km (1.1 mi), then make a left at the turnoff for Mývatn Nature Baths, where you can have a relaxing evening soak.
Vogafjós Restaurant
Vogar; tel. 354/464-3800; 11am-10pm daily summer, 10am-9:30pm daily winter; dinner entrées from 3,900ISK
For dinner, continue west on Route 1 and turn south on Route 848 to head to Vogar. Dine at cute, quirky Vogafjós Restaurant.
Hotel Laxá
Olnbogaás; tel. 354/464-1900; from 35,000ISK
After dinner, head south on Route 848 to go halfway around the lake, about 16 km (10 mi) from the restaurant. Spend the night at Hotel Laxá, a modern hotel that offers huge windows in rooms that overlook the wonders of Mývatn.
Days 6: Detour to Húsavík
Morning
Driving time: 45 minutes; Driving distance: 62 km (39 mi); Directions: Route 1 along west side of Lake Mývatn to Route 845 and Route 85 north to Húsavík
Whale-Watching
From Lake Mývatn, take a 45-minute detour off Route 1 to Route 87, then Route 85 to Húsavík, a placid seaside town known for its spectacular whale-watching. Take a three-hour morning cruise with Gentle Giants (tel. 354/464-1500; www.gentlegiants.is; adults 11,490ISK, ages 7-15 5,590ISK, under age 7 free) to get a glimpse of the giant sea mammals. Afterward, stroll along the harbor and have lunch at Salka Restaurant (Garðarsbraut 4; tel. 354/464-2551; 11:30am-10pm daily; entrées from 3,500ISK).
Afternoon
Driving time: 50 minutes; Driving distance: 62 km (39 mi); Directions: Route 85 east to Ásbyrgi turnoff
Ásbyrgi
From Húsavík, drive east for 50 minutes on Route 85 to Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped gorge with towering rock walls. Follow the 1-km (0.6-mi) footpath starting from the parking lot; it takes 30-60 minutes depending on how often you pause to soak in the natural beauty of the region. At the bottom of the canyon you can see small lakes, thick trees, and interesting rock formations.
Evening
Driving time: 50 minutes; Driving distance: 62 km (39 mi); Directions: Route 85 west to Húsavík
Húsavík
Back in Húsavík, have dinner at Gamlí Baukur (Hafnarstett 9; tel. 354/464-2442; www.gamlibaukur.is; 11:30am-11pm daily; entrées from 3,600ISK), and stay at Fosshotel Húsavík (Ketilsbraut 22; tel. 354/464-1220; www.islandshotel.is; from 30,000ISK).
Day 7: The North
Morning
Driving time: 1.5 hours; Driving distance: 83 km (52 mi); Directions: Route 85 south to Route 845 south to Route 1 south to Goðafoss; Route 1 west to Akureyri
Goðafoss
Drive 40 minutes south on Route 85 to Route 845 and finally back to the Ring Road and get ready to see the “waterfall of the Gods”: Goðafoss, one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. Spend a couple of hours roaming the area and soaking in the views.
Akureyri
From Goðafoss, hop back on Route 1 for 30 minutes, heading west to Akureyri, the charming unofficial capital of North Iceland.
Akureyri Botanical Gardens
Eyrarlandsholt; tel. 354/462-7487; www.lystigardur.akureyri.is; 8am-10pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-10pm Sat.-Sun. June-Sept.; free
Be sure to visit the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world. The gorgeous grounds boast native and international species alike.
City Center
Make your way to the city center, a few minutes’ drive or a 10-minute walk from the Botanical Gardens, to check out the Akureyrarkirkja church (Eyrarlandsvegur; tel. 354/462-7700; www.akureyrarkirkja.is; 10am-4pm Mon.-Sat., 4pm-7pm Sun. June 15-Aug. 15; free) and have lunch at Berlín Akureyri (Skipagata 4; tel. 354/772-5061; 8am-5pm daily; entrées from 2,300ISK).
Afternoon and Evening
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 78 km (48 mi); Directions: Route 82 north turns into Route 76 to Siglufjörður
The Northwest
From Akureyri, set off for a drive north on Route 82, passing through Dalvík. You’ll be following Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, so the scenery boasts breathtaking views of mountains and jagged cliffs.
Siglufjörður
After just over an hour, you’ll reach the pretty town of Siglufjörður. Check out the harbor area and visit the fascinating Herring Era Museum (Snorragata 10; tel. 354/467-1604; 10am-5pm daily June-Aug., 1pm-5pm daily May and Sept., by appointment Oct.-Apr.; 2,400ISK). The Folk Music Center (Norðurgata 1; tel. 354/467-2300; www.folkmusik.is; 11am-5pm daily June-Aug., by request Sept.-May; 1,600ISK) is also worth a stop.
Have dinner at the cozy Harbour House Café (Gránugata 5b; tel. 354/841-7889; lunch noon-2pm daily, dinner 6pm-10pm daily; entrées from 2,600ISK) on the harbor and spend the night at hip Siglunes Guesthouse (Laekjargata 10; tel. 354/467-1222; www.hotel-siglunes.is; from 25,000ISK).
Day 8: Driving to Snæfellsnes
The long journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula will take nearly the entire day.
Morning
Driving time: 1.5 hours; Driving distance: 107 km (66 mi); Directions: Route 76 west and south to Route 75 west to Skagafjörður
Skagafjörður
Take Route 76 out of Siglufjörður—this entails heading north at first, but ultimately you’ll be going south and west toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Stop in Skagafjörður, a region known for its large number of horses, along the way. Take a break from driving with a visit to the Skagafjörður Folk Museum (GPS coordinates N 65.6104, W 19.5036; tel. 354/453-6173; www.glaumbaer.is; 10am-4pm Mon.-Fri. Apr.-May 19, 10am-6pm daily May 20-Sept. 20, 10am-4pm Mon.-Fri. Sept. 21-Oct. 20, by request Oct. 21-Mar.; adults 2,000ISK, under age 17 free), where you can learn about the turf houses Icelanders used to call home.
Afternoon and Evening
Driving time: 4 hours; Driving distance: 285 km (177 mi); Directions: Route 1 west to Route 54 west to Route 56 north to Route 54 west to Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell
Route 54 is a semi-elliptical road that runs around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Since you will be approaching from the south, you will hit the peninsula on the southern stretch of Route 54, then cut across to the northern stretch to check out the beautiful mountain of Kirkjufell near Grundarfjörður. Kirkjufell is popular with photographers in Iceland thanks to its unique shape. When viewed from the south, the mountain looks very thin, coming to a point at the top, resembling a fin. Wander the picturesque beaches around the mountain and take pictures of it from every angle.
Grundarfjörður
After a full day of driving, head to Grundarfjörður Swimming Pool (Borgarbraut 19; tel. 354/430-8564; 7am-9pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm Sat.-Sun.; 1,000ISK) for a relaxing soak and mingling with the locals of the tiny town of Grundarfjörður. Then head to Kirkjufell Hotel (Nesvegur 8; tel. 354/438-6893; www.kirkjufellhotel.is; from 35,000ISK), where the in-house restaurant (breakfast 7am-10am, dinner 5pm-9pm daily; entrées from 3,400ISK) has a reputation for excellent seafood.
Day 9: Snæfellsjökull National Park and Borgarnes
Morning
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 52 km (32 mi); Directions: Route 54 west to Route 574 west to Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park
This morning, drive on Route 54 to Route 574 around Snæfellsjökull National Park. From Grundarfjörður, the most direct route is to take the northern stretch of Route 54 to Route 574 and approach the park from the north. Some of the more picturesque landmarks are on the southern end of the park: Dritvík Cove and Lóndrangar Cliffs, as well as Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs, known for their rich birdlife. These sites are all within minutes of each other, so plan to spend the entire morning driving short distances, wandering footpaths, and enjoying the vistas of this beautiful national park, with Snæfellsjökull glacier looming in the background.
Afternoon
Driving time: 1.5 hours; Driving distance: 134 km (83 mi); Directions: Route 54 east to Borgarnes
Borgarnes
On your way back to Reykjavík, make a stop at the lovely town of Borgarnes. Have a pizza lunch at La Colina (Hrafnaklettur 1b; tel. 354/437-0110; noon-9pm daily; entrées from 2,300ISK) and visit the Settlement Center museum (Brákarbraut 13-15; tel. 354/437-1600; www.landnam.is/eng; 10am-5pmdaily; adults 3,500ISK, students and seniors 3,000ISK, ages 6-12 1,000ISK), where you can learn about the sagas, Iceland’s rich literary and historical tales.
Evening
Driving time: 1 hour; Driving distance: 76 km (47 mi); Directions: Route 1 south to Route 49 west to Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Back on the Ring Road, drive to Reykjavík. Spend a low-key evening in the city. For sweeping panoramic city views, visit either the church tower of Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgrímstorg 1; tel. 354/510-1000; www.hallgrimskirkja.is; 10am-5pm daily) or Perlan (The Pearl) (Öskjuhlíð; tel. 354/562-0200; www.perlan.is; 9am-10pm daily).
Do as the locals do and enjoy a relaxing swim at the pool Laugardalslaug (Sundlaugavegur 30; tel. 354/411-5100; 6:30 a m-10pm Mon.-Fr i., 8a m-10pm Sat.-Sun.; 1,330ISK). Afterward, head to Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market; Aðlstræti 12; tel. 354/578-8877; www.fiskmarkadurinn.is; 5:30pm-10:30pm daily; entrées from 6,990ISK) for dinner, then to Hótel Frón (Laugavegur 22A; tel. 354/511-4666; www.hotelfron.is; from 30,000ISK) for the night.
Last Day
Reykjavík
Spend as much time in Reykjavík as possible before heading back to Keflavík for your flight. If you only have time for a quick coffee, check out Reykjavík’s oldest coffeehouse, Mokka (Skólavörðustígur 3A; tel. 354/552-1174; www.mokka.is; 9am-6pm daily; 700ISK), or pick up one of the city’s famous hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Tryggvatagata 1; tel. 354/511-1566; www.bbp.is; 10am-1am Sun.-Thurs., 10am-4:30am Fri.-Sat.; 740ISK).
Keflavík International Airport
Driving time: 50 minutes; Driving distance: 49 km (30 mi); Directions: Route 41 west to Reykjavík
Drive back to Keflavík to drop off your rental car and catch your flight back home. Congratulations on completing your Ring Road road trip!
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