The Ring Road (Iceland) – Map + Attractions + Itinerary

Planning an Iceland Ring Road trip?
Below is my guide with tips and photos to help you plan your itinerary, including:

• Ring Road Iceland map,
• Best things to do, where to stop on Route 1,
• How long to plan and Ring Road itinerary tips,
• How to drive around Iceland, in Summer and in Winter…

Make the best of your time!

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Iceland:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Whale Watching

Fun activity: Swimming in Silfra Fissure

My favorite places to stay:

• Reykjavik: see best rated hotels – e.g. Vintage Boutique Hotel
• Lake Myvatn: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Laxa
• Vik area: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Vik i Myrdal

Content

Iceland Ring Road Map

How to tour the Icelandic Ring Road?

Planning your Iceland Ring Road Itinerary – Tips

Best Ring Road Attractions – things to do

Great activities along Road 1 Iceland

Accommodations along the Ring Road – where to stay

The Iceland Ring Road in Winter

Iceland Ring Road Map

What is the Ring Road?

The Iceland Ring Road, numbered Route 1, is a national road that forms a circular pattern.
It connects all the main towns on the island, as well as many popular attractions.

Map

Below is a map of the Iceland Ring Road, to help you better follow along with the guide below.
It includes the main towns along the Ring Road as well as my selection of the Top 7 attractions that are very close to the Ring Road both in South and North Iceland.

How to tour the Icelandic Ring Road?

Icelandic Ring Road Facts

• It is also called Route 1 or Road 1 or Thjodvegur
• Ring Road Distance – 1332km long (828mi)
• It is paved all the way
• It has one lane in each direction most of the time
• It has except at bridges and in a few areas with just one lane, slow down!
• It is fenced on a large portion, reducing the risks of having a sheep on the road (but not everywhere, so be careful – learn more about driving in Iceland here)
• It goes through the South Coast of Iceland, the East Fjords and North Iceland
• However it does go through the Snaefellsnes peninsula and the West Fjords – but it connect to them.
• The Golden Circle is not part of it. But Ring Road Itineraries often include a detour on the circle.

How long does it take to drive the ring road? 

Without stopping at all and staying only on Route 1, it would take you 16 to 17h to drive all around Iceland on the Ring Road

Best way to tour the Ring Road – Self-drive

Self-drive is the absolute best way to visit Iceland and tour the circle. This way you can really select where you want to go, how long you want to spend at a location and you can stop whenever you are in love with the scenery.

• In Summer and shoulder seasons, it is quite easy to drive in Iceland. There are only a few things to pay attention to such as sheep and one lane bridges- check out my articles about how to rent a car in Iceland and about driving in Iceland in Summer
• In deep Winter (Dec- Mar), if you are not familiar with driving on ice and snow, I recommend opting for an organized tour – check out my article about driving in Iceland in Winter

Need to rent a car in Iceland?

My tips:

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
• Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Organized Ring Road Tour

If you don’t want to drive and prefer appreciate the beautiful landscapes all the time (not having to watch the road lol), many organized tours are proposed. Some of them focus on the Ring Road. For example:

• a 7 day Summer guided tour of Iceland with maximum 15 personnes – check out the program
• an 8 day Winter Guide tour on the Ring Road, also in a small group (no big bus) – check out the program

Public Transportation

Buses are not very frequent, trying to complete the circle that way will be complicated. Plus you would have to hitchhike to all the attractions in between the bus stops.

Planning your Iceland Ring Road Itinerary – Tips

If you are doing a self-drive, whatever your itinerary, you will use the Ring Road a lot since it connects so many of the most popular attractions.

TIP #1 – Know the general driving time

Know the general driving time on the Ring Road (basis without stopping):

• Reykjavik to Vik – 2h30
• Vik to Höfn – 3h30
• Höfn to Egilsstadir – 2h45
• Egilsstadir to Myvatn – 2h
• Myvatn to Akureyri – 1h20
• Akureyri to Reykjavik – 4h30

Those are times under good weather conditions.
The most popular attractions are between Vik and Höfn and around Myvatn.

TIP #2 – but plan a lot more time than the driving time

If you are checking on Google how long it takes to go from A to B, always plan a bit more because you will want to stop everywhere to watch the scenery and take photos. It is absolutely stunning. However be very careful where you stop, especially along the Ring Road. Have a look, but my photos don’t do justice to those landscapes: 

TIP #3 – Don’t try to plan too much – How long the drive around the Ring Road?

It is possible to tour the Ring Road in 7 days, but in that case you have to be quite strict with where you stop or not, so that you don’t have to rush at the end and miss everything.
I think 10 days is a more comfortable trip length to tour the ring road in Iceland.

I know that it is really tempting to stop everywhere. But if you plan to see too much every day, you will hit a wall and be overwhelmed by all the things you see and will not be able to remember all.

TIP #4 – Clockwise or counterclockwise? Which direction to drive on the Ring Road?

Many people are wondering if they should drive around Iceland Clockwise or Counterclockwise.
I don’t have a clear favorite. I have driven many parts of Route 1 in both directions and it was amazing.
However, one of my favorite views while driving around Iceland was on the glaciers in South Iceland, driving counterclockwise.
And I think it is nice to finish with the easiest section of the travel, when you are a bit more tired.
So my answer is counterclockwise.

TIP #5 – Check how long days are when you are traveling

Don’t forget that daylight length varies greatly from month to month.
In Winter you have only a few hours of daylight, when in June you have almost no night. This impact a lot your sightseeing time.

• March: 10 to 13 hours of daylight
• April – May: 13 to 20 hours of daylight
• June: 20 to 24 hours of daylight
• July-August: 15 to 20 hours of daylight
• September – October: 8 to 14 hours of daylight
• Winter – November to February: 4h30 to 8 hours fo daylight

TIP #6 – Pick accommodations for best lights

To avoid driving too much at night, I recommend staying close to locations that are perfect to admire the midnight sun, the sunset, sunrise or Northern lights.
For example:

• Seljalandsfoss is great for sunset and midnight sun – check out the best rated accommodations nearby
• Jokulsarlon is great for all of those 3 conditions, especially sunset and aurora borealis – check out best rated accommodations nearby
• Lake Myvatn is fantastic for all as well – check out best rated accommodations nearby
• Godafoss is beautiful at sunset and under the stars – check out best rated accommodations nearby

Start in Reykjavik: see my selection of best hotels.

TIP #7 – Be flexible if driving the Ring Road in Winter

If traveling in Winter, be conscious that weather can change abruptly and you can have to drive slowly because of a snowstorm.
Sometimes road sections can be closed until cleared.

TIP #8 – Pack layers of clothes for all weather

Whatever itinerary you end up with, plan layers of clothes you can add and remove as your need. See my Iceland packing guide.

TIP #9 – Use my ring road travel guide to make the most of your time

You can check my itinerary suggestions for Iceland. 

Or you can plan your ideal Ring Road Road Trip with my eBooks. They include all my favorite stops with pictures and practical information about timing, things to pay attention to etc. And they also include maps that will help you locate everything and plan more easily your Iceland itinerary.

If you are limited in time and it is your first trip to Iceland, I recommend the Ring Road Guide that is focusing on the amazing attractions close to the road so that you don’t waste too much time driving. It also suggest some detours, if you have a few more days.

Plan your dream trip to Iceland with my guides!

• 8 easy-to-plan maps
• 100+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 130+ large photos 

Discover it

• 2 easy-to-plan maps
• 30 stops, 10 detours
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 70+ large photos 

Discover it

10-day Ring Road Itinerary example

• Day 1 – Reykjavik to Vik with at least Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara beach –
  Sleep around Vik – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 2 – Vik to Jokulsarlon with at least Fjadrargljufur canyon and Skaftafell National Park (and Jokulsarlon for sunset)
  Sleep around Jokulsarlon – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 3 – Jokulsarlon to Höfn with at least Jokulsarlon for sunrise, Diamond beach, (ice cave in in Winter), Fjallsarlon, Höfn peninsula
  Sleep in Höfn – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 4 – Höfn to Egilsstadir – driving around the East Fjords
  Sleep in Egilsstadir – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 5 – Egilsstadir to Lake Myvatn (Reykjahlid) – enjoy some of the Myvatn attractions
  Sleep in Reykjahlid – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 6 – Myvatn – enjoy more of the Myvatn attractions (skip in Winter)
  Sleep in Reykjahlid – check out best rated accommodations (or in Godafoss to enjoy the sunset – see hotel)
• Day 7 – Myvatn to Akureyri with at least Godafoss, Town of Akureyri and Whale watching
  Sleep in Akureyri – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 8 – Akureyri to Borgarnes with longer drive, Grabrokargigar and small detours possible
  Sleep in Borgarnes – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 9 – Borgarnes to Reykjavik and visit the capital city (alternative: Tour of Snaefellsnes peninsula or Golden Circle)
  Sleep in Reykjavik – check out best rated accommodations
• Day 10 – Visit of Reykjavik
  Sleep in Reykjavik – check out best rated accommodations

Use my travel guide to choose the stops you are most interested in each day.

Best Ring Road Attractions – things to do

It is really difficult to narrow down the best stops on the Ring Road in Iceland. After all, the whole island is mesmerizing.
The 7 locations I have selected are impressive by size and beauty. Plus I picked locations that were really really close to the Icelandic Ring Road (they can be seen from the road). 

Where to stop on the Ring Road Iceland?

#7 – Skogafoss waterfall

What is Skogafoss…

Skogafoss is a classically shaped rectangular waterfall that drops 60 meters with a width of 25 meters: a big wall of water that you can admire from up close. Or you can climb to the viewing platform.

Access Skogafoss from the Iceland Ring Road

The waterfall can be seen from Road 1 Iceland. Just turn inland and drive for a couple of minutes to reach the parking.

Why I loved it…

I love the perfect constant flow of the waterfall and the shape of the cliff surrounding it. Plus you can see it from afar, from up-close or from the top. On sunny days a rainbow appears accross it.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about the Skogafoss Waterfall

#6 – Grabrokargigar

What is Grabrok…

The Grabrokargigar craters are natural monuments preserving the 3 scoria cones which belongs to the Snaefellsnes volcanic zone. They are believed to be somewhat younger than 3600 years.

Access Grabrok from the Ring Road Iceland

The parking is right along the Ring Road North of Reykavik. It is not one of the top stops in Iceland according to most travel guides but I really enjoyed it.

Why I loved it…

It is an easy climb to the top of a volcanic crater. I also really enjoyed watching their perfect circular shapes from the ground and their colors.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about Grabrok

#5 – Godafoss

What is Godafoss…

Godafoss is and elegant horseshoe shaped  waterfall which drops from a height of 12 meters and has a big rock separating the flow in the middle.

Access Godafoss from the Ring Road Iceland

Once again another one you cannot miss. It is a clear stop on Route 1 between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn. The parking is well indicated near a petrol station.

Why I loved it…

I enjoyed the different view points on both banks, especially being able to walk down to its base on one side where you really get blown away by the semi-circular shape. It is a great spot for sunset.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about Godafoss

#4 – Hverir

What is Hverir…

Hverir is a geothermal area with at the foothill of Namafjall. Features include colorful sulphurous mud springs, steam vents, cracked mud and fumaroles. It is also called Hverarönd.

Access Hverir from the Iceland Ring Road

If driving from the East, you will spot the Hverir geothermal area before Lake Myvatn. You can see the fumaroles from Route 1.

Why I loved it…

Some say that compared to Wai-o-tapu in New Zealand or Yellowstone it is rather average but personnaly I disagree. Although there are less features and less colors in the pool, I think Hverir and its bare landscape makes the experience surreal which is what I love. If it weren’t for the other tourists, I would have felt like I landed on another planet.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about Hverir

#3 – Seljalandsfoss

What is Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most popular waterfalls water drops 60 m. It is not beautiful from the front but its particularity is that you can walk behind it.

Access Seljalandsfoss from Route 1

As you drive East from Reykjavik, Seljalandsfoss is the first stop for many visitors. Turn inland on a short drive from the Iceland Ring Road to a well indicated parking.

Why I loved it…

Once behind you really understand why it is such a touristic place. The flow of water is stunning and the sound impressive.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about Seljalandsfoss

#2 – Jokulsarlon lagoon

What is Jokulsarlon…

Jokulsarlon is a lagoon filled with water and icebergs from the glacier behind. Road 1 even has a bridge that let you drive above them.

Access the Jokulsarlon lagoon from the Iceland Ring Road

You absolutely cannot miss it. As you drive on the Ring Road you get on a bridge with a glacier inland and icebergs floating under the bridge!

Why I loved it…

Big icebergs floating just in front of you with the glacier in the background… what is there not to like? And as the tides get lower, it is very impressive to see all those huge chunks of ice move quite fast towards the sea and sometimes break down.

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about the Jokulsarlon lagoon

#1 – Diamond beach

What is Jokulsarlon Beach

The black sand beach is formed from a volcanic rock. When the lagoon release icebergs through the channel, some of them can be pushed towards the coast and end up on the black sand of the the beach. 

Access the Jokulsarlon beach from the Iceland Ring Road

Just opposite the lagoon parking, drive towards the beach

Why I loved it…

The ice, opaque white, black or deep blue contrasts with the white waves and the black sand making this location very unique. I love its popular name: Diamond beach

Discover more photos, info and planning tips on my dedicated article about the Jokulsarlon Beach

BONUS – 4 great stops very close to the Ring Road

Dimmuborgir lava field

PseudoCraters of Lake Myvatn

Reynisfjara black beach (here in Winter)

The roads around the East Fjords (here in Winter)

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But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

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Great activities along Road 1 Iceland

If you want a break from the driving and want to enjoy something a bit different, consider the following activities on your Ring Road Tour :

Boat ride on Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Enjoy a boat tour to get really close to the icebergs and to the Glacier tongue.
Departure from Jokulsarlon lagoon.
Check out details and availability

Ice Caves (in Winter only)

Discover one of the most amazing places to see in Iceland in Winter: the crystal cave. Where the ice is sparkling and intense blue. Unforgettable!
Departure from Jokulsarlon lagoon.
Limited spots.

Check out options

Glacier Hike

Discover the world of glacier. How they move, what they look like once your are on them. This is an impressive world.
It is possible in summer and in Winter.
One of the most popular departs from Skaftafell visitor center.

Check out details and availability

Whale Watching

North Iceland is the best places to see whales around Iceland. Tours depart all year round.
Departure from Akureyri.

Check out details and availability

Snowmobile (Winter only)

Adrenaline and incredible views.
From December to April.
Departure from Akureyri.

Check out details and availability

Horse back riding

Just you, the horse and the landscapes. A majestic way of exploring North Iceland.
Departure from many places

Check out details and availability of this one from Reykjavik

Accommodations along the Ring Road – where to stay

Considering Route 1 is connecting all the main towns, you can easily find all kinds of accommodations there.
But you can also check around, for great guesthouse or farm stay in between those towns.

Some of my favorite accommodations were:

Reykjavik Treasure B&B

In Reykjavik the Treasure B&B was really well located and charming. The hosts were great and breakfast delicious.

See more photos and availability

Hotel Katla – close to Vik

Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka, close to Vik but more in nature, with large comfortable rooms.
I really enjoyed being able to walk inside then nearby fjord early morning when it is all quiet.
I stayed both in Summer and in Winter and enjoyed the location.

See more photos and availability

Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

The Dimmuborgir Guesthouse by Lake Myvatn. One of my favorite accommodations in Iceland.
I love how close it is to the lake and all the lava rocks around. So peaceful!

See more photos and availability

Where to stay in Iceland?

My favorites:

• Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
• Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
• Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
• Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
• Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
• Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
• Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
• Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations

See our article on where to stay

The Iceland Ring Road in Winter

Driving around the Iceland Ring Road in Winter

The Ring Road Iceland is normally the most accessible road in Winter and gets cleared quickly. However with the crazy changing weather of Iceland you could still get blocked by a snow storm.

I strongly recommend keeping blankets in the car. Or at least thermal blankets which don’t take much space (see them on Amazon).

Read my article (with video) about driving in Iceland in Winter.

Best stops in Winter

All the attractions very close to the Ring Road remain accessible in Winter. 
As they are very close to the Icelandic Ring Road , all the 7 stops identified here are accessible in Winter.
They are all as fascinating and  magical.
Below you can see Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss under the snow.  Don’t forget to wear ice-grips on your shoes (see them on Amazon).

However one of the highlights of all Winter trip to Iceland are ice caves. See my article about them.

Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide

• 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
• 75+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
• Winter tips to make the most of your time
• 115+ original photos to help you choose

Discover it!

Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?

• Tips to plan your Iceland road trip – read article
• Tips to rent a car and drive around Iceland – read article
• Itinerary suggestions – read article
• 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures – read article
• The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
• 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article

Planning a trip to Iceland?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip to Iceland with my guides!

• 8 easy-to-plan maps
• 100+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 130+ large photos 

Discover it

• 2 easy-to-plan maps
• 30 stops, 10 detours
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 70+ large photos 

Discover it

And keep track of your own trip!

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