10 Days in Iceland: The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary
Are you planning on spending 10 days in Iceland? After multiple visits, we think this is the perfect way to spend your time – and everything you need to know!
In our opinion, Iceland is one of the most magical countries on the planet. There’s an endless amount of things to see, absolutely gorgeous scenery, and incredibly unique experiences like ice caves, glaciers, and natural hot springs surrounded by mountains.
We’ve been to Iceland many times, from week-long summer road trips to long weekends in the north in the depths of winter, and one of the questions we get all the time is: “How long should we spend in Iceland?”
We think 10 days is the perfect sweet spot between seeing a lot of the island, without feeling too rushed or like you’re spending your entire time driving.
It’ll give you some flexibility in the winter months to account for road closures and freak weather, and it’ll give you plenty of time to explore all of the best sights on the ring road in summer.
For this itinerary, we’re going to assume you’re driving the entire ring road. This makes it most suitable for either a late spring, summer, or early autumn trip. However, if you’re heading to Iceland in winter, check out our winter itinerary here.
But for now, here’s exactly how we recommend spending 10 days in Iceland.
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Iceland Must-Do’s!
These are 5 bucket-list experiences we recommend to everyone who visits Iceland! ❤️
Things to know before you go:
Despite Iceland being one of the best road trip destinations in the world, driving the ring road often comes with a few challenges.
Here are a few things you’ll need to know before you set off:
Driving the Ring Road:
The main road around Iceland (Route 1) is paved and well-maintained, but conditions vary with the seasons. If you’re visiting in winter (Nov–Apr), make sure your rental car has studded tyres and always check road.is every day before you set off.
Check out our winter driving in Iceland guide for more info and examples.
Accommodation:
We highly recommend booking all accommodation in advance, especially in summer. Small guesthouses and remote hotels book up quickly, and some parts of Iceland have very few hotel options.
👉 Check out our guide to the best Ring Road Hotels in Iceland for all our top picks!
Fuel & Food:
Petrol stations can be very far apart in rural areas, so once you leave the south coast, we recommend filling up every time you see a fuel station.
The east and north can be super remote, and you don’t want to end up with an empty tank in the middle of nowhere!
This is similar for restaurants and supermarkets. Outside of major towns, it’s often hard to find places to eat, so we recommend having a plan for food before you set off for the day.
Our Perfect 10-Day Itinerary in Iceland
So now, let’s get right into our recommended 10-day Iceland itinerary! Here’s exactly how to spend your time and everything you need to know!
Day 1: Arrival + Reykjanes
You’ll most likely be landing at Keflavik Airport for your Iceland trip. The airport is located approximately 45 minutes from Reykjavik, and we recommend collecting your hire car here because it’s more convenient.
Today, we suggest taking it a bit easy. You may have had a long flight and an early start, so you’ll probably not want to start your trip with a long drive.
So, today, we recommend exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula and visiting Iceland’s most famous thermal spa.
🚗 We always use this car hire company to get the best deals!
The Reykjanes Peninsula
This underrated area is the same peninsula that Keflavik Airport is located in, so it’s very easy to get to once you land.
This is a very underrated part of Iceland with lots of hidden gems, and it is a really nice way to start our road trip.
We began our exploration of Iceland here on our very first winter road trip a few years back in March, and loved it.
With the exception of the Blue Lagoon, you’ll find much fewer crowds here than in the south coast and plenty of unique sights to see, including black sand beaches, geothermal areas, and stunning coastline.
👉 Check out our full guide to the Reykjanes Peninsula for all of our stops and recommendations.
Blue Lagoon
Once you’ve explored the Reykjanes Peninsula, head to the Blue Lagoon. It’s only 20 minutes from the airport and the perfect spot to relax after a long flight.
You can float in the milky-blue geothermal waters surrounded by lava fields. It’s a completely unique experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, and, admittedly, it’s touristy, but it’s also magical.
Be sure to book your tickets well in advance to guarantee you can get the time slot you want. The Blue Lagoon sells out months in advance, especially during peak times, and you’ll definitely want to cross this off your Iceland bucket list!
❤️ Book tickets to the Blue Lagoon in advance because spots will sell out!
Overnight
Tonight, we recommend either staying near the Blue Lagoon or driving to Reykjavik for the night. The Blue Lagoon has its own accommodations, but these luxury stays are quite pricey.
Alternatively, there are lots of fantastic hotels in the city centre. We’ve stayed in this hotel before, and it was fantastic.
🏨 For more options, check out our full guide to the best places to stay in Reykjavik.
Day 2: Golden Circle
For your second day of this 10-day Iceland itinerary, we’re heading to one of the most famous regions of Iceland, the Golden Circle.
Admittedly, this is another touristy part of Iceland; however, you have to see the Golden Circle at least once when you visit the country! Plus, doing this early on will give you a great taste for the stunning nature that’s to come later in this itinerary.
The Golden Circle is packed with natural wonders and is an easy drive from Reykjavik. We recommend driving the route clockwise and starting at Thingvellir, as it’ll make reaching tonight’s accommodation much easier.
We recommend stopping at the following places:
Þingvellir National Park
Your first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where you can literally walk between two tectonic plates.
We hiked a loop here and also included Oxararfoss waterfall, which we really enjoyed.
Geysir Geothermal Area
One of the most famous places in Iceland, where you can watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes.
It’s a pretty busy place with huge crowds around the Geyser, but still worth the stop. There’s a cafe, visitor centre, and shop here.
Gullfoss Waterfall
One of the most powerful waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss is incredible in both summer and winter.
In summer, you can walk all the way to the top of the waterfall to a platform where you might get soaked by the spray.
In winter, this is closed, but you can still admire the waterfall from above. There’s also a visitor centre here.
Kerid Crater
A red volcanic crater with a turquoise lake at the bottom.
This is one of the only places in Iceland with a chargeable entry fee, but it’s only around 600 ISK per person, which is about £4 or $5 USD.
You can walk around the rim of the crater or climb down the steps to the bottom.
Extra Stops
A few additional stops you may want to add on in the area include Bruarfoss, the stunning bright blue waterfall, Secret Lagoon, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, and Friðheimar tomato farm for a bowl of their delicious soup!
👉 Check out our full Golden Circle itinerary for more extra stops!
Overnight
Tonight, we recommend staying over in the Selfoss area. We absolutely love Hotel Selfoss, and it’s our go-to in this area.
It’s in a great location, has parking, is walking distance to our favourite food court, and has an on-site spa. Plus, it’s super affordable!
Day 3: South Coast: Waterfalls + Black Sand Beaches
Today, you’ll be driving to one of our favourite places in all of Iceland – the South Coast!
This is a completely beautiful part of the country, home to some of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls and beaches, along with cute towns, glaciers, and dramatic cliffs.
Southern Iceland is pretty impressive, and we have road-tripped from Reykjavik to Vik along this route again and again – and trust us, it never gets old!
Here are some of the places we recommend stopping at today:
Seljalandsfoss
This is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and one you can walk behind. It’s especially beautiful if you visit early in the morning when the sun makes the water glow orange.
This can be quite a busy stop, as it’s also on the typical tour bus route, but it’s 100% worth it.
Gljúfrabúi
Just a short 5-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss, you’ll find Gljúfrabúi.
This used to be much more of a hidden gem in Iceland – and it still kind of is, but more people know about this now. It’s tucked away inside a cave, so you’ll literally only ever find this waterfall if you already know it’s there.
During our Iceland Ring Road trip in June, this was one of our favourite waterfalls we visited.
👉 Check out the full route we drove here.
Skógafoss
Arguably the most popular and visited waterfall in Iceland, Skogafoss is the place everyone photographs on their trip here and a must on any 10-day Iceland itinerary.
It’s a very impressive waterfall, with its 60m high wall of water. You can also climb the steps for a stunning view from above.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Iceland’s most famous but also most dangerous beach, Reynisfjara, is another spot that can get quite busy, especially if your visit coincides with one of the many tour buses that come here.
It’s a beautiful beach with dramatic basalt columns and roaring waves. We’ve even seen whales off in the distance here before!
There’s also a small cafe and toilet block here, which is a great spot for lunch – their soup is delicious!
Vík
Your final stop of the day will likely be Vik, a small village surrounded by cliffs and sea stacks. This is one of the most popular villages to visit in Iceland.
There are some great things to do in Vik, and it’s one of the best places to base yourself on the south coast.
You’ll find everything you need to stock up before continuing your journey from supermarkets, to fuel stations, and plenty of restaurants too.
Overnight
Tonight, we recommend staying in Vik.
This town is super convenient and has literally everything you’ll need for the evening, including a few delicious restaurants – Black Crust Pizza, anyone?
We absolutely love these cabins in Vik, and this hotel is also fantastic.
🏨 For more options, check out all of our favourite places to stay in Vik.
Day 4: Glaciers + Icebergs
Next, we’ll be heading further east for one of the most impressive days on this 10-day Iceland itinerary. Today, includes some of Iceland’s most unique landscapes and one of our personal favourite places in Iceland.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
From Vik, today’s total drive is around 2.5 hours, but we recommend breaking up the journey with a stop at Iceland’s most famous canyon. This is about an hour into the drive, so it’s a good place to stop.
Made famous by a music video a few years back, this fairytale-like canyon with mossy cliffs and winding rivers is incredibly beautiful. There’s a short hike required to reach the viewpoint, but it’s not too tricky, and most people should be able to do it.
👉 Check out our full guide to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon for all our top tips!
Skaftafell National Park
Next, head to Skaftafell National Park.
There are a lot of great things to do here, including glacier hiking, ice caves in the winter months, and some beautiful hiking trails.
We recommend the short trail to Svartifoss waterfall. It’ll take you around 45 minutes each way, but you’ll be able to see the waterfall that inspired the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Next, visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This may just end up being one of our favourite spots on this itinerary – it’s an incredibly impressive part of Iceland.
The lagoon was formed years ago by a tongue of Europe’s largest glacier. Today, it’s Iceland’s largest lake and is full of hundreds of icebergs floating on the lagoon. It’s truly one of the most surreal places in Iceland.
TOP TIP: If you’re visiting between May and October, we highly recommend going on a glacier lagoon boat tour here. It’s truly spectacular.
Diamond Beach
Finally, head across the road from the Lagoon to Diamond Beach. This is Iceland’s second most famous black sand beach, made so by the chunks of ice that wash up on the sands here from the lagoon.
If you visit at the right time of day, you’ll see hundreds of icebergs here, glittering like diamonds in the sun – hence how the beach got its name!
It’s a very popular photography spot, especially at sunrise, so you may even want to come back here the following morning to see the sunrise.
Overnight
Tonight, you could either stay near the glacier lagoon – ideal if you want to catch a sunrise on the beach, or continue east to Hofn. If you’re not a morning person, heading to Hofn will also shave an hour off your drive time tomorrow.
Day 5: The Eastfjords
This is one of Iceland’s most underrated and remote regions. The Eastfjords are quieter, filled with winding roads, fishing villages, and dramatic mountain scenery.
They are also super remote, and you’ll find villages and small houses miles away from any other sort of civilisation. This is why we 100% recommend filling up the car to full before leaving Hofn.
It’s also quite a long driving day, but these are also some of the most beautiful drives in Iceland.
Vestrahorn
First stop at Vestrahorn. This is just a short drive from Hofn, and there are a few things to do here.
You’ll find the most incredible black sand beach framed by the famous Vestrahorn Mountains. There’s also a unique Viking Village replica from an old film set, which is super fun to walk around. A stop here should take around 1-2 hours.
Hengifoss
Next, drive further east to Hengifoss. This is one of our favourite hikes in Iceland and one of the most magnificent waterfalls we’ve ever seen.
Framed by black and red layers in the rocks, Hengifoss is quite a steep climb to reach, but the scenery is simply stunning.
You’ll also be greeted with stunning views over the mountains.
Seydisfjordur
The cute town nestled on the East Coast is well worth a walk around.
It’s mostly famous for its rainbow street leading to the pretty little blue church, but you can also find panoramic views, a lively atmosphere, some great restaurants, and even puffins near the town.
Egilsstaðir
For your final stop of the day, head to Eglisstadir. This is known as the capital of the east and is the largest town in the Eastfjord region.
It’s also worth a little wander around, and don’t miss the nearby Vök Baths, a geothermal spa floating on a lake.
Overnight
Tonight, stay in Egilsstaðir. There are many great hotels and guesthouses here, including this one, which we love. It’s also worth refuelling the car again, ready for another long drive tomorrow.
Day 6: North Iceland: Dettifoss + Lake Mývatn
In our opinion, North Iceland is seriously underrated. After spending some time in Akureyri in winter and exploring the entire region in summer, we really feel like it doesn’t get enough credit.
This place also feels like another planet. You’ll find geothermal fields, lava formations, deep canyons, and Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
Studlagil Canyon
Start the day on the east side at Studlagil Canyon. This unique canyon is mostly known for its bright blue water and basalt columns.
You can view the canyon from above, or walk right down the water’s edge for pretty epic views of it up close.
There are two sides to the canyon, and it’s important to make sure to visit the correct side – we made this mistake and ended up having to drive all the way back around to the other side!
But it was worth it – the place truly is epic!
Dettifoss Waterfall
Next, continue to the north of Iceland, where you’ll find Europe’s most powerful waterfall. This is an absolutely huge waterfall with so much power that you can feel it before you actually see it!
It’s just a short walk from the car park, and the way to the viewpoints is clearly signposted. There are several viewpoints in total, including one that lets you get right up close to the water’s edge.
Once again, you can also view this waterfall from either side. But we stuck with the main side for this, near the visitors’ car park, as the other side involves a bit of a hike.
Selfoss Waterfall
Just upstream from Dettifoss, you’ll find Selfoss. This waterfall is slightly smaller than Detiffos and not as powerful, but just as beautiful and worth the visit.
Plus, since you’re already at Dettifoss, it makes sense to make the short walk here.
Krafla Crater
Located near Lake Myvatn, Krafla is another impressive volcanic crater. It’s characterised by the bright blue colour of the water, which looks insane against the orange colour of the rock.
You can walk all the way up to the top of the crater for a pretty impressive view.
Leirhnjukur
This is a bit of a hidden gem in Iceland, but well worth a visit. It’s a unique volcanic area with boardwalks, steaming vents, and mud pots right around the corner from Krafla.
You can walk to the top to see a huge lava field and steaming volcanic pools, with volcanic craters in the distance. It’s quite a surreal landscape.
Myvatn Nature Baths
To finish off the day, head to Myvatn Nature Baths for a soak in their geothermal pool.
This is North Iceland’s answer to the Blue Lagoon, as the water is a milky blue colour and you’ll be surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
It’s much quieter than the Blue Lagoon and more peaceful for it, in our opinion.
❤️ Book tickets to Myvatn Nature Baths before slots sell out!
Overnight
Tonight, stay near Mývatn as there are some good restaurants in this area, and it puts you in a good position to start the day tomorrow. We recommend this hotel.
Day 7: Akureyri + North Iceland
Akureyri is often called the “Capital of the North”, and it’s one of our favourite cities in Iceland. We spent a very memorable few days here in January, as well as visiting in the summer on our road trip.
It’s a lovely little city, and we actually thought it was nicer to explore than Reykjavik.
Plus, there’s quite a lot to do in Akureyri and the surrounding area. Today, you’ll also be visiting Myvatn Lakes properly, which is home to some really beautiful scenery.
Hverir Geothermal Area
This is one of the most impressive geothermal areas in Iceland.
It has bubbling mud pots – some of them huge – boardwalks over steaming volcanic vents, and even rocks spouting volcanic steam which you can literally walk through!
Grjótagjá Cave
This is a small lava cave near Lake Myvatn.
It’s mostly famous for being used to film a love scene in Game of Thrones, but it’s also used to be a bathing spot for local Icelanders.
It has a beautiful lake inside with bright blue geothermally heated water.
Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Located just a short drive south of Grjotagja Cave, Dimmuborgir is a large lava field with spiky rocks, unique formations, and many rock pillars and lava caves. It’s often called the “Dark Fortress” and was formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.
It’s also rumoured that the Yule Lads from Icelandic folklore live there, and you can actually see them here at Christmas time.
There are several hiking paths around the lava field, and a visit here should take around an hour.
Skútustaðagígar Craters
This is a series of volcanic craters around the south of Lake Myvatn. You can walk along a path to view each crater and also climb up to the rim of several.
Godafoss
One of the most impressive waterfalls in North Iceland, this is another must-see during your 10 days in Iceland.
Literally translating to “Waterfall of the Gods”, this is yet another spot in Iceland that you can view from two different sides. We actually visited both sides while we were there because they’re not that difficult to get to.
We preferred the left side because you can get closer to the water’s edge, the viewpoints are slightly better, and you can actually walk down to see the waterfall up close, which we loved.
Akureyri
One of our all-time favourite cities in Iceland, next head to Akureyri.
There are some really great places to visit in this city, such as the botanical gardens, the cathedral, and don’t forget to grab coffee at Blaa Kannan Café.
We also really loved Bautin Restaurant (their burgers are delicious), so this is a good stop for dinner.
Whale Watching
One of the best things about visiting Iceland in summer is that the whale watching tours run multiple times per day and much later in the evening.
The fjords around Akureyri are one of the best places to spot whales in Iceland, and we loved our whale watching tour.
We saw a humpback whale in the depths of winter in January, so if you’re visiting in summer, you’ll likely have a much higher chance of spotting more whales.
It was truly a magical experience seeing these creatures in their natural habitat, and we highly recommend booking a tour!
❤️ We absolutely loved this whale watching tour in Akureyri!
Forest Lagoon
If you haven’t had enough geothermal pools by now, we highly recommend a visit to the Forest Lagoon.
We absolutely loved our visit here in January, and it was the perfect way to relax at the end of the day.
The views over the fjord are incredible, and the cocktails are delicious!
❤️ Book tickets to the Forest Lagoon to guarantee the time slot you want!
Overnight
Stay overnight in Akureyri. There are some great hotels in Akureyri city centre, but we stayed here when we visited and loved it.
It also has a private hot tub, which is an added bonus!
🏨 Check out our favourite hotels in Akureyri for more inspiration!
Day 8: Kerlingarfjoll in the Icelandic Highlands
Today, we’re heading into the Highlands.
This is one of the most magical places to visit in Iceland, and you’re truly going to love today. It’s an incredible landscape and well worth the long drive to reach it!
Getting to Kerlingarfjoll
This is a pretty long and, to be perfectly honest, boring drive, but it will also be your first taste of highland roads.
It’s a very bumpy and gravelly route, but this route doesn’t involve any river crossings, so it’s much easier to drive than some F-roads. Plus, as you get closer to Kerlingarfjoll, the scenery gets more and more impressive.
The drive from Akureyri is a long one, so we suggest setting off quite early in the morning. In total, it will take you around 4 hours to get to Kerlingarfjoll. However, you’ll be spending the rest of the day there, so it’s not too bad.
Hveradalir Geothermal Area
Once you arrive at Kerlingarfjoll base camp, head a further 10 minutes into the highlands to Hveradalir Geothermal Area.
This place is one of the most magical places in all of Iceland.
You’ll find orange and yellow rhyolite mountains, steaming volcanic vents, bubbling hot rivers, mud pots, snow-covered peaks and just insane scenery.
It’s a very unique landscape, and we’d never seen anything quite like this.
There are many different hiking routes here, but we chose a loop around the entire area. The views throughout the whole trail were beautiful, and it took us around 3 hours to complete.
This is honestly one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been, and we highly recommend a visit during 10 days in Iceland.
Overnight
Once you’ve explored the area, drive back out of the highlands. If you follow Route 35, you’ll end up back at the Golden Circle.
We recommend staying around this area tonight, as it was quite a long driving day, and there are a lot of great hotels here. When we did this, we stayed at this hotel, and it was affordable, comfortable, and right on route.
🏨 Check out all of our favourite Golden Circle Hotels.
Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
If you haven’t got too tired of long driving days, we recommend spending a day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula before heading back to Reykjavik tomorrow.
If you don’t fancy another long drive, you could just head back today and spend 2 days in Reykjavik – there’s plenty to do for both options, so it’s entirely up to you!
If you do decide to head to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’ll find some more beautiful landscapes along with one of the most photographed spots in Iceland.
This area is often called “Iceland in Miniature” because it has a bit of everything – black sand beaches, white sand beaches, mountains, glaciers, volcanic craters, waterfalls, and more.
👉 Check out our full guide to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula for all our top tips.
Ytri Tunga Beach
Start with Ytri Tunga Beach, which is right at the start of the Peninsula.
This place is mostly known for its colony of seals that lounge around on the sand – and if you’re visiting in summer, you have a high chance of spotting them.
Budir Church
Next, stop at Budir Church. This won’t be a particularly long stop, but this unique church is one of the most photographed in Iceland.
It’s located just a short drive from the beach and has a beautiful mountain and glacier backdrop that works wonders for photographers.
Arnarstapi Cliffs
If you love beautiful coastal walks, then Arnarstapi Cliffs tick all the boxes. These cliffs are incredibly dramatic and some of the most gorgeous coastal scenery in Iceland.
You can walk from Arnastapi all the way to Hellnar, or simply stay in the Arnastapi region for epic views and rock formations.
There are lots of birds that nest here in summer, and you’ll also be able to see iconic spots like the rock arch and the land bridge.
Djúpalónssandur Beach
This is the most famous black sand beach in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You have to walk through a narrow canyon to reach the sands, and the views from both above and below are beautiful.
You’ll also find the remains of a ship here that washed up on the beach years ago. It’s really interesting seeing the metal remains scattered on the sand and a reminder of just how powerful the ocean is.
Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss
Your final stop of the day will be Kirkjufell. This magnificent cone-shaped mountain is one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland. It’s iconic and a beautiful spot to tick off your Iceland bucket list.
You’ll also find another beautiful waterfall here, Kirkjufellsfoss.
We visited in winter, and it was partially frozen, but it’s also stunning in the summer when it’s surrounded by greenery.
Overnight
Tonight, we recommend staying in Borgarnes.
This was where we stayed on the day we visited the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and it’s a great base without having to drive all the way back to Reykjavik.
These cabins are gorgeous, and you’ll have access to a private beach.
Day 10: Back to Reykjavik
For the final day on this 10-day Iceland itinerary, drive back to Reykjavik and enjoy your final day in the city. There are loads of great things to do in Reykjavik and, even if you only have 24 hours, you can still fit in quite a lot.
Hallgrimskirkja
The most famous church in Iceland, this should be your first stop in the city.
It’s centrally located, so you’ll need to explore the streets a little to reach it, and it’s easily one of Reykjavik’s most iconic views.
Laugavegur Street
This is the most popular shopping street in Iceland. It’s one of the best places to buy souvenirs, trinkets, and local produce like Icelandic wool jumpers.
It’s well worth a wander around, and you might even end up buying something!
Lava Show
This was one of the best things we did during our time in Reykjavik and one of the most unique experiences in all of Iceland.
The Lava Show is the only show of its kind and the best way to see real molten lava up close without seeing volcanic eruptions.
The guides will show you the history of volcanic eruptions in Iceland, and then pour real molten lava into the room and demonstrate how it behaves. It’s really interesting and well worth a visit while you’re in Reykjavik.
Sky Lagoon
For your final stop of the day, head to the Sky Lagoon. This is one of Iceland’s newest geothermal pools, and we loved our visit here.
It has a warm infinity pool overlooking the ocean, but it also has the 7-step ritual, a unique spa experience featuring a sauna, steam room, body scrub, and more.
Check out our full review of the Sky Lagoon here. It’s a really relaxing way to end your trip to Iceland.
❤️ We suggest booking your tickets to the Sky Lagoon in advance, as spots will sell out!
Overnight
Tonight, either spend your final night in Reykjavik, or if you have an early morning flight, head to the airport and stay near there.
We recommend this hotel if you’re staying in the centre, and this hotel if you’re going near the airport.
And that’s the end of your 10 days in Iceland!
🏨 Check out all of our favourite hotels in Reykjavik for more options.
FAQs
Should I drive the Ring Road clockwise or counterclockwise?
It honestly doesn’t matter. Both directions are beautiful.
However, most people go anti-clockwise because then the most iconic sights come early in the trip, and you hit the longer driving days once you’re already in the rhythm.
Plus, there are a lot more accommodation options on the south side, so it’s always worth booking this section early.
Do I need a 4×4 for a 10-day Iceland itinerary?
That depends.
A regular 2WD is totally fine if you’re just planning to drive the Ring Road.
However, if you’re visiting in summer and you want to go into the highlands, like on this itinerary, you’ll need to hire a 4×4.
Also, if you’re spending 10 days in Iceland in winter (Nov–March), we also highly recommend hiring a 4×4 as it handles icy roads much better than a 2WD.
🚗 This is the car hire company we use, and we always find a great deal!
How much does a 10-day trip to Iceland cost?
This varies a LOT, depending on the season and your travel style, but most travellers spend:
- Budget: £1,000 – £1,500 ($1,320–$1,980) per person
- Mid-range: £1,550 – £2,500 ($2,050–$3,300) per person
- Comfort/Luxury: £2,600+ ($3,450+) per person
Accommodation, tours, and food are the biggest expenses. Some hotels can cost upwards of £200 per night, and tours can cost over £150 per person. Fuel also adds up since you’ll be driving long distances.
Plus, the time of year makes a huge difference. Travelling in summer, which is the only time you can access the highlands, is much more expensive than travelling in the off-season.
So, if you can handle slightly more unpredictable weather, travelling in the winter months or March, May, September, and October can significantly bring down the costs.
Where should I stay during a 10-day Iceland road trip?
For this itinerary, you’ll spend nights in:
- Reykjavik
- Vik
- Jokulsarlon or Hofn
- East Fjords
- Lake Mývatn / Akureyri area (2 nights)
- Golden Circle Area
- Borgarnes
This way keeps your driving comfortable and allows you to see much more.
However, changing accommodations every night can be a faff, so if you’d prefer not to do this, you could always extend your time or spend 2 nights per place.
Is 10 days enough to see Iceland?
Yes, 10 days is actually one of the best lengths of time to explore Iceland. This is exactly what we recommend for a Ring Road itinerary – any less than this, and you may end up missing places.
We have done the Ring Road in 7 days before, but we had already visited Iceland 3 times before this, so we were happy to skip areas like the Golden Circle and were purposefully going off the beaten track a bit.
We’ve also spent 7 days exploring just the south coast because there’s so much to do!
10 days gives you enough time to drive the entire Ring Road at a comfortable pace, visit the Golden Circle, explore the South Coast, and even add in detours to places like the Snaefellsnes and Reykjanes Peninsulas.
Admittedly, Iceland is so vast that you still won’t see everything, but you’ll see far more than most travellers do and be able to do so at a comfortable pace.
In our opinion, this is the ideal itinerary for a first-time trip to Iceland.
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👉 Need somewhere to stay? Check out our guide to the best Ring Road Hotels in Iceland for all our top picks!
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