Our 10-day Iceland itinerary uncovers what makes this land so unique: the popular sights along the ring road and the adventure of getting into the remote highlands.
Iceland is a unique destination. Perched on the mid-Atlantic ridge, where the Earth’s crust is thin, it’s a volcanic wonderland. Black lava fields drop from towering volcanos. Bubbling mud pots and sulphurous vents scar the land. Colourful mountains rise above crystal blue lakes and crashing waterfalls. It’s a stunningly beautiful country.
The ring road winds around the exterior of this island and has become a rite of passage for many road trippers. But to appreciate the power of nature and the utter desolation of this 10-day Iceland itinerary, we take a 4×4 through rivers and over rocky tracks into the central highlands. Here the crowds disappear and the hiking and landscapes are at their most magnificent.
Our 10-day Iceland Itinerary was full of incredible scenery and outdoorsy experiences. For some inspiration before diving into the itinerary, here are our favourite moments in Iceland.
10-DAY ICELAND ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day 1 / Golden Circle, striking geysirs and geothermal pools
Day 2 / Colourful hiking & 4×4 road trip to Landmannalaugar
Day 3 / Dramatic waterfalls & the Valley of Thor
Day 4 / Exploring the otherworldly Vatnajökull National Park
Day 5 / Snowmobiles & eastern Fjords meander
Day 6 / Self-drive adventure & mini hike into Askja Caldera
Day 7 / Humpback whales and the might & power of Dettifoss
Day 8 / Steaming lava fields & scenic weirdness at Krafla Caldera
Day 9 / The beautiful geothermal area of Kerlingarfjöll & Hveravellir
Day 10 / Quick stop in Reykjavík and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon
WHY GO TO ICELAND?
Exploring the uniqueness of steaming lava fields and bubbling mud pots
Bouncing across the desolate highlands in a 4×4 adventure
Hiking in unique volcanic landscapes with sulphuric vents and golden mountains
Unwinding in glorious naturally heated pools as the rain falls
Watching graceful whales and clumsy puffins entertain the crowds
Experiencing the power of nature at every turn
10-day Iceland itinerary: Stunning scenery in a volcanic wonderland
DAY 1 / GOLDEN CIRCLE AND GEOTHERMAL POOL
Start the morning at Thingvellir National Park, where the national parliament of Iceland was established in 930 CE. Explore the history and stroll along the walls of the mid-Atlantic ridge which runs through the site.
Next, head to Geysir, home to a number of spouting hot springs. The mightiest is the Great Geysir, which can hurl water 70 metres into the air. But its eruptions are very infrequent. You almost definitely have to settle for the much more active Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes spouting up to 30 metres.
After grabbing lunch in the café opposite, make your way to Gullfoss, a magnificent 32m double waterfall crashing between 70m canyon walls.
Double back, and head south to Fuorir where you will find the secret lagoon of Gamal Laugin. A beautiful hot water spring set in rural surrounds that is perfect for an afternoon relax.
If you have time, head up to Haifoss for another great waterfall, otherwise make your way onto the F26 Sprengisandur mountain road to Hrauneyjar for the night.
RELATED / TOP EXPERIENCES IN ICELAND
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
3 hour, 30 minute drive – add 1 hour for the return drive to Haifoss
Standing in the spray of spouting Geysir
STAY
TRAVEL
3 hour, 30-minute drive – add 1 hour for the return drive to Haifoss
HIGHLIGHT
Standing in the spray of spouting Geysir
DAY 2 / HIKING IN LANDMANNALAUGAR
For day 2 of your 10 days in Iceland, head into the highland area of Landmannalaugar. It is a great adventure and a truly impressive destination of colourful mountains, steaming mud pots and warm natural pools.
You will need a 4×4 to drive on the gravel mountain tracks and across small streams. It was such an impressive day, we dedicated a whole post to it. All the information and tips can be found in our Landmannalaugar day trip and hike article.
End your day at The Garage on the south coast, a great guesthouse with a beautiful setting under the cliffs.
RELATED / HIKING IN LANDMANNALAUGAR
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
Hrauneyjar to Landmannalaugar: 1 h, 20 m; Landmannalaugar to Varmahlíô: 2 h, 40 m
Hiking the Ljótipollur trail and Landmannalaugar
STAY
TRAVEL
Hrauneyjar to Landmannalaugar: 1 hour, 20 minutes; Landmannalaugar to Varmahlíô: 2 hours, 40 minutes
HIGHLIGHT
Hiking the Ljótipollur trail at Landmannalaugar
DAY 3 / WATERFALLS AND THE VALLEY OF THOR
On day 3 of your 10 days in Iceland, drive to Básar Hut and walk over the Krossa river into Þórsmörk. It is a stunning area to explore but the river crossings to Básar Hut can be tricky so take local advice before you go. If unsure, take the bus that runs from Seljalandsfoss. We had driving rain and low cloud this day so didn’t make what would have been a pointless journey.
On your return check out Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, two graceful waterfalls, before driving to Skógafoss. Walk up the steps by the waterfall and follow the path for 15 minutes. This is the start of the excellent Fimmvörðuháls trail which heads over magnificent scenery into Þórsmörk.
If you fancy a warm soak at the end of the day, park at Seljavallalaug Parking and walk for 10 minutes up the valley where you’ll find a swimming pool built into the mountain. The changing facilities are primitive, the water a little dirty and it needs to be cranked up a few degrees. But, it’s a nice scene and a fun thing to do.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
Varmahlíô -Básar Hut: 3 hours return; plus 30 minutes return to Skógafoss
Hiking up to Skógafoss and beginning the Fimmvörduháls trail
STAY
TRAVEL
Varmahlíô -Básar Hut: 3 hours return; plus 30 minutes return to Skógafoss
HIGHLIGHT
Hiking up to Skógafoss and beginning the Fimmvörduháls trail
DAY 4 / EXPLORING VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK
Begin your morning at Dyrhólaey peninsula to spot the puffins as they swoop out to sea over the black sandy beaches.
Then, stop at Vik to collect food for the day on your way to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The canyon is a bumpy 5-minute drive off the ring road, but the views as you walk up the east side of the canyon are excellent.
Next, head towards Skaftafell to explore the Skaftafell National Park. Once there, pick up a map from the office and select one of the walks. We recommend a 2 hour, 30-minute hike that takes in the black basalt rocks of Svartifoss and the remarkable views of the glacier from Sjónarnípa.
Next head to the glacial lagoons of Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón. You can get a boat on either, but we think it’s better to just watch from the edges. At Jökulsárlón make sure you check out black diamond beach.
Spend the night at Guesthouse Skalafell. It’s not exactly cheap for the standard of accommodation (not much is), but it’s local and friendly and they put on a pretty good dinner.
ICELAND / ALL OUR ICELAND ARTICLES
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
3 hour, 45 minute drive
Standing over the snarling glaciers of Vatnajökull Park
STAY
TRAVEL
3 hour, 45-minute drive
HIGHLIGHT
Standing over the snarling glaciers of Vatnajökull Park
DAY 5 / EASTERN FJORDS MEANDER
On day 5 of your 10-day Iceland itinerary, book the 9 am Glacier Jeep Snowmobile adventure. A 4×4 jeep takes you up the side of a steep cliff and gives you an introduction to a truly rough mountain road. At about 1,000m you transfer to a snowmobile to explore the glacier for the next 90 minutes.
Grab some food in Höfn before heading up the east coast making sure you take the quicker inland route. Once you have completed the long drive to Borgarfjördur, check out the puffin colony just past the town where you can get super close to these clumsy animals.
In the evening marvel at the shimmering red rhyolite mountains from one of Blábjörg Guesthouse’s hot tubs perched on the water’s edge.
Today wasn’t as good as we hoped, so check out what we would do differently at the end of this itinerary for a better suggestion.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
Skalafell – Borgarfjördur: 4 hour, 50-minute drive.
Up close and personal with the puffins
STAY
Blábjörg Guesthouse, Borgarfjördur Eystri
TRAVEL
Skalafell – Borgarfjördur: 4 hour, 50-minute drive.
HIGHLIGHT
Up close and personal with the puffins
DAY 6 / SELF-DRIVE ADVENTURE INTO ASKJA
Day 6 of your 10-day Iceland itinerary drive into the highland area of Askja. Your destination is Askja Caldera, where glacial lakes fill a magnificent crater. But the real highlight is the drive itself. A 4×4 adventure fording rivers, zig-zagging across lava fields and sliding through sand.
See our separate article about driving to Askja for all the information you need.
After Askja, head to the Fosshotel in Mývatn. It’s not cheap, but by Iceland’s standards it’s relatively good value and the restaurant delivers innovative Icelandic classics. Happy hour is from 5 pm to 6 pm.
RELATED / DRIVING TO ASKJA CALDERA
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
2 hours, 30 minutes to Mývatn; add 5 hours, 30 minutes to Askja Caldera (return)
Fording rivers and zig-zagging through lava fields as you drive to Askja
STAY
TRAVEL
Borgarfjördur Eystri to Mývatn: 2 hours, 30 minutes; add 5 hours, 30 minutes to Askja Caldera (return)
HIGHLIGHT
Fording rivers and zig-zagging through lava fields as you drive to Askja
DAY 7 / HUMPBACK WHALES AND MIGHTY DETTIFOSS
Get up early and head to Huasvík to join a 2-hour whale watching tour. Whale sightings between June and August are almost guaranteed. We saw 4 humpbacks, a family of bottlenose whales, white-striped dolphins and a plethora of puffins – a highlight on our 10-days in Iceland and one of our favourite moments.
Back in the car, drive to Dettifoss via the 864 on the eastern side, where photo opportunities are better. Just before you arrive, turn left to Hafragilsfoss, where a short walk takes you to awesome views of this waterfall.
Next head back to Mývatn and check out Hverir, a yellow mountain covered in sulphurous scars and boiling mud pots. Then, wash off the smell at Mývatn Nature Baths: a smart complex of natural pools, with great views over the countryside. Pre-order a glass of wine as you arrive.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
3 hour, 30 minute drive; 1 hour boat ride
Feeling the power of the crashing waters of Dettifoss
STAY
TRAVEL
3 hour, 30 minute drive; 1 hour boat ride
HIGHLIGHT
Feeling the power of the crashing waters of Dettifoss
DAY 8 / STEAMING LAVA FIELDS AND KRAFLA CALDERA
Start Day 8 of your 10-day Iceland itinerary at Krafla. The caldera here is impressive and worth walking around. The far side has neon green moss contrasting brightly against the crater’s red rock.
A few hundred yards away are the steaming black lava fields of Leirhnjúkur, created by volcanic activity from 1975 to 1984, giving the area a Mordor feel. Back in the car, head west stopping at Godafoss, one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Iceland.
Now you have a choice of two options to get to Blönduós where you’ll be spending the evening. Either take the fast route inland or the scenic route around the coast. If you opt for the latter, stop for a swim at Hofsós pool perched on the clifftop.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
30 minutes return to Krafla; 3 hours to Blönduós direct
Steaming lava fields at Leirhnjúkur near Krafla
STAY
TRAVEL
30 minutes return to Krafla; 3 hours to Blönduós direct
HIGHLIGHT
Steaming lava fields at Leirhnjúkur near Krafla
DAY 9 / GEOTHERMAL KERLINGARFJÖLL
Kerlingarfjöll is a small but stunning mountain range that lies deep in Iceland’s central highlands. Lurking within these snowy peaks is the geothermal area of Hveradalir, a small valley of red rhyolite mountains, steaming vents and bubbling rivers.
It’s a long 4×4 drive to Kerlingarfjöll, but the hiking and views are sensational. Finish the day soaking in the natural pool of Hveravellir and you will see why this day was the highlights of our 10 days in Iceland.
All the information can be found for this day can be found in our Kerlingarfjöll article.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
5 hour, 30 minutes return
Hiking the geothermal magnificence of Hveradalir
STAY
TRAVEL
5 hour, 30 minute return
HIGHLIGHT
Hiking the geothermal magnificence of Hveradalir
DAY 10 / REYKJAVÍK AND BLUE LAGOON
For the final day of this 10-day Iceland itinerary, head into Reykjavík. Explore the harbour, Halgríms church and the Art Museum that is spread across town and housed in the Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, and Ásmundarsafn buildings.
The shopping area around Laugavegur is attractive and Reykjavik Roasters delivers good coffee. But while Reykjavík is cute enough there is nothing unique here, so hop back in the car and drive to the Blue Lagoon.
Whereas other natural pools you have visited have been rural, the Blue Lagoon is modern, sleek and beautifully finished. It is situated in front of an industrial plant and as the steam rises, a pool bar, sauna and other buildings loom in and out of the mist. You could be in Gotham city.
Towels, lockers, 1 drink and a face mask are included in the entrance fee. Extras can be charged to a wristband and settled when you leave. It is not cheap, but in our opinion worth it. Book in advance.
TRAVEL
HIGHLIGHT
4 hour drive includes stopping at Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon
Soaking with a glass of wine in the moody steamy Blue Lagoon
STAY
TRAVEL
4 hour drive includes stopping at Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon
HIGHLIGHT
Soaking with a glass of wine in the moody steamy Blue Lagoon/p>
ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR OWN INCREDIBLE 10-DAY ICELAND ITINERARY
We believe that a little pre-planning, research, and understanding what you are looking for in a destination, will help make your travels far more successful. Here’s some further information we think you might need to plan your own 10-day Iceland itinerary.
GETTING TO ICELAND
International flights to Iceland arrive and depart from Keflavik Airport which is a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. There’s a regular bus service to Reykjavik which you can book in advance here.
GETTING AROUND ICELAND
For our 10-day Iceland Itinerary, you will be heading into the highlands on mountain roads and will need a 4×4 vehicle. You can read all about the challenges of driving on the mountain roads of Iceland here.
On the ring road, driving is easy, but beware of strong winds, as insurance often does not cover doors getting blown off. Keep an eye out for animals on the road, and if you stop for photos pull off the road.
HIRING A CAR IN ICELAND
There are many car hire companies either directly at the airport terminal or a short shuttle bus ride away. For this itinerary (to drive the F-Roads) you will need to hire an intermediate 4×4.
Iceland is a very safe country so there is no need to take out theft insurance, however, you may want to consider getting cover for sand and ash damage. We recommend making sure you have gravel insurance – it’s generally part of the standard package, but double check when you pick up the car.
BEST TIME TO GO TO ICELAND
This 10-day Iceland Itinerary takes you on 4 day trips on mountain roads into the highlands. These roads are only open in summer, opening late in June and closing in early October. July and August are optimal. These months are busy on the ring road, but as you disappear inland so will the crowds.
For all the latest information on the roads, check their official site here.
COSTS OF OUR 10-DAY ICELAND ITINERARY
The total cost of our 10-day Iceland Itinerary, for two people, was Kr 700,600. With July 2018 exchange rates of Kr 140 to the British Pound; Kr 110 to the US dollar; and Kr 125 to the Euro, this equates to:
US $6,400
GBP £5,000
EUR €5,650
Iceland is an expensive destination for food, hotels and activities. We have listed the hotels we used above but here are some other options for accommodation in Iceland. Staying in AirBnB properties with cooking facilities would cut accommodation costs and evening meals in restaurants. Camping or renting a van you can sleep in would cut costs further, but be aware Iceland can be both cold and wet, even in the height of summer.
Another option for reducing costs is to reduce the number of days on your itinerary and focus on the southeast and central areas of the country. We would be very reluctant to save costs by hiring a 2WD over a 4X4, because hiring a 4X4 is an adventure in itself and a vital part of experiencing what is unique about Iceland.
WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY
Days 5 and 6 of our 10-day Iceland itinerary did not work as we had hoped. The total driving time for day 6 to Askja was too long and the Glacier Snowmobile ride on day 5 was underwhelming.
On Day 5 skip the snowmobile and head up to the eastern fjords in the morning, spending the day exploring the area around Seyðisfjörður. Then instead of taking the long drive to Blábjörg Guesthouse in Borgarfjördur Eystri, spend the night at Mödhrudalur. This will cut the driving on day 6 from 8 hours to 6 hours and make day 5 more fun and relaxing,
BOOKING AND TIPS FOR YOUR 10-DAY ICELAND ITINERARY
Iceland is a very safe and easy country to travel in with good quality facilities. It’s a small country with a small population that sees a very large influx of travellers in summer. So accommodation, car hire and flights can get booked out early.
ACCOMMODATION IN ICELAND
Accommodation in Iceland is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. That being said, in the more populated, tourist-friendly areas booking accommodation is relatively straightforward with various options to choose from.
In the south-west of the country accommodation options are a little sparser so it’s a good idea to book well in advance. You can check current prices for all our accommodation options below.
HRAUNEYJAR / Highland Centre Hrauneyjar
VARMAHLÍÔ / The Garage
SKÁLAFELL / Guesthouse Skálafell
BORGARFJÖRDUR EYSTRI / Blábjörg Guesthouse
MÝVATN / Fosshotel
BLÖNDUÓS / Brimslód Atelier
GRINDAVÍK / Northern Light Inn
BOOKING TOURS IN ICELAND
The Blue Lagoon is a very popular attraction all throughout the year, for good reason – it’s a great thing to do. Be sure to book your tickets in advance.
It’s also a good idea to book the whale watching in Husavík at least a day or two in advance – this allows you to pick a day when the conditions are more likely to be in your favour
BLUE LAGOON / Book your tickets
HUSAVIÍK / Book whale watching
OPENING TIMES & DETAILS
Credit or debit card is accepted everywhere. There is no need for cash except for the odd gratuity box at toilets. Most natural sights in Iceland are completely free and open any time, although they sometimes charge for parking.
Gamla Laugin Secret Lagoon / 10.00 – 22:00 / Price: Kr 2,800 per person / More: All information here.
Glacier Jeeps Vatnajökull Snowmobile / 9.30 or 14:00 departure; lasting 3 hours / Price: Kr 24,000 per person sharing a snowmobile / More: All details available here.
Husavík Adventures / Sailings are every one or two hours during summer months, starting at 10:00 / Price: Kr 17,900 per person in RIB / Bookings: In advance, from here.
Mývatn Nature Baths / 9.00 – 23:30 May-Sep; 12:00 – 21:30 Oct-Apr / Price: From Kr 4,200 to 5,000 per person / More: Everything else you need to know.
Reykjavík Art Museum / 10:00 – 17:00; till 22:00 on Thurs / Price: A single Kr 1,650 entrance ticket allows access to each of the Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, and Ásmundarsafn buildings spread across Reykjavík / More: All details here.
Blue Lagoon / 7:00 or 8:00 – 21:00 to 0:00 depending on time of year / Price: Kr 6,990 basic package; Kr 9,990 premium package / Pre-book: From here.
GUIDEBOOKS & READING
We used the Lonely Planet guidebook for Iceland which contains helpful information about opening times, attractions and is generally good for restaurant recommendations.
Another great source for restaurants is Foursquare. Certainly much more reliable than Trip Advisor in searching out good food. Download the app before leaving.
WHERE NEXT?
In our 10 day Iceland itinerary we hired a 4×4 and left the tourist trail to explore the highlands. For all the information you need to know in advance about driving in the highlands, read this article. Then, read about our semi-adventurous day trips:
HIKING IN STUNNING LANDMANNALAUGAR
OTHERWORLDLY WEIRDNESS OF KERLINGARFJÖLL
If you are still deciding whether Iceland is for you, read our top experiences in this stunningly beautiful country.
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I have done pretty much the same road, but I also went to the cliffs on the west. Your pictures made want to go back there as the nature is just stunning and one of the purest I have seen. My favorite was the icebergs place but saying out loud the name is still impossible for me 😀
There’s so much to see on such a small island, it’s incredible. Yes, we missed the cliffs on the west, so we might need to go back one day!
I am so visiting Iceland after going through this post. You have some really amazing pictures, which have captured all the moments beautifully. Thanks a ton for all those tips, which am sure, anyone who is wanting to travel along the ring road, will find incredibly helpful.
Thanks very much. Hope you make it there one day as it is spectacular!
I covered most of the places you mentioned in this article during my trip last year too. I also wish I knew some of the tips you shared in this article before I went 🙂 Your pictures are absolutely amazing! They’re making me want to go there again (right away).
Thanks, Daniel. We want to go back someday as well. Glad you found it useful.
I really enjoyed your post about driving the ring road around Iceland. We did this a few years ago, in late summer when the days were long and light, and we loved it too. I love that your itinerary combines the drive with some great hiking to really see the best of Iceland’s incredible landscapes. Wonderful photos too, I particularly love the carpet of purple flowers.
Thank you! You certainly have plenty of time to pack a lot in with those super long Iceland days. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow that’s a fantastic guide to taking one of the most popular roadtrips in the world . What a beautiful country! I love the waterfalls. Would love to visit the geothermal pools in Iceland!
Congratulations on your UK blog awards entry.
Thanks very much! Yes, the waterfalls in Iceland are some of the best I’ve seen anywhere.
Iceland has been on our bucket list and what got my attention in this wonderful itinerary is the adventure of getting into the remote highlands. Got mesmerized by the views and this came across as the best road trip ever! Love the way the details have been shared here such as the travel route, distance and suggested places to stay along with the overall route and cost indications. Highlight of each destination is like a wish list! Would want to get up close and personal with the puffins, get amazing views of glaciers of Vatnajökull Park and hike the geothermal Hveradalir.
Thanks, Navita! It takes quite a long time (plus a bit of studious effort while we’re travelling) to put all these details together, so we’re so glad you found it useful. Hope you make it to Iceland one day, you won’t be disappointed.
I love Iceland and would love to return someday to complete the ring road. I visited in the summers and as we were there for 5 days could not complete the whole ring. I started in Reykjavik and went south then did the golden circle. there s so much more to see and your post gives great details. my main one to go back for is see the humpback whales. thanks for sharing
It’s quite small, but actually, 5 days isn’t enough to see everything. Hope you get to go back sometime – the whales were amazing.
I’ve been to Iceland 3 times but only for a few days at a time, so I’ve never had a chance to go out to the east side of the country. I actually thought the snowmobile excursion would’ve been fun, but I guess it wasn’t as fun as it sounded – thanks for that tip. For my next trip back to Iceland I definitely want to drive the entire ring road but would probably forego some of the hotels you stayed at for more affordable accommodations, since the country is so expensive.
That’s so cool that you’ve been there 3 times. It’s a fantastic place, isn’t it? To be honest, the snowmobile was a bit of a disappointment mostly because of the weather – it was a complete white-out so we couldn’t see a thing. I also don’t think we got very good instructions, either that or we’re just very bad drivers!
Awesome! The blue lagoon bar looks amazing!
Yes it is!
Wow I love your recommendations! I can’t believe I haven’t been to Iceland yet but I’m going there in 2019 (maybe August) and exactly for 10 days. I like that you’ve mixed a fair amount of activities, hiking areas, gorgeous landscapes and some usual tourist sites like the Blue Lagoon & Golden Circle too. The waterfalls look spectacular as does the glacier!
That’s great! You’ll love it, it’s an amazing place. Let us know if you have any questions.