Ring road and the Majestical Eastfjords: 10 Day Self-drive

10-day self-drive itinerary · winter

The ring road is a 1,332-kilometre route that circles Iceland. It's the main road that connects most of the country's population centres. The Majestical Eastfjords are a group of fjords in eastern Iceland. In this tour you’ll enjoy it all!*

The Ring Road is a 9-day self-drive itinerary that takes you all around the world's most famous ring road as well as to the Eastfjords, which are frequently overlooked by tourists to Iceland. With their towering mountains, crystal clear lakes, and wild coastlines, the Eastfjords are a truly amazing location. On this journey, you'll get to see the best of both areas, including hiking to waterfalls and seeing the Vatnajökull glacier. If you go at other times of year, you may also look for whales and watch for the northern lights. This is a great tour for anybody looking to see everything Iceland has to offer.

Day 1: Day 1

After arriving at Keflavík International Airport or in Reykjavík city, it is time to start exploring! If you landed in Keflavík, we recommend renting a car and driving into Reykjavík city center where you can explore all that the city has to offer. If you are staying in Reykjavík, make sure to walk around and see the sights such as Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, and Laugardalur park. In the evening, there are many great restaurants and bars to try out. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep, because tomorrow we hit the road!

Day 2: Day 2

The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist routes for a reason! This day we will be visiting some of Iceland’s most iconic sights such as the geothermal area of Haukadalur where you can see the erupting geysers, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir is a truly special place, not only for its natural beauty but also because it is where the first Icelandic parliament was founded in 930 AD.

Day 3: Day 3

Today we will be exploring the South coast of Iceland. Our first stop will be the town of Vík where you can see the famous black sand beaches. From there we will head to the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and the Skaftáreldahraun lava fields. The Skaftáreldahraun lava fields are particularly impressive, as they were formed by a volcanic eruption in 1783 which was one of the largest lava flow eruptions in Iceland’s history.

Day 4: Day 4

We will continue exploring the South coast today with a visit to Skaftafell geopark and Vatnajökull national park. Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier and home to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This is a truly magical place where you can see huge icebergs floating in the lagoon. We will also be visiting the Eastfjords of Iceland today. The Eastfjords are a stunningly beautiful part of the country with towering mountains, pristine lakes, and picturesque towns.

Day 5: Day 5

Today we will be exploring the Eastfjords of Iceland. Our first stop will be the town of Seyðisfjörður where you can see the rainbow walkway. From there we will head to the tiny town of Borgarfjörður Eystri which is nestled at the base of mountains. This is a great place to go hiking and enjoy the incredible views.

Day 6: Day 6

We will continue exploring the Eastfjords today with a visit to the town of Egilsstaðir. From there we will head to the Stuðlagil canyon and the Dettifoss waterfall. Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall and is truly a sight to behold. We will also be visiting the Ásbyrgi canyon which was formed by a glacier during the last ice age.

Day 7: Day 7

Today we will be exploring the Mývatn lake area. Mývatn is a truly unique place with its lava formations, mud pools, and geothermal areas. We will also be visiting the Dimmuborgir area which is full of fascinating lava formations. In the afternoon we will head to the Goðafoss waterfall and the Akureyri town. Akureyri is the capital of the North and is a great place to explore Icelandic culture.

Day 8: Day 8

Today we will be exploring the Borgarfjörður area. We will start with a visit to the Grábrók crater and the Deildartunguhver hot springs. From there we will head to the Hraunfossar waterfalls and the Barnafoss waterfall. In the afternoon we will head back to Reykjavík city.

Day 9: Day 9

Today is your last day in Iceland! If you have time, we recommend exploring Reykjavík city or the Reykjanes peninsula. Reykjanes is a UNESCO Global Geopark and is home to the famous Blue Lagoon. If you are flying out today, we recommend heading to Keflavík International Airport in the early afternoon to catch your flight.

Day 10: Day 10

Depending on your flight schedule, a part of this day can be used to explore Reykjavík city or Reykjanes peninsula. Ends at Keflavík international airport. Your Iceland adventure comes to an end.