Can you really drive Iceland’s Ring Road in 7 days? I did it last July. The short answer: yes, but you’ll make some hard cuts. You skip the Westfjords entirely. You don’t hike every trail. You accept that some days are 6 hours of driving.
This itinerary assumes you land in Keflavík, pick up a 4×4, and drive counterclockwise. That’s the smart move — you hit the dramatic south coast first, when your jet lag is worst and you’ll wake up early anyway.
Day 1: Reykjavik to Vik — The South Coast Gauntlet
You land at 6 AM. Don’t sleep in Reykjavik. Grab breakfast at Brauð & Co. (their cinnamon roll is the best in Iceland), then drive straight east.
Your stops, in order:
- Seljalandsfoss — walk behind the waterfall. You will get soaked. Bring a waterproof jacket. The Columbia Watertight II ($90) is light and packs small.
- Skógafoss — 60m drop. Climb the stairs on the right for a view from above.
- Reynisfjara black sand beach — do NOT turn your back on the waves. Sneaker waves kill people here. Seriously.
End the day in Vik. Stay at Hotel Kría (about $220/night in summer). Their buffet breakfast starts at 6:30 AM — useful for an early start.
Mistake I made: I tried to squeeze in Þingvellir National Park on day 1. Don’t. It’s 90 minutes in the wrong direction. Save it for your last day near Reykjavik.
Day 2: Vik to Höfn — Glaciers, Ice, and the Best Lobster Soup
This is the most scenic driving day of the trip. 3 hours of road time, but you’ll stop constantly.
| Stop | Why | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon | 2km walk along a mossy canyon. Looks like a movie set. Because it was — Game of Thrones filmed here. | 45 min |
| Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon | Floating icebergs. Seals swim here. Take the Zodiac boat tour ($75) — it gets you close to the glacier face. | 1.5 hours |
| Diamond Beach | Icebergs washed up on black sand. Photograph at sunset if you can time it. | 30 min |
Lunch at Hafnarbúðin in Höfn. Their langoustine soup ($28) is the best meal I had in Iceland. Rich, creamy, loaded with tail meat. Skip the touristy Pakkhús — Hafnarbúðin is better and cheaper.
Stay at Fosshótel Vatnajökull ($200/night). Rooms are basic but clean, and the breakfast spread is solid.
Day 3: Höfn to Egilsstaðir — The Longest Drive
This is the grind day. 4.5 hours of driving with minimal stops. The landscape shifts from glacial plains to highland desert to green valleys. It’s beautiful but monotonous.
What you do:
- Stop at Stuðlagil Canyon — a 30-minute walk to basalt columns above turquoise water. Park at the farm parking lot (500 ISK, about $3.50).
- Skip the Eastfjords if you’re behind schedule. The fjords are pretty but the road winds endlessly. I lost 2 hours here and regretted it.
Stay at Icelandair Hotel Herad in Egilsstaðir ($180/night). The restaurant serves a decent lamb stew. Buy snacks at the Bónus grocery store across the street — it’s Iceland’s cheapest supermarket.
Day 4: Egilsstaðir to Mývatn — Waterfalls and Volcanoes
Short drive day — only 2 hours. But pack it full.
Detour worth taking: Dettifoss — Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The east side access road (Route 864) is gravel but fine for a 2WD. The west side (Route 862) is paved. Both lead to the same viewing platform. You’ll feel the spray 100m away.
Then head to Mývatn Nature Baths ($60). It’s the Blue Lagoon without the crowds and the $100 price tag. The water is milky blue, 36-40°C, and the silica mud masks are free.
Mistake to avoid: Don’t visit the Blue Lagoon on your last day. It’s overpriced ($100+), crowded, and the same water as Mývatn. Save your money.
Stay at Fosshótel Mývatn ($210/night). Ask for a room facing the lake.
Day 5: Mývatn to Akureyri — Whales and the Capital of the North
Drive 1 hour to Akureyri, Iceland’s second city. It’s small but charming. Walk the botanical garden (free), then take a whale-watching tour.
Which tour company: Húsavík Whale Watching is 45 minutes north of Akureyri and better. They guarantee sightings or you get a free re-ticket. I saw 3 humpbacks and a pod of white-beaked dolphins. Cost: $85 for a 3-hour tour.
Lunch at Bautinn in Akureyri — their fish and chips ($22) is fresh, not greasy.
Stay at Hotel Akureyri ($190/night). It’s central and has free parking.
Day 6: Akureyri to Reykjavik — The Long Haul Back
This is the second grind day. 5 hours of driving, mostly through farmland and lava fields. Break it up:
- Hvítserkur — a 15m rock formation that looks like a dinosaur drinking water. Quick photo stop.
- Kolugljúfur canyon — a series of waterfalls in a deep gorge. Almost no tourists. I had the place to myself at 3 PM.
- Deildartunguhver — Europe’s most powerful hot spring. It pumps 180 liters of boiling water per second. You can see it, but don’t touch.
Arrive in Reykjavik by 6 PM. Check into CenterHotel Arnarhvoll ($250/night). The view of the harbor from the top-floor rooms is worth the premium.
Dinner at Íslenski Barinn — try the fermented shark if you’re brave. I wasn’t. Their lamb burger ($28) is safe and excellent.
Day 7: The Golden Circle — What You Actually Have Time For
You have a half-day before your flight. Do the Golden Circle in this order to avoid crowds:
- Þingvellir National Park (7:30 AM) — walk the rift valley between tectonic plates. Empty at this hour.
- Geysir (8:30 AM) — Strokkur erupts every 5-8 minutes. Don’t wait for Geysir itself; it’s dormant.
- Gullfoss (9:30 AM) — the most impressive waterfall on the Golden Circle. 32m double drop.
What to skip: The Secret Lagoon, Kerið crater, and any “farmers market” shops. They’re time sinks.
Drop your rental car at Keflavík by 1 PM for a 3 PM flight. You’ll be tired, but you saw the whole ring.
One thing I’d change: I’d add a day to slow down the east coast. But if you only have 7 days, this itinerary works. Drive safe. Don’t stop on the road for photos. And pack more layers than you think you need.