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Perfect 10 Day Iceland Road Trip: A Journey to Remember
Iceland, with its surreal landscapes and unique culture, is a dream destination for every traveler. It is way more than mood, rain and waterfalls. If you time it right, you can have a beautiful summer adventure and when you’re seeking the perfect 10-day Iceland road trip, we got you. Our guide will take you through the journey of a lifetime, covering everything from natural wonders to the best local experiences. So let’s ride!
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Planning Your Perfect 10 Day Iceland Road Trip
Planning your road trip properly ensures a seamless and unforgettable adventure. It can be overwhelming so, here’s a breakdown of what you should consider:
Creating the Perfect Itinerary
Designing a detailed itinerary is crucial, but 10 days are enough to get a good first taste of this beautiful island. Ensure you include popular destinations like Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Eastfjords.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Select a reliable and comfortable vehicle for your journey. We only had a Volkswagen Polo, which was fine for us, and the ring road in summer conditions. But opt for a 4×4 if you plan to explore the rugged Highlands.
Accommodation Options
From cozy guesthouses to camping under the stars, Iceland offers a range of accommodation options to suit your preferences. In the summer months, you could also go with a camper van, but with the unpredictable weather, we decided against it. We always look for good accommodations on booking.com because it offers the best pictures, information, and reliable reviews.
Packing Essentials
Pack for Iceland’s ever-changing weather, including waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and a good camera to capture the stunning landscapes. We bought our first hiking boots and a proper rain jacket for that trip. Normally we travel with one backpack each, but for Iceland, we’ve used one big suitcase. It was hard to get all the different layers in one half of it, but it saved us money for luggage on the flight and space in our car.
Best Time to Travel
The best time for a road trip in Iceland is during the summer months, from June to August when the weather is milder, and the days are longer. But if you want to see the Northern Lights, head away from city lights on clear nights, ideally between September and April.
Prices
Iceland is the most expensive country in Europe, so prepare yourself and set up your travel budget as high as possible. In the ten days, we went out for dinner (a burger in Siglufjörður) once and paid 18€ per person for food only.
1. Reykjavik (2 nights)
Your Icelandic adventure starts in Reykjavik, the capital and cultural heart of the country. It’s the biggest city of Iceland and over 2/3 of the population lives in and around Reykjavik. We stayed in an Airbnb which isn’t available anymore. But we would recommend staying at 201 Hotel or Hótel Heiðmörk (both a bit more outside of the city, so you need a rental car), Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse (very central), Hotel Von (also central and beautiful rooms) or Lali Full Apartment and Hallgerðagata (both apartments within walking distance to the center).
Explore the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, visit the vibrant Harpa Concert Hall, and stroll through the colorful streets. We did a free walking tour to explore the city and can definitely recommend it. Don’t forget to eat a hotdog a the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur where celebrities like Bill Clinton already ate.
You can also choose to divide your time there: stay one night in Reykjavik when arriving and one night when departing. A good option for the last day is the Blue Lagoon to pamper yourself with some wellness after the road trip. Be sure to buy tickets in time as they sell quickly.
2. The Golden Circle (1 night)
The drive to the Golden Circle is around 120km or 1h 45min. You can either go on a day trip or stay in that area. We recommend staying there, then you can avoid the crowds in the evening or the next morning. We stayed at the Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse in Laugarvatn. It’s a unique guesthouse as it is inside an old school building from the 1920s. Other decent options are the Hotel Laugarvatn, Austurey Cottages, or Bjork Guesthouse.
The Golden Circle is home to the geysers, the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, and the historic Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Gullfoss waterfall, also called the golden waterfall, offers a stunning view with 2 falls which are located at a 90-degree angle next to each other. Close to the Gullfoss, there’s the most famous geyser, the Strokkur which erupts every few minutes, a true natural spectacle.
On the way to those 2 sights, you’ll find the Thingvellir National Park. It’s famous for the Silfra fissure. The fissure is the result of the North American and Eurasian plates drifting apart. It widens by about 7 mm a year and you can even dive through the crystal-clear, extremely cold waters.
3. Vik and the South Coast (3 nights)
The way to the South takes around 180km or 2h 15min. On the way there, you can take a first break at the Kerid crater, a volcano crater that appeared around 6,000 years ago. It’s very impressive and nice to walk around.
Our highlight on that day was Seljalandsfoss. Probably this will be your next stop, too. It is one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls for a reason. It’s over 60 meters high and you can walk behind it for a unique and thrilling experience. But be careful with your camera gear. All our devices gave up because it was so humid there. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot. We missed another waterfall right next to it in a cave, so if you have more time you can check Gljúfrabúi as well.
The area around Vik is famous for its dark black sand beaches and beautiful waterfalls. It was already part of a lot of movies and TV series such as Game of Thrones. We stayed at the Vik Cottages in a small cozy cabin. Another good option is The Barn which has private rooms and dorms or Hotel Vik i Myrdal. Don’t forget to explore the unique Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with the Observation deck and the Hálsanefshellir Cave. There are many black sand beaches in Iceland but this one is the most famous and one of the darkest.
The strongest waterfall in the southern parts of Iceland is Skogafoss, known for its impressive height. Standing in front of it makes you realize how powerful nature can be. When you park your car there, you can follow a metal stairway to the top of the waterfall. You’ll be rewarded with an amazing view until the ocean. But don’t just stop there. Take some time and wander around the river course and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
On the way to the Eastfjords, you’ll find the world-famous glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach. From the lagoon, loose icebergs float into the ocean and get washed up to the beach looking like diamonds. We even saw seals swimming in the lagoon. It was magical! Not so touristy, but not less impressive is the neighboring Fjallsárlón. It’s also a glacier lagoon and a bit smaller but as beautiful as its big brother.
On the way from the Vik to the glacier lagoons, you can also find a stunning canyon: Fjaðrárgljúfur. You definitely have to stop here, it feels like a movie scene. Another must-visit waterfall on your Iceland road trip is the Svartifoss. The hike to the waterfall from the parking lot takes around 1 hour one way. The waterfall itself is a narrow, 20 m high waterfall in front of an impressive three-dimensional wall of hexagonal basalt columns. You definitely have to go here on your Iceland road trip!
4. The Eastfjords (1 night)
The way from Vik to Seydisfjordur is around 470km or 6 hours. If that’s too long for you, consider staying 2 nights in Vik and book the third night somewhere close to the glacier lagoons. That’s what we did, so we stayed at the Vagnsstadir Guesthouse. Drive through the picturesque Eastfjords, known for their charming fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, and serene fjords. One of them is Höfn. We made a spontaneous spot and let the drone fly there and the views were jaw-dropping.
If the weather is good, take a few breaks to enjoy the stunning landscapes and the mountains mirroring in the lagoons. One more stop along the road would be the well-known Batman Mountain, Vestrahorn, close to Höfn. There are also some natural hot springs on the way, just keep your eyes open for the signs. Pro-Tip: You can find most of them with the app Maps.me. It’s so fun looking out for the hot springs all over your road trip and you can find real gems like this bathtub in the middle of nowhere.
After the long drive, you will be happy to stay a night in Seydisfjordur, a colorful village with Norwegian roots where cruise ships from Denmark and the Faroe Islands arrive. We stayed at Hotel Aldan. They have three different buildings: an old school, the bank, and the post office. The last one was where we had our small little room. But it’s totally enough and you can walk around the town and an excellent breakfast in their cafe is included. Another affordable option is the Hafaldan Hi Hostel (with shared bathrooms). It’s a lovely village and for all your Instagrammers out there: be sure to make a picture of the famous rainbow pathway.
Another hidden gem: On the road to Seydisfjordur is a beautiful waterfall close to the beginning of the town called Gufufoss. We let the drone fly there and took some pictures with nobody around. Iceland has over 100 waterfalls some haven’t even been discovered yet. So always watch out for another beauty along the road.
5. Akureyri & Husavik (2 nights)
On the way from Seydisfjordur to Akureyri (275km or 3h 30min), you’ll find Kathi’s favorite waterfall, the Godafoss which is just a 5 min walk away from the main street. You could also take a short detour away from the main road to stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s strongest waterfall. The size of it is just unbelievable. It’s not that high (45m) but around 100m wide! Getting there you will drive through a crazy rough area that looks totally different from what we are used to.
If the weather is on your side, you can visit the botanical gardens in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city. Relax in the local hot pools or explore the unique Christmas Garden, open year-round. We stayed at the Town Square Apartments and can recommend it. The rooms are simple and they all lead to a community kitchen. That’s important if you travel on a budget through Iceland. Other decent options include the Akureyri Backpackers or Apotek Guesthouse,
Husavik is the hub for whale watching, but you can also start directly in Akureyi. It’s an amazing experience to see humpback whales with their calves in their natural habitat. For us, it was the first time we saw those humble giants in the wild. A family company we can recommend for that is Keli Sea Tours. But you can also just check GetYourGuide for all your Iceland adventures.
After our adventure we did a small detour via Siglufjörður, one of the most northern fjords in Iceland, and stayed in the wonderful Siglo Hotel, the best hotel on our Iceland itinerary and among the best hotels we’ve ever stayed in. On the way, you can stop at Hauganes Hot Tubs. These hot springs are located right at the ocean, so if you are brave enough you can cool off in the cold North Atlantic after. Would you dare? Kevin did it, and Kathi skipped it.
6. Snæfellsnes Peninsula (1 night)
In case you have more time, visiting the remote Westfjords is a good option. It’s Iceland’s hidden gem, featuring untouched beauty, serene fjords, and dramatic cliffs. Explore the natural wonders of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and see some puffins in Látrabjarg.
If not, head straight away to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It’s a 350km or 4h 30min drive. We stayed at the Hotel Langaholt and can definitely recommend it. Here you’ll find Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most famous mountain. For us, it looks like the sorting hat from Harry Potter. You’ll have the best view when walking behind the small waterfall.
Be sure to stop at the Hraunfossar waterfall on your way back to Reykjavik. It’s still a less-known spot and the colors of the blue water in combination with the black stones are stunning! We know we want to see that one and stayed close by at the Fossatun Camping Pods. This not so well known waterfall will be a worthy end for your Iceland road trip!
Conclusion
Going on a perfect 10-day road trip through Iceland is an adventure of a lifetime. From exploring the dynamic landscapes to experiencing the unique wildlife, this journey will leave you with unforgettable memories. It was one of our best holidays ever! We will come back for sure to experience the northern lights and do a cave tour at Vatnajöküll. Exploring in summer was awesome and we would love to see the winter wonderland as well. So, pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and start the perfect 10-day Iceland road trip!
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