For 10 days in October 2021, we were lucky enough to visit the beautiful country of Iceland and complete a full ring-road trip around the island. Here is our complete itinerary (with prices)!

You can view all of the places mentioned below as well as some additional extras, campsites, fuel stations and more in our complete FREE Iceland Ring Road map.

Day 1

We arrived in Iceland at around 6 am and came straight off the flights to huge queues for immigration. It took us around 1.5 hours to get through immigration and passport control. We needed to present at various stages; our passport, vaccination card, antigen (or PCR) test and our passenger locator form. 

Once we’d actually got into Iceland we waited for half an hour in the arrivals hall for the Kuku Campers pickup service. We hired our van from Kuku Campers and they had very kindly offered to pick us up for free from the airport. 

We arrived at Kuku Campers office at around 9 am and the process there was very straightforward. They went over some of the terms of the insurance for the van, offered us some additional insurance packages (definitely take the glass chip protection insurance!), we signed some paperwork and we were on our way!

After over 24 hours of travel, it was safe to say we were shattered! So we headed to Netto to grab some food (they have some great vegan choices) and then headed to a shopping mall to buy some pillows because we forgot to rent some with the van! After this, we headed to our campsite for the night. 

Mosskogar camping

We stayed at Mosskogar camping - a beautiful little campsite just north of Reykjavik. It’s a small, family-owned site with some excellent facilities. The toilets and showers were exceptionally clean and well maintained and the communal cooking area was well stocked and again very clean. 

Price: 2000 Icelandic Krona per person per night 

Day 2

Geldingadalir volcano

This was when the adventure really began! We headed straight from Mosskogar camping to Geldingadalir volcano. Sadly, when we visited the volcano had stopped erupting but it was still 100% worth the trip. You get the chance to walk along the now cool lava flows, just be mindful that the volcano is still leaking out gasses (at the time of writing) so be careful and stay safe!

Note: parking at the volcano cost: 700 Icelandic Krona

Ægissíðufoss Waterfall

From Geldingadalir volcano, we headed east towards Ægissíðufoss Waterfall. Ægissíðufoss Waterfall is slightly off of the beaten track and so is usually quiet and not filled with tourists. It’s easily accessible from the main road but be aware that the short road down to the car park is in poor condition. We were fine getting down there in our van but take it steady and be aware of the potholes!

Icelandic horses

Around 500 meters or so from Ægissíðufoss Waterfall, we’re some beautiful Icelandic horses! We stopped to say hello and feed them some grass. Icelandic horses are often very friendly and calm in temperament- if you stop by the side of the road to say hello they will often come over to greet you too. 

Caves of Hella

Next stop was a fantastic tour of the Caves of Hella. This collection of endearing man-made caves is sure to leave you with more questions than answers! Not too much is known about the caves history or their origin: all we really know is they are man-made and may, possibly, outdate the arrival of the Vikings to Iceland. 

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui

Our next stop was Seljalandsfoss. This is the famous waterfall that you can actually walk behind! 

Something a lot of tourists miss is the opportunity to visit Gljufrabui at the same time as Seljalandsfoss. Gljufrabui is a beautiful, slightly more hidden waterfall only a short walk down from Seljalandsfoss. From Seljalandsfoss simply walk left and continue along the path until you reach the end. Here there is a small, cave-like entrance that will take you to the hidden waterfall!

Skogafoss

Next, we visited Skogafoss. This is possibly the most famous waterfall in Iceland and you should be prepared to get wet! The splash from this huge waterfall is insane. If you want to, you can also walk up the side of the waterfall to get a view from the top. We didn’t do this as it was starting to get dark by the time we arrived but would recommend it if you have the time. 

Vík tjaldsvæði (Vik Camping)

We camped out at Vík tjaldsvæði (Vik Camping) for the night. It cost 1750 Icelandic Krona per person, so a little cheaper than our day one site and it had some great facilities including showers, toilets, free wifi and a communal kitchen. 

Day 3

Reynisfjara Beach (Black Sand Beach)

We started our day at Reynisfjara Beach (Black Sand Beach). I’d recommend getting here early if possible as it does get super busy. Also be sure to check the tide times as at times the tide comes in quite a way and you may be unable to reach some parts of the beach. 

Hjörleifshöfði hellir/Hjörleifshöfði Cave

Our next stop wasn’t actually one we had planned but we stumbled upon it by accident when looking at the map and thought it seemed worth the slight detour. Hjörleifshöfði hellir/Hjörleifshöfði Cave is is huge cave, believed to be 20 to 30 meters high. We enjoyed it because we though the outline of the cave looked a little like Yoda!

Scenic Green Lava Walk (Kirkjubaejarklaustur)

Then we stopped for a Scenic Green Lava Walk (Kirkjubaejarklaustur) across some old lava fields. The lava fields turned green after the rock retained enough heat for moss to grow all across the lava rock. You don’t need to spend long here but it’s definitely worth a stop for the “out of this world” scenery. 

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Fjaðrárgljúfur is a slightly lesser known attraction than some of the other sites in the area. This huge, dramatic canyon is beautifully formed with contrasting dark rock against foaming waters and verdant moss. Though the valley was only formed at the end of the last ice age approximately 10,000 years ago, the bedrock here is much older, dating back two million years. It’s a popular location among photographers and should definitely be on your Iceland bucket list!

Systrafoss Trail Head

This is another more unknown hidden Iceland gem! Systrafoss Trail Head is a great short but still challenging hike up a stunning little waterfall. The hike can be found on AllTrails here. Or you can use my handy Iceland Itinerary Map at the top and bottom of this article to find the hike.

Lunch at Systrakaffi in Kirkjubæjarklaustur Village

It’s safe to say we were definitely hungry after the Systrafoss mini hike and so a stop at Systrakaffi was exactly what we needed. I stumbled across this place on Happy Cow and wasn’t disappointed. I had an excellent vegan burger and fries and there were plenty of other options if burgers aren’t your thing! 

Dverghamrar

After lunch it was on to one of the most stunning rock formations in Iceland called Dverghamrar (The Dwarf Cliffs).  Dverghamrar is around 10 km east of the Kirkjubæjarklaustur village right on the Ring Road and is apparently home to both Dwarves and Elves according to folklore. 

Day 4

Diamond Beach

We started our day at the infamous Diamond Beach. Here large chunks of ice wash up onto the beach creating a stark contrast between the shimmering ice and the dark black sand. This happens as a result of glacial ice breaking off of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacial tongue into the famous Jökulsárlón Lagoon (see next stop). This ice that collects in Jökulsárlón Lagoon then slowly makes its way out into the sea. The whole process breaks up these huge chunks of glacial ice into thousands of incredible smaller blocks that wash up on the jet black sand of Iceland’s east coast.

Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon)

Just across from Diamond Beach is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Jökulsárlón is Icelands deepest lake with a maximum depth of 248 meters! Packed with icebergs in various shades of white and blue, the extraordinary scenery at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is sure to take your breath away.

Folaldafoss & Hænubrekkufoss waterfalls

Slightly off the beaten path, Folaldafoss & Hænubrekkufoss are not the easiest waterfalls to get to but are definitely worth the, perhaps not so easy, drive. The road up to these waterfalls is very bendy and in many places is only large enough for one vehicle (and there are no road markings). If you’re a confident driver, however, Folaldafoss & Hænubrekkufoss are worth visiting. 

Litlanesfoss

Litlanesfoss is a large, 30 meter tall waterfall beautifully situated overlooking Logurinn lake. The drive down to Litlanesfoss from Folaldafoss & Hænubrekkufoss was simply stunning with gorgeous autumn colours throughout the drive. Once you arrive at Litlanesfoss Car Park, you’ll need to hike around 2.5km of fairly steep terrain to reach the top. Sadly, when we went it was very wet and there were exceptionally strong winds so we decided to turn around at around the 2.1km mark. We still got a great view of the waterfall and the hike, even to this point, was definitely worth it but check the weather conditions before you do. 

Camp Egilsstadir and Egilsstadastofa

We settled for the night at Camp Egilsstadir and Egilsstadastofa Visitor Center. This camp site is only around 25 minutes from Litlanesfoss and costs just 2000 per person. They have all of the usual facilities here (showers, toilets, communal cooking facilities, wifi etc) but note you must book and pay for the site in advance. I did manage to do this very last minute however and get a spot as we were on our way towards the site. 

Day 5

Borgarfjarðarhöfn (Puffin Watching Spot)

We didn’t make it to Borgarfjarðarhöfn (Puffin Watching Spot) during our visit as we visited in October and the puffins are only on the island from April to September. If you visit during Summer, I’d advise making a quick stop at Borgarfjarðarhöfn to get a glimpse of the beautiful creatures. 

Krafla (Crater)

Our first day 5 stop was to Krafla. Krafla is a volcanic caldera of about 10 km in diameter with the famous crater bring located at the epicenter of the system. The crater is free to visit and usually you can drive most of the way up, however, when we arrived there was a 30 minute hike to the crater due to the road being closed on the way up. 

Hafragilsfoss

Hafragilsfoss is one of the lesser visited waterfalls in Iceland but is well worth a stop at if you get the chance. The waterfall flows downstream from Dettifoss, and while Hafragilsfoss might not be quite as impressive as the famed Dettifoss, the lack of crowds and stunning scenery make this waterfall a must visit. 

Stayed at Icelandair Hotel

For our fifth night we stayed at the Icelandair Hotel in Mývatn. We stayed here in part because the heater had broken in our van and we couldn’t get it fixed until the next day but also because we craved warmth and a cost bed for the night! 

Day 6

Skútustadagrig pseudo craters

Skútustadagígar is the area South of Lake Myvatn around the pond Stakholstjorn where the famous pseudocraters can be found. The pseudo craters were only a short drive from the Icelandair Hotel making them a perfect morning stop before heading to the garage to have our heating fixed. 

Goðafoss

The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. If possible, try to visit early in the morning before the crowds, or even head to the waterfall in the evening; if you’re lucky, you might even see the northern lights. 

Geosea - Geothermal Sea Baths

The Geosea Baths were the first baths or hot springs we visited on the island, and there were incredible. 

“GeoSea is not only a world-class geothermal bathing mecca — it is an experience that taps into the historical roots of a small fishing town in North Iceland that has harnessed the earth's geothermal waters for centuries. It is a rare union of mineral-rich seawater and heat from the Earth's core. Perched along a western-facing cliffside that overlooks the Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle to the north, our baths provide the ultimate vantage point for whale watchers and for those seeking the northern lights.”

Husavik Campground

We spent the night at Husavik Campground. As we visited in October, the campsite was closed but we were able to stay the night anyway.

Dinner at Gamli Baukur

Finding vegan food in Iceland was surprisingly easy. Using Happy Cow, we were able to find restaurants with vegan food all across the island. While in Husavik we ate dinner at Gamli Baukur; they had only one vegan option which was a burger and fries but it was really good and filling. 

Day 7

Whale Watching with Gentle Giants

We started our Saturday with a 9:45am Whale watching trip with Gentle Giants. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales on this occasion but the company do offer a free voucher for another trip if you go on a tour where no whales are seen. We hope to be able to utilise our voucher when we re-visit the country next year. 

Camping at Sæberg HI Hostel

From Husavik, we drove straight to Camping at Sæberg HI Hostel. This beautiful campsite is situated right by the ocean where seals are known to frequent the area. You can relax in the outdoor hot tub while watching the curious creates from only a few meters away. 

Price: 1500 Icelandic Krona per person per night

Day 8 - Snaefellnes Peninsula

During day 8 we headed to the Snaefellnes Peninsula, however, the weather took a dramatic turn for the worse and we only ended up visiting and handful of spots. I have included all of our planned spots on this list so you don’t miss out, but please note, I only have photos of a few of the spots due to not being able to visit them all. 

Berserkjahraun lava field

Berserkjahraun is a 4000-year-old lava field situated on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It covers the western part of Helgafell, between the towns of Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður. Due to its vast area you can view the lava field from the road, or alternatively, you can stop off at one of the parking points along the way to snap a few photos and take a short walk around some of the lava field. 

Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellsfoss (“Church Mountain Falls”) was a short but very well-situated waterfall near the distinctive Kirkjufell mountain. There is no hike here as the waterfall is basically roadside, so if you hit poor weather, you can still take in the beauty without having the leave the comfort of your vehicle! 

Kerlingarfoss

This beautiful 60 meter high waterfall is located between Ólafsvík and Rif, along road 574. 

Saxhóll Crater

Saxhóll is one of the most popular craters on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and is one of the peninsula's best examples of an extinct volcanic crater. The crater is almost roadside, making it easily accessible and it has a walking path and steps.

Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull National Park is the first national park to stretch from the top of the mountain and all the way down to the ocean. The Park is open all year long and is definitely worth a visit if you make your way over to the Snaefellnes Peninsula.

Vatnshellir Cave

Vatnshellir Cave is an 8000 year old lava tube created by volcanic eruption from a nearby crater in the Purkhólar crater family. You can book 45 minute guided tours tours of the cave through companies such as Summit Guides.

Londrangar View Point

Londrangar View Point is a beautiful coastal viewpoint, worth a visit if you have time. Honestly, I would’t put this super high on my itinerary but if you’re in the area and have a spare few minutes, its definitely worth a visit. 

Bjarnarfoss

Surrounded by green fields and tall mountains in the background, Bjarnarfoss waterfall is an impressive waterfall right by road 54.

Ytri Tunga Seal beach

I’ll be honest; we didn’t spend long here. Not because it wasn’t worth the visit (it was!) but because the weather was so bitterly cold we cound’t bear to stand on the beach and watch the seals for more than a few minutes. Ytri Tunga Seal beach is known for its high seal population and you should be able to see different types of seals here pretty much all year round. Also, interestingly, unlike many of the beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga has golden sand, rather than black. 

Gerðuberg Cliffs

Gerduberg is a cliff with incredible geological formations defining it. A half a kilometer cliff of hundreds of basalt column stacks standing like an army of pillars in a side by side row.

Airbnb

This night we booked and Airbnb as we desperately needed somewhere to wash our clothes and unbeknown to us, there are no self service laundromats in Iceland!

Day 9

Through day 9 and 10 we headed into the golden circle. We skipped out on the Blue Lagoon deliberately as despite it being a major tourist attraction here, we weren’t super keen on going and didnt feel like we’d have missed out by not going. Perhaps we’ll take a day trip there from Reykjavik instead!

Þórufoss

Þórufoss is a beautiful 18m waterfall that is situated close to Þingvallavatn lake. Its easily accessible from the road and is one of the lesser frequented waterfalls by tourists so you can generally avoid the crowds here.

Laxfoss

Another smaller, lesser known waterfall is Laxfoss. Laxfoss translates to “Salmon waterfall” and this waterfall is definitely better known among fisherman than among tourists. It’s not the most impressive waterfall in Iceland but if you’re in the area and have a spare few minutes its worth a stop. 

Fossarétt

Fossarétt is a nice little waterfall in the river Fossá on the way to the amazing Glymur waterfall. The waterfall is located along road 47 and is easily accessible from the road. 

Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It's known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries and this is also the place you can see where the North American and European plates meet. There are several car parks but the one closest to the church is generally the best. 

Kerid Crater

Kerið is a crater lake about 15 km north of Selfoss just off Route 35. The red crater is famed for its bright red rock striking against the green of the water in the crater. 

Price: 400 Icelandic Krona per person

Laugarvatn Fontana 

If you have time and want somewhere to relax for a while, Laugarvatn Fontana is a relaxing retreat in the beautiful natural wilderness of Iceland. They also offer traditional bread making classes (usually held twice per day) and advanced booking via their website is advised. 

Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng

Famed for its use in season 4 of Game of Thrones, Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng is a reconsutction of a viking-era farmstead. Sadly, when we arrived here it was closed so we could only see the outside of the buildings, but if you visit when its back open in the summer you’ll be able to go inside and really experience how a viking would have lived here. 

​​Hrunalaug Hot Spring

Once one of Icelands best kept secrets and now a tourist haven, ​​Hrunalaug Hot Spring is a privately owned hotspring located just 5 minutes off of the Golden Circle. If you’ve already done some research for your Iceland ring road trip you’ve probably already seen this cute little hot spring in videos and blogs! It’s become quite the attraction! We arrived at around 4pm and it was packed. So busy infact we didn’t go in and instead decided to leave and head to our campsite for the night. There is always next time, right?

Price: 1000 Icelandic Krona per person

Camping at Giser Camping (free as it was closed for winter)

On this night we stayed at Giser Camping. It was free as it was closed for the winter but was conveniently located next to our first stop for the next day and the cafe in the visitor centre had a good range of vegan food if you want to get something before bedding down for the night. 

Day 10

Strokkur

Strokkur, also known as “The Mighty Geyser” is probably the most famous geyser in Iceland and typically erupts every 6–10 minutes. It’s easily accessible down route 35 before the road becomes F35. There is ample parking and a lot of on-site facilities including; toilets, a cafe, a hotel and a gift shop. 

P.S The cafe located at the geyser site has vegan coffee and cake!

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The waterfall is located in the canyon of the Hvítá river in southwest Iceland and is within the “Golden Circle”. Gullfoss is popular for a reason; it’s huge, it’s powerful and it’s simply spectacular. 

Brúarfoss Waterfall

Sadly, we didn’t quite make it to Brúarfoss Waterfall. From the parking there is a 3km walk up to the waterfall, however, the path was extremely muddy and we we’re ill equipped with the wrong shoes for the hike. We decided to turn around at the 1km mark and not go any further. Be prepared for poor quality paths on some of the less touristy routes especially during the winter.  

Friðheimar

If you’ve already done some research for your Iceland Ring Road trip, you may have already stumbled across Friðheimar. Friðheimar is a well-known family-run restaurant offering tomato-based dishes from onsite greenhouses. I’d definitely recommend booking this one in advance as it gets very busy all year round. 

You can view all of the places mentioned above as well as some additional extras, campsites, fuel stations and more in our complete FREE Iceland Ring Road map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=64.15053712662062%2C-20.531350884349084&z=9&mid=1Cjvcxh1mx-abRKozCXKy-DKFmaal2-B5 

This concludes our epic 10 day Iceland Ring Road trip! I hope you found this useful and informative and if you decide to use our itinerary for a trip of your own do let us know how you find it in the comments.