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Iceland Ring Road — a 10-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 10-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.
10
days
1798 km
distance
25.0 h
driving
61
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~13.5 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Heavy transit: day 10 (6h18) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 10 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Reykjavík → Selfoss → Golden Circle
🌡 -2.0–16.1°C · 🌧 ~26 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
09:00
Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhúsmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalseafood
Appreciate rotating exhibits by Erró and other local artists.
50 min · Reykjavík · Adults: 2200 kr, students: 1370 kr, chil
open: Th 10:00-20:00, F-W 10:00-17:00
09:50
Harpamuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
50 min · Reykjavík
open: Open daily 10:00-00:00
11:41
Bobby Fischer Centermuseums & heritage
Discover chess history centered on the iconic 1972 match.
50 min · Selfoss
open: 1300 to 1600
12:31
Summer in Selfoss Festival
Feel the lively summer spirit and local culture in early August.
90 min · Selfoss
14:01
Kaffi Krúslocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Enjoy cozy Icelandic comfort food in a warm, inviting café.
60 min · Selfoss
16:12
Volcano Tours
Explore eerie lava tunnels and craters with expert guidance.
90 min · Golden Circle · 17,000 kr
18:30
Menam
Taste vibrant Asian flavors in a casual, welcoming setting.
75 min · Selfoss
Overnight: Selfoss
e.g. Fosstún Apartment Hotel · Bed and Breakfast Selfoss
Day 2 Around Selfoss
🌡 -2.0–16.1°C · 🌧 ~26 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
09:00
Bókasafn Árborgar, Selfossi
50 min · Selfoss · 150 kr for half an hour of internet
open: 10AM-7PM M-F, 11AM-2PM Sa
09:50
National Gallery of Icelandmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Discover Iceland's contemporary and international art treasures.
50 min · Reykjavík · Price 2023: Adults: 2200kr; senior citiz
open: Summer Daily 10:00-17:00 - Winter Open Daily 10:00-17:00 except closed
10:40
Reykjavik Museum of Photographymuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Browse captivating Icelandic photographs and rare photography books.
50 min · Reykjavík
open: M-F 10:00-16:00; Sa Su 13:00-17:00
11:30
Reykjavík City Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Stroll through a village of preserved historical buildings and farms.
50 min · Reykjavík · 2220 kr for adults, 1370 kr for students
open: 1 Jun-31 Aug: daily 10:00-17:00; during winter there are guided tours
12:20
The House of Collectionsmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Experience interdisciplinary art bridging visual arts and science.
50 min · Reykjavík · Adult 2200 kr; senior citizens and stude
open: Summer: daily 10:00-17:00; winter: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
13:10
Icelandic Punk Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Immerse yourself in Iceland's punk history with music and memorabilia.
50 min · Reykjavík
open: M-F 10:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-22:00
Overnight: Selfoss
e.g. Fosstún Apartment Hotel · Bed and Breakfast Selfoss
Day 3 Hella & Hvolsvöllur → Skógar
🌡 -3.4–15.0°C · 🌧 ~25 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
10:21
Saga Centremuseums & heritage
Immerse yourself in the epic tales of Njals Saga in an engaging museum.
50 min · Hella & Hvolsvöllur
11:11
Lava Centremuseums & heritage
Discover Iceland's volcanic past through interactive exhibits.
50 min · Hella & Hvolsvöllur
12:01
Ægisíða Caves
Step into ancient sandstone caves on a guided historical tour.
50 min · Hella & Hvolsvöllur
13:50
Seljavallalaug swimming poolswimming & baths
Relax in the warm geothermal waters of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.
90 min · Skógar · free
open: 24 hours
15:20
Skógar Folk Museummuseums & heritage
Explore timeless Icelandic history in the preserved houses of the folk museum.
50 min · Skógar · Adult 2500 kr, student or senior 1800 kr
open: June - August: 09:00 - 18:00, September - May: 10:00 – 17:00, closed 2
16:10
Skógafoss
Stand in awe beneath the powerful rush of Skógafoss’s cascading waters.
50 min · Skógar
17:00
Freya Cafélocal & traditionalcoffee & bakesseafood
Savor homemade dishes and pastries at the cozy Freya Café.
60 min · Skógar
Overnight: Hella & Hvolsvöllur
e.g. Hotel Rangá · Fosshotel Mosfell
Day 4 Vík í Mýrdal → Kirkjubæjarklaustur
🌡 -6.9–10.8°C · 🌧 ~28 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
09:37
Kvernufossmuseums & heritage
Feel the spray and power of the beautiful 30-metre Kvernufoss waterfall.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
10:27
Sólheimajökullswimming & baths
Stand near the rapidly retreating edge of the accessible Sólheimajökull glacier.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
11:17
Yoda Cavelocal & traditional
Enter the massive, Yoda-shaped cave formed by ancient volcanic activity.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
13:25
Kirkjubæjarklaustur sports centremuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalswimming & baths
Relax in the warm water of the swimming pool and hot pots.
90 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur · 400 kr
14:55
Kirkjubæjarstofamuseums & heritage
Explore local history and exhibitions in a small research center.
50 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur
15:45
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Feel the rush of water in steep, winding canyon walls.
90 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur
18:30
Systrakaffilocal & traditionalcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy a mix of traditional and international dishes in a cozy setting.
75 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur · 1500-2500 kr
Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur
e.g. Icelandair Hotel Klaustur · Kirkjubær II camp site
Day 5 Skaftafell
🌡 -3.0–10.6°C · 🌧 ~28 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
10:09
Icelandic Mountain Guideslocal & traditional
Trek to Iceland's highest peak with expert glacier guides.
90 min · Skaftafell
11:39
Morsárfoss
Feel the mist of Iceland's highest waterfall as it plunges down.
50 min · Skaftafell
12:29
Melrakki Adventures
Join small-group glacier hikes and explore icy caves.
90 min · Skaftafell
open: 09:00-17:00
13:59
Glacier Guides
Experience the thrill of ice climbing and glacier exploration.
90 min · Skaftafell
15:29
Múlagljúfur Canyon
Walk through lush moss and dramatic cliffs in a winding canyon.
50 min · Skaftafell
16:19
Jökulsárlón
Marvel at towering icebergs floating in the glacial lake.
50 min · Skaftafell
18:30
Glacier Goodies
75 min · Skaftafell
open: 11:30–20:00
Overnight: Skaftafell
e.g. Fosshotel Nupar · Hostel Hvoll
Day 6 Höfn → Eastfjords
🌡 -5.0–13.3°C · 🌧 ~28 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
11:08
Gamlabúð Folk Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalseafood
Discover the daily lives of locals from 1850 to 1950 in an old timber building.
50 min · Höfn
11:58
Hornafjörður Art Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Appreciate local and contemporary art in a charming gallery.
50 min · Höfn
12:48
Huldusteinnswimming & baths
Explore a fascinating private rock collection in an old swimming pool.
50 min · Höfn
open: 14:00-21:00
13:38
Kaffi Horniðcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Relax with soups, sandwiches, and cozy pub vibes.
60 min · Höfn
open: 11:30-22:00
18:30
Humarhöfninlocal & traditionalseafood
Indulge in exquisite lobster dishes in a historic harbor restaurant.
75 min · Höfn
Overnight: Höfn
e.g. Guesthouse Hvammur · Brunnhóll
Day 7 Egilsstaðir → Seyðisfjörður
🌡 -1.2–14.6°C · 🌧 ~16 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
10:24
East Iceland Heritage Museummuseums & heritage
Explore East Iceland's history through films and documents.
50 min · Egilsstaðir · Adults kr 1500; free entry for children
open: Sep-May: Tu-F 11:00-16:00; Jun-Aug 10:00-18:00 daily
11:14
Egilsstaðir swimming poolswimming & baths
Feel the cool splash in a long pool, relax in hot tubs.
90 min · Egilsstaðir · kr 600 for adults, kr 250 for children
open: Summer: Mondays to Tuesdays from 6:30 to 20:30, Saturdays and Sundays
12:44
Hengifoss
Stand in awe before Iceland's second tallest waterfall.
50 min · Egilsstaðir
13:34
Café Nielsencoffee & bakes
60 min · Egilsstaðir · Up to kr 2500 for a main course
open: Mondays to Fridays from 11:30 to 13:30 only during the summer.
15:01
Technical Museum of East Icelandmuseums & heritage
50 min · Seyðisfjörður · 1000 kr for adults
open: M-F 11:00-17:00 weekdays during the summer, upon request during winter
15:51
LungA Art Festivalmuseums & heritage
90 min · Seyðisfjörður
18:30
Skaftfell, nettk@fe og bistro
75 min · Seyðisfjörður
Overnight: Seyðisfjörður
e.g. Hótel Aldan · Hafaldan HI hostel
Day 8 Mývatn
🌡 -10.0–11.3°C · 🌧 ~15 rain days · ☀ 12.7h light
12:12
Sigurgeir's Birdmuseummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Admire preserved birds and eggs with a view over the lake.
90 min · Mývatn
open: 11:00 - 19:00
13:42
Mývatn Nature Bathsswimming & baths
Soak in warm, mineral-rich waters drawn from deep geothermal sources.
90 min · Mývatn · 3800 kr
open: Summertime: 09:00 – 00:00, wintertime: 12:00 – 22:00
15:12
Mývatn Visitor Centremuseums & heritage
Learn about the geology and history of the unique lake.
50 min · Mývatn
open: Daily 09:00-18:00
16:02
Dimmuborgirlocal & traditional
Stroll among dark lava arches and pillars by the shoreline.
50 min · Mývatn
16:52
Lofthellir, Lava Cavelocal & traditional
Marvel at towering ice sculptures inside a hidden lava tube.
50 min · Mývatn
18:30
Vogafjós Cowshed Cafélocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Enjoy coffee with a view of gentle cows through a glass wall.
75 min · Mývatn
Overnight: Mývatn
e.g. Vogafjós Guesthouse · Hotel Reykjahlíð
Day 9 Húsavík → Akureyri
🌡 -11.5–12.3°C · 🌧 ~18 rain days · ☀ 12.7h light
09:56
The Exploration Museummuseums & heritage
Discover captivating stories of human exploration and space history.
50 min · Húsavík · 1000 kr
open: Closed as it is being renovated into a Eurovision museum as of June 20
10:46
Saltvík Hestamiðstöðlocal & traditional
Ride beautiful horses on scenic trails near the town.
90 min · Húsavík
12:16
Húsavík Whale Museummuseums & heritage
50 min · Húsavík · Adults: 1300 kr
open: June, July & August: 08:00 – 18:30 daily; April, May & September: 09:0
13:06
Gamli Baukurseafoodcraft beer & pubs
Delight in fresh fish, soups, and salads in a lively atmosphere.
60 min · Húsavík
15:24
Icelandic Aviation Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Explore Iceland's aviation history in a grand hangar.
50 min · Akureyri · Adults 1800 kr, seniors and students 120
open: May 15-Sep 15: Daily 11:00-17:00, Sep 16-May14: Sa 13:00-16:00 and by
16:14
FAB Tourist Centremuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Get travel info, buy tickets, and use internet here.
90 min · Akureyri
open: 07:30-23:00
18:30
Strikiðcoffee & bakesseafood
Delight in high-quality fish, lobster, and a rich chocolate cake.
75 min · Akureyri
Overnight: Akureyri
e.g. Akureyri Backpackers · Hostelling International
Day 10 Blönduós → Borgarnes → back to start
🌡 -1.6–15.4°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
13:59
Safnahús Borgarfjarðarmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Explore varied collections from nature to local history.
50 min · Borgarnes
open: M-F 13:00-18:00
14:49
Borgarnes swimming poollocal & traditionalswimming & baths
Relax in warm water, steam, and saunas, and splash down thrilling slides.
90 min · Borgarnes
open: M-F 06:30-21:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00