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Iceland Ring Road: 14-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 14-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · 14-day plan · best time to go.

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14
days
1893 km
distance
50.9 h
driving
52
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Reykjavík

5 curated stops
Transit
2h05
Finish
~16:35
Temperature
5.9°C–9.8°C
Rainy days
~26
Daylight
12.6h
09:10
Hallgrímskirkja hallgrimskirkja.is read more map ↗
Marvel at the towering church with a statue of Leif Ericsson.
50 min · Reykjavík · Admission to the tower: adults 1300 kr, students 1000 kr, children (7-14) 200 kr
open: Mass: Sunday 11:00; Church tower open daily 09:00-20:00
10:10
Tjörnin read more map ↗
Watch ducks glide on the pond surrounded by parkland.
50 min · Reykjavík
11:10
Perlan perlan.is read more map ↗
Explore Icelandic nature in Perlan’s museum exhibitions and view Reykjavík from its observation deck.
50 min · Reykjavík
open: 09:00-21:00
13:15
Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant on.is read more map ↗
Feel the warmth of Iceland's geothermal energy powering the city.
50 min · Reykjavík · 2100 kr adult, free for children under 12
open: 09:00-17:00
14:20
The Icelandic Phallological Museum phallus.is read more
View an unusual collection of animal penises, including humans.
50 min · Reykjavík · 3000 kr/adult
open: Daily 10:00-19:00
15:25
Bæjarins beztu pylsur bbp.is map ↗
Savor smoky, juicy hot dogs that locals rave about, worth the long queue.
60 min · Reykjavík · Hot dog 820 kr, soda 420 kr
open: Original Tryggvagata stand: Sun–Wed 09:00–01:00 next day; Thu 09:00–02:00 next day; Fri–Sat 09:00–06:00 next day. Check current notices.
Overnight here
e.g. Guesthouse Sunna · Guesthouse Aurora
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Golden Circle → Hella & Hvolsvöllur

4 curated stops
Transit
5h20
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
4.4°C–9.3°C
Rainy days
~25
Daylight
12.6h
11:25
Gullfoss read more
Feel the thunderous rush of water as you stand near Europe's largest volume waterfall.
50 min · Golden Circle
12:30
Geysir read more
Watch the powerful eruption of the world's namesake geyser, steaming against Iceland's rugged backdrop.
50 min · Golden Circle
15:05
Ægisíða Caves cavesofhella.is read more
Step into ancient sandstone caves on a guided historical tour.
50 min · Hella & Hvolsvöllur
16:10
Saga Centre njala.is map ↗
Immerse yourself in the epic tales of Njals Saga in an engaging museum.
50 min · Hella & Hvolsvöllur
Overnight: Hella & Hvolsvöllur
e.g. Hotel Rangá · Fosshotel Mosfell
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Skógar

5 curated stops
Transit
2h11
Finish
~17:00
Temperature
5.5°C–8.4°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
12.6h
10:15
Skógafoss read more
Stand in awe beneath the powerful rush of Skógafoss’s cascading waters.
50 min · Skógar
11:20
Seljavallalaug swimming pool read more map ↗
Relax in the warm geothermal waters of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.
90 min · Skógar · free
open: 24 hours
13:05
Seljalandsfoss read more
Walk behind the gentle cascade of Seljalandsfoss for a unique perspective.
50 min · Skógar
14:10
Fimmvörðuháls read more
Trek through dramatic landscapes between two mighty glaciers.
90 min · Skógar
15:55
Kvernufoss read more
Marvel at the quiet beauty of Kvernufoss, a hidden gem near Skógar.
50 min · Skógar
Overnight here
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Vík í Mýrdal

3 curated stops
Transit
4h41
Finish
~16:55
Temperature
2.4°C–6.4°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
12.6h
10:55
Sólheimajökull read more map ↗
Stand near the rapidly retreating edge of the accessible Sólheimajökull glacier.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
12:40
Ice Cave Tour katlatrack.is map ↗
Explore shimmering ice formations inside the nearby Kötlujökull glacier.
90 min · Vík í Mýrdal · 27900 kr age 16+; 22900 kr ages 6-15
14:40
Black Sand Beach search map ↗
Admire the dramatic basalt stacks and black sands of the iconic beach.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur
e.g. Icelandair Hotel Klaustur · Kirkjubær II camp site
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Skaftafell

3 curated stops
Transit
4h03
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
4.1°C–6.8°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
12.6h
10:25
Jökulsárlón read more
Marvel at towering icebergs floating in the glacial lake.
50 min · Skaftafell
11:30
Svartifoss – Sjónarsker – Sel circuit vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is map ↗
Follow the marked S2 loop past Svartifoss’s basalt columns, the Sjónarsker viewpoint and Sel’s old turf farm. The trail climbs through Skaftafell, with steps and uneven ground along the way.
135 min · Skaftafell
15:00
Múlagljúfur Canyon search map ↗
Walk through lush moss and dramatic cliffs in a winding canyon.
50 min · Skaftafell
Overnight here
e.g. Fosshotel Nupar · Hostel Hvoll
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 6 Höfn

4 curated stops
Transit
4h43
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
3.1°C–7.1°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
12.6h
12:10
Þórbergssetur search map ↗
Visit a museum dedicated to one of Iceland's famed writers.
50 min · Höfn
14:15
Hornafjörður Art Museum hornafjordur.is map ↗
Appreciate local and contemporary art in a charming gallery.
50 min · Höfn
15:15
Swimming pool search map ↗
Relax and swim in an impressive pool for a town its size.
90 min · Höfn
open: M-F 06:45-21:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00
16:55
Gamlabúð Folk Museum search map ↗
Discover the daily lives of locals from 1850 to 1950 in an old timber building.
50 min · Höfn
Overnight here
e.g. Guesthouse Hvammur · Hótel Höfn
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 7 Eastfjords → Egilsstaðir

3 curated stops
Transit
3h48
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
2.9°C–7.9°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
12.6h
10:45
Eastfjords search map ↗
You will see rugged cliffs and the vast expanse of Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull.
90 min · Eastfjords
13:50
East Iceland Heritage Museum minjasafn.is map ↗
Explore East Iceland's history through films and documents.
50 min · Egilsstaðir · Adults kr 1500; free entry for children
open: Suggested visit window 11:00–16:00: Tue–Fri in Sep–May; daily in Jun–Aug. Summer opening is normally longer. Recheck current museum and holiday hours before visiting.
14:50
Egilsstaðir swimming pool mulathing.is map ↗
Feel the cool splash in a long pool, relax in hot tubs.
90 min · Egilsstaðir
open: Plan a visit 09:00–17:00. Regular weekday hours are longer; check current opening times and holiday notices.
16:35
Nettó search
Find budget groceries in a neatly arranged supermarket.
60 min · Egilsstaðir
Overnight: Egilsstaðir
e.g. Lyngás guesthouse · Egilsstaðir campsite
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 8 Around Egilsstaðir

2 curated stops
Transit
2h55
Finish
~15:00
Temperature
2.9°C–7.9°C
Rainy days
~17
Daylight
12.6h
10:15
Hallormsstaðaskógur read more map ↗
Take a short stroll along signed forest and arboretum paths.
50 min · Egilsstaðir
11:30
Hengifoss read more map ↗
Follow the uphill trail past Litlanesfoss to Hengifoss, with time for the walk back.
135 min · Egilsstaðir
Overnight here
e.g. Lyngás guesthouse · Egilsstaðir campsite
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 9 Mývatn

3 curated stops
Transit
5h23
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
0.5°C–4.9°C ❄
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
12.7h
12:55
Dimmuborgir read more map ↗
Stroll among dark lava arches and pillars by the shoreline.
50 min · Mývatn
14:10
Skútustaðagígar search map ↗
Follow the short western loop among the lakeside pseudocraters.
50 min · Mývatn
15:40
Mývatn Nature Baths search map ↗
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
Overnight here
e.g. Dimmuborgir Guesthouse · Hlíð Travel Service
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 10 Around Mývatn

4 curated stops
Transit
2h34
Finish
~16:50
Temperature
0.5°C–4.9°C ❄
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
12.7h
10:05
Krafla read more map ↗
See striped lavafields and still-steaming geothermal activity.
50 min · Mývatn
11:35
Námaskarð search map ↗
See bubbling mud pools and steam vents from the marked paths at Hverir.
50 min · Mývatn
12:45
Hverfjall (Hverfell) Crater search map ↗
Gaze up at the steep, symmetrical rim of an ancient crater.
120 min · Mývatn
15:10
Sigurgeir's Birdmuseum search map ↗
Admire preserved birds and eggs with a view over the lake.
90 min · Mývatn
open: 11:00 - 19:00
Overnight here
e.g. Dimmuborgir Guesthouse · Hlíð Travel Service
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 11 Húsavík → Akureyri

5 curated stops
Transit
3h02
Finish
~17:25
Temperature
0.1°C–4.9°C ❄
Rainy days
~18
Daylight
12.7h
10:05
Húsavík Whale Museum hvalasafn.is read more map ↗
Explore selected whale exhibits and learn about Arctic marine life.
50 min · Húsavík · Adult admission 2,650 kr; children aged 16 and under free with an accompanying adult. Check current ticket prices.
open: Suggested visit window 10:00–16:00, within the operator’s listed opening times in both seasons. The museum lists 09:00–18:00 in May–Sep and 10:00–16:00 in Oct–Apr. Recheck current and holiday notices.
11:05
Húsavíkurkirkja husavikurkirkja.is read more map ↗
Admire the elegant wooden architecture of this iconic town church.
50 min · Húsavík
13:25
Akureyrarkirkja akureyrarkirkja.is read more map ↗
Admire the elegant architecture of the local church.
30 min · Akureyri
open: Outside visit at Akureyrarkirkja; church entry is not included. Interior visits have limited summer opening and pause during services. Check the church’s current notices. Follow local access signs and use the steps only when conditions allow.
Outside visit; interior entry is not included.
14:05
Akureyri Art Museum listasafn.akureyri.is read more map ↗
Discover vibrant local art in a bright space filled with colorful paintings and sculptures.
50 min · Akureyri
15:05
Akureyri Botanical Garden lystigardur.akureyri.is read more map ↗
Stroll among lush greenery and exotic plants in this serene garden setting.
60 min · Akureyri
16:15
Greifinn greifinn.is map ↗
Savor unique pizzas, including delicious salt-fish pizza.
60 min · Akureyri
open: Daily 11:30-21:00
Overnight: Akureyri
e.g. Hostelling International · Hotel Kea
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 12 Blönduós

1 curated stop
Transit
2h31
Finish
~13:05
Temperature
2.3°C–7.2°C
Rainy days
~14
Daylight
12.7h
11:25
Blönduós search map ↗
You will feel the crisp Arctic air along the Greenland Sea in North Iceland.
90 min · Blönduós

Time to spare on this day

Optional activities to explore separately. Nothing is booked.

Tours & day trips here →
Overnight here
Find a stay →

Day 13 Borgarnes

1 curated stop
Transit
5h04
Finish
~16:00
Temperature
5.1°C–9.3°C
Rainy days
~19
Daylight
12.6h
12:40
Hraunfossar read more
See crystal-clear water cascading gently over mossy lava rocks.
50 min · Borgarnes
14:45
Englendingavík englendingavik.is
Dine by the beach with options for cozy room stays nearby.
60 min · Borgarnes
Overnight here
e.g. Hótel Brú · Borgarnes Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 14 Borgarnes → Reykjavík

5 curated stops
Transit
2h31
Finish
~17:10
Temperature
5.1°C–9.3°C
Rainy days
~19
Daylight
12.6h
09:15
Reykholt read more
Walk through the quiet village, imagining echoes of medieval intellect and Snorri Sturluson's legacy.
50 min · Borgarnes
10:20
The Settlement Center landnam.is map ↗
Immerse yourself in Viking sagas and ancient stories.
75 min · Borgarnes
open: 10:00-21:00
11:50
Deildartunguhver read more
Feel the warm mist and hear the powerful rush of Europe's highest-flow hot spring.
50 min · Borgarnes
13:00
Safnahús Borgarfjarðar safnahus.is
Explore varied collections from nature to local history.
50 min · Borgarnes
open: M-F 13:00-18:00
14:05
Borgarnes swimming pool search
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

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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