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Iceland Ring Road — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 7-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.
7
days
1727 km
distance
24.0 h
driving
39
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~13.5 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
Day 1 Reykjavík → Selfoss → Golden Circle → Hella & Hvolsvöllur
🌡 -3.4–15.0°C · 🌧 ~25 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
Overnight: Hella & Hvolsvöllur
e.g. Hotel Rangá · Fosshotel Mosfell
Day 2 Skógar → Vík í Mýrdal
🌡 -1.9–12.8°C · 🌧 ~28 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
09:59
Seljavallalaug swimming poolswimming & baths
Relax in the warm geothermal waters of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.
90 min · Skógar · free
open: 24 hours
11:29
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
12:19
Skógafoss
Stand in awe beneath the powerful rush of Skógafoss’s cascading waters.
50 min · Skógar
13:09
Freya Cafélocal & traditionalcoffee & bakesseafood
Savor homemade dishes and pastries at the cozy Freya Café.
60 min · Skógar
14:46
Kvernufossmuseums & heritage
Feel the spray and power of the beautiful 30-metre Kvernufoss waterfall.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
15:36
Sólheimajökullswimming & baths
Stand near the rapidly retreating edge of the accessible Sólheimajökull glacier.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
16:26
Yoda Cavelocal & traditional
Enter the massive, Yoda-shaped cave formed by ancient volcanic activity.
50 min · Vík í Mýrdal
18:30
Ströndin Bar & Bistrolocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Delight in Icelandic and international food with ocean views.
75 min · Vík í Mýrdal
open: June to August 17:00 to 22:00
Overnight: Vík í Mýrdal
e.g. Hótel Katla · Hótel Kría
Day 3 Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Skaftafell
🌡 -3.0–10.6°C · 🌧 ~28 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
10:18
Kirkjubæjarklaustur sports centremuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalswimming & baths
Relax in the warm water of the swimming pool and hot pots.
90 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur · 400 kr
11:48
Kirkjubæjarstofamuseums & heritage
Explore local history and exhibitions in a small research center.
50 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur
12:38
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Feel the rush of water in steep, winding canyon walls.
90 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur
14:08
Systrakaffilocal & traditionalcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy a mix of traditional and international dishes in a cozy setting.
60 min · Kirkjubæjarklaustur · 1500-2500 kr
16:17
Icelandic Mountain Guideslocal & traditional
Trek to Iceland's highest peak with expert glacier guides.
90 min · Skaftafell
18:30
Glacier Goodies
75 min · Skaftafell
open: 11:30–20:00
Overnight: Skaftafell
e.g. Fosshotel Nupar · Hostel Hvoll
Day 4 Höfn → Eastfjords → Egilsstaðir
🌡 -3.9–16.7°C · 🌧 ~17 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
Kaffi Horniðcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Relax with soups, sandwiches, and cozy pub vibes.
60 min · Höfn
open: 11:30-22:00
16:51
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
18:30
Café Nielsencoffee & bakes
75 min · Egilsstaðir · Up to kr 2500 for a main course
open: Mondays to Fridays from 11:30 to 13:30 only during the summer.
Overnight: Egilsstaðir
e.g. Lyngás guesthouse · Egilsstaðir campsite
Day 5 Seyðisfjörður → Mývatn
🌡 -10.0–11.3°C · 🌧 ~15 rain days · ☀ 12.7h light
09:27
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
10:17
LungA Art Festivalmuseums & heritage
90 min · Seyðisfjörður
14:59
Sigurgeir's Birdmuseummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Admire preserved birds and eggs with a view over the lake.
90 min · Mývatn
open: 11:00 - 19:00
16:29
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
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 6 Akureyri → Blönduós
🌡 -11.5–12.3°C · 🌧 ~18 rain days · ☀ 12.7h light
10:15
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
11:05
FAB Tourist Centremuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Get travel info, buy tickets, and use internet here.
90 min · Akureyri
open: 07:30-23:00
12:35
Akureyri Swimming Poolswimming & baths
Slide down water slides and relax in hot tubs.
90 min · Akureyri · kr 450
open: 28 May-1 September: M-F 06:45-18:00, Sa Su 08:00-19:30; 2 September-27
14:05
Strikiðcoffee & bakesseafood
Delight in high-quality fish, lobster, and a rich chocolate cake.
60 min · Akureyri
18:30
Greifinnseafood
Savor unique pizzas, including delicious salt-fish pizza.
75 min · Akureyri
open: Daily 11:30-21:00
Overnight: Akureyri
e.g. Akureyri Backpackers · Hostelling International
Day 7 Borgarnes → back to start
🌡 -1.6–15.4°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 12.6h light
11:40
Safnahús Borgarfjarðarmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Explore varied collections from nature to local history.
50 min · Borgarnes
open: M-F 13:00-18:00
12:30
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
14:00
The Settlement Centermuseums & heritage
Immerse yourself in Viking sagas and ancient stories.
50 min · Borgarnes
open: 10:00-21:00
14:50
Settlement Centremuseums & heritage
Watch vivid saga plays and discover ancient Icelandic history and stories.
90 min · Borgarnes
open: 10:00 - 21:00 daily