The Plan: a 9-day summer adventure for our group of five, celebrating two birthdays along the way. The first morning of our road trip, we picked up our rental car and set off toward the amazing Blue Lagoon where we enjoyed a relaxing soak. Then we hit the road, our route following Iceland’s dramatic South Coast all the way to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, before looping back along the coastline. From there, we explored the iconic Golden Circle, wrapping up our journey with two days exploring Reykjavík.
Planning an Iceland Road Trip: Seasons, Transportation, and Routes
Choosing Summer vs. Winter: I ultimately picked mid-July to take advantage of the midnight sun, maximizing our daylight hours for exploring Iceland’s stunning outdoor attractions. Plus, it’s prime puffin season! On the other hand, visiting in winter offers the chance to see the northern lights—something you won’t catch at all in July. But winter brings colder temperatures, much shorter days, and more challenging driving conditions.
Renting a Car vs. Taking Day Tours: Many people base themselves in Reykjavík and take day tours to popular spots like the South Coast and Golden Circle. While this works well for shorter trips, if you have more than five days, I think renting a car lets you explore at a more relaxed pace, plus it gives you the flexibility to adjust your plans based on the weather. For example, we had two chances to see Diamond Beach—the day we went it was covered with magical icebergs, but the next morning they were gone. Having your own car also increases your chances of experiencing popular sights during quieter times, once the day trippers have left.
The Route: It seems popular to do the entire Ring Road in 10 days, via camper van. (But that just wasn’t practical for our group of five.) The full Ring Road means driving more than twice as much, with longer stretches between attractions in the North. Personally, I think the full Ring Road—and maybe adding the Snæfellsnes Peninsula—deserves 12-14 days to truly do it justice. With our 10-day road trip, we kept driving times shorter by exploring different sights on both legs of the journey, finishing with the Golden Circle on the way back to Reykjavík. After enjoying Iceland so much, I’d definitely be up for return trip to explore more of Iceland!
Itinerary: 9-day trip
Disclaimer: I tend to plan detailed, action-packed itineraries, but knowing my friends value a little breathing room, I tried to add more flexibility this trip. Our group affectionately called these extra pockets of time “bonus minutes”—for bio breaks, a little shopping, or simply resting between hikes!
Arrival into Keflavík: Traveling from three different cities—and with some overnight flights, we allowed extra time to buffer for delays > regroup over dinner
Overnight: Park Inn by Radisson, Keflavík Airport
Day 1: Pick up rental car > Blue Lagoon > lunch in Grindavík > sightseeing on the way to Hvolsvöllur > check into hotel > visit Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
Overnight: Brú Guesthouse
Day 2: Ferry to Westman Islands > Rib Safari boat tour > Eyja bus tour > visit a microbrewery > birthday dinner #1 > more sightseeing > ferry back to mainland
Overnight: Brú Guesthouse
Day 3: Visit Skógafoss waterfall > Kvernufoss waterfall hike > Sólheimajökull glacier hike > visit Vatnajökull National Park, waterfalls hike > dinner at Fosshotel > drive to Jökulsárlón
Overnight: Hotel Jökulsárlón
Day 4: Lunch at the Jökulsárlón lagoon food trailers > glacier rib boat tour > visit Diamond Beach > dinner at hotel > jacuzzi and cocktails at hotel
Overnight: Hotel Jökulsárlón
Day 5: Boomerang return along the coast. Visit Reynisfjara black sands beach > Dyrhólaey viewpoint hike and puffins viewing spot > Icelandic Lava Show in Vík > dinner in Vík
Overnight: Hotel Kría
Day 6: Depart for Golden Circle driving tour. Lunch at Friðheimar tomato farm > stop at Geysir geothermal field > visit Gullfoss waterfall > Þingvellir National Park, Oxarárfoss and Almannagjá trails hike > check into Reykjavik Airbnb > birthday dinner #2
Overnight: Reykjavík Airbnb
Days 7 & 8: Reykjavík sightseeing, self-guided food tour, shopping
Overnight: Reykjavík Airbnb
Day 9: Return rental car / Transfers to airport > (for those with late afternoon flights) > breakfast in Reykjavik > visit Garður Old Lighthouse > last-minute shopping
Day 1: Car Rental, Blue Lagoon & Sights
Our trip started off on the right note with what turned out to be the best car rental experience I’ve ever had. At Lotus Car Rental in Reykjavik, we breezed through the process thanks to online pre-registration—no lines, no hassle. The agent was friendly and thorough, walking us through the details without rushing. To our delight, our rental package even included a Wi-Fi device for the SUV, which worked really well throughout the entire trip.
From there, we headed straight to the famous Blue Lagoon for or 10 am reservation. To our surprise, there was no wait to get in. Navigating the locker system, showers, and changing routine took a little figuring out (let’s just say modesty isn’t really part of the equation), but wristbands made everything simple—they kept track of your locker number and your tickets for the bar and included face masks. Once we slipped into the milky-blue water, the relaxation truly began. We spent a couple of blissful hours floating in the geothermal warmth, enjoying cocktails and trying out the various facial masks . Luckily, we arrived at the perfect window of time: the pool felt quite spacious with no crowds during our visit.
After a tasty fish & chips lunch in Grindavík, we hit the road toward Hvolsvöllur, making a few memorable stops along the way. First was Krýsuvíkurkirkja, a stark black wooden church set alone on a windswept plain, complete with roaming Icelandic sheep. Next, we walked along the steaming boardwalks of the Seltún geothermal area, where bubbling mud pots and colorful mineral deposits painted the landscape. Finally, we paused along the Þjórsá (Iceland’s longest river) to see Úrríðafoss, a wide powerful waterfall framed by fields of blooming lupines—a perfect photo stop.
By evening we arrived at Bru Guesthouse. Check-in didn’t go quite as planned—we never received the instructions email, and with no front desk, our only option was to message through Booking.com. Thankfully, the onsite owner responded quickly. Once inside our cottage, we were charmed by the simplicity and the incredible backdrop of open fields and distant mountains. I’d love to return there in the winter, to watch the display of Northern Lights.
Still, we had one last adventure waiting—Seljalandsfoss, the 196-foot “walk-behind” waterfall. A short, slippery trail led us behind its thundering curtain, just as the late-evening sun lit the cascade in a warm glow. With almost no one else around, the roar of the falls filled the air and the moment felt nothing short of magical. One of us may have even shed a few happy tears—our first unforgettable taste of Iceland’s natural beauty.
Day 2: Westman Islands
We caught a mid-morning 45-minute ferry from Landeyjahöfn for a full day exploring the Westman Islands. Our first adventure was a one-hour passenger boat tour around Heimaey, cruising past dramatic sea cliffs alive with puffins and other seabirds. Our guide, a native of the islands, was exceptional—her stories mixed local history with personal anecdotes. The highlight came when the boat slipped into a sea cave—she began singing a traditional Icelandic song, her voice echoing in a hauntingly beautiful way. It was one of those magical moments.
After a brief break, we joined the two-hour Eyja Bus Tour with the energetic Ebbi as our guide. This lively excursion gave us the chance to hop off at several highlights: the Eldfell volcanic crater—born from the 1973 eruption that forced the island’s entire population to evacuate (including some lucky sheep); a replica Viking settlement where we sampled traditional delicacies—along with a shot of Icelandic vodka; plenty of adorable sheep; and a hillside puffin colony overlooking the sea.
By afternoon we were ready for a pause, so we stopped at Brothers Brewery, where I tried their refreshing rhubarb sour.
As day-trippers departed, the island grew quiet and we lingered to celebrate Z’s birthday with dinner at Næs, a cozy spot serving flavorful Icelandic dishes and rhubarb spritz cocktails.
While others unwound after the day’s adventures, Z and I set out on a scenic walk along the cliffs of Ofanleiti Hamar. With the sea crashing below and the evening sun stretching across the horizon, it was a nice ending to an unforgettable day on the islands.
Birthday dinner for Z @ Næs
Day 3: South Coast Exploration
We continued east along the coast toward Reynivellir, making several memorable stops along the way. First was Skógafoss, a thundering cascade remarkable for its sheer volume. A trail climbs the hillside beside the falls, leading to a series of smaller waterfalls further upstream—tempting, but we had more to explore. Just down the road, we discovered Kvernufoss, a bonus gem tucked inside Kvernugil Gorge. The easy one-mile trail follows the river to a lovely walk-behind waterfall, framed by lush greenery and graced with a rainbow at its base. Before leaving, we browsed the gift shop, which had nice quality Icelandic souvenirs.
For lunch, we turned to Google and struck gold with Mia’s Country Van, a bright-red food truck hidden off a small road near Skógafoss. They serve just one thing—fish and “chips”—and they do it exceptionally well. Despite the wait, it was absolutely worth it. The fish is fresh and comes with your choice of a tasty dipping sauce, and there’s a selection Icelandic salts for your fries.
Next, we stretched our legs on an easy 1.6-mile hike to Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of a massive ice cap that covers the active Katla volcano. Beyond the viewpoint and “hazard!-unstable glacier” warning sign, we followed the path along a glacial lagoon leading to a closer-up view of the ice. Jagged crevasses, streaked by volcanic ash, carved striking patterns of white, blue, and deep charcoal across the glacier’s surface.
By early evening, we reached Vatnajökull National Park, later than planned but with plenty of daylight left. We set out on the waterfalls trail, first stopping at the 78-foot Hundafoss. As the path steepened, two of us pressed on, reaching the ravine footbridge and climbing up basalt steps to a spectacular view of Svartifoss framed by dramatic basalt columns, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. If I could redo this day, I’d carve out more time here—the park has endless trails, and it’s easy to see why many visitors camp here to explore it more fully.
When we regrouped at the visitor center, it was pushing 8 p.m. and everyone was quite hungry. With limited choices nearby and our hotel still more than an hour away, I called the restaurant at Fosshotel to see if they could fit us in. Luckily, they did—and it turned out to be one of the best meals of our trip. The atmosphere was welcoming, our server warm and attentive, and the meal was outstanding—especially the buttery arctic char—a perfect meal to end to a long but rewarding day.
Dinner at Fosshotel with Icelandic flavors
Day 4: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
After a leisurely start, we set out for our afternoon Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon zodiac boat tour. Before our rib boat tour, we grabbed lunch from the food trailers at the lagoon—I went with a langoustine (small lobster) roll, but after hearing my friends rave about the lamb burger from Fancy Sheep, I wished I’d ordered that instead. Suited up in waterproof gear and flotation vests, we braced for the icy spray that showered us as the boat skimmed across the lagoon toward the towering face of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Along the way we paused at massive icebergs crowded with perched Kittiwakes (seabirds), and even spotted an iceberg lounging seal. Our friendly Spanish guide (who now splits his time between Norway and Iceland) shared fascinating details about the lagoon’s shifting landscape.
A short drive brought us across the river to Diamond Beach, where luck was on our side—dozens of glistening icebergs were scattered across the black sands and lagoon. When we passed the same spot the next morning, the beach was bare, a reminder of how fleeting the scene can be and our good fortune.
We wrapped up the day with a bottle of wine in the hotel’s cozy upstairs lounge area, followed by an excellent dinner in the hotel restaurant. Later, LT joined me for cocktails in the outdoor jacuzzi, its warm bubbles paired with sweeping glacier views. For some of the time, we even had the hot tub entirely to ourselves—an excellent ending to our adventurous day.
Hotel Jökulsárlón was our “splurge hotel” for this trip, and it was definitely worth the spend. The hotel itself is nicely appointed with relaxing common areas, a nice restaurant and bar, and two outdoor hot tubs set against sweeping views of the glacier.
Day 5: Coastal Return and Vik
Today we began our “boomerang loop,” retracing the coast to visit sights we missed on the way out, then spending the night in Vík. I wish we’d had more time to linger here—Vík may be small, but it has a certain charm. It also surprised us as the first place on our entire road trip where we finally encountered a stoplight!
Our first stop of the day was the dramatic Reynisfjara black sand beach and its basalt cave, where we were blasted by icy cold rain (first rain of the trip). But the weather mostly improved for our hike along the Dyrhólaey viewpoint trail in search of puffin sightings. We had already seen plenty of puffins at a distance in the Westman Islands, but here they were perched right along the cliffside path, just a few feet away. I was thrilled to finally see (and photograph) them up close! Along the way, we also picked up some fascinating tidbits about these charismatic little seabirds.
🐧 Fun Puffin facts!
- A chick is called a puffling; a group of puffins is called a circus
- Puffins mate for life, usually returning to the same burrow—and the same partner—every year
- Females lay just one egg per year, and both parents share in the feeding duties
- Puffins can reach flying speeds of up to 55 mph
- Around 60% of the world’s puffins nest in Iceland each summer
Braving wind and rain to explore basalt columns and black sand beach
We ended the evening with the 🌋 Lava Show in Vík—an interesting performance where real molten lava, sourced from the Katla volcano, is reheated. The room turned sweltering as the lava glowed, crackled, and slowly cooled into shards of volcanic glass—obsidian. It really brought home that Iceland’s dramatic landscapes—its rift valleys, craters, caves, and mossy lava fields—were all forged by volcanic eruptions. Afterwards, we kept things low-key with takeout from Black Crust Pizza, a local favorite famous for its charcoal-infused crust, a tasty nod to Vík’s black sand beaches.
Day 6: Golden Circle
In the morning we departed Vík to begin the Golden Circle driving tour. Our first stop was visiting Friðheimar to check out their amazing greenhouse production of likely the best tomatoes in Iceland, and to enjoy a delightful yet simple lunch, consisting of tomato soup and an assortment of freshly baked breads, and of course, tomato beer. The table side snip-your-own-basil is a nice touch.
Then we hit the road again to explore the Golden Circle’s three most famous stops: the Geysir geothermal field (which we decided to skip), Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park.
Gullfoss, which means “golden falls,” is a dramatic two-tiered waterfall plunging 105 feet into a deep canyon carved by the Hvítá river. It was the most crowded spot of our trip, but the paved 1-mile trail made the hike very manageable. The mist from the waterfall keeps you cool along the way—pro tip: a rain jacket is useful. Along the path, a small exhibit tells the story of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who made the grueling 72-mile trek to Reykjavík multiple times, to save the falls from foreign industrialization.
Back on the road, we were treated to another magical moment: a parade of Icelandic horses keeping pace with our car, manes blowing in the wind.
Arriving at Þingvellir National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, we were struck immediately by its scale—it’s vast, and finding the main visitor center, Hakið, and the right parking lot takes a bit of navigating. We set off on a 2.8-mile hike combining Öxarárfoss with the Almannagjá gorge trail, which follows the dramatic rift marking the boundary of the North American tectonic plate.
This was the only spot on our trip where we ran into pesky midge flies—and of course, I was the only one they bit. LT and Reggie wisely used packable face nets, which turned out to be a great call!
Making our way through the wildflower-lined gorge, the rugged cliffs rising sharply on either side were impressive, carved over time by tectonic forces. Öxarárfoss, a scenic waterfall cascading into the rift below, provided a peaceful finale to our waterfall stops. Along the trail, reminders of Iceland’s past appear—Lögberg, the “Law Rock” (the site of Iceland’s first parliament), a medieval church, and an old farmstead—but it was the gorge itself that stood out, a vivid illustration of Iceland’s volcanic origins.
After a full day of sightseeing we ended the road trip part of our vacation in Reykjavík and celebrated my birthday with cocktails and dinner at the stylish Apotek, serving an eclectic menu highlighting flavorful European cuisine.
Days 7 & 8: Roaming Reykjavik
We ended our adventure with two slower paced days in Reykjavík, immersing ourselves in the city’s culture, iconic sights, and incredible cuisine. Our Airbnb was centrally located and within easy walking distance from everything we wanted to explore. It was the perfect setup for our group: close enough to enjoy each other’s company, yet spacious enough to spread out in a comfortable three-bedroom, two-bath apartment.
Our first full day we set out as a group to some of Reykjavík’s star attractions: Laugavegur shopping street, the iconic Skólavörðustígur rainbow street, and the imposing Hallgrímskirkja church. From there LT and I split off for a walk along the waterfront to admire the modern Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Eventually we found a great happy hour at Petersen svítan, where we scored a rooftop view of Reykjavik all to ourselves. We wrapped up our day by rejoining our group for dinner at Cafe Loki, where Eric found his favorite dish of the trip—plokkfiskur. And we all agreed Iceland’s dense and subtly sweet rye bread, or rúgbrauð, deserves its fame.
Day two was all about indulging in Reykjavík’s food scene with our self-guided foodie tour. We kicked things off with sourdough cinnamon rolls from Brauð & Co. (big thanks to Eric and Reggie for the early morning pickup!). From there, we sampled the famous lobster soup and fish skewers at Sægreifinn, and treated ourselves to creamy scoops at Valdís—I loved the black licorice flavor. We capped it off with a stop at Skúli Craft Bar for craft beer. If I have one tiny gripe about Iceland, it’s that the beer scene isn’t great—but Skúli definitely served up the best brews we had on the trip. Our plan also included a stop at Bæjarins for their famous hot dog, but we were far too full—a rare moment when I actually regretted being stuffed! Later in the evening, we regrouped for a flavorful tapas-and-wine dinner at Tapas Barinn and somehow made room for a special treat—toppings-drizzled Greek donuts at Loo.koo.mas.
While browsing the local shops, I had the sweetest surprise—running into one of Reykjavík’s most famous cats, Ófelía, looking absolutely charming in her little Icelandic sweater. Fun fact: ‘The Cats of Reykjavík’ is a real thing! The city has a deep love for its feline residents, and locals make sure every cat, even the community cats, is well cared for.
Day 9: Return to Keflavík and airport
For the three of us with late afternoon flights, we fit in some last-minute shopping for Icelandic treats (black-licorice flavored chocolate!) and stopped in Garður to see the old lighthouse before returning the rental car and catching the airport shuttle.
What We Loved Most
As our Iceland adventure came to a close, I asked everyone to share their “Top 5” favorite moments from the trip. Here’s what made the list:
- Seljalandsfoss 💦
- Westman Islands
- Dyroholaey Viewpoint (puffins!)
- Hot tub at Hotel Jokulsarlon
- Úrríđafoss
- Seljalandsfoss
- Svartifoss
- Blue Lagoon
- Westmann Islands
- The tap water 💧
- Seljalandsfoss
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon zodiac tour
- Westman Islands
- All the Puffins 🐧
- Kvernufoss hike, waterfall and rainbow
- Plokkfiskur (Icelandic dish)
- Westman Islands
- “The general tidiness of pretty much everything”
- Cats of downtown Reykjavik 🐱
- Majestic scenery
- All the Waterfalls! (each are uniquely beautiful)
- Blue Lagoon
- Westmann Islands 🏝️
- Puffins and Icelandic sheep
- Vatnajökull National Park
Waterfalls, puffins, and our time in Westman Islands kept popping up on nearly everyone’s list—clear proof of what left the biggest impression on us in Iceland.
Final Impressions
Iceland is a country that charms at every turn—from its friendly, welcoming people to the surprisingly effortless summer driving (we encountered only two traffic lights on our entire route before reaching Reykjavík). The cuisine is a delight, and the tap water is purer and more refreshing than any bottled water I’ve ever tasted. Everywhere you look, Iceland’s clean, minimalist aesthetic—Scandinavian design seamlessly integrated into architecture and furniture—frames its true showstopper: landscapes so stunning they feel surreal.
Icelandic Cuisine
One of the trip’s best discoveries was how Icelandic cuisine highlights fresh, high-quality ingredients at every turn. The country’s restaurants were impressive, offering inventive takes on traditional dishes that made every meal memorable. Even market stops became mini culinary adventures. Some of our favorite finds were chocolate chip skyr yogurt, lunch meat and pickled veggie sandwiches, uniquely Icelandic candies and (especially lakkrís, black licorice) and chocolate, and the local orange soda, Appelsín.
How Much It Cost
Yes, Iceland is pricey—one of the most expensive countries I’ve visited in Europe. But the quality across the board makes it worthwhile: food, accommodations, tours, service, even the rental car experience. Plus, there are small offsets. Tipping isn’t customary, tax is already included in prices, and that incredible tap water is free (though Reykjavík’s wasn’t quite as good as elsewhere).
People & Hospitality
The people we met made the trip even more memorable. Despite the no-tipping culture, almost every server we encountered was friendly, attentive, and professional. Hotel staff were consistently excellent, and our tour guides stood out—from lifelong locals sharing personal stories, to our easygoing RIB boat guide at Jökulsárlón. At no point did we feel like unwelcome or bothersome tourists.
Weather
Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, but we lucked out. Aside from some rain at Reynisfjara Beach and again on our final day in Reykjavík, the skies were kind to us. Even our day on the Westman Islands—known for strong winds—was picture-perfect.
Final Thoughts
All of these things together—stunning landscapes, incredible food, welcoming people, and rewarding hiking—made Iceland one of the most unforgettable trips I’ve ever taken. Iceland is a place that stays with you long after you leave.
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