A few years back we embarked on a two-week road trip around Iceland’s perimeter – the “Ring Road”. What an adventure! We witnessed stunning, otherworldly natural beauty – waterfalls, geothermal pools, geysers, volcanoes, icebergs, glaciers, and black sand beaches. And one of the best parts is that Iceland felt relatively undiscovered. Our complete itinerary is below and we feel that it is the perfect blend of all that Iceland has to offer. It provides opportunities for both adventure and relaxation, making it an ideal trip for families with teenage or older kids.

Now, as you’re reading through this, you’ll notice that the Icelandic names can be quite long and hard to remember, so just read this and enjoy….without trying to memorize names!

Days 1-2: Reykjavik

Our Icelandic adventure began with two nights in the capital, and largest city in Iceland, Reykjavik. In our opinion, Reykjavik is a fine enough city and does have great food and a really cool coffee culture and bar scene, but it’s not what most people visit Iceland for. Most people visit Iceland for the natural beauty. We recommend checking out Reykjavik, but just for a day or two.

We arrived late in the evening, so really just had one full day in Reykjavik. In the morning we picked up some amazing baked goods (Reykjavik’s coffee culture lends itself to great baked goods!) and then joined a walking tour. It was a good orientation to not just Reykjavik but general Icelandic culture, folklore, and history.

The afternoon was spent in classic Icelandic style – in a geothermal pool. Iceland is teeming with natural geothermal energy and that energy allows for a plethora of geothermal (warm water) pools. Some are fancy spas like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and Myvatn Nature Baths. Another category is community pools that, at a minimum, have changing facilities and a geothermal pool, but often include steam rooms and saunas as well. Then a third category is natural geothermal waters which are roadside or hikeable, they are free to enter, and may or may not have changing facilities. We experienced all three types and you’ll hear about them in the itinerary. But on this day in Reykjavik we visited Laugardalslaug, a community pool. It was fantastic! We enjoyed hot tubs and steam baths and the girls enjoyed water slides.

Days 3-5: Vik

On day three, we picked up our rental car – our trusty companion for the next 12 days – and headed east, beginning our counter-clockwise journey. We rented a 4x4 which we would definitely recommend especially if you want to venture off the ring road at all. We spent the next three days exploring the magnificent natural beauty of southern Iceland. Our base was Vik, a modest- sized town that’s centrally located among the highlights of southern Iceland.

En route to Vik we got a scenic introduction to Iceland's dramatic landscapes, starting with waterfalls (“foss” in Icelandic). Now I’m not going to name all of the dozens of waterfalls we saw over our two weeks, even though they each had unique qualities, but I will mention the first two we saw, which are two of the best. Seljalandsfoss, is a waterfall that you can walk behind, feeling its mist on your face, and Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, where we saw rainbows in its mist.

The south coast is famed for its black sand beaches, and they did not disappoint. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with its dramatic basalt columns and powerful waves crashing against the shore was awe-inspiring. We also visited Dyrhólaey, a massive rock arch extending into the sea, offering incredible views of the coastline and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

Adventure called, and we answered! One of the highlights of our trip was a glacier hike on the Sólheimajökull glacier. Strapping on crampons and wielding ice axes, we hiked with our trusty guide through blue ice crevasses and unique ice formations. Another day we experienced the glacier in a very different way with a snowmobiling tour on Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Speeding across the vast, snow-covered expanse with panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape was an incredible adrenaline rush.

Our exploration of the south continued with a visit to the magical Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where blue icebergs carved from the Vatnajökull glacier drift towards the sea. Nearby, Diamond Beach offered a surreal sight of those same ice chunks glistening like jewels on the black sand. These places felt truly out of this world. We also took a detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon for our then-teenage daughters. It’s a stunning serpentine canyon with mossy emerald green walls that just happens to be the site of a Justin Bieber music video.

Other remarkable sights we encountered in this region included the vast lava fields of Eldhraun. These are lava fields from a 1700s volcanic eruption that are now covered with moss – it feels like you’re on another planet. There was a hike to Svartifoss within Vatnajökull National Park's Skaftafell area, known for its dramatic basalt columns framing the waterfall. And sightseeing wouldn’t be complete without some geothermal hot springs. We stopped at the nearly empty roadside Gamla Laugin geothermal pool where we were surrounded by snowbanks. One word of advice if you plan to visit roadside or community geothermal pools, be sure to bring your own towel, ideally a thin Turkish towel.

Note that none of these sites require pre-booking and at many, we were the only ones there. We had an idea of what to see in the area and then did as much or as little as we felt up to. The only thing requiring pre-booking was our paid excursions like the glacier hike and snowmobiling. Each day as we continued on the ring road brought some new amazing sight to see or experience.

Day 6: Hofn and the Eastern Fjords

After three action-packed days, we continued our journey east making an overnight stop in Höfn. This charming fishing town is known for its incredible langoustine (Icelandic lobster), and we had to taste it and compare it to our Maine lobster!

From Höfn we drove through the dramatic and winding Eastern Fjords, characterized by towering mountains plunging into the sea, picturesque fishing villages, and sweeping coastal views. This area felt the most isolated of any during our trip. We stayed the night in Egilsstaðir where we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights!

Days 7 and 8: Myvatn

Our journey continued northwest to the geologically fascinating Myvatn region, a hotspot for geothermal activity and volcanic formations.

Our first major stop was the powerful duo of Dettifoss and Selfoss waterfalls. Dettifoss is Europe's most powerful waterfall, an awe-inspiring display of nature's force, while Selfoss, just a short walk upstream, offers a more intricate series of cascades. We explored the surreal Krafla area, home to the Víti explosion crater and the bubbling mud pots and steam vents of Námaskarð. It’s wild how the ground is bubbling with burning hot steam and there are no guard rails. That is one thing (of many) we found fascinating about Iceland. Most of the time at our stops it was just us or maybe a handful of other people and you could explore wherever you wanted – no guardrails or signs telling you to “stay out”!

We took a peaceful hike around Hofdi offered stunning views over Lake Myvatn. The otherworldly feel continued with a walk through the still-steaming Leirhnjúkur lava fields, a recent lava flow from the Krafla volcano. We also hiked to the rim of Hverfell volcanic crater, offering expansive views of the entire Myvatn area. It sounds like a lot, but most of these places were right off the road or required just a short hike. It was a good balance of driving in the car and then getting out and stretching our legs.

To unwind after a day of exploration, we indulged in the soothing waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths, a wonderfully relaxing geothermal lagoon, less crowded than the more famous Blue Lagoon, offering stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. It had recently snowed, so we joined in a huge snowball fight right in the lagoon!

Days 9: Akureyri

From Myvatn, we drove to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, often called the "Capital of the North." En route to Akureyri, we stopped at the beautiful Goðafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods," a horseshoe-shaped cascade with deep historical significance.

Whale watching is a popular excursion in these parts. Though we didn’t see any whales, they let us try our hand at fishing and we were successful with that! Back on land the captain cooked up our catches and we shared a meal, which was super fun! We also took a step back in time with a visit to the Glaumbær Folk Museum, a beautifully preserved turf farm that offered a fascinating glimpse into traditional Icelandic life and architecture.

Days 10-12: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Our journey continued west to the breathtaking Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often dubbed "Iceland in Miniature" due to its incredible diversity of landscapes compacted into one region.

We did a coastal hike from our lodging in Arnarstapi to the Hellnar arch, admiring the dramatic cliffs, basalt columns, and the iconic stone bridge. We hiked to the top of Saxhóll crater, a symmetrical volcanic cone offering panoramic views of the surrounding lava fields and coastline. Of course, no visit to Snaefellsnes is complete without seeing Kirkjufell, the distinctive "Church Mountain," often photographed with Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground – truly iconic.

We also enjoyed a charming visit to the colorful fishing town of Stykkishólmur, with its vibrant harbor and interesting architecture. We went horseback riding on a beach with the beautiful Icelandic horses. Another fascinating underground adventure awaited us at the Vatnshellir lava tube tour, where we descended into a 8,000-year-old lava cave, navigating its dark passages with headlamps – a cool and slightly eerie experience.

Days 13-15: The Golden Circle

We concluded our Ring Road adventure by exploring Iceland's famous Golden Circle. This popular route covers three major attractions close to Reykjavik, providing a perfect grand finale to our trip.

Our Golden Circle exploration began at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site of immense historical and geological significance. It's where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, visible through dramatic fissures and canyons. It was also the site of Iceland's ancient parliament. We even had the option to snorkel or dive between the tectonic plates in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra fissure.

Next, we witnessed the explosive power of Geysir, the hot spring from which all other geysers derive their name, and its active neighbor, Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes, sending boiling water high into the air. Just a short drive away was the magnificent Gullfoss, the "Golden Waterfall," a massive tiered waterfall that plunges into a deep canyon, creating spectacular rainbows on sunny days.

Our favorite geothermal experience of the trip was in the Golden Circle area. Reykjadalur is a geothermal river accessed by a 2-mile hike from a parking area. It’s a winding river with different temperatures of water – it gets cooler the further away from the source you go. Just amazing! And one more must-see in this area: Friðheimar Greenhouse restaurant. We enjoyed delicious tomato soup and fresh sourdough bread, with tomatoes grown on-site in their geothermal-heated greenhouses.

Lodging and Family Fun on the Road

Our accommodations throughout the trip were a blend of hotels and vacation rentals, which allowed us a good mix of hotel amenities some days but also other days with a kitchen to cook our own meals and a shared space to watch TV together in the evening. A consistent bonus was that almost all our stays either had their own hot tubs or provided access to natural hot springs nearby – a perfect way to relax and soak tired muscles after a day of exploring.

One particularly special experience was our one-night farm stay at Vogafjós Guesthouse in Myvatn. The girls loved milking the cows, and we enjoyed a wonderful farm supper with the other guests. The owners were incredibly kind and hospitable, even coming to our rescue when our car got stuck in a snowbank – a true testament to Icelandic hospitality!

This trip is ideal for anyone who enjoys a good road trip and breathtaking scenery, but it’s especially great for families with teenage and older kids. It's packed with nature and activity without being overly strenuous. There’s lots of cool activities to do including snowmobiling, glacier hiking, lava tube tours, horseback riding, snorkeling and kayaking. Most of our hikes were relatively short, less than a few miles, meaning the trip involved a lot of driving, stopping to see things, doing a brief exploration or hike, and then getting back in the car for the next leg. To make the driving enjoyable, we created a family playlist for our car rides, and stopping at gas stations for Icelandic hot dogs became a fun ritual!

When to Go?

We’d recommend going anytime but winter, when there is minimal daylight and harsh weather (snow, wind and cold). If you go in the summer you’ll have plenty of daylight, but more crowds. Spring and fall are really nice because of minimal crowds, good amounts of daylight and a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Weather is pretty good, though the closer you get to winter the more chance there is for cold and snowy weather. We went in mid-April and it was cold, though not frigid, and we did encounter one snowstorm, but being from the northeast, it wasn’t outside of our comfort zone. Also note that a 4x4 SUV is highly recommended for most times besides summer. We had one and were very happy to have it when driving through said snowstorm.

Don’t Have 2 weeks to Travel?

If you want to visit Iceland but don’t have two weeks to do the complete Ring Road tour, we recommend dividing your time between the Golden Circle and southern Iceland (Vik). Both are within a few hours of Reykjavik and provide a good variety of the natural wonders that Iceland has to offer.

Ready for Your Icelandic Adventure?

An Icelandic Ring Road trip is more than just a vacation; it’s an opportunity to witness incredible natural phenomena, engage in thrilling activities, and create lasting family memories. If Iceland is calling your name, let Jetsettery help you plan your unforgettable adventure! Click here to start planning!

Iceland’s Ultimate 2-Week Ring Road Adventure

Escape Data Shock: Affordable Phone Connectivity Abroad

Cruising the Amazon on the Aqua Nera