Iceland: The Ring Road in Seven Days

Arrival in Reykjavik

Arrive in Reykjavik at any time. Most international flights land at Keflavík (KEF), a 45-minute drive from the capital. Settle into your accommodation, shake off the flight, and take a short walk to get your bearings. The city's compact center is easy to navigate on foot before the main journey begins.

The Road to Akureyri

The route pushes north from Reykjavik, a five- to six-hour overland drive to Akureyri, the so-called 'Capital of the North.' The scenery shifts from the urban south to the more rugged landscapes flanking the Ring Road.

Once in Akureyri, the afternoon is free to explore the old town's streets and the fjord-side setting. Eyjafjörður, the long fjord the city sits on, is a prime area for whale-watching excursions, which often depart in the evenings.

Waterfalls and Geothermal Fields

The day begins with a drive to Goðafoss, the 'waterfall of the gods,' a wide, powerful curtain of water easily accessible from the main road. From there, the route continues to the Lake Mývatn area, a hub of volcanic and geothermal activity. Explore the strange lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles at the Námaskarð geothermal field.

The final major stop is Dettifoss, one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls by volume, before the road leads into the East Fjords region. The night is spent in a local guesthouse in the small village of Bakagerdi.