How To Explore Iceland’s Golden Circle And Ring Road In 8 Days

I had 8 days to explore Iceland, and I was going to do my best. The main reason for going this year was to see the Northern Lights; this was a good year to see them. Little did I know that the Northern Lights would be the least impressive thing about Iceland.

Read about my faves here: From Free to Bougie: Top 7 Experiences in Iceland

This is my detailed 8-day itinerary for Iceland.

*Click the down arrow on the Table of Contents to expand.

I traveled to Iceland with my partner and his brother. And because I would be traveling in a group and not on my own, I wanted to spend most of the trip exploring the areas further from Reykjavik.

My thinking behind this was that if I liked Iceland and wanted to return, it would be fairly easy to pop over to Reykavik for a weekend by myself, whereas you need more time to get to the other areas, and I wasn’t sure about driving and hiking in the remote areas by myself in a country I had never been to.

How We Planned Our Trip

We booked and planned this trip in two weeks, which is not recommended. The three of us each communicated the things we would like to do and see and our must-dos. The Northern Lights, Basalt Canyon, and any lagoon were top of my list.

We knew we would rent a vehicle to drive around the Ring Road. We wanted to do the Ring Road first and the Golden Circle and Reykjavik last. I love how this plan worked out because we did the long driving first and could take it a bit easier toward the end of our trip when we would be worn out.

We mapped out the locations of places we wanted to go and grouped them by area. We also added any additional things to see on each day that we could do if there was time. Because it was planned so late, booking hotels was tricky, but again, it worked out so well.

Rental Car

We booked our Budget/Avis vehicle through British Airways. Being a part of their frequent flyer program has additional car rental perks, including 24-hour support, Premium Cover, and a FREE additional driver.

We are also an Avis Preferred Member, so we got the fast-track to pick up our car.

Both British Airways and Avis have free programs that can be signed up for.

You can read the blog post here for more info. Want to Save Money on Travel

NOTE: We had a white Dacia Duster, and there were many others just like it on the road. I recommend making a mental note of your license plate number to easily find your vehicle in a parking lot full of similar cars. You will also need your plate number for parking.

Parking

Parking in Iceland is such a breeze, but you do need to pay if it is required. There will be a Parking Sign if you need to pay. I would check as soon as you arrive at a location. The technology scans your plate when you drive in and out.

You can download the Easypark app, but I didn’t find it necessary. I scanned the QR code, entered the license plate number, and used ApplePay on my phone. So easy!

Hotels

We stayed at a different hotel each night except for one night when we stayed in the same place for two nights in a row—absolute heaven! Some of our bookings were for individual rooms (my partner and I in one, his brother in another), while others were shared apartments or cottages.

Accommodations types included:

• A two-bedroom cottage
• Hotels
• A one-bedroom apartment with a pull-out couch
• A guest house

Iceland is expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised by how reasonably priced the hotels were.

Check out this post for more details on our accommodations:

Affordable Accommodations for Your Iceland Road Trip Adventure

Iceland is expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced the hotels were.

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival

KEF – Keflavik Airport 

We arrived in Iceland around 10 that morning, and let me tell you, immigration and border control were a breeze. It’s a small airport compared to the airport I had just left, London Heathrow.

Picking up the rental car

We headed straight to Avis/Budget Rental Car for our booking. We had booked a Jimney. My partner and I had a Jimny on a Costa Rica trip years ago and loved it, so we imagined we would love it again.

We were lucky enough to be offered an upgrade, and once the man behind the counter saw that three people were traveling with us, he said there was no way we could all fit in the Jimny!

We were upgraded to a Dacia Duster, which is perfect for three people and our luggage. Mind you, we only brought carry-on-sized luggage and backpacks. On the way out to pick up our car, we saw a Jimny in the parking lot and were very grateful to be upgraded. The Jimny had two seats and a gate in the back. It reminded me of a place for your dog to ride.

We had a manual transmission, and you really need this for some of the places we visited on our Iceland Adventure trip!

We get our car and head toward Akureyri. It would be a 5-6 hour drive, including time to stop and eat and take pictures along the way.

The day we arrived was frigid, but the sun was shining, and the scenic drive was stunning.

I was exhausted after a long day of travel, and we would be hitting the road at 6 o’clock the next morning! My partner and his brother set their alarms for midnight so they could try to catch the Northern Lights. I needed sleep, and I just asked that they come and get me IF they were visible! They were not.

Hotel Halond – Akureyri

Day 2

Rise and shine, or not. It was still dark when we left the hotel. The hotel was so nice I could’ve slept in and stayed there another night. But alas, this was an adventure trip!

Godafoss Waterfall

Godafoss Waterfall is very easy to access. Parking is free, and you can park on either side. This morning, the path was frozen over and very slippery; however, there was a railing to assist in walking to the falls.

Lake Myvatn Area / Skutustadagigar Craters / Dimmuborgir Lava Structures

These are all in the same general location. You can hit all 3 easily as it doesn’t take much time at each.

Lake Myvatn is beautiful with curious sheep grazing along the pathway. Across the street from the parking area is a cafe/gift shop with a free restroom. Always take advantage of a free restroom. 

Dimmuborgir Lava Structures is a nice walk around some lava structures and a paid toilet that takes credit cards. There is a restaurant there, Kaffi Borgir, but it was closed while we were there. They reopen in April 2025. The toilets were still available.

Namaskard Geothermal Area

Namaskard Geothermal Area was an unexpected thrill. The area is wide open and you can walk right up to the mud pots. A mud pot is bubbling mud, essentially a hot spring with minimal water, resulting in a bubbling mud pool. At the same time, a “fumarole” is a vent that primarily releases hot steam and volcanic gases with almost no water present. (Thanks Google)!

It was such a cool area, and the best part, it started snowing while we were there.

You need to pay to park here by scanning the QR code. There is no restroom.

Dettifoss Waterfall

A mere 36-minute drive away and still snowing, we walked across the rocky path to the awe-inspiring falls. It reminded me of Niagara Falls, far away and only looking from above.

There is a restroom in the parking area, and I used this especially since it would be about a 2-hour drive to the next destination, Studlagil Canyon.

Studlagil Canyon

This place was at the top of my must-do list and was well worth the drive. We hadn’t eaten yet, and I was glad to see a restaurant at the turn-off for the canyon with delicious lamb soup, pastries, and a few vegetarian options. 

After eating, we headed down to the car park. We stayed on the east side of the canyon and were happy with this choice. The east offers a hike to the canyon and access to get down into the canyon. It’s roughly 3 kilometers from the car park to the place where you can climb down into the canyon.

The hike itself was gorgeous, and the basalt columns were truly remarkable. In September, the water was not the turquoise blue you see in pictures. Still, the foliage was gorgeous and relaxing, with its red, pink, and greens against the gray of the basalt columns. 

The west side offers stairs and a lookout point. We also planned to see the other side but were happy with the east side and ready to get to our hotel and into nice, warm beds. The hotel was a fair drive from where we were. 

Framtid Apartments – Djupivogur

Day 3

The Red Chair

Be sure to look out for the red chair on your drive to Diamond Beach! 

On our drive from our hotel to Diamond Beach the scenery and open road are hypnotizing. Then, all of a sudden, a bright red chair sitting atop a vast rock appears. I had to do a double take, and we had to turn around and get some photos. 

Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon

This place was pretty cool, pun intended. The parking is free and is very close to the lagoon. This was my first time seeing an iceberg floating in water with seals playing and swimming around. We parked on the lagoon side, but either side was fine. 

You can take a boat out for a tour, but we opted out because we are going on an ice cave tour later in the day. The views here are so mesmerizing. 

 You can walk from the lagoon to Diamond Beach, where ice washes onto the shore. 

 There are food trucks in the parking lot and a free restroom. We had hot dogs and coffee, but they also had soups, french fries, and other belly-warming foods.

Ice Cave Tour

Before the ice cave tour, we filled our bellies with a delicious flight of soups, yes, a flight of soups with free refills! You have to try The Soup Company. Delicious! 

This tour company was just down the road from where we ate. We booked our tours through Get Your Guide, and it was very easy. We met in Vik at the designated place and time after eating our flight of soups,  

We meet our tour guide and other travelers. There were about 10 of us in the massive van with monster wheels. We headed out down the road and across the lava fields. 

For this tour, I would recommend wearing a beanie and not a bobble hat because you have to wear a helmet. 

Another requirement for this tour is hiking boots. You have to put on crampons which are provided to be able to walk across the ice safely. 

We headed down the path, looking at the glacier, which looked like a mountain because of the color of ice and volcanic ash. We arrived at the ice cave, and it was my first time seeing one in person. It was worth going. We hiked up through the ice cave and then returned to Vik. 

Here’s a link to the tour we took: Katla Ice Cave and Super Jeep Tour

Reynisfjara Beach 

We arrived here after the ice cave tour, and it was already starting to get dark and was incredibly cold with the cold air coming in off the sea. It was a beautiful beach. There were loads of people here, posing with the basalt columns, flying drones, taking selfies. I was already missing the solitude of the north. 

We headed to our guest house to get to our next destination early the following day to beat the crowds.

Edinborg Guesthouse

Day 4

Seljaland and Gljufrabui Waterfalls

We arrived at the falls before sunrise and were the only people there. We walked up to the falls like it was ours. This is where it happened; at the top of the falls, the sole of one of my hiking boots came off! Thankfully, I had my hiking shoes in the car and an extra pair of socks, and we had already done the ice cave tour that required hiking boots. Whew! Note to self and anyone else who will listen: DO NOT BUY HIKING BOOTS FROM THE CHARITY SHOP!

 

We stopped at Faxi Bakery on our way to the next falls. I had the most delicious cheesecake in my life. It was such a cute bakery with not just desserts. Definitely worth a stop.

Skogafoss and Kvernufoff Waterfalls 

There were definitely more tourists at these falls. Parking was easy and there is a restaurant, hotel, and restroom. 

The falls were gorgeous; you could view them from the bottom or top. There were stairs leading up to the top and apparently, once up, you can continue hiking along. 

My brother-in-law did this, and my partner and I ate at the restaurant. 

We opted to walk to Kvernufoss so we wouldn’t have to worry about parking again. It was a nice easy walk, and it was so beautiful. You can go behind the falls, and if you’re looking for a place to take selfies, this is it! 

After our day of waterfalls, we headed to our hotel near Selfoss. 

Minniborgir Cottages – Minni-Borg, Selfoss

Day 5

Kerid Crater

We woke up early again and had a short drive up the road to Kerid Crater. We parked and had a very short walk to the crater. You can view from the top and walk down to the water-filled crater. We were the first ones there; only a few people showed up during our visit. 

After the crater, we headed into town to have breakfast and boy, we hit the jackpot. We stopped at Byrja. The family-run business had the best food, and the staff were so friendly. 

After our hearty breakfast, we headed to our next destination, the Geysir Geothermal area.

Geysir Geothermal Area

This was not at the top of my list, as I’ve seen old faithful in Yellowstone. However, I got hooked after arriving at the park-like area where you can walk around and view the different geysers. There was one geyser in particular that we watched intently for at least 30 minutes, and each time it erupted was like a surprise jack-in-the-box, bringing cheers and applause! 

Easy parking and a huge gift shop and restaurant. Nice restrooms, too. 

Haifoss, Granni & HjalparfossWaterfalls

After much discussion about whether to brave the gravely pot-holed road, we decided to give it a go. The road was terrible, but the destination was my favorite part of everything we did in Iceland. 

Once we finally arrived at the free parking lot, we jumped on the trail and headed down the mountain. The hike took about 45 minutes or so. Some parts were quite steep. The views from the top are spectacular, and the hike down is just as stunning. 

Has a view of nature ever brought tears to your eyes? Well, this was it for me. The colors and the feeling of the falls. You could get so close to the falls. There were 3 in total, and each was spectacular. 

This might be my favorite spot in Iceland so far.

There is no restroom here. Consider carrying a Ziploc bag to put your used toilet paper in if you need to go beside your vehicle.

We headed back down the road at sunset, as I didn’t want to drive down that road in the dark. 

We headed to our next hotel.

Reykjadalur Guesthouse – Hveragerdi

Day 6

Silfra Snorkeling ½ Day Trip

Travel between two continents, ending the tour in “the real blue lagoon”

Experience one of the purest and clearest waters you’ll find on the planet

View Silfra from the surface while the slow current carries you through the stunning underwater landscape

I opted out of the activity for this morning, Snorkeling in the rift. 

Meet your guide and group directly at the site in Silfra and prepare to travel between two continents in the rift. Be guided through magnificent scenery and view Silfra from the surface while the slow current carries you through the stunning underwater landscape.

Stay dry underneath your drysuit or, for the more adventurous, choose the wetsuit to feel the natural cool waters.

Snorkel through the pure and clean waters of Silfra and end the tour in a lagoon often called “the real blue lagoon” because of the bright blue color of its water. 

This is the tour they booked: Silfra: Half-Day Snorkeling Day Trip

I hate cold water, and I wasn’t sure I could have something tight around my neck. I decided to explore the area on foot. I put my suitcase in the car before they left so that I would just have my large backpack. The town was close, and there was a nice hotel with a cozy coffee shop and a food truck-style restaurant with many different things to choose from. 

I have a friend in Iceland who was kind enough to meet me for coffee and a quick tour around the town before heading off. 

When the guys returned, we had a quick lunch at the hotel and headed off for our helicopter ride in Reykavik.

Helicopter Tour

This is the most bougie thing we did on this trip. Would I do it agin, YES! 

We arrived at the airport, met our pilot, and started our 45-minute tour. We could see the blue lagoon from the air and the gorgeous coastline before landing on top of an old volcano walking across the lava. It was so cool.

The helicopter ride was so fun and really gave a different view of the country. 

This is the tour we did: From Reykjavik: New Volcanic Area Helicopter Tour

After the helicopter ride, we had to rush to our next hotel because check-in time ended promptly at 6, and we were about 2 hours away. We made it with only a few minutes to spare. We would be staying for 2 nights at this hotel!!  

Midhraun Lava Resort – Western Region

Day 7

Rauofeldsgja Gorge

We woke up this morning and headed to Rauofeldsgja Gorge. It was fun to hike through the gorge like an explorer. Unfortunately, the rain started to pick up, and we were freezing and wet. I want to go back to that place on a dry day and really explore the gorge.

 
What do you do when it’s pouring down rain? Eat! We stopped at the perfect place for breakfast, a buffet! We took our time eating while we waited for the rain to clear. 
 
A lot of the things we had planned for the day just didn’t happen. 

Vatnshellir Lava Cave

We decided to turn up to a lava cave without booking, and thankfully, we could go with the next group. I highly recommend booking in advance.  

To get into the cave, you will need to climb down some circular metal stairs. You wear a helmet and have your own personal flashlight. It was a cool experience and my first time experiencing total darkness. Don’t worry, though; it’s only for a minute when everyone is instructed to turn their flashlights off at the same time. 

Djupalon Lagoon and Djupalonssandur Beach

When the rain finally cleared up, we headed to Djupalon. Parking was easy, and the views were breathtaking. The gray skies made the place even more extraordinary. 

The English trawler Eding wrecked on the beach in 1948. The tragedy claimed the lives of fourteen people, leaving only five survivors. Many of the rusted remnants are still scattered on the beach as a tribute to those who lost their lives. 

You can walk down a gentle path to the beach, and off to the right is a gorgeous lagoon. 

Kirkjufellfoss Waterfall

One of the most iconic Iceland locations you see in photographs is Kirkjufellfoss Waterfall.

We did our best to make the most of this cold, rainy day. On a positive note, the grey skies did give each sight a mystical feel.

Kirkjufellfoss Waterfalls are beautiful and easy to walk around. We wanted to hike up the mountain, but by this point, braving the cold and rain all day, we were spent.
 
After this, we decided to go to a grocery store, get some food, and head back to our cabin for an early and relaxing night. The rain and cold can really drain you. 

Midhraun Lava Resort – Western Region

Day 8

We arrived just outside Reykjavik in the early afternoon and were able to check in to our hotel early. Following the hotel staff’s recommendations, we drove into the city center instead of taking the bus, which was our original plan.

Reykjavik

We parked near the harbor and slowly found our way onto Rainbow Street, making our way to Hallgrimskirkja Church. I picked up a few souvenirs, and we enjoyed a tasty lunch at Reykjavik Street Food.

During lunch, we made our final decision about which spa to enjoy: Secret Lagoon or Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon

We chose Blue Lagoon and went with the Comfort Package because it was the least expensive. The Comfort Package includes access to the lagoon, one silica mud mask, one towel, and one drink at the in-water bar.

The Blue Lagoon has dynamic pricing, which means that each package has a range of prices, and the time you choose could determine which price you pay.

We booked our time for 6:00 PM and would have access to the lagoon until closing at 10:00 PM, which was more than enough time. The last booking time is 8:00 PM.

The package we chose was perfect because you can easily add on as needed once you get there. I think I could do an entire post on this experience alone. It’s a definite must in Iceland.

I left my cell phone in the locker provided because I could not risk it getting damaged. I didn’t realize the spa sold waterproof cell phone holders at the pool bar. If you want loads of pictures, consider bringing a waterproof case because the minerals in the water can damage your phone.

Day 9 – Leaving Iceland

Returning the car, checking in, and getting through security were a breeze. Although I was sad to leave Iceland, I had already been thinking about returning to explore more of this beautiful country.

Final Thoughts

Lessons Learned

Plan for time to eat! We had a tight schedule and didn’t plan to eat. Lesson learned.

My Next Visit

Next time, I would like to explore the fjords and visit at a different time of year to see the differences in flora—maybe late spring or early summer.

I want to spend more time in Reykjavik, experiencing the nightlife and hitting the punk museum!

Money Saving Tips

Snacks: We packed cookies, pretzel chips, and snack bars. I ate Blueberry Nak’d Bars for breakfast and snacks, which were easy to pack.

Water Bottle: A reusable water bottle is a must. The tap water in Iceland is the best I’ve ever had!

Groceries: Stop by a grocery store and pick up some things you can easily eat on the road. I got sliced bread, peanut butter and jelly, and Pot Noodles for the hotel room.

One night, we cooked in our cabin, which was so lovely. Eating out every meal gets very expensive, and I would rather spend my Iceland money on tours and activities.

* I also just love going to grocery stores in different countries.

Whatever route you choose in Iceland, I wish you the best and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy Travels