The potential landmarks are marked on the map
Day 1: Arrive in Iceland, visit the Blue Lagoon
After landing at Keflavik Airport, you can drive to the nearby Blue Lagoon, one of the most popular geothermal spas in the world. Relax in the mineral-rich waters and enjoy the stunning scenery. Then, drive to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, and check in to your accommodation. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the city, visiting landmarks such as Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa concert hall, and Sun Voyager sculpture.
Day 2: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
On your second day, you can drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a scenic region that is often called “Iceland in miniature” because it has a bit of everything: mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches, and more. Some of the highlights include Kirkjufell mountain, Arnarstapi village, Djúpalónssandur beach, and Snaefellsjökull National Park, where you can see the glacier that inspired Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. You can also go on an optional whale watching tour from Grundarfjörður or Stykkishólmur.
Day 3: North Iceland
On your third day, you can continue your journey along the ring road to North Iceland. Along the way, you can stop at some of the most impressive waterfalls in the country: Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and Goðafoss. You can also visit Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland, and enjoy its cultural and culinary offerings. If you have time, you can also visit Húsavík, a charming fishing village that is known as the whale watching capital of Iceland.
Day 4: Mývatn, Dettifoss & Selfoss
On your fourth day, you can explore the Mývatn area, a volcanic wonderland with diverse attractions such as pseudocraters, lava fields, geothermal pools, and birdlife. You can also visit Dimmuborgir, a bizarre rock formation that resembles a castle, and Námaskarð, a geothermal area with boiling mud pots and fumaroles. From Mývatn, you can drive to Dettifoss and Selfoss, two powerful waterfalls that are located in Vatnajökull National Park.
Day 4+: East Iceland
On your fourth day afternoon, you can drive along the east coast of Iceland, which is less visited but equally beautiful. You can admire the rugged fjords and mountains that characterize this region, and stop at some of the charming villages along the way. You can also visit Stuðlagil Canyon, a stunning gorge with basalt columns and turquoise water. You can also hike to Hengifoss waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland.
Day 5: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Glacier Walk
On your fifth day, you can drive to one of the most spectacular sights in Iceland: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This is a large glacial lake where icebergs from Vatnajökull glacier float and glisten in the sun. You can take a boat tour on the lagoon or walk along the shore and admire the ice sculptures. You can also visit Diamond Beach, where some of the icebergs wash up on the black sand and sparkle like diamonds. If you want to experience walking on a glacier, you can book a guided glacier hike on Svínafellsjökull or Falljökull glaciers.
Day 6: South Coast Highlights
On your six day, you can drive along the south coast of Iceland, which is packed with amazing attractions. You can visit Skaftafell National Park, where you can hike to Svartifoss waterfall or Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue. You can also visit Vík í Mýrdal, a picturesque village with a black sand beach and Reynisdrangar rock formations. You can also stop at some of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
Day 6+: Golden Circle & Reykjavik
On your final afternoon, you can drive back to Reykjavik via the Golden Circle route. This is a popular tourist circuit that covers three of Iceland’s most iconic attractions: Þingvellir National Park, where you can see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; Geysir geothermal area, where you can see the Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes; and Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most powerful and majestic in Iceland. After completing the Golden Circle, you can drive to Reykjavik and enjoy your last night in the city.
Day 7 depart for Scotland
This is just a sample itinerary that you can use as a reference. You can find more information and tips about the ring road on these websites: Earth Trekkers, Capture the Atlas, Expert Vagabond, Naturally by Chloe, and Adventure In You.