The best 12-day road trip in Iceland

How about going hunting for the northern lights, walking on a glacier, and seeing active volcanoes? And what if I told you that it’s possible just a few hours flight from Paris!

Here is the best 12-day road trip in Iceland that lets you discover the most beautiful wonders of the land of Ice and Fire.
 

Summary of the 12-day road trip in Iceland

Day 1 : Golden Circle Region

Your road trip to Iceland kicks off in high gear with the Golden Circle region. Highly sought after by tourists, you probably won’t be the only ones visiting this part of the island, but that’s no surprise considering the fabulous sites found here!

Here are the 3 main spots in the Golden Circle you can’t miss during your exploration of Iceland:

• Thingvellir is a natural park perfect for hiking lovers, housing a remarkable canyon created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This is also where the Althing, the ancient Icelandic parliament, met as early as 930.
• Next, head to the Geysir geothermal field where you can witness spectacular hot water eruptions.
• Your next stop takes you to the Gullfoss waterfall where the Hvítá river plunges into an impressive gorge. It’s a two-tiered waterfall, often framed by a rainbow created by the mist. A breathtaking sight!

Since you’re not too far, I recommend a detour to the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel. Equipped with a helmet, you can explore this geological marvel formed after a volcanic eruption 5000 years ago. The Kerid volcanic crater also offers a lovely panorama.

Authentik Tip: I recommend booking an RV rental in Iceland. In my opinion, it’s the best way to visit the country and be able to stop wherever you please.

Days 2-3 : Vik i Myrdal

After this first glimpse of the Icelandic landscapes, I bet you’re eager to see more. Good news, because on this second day, you’re heading to the Vik i Myrdal region in the south of the country to start the grand loop of this road trip in Iceland.

Along your route, feel free to stop at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk behind the curtain of water. Make a second stop at the Skogafoss waterfall just before reaching Vik. It’s very impressive with its 60-meter height, definitely worth a photo break!

Famous for its black sand beaches and incredible natural sites, here are the must-see spots of Vik i Myrdal in Iceland. The village of Vik is perfect for some grocery shopping before hitting the road, but that’s not all. Its picturesque church perched on a hill is stunning, as is the panoramic view that stretches before you.

Don’t miss the Reynisfjara site with its black sand beach overlooked by basalt columns where the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash. The Reynisdrangar needles nearby are, according to legend, trolls turned to stone by daylight...

You can then continue your walk towards Dyrhólaey. This high point with a lighthouse is the ideal place to enjoy a spectacular view of the surroundings, including the Reynisfjara beach and Reynisdrangar rock formations. During the summer season, visitors can also observe puffins nesting on the cliffs.
 

Calculate the cost of your RV rental for a road trip in Iceland

 

Days 4-5 : The Vatnajökull Coast

It’s already time to hit the road again towards the Vatnajökull coast which runs along the glacier of the same name in southeast Iceland. You will discover an incredible diversity of landscapes within the Vatnajökull National Park, from lush valleys to glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks.

The Skaftafell Park, now part of the Vatnajökull National Park, is a highlight of this stage. Your curiosity will certainly lead you to explore the Skeiðarársandur, the world’s largest sandur (plain formed by the glacial outwash of sand and gravel from melting glaciers).

Continue exploring the park with the Svartifoss waterfall and its basalt columns.

If you dreamed of this road trip in Iceland to see unique landscapes with your own eyes, you won’t be disappointed when you discover the Jökulsárlón, this lagoon dotted with icebergs. The Diamond Beach right next door lives up to its name. Icebergs of all sizes wash up on this black sand beach, creating a sparkling, absolutely sublime scene.

For an out-of-the-ordinary excursion, get tickets for the Crystal Cave. You will enter an impressive ice cave that reveals its thousand shades of blue.

The Vatnajökull coast boasts wild and preserved nature that offers an exceptional playground for hiking enthusiasts. You might even have the chance to observe seabirds, reindeer, and even Arctic foxes during your walks.

Day 6 : Egilsstaðir

This sixth day of your road trip in Iceland holds new surprises. To learn more, drive to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in the east of the country with about 2,500 inhabitants! Located along Route 1, it’s an ideal stop to explore eastern Iceland.

Take advantage of being in town to do some shopping or warm up in a café. If you feel like it, you can also visit the Heritage Museum (Minjasafn Austurlands) to learn more about the local culture.

Here, Lake Lagarfljót is an integral part of the landscape, as is the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, which is the largest in Iceland. You won’t see many wooded areas in Iceland, so enjoy it! The Vikings deforested everything to gather wood for building houses and tools, and since the Icelandic climate is rather harsh (subarctic, even arctic, and wind-battered), trees struggle to regrow naturally.

To finish this day outdoors, why not treat yourself to the luxury of a swim in the hot springs of Vök Baths? You can swim in floating geothermal pools with an incredible view of Lake Urriðavatn, especially at sunset. If you are lucky, you might have the chance to admire the northern lights while relaxing in the water.

Day 7 : Akureyri

On the way to the next destination of this 12-day road trip in Iceland: Akureyri. But on the way, take a detour through the very pretty colorful village of Seydisfjordur and the waterfall of Dettifoss.

You have now arrived in the heart of Norðurland. This peaceful and charming city is nestled in the middle of fjords and surrounded by majestic mountains, making it the ideal starting point for exploring northern Iceland.

Before heading out for outdoor activities, don't miss Akureyri Church and its modern architecture as well as the Art Museum which exhibits works by Icelandic artists, and the ecomuseum which traces the history of the region.

Near Akureyri, there are must-see sites to visit on a trip to Iceland:

• Goðafoss, also called "the waterfall of the gods,” is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland.
• Húsavík, this beautiful fishing port is located close to the Arctic Circle. It's the perfect place to observe the midnight sun in the summer and see northern lights in the winter. Considered the Icelandic whale watching capital, don't leave Húsavík without seeing these impressive marine mammals.

Authentik Tip: while driving in Iceland is quite enjoyable, be careful because the island has more sheep than inhabitants! So you might encounter them along the roads or even right in the middle of the road...

Days 8-9 : Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Welcome to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west of the country, also nicknamed "Iceland in miniature,” because it features a great variety of landscapes. I recommend taking a tour around it to get a good overview of its incredible diversity.

The Tip of the Peninsula, where the national park of the same name is located, has many majestic natural sites. Notably, there is the Snæfellsjökull volcano, one of the gems of the region, honored by Jules Verne in his novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

You will also discover picturesque villages like Arnarstapi and Hellnar and the rock arch of Gatklettur. Take a walk on the beautiful pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur.

If you're in the mood for adventure, you can visit the Vatnshellir lava caves. You will descend into the depths of the earth to explore a fascinating underground world with a guide. You'll be equipped with a helmet and a flashlight. Remember to wear warm clothes and good shoes. You'll have the opportunity to experience complete darkness when all the lights are turned off.

Kirkjufell is a landmark of the peninsula that will particularly delight photography enthusiasts. This pyramid-shaped mountain and its waterfall are one of the most photographed sites in Iceland. Just that! And that's it, after these two days of exploring western Iceland, it's now time to return to Reykjavik.

Days 10-12 : Reykjavik

It is in the capital that this 12-day road trip in Iceland comes to an end. It is pleasant to stroll through this human-scale city, which is perfect for walking. You will discover great museums, plenty of nice cafés and restaurants, colorful houses, and sites worth visiting.

Among the must-see places in Reykjavik, there is of course Hallgrímskirkja, the iconic church of the Icelandic capital. Some love and others hate this extraordinary architecture, but one thing is certain, you must go up to the top to admire the panoramic view of the whole city.

Also stroll along Laugavegur Street,the main shopping street then head towards the Old Harbor to taste delicious seafood and discover the Sun Voyager sculpture.

To visit Reykjavik without missing anything, make sure to add to your program a stop in front of Alþingishúsið, the House of Parliament as well as a swim in the geothermal waters of Nauthólsvík!

If the weather is not favorable and you want to learn more about Iceland, here are some museums that you might like:

• Reykjavik Art Museum
• The National Museum of Iceland
• The Saga Museum
• Perlan Museum

To wrap up this 12-day road trip in Iceland in style, head to the Blue Lagoon Ideal for relaxing (and warming up), these geothermal heated waters are highly appreciated by Icelanders as well as tourists. Be sure to book your entry in advance.

You now know the perfect itinerary to have the best 12-day road trip in Iceland. I wish you a wonderful stay in Iceland and see you soon for more travel inspirations!

Feel free to share your questions and tips in the comments.