Iceland road trip: Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon, 9 stops
This 845.8 km route across Iceland showcases the country's most dramatic natural attractions, from Reykjavik's creative architecture to the geothermal wonders of the Golden Circle, southern waterfalls, and the glacial landscapes of the east coast.
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- Places
- Start
- National Museum of Iceland
- End
- Krafla Volcano
- Stops
- 9
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- National Museum of Iceland — Museum offering a voyage through Icelandic history from the present day back to the Settlement Age, documenting the nation's cultural heritage.
- the Blue Lagoon — Geothermal hot spring surrounded by lava fields, famous for its milky turquoise waters rich in minerals and silica.
- The Golden Circle — Popular scenic route featuring Þingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs, and Gullfoss waterfall across Iceland's southwestern highlands.
- Thingvellir National Park — Iceland's heart and soul where visitors walk between drifting North American and European tectonic plates, and explore where Iceland's parliament gathered for 800 years.
- Geysir Geothermal Field — Boiling landscape of hissing steam vents and belching mud pools where Strokkur geyser thrusts water skyward every 10 minutes.
- Jokulsarlon Lake — Glacial lagoon filled with icebergs calved from Vatnajökull glacier, creating stunning contrasts of blue ice and black sand beaches.
- Selfoss Waterfall — Powerful cascade along the Golden Circle route where Hvítá river plunges into a dramatic canyon with multiple tiers.
- Myvatn region — Northern Iceland's geothermal area featuring volcanic landscapes, thermal springs, and Lake Mývatn surrounded by pseudocraters and lava formations.
- Krafla Volcano — Active volcano whose caldera offers views of incredible geothermal power residing just beneath Iceland's ice and volcanic landscape.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Reykjavik is only a 3-hour flight from London and just under 6 hours from New York, making Iceland easily accessible from major European and North American cities.
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- Many of Iceland's most popular sights are within easy reach of Reykjavik, often accessible by public transport.
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- Iceland's main ring road circles the entire island and strings together an endless series of epic landscapes.
- Timing
- Visit the Myvatn region during daylight hours to safely walk through the boiling landscape of Namafjall with its steam vents and volcanic features.
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- At Geysir Geothermal Field, Strokkur geyser erupts every 10 minutes, making it reliably viewable unlike the dormant Great Geysir.
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- Follow the trail behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall (200 feet high) for a unique experience walking behind a veil of glacial water.
- Timing
- Visit Skógafoss on sunny days to see the double rainbow created by the falls.
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- Hike across the natural arch of Dyrholaey to sit surrounded by puffins and view Iceland's southernmost point.
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- At Jökulsárlón Lake, icebergs break away from Vatnajokull (Europe's largest glacier) and float for years before melting out to sea.
- Tip
- Dettifoss is Europe's mightiest waterfall with a plume visible over half a mile away; stand before the nearby northern horseshoe falls of Selfoss.
- Where to stay
- After a few days on the ring road, Akureyri (Capital of the North) offers a place to warm up and enjoy comfort and culture before heading into the wilds again.
- Tip
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and Iceland's hundreds of volcanic thermal baths across the island where locals soak in healing thermal waters.
Video on this route
Iceland Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia