Iceland road trip: Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar, 7 stops
A 694 km road trip through Iceland starting in Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state, extending into the volcanic highlands of Landmannalaugar. This summer route covers the country's most dramatic landscapes, from brutalist architecture in the capital to black lava fields and geothermal hot springs in the interior plateau.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Laugavegur Street
- End
- Landmannalaugar
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Laugavegur Street — Reykjavik's main shopping boulevard lined with colorful buildings, boutiques, and cafés representing Iceland's vibrant capital culture.
- Blanuger — Inactive rhyolite volcano in Landmannalaugar offering intense hiking trails with otherworldly views of lava fields and geothermal landscapes.
- Þingvellir National Park — Historic parliamentary fields and UNESCO World Heritage site where Iceland's parliament was once held, surrounded by rift valley geology and natural hot springs.
- Vík & Dyrhólaey Lighthouse — Iconic white lighthouse perched on a dramatic coastal promontory with black sand beaches and towering basalt cliffs below.
- Reykjavik
- Hallgrímskirkja
- Landmannalaugar — Vast interior plateau in Iceland's highlands covering nearly half the country, shaped by volcanic and geothermal activity with rainbow-colored mountains and natural hot springs.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit in summer (mid-June) for midnight sun with only 3 hours of darkness between midnight and 3 a.m. Note: peak season means more tourists at popular sites.
- Transport
- Book a campervan through Campeasy for flexibility. Check-in includes paperwork, instructional videos, van tour, and pickup from airport shuttle.
- Transport
- To reach Landmannalaugar highlands (3 hours from Reykjavik), use a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Area is largely unreachable most of year; only accessible in summer.
- Where to stay
- Campervan equipped with convertible bed (wraparound couch), gas stove kitchen, two refrigerators, Wi-Fi, heating, and storage. Suitable for 2-3 people.
- Food
- Visit Bæjarins Beztu for famous hot dog (operating since 1937). Features sweet mustard, tomato sauce, and crispy French onion bits. Celebrity favorite spot.
- Tip
- Book tours in advance: glacial kayaking (Glacier & Volcano), whale watching (North Sailing), Landmannalaugar hike/hot spring, jeep tour, Golden Circle trip, or Sky Lagoon spa.
- Avoid
- Skógafoss waterfall is extremely crowded during peak summer season with expanded infrastructure. Consider visiting off-season for pristine experience.
- Tip
- Popular ring road route covers: Reykjavik, Landmannalaugar, Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey, Vatnajokull, Vestrahorn, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Hengifoss, Húsavík.
- Timing
- In summer, locals work extensively due to midnight sun and continuous daylight. In winter, people sleep more and face near-total darkness.
- Tip
- Dyrhólaey Lighthouse near Vík offers sweeping views of southern coastline with black sand beaches and dramatic rock formations. Located 30 minutes from Vík town.
- Tip
- Icelandic horses are friendly, special breed. Country strictly controls horse imports and exports to protect genetics. Horses have been here 1000+ years since Viking times.
Video on this route
ICELAND: LAND OF ICE & FIRE (& Vikings!)