Iceland is an incredibly fascinating and mysterious place, defined by epic, unspoiled landscapes that seem to belong to another world.
And if there is one way to experience all of this in a single trip, it is undoubtedly by traveling Iceland’s Ring Road, one of the most beautiful routes to make sure you enjoy the entire island.
In this article, you’ll discover the must-see stops on our group trip, taking you from breathtaking waterfalls to sparkling ice beaches, all the way to the Capital of the North, Akureyri.
Ring Road: discover some of the incredible stops on our group trip
First of all, what is Iceland’s Ring Road?
People often get confused! It’s not always clear what is meant by the Ring Road. To clarify, Iceland’s Ring Road, also known as Route 1, is the main road that circles the entire country, roughly following the coastline. Its total length is about 1,300 km.
The Ring Road will take you directly to, or close to, most of Iceland’s most beautiful attractions, including its most impressive waterfalls and famous black sand beaches.
As you’ll discover in this summary itinerary of Iceland’s Ring Road, the road does not cover every region, such as the spectacular Westfjords, which require a separate detour and are not always accessible due to rough or closed roads.
For those who want to make the most of their time in Iceland and visit as many of the country’s treasures as possible, the Ring Road is still the perfect and most efficient route.
#1 Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Although Iceland is home to an endless series of breathtaking waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss, which is about 200 meters high, is unique because you can walk behind it.
A path leads from the parking lot to the front of the waterfall, then continues around the sides and behind it, allowing you to enjoy views of the waterfall from every angle.
For obvious reasons, we recommend wearing a waterproof jacket, especially on a windy day.
The waterfall is relatively narrow, but its power is impressive. In summer, the cliff and ground surrounding Seljalandsfoss are a vivid green, dotted with yellow wildflowers that create a picturesque landscape.
Even though the trail gets wet, it is well marked and easy to follow. In winter, when snow turns to ice and the path becomes slippery, the trail is often partially closed.
#2 Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
The impressive Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, 100 meters deep, is lined with vibrant green moss and blooming flowers in spring and summer. In winter, the landscape is sometimes covered in a blanket of snow that makes it feel magical.
A river runs through the center, with one or two waterfalls along the way. There are viewpoints along the canyon rim, but if the water level is low enough, you may also have the chance to walk down to the base of the canyon.
Walking along the canyon edge is a breathtaking experience, but it is essential to stay on the designated trail at all times.
After Justin Bieber released the music video for his song "I’ll Show You," which showed him enjoying himself in the canyon, tourism in this area surged, and much of the natural beauty was damaged by careless visitors. In fact, the canyon was closed for a time to give nature a chance to recover.
It is also occasionally closed in spring, when ice and melting snow make the trail too muddy and dangerous. For now, the canyon is once again open to the public, but it will remain so only if visitors respect the environment and allow nature to thrive.
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#3 Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
The next stop is the glacier lagoon of Jökulsárlón, the larger neighbor of Fjallsárlón.
Located on the eastern side of the south coast, Jökulsárlón is a stunning lagoon filled with floating icebergs that are constantly changing, as the surrounding glacier continues to melt and new chunks of ice break off.
During summer, you can take a boat tour across the lagoon and see the icebergs up close, with plenty of seals hauled out and sunbathing. All year round, you can admire the lagoon from the shore, walking along the edge to view the icebergs from different angles.
On the other side of the road, you’ll find a black sand beach called Diamond Beach.
It stands out from other black sand beaches like Reynisfjara because the entire beach is covered with clear, sparkling ice. Pieces of iceberg floating in the glacier lagoon break away and wash ashore, scattering across the beach.
#4 Goðafoss
Let’s be honest: Goðafoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
Its name translates to Waterfall of the Gods, referring to when the lawspeaker Þorgeir Þorkelsson threw the idols of the old Norse gods into the waterfall after Iceland had officially converted to Christianity.
Goðafoss stretches in a semicircle, divided roughly in half to form two sections of silky, flowing water, with a third narrow stream running directly through the middle, creating a bright green-blue pool at its base.
There are many places to admire the waterfall from both sides and, because it extends over such a wide distance, it is hard not to find an exceptional viewpoint.
#5 Akureyri, the Capital of the North
Akureyri is the largest city outside Reykjavík and is often considered the Capital of the North.
As a result, there is no shortage of things to do.
Perhaps the best-known landmark is Akureyrarkirkja, the church located roughly in the center of town that welcomes all travelers.
In summer, we suggest visiting the beautiful and meticulously maintained Akureyri Botanical Garden. If you visit the city in winter, or simply want to get into the Christmas spirit, Akureyri is home to the Christmas House, which is open year-round! In no time, it will have you singing Christmas songs and dreaming of building gingerbread houses and decorating the tree.
Finally, there are also several interesting museums, including the Akureyri Art Museum and the Aviation Museum.
#6 The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is also an unmissable experience (and it is part of our itinerary) if you are setting foot in Iceland.
Despite the crowds and high prices, it is an experience worth having at least once.
This corner of geothermal paradise is not, surprisingly, a natural hot spring: it is an artificial lagoon created by the activity of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant.
Even if that sounds less appealing, the water is truly wonderful, safe, and renewed every 48 hours.
But be warned: while the mineral-rich water is wonderful for your skin, it is terrible for your hair. Keep your hair tied up if it is long, or be prepared to use plenty of conditioner.
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#7 Mývatn
Mývatn is Iceland’s fourth-largest lake, with an area of 37 km². Its shores are deeply indented with numerous inlets and bays, and its surface is dotted with around fifty islets and skerries. Midges (Chironomidae) are abundant, and the ever-present swarms of these tiny flies give the lake its name.
The lake itself is very shallow, and sunlight reaches the bottom across its entire surface. The ecology of the lake area is extremely varied and fascinating; one important feature of Mývatn is the prolific growth and abundance of freshwater algae. Large quantities of diatoms can be found on the lakebed, while closer to the surface, the famous Mývatn Arctic char makes its way among aquatic plants and islets covered in fertile vegetation.
#8 Snæfellsnes
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes called ‘Little Iceland’ because here you can find a bit of everything Iceland has to offer: incredible basalt columns, small fishing villages, coastal cliff walks among arches and other rock formations, lava fields and caves, volcanic craters, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and much more.
Conclusions
In this article, we’ve looked at some of the main stops along Iceland’s Ring Road. If you’d like to discover them all, take a look at this itinerary and join us!
