My Perfect Iceland Itinerary (Southern Ring Road)

If I were to do this trip all over again, here’s how I’d approach it differently—what I’d change and how I’d maximize my time. Plus, let's insert my cute Itinerary which I’d say was about sixty to seventy percent accurate and served as a great guide throughout the trip.

Coffee from Mokka in Reykjavik, Iceland

Let's begin, shall we? I've also included a legend so you are aware which photo ops require hiking:

📸: Photo Op

🥾: Hiking Required

Day 1: From West to East

This day can really make or break your trip when it comes to jet lag. My brother, for example, struggled big time—waking up at three a.m. every night and crashing by six p.m. But he was a trooper, and I definitely pushed him hard on those long driving days.

Start your adventure by picking up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport and heading east. If I could change one thing about my original itinerary, it would be to book accommodations farther apart.

Make sure to stop at a Bónus grocery store to grab snacks for the road, then drive as far as Höfn—it’ll take about six hours. Along the way, you’ll pass plenty of attractions. Resist the urge to stop for everything; trust me, most of these will be perfect stops on your way back west.

Once you arrive in Höfn, your hotel or Airbnb check-in time should be approaching if it hasn't already arrived. Drop off your bags, freshen up, and get ready for the evening’s highlight. Grab a quick bite in town, then around seven p.m., hop back in your rental and drive the thirty minutes to 📸 Stokksnes.

This is the perfect spot to soak in the golden hour, with the sun casting a stunning glow over the landscape. Make sure to bring waterproof shoes! Enjoy the photo ops, then return to your hotel for some well-deserved rest after a long travel day—or, if you still have energy, wander the charming fishing town at night.

Day 2: From Far East to West

This is where the adventure really kicks into high gear. This magnificent canyon is a spot I wish I could have seen with my own eyes, but unfortunately, the timing and driving distance didn’t work out for me. From Höfn, it’s about a 3 to 4-hour drive—depending on how early you start—and in my opinion, the earlier, the better. It’ll be a long day, totaling about 6 to 7 hours of driving. I recommend packing up your luggage in the morning and either leaving it at your hotel or taking it with you, since you’ll be checking into a new place tonight.

This breathtaking destination is 🥾📸 Stuðlagil Canyon. From the southern entrance on Route 923, you’ll reach Klaustersel—a farm area where you park your vehicle before embarking on a 4 km hike into the canyon. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you’re surrounded by stunning basalt columns that feel almost otherworldly.

After exploring Stuðlagil, begin your drive west and book a hotel near the Glacier Lagoon. This will give you a chance to drop off your bags, freshen up, grab a bite, and continue exploring the area.

In the Höfn í Hornafirði region, you can visit:

📍Breiðamerkursandur - a glacial outwash plain in southeast Iceland.

📍📸 Glacier Lagoon

📍📸.Suðurlandsvegur - Diamond Beach lookout 📍🥾Múlagljúfur Canyon - note it will be a 1.5-2 hour hike with elevation gain, so make sure your body is fueled properly.

After a busy and action-packed Day 2, recharge at your hotel and get ready to head to Vík for Day 3.

Day 3: East to West continues

Today, the journey continues with stops at some of Iceland’s most stunning canyons. The landscapes will keep changing as you make your way toward Vík, so get ready for some unforgettable views.

I highly recommend stopping at:

📍🥾 📸: Skaftafell - one of Iceland's best kept secrets, a hiker's paradise with trails for people of all skill levels and gorgeous cascading waterfalls

Fjaorargljufur

📍🥾 📸: Fjaorargljufur - a canyon that has been carved over thousands of years by the river that actively runs through it, and will make you feel like you stepped into the Game of Thrones set. Be prepared for a steep incline on the way up, but the breathtaking view from the top is totally worth it. (Fair warning: we got absolutely drenched here—it was a wild rainstorm!)

📍 📸: Gígjagjá, also known as the Yoda Cave, need I say more? This spot is a must-see for Star Wars fans and anyone who appreciates a good photo op.

Reynisfjara

📍 📸: Reynisfjara Beach - one of many black sand beaches across Iceland, nefariosuly known to be one of the most dangerous during high tide, so proceed with caution. We visited while the beach had a yellow alert.

📍 📸: Dyrhólaey - A breathtaking promontory with incredible views and impressive rock formations.

📍 📸: Vik - quaint little town with wild sheep roaming around. Snap a shot with the infamous Red church in the foreground of your photos

By the time you have reached Vík, it should be check-in time at your accommodation. This gives you a chance to drop off your luggage and then easily explore the last three spots—all conveniently located near the town.

Day 4: All the Foss, off to Selfoss

Day four is all about waterfalls. If you haven’t been caught in the rain yet, the waterfalls will definitely test the limits of your water-resistant gear. Be prepared to get wet—these falls are powerful!

I should mention: I skipped some of the more famous waterfalls in favor of hidden gems that were not only more epic in photos but also involved fewer crowds and shorter waits. Sometimes the lesser-known spots offer the best experiences.

Kvernufoss

📍🥾 📸: Kvernufoss - Tucked away in a canyon about 1.5 km each way, just behind the Skógafoss museum, this hidden gem is far less crowded. Some of my best photos were taken here (shoutout to my brother for the shots!). It’s definitely more worth it than Skógafoss if you want a more peaceful, almost private experience—frame your photos just right, and it’ll look like you have the whole place to yourself.

📍🥾 📸:Skogafoss: Infamous and for good reason, hiking up the stairs is optional but worth it and frankly, if my brother had been up for it I would have continued to the Valley of Thor (not the whole way but maybe a mile or two), one of many trails in Iceland for more experienced hikers as it is fifteen miles trek each way.

📍📸: Seljalandsfoss - I actually skipped because I didn't feel the wait was worth it, and I had already captured a photo behind a waterfall at Kvernufoss. Instead, I would go to...

📍📸: Gljúfrafoss - A hidden waterfall tucked inside a cave. Trust me, this one is not to be missed! I mean, come on look at the photo below

Gljúfrafoss

📍📸: Gullfoss - almost reminded me of Niagara Falls

📍📸 Geysir Hot Springs

By the time evening rolls around, exhaustion will likely be setting in, and you’ll want to settle somewhere not too far from Selfoss. It’s a great area to base yourself for the night.

When I was in Iceland, we stayed in Hveragerði at The Greenhouse Hotel. It was absolutely lovely—breakfast was included, and the hotel’s food hall offered a variety of hassle-free options, making it easy to grab a bite after a long day. To top it off, they had a cozy happy hour where we met locals and soaked in the friendly atmosphere. It was truly the perfect way to unwind after a full day of exploring.

Day 5: Selfoss to Reykjavik

We’re nearing the end of our journey now. By this point, you’ve likely hit all the major attractions—and a few hidden gems, too. Here’s the detour I would take on my way back to Reykjavík.

After some well-deserved rest, I’d personally make a beeline for 📍🥾📸 Fagradalsfjall Volcano, if it’s on your itinerary. While it might not be actively spewing lava, the expansive and rugged lava fields stretch all the way to the ocean on the horizon—it’s truly breathtaking. The hike is about 5 km, and depending on your pace and how the incline affects you, it can be done in under ninety minutes with stops at the various viewing points. In my opinion, sunrise is the perfect time to experience this view, but an early morning hike also offers a magical atmosphere.

Once you’ve summited Fagradalsfjall, continue on to Reykjavík to dive into city life after several days immersed in Iceland’s incredible nature.

Here are some museums and restaurants I’d recommend checking out during your afternoon or evening in the city:

📍Hallgrímskirkja

📍Reykjavik Art Museum

📍Perlan

📍Skal - great modern food & drinks

📍Rok

📍Amma Don

📍Sól Restaurant - (splurge for sure) this is a for-the-experience kind of restaurant

Day 6: Slow morning in Reykjavik, then back home

Having an afternoon flight back to the States gave me the perfect excuse to take Reykjavik at a slower pace. I popped into a local espresso bar, journaled a bit, and soaked in the calm. But if that’s not your vibe, just grabbing a book and relaxing somewhere cozy works just as well.

Here are a few spots I visited and would definitely recommend popping into:

📍Deig - Breakfast bagels that almost remind me of home, can't go wrong, perfectly filling, and great to take to go and eat in front of Hallgrímskirkja as I did.

📍Brau & Co. - try the "Vínarbrauð m/vanillu og heslihnetum stk", it's like a Danish, and the hazelnuts are a very nice touch

📍Kaktus Espresso Bar - great for journaling and reading, love the foliage all over the cafe

📍Mokka Kaffi - very warm and cozy, booth available for socializing with travel companions or you can sit solo and read.