7 Day Budget Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Waterfalls & Myvatn

Your second day in Iceland will see you making the journey towards the northern capital, Akureyri. Along the way, you could stop for some ice cream in Borgarnes (perfect for a summer's day) before taking a short hike up Grabrok tuff volcano further inland in Borgarfjordur. From the top of the crater, you will have incredible views over the region.

Other attractions en route include the historical site Reykholt, the hot spring Deildartunguhver, and the sublime and beautiful waterfall, Hraunfossar. A bit further north, you could also detour to inspect the Hvitserkur rock formation, found just near Hvammstangi.

It takes a few hours to travel from Reykjavik to Akureyri without making any stops, so be ready for a day filled with driving. Fear not, however, for the scenery along the way makes for a pleasant journey.

If you are not in a hurry to get to Akureyri, you could add on a tour where you'll visit the artificial ice cave tunnel inside Langjokull glacier. Alternatively, you could descend into the lava cave of Vidgelmir, which was formed in an eruption over a thousand years ago.

When you finally arrive in Akureyri, grab a meal in town or enjoy the city's nightlife before retiring.

On the third day of your trip, you will have ample time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Akureyri. The city boasts a botanical garden, boat trips, beautiful scenery, and excellent shopping possibilities. When you have finished in Akureyri, you will head towards Lake Myvatn, stopping at the stunning Godafoss waterfall en route.

The Namaskard geothermal area and the dark volcanic fortress known as Dimmuborgir are also well worth the detour. Though naturally formed, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir make it appear like some fantastical spooky castle.  

After exploring Dimmuborgir and Lake Myvatn, you should end your day at the Myvatn Nature Baths. These warming baths are open until midnight during the summer, but make sure to leave enough time for the two-hour drive to Egilsstadir, the capital of the East. If you would rather skip the baths, you could make a diversion to Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.

You will then continue over the Modrudalsoraefi heights to reach your accommodation for tonight, in the town of Egilsstadir by the Logurinn Lake.

From your overnight base at Egilsstadir, it is only a short drive to Hallormsstadaskogur, Iceland's largest forest, which is unlike any other landscape in the rest of the barren country. From here, you can continue into the magnificent Eastfjords for some awe-inspiring vistas.

While driving through East Iceland, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for reindeer as this is the only part of the country where they can be found roaming wild.

The main highlight of your day, however, is inarguably the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Visitors here cannot help but be captivated by the enormous glittering icebergs floating down from the glacial tongue out toward the ocean.

From the lagoon, it is a short stroll down to the black sand shore nearby, called the Diamond Beach, because of the many icebergs scattered along it. With the Atlantic Ocean's waves crashing on them, you can expect an incredible view.

You will be staying in accommodation in the area.

On your fifth day, you can spend additional time checking out the glacial lagoon, given the fact that its beauty is transient and ever-changing depending on the weather. You could also fit in a boat trip here, and photography and nature enthusiasts will want to take special care looking for the playful seal colonies. You can book a place on a Zodiac boat trip or an amphibian boat.

When you've enjoyed your time at the lagoon, you will drive towards the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. You have an excellent opportunity to book a glacial hike here, which will add an entirely new level of adrenaline and adventure to your trip. It is also the best way to experience an ice cap up close. From the summits of Vatnajokull, you will have truly magnificent views over the surrounding area.

You will continue to drive along the South Coast before arriving at the charming town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Close to here is the picturesque Fjadrargljufur canyon, a haven for hikers.

Next along the Ring Road is the fishing village of Vik, which in turn is near the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars and the black sand beach, Reynisfjara. Be careful while exploring this beach, however, as the waves here are unpredictable.

On the final part of your journey, you will stop off at two of the South Coast's most gorgeous waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the latter of which you can fully encircle.

You will be spending the night in the town of Selfoss.

One option for starting your sixth day is participating in an ice cave tour at Myrdalsjokull glacier, departing from Vik. You can venture into the frozen, subterranean world of the ice cap itself for an unforgettable experience. If you'd rather not, you will continue westward to the famous Golden Circle route, where you can catch three of Iceland's most popular spots in one sweep. First is Gullfoss, a mighty waterfall that demonstrates the sheer power of Iceland's nature by cascading glacial water 105 ft (32 m) into the gorge below. Snowmobiling tours are also available from this location, where you travel via super jeep to the Langjokull glacier for a thrilling ride.

Next along the route is the geothermal valley Haukadalur, home to Iceland's famous geysers. Though the most famous geyser, Geysir, now lies dormant, its neighbor Strokkur erupts every five minutes or so, guaranteeing you'll see this spectacle in action.   

You will finish your Golden Circle tour with a visit to Iceland's largest national park, the UNESCO-protected Thingvellir. This is not only the location where the first Icelandic parliament was formed in 930 AD, but it is also where you can see both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates exposed from the earth.

In between these plates is the world-famous Silfra Fissure, one of the world's most breathtaking snorkeling and scuba diving locations. You can end your journey around Iceland with a tour where you swim between the continents here.

When your time in the park is over, you will drive forty-five minutes back to Reykjavik.

It’s your final day in Iceland. For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters and look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice.

If your flight is very late, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.