Where to stay on the Ring Road

Reykjavik: start and finish

Most Ring Road trips begin and end in Reykjavik. It has the widest range of hotels, guesthouses and apartments, plus easy access to the airport. Spend your first and last nights here to recover from your flight and pick up a rental car.

Browse our Reykjavik stays to find a base near the city center or the Laugavegur shopping street.

South Coast: Vík and Skógar

The South Coast is the most popular stretch of the Ring Road. Vík is the natural halfway point for the first day out of Reykjavik, close to Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skógafoss. Hotels here fill fast in summer, so book early.

See our picks in Vík and along the South Coast.

Eastfjords: Seyðisfjörður and Egilsstaðir

The Eastfjords feel remote and underrated. Seyðisfjörður is one of Iceland's prettiest towns, with a historic atmosphere and mountain setting. Egilsstaðir offers more practical services and is a good base for exploring the region.

Check Eastfjords hotels for quiet fjord-side stays.

North Iceland: Akureyri, Mývatn and Húsavík

Akureyri is North Iceland's main hub, with restaurants, shops and a compact city center. From there, Mývatn offers volcanic landscapes and geothermal baths, while Húsavík is the country's whale watching capital. This is a great region to spend two nights.

Explore stays in North Iceland, Mývatn and Húsavík.

Westfjords and Snæfellsnes

If you have extra time, detour into the Westfjords for dramatic fjords and bird cliffs, or loop through Snæfellsnes for a miniature Iceland experience. Ísafjörður is the Westfjords' main town, while Snæfellsnes has small villages like Hellnar and Búðir.

Find hotels in Ísafjörður, the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes.

Sample 7-night itinerary

1. Reykjavik
2. Vík
3. Eastfjords
4. Akureyri or Mývatn
5. Akureyri or Húsavík
6. Snæfellsnes
7. Reykjavik