15-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary for an epic road trip with kids
We are getting ready for an unforgettable road trip through one of the most stunning landscapes on earth. Our 15-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary covers iconic waterfalls, steaming geothermal areas, iceberg-filled lagoons, black sand beaches, and charming villages.
Whether you’re traveling in a campervan or rental car, this family-friendly itinerary helps you make the most of your Iceland adventure.
📌 Quick Trip Overview: 15-day Iceland ring road with kids
- Length: 15 days
- Route: Full Ring Road (Route 1) + Snæfellsnes Peninsula + Golden Circle
- Type: Self-drive road trip
- Perfect for: Families, nature lovers, photographers, and first-timers
- Best time to go: late April –September (for full accessibility)
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Day-by-day itinerary: 15-Day Iceland ring road trip for an epic road trip with kids
Most travelers drive Iceland’s Ring Road counterclockwise, starting with the popular South Coast and Golden Circle. However, since we are traveling during Easter holidays, we chose to drive clockwise instead. This allowed us to:
– Avoid the crowds on the South Coast and Golden Circle during peak holiday days
– Start in quieter regions like Snæfellsnes and North Iceland, which are still stunning in early spring
– Save the busiest attractions for the end of the trip when crowds thin out
In any case, this itinerary works perfectly in both directions, just flip the days if you prefer starting in the south!
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík
As our Fligh to Iceland is arriving at night, we are only picking up our rental car and driving to our accommodation in Reykjavik. On the last day, we fly at midnight, so we will have the whole day to explore. Depending on the time your flight is arriving, you can swap day 1 with day 15.
- Pick up rental car/campervan
- 🏨 Overnight in Reykjavík
Day 2: Explore Reykjavík
- Chill day to check out local highlights of Reykjavík: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Sun Voyager, …
👨👩👧👦 Tips for families:
- Visit Perlan, where you can explore a man made indoor ice cave, learn through an interactive and diverse exhibition of Iceland’s unique nature, experience a 360 degree view of Reykjavík from the viewing deck, enjoy the Áróra northern lights planetarium show and watch a short film about Iceland’s newest volcanic eruption
- Visit the Lava show
- Local swimming pools Sundlaug Breiðholts or Árbæjarlaug
- Relax at Blue lagoon, where kids up to 13 years old are free
Day 3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Landbrotalaug Hot Springs
- Ytri Tunga Beach (seal spotting!)
- Visit Vatnshellir Lava Cave with a guide
- Saxhóll Crater
- Sunset at Kirkjufell (optional)
- 🏨 Stay: Freezer Hostel
Day 4: West Iceland to Blönduós
- Ice cream at Erpsstaðir Creamery
- Guðrúnarlaug natural hot spring
- Drive scenic coastal roads
- 🏨 Stay: Blönduós
Day 5–6: Akureyri & Surroundings
- Glaumbær Turf Houses
- Hofsós Infinity Pool with ocean views
- Explore Akureyri
- 🏨 Stay: Akureyri
Day 7–8: Mývatn Region
- Whale watching in Húsavík
- Krafla volcano & Hverir geothermal fields
- Relax in Mývatn Nature Baths
- 🏨 Stay: Mývatn
Day 9: East Iceland
- Stuðlagil Canyon
- Artsy town of Seyðisfjörður
- 🏨 Stay: Egilsstaðir
Day 10: Drive to Höfn
- Viking Village film set
- Glacial lagoon views begin here
- 🏨 Stay: Höfn
Day 11–12: Glacier Time
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Hike to Svartifoss in Skaftafell
- 🏨 Stay: Skaftafell
Day 13: South Coast Wonders
- Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
- Reynisfjara black beach
- Explore Vík
- 🏨 Stay: South Coast
Day 14: Golden Circle Day
- Þingvellir National Park
- Geysir geothermal area
- Gullfoss waterfall
- 🏨 Stay: Golden Circle
Day 15: Departure
- 🧳 Return vehicle
- ✈️ Fly home with epic memories
What to pack for a 15-day Iceland-ring-road-itinerary with kids
- Layers for all weather: windproof & waterproof jacket
- Hiking boots
- Swimwear & towel for hot springs
- Reusable water bottle (tap water is excellent!)
- Offline maps or GPS app
Pro Tips for a 15-day Iceland-ring-road-itinerary with kids
- Book campsites or accommodations early, especially in summer.
- Fuel up often – gas stations can be sparse in remote areas.
- Check road.is and vedur.is daily for conditions and weather.
- Consider a 4×4 vehicle if you’re taking F-roads (not needed for this itinerary but handy in winter).
