Iceland: Ring Road or South Coast?

Almost every first Iceland itinerary we see is too ambitious by about three days.

The south coast, in four to five days

If you have under a week, do not attempt the Ring Road. Base yourself between Reykjavik and Vik, and work the south coast: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, the glacier tongue at Solheimajokull, the black sand at Reynisfjara, and — if you push one long day further east — Jokulsarlon. This is the highest concentration of landscape in the country and you will not feel short-changed.

The Ring Road, in eight to ten days

The full circuit is roughly 1,330km. Done in ten days it is one of the great drives: the south coast, the eastfjords, Myvatn's geothermal fields, Akureyri, and the long empty north. Done in five it is a driving holiday with scenery in the windows.

Winter changes the maths

Between November and March, daylight is short and conditions decide the day. Shorten every plan, check road.is each morning, and treat the northern lights as a bonus rather than an itinerary item. Winter is a genuinely good time to visit — it is simply not the time to be ambitious with distance.

What we'd actually book

For a first trip of a week or less: Reykjavik for two nights, the south coast for three, and a geothermal soak on the way back to the airport. Save the circuit for when you have ten days.