After sharing the first part of our Iceland family trip—exploring Reykjavik and spending a night on the Westman Islands—we continued our journey around the country on what’s often called the Iceland Ring Road itinerary. Days 4–7 took us along the southern coast and into the eastern region of Iceland, passing glaciers, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and some of the most dramatic landscapes we’ve ever seen. We kept driving counterclockwise, stopping at some of the most iconic (and some lesser-known) spots along the way. This stretch of the trip really showcased Iceland’s wild beauty and felt like we were getting deeper into the heart of the country.
7/3 Day 4: Westman Islands to Vik
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Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
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- After our ferry back from the Westmand Islands to the mainland, we landed and disembarked around 10am. It was a short 15 minute drive from Landeyjahöfn to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, known for its unique feature: visitors can walk behind the cascading water for a breathtaking view from within the cave-like cliff. Located along the southern coast just off the Ring Road, the waterfall drops about 60 meters (197 feet) from the cliffs of the former coastline. It offers a short hike to another waterfall.
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- Gljúfrabúi is partially concealed behind a cliff, and to see it up close, visitors must wade through a narrow canyon stream or climb a small path for a partial view. The waterfall feels like a secret oasis—less crowded, more secluded, and magical in its own way. We spent about an hour here hiking around and taking pictures. It’s such a beautiful location!
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Halsanefshellir Cave & Black Sand Beach
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- After our waterfall stop, we were back in the car for just under an hour to Halsanefshellir Cave located on Black Sand Beach. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík is famous for its dramatic black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, and the striking Reynisdrangar sea stacks just offshore—said to be trolls turned to stone by sunlight. Nestled at the base of the cliffs is Hálsanefshellir Cave, a sea cave carved by waves and framed by hexagonal basalt formations. We saw puffins nesting on the cliffs above the cave. It was fun walking around the beach and making cairns with all of the black rocks on the beach. We were very careful of staying away from the water because of the powerful sneaker waves.
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Vik
- From the cave and beach, it was roughly a 10 minute drive into the town of Vik where we were staying the night. When planning our Iceland family vacation, I didn’t schedule anything for that afternoon. We had some full days leading up to this and I wanted an open afternoon to rest if needed. We ended up heading to the Vik pool for the afternoon. Many towns in Iceland have heated outdoor pools. It. Was. So. Fun. This one had a sauna, cold plunge, 2 hot tubs, and a 4 lane pool heated to about 80 degrees. We spent a few hours playing in the water before heading to dinner. We ate at Black Crust Pizzeria in Vik and it was delicious! There were many fun pizzas and the black crust was tasty!
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- There is also a Lava Show available in Vik and many hiking trails.
7/4 Day 5: Vik to Jokulsarlon to Hofin
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- The next morning, we were up early to drive to Jökulsárlón to see Glacier Lagoon as part of our Iceland Ring Road itinerary. I was so excited about this and it did not disappoint. It was a 2.5 hour drive from Vik and our boat tour was scheduled at 12pm. While there was an optional scenic stop Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (~45 min detour) on the way, we chose not to go.
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- Glacier Lagoon, or Jökulsárlón, is a breathtaking glacial lake in southeast Iceland, where icebergs break off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float in the crystal-blue water before drifting out to sea. Formed by melting glacial ice, the lagoon has grown rapidly over the past few decades due to rising temperatures and glacier retreat. Its surreal beauty—marked by floating ice chunks, nearby black sand beaches, and frequent seal sightings—makes it one of Iceland’s most iconic and photographed natural wonders.
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- While the views from the beach are beautiful, nothing beats a boat tour! It offers a much closer, more immersive experience than viewing the icebergs from the beach. We were able to get much closer to the towering icebergs, see their intricate shapes and vivid colors. We even saw several seals swimming nearby. Our guide shared insights about the lagoon’s formation, glacial movement, and local wildlife. They even pulled a chunk of ice from the water so we could see the clarity of the ice. Then they broke off smaller pieces so we were able to taste it!
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Black Diamond Beach
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- Black Diamond Beach, just across from Glacier Lagoon, is a striking stretch of black sand scattered with glistening ice chunks that have washed ashore from the lagoon. The contrast of the crystal-clear ice against the dark volcanic sand creates a stunning, otherworldly scene. There are 2 sides to you can visit on each side of where the lagoon empties into the ocean. There are parking lots available on both sides. However, there is also a short path that leads you from the lagoon, under the bridge where the road is to the east side of the beach which is what we took. Even in summer there were many beautiful pieces of crystal clear ice on the beach. Again, be careful of the dangerous sneaker waves here!
- There is a cafe here with some souvenirs as well as 3-4 food trucks available serving different types of dishes. After our tour and seeing the beach we had some Icelandic hot dogs before continuing to our next stop for the day.
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Stokksnes
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- After our late lunch we drove to Stokksnes which is about a 1.5 hour drive from the Glacier Lagoon.
- Stokksnes is a remote, windswept peninsula on Iceland’s southeast coast near Höfn, famed for its striking black‑sand beach dotted with vibrant green dunes and overlooked by the jagged peaks of Vestrahorn (nicknamed “Batman Mountain”) This dramatic landscape—with volcanic sands, tidal lagoons, and steep gabbro cliffs—makes it one of the most photographed places in Iceland.
See the batman shape?
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- At the entrance we paid a small fee at the Viking Café to access the beach and nearby trails. The same site includes a replica Viking movie set and a WW2-era lighthouse and radar station. We did some exploring at the Viking movie set. Then we drove further to the lighthouse and took a short hike there. Afterwards, we spent a bit of time exploring the fascinating dome shaped dunes.
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Höfn
- After our time in Stokksnes, we drove 25 minutes to the nearby town of Höfn (pronounced “hupn”). It is a picturesque fishing town on the Hornafjörður fjord in southeast Iceland, famed for its langoustine (lobster) dishes and sweeping views of Vatnajökull—the largest ice cap in Europe. We had dinner at a local restaurant and all tried the langoustine soup. Claire had a reindeer burger and loved it! Avie and I enjoyed fish and chips.
7/5 Day 6: Hofn to Egilsstaðir
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- After our night in Hofn, we were up bright and early to continue to Petra’s Stone Collection. While not on many Iceland Ring Road itineraries, this was on the recommendation of my mom and dad who visited Iceland a couple of years ago. It was a 2 hour drive from Hofn along the windy, hilly Ring Rd.
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- Petra’s Stone Collection, located in the small town of Stöðvarfjörður in East Iceland, is a fascinating and beloved local museum showcasing the lifetime collection of Petra Sveinsdóttir. Starting in her youth, Petra developed a passion for gathering beautiful and unusual stones from the surrounding mountains and fjords. Over decades, she amassed thousands of specimens—crystals, minerals, and semi-precious stones—all displayed in her home and garden. The collection reflects both the region’s rich geology and Petra’s deep connection to nature, making it a unique stop.
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- What kid doesn’t love rocks?! We really enjoyed spending just over an hour exploring the house and garden looking at all of Petra’s stones. They are so beautiful! There was a cafe on the grounds where we had a small lunch.
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Stuðlagil Canyon
- After lunch we drove 2.5 hours to Stuðlagil Canyon. Stuðlagil Canyon is a stunning basalt gorge in East Iceland, known for its towering hexagonal lava columns and vibrant turquoise glacial river. Once hidden beneath a raging current, the canyon was revealed after a hydropower project reduced the river’s flow. Now accessible via a short hike or viewpoint, it’s one of the Eastfjords’ most photogenic and unique natural sights—and definitely a highlight along any Iceland Ring Road itinerary.
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- This was incredible! The basalt columns forming the canyon are unreal. You can access the canyon from the east or west side depending on your preference. The west side only offers stairs down to an observation deck. The east side offers a hike down to the canyon where you can get much closer with better views in my opinion. We hiked down there and back and it took us about an hour and a half. However, you could easily extend the hike and go farther.
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- That night we stayed in Stuðlagil. There aren’t many places to stay the night or eat there though so be aware when making reservations. Luckily our hotel had a restaurant attached. Egilsstaðir is about an hour away and another good option.
7/6 Day 7: Depart Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
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- Our first stop that morning after leaving our hotel in Stuðlagil was Goðafoss waterfall. It’s about a 2 hour drive from where we stayed. Goðafoss, or “Waterfall of the Gods,” is one of those stops in North Iceland you won’t want to miss. It’s just off the Ring Road and super easy to get to, which makes it a perfect spot to stretch your legs and take in stunning views. The waterfall itself is wide and powerful, with paths on both sides so you can see it from different angles—and yes, you can get pretty close! The name comes from a legend about Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, where old Norse god statues were supposedly thrown into the falls. It’s beautiful, dramatic, and definitely memorable. We spent about 45 minutes there walking around, taking pictures, and browsing the souvenir shop there.
- Our first stop that morning after leaving our hotel in Stuðlagil was Goðafoss waterfall. It’s about a 2 hour drive from where we stayed. Goðafoss, or “Waterfall of the Gods,” is one of those stops in North Iceland you won’t want to miss. It’s just off the Ring Road and super easy to get to, which makes it a perfect spot to stretch your legs and take in stunning views. The waterfall itself is wide and powerful, with paths on both sides so you can see it from different angles—and yes, you can get pretty close! The name comes from a legend about Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, where old Norse god statues were supposedly thrown into the falls. It’s beautiful, dramatic, and definitely memorable. We spent about 45 minutes there walking around, taking pictures, and browsing the souvenir shop there.
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Húsavík – North Sailing Whale Watching
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- Once we got back into the car, we following our Iceland Ring Road itinerary and headed further north to the town of Húsavík for our 3 hour whale watching tour. I was so excited about this. We had gotten an email the day before about the weather conditions and the potential for cancellation so I was nervous! The day was sunny and clear, but I know the wind in Iceland can be strong, especially on the water. When we arrived before our 1pm tour, we had to wait 15 minutes before being notified the tour would go on as scheduled. We all made sure to take motion sickness medication and not eat lunch-just in case. We made sure to dress warmly and the tour also provided water resistant suits that contained flotation devices inside.
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- Once we started out, our guide explained how to spot whales. We looked for seabirds circling (they follow whales), spouts, and splashes. The whales were very active that day and we saw many humpback whales and minke whales. One surfaced very close to our boat! Unfortunately the wind speed progressively worsened and the captain elected to head back. I wasn’t disappointed at all because we had over 20 sightings easily.
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- Heading back was…interesting. The waves were getting bigger and bigger. Pretty soon we were getting soaked from all of the water splashing over the side of the boat. It took maybe 40 minutes to get back to the harbor and then the waves calmed down. In spite of the suits and all of our layers we were soaked through! Normally the tour serves cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa on the boat, but they thought it was better to do that inside their building. It was the perfect way to warm up again. They were sweet and gave Claire and Aveline extra cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa, too. I am so glad we all had Dramamine! What an adventure!
- For a late lunch/early dinner we ate at the nearby Gamli Bakur. The fish and Icelandic stew there are so good!
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Sel Hotel Myvatn
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- Most of our hotels weren’t too memorable-just a place to stay. The Sel Hotel Myvatn was a bit more of a splurge, but so nice. I wish we could have convinced the kids to eat at the restaurant there instead of Gamli Bakur, but they were too hungry to wait. The menu looked really good! The hotel was about 45 minutes outside of Húsavík. It had a sauna and 2 hot tubs. We all got our swimsuits on and immediately headed down after checking in. It was the perfect way to cap off a fun day and warm up from the chilly whale watching. They had an espresso machine in the lobby that we were able to get hot cocoa from on our way back to our room, too.
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- The included breakfast the next morning was especially delicious. Avie developed a liking for pickled and smoked fish. There were several varieties for her to choose from, too.
TIPS
- If you are completing a full Iceland Ring Road itinerary, consider bringing a small, soft-sided cooler. In southern and eastern Iceland, the places to purchase food can be few and far between. It’s nice to get sandwiches and food when you can and keep them cool for mealtimes.
- I HIGHLY recommend motion sickness meds for driving and whale watching even if you don’t get motion sickness.
- Keep motion sickness bags easily accessible in the car.
- A family audio book is a fun idea to keep the kids occupied in the car. We listened to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
- Camp towels are nice for packing since they dry well and are much smaller than typical towels.
- These packable rain pants are a necessity!
- I purchased 2 packs of protein bars for the mornings we didn’t get breakfast or had a late lunch. They were so convenient!
- All that hiking and walking in shoes all day? Foot powder was another purchase we were happy to have.
That wraps up days 4–7 of our Iceland Ring Road itinerary—a whirlwind of stunning sights and unforgettable adventures. Be sure to come back next week for the final part of our trip, where we explore the north and finish our journey through this incredible country!
Confident Twosday Linkup
Last week’s favorite post was from Jennifer at Curated by Jennifer with a breezy summer look.
Between Naps on the Porch | I do de Claire | Walking in Memphis in High Heels & The Fashion Canvas | Tuesday Twirl | My Slices of Life | The Style Splash | Curated by Jennifer | Mummabstylish | Shelbee On the Edge | Nancy’s Fashion Style | Momfessionals | Marsha in the Middle
