A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • America
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
    • MediaKit
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Thursday, 09 June 2016 / Published in Destinations

On Pictures: Why the ring road in Iceland is the best road trip in the world

Snake road in Iceland-ring-roadiceland

Need motivation for a road trip? Let me show why Iceland is the best place to drive around and explore wilderness

I visited Iceland and did a road trip around its famous ring road. It was one of the best driving experiences I had and a good way to connect with nature. I explored alien landscapes during the day and experienced starry skies at night.

In this photo essay I will show you my favorites landscapes and the beauty I encountered while driving Iceland Ring Road. It’s time to get some wanderlust and see Iceland with different eyes.

The famous Ring Road in Iceland

This road goes around whole Iceland and takes you to the country’s most inhospitable places. The total length of the ring road is 1,322 kilometres and most travelers cover it in 10-12 days.

sunset ring road iceland
Displays of color during sunset

No additional experience is require while driving the road. However, expect blizzards and snow storms if you are traveling in winter or early spring.

bumpy roads iceland-road-tripiceland
Iceland is one of the countries I visited with the most diverse landscapes in the world. Some highways in Iceland passed the most bizarre landscapes I´ve ever seen.

While some parts of the road look epic and taken out of a movie set, other parts of the road are monotonous and long. At the same time, some sections of the road are in excellent condition while others are not the best ones to drive at night.

good condition roads in iceland-icelandring-road
For some roads we decided to simply get off the vehicle and walk around. Check the conditions of your vehicle to know in which routes you are allowed to drive and in which not.

With hundreds of off roads, Iceland untouched beauty is better explored when leaving the ring road. However, if your vehicle does not have a proper insurance or you are not supposed to drive off road with it, I would not risk it. Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world and having a little damage in the car can cost several hundred of euros.

off roads iceland-roadtrip-iceland
For some roads we decided to simply get off the vehicle and walk around. Check the conditions of your vehicle to know in which routes you are allowed to drive and in which not.

Days can be 24 hours during Summer. Once I started driving around the ring road Iceland, I forgot when the day begins and ends. Sunsets lasted just minutes and time became basically unexistant.

Read more: How to travel Iceland on a budget

ringroadiceland -scenic views ring road
Raw nature in Iceland. Here temperature and climate changed from one moment to another without any advice – This is a road trip in Iceland

Strong winds are very common in Iceland. Several signs indicating this are located all over the ring road. Be careful while driving and stay in the speed limits. Even though Iceland has little traffic, nature can be sometimes the danger ahead.

long roads in iceland-ringroad-iceland
Some roads are completely empty for hours and you rarely see another car coming in the other direction

Webpages like road.is inform every day about the road conditions ahead. While the weather is mild in the southern side of the country, you might still encounter snow blizzards and icy roads on the north during summer.

Although we traveled in spring, we encountered some snow in Northern Iceland - Road trip in Iceland
Although we traveled in spring, we encountered some snow in Northern Iceland

Read more: 21 tips when renting a car in Iceland

Iceland is one of the wildest countries in Europe. It is also one of the least populated and it’s common to not see a single car or another person for hours while driving around. It’s pure contact with nature.

bridges in Iceland - ring road iceland
Iceland landscapes can be as colorful as a surrealistic painting or monochromatic and apocaliptic.

The ring road in Iceland is one of the most epic road trip experiences in the world. It is a full adventure you can do alone, with your partner or your best friends. It is one of these experiences you have to do at least once in a lifetime and a memory you will never forget.

Read more: How to photograph the northern lights in Iceland

Gravel roads - Rent-car-iceland
Gravel roads are only accessible for off road vehicles

Read more: A 5 day itinerary for a road trip in Iceland

Excited to travel the ring road in Iceland?

Search and compare prices in hundreds of websites with only one click

By renting your car using our search engine you are helping my website to improve and create more useful road trip guides in the future.

  • Tweet
Tagged under: Renting a car in Iceland, Ring Road Iceland, Road Trip Iceland

What you can read next

Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park
Tracking chimpanzees in Uganda‘s Kibale National Park
Guide for the pyramids in Giza
A guide for exploring the Pyramids in Cairo
Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone
How to travel from Guinea to Sierra Leone by ferry

See my work for Lonely Planet

Juan Martinez - Lonely Planet Berlin

See more of my work

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Can you recognize all these Mexican dishesCan you recognize all these Mexican dishes
  • Visit Postojna: A Slovenian daytrip between castles and cavesVisit Postojna: A Slovenian daytrip between castles and caves
  • Europe’s most beautiful mountain landscapesEurope’s most beautiful mountain landscapes
  • How to eat like a local in SpainHow to eat like a local in Spain
  • Exploring Big Bend National Park in TexasExploring Big Bend National Park in Texas
  • Why Frankfurt Airport might be the coolest airport in EuropeWhy Frankfurt Airport might be the coolest airport in Europe
  • I do interrail alone in Europe – and I love itI do interrail alone in Europe – and I love it
  • Visit the Carnival of Venice and enter into a world of fantasyVisit the Carnival of Venice and enter into a world of fantasy
  • A view inside Kuala Lumpur´s cuisineA view inside Kuala Lumpur´s cuisine
  • Another 11 tattoos inspiring you to travel the worldAnother 11 tattoos inspiring you to travel the world

RECENT POSTS

  • Stabroek Market - Best things to do in Georgetown Guyana

    Best things to do in Georgetown Guyana

    Georgetown is a city full of surprises, a melti...
  • Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone

    How to travel from Guinea to Sierra Leone by ferry

    Travelling from Guinea to Sierra Leone by ferry...
  • aerial view of Guyana rivers

    Preserving Guyana’s Pristine Landscapes: A never-ending challenge

    Guyana is a good example of how wildlife protec...
  • Exploring Acklins and Crooked Islands – The Bahamas' Hidden Paradise

    Exploring Acklins and Crooked Islands – The Bahamas’ Hidden Paradise

    If there is a place where it is possible to com...
  • These are the best local activities to do in Nassau

    These are the best local activities to do in Nassau

    Say goodbye to swimming with the dolphins and v...
  • Deutschlandticket getaway - how to get a Deutschlandticket

    The Deutschlandticket – A train ticket for unlimited travel in Germany

    After the success of the 9 Euro ticket, a succe...
  • How to do some island-hopping in the Bahamas by mailboat

    How to do some island-hopping in the Bahamas by mailboat

    Did you know that you can travel around the Bah...
  • All you need to know to plan a visit to the Palace of Versailles

    All you need to know to plan a visit to the Palace of Versailles

    From tickets to the best times to visit, here i...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2021. All rights reserved

TOP