Iceland Ring Road in Summer: Waterfalls, Puffins & Hot-Pot Hopping

Hey there, adventure families! If you’ve ever dreamed of a road trip where every turn reveals another jaw-dropping waterfall, black-sand beaches meet turquoise waves, and puffins outnumber tourists (at least in the right spots), then pack your swimsuits and rain jackets—Iceland’s Ring Road in summer is calling.

We just got back from circling the entire island in July and, spoiler alert: it’s even more magical with kids than we imagined. Here’s the real-talk guide we wish we’d had before we left.

Why Summer is the Sweet Spot

June through August gives you:

• Almost 24-hour daylight (hello, 11 p.m. glacier hikes!)

• Roads fully open (including most F-roads if you have 4×4)

• Puffins in residence (they leave by mid-August)

• Wildflowers exploding across lava fields

• Temperatures that actually feel like… weather (50–65 °F / 10–18 °C)

The Route & Realistic Pace

The full Ring Road (Route 1) is 1,332 km / 828 miles. With kids, forget the “do it in 7 days” itineraries you see online. We took 12 relaxed days and still felt we had breathing room. Here’s the loop that worked perfectly:

Days 1–2: Reykjavík → Golden Circle → Selfoss area

Days 3–5: South Coast (Vík & beyond)

Days 6–7: East Fjords

Days 8–9: North (Mývatn & whale-watching in Húsavík)

Days 10–11: West Fjords detour or straight to Snæfellsnes

Day 12: Back to Reykjavík

Pro tip: Drive clockwise. The south coast heavy-hitters come right away, which is great for building excitement.

Where to Crash: Hotel Picks for Every Budget

Iceland’s accommodations run the gamut from cozy hostels to jaw-dropping luxury lodges, but book early—summer spots vanish fast. Prices below are approximate per night for a family room (2 adults + 2 kids) in July 2025, based on current trends; expect 10-20% fluctuations. We’ve slotted options into your route segments for easy planning.

Reykjavík & Golden Circle (Days 1-2)

• Reasonable Tier (~$150-250/night): Kex Hostel – A quirky, converted biscuit factory with family pods, shared lounges for game nights, and a rooftop bar for parent pit stops. Central location means easy walks to Hallgrímskirkja.

• Luxury Tier (~$400-600/night): The Reykjavik Edition – Harbor views, plush family suites with kid-friendly touches like mini robes, and a spa for post-flight recovery. Rooftop infinity pool at midnight? Yes please.

South Coast (Days 3-5)

• Reasonable Tier (~$120-200/night): Puffin Hotel Vík – Cozy rooms with puffin-themed vibes, right by the black-sand beach. On-site breakfast keeps things simple and affordable.

• Luxury Tier (~$350-500/night): Hotel Rangá – Rustic-chic lodge near Hella with private hot tubs per room, stargazing domes, and farm-fresh breakfasts. It’s a splurge that feels like a fairy tale.

East Fjords (Days 6-7)

• Reasonable Tier (~$130-220/night): Eyvindará Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir – Simple, family-run spot with fjord views and home-cooked meals. Perfect base for quiet hikes.

• Luxury Tier (~$300-450/night): Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon near Höfn – Sleek rooms overlooking icebergs, with geothermal pools and guided glacier walks included.

North Iceland (Days 8-9)

• Reasonable Tier (~$140-230/night): Berjaya Iceland Hotel Mývatn – Lakeside comfort with easy access to Nature Baths. Family rooms have bunk beds for easy sharing.

• Luxury Tier (~$350-550/night): The Reykjahlíð Hotel – Boutique bliss by Lake Mývatn with private balconies, farm-to-table dining, and whale-watching shuttles.

West Fjords/Snæfellsnes (Days 10-11)

• Reasonable Tier (~$110-200/night): Hótel Látrabjarg in Patreksfjörður – Affordable cliffside stay near puffin colonies, with fresh fish dinners on-site.

• Luxury Tier (~$400-600/night): The Snæfellsnes Peninsula’s Budir Hotel – Isolated elegance with ocean-facing suites, a renowned restaurant, and that “end-of-the-world” magic.

Waterfalls You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Miss

• Seljalandsfoss: Walk behind it. Bring full rain gear—everyone gets soaked and loves it.

• Skógafoss: Climb the stairs on the right for the unicorn-rainbow view on sunny days.

• Svartifoss in Skaftafell: Short hike, basalt columns, feels like a movie set.

• Dettifoss: Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The east side has easier access in summer.

• Goðafoss: Quick stop on the northern stretch—legend says a chieftain threw his pagan statues in here when Iceland converted to Christianity. Great history snack for the car.

Puffin Questing

Best spots we found:

• Borgarfjörður Eystri (East): Quiet, wooden viewing platforms literally 10 feet from the birds.

• Látrabjarg cliffs (West Fjords): Insane numbers, but long gravel road—worth it if you have time.

• Dyrhólaey & Reynisfjara: Easy south-coast bonus puffins in July.

Bring binoculars and a zoom lens. Puffins are the ultimate “hide-and-seek” bird for kids.

Hot-Pot Hopping = The Icelandic Secret Sauce

Icelanders don’t do road trips without geothermal pools. Neither should you. Our favorites:

• Seljavallalaug: Hike 20 minutes to a hidden 1920s pool in a valley. Free, surreal, zero facilities (bring towels!).

• Reykjadalur Hot River (near Hveragerði): 45-minute uphill hike, then literally bathe in a warm river. One of the best family memories ever.

• Mývatn Nature Baths: The “North’s Blue Lagoon” but cheaper and way less crowded.

• Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin): Less touristy than Blue Lagoon, natural setting, perfect first-night stop.

• Hofsós Sundlaug: Infinity pool overlooking Drangey island—sunset swims at 10 p.m. are pure magic.

Pack quick-dry towels and leave the fancy ones at home. Everyone ends up using the car floor as changing room anyway.

Fuel Up: Restaurant Recs for Every Wallet

Iceland’s food scene is a highlight—fresh seafood, hearty lamb, and creative twists on local ingredients. We’ve got picks across budgets (per person, mains only) tied to your stops. Pro tip: Gas station hot dogs (~$5) are a cheap, tasty lifesaver.

Budget Bites (~$10-20/person)

• South Coast: Ströndin Pub Vík – Casual pub grub like fish & chips or burgers with black-sand beach views. Kid menu keeps it family-friendly.

• Reykjavík: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – Iconic Icelandic hot dogs loaded with ketchup, remoulade, and onions. Quick, cheap, and legendary.

• East Fjords: Sólbrekka Cafe – Light lunches like soup and sandwiches in a remote valley spot. Cake buffet on Sundays for sweet treats.

Mid-Range Eats (~$25-40/person)

• Reykjavík: Icelandic Street Food – Unlimited rye bread soup refills in a basement vibe. Add skyr for dessert—cozy and filling after a Golden Circle day.

• Vík (South Coast): Black Beach Restaurant – Seafood platters or lamb stew with Reynisdrangar views. Relaxed atmosphere for post-puffin debriefs.

• North Iceland: Vogafjós Farm Resort – Cowshed-turned-cafe with horse-head tables; try the smoked trout or lamb shank in a quirky, farm-fresh setting.

Luxury Splurges (~$50+/person)

• East Fjords: Nordic Restaurant in Seyðisfjörður – Fjord-side fine dining with langoustine and reindeer tasting menus. Book ahead for the views alone.

• North Iceland: Randulffssjóhús in Eskifjörður – Historic sea house with upscale fish feasts overlooking the fjord. Perfect for a whale-spotting toast.

• Reykjavík: Dill – Michelin-level New Nordic with foraged ingredients and wine pairings. A celebratory end-of-trip treat.

Kid-Friendly Hacks We Learned the Hard Way

• Grocery stores (Bónus, Krónan) close early—stock up on skyr, flatkökur, and Harðfiskur (dried fish jerky—surprisingly popular).

• Gas stations are your best friend for bathrooms, hot dogs, and emergency ice cream.

• Lamb soup is everywhere and universally loved. Order one big pot and share.

• Bring eye masks for the midnight sun—those hotel curtains are optimistic.

• Waterproof everything. Twice.

The Moment That Summed It All Up

One evening we pulled over near Djúpivogur just because the light was unreal. Within ten minutes we had a picnic on black sand, seals popping up to say hello, and zero other humans in sight. That’s Iceland in summer: the whole country feels like your own giant playground.

If you’ve been hesitating because “it’s too far” or “too expensive”—yes, it’s an investment, but the memories-per-dollar ratio is off the charts.

Who’s ready to book flights? Drop your questions below—we’re already plotting round two!

Safe travels, The ExploreWithYourKids.com family

PS - Don't forget, we offer customized trip itineraries built to your specifications! Trip length, destination, budget, family size, and preferences are all taken into account when designing your trip. Hotels, restaurant recommendations, things to do, what not to miss, interesting food dishes in that area and much more are included in your personalized itinerary. Click here for more information.