Iceland Map: Towns, Sights, Beaches and Distances

The Ring Road, national road number 1, runs 828 miles (1,332 km) and passes Seljalandsfoss, one of the places you can pin on the map.

At a glance

• Ring Road length: 828 miles (1,332 km)
• Main town: Reykjavík
• Main airport: Keflavík (KEF)
• Keflavík airport to Sky Lagoon: about 45 to 50 minutes by car
• Central Reykjavík to Kársnes (Kópavogur): about 10 minutes by car
• Places in the road distance tables: over two hundred

Where is Iceland on the map?

Reykjavík is the base for most first pins on the map. Hallgrímskirkja stands at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and the city center stretches from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur.

From central Reykjavík that same Kársnes peninsula is about 10 minutes away by car or taxi.

What are the main towns in Iceland?

Reykjavík

Reykjavík is the center of this map. Laugavegur is the main shopping street, so a base near the city center keeps most of these on foot.

Kópavogur

Kópavogur is part of Greater Reykjavík, and Sky Lagoon sits at Vesturvör 44–48 on the Kársnes peninsula. From central Reykjavík it’s about 10 minutes by car or taxi. It works as a base if you want the lagoon close and the city a short ride away.

Keflavík

Keflavík is the airport town, and its airport (KEF) is about 45 to 50 minutes by car from Kársnes. Plan on a ride into the capital area after landing. A first or last night here only makes sense if an early or late flight calls for it.

Selfoss

Selfoss gives its postal address, 806, to Þingvellir National Park. The Almannagjá trail in the park was closed from October 6 until the end of the month for repair, so check its status before you go.

Hella

Hella, postal code 851, is where the National Museum of Iceland has its second site, Keldur á Rangárvöllum. Use Hella as a base if the south is your goal.

How far is Reykjavik from the rest of Iceland?

The Road Administration’s distance tables let you choose one of over two hundred places as a starting point. Clicking a distance breaks the route down by road number.

Central Reykjavík to Kársnes takes about 10 minutes by car or taxi, and Keflavík airport to Sky Lagoon takes about 45 to 50 minutes.

The tables also split each route into paved surface and gravel. The Icelandic Road Administration provides all road condition information, and the traffic service phone number is 1777. Weather precautions apply, so check before you set out.

In Reykjavík itself, you may not park on a crosswalk or within about 16 feet (5 meters) of it. The same 5 meters applies at intersections. At a bus stop, stay at least about 49 feet (15 meters) from the sign.

Where are the main sights and beaches in Iceland?

In the capital, Hallgrímskirkja is both a parish church and a national sanctuary. It is the largest church in Iceland and has the largest organ in the country. Perlan is a nature exploratorium with interactive exhibits, and Mount Esja is on the list of popular landmarks. A self-guided walk can link Hallgrímskirkja to Harpa concert hall.

Outside the city, Þingvellir National Park has the Öxará river and the Almannagjá trail. Seljalandsfoss lies on road number 1. At Secret Lagoon, several hot springs are naturally 212°F (100°C) and not for entry, and a walking path circles the pool so you can watch the boiling springs.

Sky Lagoon and the city sights fit in the same day, since Kársnes is about 10 minutes from the center by car.