An 800-mile road trip across Iceland offers some of the most beautiful views in Europe. 

Route 1 (Þjóðvegur 1 in Icelandic) is a week-long route that takes drivers around the circumference of the country. It is also known as the Ring Road, being the longest of its kind in Europe.

While mainly inland, it also takes visitors to the coast, starting and finishing in the capital, Reykjavik. It is the equivalent of driving from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

Some of the main sights on the road include Thingvellir National Park, the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the Dyrholaey cliffs.

It also takes visitors through many of Iceland’s beautiful towns and villages, such as Borgarnes, Blonduos, Akureyri, Hofn and Selfoss.

If tourists go at the right time, between September and April, they may be able to see the Northern Lights. There are lots of guided tours on offer with excursion leaders who know the best spots and conditions.

Visitors hoping to drive the route can fly into Reykjavik from London, Manchester Glasgow and more. Cars can then be rented in the capital.

The route takes around seven days when done by organised tours. If it is done privately it can be faster or slower depending on how much time you wish to devote to sights and stay in towns.

It is the most important piece of transport infrastructure and the main route for goods traffic and tourist traffic so can get busy. The road connects the majority of towns in the most populated areas.

Route 1 is generally well taken care of but does have some hazards including mountain passes, blind curves, steep passes and single-lane bridges.

The ring road’s speed limit is 56 miles per hour and is made up mostly of two lanes, one going in each direction. In busier areas, this goes up to three or four lanes.

There are two other more scenic routes that visitors wanting a more leisurely experience can enjoy – the Arctic Coast Way and Westfjords Way.

Other European road trips that offer beautiful views include Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Vienna in Austria to Geneva in Switzerland and Braga to Faro in Portugal.