South Iceland Travel guide
Iceland’s picturesque south coast is among the most popular regions for visitors to the country.
It is, after all, home to some of Iceland’s most beloved natural attractions, such as “The Crown Jewel of Iceland” Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the awe-inspiring Vatnajökull National Park.
This guide will show you the best things to do in Southern Iceland.
Brief Overview
Those travelling along this strip of scenic coast will be privy to nearly endless dried lava fields, awe-inspiring cliffsides and quintessential fishing villages. To this day, visitors consider South Iceland to be the ideal spot for hiking, paragliding, Super Jeep tours and sightseeing, among other activities.
Many people chose to explore the south in different ways, either through guided tours or self-drive tours, yet few are disappointed by the plethora of sights, sounds and experiences they uncover here.
Things to see and do
There are also numerous other attractions in the south part of Iceland that aren’t a part of the coastline, such as the popular Golden Circle sightseeing route that includes Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area.
Following are only the main attractions along Iceland’s South Coast, from the westernmost attraction of Reykjadalur valley to the easternmost one of Höfn, but the south of Iceland has so much more to offer.
Reykjadalur Valley
Translated to “Smoke Valley” but should, in fact, be “Steam Valley”, most people connotate Reykjadalur to the highly-popular, soothing hot river that runs through the area, a result of the region’s geothermal underbelly.
The valley, however, should be celebrated in its own right; hillsides of a lush green are intercut with numerous trickling streams and waterfalls, as well as dotted with countless hot pools and geothermal springs.
The valley is located beside Hveragerði, a town of approximately 2500 people known for the locals’ friendliness (if you have any trouble finding your way into the valley, somebody will be around to point you in the direction.) Hveragerði is, roughly, a forty-minute drive southwest from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik.
After reaching Hveragerði, visitors will drive straight through the town until they arrive at the gravel road that leads up to Reykjadalur Valley.
Cars are parked at the end of this gravel road, from where guests hike for approximately 50-70 minutes until they reach the first areas for bathing. Note that different sections of the river come out at different temperatures, so walk up and down a little to find the most comfortable spot for you.
A bus goes to Hveragerði, but not to the parking area from where the hike starts, so the best way to get here is either by renting a car or joining a tour.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss waterfall is considered a staple stop on the South Coast sightseeing route, in large part due to the fact that visitors can actually walk behind the cascading water here. This makes the feature particularly beloved by nature photographers who jump at the chance to snapshot the waterfall from behind.
Standing tall at 60 metres (197 ft) high, the water of Seljalandsfoss originates from the volcanic glacier, Eyjafjallajökull. Eyjafjallajökull is, of course, famous for its 2010 eruption, which simultaneously managed to both shut off European air traffic and instigate the Icelandic tourism boom.
Visitors to Seljalandsfoss will often continue north along the trail until they discover Gljúfrabúi, another small waterfall, this time hidden away inside of a gorge in these ancient sea cliffs. Once again, photographers jump at the chance to photograph Gljúfrabúi and its unique surroundings.
Seljalandsfoss has been featured widely in international film and television. Arguably, the waterfall’s most famous appearances was a waypoint during the first leg of The Amazing Race 6, as well as taking a starring role in the music video for Justin Bieber’s track, “I’ll Show You”.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon has some of the prettiest vistas in Iceland. This is an area of serene beauty characterised by its peaceful icebergs, the curious seal colonies and sweeping views over the ice caps and mountains of Vatnajökull National Park. Upon visiting here, the reasons become evidently clear as to why Jökulsárlón is colloquially titled “The Crown Jewel of Iceland”.
Driving here from the capital, Reykjavík, will take approximately four and half hours without stops, meaning a return trip would see you driving for approximately nine hours – but you’ll surely want to make several stops along the way. You are best staying in Vik and using there as a base, plus you can see Skogafoss and black sand beach in that area.
The lagoon is always increasing in size, as it is formed by the glacier calving large chunks of ice into the lagoon. Through global warming, this phenomenon is rapidly increasing, and Jökulsárlón is now Iceland’s deepest lagoon reaching a size of 18 square kilometres from when it first formed around 1934-1935. From the 1970’s it has increased fourfold in size. Most visitors choose to spend an evening overnight at accommodation along the South Coast, either at Höfn, Vík í Mýrdal or Hvolsvöllur.
With that being said, some do choose to make the trip in a single day, especially during the warm summer months when the Midnight Sun allows for nearly 24 hours of illuminated sightseeing.
Just be aware that it’s an extensive trip to make in a single day, as there are countless other attractions to be found along the way.
If Jökulsárlón is the ‘Crown Jewel’, it’s also the ‘Prize’, the gold at the end of the winding rainbow we call the Icelandic South Coast.
Diamond Beach
Only five minutes walk from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, guests will stumble across the aptly named Diamond Beach, a strip of coastline where icebergs wash up onto the jet-black, volcanic shoreline.
Diamond Beach is particularly beloved by photographers who relish the opportunity to snapshot the striking contrasts made between the pale blue ice and volcanic black sand.
Thanks to the icebergs’ natural formation, no photo is ever alike, and the rolling tide presents a fantastic chance to experiment with timelapse, creating fantastic and surreal pictures that perfectly capture the area’s unique, ethereal nature.
Skaftafell
Skaftafell is a preservation area located in the region of Öræfi (“The Wasteland”), southeast Iceland. Skaftafell was once a national park in its own right, having been established in 1967, but as of June 2008, has been incorporated into the enlarged Vatnajökull National Park.
Skaftafell was originally inhabited as a farmstead not long after the initial settlement of Iceland and was even the location for a number of administrative meetings between different Chieftains. The Öræfajökull eruption of 1362 decimated the community in its entirety, making the area uninhabitable for long stretches at a time. Hence, the area has been referred to as “the wasteland” ever since.
Farmsteads continued to be re-established in the area, though each was met with insurmountable challenges, ranging from the infertile soil to frequent glacial flooding and ash clouds from the nearby volcano, Grímsvötn. Farming was finally discontinued in the area in 1988.
Today however the region boasts incredible beauty, the country’s tallest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur, as well as the country’s tallest waterfall, Morsárfoss. There’s a stark contrast between the green birch clad fertile ground right next to the enormous Vatnajökull glacier, making this one of Iceland’s most popular hiking areas.
A short hike from the visitor centre brings people to Svartifoss waterfall, although the most popular hikes are the glacier hikes themselves.
Skaftafell boasts a popular camping site, as well as a visitor’s centre and a small café.
Guided tours are below the photos!
Skogafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, boasting a drop of 60 metres and a width of 15 metres, and again, acts as one of the major attractions along the South Coast.
Visitors to Skógafoss can walk right up to where the cascading water crashes into the ground, making for fantastic photographs. Photos are made even more amazing by the sheer size of the mist and spray clouds constantly formed by the waterfall, creating rainbows in the light.
Standing at such proximity also allows you to experience the sheer power of this natural feature. Be careful during the winter months, however, as the rocks at the base of Skógafoss often become incredibly icy, making it dangerous to approach.
It is also possible to view the waterfall from the top if you ascend the staircase right beside it. Be careful in the winter months, however, as these stairs become laden with snowfall, making accessibility difficult.
Because Skógafoss is only found a short distance from Seljalandsfoss, the waterfalls are often paired in travel guides, considered as something like cousins. Like Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss has made numerous appearances in the media, including on History Channel’s ‘Vikings’ and in the film ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’.
US NAVY DC-3 Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
For many years, the US Navy DC-3 Plane Wreck sat abandoned to the elements. The result of a fuel failure in 1973, the aircraft crashed into the black sand desert of Sólheimasandur, located between Hvolsvöllur and the fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. Thankfully, there was no loss of life in the incident.
It has sat there ever since, exposed and jagged, creating a stark contrast, not just with its peeling white paint to the dark, flat, volcanic earth of Sólheimasandur, but to its sheer artifice when compared to the open, untouched nature that has become its resting place.
Given the plane’s presence since the early seventies, and considering that Iceland’s tourism boom did not officially kick off until 2011, some Icelanders are only now beginning to accept that the DC Plane Wreck has become a makeshift visitor attraction in itself.
Until fairly recently, the wreckage was considered as something of a mess, if considered at all. It is only with foreign eyes that the wreckage has become a real point of interest.
Getting there you will need to put in a bit of effort. The plane can not be seen from the Ring Road, and it’s illegal to drive to it. Visitors will have to park their car by the Ring Road (£5-7), and then start a 45-60 minute walk to reach it (on flat surface). Bicycles are also permitted, that shorten the journey somewhat. The open sands provide no shelter from the unpredictable weather, so dress warmly.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Reynisfjara is a black sand beach, found between Vík í Mýrdal village and Dyrhólaey, roughly 180 kilometres away from Reykjavík. Reynisfjara is an excellent example of the volcanic shorelines that so characterise Iceland’s coasts, making it one of the most popular stop-off points for sightseeing tours along the South Coast.
Here, guests can stand in awe of this ancient and mystic vista, a landscape defined by its distant mountainscapes, towering cliff faces and captivating rock formations. In 1991, National Geographic voted Reynisfjara among the Top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches found in the world.
Of particular note is the 15-metre high basalt rock stack, Reynisdrangar, which protrudes from the ocean just off the coastline. Over the years, there has been much folklore surrounding Reynisdrangar; some claim it to be the petrified remains of three trolls, frozen solid in the sunlight as they attempted to pull a boat from the water.
Others suggest it is the frozen imprint of a long-lost, three-masted ship, whilst another theory suggests Reynisdrangar is all that’s left of a frozen troll after a vengeful husband froze them after learning that they’d murdered his wife. Whatever the case, Reynisdrangar is home to a wealth of nesting seabirds including Puffins, Fulmars and Guillemots.
Walking along the coast, guests will also observe the hexagonal rock formations that decorate the cliffsides running along the length of Reynisfjara. These basalt columns are known as Garðar and are reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.
Visiting here is a must, but steer clear of the sea, it will drag you in and you will never be seen again!
Vik i Myrdal Village
Vík is a small coastal village found on Iceland’s South Coast, often utilised as a lunch stop and souvenir shopping destination for those partaking in a sightseeing tour.
The village is home to approximately 300 people, yet stands as the largest settlement in a 70-kilometre radius. Because of this, Vík í Mýrdal is considered an important staging post and administrative centre between Skógar and the Mýrdalssandur glacial outwash plain.
Vík í Mýrdal is located directly south of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, meaning it is at constant threat from Katla volcano, which sits beneath the ice cap. Katla has not erupted since 1918 which, according to scientists, means the chance of a new eruption increases with each day, although it may still take years until the next one takes place.
It is thought that Katla’s eruption would cause glacial flooding large enough to completely destroy the town, save for the red-roofed Vík í Mýrdal church which is positioned on a hill higher than the rest of the town.
Because of the threat, residents of Vík í Mýrdal regularly hold evacuation drills at the church. Scientists and guests who stay in one of Vík í Mýrdal’s 1400 hotel rooms are warned in advance of the possibility of an eruption.
But no eruption has taken place for over 100 years, and while Katla sleeps then visitors to Vík can go on excursions all year round towards Katla volcano and explore natural ice caves found in the glacier that sits on top of it.
A visit to the Lava show is also a must when in Vik!
Where to stay
Make Vik your base for the south, you won’t be disappointed.
We recommend staying at Guesthouse Carina! You don’t need to stay anywhere else, trust us!
Link is here
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Final Thoughts
This Essential South Iceland Travel Guide has taken you through all you need to start planning a trip to the South of Iceland! You’ve got all the practical info sorted, and have started building a list of things to see and do.
The only way to get around in South Iceland is to do a guided tour or drive!
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