The most visited stretch of Iceland outside Reykjavík — a single road east along the Ring Road passing waterfalls you can walk behind, Iceland's most famous black sand beach, a glacier tongue you can hike, a town living under an overdue volcano.
Tours in South Coast
Hand-picked trips that showcase what this region does best.
What Is the South Coast
The South Coast follows Route 1 (the Ring Road) eastward from Reykjavík across the flat plains below Iceland's southern mountains and glaciers. The route runs roughly 380 kilometres from the capital to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — the furthest major attraction — and takes about 5 hours of driving without stops.
Most visitors cover the South Coast in one or two days. The western section — from Reykjavík to Vík — takes a full day at a comfortable pace with stops at the main sites. The eastern section from Vík to Jökulsárlón requires a second day and often an overnight stay.
The landscape along the route is shaped by the glaciers sitting on top of the mountains to the north. Rivers running off the ice cross the flat plains between the mountain and sea. Waterfalls appear where the mountains meet the lowland. The ocean is constantly visible to the south. On clear days, glacier caps are visible for most of the drive.
Seljalandsfoss — The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind
Seljalandsfoss is typically the first major stop heading east from Reykjavík — about 120 kilometres from the capital, roughly a 2-hour drive. The waterfall drops 60 metres from a cliff into a pool below, fed by meltwater from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier above.
What makes it unusual is a path that leads completely around and behind the falls. The cliff over which the water drops was once Iceland's Atlantic coastline. As the land rose after the last Ice Age and the coast shifted southward, the cliffs were left inland. The constant flow of water carved a wide cave behind them over thousands of years. In most of the world, a path behind a waterfall of this scale does not exist.
The path is open from spring through early autumn. In winter, it is closed due to ice falling from the cliffs above — large fragments can fall without warning. The path is wet regardless of season — waterproof clothing is essential. The rocks are permanently slippery from mist. Allow around 20 to 30 minutes for the full circuit.
Parking costs around 1,000 ISK (approximately €7) and is valid all day. Toilets and a small café are at the car park. The site is directly off Route 1 on Road 249. Floodlights illuminate the falls at night — installed in 2001 due to the growing number of evening visitors during the summer.
Gljúfrabúi — The Hidden Waterfall
About 500 metres north of Seljalandsfoss, a second waterfall is partially concealed inside a narrow canyon. Gljúfrabúi — meaning "Canyon Dweller" — drops about 40 metres into a gorge and can only be seen fully by wading through a shallow stream into the canyon itself.
The water is cold and the rocks are slippery — wear waterproof boots. Most visitors pass it without noticing. It receives a fraction of Seljalandsfoss's crowds.
Skógafoss — The Rainbow Waterfall
Skógafoss is located in the village of Skógar, about 30 kilometres east of Seljalandsfoss. It drops 60 metres over a width of 25 metres — wider than Seljalandsfoss and considerably more powerful. On sunny days, the spray produces rainbows at the base of the falls. On days with strong light, double rainbows are common. The falls are visible from the road well before you arrive.
A staircase of around 370 steps runs up the side of the cliff to a viewing platform at the top. From there, the Skóga river continues up into the mountains and eventually to the Fimmvörðuháls pass — the hiking route connecting the South Coast to Þórsmörk. The walk along the river above the falls passes more than 20 smaller waterfalls and takes about 3 hours to the first mountain hut at Baldvinsskáli.
In winter, the falls partially freeze — ice formations build up around the edges while the main flow continues. This is one of the most striking winter views on the South Coast, and the area receives fewer visitors from November to February.
Parking is adjacent to the falls and free. Allow at least 45 minutes — enough for the base, the staircase view, and a short walk above.
Skógar Folk Museum
The Skógar Folk Museum is a short walk from the waterfall and contains one of Iceland's best collections of historical artefacts — over 6,000 objects covering farming tools, fishing equipment, boats, household items, and traditional costumes. An outdoor section has reconstructed turf farmhouses from different periods. Entry costs around 2,000 ISK (approximately €14). Often skipped by visitors focused on the waterfall, but worth an hour if you have time.
Kvernufoss — A Hidden Alternative
Kvernufoss is a waterfall about 1.6 kilometres from Skógafoss, reached by a 20-minute walk up a narrow valley beside the Kverná river. It is almost unknown compared to its neighbour and is often empty even in high summer. The trail passes through a gorge that narrows dramatically near the falls. You can walk behind Kvernufoss, much like Seljalandsfoss. Free to access.
Sólheimasandur — The DC-3 Plane Wreck
On 24 November 1973, a US Navy Douglas Super DC-3 made an emergency landing on the black sand plain of Sólheimasandur after its engines froze. All crew members survived. The plane was abandoned where it landed and has remained there ever since, slowly rusting on the vast flat beach.
Social media exposure turned the wreck into one of Iceland's most photographed spots. The hulk — stripped of useful parts and weathered to bare aluminium — sits alone on a completely flat, treeless plain with nothing else visible in any direction. It is strikingly photogenic precisely because of this emptiness.
Access is from a car park on Route 1. From the car park, it is a 4-kilometre walk across black sand to the wreck — roughly 45 to 60 minutes each way. The path is flat but fully exposed to the wind. A shuttle service operates from the car park during busy periods for a small fee. The beach itself has dangerous surf — do not approach the waterline.
Sólheimajökull — The Glacier Tongue
Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the much larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, flowing down the mountain toward the lowland plain. It is one of the most accessible glaciers in Iceland for walking tours — the lower edge of the glacier can be reached in about 15 minutes from the car park on Route 221.
The glacier has retreated significantly in recent decades. A lake has formed at its front edge where the ice once rested on solid ground — visible proof of how much the glacier has pulled back. Guided glacier hikes run daily from May to October and are the recommended way to get onto the ice.
Participants receive crampons, helmets, and ice axes, and a guide leads the group across crevassed terrain. Tours last 2 to 3 hours and cost around 8,000 to 12,000 ISK (approximately €55 to €80) per person.
Do not walk onto the glacier independently without a guide. The ice surface is unstable, crevasses are not obvious from above, and conditions change quickly.
Reynisfjara — The Black Sand Beach
Reynisfjara is Iceland's most famous beach — a stretch of black volcanic sand near the village of Vík í Mýrdal, about 186 kilometres from Reykjavík. The sand is formed from pulverised basalt — lava that met the sea, shattered, and was ground into fine grains by centuries of Atlantic surf. It forms a vivid black carpet against the grey-green ocean.
The beach is part of the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark and sits on privately owned land. In February 2026, following weeks of unusually strong easterly winds and heavy Atlantic swells, significant coastal erosion altered the beach's appearance — sections of the basalt columns collapsed and large amounts of sand were swept westward.
The Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the beach itself remain, but the shoreline is actively monitored. Check safetravel.is before visiting for current access conditions.
The Basalt Columns and Cave
At the eastern end of the beach, a wall of hexagonal basalt columns rises from the base of the Reynisfjall mountain cliff. The columns formed when lava cooled and contracted into geometric shapes — the same process that creates basalt formations at Svartifoss, Stuðlagil, and across Iceland's coast. They are often compared to a giant church organ.
Behind the columns is the Hálsanefshellir cave — a cavern carved into the basalt. The cave is only safely accessible at low tide, and it is closed during red weather warnings issued by beach safety authorities. Check the beach's traffic light system at the entrance — yellow means moderate hazard, red means the area is closed.
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
Standing in the ocean beyond the beach are the Reynisdrangar — a cluster of basalt sea stacks rising from the water. Icelandic folklore holds that they are trolls who were caught by the sunrise while trying to drag ships to shore, petrified in place by the morning light.
The tallest stack reaches around 66 metres. They are visible from the beach and from the Dyrhólaey promontory above.
Dyrhólaey — The Rock Arch Peninsula
Dyrhólaey is a volcanic promontory on the South Coast about 10 kilometres west of Vík, rising to around 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean. Its name means "Door Hill Island" — a reference to a large natural rock arch at the base of the cliffs through which small boats, and reportedly even aircraft, once passed.
The promontory gives one of the best coastal viewpoints on the South Coast — a panoramic view over Reynisfjara, the Reynisdrangar stacks, and the black sand stretching in both directions. From the top, on clear days, you can see the Eyjafjallajökull glacier to the west and the Mýrdalsjökull cap to the east.
Dyrhólaey is a major puffin nesting site from May to August. The road to the top is closed during this period to protect the birds — typically from mid-May to late June. During closure, visitors can walk up from the lower car park instead of driving. Puffins nest in burrows along the cliff edges and are generally unbothered by visitors who keep their distance and move quietly. Entry is free.
Vík í Mýrdal — The Southernmost Village
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, with a population of around 750 people. It sits at the base of the Reynisfjall mountain, directly above Reynisfjara beach, and serves as the main service stop on the South Coast for fuel, food, and accommodation.
The Víkurkirkja church — built in 1931 — sits on the hill above the village and is significant not just architecturally but practically: it is considered one of the few structures in the area likely to survive a major eruption from Katla volcano, which lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier directly above the village. All Vík residents are trained in evacuation procedures, and sirens around the village would sound if Katla showed signs of erupting.
Katla last erupted in 1918 and is statistically overdue for an eruption by historical standards. When it last erupted, it produced one of the largest glacial floods (jökulhlaup) in recorded Icelandic history. The lava flow created the flat coastal plain that now includes the southernmost point of Iceland, Kötlutangi.
The town also has the Lava Show — a live demonstration where molten lava is poured for visitors, showing the chemical properties and behaviour of fresh lava in real time. It is unique in Iceland and runs year-round.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a canyon about 100 kilometres east of Vík, carved by the Fjaðrá river over thousands of years. The canyon runs roughly 2 kilometres long and reaches depths of around 100 metres. Its walls are layered rock faces — alternating colours of sediment and basalt — with the river running along the narrow floor below.
A marked trail runs along the western rim of the canyon, following the edge above the most dramatic sections. The full trail is about 4 kilometres return and takes around 1.5 hours at an easy pace. The views down into the canyon from the rim are striking — the scale is deceptive until you see a person standing at the canyon floor for reference.
The canyon went viral after appearing in music videos and gaining social media attention. Access restrictions were introduced to protect the rim from erosion caused by too many visitors straying off the marked path. Stay on the trail. The parking area is on Route F206, turning off Route 1 about 5 kilometres west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Entry is free.
Skaftafell — Hiking in Vatnajökull National Park
Skaftafell is a nature reserve within the western section of Vatnajökull National Park, about 330 kilometres from Reykjavík. It sits between the Vatnajökull ice cap above and the black lava plains of Skeiðarársandur below — a green, sheltered oasis in an otherwise stark landscape.
The most popular walk is to Svartifoss — "Black Falls" — a waterfall framed by a curtain of perfect hexagonal basalt columns on three sides. The columns gave architectural inspiration to the designer of Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, who referenced this formation in the building's stepped wings. The hike from the visitor centre to Svartifoss takes about 1.5 hours return on a clearly marked trail.
Skaftafell also offers longer hikes onto the glacier edges, to mountain viewpoints above the ice cap, and routes into the surrounding highland wilderness. The visitor centre has maps, information, rangers, and basic facilities. Camping is available at the Skaftafell campsite.
Jökulsárlón — Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón is Iceland's most dramatic natural attraction after the Blue Lagoon — a glacial lake filled with floating icebergs that formed in the 1930s when the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier began retreating rapidly. As the glacier pulled back, it left a deep depression between the ice and the coast that gradually filled with meltwater.
The lagoon now covers approximately 25 square kilometres and is 284 metres deep at its maximum — Iceland's deepest lake. It has quadrupled in size since 1975 as glacial retreat accelerates. Scientists estimate it will eventually deepen into a fjord as the glacier continues to pull back. It is about 380 kilometres from Reykjavík — a 5-hour drive via the Ring Road.
Icebergs calve from the glacier edge and drift slowly through the lagoon toward the short river Jökulsá, which carries them to the sea. The ice in the lagoon is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. Some icebergs are the size of a car; others rise as high as a six-storey building. The colour of the ice ranges from white to vivid blue — dense, old ice absorbs red wavelengths and reflects blue light.
Jökulsárlón has appeared in multiple major films: two James Bond films (A View to a Kill and Die Another Day), Batman Begins, Tomb Raider, and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. Seals live in the lagoon year-round, often visible swimming between icebergs or hauled out on ice chunks.
Boat Tours on the Lagoon
Amphibious boat tours run from April to October, departing from the lagoon's shore. The boats drive into the water and circle among the icebergs, getting close to the glacier edge. Tours last around 40 minutes and cost around 6,500 to 7,500 ISK (approximately €43 to €50) per adult. Zodiac raft and kayak tours also operate in summer for a more intimate experience at water level.
Do not climb on icebergs. They roll without warning as the weight distribution of the ice shifts — a person on an iceberg can be thrown into the water or trapped beneath it instantly.
Fjallsárlón — The Quieter Neighbour
Fjallsárlón is a smaller glacial lagoon about 10 kilometres west of Jökulsárlón, also fed by the Vatnajökull ice cap. It is less visited, not visible from the Ring Road, and considerably more intimate than its famous neighbour.
Zodiac boat tours also run here. A heart-shaped section of glacier ice is often visible from the lagoon shore — a feature that makes it popular with photographers seeking something different from the main lagoon.
Ice Caves in Vatnajökull
From November to March, guided ice cave tours operate into the Vatnajökull glacier from bases near Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell. The caves form inside the glacier where meltwater channels carve tunnels through the ice over summer, which freeze solid again by autumn.
The most famous are the Crystal Ice Caves — caverns of deep blue glacial ice, sculpted into arches and chambers by natural meltwater action. The blue colour intensifies toward the deepest parts of the cave where the ice is oldest and most compressed.
Access is only possible in winter — the caves melt and become structurally unsafe in summer. Tours depart from Jökulsárlón and last around 3 to 4 hours including travel time. Booking well in advance is essential — popular dates sell out weeks ahead.
How to Get to the South Coast
By Car from Reykjavík
Drive east on Route 1 (Ring Road) from Reykjavík. The road is paved and maintained year-round. A standard 2WD car handles the entire route in all seasons. In winter, check road.is before driving and ensure winter tyres are fitted — the flat plains between Vík and Skaftafell can be icy and exposed to strong crosswinds. The mountain sections around Vík can close temporarily in severe storms.
Fill up on fuel regularly. The stretch from Vík to Jökulsárlón has limited fuel stations — fill up in Vík before continuing east and again at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which is roughly halfway between Vík and the glacier lagoon.
Guided Day Tours from Reykjavík
The South Coast is the most popular day tour route from Reykjavík. Operators cover the western section — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, and Vík — in a full day.
Tours to Jökulsárlón require either a very long day (14+ hours) or a two-day trip with overnight accommodation. Most day tours cost around €80 to €120 per person for the western section. Glacier lagoon tours cost more and typically require advance booking.
Where to Stay
Hvolsvöllur is the largest town on the western South Coast and a practical base for Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Vík is the most central overnight base on the main stretch, positioned between the main waterfalls and the glacier. Kirkjubæjarklaustur — always abbreviated by visitors to "Klaustur" — is a small village that works as a base for Skaftafell and the eastern section.
Höfn is the nearest town to Jökulsárlón, about 75 kilometres east, and has guesthouses and hotels. Book accommodation well in advance in summer — demand significantly outstrips supply along the entire South Coast in July and August.
Best Time to Visit the South Coast
Summer — June to August
The most popular season. Waterfalls are running at full volume from snowmelt in June and early July. The path behind Seljalandsfoss is open. Glacier hikes run daily. Puffins are at Dyrhólaey from May to August. Daylight is near-continuous, making late-evening photography practical at sites like Jökulsárlón. Average temperatures run 10 to 15°C. Every major site is accessible and open. Accommodation books out months in advance for July — reserve early.
Winter — November to February
The ice caves at Vatnajökull are only accessible in winter — the main reason many visitors come at this time.
The Northern Lights are visible on clear nights, and seeing them over Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland's signature experiences. Waterfalls partially freeze, Skógafoss accumulates dramatic ice formations, and the landscape is snow-covered and largely empty.
Daylight is limited to 4 to 6 hours in December. The path behind Seljalandsfoss is closed. Glacier tours still run but conditions are more challenging. Prices are lower and accommodation easier to book.
Spring and Autumn
April and May bring increasing daylight, the path behind Seljalandsfoss reopens, and glacier tours resume — all with fewer visitors than summer. Puffins return from mid-May.
Waterfalls run high from snowmelt. September and October offer dramatic skies, the Northern Lights from mid-September, the tail end of summer wildlife, and some of the best light of the year for photography.