South Coast Iceland: The Complete Travel Guide

Iceland's south coast is the most popular driving route in the country outside the Golden Circle, and for good reason. In roughly 180 kilometres between Reykjavík and Vík, you pass thundering waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier tongues, volcanic landscapes and some of the most photographed scenery on Earth. Extend the drive further east and you reach the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón and the diamond-studded black beach beside it.

Most visitors can cover the south coast highlights in 2 to 3 days, though you could easily spend a week exploring at a relaxed pace. This guide covers every major stop, practical driving tips, accommodation options and honest advice about what is worth your time.

The Route at a Glance

The south coast follows Route 1 (the Ring Road) east from Reykjavík. The main stops, in driving order, are:

1. Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi (120 km from Reykjavík, ~1.5 hours)
2. Skógafoss (150 km, ~2 hours)
3. Dyrhólaey viewpoint (175 km, ~2.5 hours)
4. Reynisfjara black sand beach (180 km, ~2.5 hours)
5. Vík (186 km, ~2.5 hours)
6. Eldhraun lava field (250 km, ~3.5 hours)
7. Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park (327 km, ~4.5 hours)
8. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (370 km, ~5 hours)
9. Diamond Beach (371 km, ~5 hours)

The road is paved the entire way and does not require a 4WD, though a 4WD is recommended in winter. For detailed driving advice, see our complete driving guide.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-metre waterfall that you can walk completely behind. The path loops around the back of the cascade, giving you a view through the curtain of water that is genuinely thrilling. Expect to get soaked. Waterproof jackets are essential, and a waterproof phone case is a smart investment.

The walkway behind the falls is open from roughly May to October (it closes when icy). Even when you cannot go behind it, the front view is beautiful.

Do not miss Gljúfrabúi. This hidden waterfall is tucked inside a narrow gorge just 5 minutes' walk south of Seljalandsfoss. You wade through a shallow stream to enter the gorge, and the waterfall drops into an enclosed amphitheatre of rock. It feels like discovering a secret. Waterproof boots help, but plenty of people manage in hiking shoes.

Parking: There is a paid car park (around 800 ISK) shared between both waterfalls.

Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour for both waterfalls.

For photography tips at both waterfalls, see our Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss guide.

Skógafoss

One of the most powerful waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss drops 60 metres in a single, wide curtain of white water. The sheer volume creates a permanent mist cloud at the base, which means rainbows appear here on most sunny days.

You can walk right up to the base (the flat ground in front of the falls is one of its distinctive features) or climb the 400 metal steps to the viewing platform at the top. The climb is worth it. From the top, you look down into the spray and can also see the beginning of the Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail stretching into the highlands.

The Skógar Folk Museum, just beside the waterfall car park, is one of the best small museums in Iceland. It has a collection of traditional turf houses, fishing boats and artefacts that give real insight into how Icelanders lived for centuries.

Parking: Paid (around 800 to 1,000 ISK).

Time needed: 30 minutes for the waterfall itself. Add 1 hour if you visit the museum.

Dyrhólaey

A dramatic promontory that juts out into the North Atlantic, Dyrhólaey offers some of the best panoramic views on the south coast. From the top, you look east along the black sand coast toward Vík and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and west along an endless stretch of beach backed by glaciers.

The iconic natural rock arch that gives Dyrhólaey its name ("door hill island") is visible from the lower car park. In summer (mid-May to late June), the cliffs here are one of the most accessible places to see puffins nesting. They arrive in their thousands and are surprisingly unperturbed by visitors watching from the viewing platforms.

Access: A narrow road climbs to the top. It can be closed in bad weather and sometimes during puffin nesting season (a restricted access schedule is posted on site). Check conditions before driving up.

Time needed: 20 to 40 minutes.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

This is the beach you have seen in every Iceland travel video. Jet-black volcanic sand, towering hexagonal basalt columns, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean just offshore. The visual contrast between the dark beach and the white North Atlantic waves is extraordinary.

The basalt columns along the cliff face are naturally formed and look like a giant pipe organ. They make for incredible photographs at any time of day, though overcast conditions actually bring out the texture best.

A critical safety warning: The waves at Reynisfjara are genuinely dangerous. Sneaker waves, which surge much further up the beach than regular waves with no warning, have killed visitors here. Stay well back from the waterline, never turn your back on the ocean, and keep a close eye on children. The warning signs are not exaggerating. For more detail on staying safe, see our Vík black sand beaches guide.

Parking: Free car park next to the beach.

Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Vík

Iceland's southernmost village, Vík í Mýrdal sits beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and serves as the natural halfway point on the south coast drive. It is a small town (around 750 people) with a disproportionate amount of charm.

What to do in Vík:

• Walk down to the town beach for a different angle of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks
• Visit Vík's famous church, perched on the hillside above town with views in every direction
• Browse the Icewear wool shop (genuinely good selection and prices)
• Eat at Súður-Vík or the Black Crust Pizzeria (both solid, reasonably priced for Iceland)

Vík is also the departure point for Katla ice cave tours, which take you by super jeep onto the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. For detailed puffin viewing near Vík, see our Vík puffin guide.

Fuel: Fill up in Vík. The next fuel station east is at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, about 75 km away.

For a complete guide to Vík, see our dedicated Vík travel guide.

Eldhraun Lava Field

Between Vík and Skaftafell, the landscape transforms. The Eldhraun ("fire lava") moss-covered lava field stretches for kilometres on both sides of the road. This lava originated from the devastating Laki eruption of 1783, one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history, which killed a quarter of Iceland's population through famine.

The thick, bright green moss covering the lava took centuries to grow and is extremely fragile. Walking on the moss damages it irreversibly, and doing so is both illegal and deeply frowned upon. Appreciate it from the road and the designated viewing areas.

There is no formal attraction here, just a profoundly beautiful landscape to drive through. Pull over at one of the small lay-bys, take it in, and remember what created it.

Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park

Skaftafell is the main visitor hub for the western section of Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest national park. It sits at the base of several glacier tongues descending from the Vatnajökull ice cap, with hiking trails ranging from easy 30-minute walks to serious multi-day treks.

Best hikes:

• Svartifoss (Black Falls): A 5.5 km round trip to a stunning waterfall framed by dark basalt columns. The columns here inspired the design of Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja church. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Moderate difficulty with some uphill sections.
• Skaftafellsjökull viewpoint: An easy 3.6 km round trip to a viewpoint overlooking the glacier tongue. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Glacier walks: Guided walks on the glacier are available from Skaftafell. Crampons and equipment are provided. Most operators set a minimum age of 8 to 10. See our glacier guide for details.

Visitor centre: Good facilities including toilets, a café, information displays and ranger assistance. The campsite here is one of the best in Iceland.

Time needed: Half a day minimum. A full day if you want to hike and do a glacier walk.

For more on adventuring in Skaftafell, see our Skaftafell wilderness guide.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

This is the moment most south coast travellers have been waiting for. Jökulsárlón is a deep glacial lagoon filled with icebergs that have calved off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The icebergs drift slowly across the lagoon toward the ocean, ranging in colour from brilliant white to electric blue to ash-streaked grey.

The lagoon is enormous and the scale is difficult to grasp from photos. Some icebergs are the size of small buildings. Seals are frequently spotted swimming among the ice or lounging on smaller bergs.

Boat tours: Amphibian boat tours (large vehicles that drive into the lagoon) and zodiac tours (small inflatable boats that get you closer to the ice) operate from April/May through October. Zodiac tours are more expensive but more intimate and exciting.

Time needed: 1 to 2 hours for walking along the shore. Add 30 to 45 minutes for a boat tour.

For the full lagoon experience, see our dedicated Jökulsárlón guide.

Diamond Beach

Directly across the road from Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach is where chunks of glacial ice wash up on the black volcanic sand after floating out of the lagoon. The ice pieces range from fist-sized crystals to shoulder-height blocks, and they catch the light like enormous gemstones.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit. The low-angle light passes through the translucent ice and creates colours that look almost artificial. For photography tips, get low to the ground with a wide-angle lens.

The amount of ice on the beach varies day to day depending on wind, tides and how many icebergs are being pushed out of the lagoon. Some days the beach is covered; other days there are just a few pieces. You cannot predict it, which is part of the magic.

Time needed: 20 minutes to as long as you want. Photographers can spend hours here.

For the best timing, see our Diamond Beach guide.

Hidden Gems Along the Way

The south coast has a few stops that most guided tours skip but are well worth a detour:

• Seljavallalaug: A semi-abandoned geothermal swimming pool built into the hillside in 1923. A 15-minute walk from the car park. Free, unattended, and wonderfully atmospheric. Bring a towel and be prepared for a pool that is charming rather than clean
• Sólheimajökull glacier: A glacier tongue accessible via a short walk from a car park off Route 221. You cannot walk onto the glacier without a guide, but the viewpoint is free and impressive
• Lava Show in Vík: An indoor experience where real molten lava is poured in front of you. Sounds gimmicky, actually fascinating. Great for families or bad weather days
• Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon: A 100-metre deep canyon with a walking path along the rim. About 6 km off Route 1, well signposted. Hauntingly beautiful, especially in mist

For more off-the-beaten-path stops, see our south coast hidden gems guide.

Practical Tips

How many days? Two days is the minimum to enjoy the south coast without rushing. Three days is comfortable. If you are continuing to Jökulsárlón, plan for at least 3 days total. If you are doing a day trip from Reykjavík, you can reach Vík and back, but it is a long day (approximately 4 to 5 hours of driving each way) and you will feel rushed at every stop.

Accommodation: Book well in advance for summer. Options include hotels in Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, guesthouses scattered along the route, and the Skaftafell campsite. The stretch between Vík and Skaftafell has limited accommodation, so plan your stops carefully.

Food: Bring snacks and a packed lunch from Reykjavík. Restaurants are sparse outside of Vík and the Skaftafell visitor centre, and when they do exist, they are expensive. A cooler bag with supermarket supplies will save you money and time.

Weather: The south coast gets some of Iceland's worst weather. Wind, rain and sudden changes are common even in summer. Dress in waterproof layers and carry spare dry clothes in the car. The weather in Reykjavík is not a reliable indicator of conditions on the coast.

Fuel: Fill up in Selfoss or Hella before heading to the waterfalls. Fill up again in Vík. Fill up again in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Never assume the next station will be open, especially in winter.

Winter driving: Route 1 is generally kept clear in winter, but conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Check road.is every morning. A 4WD with winter tyres is strongly recommended between October and April. Some side roads (to Dyrhólaey, Seljavallalaug, Fjaðrárgljúfur) may be closed in winter.