Iceland is a land of fire and ice, and its south coast is one of the most dramatic and beautiful places on the planet. It’s also home to some of the country's most iconic landmarks, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. With its towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glaciers, it’s no wonder this region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, be sure to include a few days on the south coast going around The Golden Circle. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Here’s a suggested 5-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time in this amazing region:
Day 1:
Arrive in Reykjavik and check into your hotel. If you choose to take the Flybus, it’s easy and takes you straight to downtown Reykjavik. If you decide to rent a car or campervan, you might consider doing so when you arrive as many of the rental offices are located near the airport. If you’d like to spend a few days downtown first, you can take the Flybus and pick your rental up later. The Flybus is about $30 USD per person one way. On our last visit, we chose to spend a couple of days in the city without the campervan because parking can be difficult to find and expensive.
As far as hotels go, we recommend Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre. The Canopy is a newer hotel and in a great location. It’s currently our favorite hotel in city center. The general manager is one of the best we’ve come across and the morning breakfast is delicious. Just don’t think about making a sandwich for later because the staff will embarrass you and make it a very big deal. We also highly recommend Radisson Blu and the Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel Curio Collection.
There are tons of photo opportunities located in Reykjavik, so grab your camera and explore the city's many museums, shops, and restaurants. Get acclimated, but be sure to visit Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, and the Sun Voyager sculpture. As you wander, keep an eye out for the graffiti and painted streets to get those colorful photos you see on Instagram.
In the evening, you can relax in the famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located in a lava field. The Blue Lagoon is actually very close to the airport which is approximately 45 mins. from the city. If you want the true geothermal spa experience in the actual lava field, the Blue Lagoon is the place to go. Personally, I prefer the more modern & newer spa located about 15-20 mins. from downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon. We’ve been a couple of times now and it’s amazing. You can purchase your tickets online & pay a bit extra to take a shuttle from downtown or hire your own taxi.
Enjoy dinner at one of the delicious restaurants located downtown. If you’re a lover of sushi, I highly recommend Sushi Social. The sushi and rolls at Sushi Social are outstanding and the ambience is fantastic. This is a very popular spot In Reykjavik. Reservations are a good idea if you’re interested in checking it out.
Day 2:
Walk behind Iceland's magnificent Seljalandsfoss Waterfall on the Southern Coast and experience the power flow. It's so stunning, the surge of water pouring out mixes perfectly with the sun managing to regularly produce double rainbows!
Rent a car, camper or take a tour and head to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. If you choose to rent a camper, I highly recommend Camp Easy. We rented their Easy Big and loved it. Great service and a super clean camper van with everything we needed. It took some time to complete the rental, but it was well worth it.
Start driving toward toward Seljalandsfoss. About an hour outside of town, you’ll come across Kerid Crater. If you have time for a quick stop, pull over and park in the lot to see the the most beautiful crater in Iceland. There’s a small fee to enter, but the sight is stunning. If you have some time, you can hike the thirty-minute trail around the crater.
Stop in the darling town of Selfoss. Here, you can stop at the market and get food and drinks for the road. Across from the market, is a restaurant called Kaffi Krús. We stopped here multiple times for food. It was that good. We ate inside and stopped again on our way back for takeout. Everything we tried was delicious.
A trip to Iceland isn’t complete without a stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Be sure to take the popular hike behind the waterfall for a unique perspective. This is a once in a lifetime experience. At the entrance of the parking lot, you can find bathrooms. Be sure to have your raincoats accessible just in case you need them because you’ll most likely want to use them.
Visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and see the basalt columns and sea stacks. This stop has a nice cafeteria/café for food as well, so if you’re hungry, you can grab a bite before or after hitting the beach. They also have a nice bathroom.
In the evening, drive to the remote seafront village of Vik and check into your hotel. Vik is beautiful and a great place to stay. We enjoyed Hotel Vik. Not only did we have great service, but the restaurant was delicious. Across the street, you’ll find a supermarket and a huge Ice Wear store if you find you need any gear.
DAY 3:
Reyniskirkja Church at sunset is a sight to behold. Built in 1929, it's an incredible piece of architecture and history that you won't want to miss out on!
Right near Hotel Vik, you’ll find the picturesque Reyniskirkja Church you’ve probably seen in a thousand photos. It’s the little white church with the bright red roof that sits on top of a hill.
Visit Dyrhólaey Arch which is also known as “the hill island with the door hole.” It’s a beautiful sight!
See Katla Ice Cave by Jeep. The jeep is probably the biggest you’ve ever seen and the short hike to the cave is amazing. Side note: In Iceland’s warmer months, you’re unable to go into the ice cave as the cave is unstable due to melting. The tour to the ice cave is expensive. You may want to take this into consideration before you purchase your tour ticket.
Go for a hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier. This is one of the most easily accessible glaciers and the experience couldn’t be more magnificent!
Visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and walk the approximate hour long trail to experience the incredible canyon views.
In the evening, go back to your hotel or go for a walk around Vik.
Day 4:
Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon which is one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations and another one of my personal favorites. Take a boat tour or kayak among the icebergs or simply enjoy the stunning scenery. When you’re done, be sure to go across the street to Diamond Beach. On my first visit, it was pouring and incredibly windy, so we opted not to see Diamond Beach. On my second visit, I realized I really missed out the first time around. The pieces of ice truly look like diamonds are sitting along the beach. It’s amazing. Keep your eyes open for the seals. They swim along the beach near the bridge between the beach area and the lagoon.
Visit the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall which translates to “Golden Falls” and the see the Geyser before heading back to Reykjavik. Or, you can do these on Day 5 and then head back to Reykjavik. If you can fit them into your plans, you’ll be happy you did.
Day 5:
Wander the city and eat another great meal. Check out the Ice Bar, or if you like Italian, I suggest Primo Ristorante. This restaurant is family owned and the food is incredible!
This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your interests and time constraints. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Iceland's south coast, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Here are some additional tips for planning your trip:
The best time to visit Iceland's south coast is during the summer months (June-August), when the weather is mild and there are more daylight hours. However, the south coast is also beautiful in the winter, when the landscape is covered in snow and ice. Either way, your mind is bound to be blown by the natural beauty of Iceland.
If you're planning on driving, be sure to rent a 4WD vehicle. Although, most roads are well marked, they can be rough, and some of the roads on the south coast are only accessible by 4WD. Also, winter months bring black ice, so having a 4WD option is important.
Pack for all types of weather. Iceland has a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” The weather in Iceland can change quickly, so it's important to be prepared for anything. Also, whatever you do, be sure to pack rain gear. There’s nothing like wandering while coming down with hypothermia. When it rains, it really pours and without the proper gear, your clothes will get soaked. Trust me when I say, it is not fun. Rain gear for everyone. You’ll thank me later.
Be sure to bring a camera, GoPro, or drone. Whatever you use to document and take photos to keep the memories alive, be sure to pack them. Iceland is a photographer's dream, and you'll want to capture all the beauty you come across on the south coast.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to plan your own trip to Iceland's south coast. It's an unforgettable experience that you'll cherish for a lifetime.