The Ultimate Guide to Iceland's South Coast

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is widely considered the end of the South Coast. Situated four hours and 22 minutes drive away from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik (on a good day with clear roads), meaning that, without stops, you’ll be driving for nine hours in total if you decide to head there and back in one day.

This is doable in the summertime, though it’s likely you’ll feel pressed for time and will have to skip over some of the other southern attractions. If looking to head out that far, it is recommended to spend a couple of days on the South Coast, making an overnight stop somewhere like Hvolsvollur or Hofn. For that reason, Hofn is included in this list, although it is a part of East Iceland.

• See also: 2-Day Ice Cave & South Coast Tour with a Trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 

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 Thingvellir 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 Hofn, but the south of Iceland has so much more to offer.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall   

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is considered an iconic 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.

• See also: Top 20 Beautiful Waterfalls of Iceland 

Standing tall at 197 feet (60 meters) high, the water of Seljalandsfoss originates from the volcanic glacier Eyjafjallajokull. Eyjafjallajokull 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 Gljufrabui, 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 Gljufrabui and its unique surroundings.

Seljalandsfoss has been featured widely in international film and television. Arguably, the waterfall’s most famous appearance 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”. 

Seljavallalaug Outdoor Pool  

Photo by Anna and Michal

A mere 14.3 miles (23 kilometers) eastward from Seljalandsfoss waterfall, visitors will stumble across one of the South Coast’s outdoor pools, Seljavallalaug. Seljavallalaug is one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland, having been constructed in 1923.

Seljavallalaug also once held the title of being Iceland’s largest swimming pool, measuring 32.8 feet (10 meters) in width and 82 feet (25 meters) in length, but lost the title in 1936. 

• See also: Best Swimming Pools in Iceland

Still, despite its size and age, Seljavallalaug is free to enter and makes for a worthwhile stop while traveling the South Coast. Do note, however, that those choosing to bathe at the pool do so at their own risk and only should the urge take them. 

The water is lukewarm at best, as natural hot water trickles down the mountainside that makes up one of the pool's walls.

Many visitors pay a little too close attention to the strange green shade the pool water often takes, a result of the algae that grows on the pool’s sides and bottoms. The pool is cleaned once a year. Visitors are required to take all trash with them from the site and leave nothing behind. There are no showers or bathrooms on-site, but a small house where visitors can seek shelter to change clothes, and that as well is up to visitors to leave neat and tidy.

Getting there requires you to take a left turn off the Ring Road onto road 242 until you come to a parking lot. From the parking lot, there's an additional 15-20 minute walk to reach the pool.

Solheimajokull Glacier

Photo from Solheimajokull Glacier Hike For Beginners

A short drive along a gravel road on the left-hand side of the Ring Road takes you towards Solheimajokull Glacier. This is the meeting place for anyone who has booked a glacier hike on this impressive glacier, which is a part of the larger Myrdalsjokull glacier.

A glacier hike or a glacier climb should only ever be done with a certified guide, as glaciers are full of dangerous cracks, and visitors need to know what they are doing. Everyone partaking in a glacier hike will be provided with crampons, helmets, and ice axes, as well as a guide who will lead the group.

If you, on the other hand, aren't looking to go on a hike on the glacier, it's still a beautiful sight to see from a distance. From the parking lot, there's a 15-minute walk to the edge of the glacier tongue, along impressive mountains and the glacier lagoon nesting in front of it.

US NAVY DC-3 Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

Photo from Shuttle to the Plane Wreck on Solheimasandur's Black Sand Desert

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 Solheimasandur, located between Hvolsvollur and the fishing village of Vik i Myrdal. 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 Solheimasandur but to its sheer artifice when compared to the open, untouched nature that has become its resting place. 

• See also: The abandoned DC plane on Sólheimasandur

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.

To get 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 and then start a 45-60 minute walk to reach it (on a flat surface). Bicycles are also permitted, which shorten the journey somewhat. The open sands provide no shelter from the unpredictable weather, so dress warmly. 

• See also: The Wreck of the Abandoned Plane on Sólheimasandur has become a Landmark

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, boasting a drop of 196 feet (60 meters) and a width of 49 feet (15 meters), and it's one of the major attractions along the South Coast.

Visitors to Skogafoss 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. 

• See also: Top Activities in Iceland for Adrenaline Junkies

Standing in 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 Skogafoss 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 Skogafoss is only found a short distance from Seljalandsfoss, the waterfalls are often paired together in travel guides, considered as something like cousins. Like Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss has made numerous appearances in the media, including on the History Channel’s "Vikings" and in the film "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

• Check out: Movie Locations in Iceland: The Complete List

Dyrholaey Peninsula

Dyrholaey’s origin story can be traced back to when it was a volcanic island, separate from mainland Iceland. Today, Dyrholaey is connected to the rest of the country, becoming a small peninsula unto itself. 

This promontory is best known for its fantastic views over Iceland’s South Coast, as well as the birdlife that utilizes Dyrholaey’s towering cliff faces and the enormous rock arch that dominates the scene. 

• See also: Wildlife and Animals in Iceland: The Complete Guide

Those traveling to Dyrholaey for the views will be in for a sure treat. To the north, you will be able to see Myrdalsjokull glacier, while to the east and west, respectively, you will have views over Reynisdrangar and the southern coastline towards the town of Selfoss.

Do note, however, that parts of Dyrholaey are closed off during May and June in order to leave the nesting birds undisturbed. Guests looking to see birdlife can see a variety of species, including puffins, but be aware of the Arctic Tern, which is known to divebomb aggressively when protecting its nests. 

• See also: Dyrhólaey - The Arch with the Hole 

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach, found between Vik i Myrdal village and Dyrholaey, roughly 112 miles (180 kilometres) away from Reykjavik. Reynisfjara is an excellent example of the volcanic shorelines that so characterize Iceland’s coasts, making it one of the most popular stop-off points for sightseeing tours along the South Coast. 

• See also: 8 Amazing Black Sand Beaches in Iceland

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 49-foot (15-meter) high rock stacks, Reynisdrangar, which protrude from the ocean just off the coastline. Over the years, there has been much folklore surrounding Reynisdrangar; some claim then to be the petrified remains of three trolls, frozen solid in the sunlight as they attempted to pull a boat from the water.

• See also: Vikings and Norse Gods in Iceland

Others suggest it is the frozen imprint of a long-lost, three-masted ship, while 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.

Garðar was formed after a historic eruption, where lava cools over time, leading to a process called “columnar jointing”. Once again, a visit here is sure to provide you with a deep insight into Iceland’s geological processes.

A word of warning for those looking to travel to Reynisfjara, however. This beach is infamous for being the site of a number of accidents over the years, a fact due to the unpredictable “Sleeper Waves” that flow rapidly up the coast. Those types of waves are often also called "Sneaker Waves" or "Rogue Waves."

• See also: Things That Can Kill You in Iceland (Plus Sand Snakes) 

These waves are powerful, and the currents of Reynisfjara are strong. Not to mention, the water is ice cold, meaning that if you’re caught up suddenly in the tide, the odds are immediately against you.

Make sure to pay good attention to the warning signs here and keep well away from the shoreline—it might just save your life!

Vik i Myrdal Village

Vik I Myrdal is a small coastal village found on Iceland’s South Coast, often utilized as a lunch stop and souvenir shopping destination for those partaking in a sightseeing tour. Some choose to stay in Vik accommodations to enjoy what the town has to offer.

The village is home to approximately 300 people yet stands as the largest settlement in a 43 mile (70-kilometer) radius. Because of this, Vik I Myrdal is considered an important staging post and administrative center between Skogar and the Myrdalssandur glacial plain.

Vik i Myrdal is located directly south of Myrdalsjokull glacier, meaning it is under constant threat from the 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. 

• Check out: The 7 Best Spots for Peace, Quiet & Silence in Iceland
• See also: Glaciers in Iceland

It is thought that Katla’s eruption would cause glacial flooding large enough to completely destroy the town, save for the red-roofed Vik i Myrdal church, which is positioned on a hill higher than the rest of the town. 

Because of the threat, residents of Vik i Myrdal regularly hold evacuation drills at the church. Scientists and guests who stay in one of Vik i Myrdal’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, visitors to Vik 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. 

• Learn about the Best Restaurants in Vik
• See also: Katla Volcano Ice Caving & Glacier Hiking Tour with Transfer from Vik 

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Fjadrargljufur Canyon holds a 1.2-mile (2 2-kilometer) long river in South Iceland and is approximately 62 feet (100 meters) deep, with steep walls and narrow pathways. Fjadrargljufur, notoriously unpronounceable for foreigners, is said as [Fyath-raor-glyu-fur]. 

Fjadrargljufur canyon has changed a lot over the nine thousand years it has existed; today, guests can explore the feature either from the walking path above the canyon or actually inside of it (though this will require some wading). 

• See also: Top 11 Amazing Canyons in Iceland 

The bedrock of Fjadrargljufur is palagonite, dating back to cool periods during the last Ice Age, approximately 2 million years ago. The canyon has taken on its strange and winding shape due to the river Fjaðrá, which begins at the mountain Geirlandshraun. 

Visitors are urged to respect the path that winds itself on top of the canyon, as stepping off it damages the delicate grass and moss found there.

Kirkjubaejarklaustur Village

Kirkjubaejarklaustur, often known as simply “Klaustur,” is a small hamlet found on Iceland’s South Coast, to the east of Vik i Myrdal, in the municipality of Skaftarhreppur.

This village, with a population of approximately 180 people, is the only location between Vik and Hofn where it is possible to utilize local amenities, including a petrol station, supermarket, restaurants, and swimming pool. 

• See also: The Historical Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss & Systrastapi in South-Iceland 

Kirkjubaejarklaustur has a long and important history in Icelandic culture. To begin with, some believe that Kirkjubaejarklaustur may have been home to Irish Monks before the Settlement of the Norsemen. Then, in 1186, a convent of Benedictine nuns was to call the village home until the Reformation in the mid-1500s.

Kirkjubaejarklaustur is surrounded by the magnificent Eldhraun, the largest lava flow in the world, which was made during the 1783-1784 eruption of Lakagigar. The story goes that the town was saved from destruction thanks to the famous "Eldmessa" or "Fire Sermon" by the local priest, Jón Steingrímsson, who called on divine intervention, stopping the lava before it could reach the town.

Today, visitors can see the 1924 memorial chapel built as a testimony to this incredible event. 

• Learn about Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland: A Complete Timeline
• See also: The Ultimate Guide to the Highlands of Iceland | Where They Are and How to Visit 

Kirkjugolf (“The Church Floor”)

Photo by Matteo

Kirkjugolf (“The Church Floor”) is an 861 square feet (80 square meters) stretch of columnar basalt rock imprinted in a field just east of Kirkjubaejarklaustur village. Despite this attraction's name, Kirkjugolf is entirely natural, resulting from cooling lava flow that becomes contracted and then cracks into a series of separate hexagonal columns.

Thus, there has never been a church on the site, merely an allusion to one. Despite this, the entire area has a history that is deeply rooted in mysticism; it is said that the town was so enchanted and sacrosanct to the early Christian settlers that pagans could not set foot there.

• See also: Basalt Columns of Iceland - Hexagonal Rocks of Wonder

Legend claims that Irish hermits (Papar), supposedly the earliest settlers to the area, were the ones to lay down this protective spell. One story even states that a young pagan, Hildir Eysteinsson, failed to believe such magic could be possible and, therefore, attempted to move to Kirkjubaer. Upon setting foot on the land, he fell down dead at once.

(As a side note, be aware that this enchantment has now, apparently, been lifted. Pagans, as well as people of any religion or lack thereof, are free to roam Kirkjubaejarklaustur to their heart’s desires.)

Dverghamrar (“Dwarf Cliffs”)

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by JD554. No edits made.

Dverghamrar (“Dwarf Cliffs”) is an area of hexagonal basalt columns found in South Iceland, approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) east of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Dverghamrar is a protected national monument.

Dverghamrar is an excellent example of how mysterious and puzzling Icelandic nature can be, a fact driven home by the attraction's mythological name. 

• See also: Folklore in Iceland

According to folklore, Dverghamrar was once the home of dwarves, elves, hidden folk, and all other supernatural beings. Not only were they supernatural, but they were also a major part of the Icelandic interpretation of Christianity, acting as followers of this new monotheistic religion. Christian "hidden folk" are referred to as "Light Elves" in Icelandic folklore. 

One reason that Icelanders believed this is due to a folktale revolving around a young woman in 1904 who claimed to ethereal singing originating from Dverghamrar, despite the fact she could see the site was empty. Listening closer, she could recognise the song as a Christian hymn, ‘The Father in Heaven’. 

It is said that Dverghamrar was built by these ethereal creatures, a justified explanation given the lack of scientific understanding on the part of early Icelanders. 

Just like Kirkjugolf, modern understanding dictates that the basalt columns were formed from cooling lava that quickly contracted, thus causing deep and distinctive cracks in the rock.  

Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Skaftafell is a preservation area located in the region of Oraefi (“The Wasteland”), southeast Iceland. Skaftafell was once a national park in its own right, having been established in 1967, but as of June 2008, it has been incorporated into the enlarged Vatnajokull 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 Oraefajokull 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” or Oraefi 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, Grimsvotn. Farming was finally discontinued in the area in 1988. 

Today, however, the region boasts incredible beauty, the country's tallest peak, Hvannadalshnukur, as well as the country's tallest waterfall, Morsarfoss. There's a stark contrast between the green birch-clad fertile ground right next to the enormous Vatnajokull glacier, making this one of Iceland's most popular hiking areas.

A short hike from the visitor center 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. 

Vatnajokull National Park

Vatnajokull is the largest glacier in both Iceland and Europe, with a total surface area of 3127 square miles (8,100 square kilometers). Vatnajokull reaches a maximum ice width of approximately 3280 feet (1000 meters) and boasts over thirty different outlet glaciers, giving you some idea as to the glacier's scope. 

Vatnajokull National Park covers approximately 11% of the country, blanketing canyons, mountains and even volcanoes, thus proving to be an excellent example as to why Iceland is known as the "Land of Ice and Fire".

Some of the island's most active volcanoes currently rest beneath the glacier, including Grimsvotn, Oraefajokull, and Bardarbunga. Scientists expect there to be a high level of volcanic activity in Vatnajokull over the next half-century.

Vatnajokull is just one of the three national parks in Iceland, but is, without doubt, the largest, having absorbed both the historical Skaftafell National Park (est. 1967) and Jokulsargljufur canyon (est. 1973).

The other national parks in the country are Thingvellir National Park, roughly forty minutes northeast of Reykjavik, and Snaefellsjokull National Park. Vatnajokull National Park was established in 2008 in order to protect the area’s eclectic wildlife.

• See also: National Parks in Iceland 

It is so enormous that the possibilities of things to do within it are countless, however ice caving in winter and glacier hiking all year round are the most popular activities.

Most of the park is within the Icelandic Highlands, so in order to reach more remote parts of it, a 4WD car is required. 

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon has some of the prettiest vistas in Iceland. This is an area of serene beauty characterized 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 for why Jokulsarlon is colloquially titled “The Crown Jewel of Iceland” become evidently clear.

• See also: Glacier Lagoons in Iceland

Driving here from the capital, Reykjavik, 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.

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 Jokulsarlon is now Iceland's deepest lagoon, reaching a size of 6.9 square miles (18 square kilometers) from when it first formed around 1934-1935. Since the 1970s, it has increased fourfold in size. 

Most visitors choose to spend an evening overnight at accommodation along the South Coast, either at Hofn, Vik I Myrdal, or Hvolsvollur. 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 Jokulsarlin 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 a five-minute walk from Jokulsarlon 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.

Hofn i Hornafirdi

Photo by Wikimedia. Creative Commons, by Maryam Laura Moazedi. No edits made.

Hofn i Hornafirdi (often shortened to simply "Hofn") is a fishing village in southeast Iceland, sitting just near the Hornafjordur fjord. Between 1994 and 1998, the village was known officially as Hornafjardarbaer, before taking the name it is known by today, meaning “Harbour”. 

Today, the village is the second-largest urban settlement in southeast Iceland and boasts incredible views over the Vatnajokull glacier and the stunning Vestrahorn mountain. The surrounding landscape is characterized by shifting shoals and glacial rivers, with several small islands lying to the east of the village, such as Mikley and Krokalatur. 

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Michal Gorski. No edits made.

Hofn í Hornafirdi is often utilized for overnight stops for tours traveling along the South Coast, particularly those that travel as far as Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon or for those continuing east rather than returning west to the capital.

• After Hofn, you reach some of the Best Places to Visit in East Iceland
• See also: The Ultimate Guide to Iceland's East Fjords

Have you visited Iceland's scenic South Coast, and if so, what was your favorite location? Are there any handy hints that you'd like to share with future travelers to South Iceland? Make sure to leave your thoughts and queries in the comment section below.