Iceland’s sensational South Coast offers a stunning series of spectacular attractions, all easily reached on a day trip from Reykjavík at any time of the year.
Packed with superstar sightseeing stops, you’ll discover thundering waterfalls, gleaming glaciers, majestic mountains, eye-catching volcanoes, and cinematic black sand beaches.
Our South Coast tours promise a road trip adventure like no other, taking you through a photographer’s dreamland with amazingly diverse natural landscapes everywhere you look.
The highlights of a South Coast tour will include:
Choose one of our South Coast tours to explore Iceland’s finest sights!
The South Coast is quite close to Reykjavík, so it is easy to explore it all on a comfortable day trip from the capital.
Our South Coast tour itineraries will vary with the seasons, making the most of the daylight in the winter months. Expect tours to last between 10-12 hours.
The first stop on our South Coast tours is Seljalandsfoss. This waterfall is fed by glacial meltwater from Eyfjallajökull, the famous volcano that stopped global air traffic in 2010, and it has an extraordinary feature!
The powerful cascade tumbles over sixty meters from the cliffs into a plunge pool, carving out an enormous cave behind the falls. A path leads around the waters, so you can walk all the way around it (if you don’t mind getting wet!).
Seljalandsfoss has been featured in many films and music videos, so you might recognize it, especially if you’re a Justin Bieber fan!
Close by is Gljúfrabúi, another waterfall that’s hidden out of sight in a little cave. It’s just a few minutes walk from Seljalandsfoss, and you’ll need to get your feet wet to see it!
A short drive from Seljalandsfoss brings you to Skógafoss, a thundering waterfall that’s one of the most immense cascades in the country.
The name means Forest Falls, but there haven’t been many trees here since the Viking settlers chopped them down for house-building, boats, and firewood before they realized how long trees need to grow in Iceland!
Instead, you can enjoy the spectacle of a sixty-meter waterfall facing directly south, which means there’s a great chance of seeing rainbows arching over the falls on sunny days.
A wooden staircase leads to the top, where you can see the Atlantic Ocean, more than five kilometers away. That’s where the River Skóga used to meet the sea thousands of years ago until the coastline changed!
Local legend tells of a Viking settler, Prasi Porolfsson, who hid a treasure chest of gold behind the falls. Many have tried to spot it since – maybe you might be lucky!
“Game of Thrones” fans will enjoy a visit here – Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen certainly did!
There are 269 “named” glaciers in Iceland, which cover more than 10% of the country. You’ll have an opportunity to experience a close encounter with one of these incredible rivers of ice at Sólheimajökull.
The name loosely translates as “Sun’s Home Glacier.” It’s part of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap in the UNESCO-listed Katla Geopark and one of the most accessible glaciers in Iceland.
The glacier tongue reaches down from one of Iceland’s mightiest volcanoes (Katla), and you can take a thrilling glacier hike surrounded by majestic mountains amongst the frozen maze of glittering ice formations, deep crevasses, and fabulous ice caves.
It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Iceland is famous for its volcanic black sand beaches, and one of them has recently been named by TripAdvisor as one of the best beaches in the world!
Stretching as far as the eye can see, Reynisfjara offers a day at the beach like no other, with miles of dark volcanic sands, beautiful basalt columns, powerful Atlantic waves, and astonishing stone stacks looming offshore.
Some say the Reynisdrangar are two trolls caught by the sun while trying to drag a three-masted ship to shore – see what you think!
You can enjoy panoramic views of the stone arches at Dyrhólaey, and you might be lucky to spot puffins, Arctic terns, and many other seabirds who nest here in the summer months.
The hexagonal basalt columns clinging to the cliffs resemble a church organ; you might try to pose for a picture while sitting on one of them!
Keep an eye on the pounding Atlantic waves and stay well clear of the tideline. That’s because “sneaker waves” can catch people by surprise here.
Listen to your guides before walking on the beach, and pay attention to the traffic light warning system.
Our South Coast tours will pass through several small towns and villages on the famous Ring Road, the country’s spectacular 1300-kilometer two-lane highway.
Here’s what to look out for on the way!
Hveragerði – translating as Hot Spring Field, you’ll see clouds of steam vapor rising and rows of geothermally-heated greenhouses here, where tomatoes, bananas, and cucumbers are grown all year round!
Selfoss – the largest town on the South Coast, straddling the Ölfusá river and lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Hella and Hvolsvöllur – tiny villages with just a few shops, houses, and gas stations where we might stop for a coffee.
Vík
The final stop on our South Coast tours is Vík í Mýrdal, the southernmost point on the mainland of Iceland, and the warmest place in the country!
Overlooked by a pretty hilltop church, Vík offers a wide range of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, and other services for people on sightseeing tours around Iceland.
You can also enjoy panoramic views of the coast, including the Reynisdrangar and Dyrhólaey, from another perspective!
Bring a camera. Or your smartphone. You’re going to take a LOT of pictures!
As always, dress in layers that are comfortable and easy to take off. The weather in Iceland is famously changeable, so you must be prepared.
Bring scarves, gloves, hats, windproof pants, and sturdy shoes.
Depending on the season, you might need all of these!
Listen to your guides before exploring Iceland’s South Coast.
Stay on marked paths, and don’t tread on the moss!
When you’re at Reynisfjara (the Black Sand Beach), it’s essential to stay clear of the waves, as there is a risk of being swept out to sea if you’re not careful. Your guide will tell you which areas are accessible when we visit here.
This also applies to glacier hikes at Sólheimajökull – you must not try to walk on glaciers without an expert guide and the necessary safety equipment.
Don’t risk injury from a fall. No picture is worth risking your life!
We offer a range of tours featuring visits to Iceland’s South Coast for you to choose from, with different schedules and formats.
Travel through the ever-changing landscape of South Iceland and discover some of the country’s most iconic volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls.
Experience the best of Iceland´s South Coast with an evening Northern Lights Tour.
Travel along the exciting South Coast of Iceland and visit the breathtaking Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond beach, and stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls!
Travel across lush farmlands of south Iceland visiting volcanoes and thundering waterfalls and take a walk on the Sólheimajökull glacier landscape
Private journey along Iceland’s most spectacular South Coast with a walk on the black sand beach and witness the beauty that defines the land of fire and ice.