Iceland is known for its stunning landscapes and natural wonders, and one of the best places to experience this is on the country’s south coast. This region is home to some of Iceland’s most famous sights, including glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. In this blog, we will take a closer look at what it’s like to explore the south coast of Iceland with Must-See Attractions and some Hidden Gems.
ROUTE MAP TO SOUTH COAST:
Starting from Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, the south coast is easily accessible via the Ring Road, also known as Route 1. This is the main highway that circles the entire island and provides access to all of Iceland’s major attractions. If you choose to rent car and drive from Reykjavik, it’s about a two-hour drive to the town of Vik, which is a popular starting point for exploring the south coast. Along the way, you’ll encounter several famous waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. You can also take a detour to visit the hidden Gljúfrabúi waterfall.
Continuing eastward, you’ll reach the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the towering cliffs of Dyrhólaey. Further east is the Skaftafell National Park, where you can hike to the Svartifoss waterfall and explore nearby glaciers.
Finally, you’ll arrive at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach. This is a popular spot for boat tours, and it’s also a great place to spot seals.
This is just a rough overview of the South Coast of Iceland, and there are plenty of other sights and attractions to discover along the way. But with this map as your guide, you’ll be able to explore some of the most iconic and breathtaking destinations in Iceland’s stunning natural landscape.
GET AROUND:
Best option to explore Iceland would be by renting a car but weather in Iceland can get very unpredictable and dangerous to drive especially during winters. Always check vedur.is, road.is and safetravel.is before you plan any travel as roads could be closed and/or hazardous to drive on. If you do not want to rent a car, safer option would be to book through local tour operators where your whole journey will be taken care with visit to major attractions which will include pick up and drop off back to the capital city Reykjavik. You can explore and book from various options below:
MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS AND HIDDEN JEMS:
Seljalandsfoss
One of the first sights you’ll encounter on the south coast is the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This stunning waterfall is around 60 meters tall and is unique in that you can walk behind it. Unfortunately, path leading behind the waterfall is closed during winter months as thee trail can be very slippery and is not safe due to the ice formation.
Hidden gem: Nearby is another waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, which is hidden inside a narrow canyon and can only be accessed by wading through a shallow river and is absolutely incredible.
Skógafoss
Continuing along Route 1, you’ll soon come across the Skógafoss waterfall. This waterfall is even taller than Seljalandsfoss. You can climb a staircase to get a closer look at the waterfall and even walk along the top of the waterfall for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Solheimasandur plane wreck
As you go along, if you have good time and energy in hand, you can explore Solheimasandur plane wreck which is a hidden gem near the village of Vik. The hike from the parking to the wreckage is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) each ways. The wreckage is that of a US Navy DC-3 airplane that crashed on the black sand beach in 1973, after running out of fuel. Miraculously, all crew members survived, but the wreckage was left abandoned on the beach, where it has remained ever since. It wasn’t popular until a video of Justine Biebers skate boarding over the plane wreck went viral on social media. 😀
Black sand beach, Reynisfjara
As you go further, another must-visit destination on the south coast is the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This beach is known for its dramatic basalt columns, towering cliffs, black sand and not to forget the sneaky waves which has sadly taken lives of many tourists. So, it’s very important to take caution when visiting Reynisfjara, as the waves and currents can be dangerous. Be sure to stay within the designated safe areas and follow all safety signage.
Vik Village
Vik is an important stop along the South Coast, offering stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. You can find several restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, as well as this church that dates back to the 19th century. If you are driving, you can also plan to stay here for a night or two as there are numerous options of stays to choose from. If you stay in Vik, you can easily take Katla Ice Cave tour(Click the link to check my blog on Katla Ice Cave).
Hidden jem – Further east is the Skaftafell National Park, you can hike to the Svartifoss waterfall and explore nearby glaciers.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON
As you go further, you will see one of the most iconic sights on the south coast that is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This stunning lagoon is filled with icebergs that have broken off from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. You can take a boat tour of the lagoon to get up close to the icebergs in summers.
DIAMOND BEACH
Another stunning destination to add to your south coast itinerary is the Diamond Beach, also known as Breiðamerkursandur. This beach is located just across the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and is named for its crystal-clear ice chunks that wash ashore. The contrast between the glistening ice and the black sand creates a truly magical and unique sight. Any experience in iceland is not guaranteed due to its strange unpredictable weather. So, just to let you know, you may or may not see diamond ice chunks on Diamond Beach. While it may appear to be a pristine black sand beach, don’t be disappointed if you don’t spot any ice chunks. Regardless of whether you see them or not, it’s important to appreciate the natural beauty that Mother Earth has to offer. 🙂
If you’re not lucky enough to see the diamond ice chunks at Diamond Beach, don’t worry. You can visit a lesser-known but equally impressive destination on the South Coast of Iceland: Fjallsárlón. This glacier lagoon was suggested to us by an Icelandic friend and we couldn’t thank them enough as it was truly a highlight of our trip to Iceland.
FJALLSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON
Fjallsárlón is about 10 kilometers east of Jökulsárlón. While not as well-known as its neighbor, Fjallsárlón is a stunning natural wonder in its own right, with crystal-clear blue water and impressive views of nearby glaciers. There is also a walking path that offers impressive views of the glacier and lagoon. The trail is about 1.5 kilometers long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Along the way, you can stop at several viewpoints to take in the stunning scenery and snap some photos.
THE JOURNEY:
However, the journey to these places was not any less impressive, it was a feast for the eyes, with stunning landscapes around every bend. Whether you’re driving along the coast or taking your time to explore each stop, the journey itself is a highlight of any trip to Iceland. Below are a few photos I captured from our moving vehicle along the way, Hope you enjoy! 🙂
To sum up, the South Coast of Iceland is an incredible destination that offers a diverse range of natural wonders. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or simply looking to soak in the stunning scenery, a visit to the South Coast of Iceland is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Hope you found my blog to South Coast of Iceland helpful in planning your trip to Iceland. See you on my next blog soon! Tata. 🙂
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Which camera do you use?
Hello, I’ve used Google Pixel 7 Pro and I phone 12.