South Coast

The route from Reykjavík along the Ring Road (Route 1) to the east is Iceland's most traveled and most spectacular route. Over approximately 380 km to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the highlights are closely packed:

• Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss — Two of the world's most famous waterfalls
• Reynisfjara — The black beach with basalt columns, regularly voted the world's most beautiful non-tropical beach
• Dyrhólaey — The dramatic cape with rock arch and puffin colony
• Fjaðrárgljúfur — A 100-meter deep, moss-covered canyon of breathtaking beauty
• Skaftafell — The national park at the foot of the Vatnajökull with Svartifoss and glacier hikes
• Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach — Iceland's most magical place

You can see the highlights up to Vík in one long day (day trip from Reykjavík, 12–14h). For the complete route to Jökulsárlón, plan 2–3 days — it's worth it.

The south coast is geologically fascinating: You drive at the foot of a chain of glacier volcanoes — Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull (with the feared Katla beneath), and Vatnajökull. To the left, the mountains and glaciers, to the right, the open sea with black sand beaches stretching to the horizon. The flat coastal plain (Sandur) was shaped over millennia by catastrophic glacier floods (Jökulhlaup) — massive flood waves that occur during subglacial volcanic eruptions.

The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind

The Seljalandsfoss plunges 60 meters from a former sea cliff into a basin — and the special feature: A path leads completely behind the waterfall. Looking through the water veil at the green landscape from the back is one of Iceland's most iconic experiences.

The cliff was the actual coastline about 8,000 years ago — since then, the sea has retreated through sediment deposition and land uplift, and the former sea cliff remained as a step in the landscape. The Seljalandsá river, fed by the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, plunges over this edge into the depths.

The experience behind the waterfall is especially magical at sunset: The golden light falls through the water veil and bathes everything in warm colors. In winter, icicles form at the edge, and the path can be icy and closed — ask at the parking lot beforehand.

The waterfall is located directly on the Ring Road, 120 km east of Reykjavík, and is hard to miss. Parking: 800 ISK.

Insider Tip: Gljúfrabúi

Just 500 meters north of Seljalandsfoss hides the Gljúfrabúi — the "hidden waterfall" or "dweller of the gorge." It plunges into a narrow rock cave, and you have to wade through a narrow gap between the rocks (water up to the knees!) to see it. The light that falls through the narrow opening above and illuminates the waterfall from above is magical — a natural spot of light, mist, and moss-covered rock.

Many visitors completely overlook Gljúfrabúi because it is almost invisible from the outside — only a narrow gap in a rock wall indicates it. Those who miss it have not seen one of Iceland's most beautiful hidden places. Bring waterproof shoes or rubber boots!

Other Waterfalls on the Cliff

What most visitors don't know: Seljalandsfoss is only one of over a dozen waterfalls that plunge over the same cliff line. If you walk north from the parking lot (past Gljúfrabúi), you will find more, some nameless waterfalls — without a single other tourist. A 30-minute walk along the cliff is a wonderful addition.

The Wall of Water

The Skógafoss is a 25-meter wide, 60-meter high wall of water — mighty, thundering, majestic. It is located directly on the Ring Road near the village of Skógar and is one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. In sunshine, double rainbows regularly form in the spray — the mist is so dense that rainbows are more frequently seen here than at almost any other waterfall in the world.

The Viking Legend

According to legend, the Viking Þrasi Þórólfsson hid a chest full of gold behind the waterfall. Centuries later, a boy found the ring on the side of the chest — he pulled, but the ring broke off, and the chest remained hidden. The ring is now on display at the Skógar Museum (right next to the waterfall), but the treasure was never found. Some say it still lies there, behind the wall of water, where no human can reach.

Skógar Museum (Byggðasafnið á Skógum)

Right next to the waterfall is one of Iceland's best open-air museums. Over 15,000 regional artifacts, including historic turf houses, an old school, a church, and fishing equipment. Curator Þórður Tómasson collected for over 50 years — the result is a fascinating panorama of Icelandic rural life over the past centuries. Admission: 2,500 ISK (17€).

Staircase and Fimmvörðuháls Trail

A staircase with 370 steps (yes, you feel every single one!) leads to the cliff above the waterfall — the view from above over the south coast, the waterfall, and the endless black sand beach is breathtaking. From here also starts the legendary Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail (25 km, 8–10h), which leads between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull to Þórsmörk.

The hike passes by 26 waterfalls (each smaller than the previous, but each beautiful in its own right), through a lava field created during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, and finally down into the green paradise of Þórsmörk. It is one of the most beautiful day hikes in the world — but only feasible in summer (July–August) and in good weather. When in doubt: Book a guided tour.

Eyjafjallajökull in the Background

From Skógafoss, you can see Eyjafjallajökull in the distance — the volcano that brought European air traffic to a standstill for six days in 2010 with its ash cloud, stranding 10 million passengers. The eruption itself was geologically rather small, but the ash cloud was carried by the jet stream over all of Europe. Icelanders found the international excitement amusing — and enjoyed watching news anchors worldwide struggle with the name. The correct pronunciation: “EI-ja-fjat-la-JÖ-kutl".

The World's Most Dramatic Beach

Reynisfjara is not a beach for swimming — it is a natural spectacle. Coal-black volcanic sand stretches beneath massive basalt columns that look like an organ built by giants. Off the coast, the Reynisdrangar rise from the sea — three rock spires up to 66 meters high, which, according to legend, are petrified trolls caught by the morning sun as they tried to pull a ship ashore.

The Basalt Columns

The basalt columns at the Hálsanefshellir Cave are perfectly hexagonal and look as if an architect designed them — it is pure geology. They formed when basaltic lava cooled slowly and evenly. The cooling creates shrinkage cracks that form at regular intervals — similar to drying cracks in mud, only three-dimensional. The result is these perfect hexagonal columns reminiscent of a honeycomb. You can find similar formations at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and at Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park.

The cave itself is walkable (at low tide and calm sea!) and offers a dramatic framed view of the Reynisdrangar rocks from inside.

The Black Sand

The sand is so black because it consists of crushed basalt lava — the volcanic rock that forms almost all of Iceland. The surf grinds the lava chunks over millennia into fine, velvety black sand. On sunny days, the black sand absorbs the heat and becomes surprisingly warm underfoot.

Vík í Mýrdal

Vík is the southernmost place in Iceland (population: approx. 750) and the rainiest place on the island (over 2,000 mm of precipitation per year). The small white Víkurkirkja on the hill above the village offers one of the most photogenic views of the south coast: The church against the backdrop of black beaches, the Reynisdrangar rock spires, and the roaring Atlantic.

Vík lives under a silent threat: The Katla volcano under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is "overdue" for an eruption (the last was in 1918) for over 100 years. An eruption would trigger massive glacier floods (Jökulhlaup) that could reach the village. The village has evacuation plans — the church on the hill serves as a refuge.

The village has an N1 gas station (with a restaurant — the lamb soup is recommended!), a small Krónan supermarket, the Icewear Outlet (affordable outdoor clothing — often 30–50% off!), and some guesthouses. In the Katla Geopark Visitor Center, you can learn everything about the region's volcanoes and evacuation plans.

From Vík, zipline tours over the black beach and ATV/quad tours on the black sand start — an adrenaline rush in a surreal setting.

Dyrhólaey — Iceland's Most Dramatic Cape

The cape Dyrhólaey (120 m high) is located 15 km west of Vík and offers one of the best panoramas of the south coast. From the top, you can see the black beach Reynisfjara, the Reynisdrangar rocks, the endless black sand beach to the east, and in clear weather, the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The name means "door hole island" — the massive rock arch in the sea is so large that in the 1990s, a small plane flew through it (now prohibited).

There are two levels on Dyrhólaey:

• Lower Level (Kirkjufjara Beach): Black beach with basalt columns and view of the rock arch from below. Caution: Risk of rockfall, do not get too close to the cliffs!
• Upper Level (Lighthouse): The old lighthouse Dyrhólaeyjarviti (1910) on the top. From here, the breathtaking 360° panorama. In summer, puffins in the cliffs directly below you

Puffins on Dyrhólaey

From May to mid-August, puffins nest in the cliffs here — Dyrhólaey is one of the best and most accessible places on the mainland to observe the cute birds up close. The birds breed in burrows in the cliffs and are most active early in the morning (before 9 am) and late in the evening (after 7 pm) — during the day, they are at sea fishing.

During the main breeding season (May–June), access to the upper lighthouse may be restricted to protect the birds. Rangers provide information on-site. Keep at least 5 meters away from the nests.

Iceland's Most Beautiful Canyon

The Fjaðrárgljúfur (pronounced approximately: "Fjathrau-gljuufur") is a 2 km long, up to 100 meters deep canyon that cuts like a green wound through the black lava landscape. The rock walls are steep and covered with lush green moss, and a turquoise river (Fjaðrá) winds through the narrow gorge at the bottom.

The canyon was formed about 9,000 years ago when meltwater from the Vatnajökull glacier carved through the relatively soft palagonite rock (a type of volcanic tuff). The erosion created the winding, almost organic shapes of the gorge.

The canyon became world-famous in 2019 when Justin Bieber filmed his music video "I'll Show You" here — which triggered a massive tourist influx and damaged the sensitive vegetation. The canyon was subsequently temporarily closed several times, and today there is a well-developed wooden walkway along the upper edge with several viewpoints.

The circular path along the edge is 1.5 km long (30–45 min.) and offers breathtaking views into the depths. At the end of the path: A small waterfall where the Fjaðrá river plunges into the gorge.

At the Foot of the Vatnajökull

The Skaftafell National Park (since 2008 part of the Vatnajökull National Park) lies at the foot of Europe's largest glacier and offers some of Iceland's best hiking opportunities. The region is a microcosm of glaciers, birches, waterfalls, and wide views — surprisingly green for Iceland.

Svartifoss — The Black Waterfall

The highlight of Skaftafell is the Svartifoss ("Black Waterfall"): A 20-meter high waterfall framed by an amphitheater of hexagonal basalt columns — like a natural organ of black stone. The columns hang freely over the waterfall and gradually break off, leaving a pile of broken columns at the base.

The Svartifoss was the inspiration for the design of the Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík and the National Theater — architect Guðjón Samúelsson was inspired by these natural basalt columns. The hike to Svartifoss (1.5 km, 30–45 min. each way, easy to moderate ascent) leads through a birch forest — one of the few natural forests in Iceland.

Hikes in Skaftafell

• Svartifoss (S1): 5.5 km circular route, 1.5–2h. Easy to moderate. The most popular route — to Svartifoss and back via Sjónarnipa with a view of the Skaftafellsjökull
• Skaftafellsjökull (S2): 3.7 km, 1h. Easy. To the edge of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier. Impressive how close you can get to the ice front
• Sjónarnípa (S3): 15 km circular route, 5–6h. Moderate. Panoramic view over the Vatnajökull, the Skeiðarársandur, and the glacier tongues. The best hike for the big overview
• Kristínartindar (S6): 16 km, 6–8h. Difficult. Ascent to 1,126 m with spectacular panoramic views over the Vatnajökull and the south coast

Glacier Hike on Svínafellsjökull

Most glacier hikes and ice cave tours start from Skaftafell. The Svínafellsjökull (15 min. drive from the visitor center) is the most popular glacier tongue for guided tours — with dramatic ice sculptures, deep blue tones, and views that take your breath away. The glacier tongue was also a filming location for Interstellar (2014) and Batman Begins (2005).

Iceland's Most Magical Place

The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is breathtakingly beautiful and simultaneously a testament to climate change. At the edge of the Vatnajökull (Europe's largest glacier), massive icebergs calve into a lagoon that has been continuously expanding since the 1930s — today, it is 25 km² large and up to 248 meters deep, the deepest lake in Iceland.

The lagoon did not exist 100 years ago — it only formed when the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier retreated. Today, new icebergs calve daily, slowly drifting toward the sea. Some remain in the lagoon for months, others disappear within days.

The icebergs drift slowly toward the sea, and their colors are surreal: turquoise, crystal blue, white, and black-striped from volcanic ash. The black stripes come from historical volcanic eruptions — the ash was trapped in the glacier and is now reappearing centuries later. Seals frolic in the icy water, and with luck, you might see Arctic foxes on the shore.

The lagoon served as a filming location for James Bond: Die Another Day (2002) and A View to a Kill (1985), for Tomb Raider (2001), and Batman Begins (2005).

Boat Tours on the Lagoon

• Amphibian Boat: 40 min., sails between the icebergs. From 6,500 ISK (43€). The standard tour — the amphibian boat goes from land into the water and back. Ideal for families and beginners
• Zodiac (Inflatable Boat): 1h, closer to the icebergs and glacier edge. From 11,900 ISK (79€). The Zodiac can maneuver between the icebergs and goes directly to the glacier front — you hear the ice cracking and crunching. Intense and highly recommended! The guide breaks off a piece of glacier ice that you can touch (and taste!) — the ice is hundreds to thousands of years old

Both tours from May to October. Book at least 1–2 days in advance, especially in high summer!

The Ring Road Bridge

The single-lane bridge over the lagoon's outflow to the sea is a bottleneck of the Ring Road. Here you can watch icebergs drifting under the bridge into the open sea — sometimes particularly large specimens get stuck for days. From the bridge, you can also regularly see seals lounging on the icebergs.

Diamond Beach

Directly opposite the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, on the other side of the Ring Road bridge, lies Diamond Beach — one of the most photogenic places in the world. Here, the ice blocks driven from the lagoon into the sea are washed back onto the beach by the waves, where they lie on the coal-black volcanic sand like polished diamonds on black velvet.

The ice blocks sparkle in the sunlight in turquoise, blue, and crystal clear — no photo does the view justice. In the morning and evening, when the sun is low, the atmosphere is most intense. The size of the ice blocks varies from small pieces to man-sized chunks, and each has a different shape and transparency. Some are clear as glass, others milky white, and others show black volcanic ash stripes.

The ice blocks consist of compressed glacier ice, compacted over centuries to millennia in the Vatnajökull. When you hold a piece in your hand, you are literally holding history — the ice can be 800–1,000 years old.

Glacier Hike — Once on Eternal Ice

A guided glacier hike is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Iceland. The most popular glaciers for hikes are:

• Sólheimajökull: Near Vík (2h from Reykjavík), 3h tour from approx. 12,000 ISK (80€). Perfect for beginners. Easily accessible, also as a day trip from Reykjavík
• Svínafellsjökull: At Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. More dramatic ice sculptures and views than Sólheimajökull. Interstellar filming location!
• Falljökull: Also from Skaftafell. Steeper and wilder, for more experienced hikers

The tours include crampons, ice axes, and helmets. You walk on the glacier, see blue crevasses (some up to 30 meters deep!), glacier mills (holes through which meltwater plunges into the depths), and the rugged surface up close. The guides explain glacier geology and show how climate change is altering the glacier — many glaciers retreat 50–100 meters annually.

Ice Caves — Blue Glowing Wonder

In winter (November–March), additional ice cave tours are offered — naturally formed caves in the glacier ice with surreal blue light. The color arises because the compressed glacier ice absorbs all colors of the light spectrum except blue. Each cave is unique and changes from year to year — some disappear, new ones form. The most famous, the Crystal Cave in Breiðamerkurjökull, has walls of translucent blue ice that glow like stained glass.

Ice cave tours: From 25,000 ISK (167€). 3–5 hours including transport to the glacier (Super Jeep). In winter, book 2–4 weeks in advance!

Volcanic Island off the South Coast

The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are a group of 15 islands and 30 rock spires off the south coast — only one of which is inhabited: Heimaey (4,500 inhabitants). The islands are of volcanic origin and experienced two of the most dramatic natural events of the 20th century:

The 1973 Eruption

On January 23, 1973, a 1.5 km long eruption fissure opened in the middle of the night on the edge of the town on Heimaey. Lava fountains shot into the sky, and a lava flow began to bury the harbor — the lifeline of the fishing community. The entire population (5,300 people) was evacuated to the mainland within a few hours by boat — a logistical masterpiece.

Then came the most ingenious idea in the history of volcano fighting: The Icelanders pumped 6.3 billion liters of seawater onto the advancing lava to cool it and divert the lava flow. It worked! The harbor was saved — and today, thanks to the solidified lava, it is even better protected than before the eruption. 400 houses were buried under lava and ash, but the town was rebuilt. The Eldheimar Museum shows an excavated house under the ash — Iceland's "Pompeii".

Surtsey — The Newest Island in the World

Off the coast of the Westman Islands, the island of Surtsey was formed by an underwater eruption from 1963–1967 — the youngest island on Earth. Named after the Norse fire giant Surtr, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural laboratory: Scientists observe how life colonizes a completely new island. Entry is strictly prohibited — only researchers with special permission are allowed on land.

Puffin Paradise

The Westman Islands are home to the largest puffin colony in the world. In August, when the young puffins (Pysja) fly for the first time, they regularly get lost in the town, attracted by the streetlights. The children of Heimaey then collect them and bring them to the cliffs the next morning, where they are released into freedom — the Puffin Patrol, one of Iceland's most heartwarming traditions.

Getting There

Ferry Herjólfur from Landeyjahöfn (on the south coast, near Seljalandsfoss): 35 minutes, approx. 1,700 ISK (11€) per person. Also possible with a car. In winter, during storms, the ferry is redirected to Þorlákshöfn (2.5h crossing). Alternatively: Flight from Reykjavík (20 min.).

Accommodations Along the South Coast

Important Notes

• Accommodations: ALWAYS book in advance on the south coast — especially in Vík and near Jökulsárlón. In summer, everything is booked out months in advance. Booking.com and Airbnb are the best platforms
• Fueling: Fill up in Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur — the next gas station can be 100+ km away
• Food: The N1 gas stations have surprisingly good restaurants with lamb soup, fish & chips, and coffee. The Súpa restaurant in Vík (only soups!) is an insider tip
• Weather: The south coast receives the most rain in Iceland. Waterproof clothing is a MUST. The wind can be brutal here
• Travel Times: Plan more time than Google Maps shows — you will want to stop at every waterfall. Reykjavík → Vík: 2.5h pure driving time, realistically with stops: 6–8h

Guided Tours on the South Coast

Some experiences on the south coast are only possible with certified guides — for safety reasons. The most important guided activities:

All tours should be booked at least 1–2 days in advance, in summer 1–2 weeks. Ice cave tours (only November to March) are particularly quickly booked out — book these 2–4 weeks in advance.

Photography Tips South Coast

• Seljalandsfoss: Best light in the evening (backlight from behind). In winter with icicles particularly photogenic. Protect the camera with a dry bag — the spray is omnipresent
• Skógafoss: Morning for rainbows (sun in the east). From above (after the 370 steps) for overview drone photos
• Reynisfjara: At sunrise or sunset, when the light turns the basalt columns golden. Long exposure of the waves on the black beach
• Jökulsárlón: Morning for calm water and reflections, evening for warm light on the icebergs. In winter: Northern lights over the lagoon
• Diamond Beach: At sunrise, when the ice blocks glitter in the golden light. Long exposure of the waves around the ice blocks