South Iceland
Discover the best destinations in South Iceland. Waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, and more — browse 30 attractions with maps and driving distances.
Diamond Beach: A Guide to the Glacial Ice of Breidamerkursandur
A practical guide to visiting Diamond Beach on Iceland's South Coast, focusing on the mechanics of the ice, safety logistics, and managing expectations for this shifting landscape.
Dyrholaey: A Guide to the High Cliffs and Basalt Arch of the South Coast
A practical look at visiting Dyrholaey, from navigating the upper and lower parking areas to timing your visit for puffin season and managing the intense coastal winds.
Fjadrargljufur: The Serpentine Architecture of South Iceland
Carved by glacial runoff over nine millennia, Fjadrargljufur is a 100-meter deep corridor of neon-green moss and dark palagonite cliffs.
Fjallsarlon: A logistics-focused guide to the intimate glacier lagoon of the south
Located just 10 kilometers west of its famous neighbor, Fjallsarlon offers a more contained and quieter encounter with the calving ice of the Vatnajokull ice cap.
Geysir Geothermal area: Witness Iceland's Earthy Spectacle: Where Boiling Water Touches the Sky
Discover the raw, explosive power of nature at Geysir Hot Spring in Iceland's Haukadalur Valley. Stand in awe as the Strokkur geyser erupts with reliable precision, a cornerstone of the Golden Circle's geothermal wonders.
Gljufrabui: The sanctuary within the stone
A few hundred meters from the grand theater of Seljalandsfoss lies a waterfall concealed within a narrow canyon, offering a damp, intimate encounter with the raw elements of the South Coast.
Gullfoss: The thunderous descent of the Hvita river into the ancient canyon
A double-tiered glacial waterfall where the Hvita river plunges into a deep gorge, Gullfoss is a monument to Iceland's raw power and conservation history.
Haifoss: The high fall of the Thjorsardalur valley
Dropping 122 meters into a deep volcanic canyon, Haifoss and its neighbor Granni offer a powerful display of water and stone in the remote southern highlands.
Jokulsarlon: Dynamics of the glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
Jokulsarlon is a tidal lagoon where massive icebergs drift from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier toward the sea, creating the famous ice-strewn Diamond Beach.
Kerid Crater: A vivid caldera lake on the Golden Circle route
Located in the Grimsnes area of South Iceland, Kerid Crater is a 3,000-year-old volcanic caldera known for its deep red slopes and aquamarine water.
Kvernufoss: A secluded 30-meter waterfall inside the Kvernugil canyon
Located just east of Skogafoss, Kvernufoss provides an intimate experience within a moss-covered palagonite gorge, featuring a path that leads directly behind the falling water.
Oxararfoss waterfall: Waterfall in Þingvellir National Park
Öxarárfoss is a waterfall in UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, where the Öxará River drops over cliffs into the Almannagjá gorge.
Reynisfjara: Black sands, basalt pillars, and the raw power of the Atlantic
Encounter the dramatic landscape of Iceland’s most famous black sand beach, where volcanic geology meets the fierce spirit of the North Atlantic.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall: Stepping behind the 60-meter curtain of the South Coast
Follow the mist along the ancient Atlantic cliffs of South Iceland to experience Seljalandsfoss, one of the few waterfalls on earth that allows a complete traverse behind its falling waters.
Seljavallalaug: A rustic geothermal soak in a quiet mountain valley
Built in 1923, Seljavallalaug is one of Iceland’s oldest pools. Tucked away in a valley on the south coast, it offers a raw and simple experience far removed from modern luxury spas.
Skaftafell: A glacial oasis defined by volcanic history and tectonic scale
A wilderness area in Southeast Iceland where lush birch forests meet the massive outlet glaciers of the Vatnajokull ice cap.
Skogafoss waterfall: Where the ancient coastline meets a curtain of falling water
A guide to experiencing the monumental scale and sensory power of Skogafoss, including the ascent to the highlands and the serene trails that lie beyond the mist.
Solheimajokull: A study in ice and volcanic ash along Iceland's southern coast
An accessible glacier outlet of the Myrdalsjokull ice cap, Solheimajokull offers a firsthand look at the shifting landscape of Iceland's ice fields and the visible effects of a warming climate.
Solheimasandur Plane Wreck: The history and reality of Iceland's famous aviation relic
Beyond the popular photos lies a story of survival, a case of mistaken identity, and a long walk across a stark volcanic desert.
Thingvellir: A Journey Through the Rift Valley of History and Geology
Discover Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where tectonic plates drift apart and Iceland's ancient parliament once gathered amidst dramatic volcanic landscapes.
Thorsmork: A glaciated sanctuary and the resilience of the Icelandic birch
Thorsmork exists as an ecological island, shielded by three glaciers and defined by the shifting currents of the Krossa River, offering a rare glimpse into Iceland's pre-settlement landscape.
Vik: Exploring the black sands and volcanic cliffs of Iceland's southernmost village
Vik i Myrdal serves as a vital hub on the South Coast, offering a landscape of basalt columns, towering sea stacks, and a village life shaped by the nearby Katla volcano.
Akratorg: The central square of Akranes and its maritime memorial
A paved town square in central Akranes defined by its open space and a bronze memorial dedicated to lost local sailors.
Arnarstapi: Coastal elegance under the shadow of the glacier
Á Arnarstapa eru fallegir klettar og fjölbreytt fugla- og dýralíf (1). Ströndin milli Arnarstapa og Hellna er friðland og þar á milli liggur gönguleið sem er að hluta gömul reiðgata (2). Lengd göngunnar er um 4 km og tekur um 1,5 - 2 klst að ganga hana (3). Arnarstapi geymir mikla sögu, þar var áður...
Djúpalónssandur: The black pearl beach of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Djúpalónssandur er skemmtileg malarvík með ýmsum furðulegum klettamyndunum. Þar eru fjórir gamlir aflraunasteinar sem vinsælt er að reyna krafta sína á. Þeir liggja undir kletti þegar komið er niður á sandströndina. Járnabrak er á víð og dreif um sandinn, sem eru m.a. leifar frá breska togaranum Epi...
Hellnar: A historic fishing village and coastal gateway on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Hellnar er fornt sjávarpláss um 3 km fyrir vestan Arnarstapa. Hellnar voru ein af stærstu verstöðvunum á Snæfellsnesi og urðu löggiltur verslunarstaður árið 1925. „Hellir mikill er í Valasnös, bjargi er skagar fram í sjóinn. Heitir hann Baðstofa og er frægur fyrir sérkennilega birtu og litbrigði við...
Kirkjufellsfoss: A tiered waterfall framing the Snaefellsnes Peninsula's iconic mountain peak
Kirkjufellsfoss er staðsettur rétt sunnan við þjóðveginn en þaðan er hvað best útsýni yfir Kirkjufell sem blasir við norðan vegarins. Fossinn og fellið er talið eitt mest myndaða svæði landsins enda er þar mikill straumur ferðamanna (1). Svæðið til einnig tilvalið til norðurljósa-áhorfs þegar skilyr...
Lakagígar: Exploring the 25-kilometer volcanic fissure in the southern highlands
„Lakagígar eru stórfengleg 25 km löng gígaröð á Síðumannaafrétti. Liggur hún frá móbergsfjallinu Hnútu, til norðausturs í gegnum fjallið Laka, sem er 818 metra yfir sjávarmáli, og endar í Vatnajökli. Laki stendur nokkurn veginn í miðri gígaröðinni og af honum er frábært útsýni yfir gígaröðina og lan...
Vestmannaeyjar islands: Exploring the volcanic heart and wild coastlines of the Westman Islands
A cluster of islands forged by fire, Vestmannaeyjar offers a window into Iceland's volcanic resilience and the vibrant life of the world's largest puffin colony.
Ytri Tunga: A Golden Sand Shore for Seal Watching on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Ytri Tunga er á sunnanverðu Snæfellsnesi um 15 km áður en komið er að Búðum (1). Þar er nánast alltaf hægt að sjá seli í fjörunni og langflestir koma þangað til að sjá selina. Þarna er einnig góð fjallasýn og falleg gullin skeljasandsfjara (2,3).
Press play on South Iceland
Step inside South Coast: Waterfalls and Black Sands — 7 stops across South Iceland, narrated.