South Coast of Iceland: 12 Epic Things to do (+ Tips!)
Planning on exploring the South Coast of Iceland? Here’s the ultimate guide, including everything to do, where to stay and how long you’ll need.
Iceland’s South Coast is an incredible part of the country. It’s also one of the most popular.
But many tours to this region only stop at 3 destinations – two waterfalls and the famous black sand beach. But there’s so much more to the south of Iceland than just those places.
We’ve spent a lot of time along the southern region exploring hidden waterfalls, museums, beautiful canyons, unique coffee shops and much more.
So, if you’re planning on visiting South Iceland, here’s everything you need to know.
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South Iceland Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 5 bucket-list experiences we recommend doing along Iceland’s South Coast! ❤️
12 Best Things to Do Along Iceland’s South Coast
First, let’s talk about the best things to do in this part of Iceland. As I mentioned, there’s no shortage of attractions in the south of Iceland.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best things we’ve done along this stretch of coastline – including several hidden gems!
1. Climb to the Top of Skógafoss Waterfall
Of course, Skogafoss waterfall is hardly a hidden gem, but I couldn’t tell you not to visit this beautiful part of the country. Skogafoss is probably Iceland’s most famous waterfall. It’s a towering cascade of water and is utterly beautiful to look at.
There are two ways to view these falls. You can either see them from the bottom or hike up the metal staircase to the left to see them from above.
The view from above not only shows you where the waterfall starts, but you can also see the valley for miles around.
It’s also the start of the Fimmvorduhals Trail hike, also known as ‘Waterfall Way’. If you do feel like tackling this as well, it’s best done in the summer months and will take you around 6 hours.
If you’re only here to view Skogafoss itself, I still recommend seeing the waterfall from both the top and the bottom. I always feel that the top really gives you some perspective on the sheer size of the waterfall.
❤️ This day tour is a great way to see South Iceland’s best waterfalls!
TOP TIP: Be careful on this staircase. Every time we’ve hiked up it, it’s been pretty rickety and quite wobbly in places. It’s also worth mentioning that the parking here is free and there are toilets in the car park.
2. Walk Behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Seljalandsfoss is another of the most famous waterfalls along the south coast of Iceland. These falls are a little more unique than Skogafoss, however, because you can walk behind them.
The view from both in front and behind the falls is spectacular. They are especially wonderful to visit during the sunset because the light hitting the water creates a magnificent glow. It’s beautiful.
If you’re driving along the south coast from Reykjavik, this should be your first stop. It’s around 20 minutes from Skogafoss and the closest waterfall to the city centre.
There are also toilets in this car park, as well as a small coffee truck where you can grab a drink.
❤️ This day tour is a great way to see South Iceland’s best waterfalls!
TOP TIP: The walk behind the waterfall can get quite slippery during the winter months, so if you’re visiting Iceland in winter, be extra careful here.
3. Visit the Skogar Museum
This spot is often skipped on people’s south coast journey, but it’s a very interesting place to visit. Skogar Museum is located around a 5-minute drive from Skogafoss waterfall. It’s a great way to learn more about the area’s rich heritage.
There’s both an outside and an inside part to this museum. Outside, you’ll be able to explore some of the unique turf houses that Nordic countries are known for.
Inside, you’ll find a range of exhibits, including ancient Viking relics, hand tools, textiles, and pottery.
It’s a great place to visit if you’re keen on exploring the agricultural, maritime history, and folk culture of Iceland, as well as its magnificent landscapes.
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4. Walk to Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is a bit of a hidden gem in Iceland and a great place to visit if you want to get a little off the beaten track on the south coast.
To get to the waterfall, you’ll have to go on a short hike of around 20 minutes. It’s a very easy walk, and the trailhead begins at Skogar Museum car park, so it’s pretty easy to combine the two.
Despite being easy enough to reach, the Kvernufoss waterfall is stunning. It’s located within a canyon and is another waterfall that you can walk behind.
This is my favourite of all the falls in southern Iceland because it has the raw natural beauty of Seljalandsfoss just without all the crowds.
5. Explore the Village of Vik
Vik is the largest village along the south coast of Iceland. It’s a very pretty place with colourful buildings, a dramatic mountain backdrop, and the ocean just a short distance away.
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is one of the most popular in Iceland.
Many people who visit this area decide to stay here, and I definitely recommend it. Some of the hotels in Vik are stunning too.
But, even if you aren’t staying in the small town, I recommend exploring it a little. There’s a gorgeous church, Vik i Myrdal, perched on a hilltop, pretty lupins in summer, and you can even watch the magnificent Icelandic Lava Show here!
👉 Check out our full guide to the best things to do in Vik.
6. Watch the Waves at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
This is one of my favourite black sand beaches in Iceland. The first time I visited Reynisfjara Beach, the waves were utterly captivating. I couldn’t stop watching them, and the sheer power of the ocean was magnificent.
The second time we visited, we actually saw seals here and spotted whales in the distance. Each time we’ve visited this beach, it’s given us some wonderful memories, and you have got to add it to your Iceland itinerary.
With its dramatic basalt columns, hidden caves, and rock formations out in the ocean, it’s also a very beautiful spot. It can get pretty busy, too. It’s one that the tour groups always stop at, so you may end up sharing the beach with a lot of other tourists.
However, if you time it right, you can find the beach pretty empty and it’s very peaceful then.
TOP TIP: Reynisfjara Beach is known for its powerful sneaker waves. The waves can be very dangerous and can drag you back into the ocean in seconds. You should never turn your back on the sea while on this beach.
7. Marvel at sólheimajökull Glacier Tongue
One of the things I love doing in Iceland is visiting the glaciers. There are several stunning places to see glaciers in Iceland, but this is the easiest one to reach in the south, especially if you’re coming from Reykjavik.
Solheimajokull Glacier Tongue is just a short drive from Vik (around 25 minutes), so it’s fairly easy to reach.
There’s a large, gravel car park nearby, and then you can walk to the glacier tongue in about 15 minutes. This is also a popular spot for glacier hiking.
The views over the tongue are amazing. There’s also a rather alarming sign there that tells you about climate change and how the glaciers are retreating. It’s quite eye-opening and well worth a read.
8. Be Amazed by Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Another magnificent glacial sight in Iceland is the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Created when the Breidamerkurjokull glacier began retreating in 1934, the lagoon is slowly getting larger each year. It’s now Iceland’s deepest lake.
The lagoon itself was one of the most incredible and beautiful things I’ve ever seen in Iceland. Seeing hundreds of icebergs floating about in the bright blue water was pretty unreal, and the whole place was breathtaking.
You can do a short walk along the lagoon as well, and there are several elevated points where you can admire the scene from above.
If you’re lucky, you might also be able to see seals here. We did and were able to watch them bobbing about on the waves for a while. It was magical.
During the summer months, you can take a boat tour out into the lagoon to see the icebergs up close. This is usually only available in the high season between June and September.
❤️ This is easily one of the most magical places to visit in Iceland
TOP TIP: The parking here is chargeable and we struggled a little bit to find a space. If you want a guaranteed good spot, I recommend getting here early. There is also a toilet and several food trucks.
9. See the Sunset on Diamond Beach
Located right opposite Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is Diamond Beach. This is another simply stunning place and a must-visit if you’re exploring Iceland’s south coast.
The beach is covered in icebergs that have washed onto the sand from the glacier lagoon. You can walk through hundreds of huge chunks of ice, and it feels pretty surreal.
Plus, if you visit during sunrise or sunset, the whole place literally sparkles with the orange glow of the sun. You can see why it’s called Diamond Beach during this time.
I think we spent around an hour here and could’ve probably stayed longer!
❤️ This is easily one of the most magical places to visit in Iceland
TOP TIP: If you visit Diamond Beach during the summer months, the icebergs sometimes aren’t as good. We visited in April, and the icebergs were huge, but some of our friends went in early June, and there were barely any icebergs there.
10. Hike To Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
This place used to be a bit of a hidden gem in Iceland, but has since turned into the country’s most visited canyon! Located between the village of Vik and the Glacier Lagoon, Fjaðrárgljúfur is ideal for those who love dramatic landscapes.
Reaching the canyon involves another short hike. It starts at the car park and starts going uphill almost immediately. To get to the final views over the canyon takes around 15-20 minutes.
Along the way, there are several other viewpoints where you can stop and see Fjadrargljufur Canyon. These viewing platforms are great for taking photos and seeing the sheer magnitude of this place.
If you keep going, you’ll also be able to see the waterfall at the end.
11. Go Glacier Hiking
If you love adventure and the outdoors, you’ll love going glacier hiking in Iceland. To this day, it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done while travelling and is a spectacular experience.
We booked our glacier hiking trip as part of a guided south coast tour from Reykjavik. This took us to several of the stops along the coast, and Solheimajokull Glacier was the final stop.
Our guide provided us with crampons and an ice pick and led us out onto the glacier. The views were unreal.
We got to walk through an ice tunnel and down into a little trench where walls of ice towered on either side of us. We also got to drink some of the delicious glacier water!
I think glacier hiking is a must-do while in Iceland. There are several places you can go hiking in the south, and you don’t have to do it as a tour from Reykjavik either. Many guides will meet you at Vik, or some tours meet you at the glacier itself.
As well as Solheimajokull, you can also hike in Vatnajokull National Park further along the Ring Road coast.
12. Grab a Coffee from a School Bus
Did you know that there’s a coffee shop that’s been converted from an old school bus in the south of Iceland?
Located in Vik, down a rather questionable dirt track, you have got to visit Skool Beans Cafe if you love coffee (or chocolate!)!
We made a mini pit stop here on the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and the coffee was delicious.
I had a mocha, and Andrew went all out with ‘The Overdose’, a hot chocolate with everything on it, including two chocolate bars! They were both wonderful, and we genuinely felt full after drinking them!
Do you need to visit South Iceland via a tour?
No, you don’t have to visit South Iceland via a tour at all.
We did it on our first time, but only because we’d done a trip to Reykjavik in winter and decided not to hire a rental car. Every time we’ve visited Iceland since, we’ve had our own transport, so visiting the south coast has been easy on our own.
You do need a vehicle to see the south coast, though, so if you aren’t confident driving in Iceland in winter or don’t have a vehicle, you will need to use a guided tour.
Our experience with the tour group wasn’t bad either. They gave us plenty of time at all the stops and, yes, it was an early start in the morning, but we got a lot of things done.
Plus, the guides were knowledgeable and told us stories about Iceland and the landscapes during the drives.
👉 If you want to visit via a tour or are curious about the experience, here’s our review of our South Coast day tour.
Where to Stay in South Iceland
South Iceland covers a large area of the country and is also one of the most popular areas to travel in Iceland. Because of this, there are quite a few options for places to stay along the south coast. This ranges from boutique hotels to self-catering lodges.
AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOTEL
With a bar, restaurants, large comfortable rooms, and a modern design, this hotel is a fantastic choice in Vik.
AFFORDABLE LUXURY HOTEL
Private self-catering suites next to the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
LUXURY HOTEL
A gorgeous hotel with a beautiful glass-front design, modern rooms, and an on-site restaurant.
👉 For more of our top recommendations, check out all of the best places to stay along the south coast.
What’s The Weather Like in South Iceland?
Whilst the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, we found the climate on the south coast to be much more stable than it was in other parts of the island.
Compared to the north, the climate is quite mild, and you’ll usually find warmer temperatures in the south all year round because of the influences of the Gulf Stream.
Now, I’m not saying that South Iceland is warm.
Most of the time, it’s quite cold, and the highest you can expect it to be is around 16°C, however, the north is typically 2-4 degrees colder than this, windier, and icier, with snow blocking many of the roads until May.
We found this during our recent trip to Iceland in April; the road conditions along the south were all clear of snow, while the roads around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula were still quite icy.
I recommend being prepared for a range of weather when you visit the south coast, regardless of the season. But especially be prepared for wind and rain.
👉 Check out our full guide to the best time to visit Iceland for all our top tips!
What to Pack for South Iceland
If you’re visiting South Iceland, I recommend dressing in layers.
A thermal underlayer will be essential, and you’ll also need a fleece mid-layer and a windproof and waterproof coat.
Make sure your outer layer has a high waterproofing layer because rain in Iceland is a very likely possibility. You’ll also need a pair of sturdy, waterproof walking shoes or boots.
👉 Check out our full Iceland winter packing list here.
How Long Does it Take to Visit the South Coast of Iceland?
If I’m completely honest, a visit to this region of Iceland can take as long as you want it to.
You can explore on a day trip from Reykjavik if you want, or you could base yourself in the south for a week and explore the area in depth. There’s so much to see, and I’m not exaggerating when I say you spend 7 days here – you honestly could!
Even when people are on short trips – spending 2 days in Iceland or 3 – they often still visit the south coast,
However, I’d recommend spending 2 – 5 days in South Iceland. That will give you enough time to explore the most popular spots like the beaches and the waterfalls, and also head east to the glacial lagoon.
This is also the ideal stop for those looking to do a road trip around the whole ring road.
👉 If you’re curious how we’d recommend spending your time in south Iceland, check out our 5-day south coast road trip itinerary.
What’s the Best Time to Visit the South Coast?
In my opinion, you can visit the south coast of Iceland all year round. We’ve visited in the winter months and in the spring, and it was fantastic on both occasions.
We actually found more ice and snow during April than we did when we visited Iceland in December, though!
It’s important to note that the high season for travelling to Iceland is in the summer months between June and September.
This also sees the highest prices and the largest influx of tourism in the country. So, if you’re looking for more affordable prices, I’d avoid this season.
The off-season can be a great time to visit as well. We loved our trip to Iceland in March, and the prices were much lower than during other times of the year.
The weather can be much more fickle during this time, though, so bear that in mind. But, you’re also in with a chance of seeing the northern lights, so there are pros and cons to travelling in winter.
All in all, I think the best time to visit Iceland’s South Coast is between April and early June and September and October, as you’ll have longer daylight hours, better weather (hopefully!), more affordable prices, and fewer crowds.
👉 Check out our full guide on when to visit Iceland for all of our tips!
Is the South Coast of Iceland worth it?
Yes! A trip to the south of Iceland is 100% worth it. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland, and there’s so much to see.
You’ll also find some of Iceland’s most magnificent waterfalls in this part of the country.
While it can be touristy in parts, everyone visiting Iceland should visit the south coast at least once during their trip. And, there are plenty of opportunities to head off the beaten path, too, if you’d rather avoid most of the crowds.
Overall, the South Coast is the perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure activities, and stunning landscapes, and it’s a truly unforgettable destination.
👉 Planning a trip to the south of Iceland? Check out the best hotels in the south!
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