South Coast
The South Coast is Iceland's most traveled route, home to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Ring Road conditions here are generally well-maintained year-round, but winter ice and wind at Hellisheiði require caution.
Destinations in South Coast
Hveragerði
Hot Spring Town
Geothermal greenhouse town on the South Coast. River hike to Reykjadalur hot spring. Earthquake activity frequent.
Þingvellir
Thingvellir National Park
UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Site of Iceland's ancient parliament, Alþingi.
Geysir
Great Geysir
The original geyser that gave its name to all others. Strokkur erupts every 5-10 minutes. Part of the Golden Circle route.
Gullfoss
Golden Falls
Iceland's most famous waterfall. Two-tiered cascade dropping 32 meters into a canyon. Rainbows on sunny days. Part of the Golden Circle.
Laugarvatn
Small village on the Golden Circle route. Known for Fontana geothermal baths and lake views.
Kerið
Kerið Crater
Vivid turquoise volcanic crater lake on the Golden Circle route. 55m deep, 270m wide. One of the few crater lakes with visible red volcanic rock.
Selfoss
Largest town in South Iceland. Service hub for the Golden Circle and South Coast. Convenient stop for fuel and supplies.
Gamla Laugin
Secret Lagoon
Iceland's oldest swimming pool (1891) turned natural geothermal hot spring. Located in Flúðir near the Golden Circle.
Seljalandsfoss
Iconic waterfall you can walk behind. 60m drop from a sea cliff. Part of the South Coast route. Gljúfrabúi waterfall hidden nearby.
Skógafoss
One of Iceland's largest waterfalls. 25m wide, 60m drop. Rainbow visible in spray on sunny days. Climb staircase for panoramic view.
Sólheimajökull
Glacier tongue descending from Mýrdalsjökull. Popular for guided glacier hikes. Visible from Route 1 parking lot.
Reynisfjara
Black Sand Beach
Famous black sand beach near Vík. Powerful sneaker waves, basalt sea stacks (Reynisdrangar), and basalt column cave. Extreme caution required.
Dyrhólaey
120m promontory with a massive stone arch. Puffin colony in summer. Panoramic views of the South Coast.
Vík í Mýrdal
Vík
Southernmost village in Iceland. Famous black sand beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and close to Dyrhólaey arch.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Dramatic 100m deep canyon carved by a glacial river. Lush green walls, winding river below. Featured in Justin Bieber's music video.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Klaustur
Historic village on the South Coast. Once a Catholic convent. Gateway to Fjaðrárgljúfur and Laki craters.
Lakagígar
Laki Craters
Volcanic crater row from the devastating 1783 eruption. 130 craters stretching 27km. F-road access required.
Skaftafell
Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Nature reserve in Vatnajökull National Park. Glacier hiking, Svartifoss waterfall, and access to the ice cap.
Svartifoss
Black Falls
Waterfall framed by black basalt columns in Skaftafell. Inspiration for Reykjavík's Hallgrímskirkja architecture. 1.5km hike from visitor center.
Jökulsárlón
Glacier Lagoon
Glacial lagoon filled with icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull. Diamond Beach on the opposite shore with ice on black sand.
Breiðamerkursandur
Diamond Beach
Black sand beach where icebergs from Jökulsárlón wash ashore. Glittering ice crystals on volcanic sand — looks like diamonds.
Friðheimar
Tomato Greenhouse
Geothermally heated tomato greenhouse in Reykholt. Famous tomato soup and bread buffet. See how Icelandic tomatoes are grown year-round.
Reykjadalur
Steam Valley
Geothermal river valley near Hveragerði. Natural hot river where you can bathe. 1-hour hike from the parking lot.