All year

Iceland's South Coast Itinerary: Waterfalls & Black Sands

Glaciers, ice beaches and a lagoon that empties into the sea.

Plan the perfect 2-3 day South Coast road trip. Discover Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with our expert guide.

A mesmerizing drive along Iceland's southern edge, where dramatic waterfalls plunge from sheer cliffs and glaciers meet the raging Atlantic Ocean.

Distance

797 km

Driving

~13h driving

Days

2-3 days

Summer Vehicle

Any car

Winter Vehicle

4x4 recommended

Compare 4x4

Season

All year

What to Wear

Waterproof pants & jacket MANDATORY. You will get soaked at the waterfalls.

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The Deep Dive

Seljalandsfoss

The waterfall you can walk behind. Prepare to get soaked, but the view of the world through a curtain of water is unique.

Skógafoss

A perfect wall of water. Legend says the settler Þrasi hid a chest of gold beneath the falls. A steep staircase climbs to a viewing platform at the top.

Reynisfjara Black Beach

Iceland's most famous black sand beach, guarded by massive basalt columns. It is beautiful but dangerous—beware of the 'sneaker waves'.

Worth the detour

Lava Centre (Hvolsvöllur)

An interactive, high-tech exhibition about volcanoes and earthquakes. Essential to understand what you are seeing outside.

Visit Website

Kvernufoss

About a 15-minute walk from the Skógar Museum car park: a waterfall you can walk behind, usually with far fewer people than Seljalandsfoss.

The Drive

Driving the South Coast (Route 1) is visually stunning but demands respect. You will be driving along the bottom edge of Iceland, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and glaciers/volcanoes on the other. The road is fully paved, with single-lane bridges to watch for, and the coast is notoriously windy — check the wind forecast on vedur.is, and hold on to the car door when you open it. In winter, ice can form on the road at short notice. The drive from Reykjavík to Vík is straightforward, but pushing on to Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon) makes for a very long day behind the wheel.

Logistics & Timing

Driving time. Reykjavík to Vík is ~3 h 10 min (one way) without stops. To Jökulsárlón is ~6 h 20 min (one way).

Recommendation. Do NOT try to reach the Glacier Lagoon and back in one day in winter: the daylight is too short. In summer it is a very long day — most people split it over two.

Gas and food. Fuel up in Hvolsvöllur or Vík. Food options are great at the Black Beach Restaurant (Reynisfjara) or the soup company in Vík.

Frequently asked questions

Can you do the South Coast of Iceland in one day?

You can drive from Reykjavík to Vík and back in a single day (~6 h 10 min of driving). However, driving all the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and back in one day is a grueling ~12 h 40 min drive and not recommended.

Is Reynisfjara black sand beach dangerous?

Yes. Reynisfjara is notorious for 'sneaker waves'—powerful, unpredictable waves that surge much further up the beach than normal. Never turn your back to the ocean and observe the warning light system at the entrance.

Where does the South Coast road trip start and end?

This route starts in Reykjavík and turns around at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon; many travellers push on to the town of Höfn before heading back to the capital.

Itinerary

Reykjavík

Hub

Departure.

Depart Reykjavík heading east on Route 1. The drive takes you over the Hellisheiði plateau.

Start

Tip: Grab snacks before leaving the city.

Seljalandsfoss

Must see

Walk behind the falls.

Seljalandsfoss: The Waterfall You Walk Behind

Famous for the pathway that stretches all the way around it. It allows you to explore the waterfall from behind, offering a unique perspective.

Duration: 45 mins

Tip: Don't miss the hidden Gljúfrabúi waterfall just 5 mins walk to the left.

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Skógafoss

Must see

Powerful curtain of water.

One of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. Legend says the settler Þrasi hid a chest of gold beneath it.

Duration: 1 hour

Tip: A steep staircase leads to a viewing platform at the top.

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Dyrhólaey

Optional

Arch and puffins.

A massive rock arch and promontory. In summer (May–August) this is one of the best places to see puffins nesting on the cliffs; access to parts of the headland is restricted during the nesting season (1 May–25 June).

Duration: 45 mins

Tip: The road to the upper lighthouse view can be steep.

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