The Ultimate Guide to Iceland’s South Coast (Waterfalls, Beaches & Hidden Gems)

Iceland is quickly becoming one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world, and for good reason! You could easily spend weeks here and still not see everything even though the country is relatively small, about the same size as Kentucky or Virginia.

If you don't want to drive the full Ring Road but still want to see as much as possible or you just can't decide which part of Iceland you want to see the most, Iceland's South Coast is always the answer.

The South Coast of Iceland is often called the most scenic travel route in the country, which is saying a lot in a place like Iceland! Along this 200 mile stretch of road you'll find waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanoes...I mean how can you beat that?!

If you’re still deciding whether Iceland is worth the trip, make sure to read the 10 Reasons Iceland Should Be on Your Bucket List first.

Where is Iceland's South Coast?

One of the best parts about roadtripping Iceland's South Coast is that within just a few hours of landing at the airport you could be standing underneath some of the world's most famous waterfalls! This route takes you on Route 1 from Reykjavík to Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, with scenery ranging from volcanoes to glacier lagoons, giving anyone who travels this part of the country a chance to see that it's the true land of fire and ice.

While there are a few spots along this route that attract a majority of the tourists, there are so many incredible places that get far less attention than they deserve, including a thermal river!

If you're not a big roadtripper, you can also take an organized group tour, but we'd highly recommend driving the South Coast yourself so you have the freedom to stop whenever you want and add in a few hidden gems along the way.

Map of Iceland's South Coast

Below we've included a stop by stop itinerary for the South Coast!

Tips for Driving Iceland's South Coast

Iceland's South Coast is very easy to drive, all of Route 1 is paved and without stopping it takes around 5 hours to get from Reykjavík to Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Since there are so many places to see along the way we would recommend spending at least 2-3 days in this region to truly enjoy it all without feeling rushed.

When renting a car in Iceland there are a few things to keep in mind, so here are a few things that will make your trip a little easier:

• Gas is expensive, like some of the most expensive gas prices in the world! In 2026, gas prices in Iceland range from $8-$9 per gallon... yes, really. So make sure you get a car with good gas mileage!

• We'd highly recommend getting gravel/ash insurance on your rental car. The wind in Iceland can be very strong even in summer, so you don't want to risk having to pay for scratches on the car.

• Budget for paying around $5-$10 per stop since you have to pay for parking at pretty much every popular spot.

• Get Wi-Fi in your car. Service can be pretty spotty on some parts of the South Coast, so paying the extra money is well worth it, especially if you're trying to get directions.

• Make sure to check that you are getting an automatic car because there is a limited supply in Iceland.

• To check current road conditions use road.is

READ NEXT: 10 Reasons Iceland Should Be on Your Bucket List

Where to Stop Along the South Coast

There are so many incredible places to stop along the South Coast, here are a few of our favorites!

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most unique waterfalls in Iceland because you can actually walk right behind it! P.S. while you're here, don't miss out on Gljúfrabúi which is only about a 5 minute walk away from Seljalandsfoss.

Skógafoss

Located just 30 minutes away from Seljalandsfoss is Skógafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls (and our personal favorite!) The sheer force of Skógafoss is hard to comprehend until you're actually standing right next to it.

Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

If you're up for some history, Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is an interesting stop. The hike itself is nothing special, you'll basically be walking in no man's land, but the plane crash itself is pretty unique! It's a US Navy aircraft that had to make an emergency landing in 1973 due to ice causing both engines to fail.

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse sits on top of the Dyrhólaey cliffs and offers incredible views over the South Coast. If you look down, you'll see sea stacks, black sand beaches, and other unique rock formations.

Reynisfjara Beach

After the winter storms in early 2026, Reynisfjara changed a lot and the beach itself is no longer the same experience it once was. It’s still worth stopping here to see the famous basalt columns and coastline from a safe distance.

Víkurkirkja

This red-roofed church sitting in the middle of the small town of Vík is absolutely stunning! It's perched on the hilltop and gives amazing views of both the town and the South Coast's black sand beaches. In summer there's also lupine fields in front of the church!

Svartifoss

Located in Skaftafell, Svartifoss is a beautiful waterfall framed by basalt columns. It takes about a 2-mile round-trip hike to reach it, but the trail is straightforward and absolutely worth the effort.

Diamond Beach

Despite the name, you won’t find actual diamonds here, but you will find giant chunks of ice scattered across the black sand that sparkle like them! These ice chunks wash to shore from the nearby Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jökulsarlon is such a breathtaking place to see, especially if you've never seen an iceberg before. The ice comes in all different shapes, sizes, and colors... you could easily sit here for an hour and just admire it all. If you’re lucky, you might even spot seals swimming through the lagoon!

These are just a few of our favorite stops along Iceland’s South Coast, but there are so many more places worth seeing along the way. If you want access to even more hidden gems, 10 unique itineraries, our full interactive Iceland map with over 330 locations, and more, you can check out our Ultimate Iceland Guide below. For 20% off use code: ICELAND20LA

How Long to Spend on Iceland's South Coast

How much time you should spend on Iceland’s South Coast completely depends on your travel style. If you’re someone who likes to move quickly and just see the major highlights, you can absolutely do a shorter trip. But if you’re anything like us and want time for random pull-offs, hidden gems, and way too many photo stops, you’ll want to give yourself a some extra time.

1 Day Trip from Reykjavík

If you’re short on time or have a stopover in Iceland, it is possible to do a day trip along Iceland’s South Coast from Reykjavík.

You’ll be able to see a few of the most famous stops like Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and maybe even Vík depending on how early you leave and how long you spend at each spot.

That said, this option is definitely going to feel rushed. The South Coast has so many incredible places to stop that trying to squeeze it all into one day means you’ll mostly just be hopping in and out of the car.

2 Day Trip on Iceland's South Coast

If we had to recommend one option for most travelers, it would be 2 days. This gives you enough time to see the major waterfalls, black sand beaches, viewpoints, and glaciers without feeling like you’re in a constant rush.

With 2 days, you can actually enjoy the drive, spend a little more time at each stop, and maybe even add in a few less popular places along the way. If you want a trip that feels exciting but still manageable, this is probably the sweet spot.

3 Days on Iceland's South Coast

If you have 3 days or more, even better! This is when the trip starts to feel a lot more relaxed and you can really experience the South Coast instead of just checking off the main stops.

Having 3 days also gives you more flexibility to do bigger activities like a glacier hike or ice cave tour, visit more hidden gems, or just enjoy the scenery without worrying about racing to your next hotel. And in a place like Iceland, that extra time is always worth it!

Best Time to Visit Iceland's South Coast

The truth is, there’s really no bad time to visit Iceland’s South Coast, it just depends on what kind of trip you want. Every season here feels completely different, which is part of what makes Iceland so easy to come back to. One trip honestly never feels like enough.

Summer

If you want the easiest trip, summer is probably the best time to visit Iceland’s South Coast. The midnight sun is in full swing, and everything is green, vibrant, and the lupines will be blooming.

Since the midnight sun gives you so much extra daylight to work with, you can pack a ton into your itinerary! The only downside is that it’s also one of the busiest times to visit, so just expect more tourists at the major stops.

Winter

Winter is such a dreamy time to visit Iceland’s South Coast, but it definitely comes with more risk. This is when you get all the moody landscapes, icy waterfalls, snowy black sand beaches, and if you’re lucky, even the Northern Lights.

It’s absolutely beautiful, but just know that winter road tripping in Iceland can be a lot more unpredictable. The weather changes fast, roads can get rough, and you’ll have only a few hours of daylight per day. Still, if you don’t mind being flexible, winter in Iceland is wonderful.

Shoulder Season

If you want a good mix of both, shoulder season is such an underrated time to go. Spring and fall usually mean fewer crowds, and your trip can feel a little calmer than it does in peak summer.

That said, Iceland’s weather can still be all over the place, so don’t go expecting perfect conditions just because it’s not winter. But if you want a trip with a little more breathing room and not quite as many people everywhere, this can be a really good option.

If you only have time to see one part of Iceland, make it the South Coast. Between the waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, and all the unexpected stops in between, you'll really never want to leave. It’s easily one of the most unforgettable road trips in Iceland, and if you ask us, it deserves a spot on everyone’s bucket list.

If you want help planning exactly where to stay along Iceland's South Coast, plus route planning, hidden gems, and our full interactive map, we've included that inside of our Ultimate Iceland Guide!