Iceland’s South Coast Highlights Road Trip Itinerary
Iceland’s South Coast is the sort of place that makes you wonder why you’d ever rush a road trip.
It’s the perfect stretch for slow, winding drives, where every bend in the road delivers another waterfall, moss-covered lava field or black sand beach that looks like it’s been plucked from another planet.
What’s brilliant about this route is that it’s so achievable – it works whether you’ve got just two days or an entire week to lose yourself to the elements.
You’ll start in Reykjavík, trace the Ring Road east, and wind up at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon – stopping whenever the mood (and the weather) tells you to pull over for a hike, a photo or just a few minutes of wind-whipped wonder.
Route Overview
Reykjavík → Seljalandsfoss → Skógafoss → Reynisfjara Beach → Dyrhólaey → Fjaðrárgljúfur → Vatnajökull National Park (optional)→ Jökulsárlón
Ideal trip length: 3 to 5 days
Best time to go: May to September for easier driving and longer daylight, or shoulder season if you don’t mind the odd surprise from Icelandic weather
This post contains affiliate links.
Start: Reykjavík – start with good coffee and colourful streets
Kick off in Reykjavík, Iceland’s delightfully quirky capital where bright roofs and street art stand out against the winter gloom or summer’s endless light.
It’s worth spending a morning wandering Laugavegur for design shops and independent cafés.
Grab a cinnamon bun at Brauð & Co. or a strong coffee at Reykjavík Roasters before you hit the road.
Architecture lovers should stop by the striking Reykjavík Harpa Concert Hall and nearby Hallgrimskirkja church for a dose of modern and iconic design.
If you’ve never soaked in a hot pool, the Blue Lagoon is an obvious pre-trip treat, though it’s near Keflavík airport so you might save it for the journey home.
Stay: If you wish to stay the night here, Hotel Borg is a stylish Art Deco choice right by Austurvöllur Square. Or discover more of the best hotels in Iceland.
Stop 2: Seljalandsfoss – the curtain falls
Head east on the Ring Road, watching as the landscape flattens out into wide plains with glacier tongues hanging down from distant peaks.
About two hours in, you’ll see Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls.
What makes this one special is that you can walk right behind it.
It’s an easy, if slightly slippery, trail. Pack a raincoat if you don’t want to be drenched by the time you emerge.
Nearby you’ll find Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall tucked behind a mossy canyon just a short walk away.
Many travellers skip it, but it’s absolutely worth pulling on waterproof boots to wade in for the view.
Stop 3: Skógafoss – thunder and rainbows
Another half hour along the coast and you’ll hear Skógafoss before you see it.
This massive curtain of water tumbles 60 metres down a sheer cliff, throwing up mist and often creating perfect double rainbows if the light hits right.
There’s a viewing platform at the top; a steep staircase with plenty of leg burn to earn your reward.
It’s worth it though, as the top is also the trailhead for the Fimmvörðuháls hike that runs between Skógar and Þórsmörk.
Even if you just do the first stretch, you’ll see smaller falls and get a real sense of how this rugged terrain stacks up behind the main tourist stop.
The village of Skógar is tiny but charming – the folk museum nearby is good for a quick wander if the weather turns.
Stay: Spend the night at Hotel Skógafoss, a cosy spot right by the waterfall with comfortable rooms, mountain views and easy access to the trail if you’re keen for an early start.
Stop 4: Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara Beach – black sands and sea stacks
A little further along the coast you’ll reach the dramatic headland of Dyrhólaey. It’s a natural arch jutting into the sea with views stretching west to Mýrdalsjökull glacier and east over endless black sand.
In summer, it’s one of the best spots to see puffins nesting in the cliffs.
Just around the corner is Reynisfjara Beach, a black sand stretch that feels straight out of a fantasy novel. Watch for powerful sneaker waves that can catch visitors off guard.
The basalt columns are great for a careful climb, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks loom offshore, wrapped in seabirds and salt spray.
The nearby village of Vík is a handy base for the night, with its hilltop church a classic photo stop; especially when the lupins bloom in early summer.
Stay: If you wish to spend the night here, Hótel Kría in Vík is a great choice.
Stop 5: Fjaðrárgljúfur – a canyon worth the detour
Push on east to Fjaðrárgljúfur, a winding green canyon that looks almost too pretty to be real.
It’s about two million years old, carved by meltwater from glaciers long gone.
There’s a short trail up the ridge, with viewing platforms that let you peer down into the serpentine river and sheer mossy cliffs.
If you want to see more, consider a guided canyon tour for a closer look at hidden corners and local geology.
It’s only a short detour off the Ring Road, so worth pulling in for a walk even if you’re on a tight schedule.
Be mindful of signage – the area has been closed in the past for environmental restoration, so always stick to the paths.
Optional stop: Vatnajökull National Park – ice, peaks and endless sky
Before you reach Jökulsárlón, take your time exploring Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.
It’s a playground for ice cave tours in winter, glacier hikes in summer and easy trails that get you right up to the ice without needing technical kit.
One good stop is Skaftafell, a hub for short hikes like the trail to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by dark hexagonal basalt columns.
If you want to do a guided glacier walk, this is the place – local guides offer crampon and rope tours that get you safely out onto the ice.
Final stop: Jökulsárlón – where icebergs meet the sea
Your final highlight is Jökulsárlón, the iconic glacier lagoon where icebergs drift from Breiðamerkurjökull out towards the Atlantic.
They float silently, glowing blue and white, and occasionally you’ll hear a distant crack as one breaks apart.
Across the road is Diamond Beach, where ice chunks from the lagoon wash up on the black sand like scattered gemstones.
Bring a thermos, sit on a driftwood log and watch the light shift across the bergs. It’s the perfect moment of calm to end your journey.
For the extra curious, you can book a zodiac or amphibian boat tour out onto the lagoon to get closer to the icebergs and spot the occasional seal bobbing among them.
Stay: If you’d like to stay nearby, Hali Country Hotel is a homely guesthouse just a short drive from the lagoon.
Optional Stops: Secret Hot Springs and Hidden Gems
If you have time, there are other detours worth weaving in.
The geothermal pool at Seljavallalaug, hidden in a mountain valley near Skógar, is one of Iceland’s oldest. It’s a quiet spot for a soak, though facilities are very basic.
Or stop at Dverghamrar, the “Dwarf Cliffs”, a strange basalt rock formation near Kirkjubæjarklaustur that local folklore says is haunted by elves.
Essentials
Driving time without stops: About five hours each way from Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón
What to pack: Waterproof layers, good boots, a thermos and spare batteries for your camera
Driving tip: Always check road conditions on safetravel.is and keep an eye on weather warnings – especially if you’re planning to venture off the main Ring Road
Final Thoughts
Iceland’s South Coast road trip is the definition of slow travel done right.
You’ll find yourself pulling over for waterfalls you hadn’t planned to visit, standing in sideways rain grinning like a fool, or sitting in your car just watching the mist roll in over black sand.
Come prepared for weather that can change in minutes and scenery that will make your jaw drop.
