Where to Go in South — Iceland: Regions, Cities & Routes

Short stop · 1 day

Þingvellir, Strokkur and Gullfoss are the essential inland loop for a first visit. It is crowded and coach-heavy by midday, so use an early start or late finish rather than expecting solitude.

first-timersfamiliesgeology enthusiasts

Vík

Base · 2–3 nights

The South Coast's best all-purpose overnight base, with black-sand scenery and enough services to break the drive properly. It puts Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey and Katla-area tours within easy reach.

first-timersphotographerscouples

Skógar and Sólheimajökull

Short stop · 1 day

This is the concentrated waterfall-and-glacier section: Skógafoss, the Skógar Museum, Seljalandsfoss and guided glacier walks from Sólheimajökull. It is spectacular but exposed and busy in the middle of the day.

first-timersfamiliesphotographers

Skaftafell and Öræfi

Short stop · 1 night

The active core of Vatnajökull National Park, for Svartifoss hikes, glacier viewpoints and guided glacier days. Give it a full day and sleep nearby; it is wasted as a hurried roadside stop.

hikersactive travelersglacier enthusiasts

Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach

The lagoon-and-iceberg finale is a genuine overnight destination, not a sensible return drive from Vík. Pair it with a stay in Höfn and see it in changing light rather than ticking it off at noon.

first-timerswildlife watchersphotographers

Höfn

Short stop · 1 night

The practical eastern base for Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, with a working harbour and notably better food options than the glacier-country stops. Use it to avoid turning the southeast into a punishing out-and-back day.

foodiesfirst-timersroad-trippers

Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)

Base · 2 nights

A working fishing town on a volcanic island, with Eldfell, Eldheimar, sea cliffs and puffins in season. Stay overnight: a rushed ferry day trip misses the point and leaves no weather margin.

wildlife watchersgeology enthusiastsfamilies

Selfoss and Hveragerði

Base · 1–2 nights

These are the sensible western bases for the Golden Circle: useful for supplies, late arrivals and geothermal walks, rather than village charm. Choose Hveragerði for Reykjadalur and hot-ground atmosphere; choose Selfoss for the broadest services.

first-timersfamiliesvalue-minded travelers

Hella and Hvolsvöllur

Base · 1–2 nights

A practical staging base between the Golden Circle and the coast, especially for Seljalandsfoss, the Landeyjahöfn ferry and Þórsmörk departures. Stay here if you want to slow the west coast without moving straight to Vík.

self-driverstravelers visiting HeimaeyHighlands day-trippers

Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Fjaðrárgljúfur

Short stop · 1 night

Klaustur is the useful break between Vík and Skaftafell, with the canyon, lava fields and Laki access making it more than a sleep stop. It is especially worthwhile when you want to split the coast drive into humane days.

road-trippersgeology enthusiastsslow travelers

Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar

Short stop · 1 day

These are the serious Highland additions: Þórsmörk for lush valley hiking beneath glaciers, Landmannalaugar for rhyolite trails and hot springs. Treat either as a dedicated summer expedition, usually by Highland bus or specialist guide, not an afternoon detour.

experienced hikersadventure travelersHighlands enthusiasts

Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri

These quiet old coastal settlements offer maritime history, seafood and beach walks west of Selfoss. They are a worthwhile low-key detour for people who have had enough waterfalls, not a mandatory first-trip stop.

repeat visitorsfoodiesslow travelers

Sample routes

First South Coast sampler

5 days / 4 nights

Selfoss and Hveragerði (1 day / 1 night) → Golden Circle (1 full day) → Skógar and Sólheimajökull (1 full day) → Vík (2 days / 3 nights)

For a first visit with limited time. Base in Selfoss or Hveragerði for an early Golden Circle start, then move east rather than pretending Jökulsárlón is a reasonable add-on. Vík gets enough time for Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey, Skógafoss and a guided Sólheimajökull walk if that matters more than collecting every waterfall.

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Classic South Coast to the glacier lagoon

8 days / 7 nights

Selfoss and Hveragerði (2 days / 2 nights) → Hella and Hvolsvöllur (1 day / 1 night) → Vík (2 days / 2 nights) → Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Fjaðrárgljúfur (1 day / 1 night) → Skaftafell and Öræfi (1 full day / 1 night) → Höfn (1 day / 1 night)

The sensible first self-drive route for travelers who want the full canonical coast without making every day a relocation. It gives Vík and Skaftafell actual time, uses Klaustur to break the long middle section, and finishes at Höfn so Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are not a punishing out-and-back from Vík.

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Islands, Highlands and the western South Coast

9 days / 8 nights

Selfoss and Hveragerði (2 days / 2 nights) → Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) (2 days / 2 nights) → Hella and Hvolsvöllur (2 days / 2 nights) → Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar (1 dedicated day) → Vík (2 days / 2 nights)

For summer travelers who would rather hike, take ferries and spend time in places than drive all the way to Höfn. Sleep on Heimaey rather than forcing a ferry day trip, use Hella or Hvolsvöllur for a specialist Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar transfer, then finish with the waterfalls and black-sand coast around Vík. Keep the Highland day guided or bus-supported; it is not a casual rental-car detour.

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Sample routes

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