Southern Iceland · Iceland
A single coastal road stringing together two of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, a black sand beach of basalt columns, and a volcano that once grounded European air travel.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
The South Coast is Iceland's most photographed stretch of road, a single route running from just past the Golden Circle out toward the glacier lagoon, past two of the country's most famous waterfalls and a beach of black sand and sea stacks that looks unlike anywhere else in Europe.
It's also a young, actively volcanic landscape — Eyjafjallajökull's 2010 eruption grounded European air travel for days, and the whole coastline sits in the shadow of glacier-capped volcanoes that have shaped it for millennia.
Unlike much of Iceland's interior, the South Coast is accessible on a standard rental car along paved Route 1, which is exactly why it forms the backbone of almost every Iceland road trip, whether as a long day trip or the first leg of a full Ring Road loop.
Why visit
The South Coast's case rests on packing an exceptional density of world-class natural sights into a single accessible road.
A full path circles behind the falling water, framing the valley through the curtain of spray.
A wide, thunderous 60-metre curtain, with a staircase climbing to a viewpoint directly above it.
Black volcanic sand, hexagonal basalt columns and dramatic sea stacks rising from the surf.
Unlike the Highlands, the South Coast needs no 4x4 or special equipment.
Eyjafjallajökull's 2010 eruption is a real, recent reminder that this coastline is still being shaped today.
Main attractions
The South Coast's essential sights run in a genuine line along Route 1, easy to visit in the order you reach them.
A rare waterfall you can walk fully behind, a 60-metre drop with a circular path framing the valley through the falling water.
Tip Bring a proper raincoat — the path behind the falls gets seriously wet in any wind.
A thunderous, wide single-drop waterfall, with a staircase of over 400 steps climbing to a viewpoint directly above it.
Tip Rainbows are almost guaranteed in the spray on any sunny afternoon.
A striking black sand beach backed by hexagonal basalt columns, facing the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore.
Tip Stay well back from the waterline — sneaker waves here are a real, serious hazard, not a formality.
A dramatic promontory with a natural arch large enough for boats to pass through, and a puffin colony in early summer.
Tip The upper viewpoint road closes during nesting season — check current access before visiting.
Iceland's southernmost village, its small white church looking out over the black sand coastline and Reynisdrangar beyond.
Tip A convenient overnight base and fuel stop between the waterfalls and the glacier lagoon further east.
A dramatic, deep canyon with sheer, moss-covered walls, carved by glacial meltwater over roughly two million years.
Tip Stay on marked paths — the canyon edge is fragile and has been damaged by off-path foot traffic.
The infamous glacier-capped volcano whose 2010 eruption grounded European air travel for days, now quiet and visible from the coast road.
Tip The Lava Centre and Eyjafjallajökull visitor centres add real context to what you're driving past.
Things to do
The South Coast rewards stopping often — this is a route where the journey between sights is as much the point as the sights themselves.
A short, easy walk that circles fully behind the falling water, one of the only waterfalls in the world where this is possible.
Tip Waterproof your camera and phone properly — the spray is relentless on the path.
Over 400 steps climb alongside the falls to a viewpoint at the top, with the Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail continuing beyond it.
Tip The climb is worth it even if you only go partway up for the view.
A striking combination of hexagonal basalt columns, a sea cave and offshore sea stacks, best photographed in the low midday winter light.
Tip Never turn your back on the surf here — this is one of the few spots in Iceland where visitors have died to sneaker waves.
A reliable puffin colony nests on the cliffs here from around May to August, alongside other seabirds.
Tip Bring binoculars — puffins nest on inaccessible cliff ledges, not at close range.
An easy, well-marked trail follows the canyon rim, with viewpoints down into its winding, moss-green walls.
Tip The full out-and-back walk takes about an hour at an easy pace.
A well-made interactive museum in Hvolsvöllur explaining Iceland's volcanic and seismic history, including the 2010 eruption.
Tip A good rainy-day stop, or a useful primer before continuing along the coast.
Local food
The South Coast's food centres on farm restaurants and small-town cafés along Route 1, with standard Icelandic staples throughout.
Widely available at farm restaurants along the route, often raised in the surrounding hills.
Where to try it Farm restaurants and guesthouses around Vík and Hvolsvöllur.
Fresh, particularly good in the small fishing town of Vík, right on the coast.
Where to try it Restaurants in Vík í Mýrdal.
A reliable stop at any café along the route, often made at local dairy farms.
Where to try it Farm shops and cafés along Route 1.
A traditional dark rye bread, found at bakeries and farm cafés throughout the region.
Where to try it Bakeries in Hvolsvöllur and Vík.
A reliable, quick stop at petrol stations along the route between waterfalls.
Where to try it Service stations along Route 1.
Worth trying at a guesthouse bar after a long day of driving and waterfall stops.
Where to try it Guesthouse bars in Vík and along the coast.
Accommodation
Vík í Mýrdal and Hvolsvöllur are the two main bases along the South Coast route.
Transport
The South Coast is a single road trip east from Reykjavik along Route 1.
The South Coast's sights are all reached directly from paved Route 1, needing no 4x4.
When to go
The South Coast works year-round on Route 1, though winter driving requires real caution.
Long daylight, puffins nesting at Dyrhólaey, and the easiest, most reliable driving conditions.
Quieter, with a real chance of aurora sightings on clear nights.
Dramatic with ice and snow, though short days and winter driving conditions demand real caution.
Increasingly long days, with waterfalls running at full force from snowmelt.
Worth planning around: Driving the coast road in a winter storm — check road.is and be willing to delay plans when conditions turn severe.
Itinerary
The waterfalls on the first day, the black sand beaches and canyon on the second.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss.
Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey and Fjaðrárgljúfur.
Travel tips
Practical notes on safety and timing that make a real difference to a South Coast trip.
FAQ
Two days covers the main waterfalls and black sand beaches comfortably. It's also doable as a very long single day trip from Reykjavik.
Yes — a full path circles behind the falls, one of very few waterfalls anywhere where this is possible.
It can be — sneaker waves have caused real injuries and deaths. Stay well back from the waterline and never turn your back on the sea.
No, the main route is entirely on paved Route 1, suitable for a standard rental car outside severe winter weather.
Yes, at Dyrhólaey roughly May to August, though access to the upper cliffs sometimes closes during nesting season.
Yes — most visitors continue east to the glacier lagoon, extending the South Coast into a longer loop or one-way Ring Road leg.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with the South Coast, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Southern Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's most-visited route, looping past a UNESCO rift valley, an erupting geyser and a thundering waterfall within a single day from Reykjavik.
Don't miss Watching Strokkur's water dome swell for a few seconds before erupting in a sudden column of steam and spray, metres from where you're standing.
Explore Destination — The Golden CircleSouth-East Iceland, Iceland
A glacier lagoon and ice cave country at the edge of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume, with icebergs drifting to a black sand beach.
Don't miss Watching a seal surface between drifting icebergs at Jökulsárlón, Vatnajökull's blue-white ice cap rising behind the lagoon.
Explore Destination — Jökulsárlón and VatnajökullCapital Region, Iceland
Iceland's small, walkable capital, its colourful rooftops, geothermal pools and harbourfront concert hall anchoring almost every trip to the country.
Don't miss Standing at the foot of Hallgrímskirkja's 74-metre tower, the whole colourful, low-rise city spread out below toward the bay and the mountains beyond.
Explore Destination — ReykjavikRead next
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