This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Reykjavik is a great little city, but you can’t go to Iceland without exploring some of the countryside.
On my trip to Iceland, I did two road trips out of Reykjavik: One around the Golden Circle, and one down the South Coast. These road trips allowed me to see most of Iceland’s major attractions without having to travel too far from the city.
If you’re planning a trip to Reykjavik and want to see some epic waterfalls, black sand beaches, otherworldly landscapes, cute townships, and generally a whole lot of awesome nature stuff, then put aside a day to do this road trip along Iceland’s south coast!

Road trip along Iceland’s South Coast:
Of the two road trips we did in Iceland, the south coast was my favourite. This is where you’ll see some of Iceland’s best waterfalls and most amazing natural scenery.
It’s 2 hours and 15 minutes driving time one way from Reykjavik to Vik, but you’ll be stopping constantly to take photos and do some exploring. It’s worth noting that we did not complete this itinerary in the order that I have listed – we did a few stops on the way to Vik, had lunch in the town, then a few stops on the way back to Reykjavik.
If you’d prefer to do this itinerary on a guided minibus tour, you can book a South Coast Full Day Tour from Reykjavik.
Icealand south coast one day itinerary:

Seljalandsfoss
This magnificent waterfall offers a truly enchanting experience! You’ll spot the cascading waters from a distance way before you arrive at the turn off on the main road. What sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls is its unique walking path that allows visitors to go behind the falls, providing an awe-inspiring perspective. You are guaranteed to get wet from the spray, so take a raincoat!
Seljavallalaug Zwembad thermal pool
Seljavallalaug Zwembad is hidden gem tucked away in the breathtaking Icelandic countryside. Built in 1923 and surrounded by stunning mountains, this is one of the oldest and most serene thermal pools in Iceland. Apparently it does involve a short scenic walk to get there and it doesn’t have any fancy facilities like toilets or change rooms, but it’s very pretty, fairly quiet, and free to enter!

Skógafoss
As one of the country’s largest and most iconic waterfalls, Skógafoss is impressive from every angle. The river plunges over a towering cliff, creating a mesmerizing display of mist and thundering water. A constant spray that produces dazzling rainbows on sunny days can be seen at the base, adding a majestic touch to the scene.
There’s a path that will take you all the way up to the top of the falls for a panoramic vista of the surrounding countryside, and if you’re steady footed and not afraid of heights then you can stray from the path and climb along the cliffs to get some great photos (though please be careful!).

Solheimasandur plane wreck
Located on the vast black sand plains of Iceland’s south coast, this abandoned aircraft is a fascinating sight. The skeletal remains of a US military plane that crashed in 1973 have been sitting on the beach for decades, and the location is now an intriguing destination for photographers and tourists.
There is no signage for the plane wreck (at least there wasn’t when I visited in 2016), only a gravel area where you’ll see a few cars parked by the side of the road. It takes 40 minutes to walk from the road to the plane wreck (and the walk is suuuuuper boring along a desolate landscape!) but it’s worth it for the photos.

Dyrhólaey
On the one end of Reynisfjara you’ll find a car park and vista point at Dyrhólaey, perched atop a majestic headland. This natural landmark offers panoramic views of the rugged coastline, expansive black sand beach, and the vast Atlantic Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. The dramatic cliffs provide a perfect vantage point for observing the rock arch that gives the place its name. During the summer months you may even be lucky enough to spot puffins nesting in the cliffs!

Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara Beach is a true spectacle of nature. This black sand beach is a destination where you can climb over giant boulders and explore enormous caves facing the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Don’t miss the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising straight out of the dark pebbles – it’s like a natural playground and the layered grey rocks provide an excellent location for photos (especially if you’re wearing bright colours)!

Vik
Vik is a tiny yet gorgeous little town – you won’t be able to resist taking a photo of its’ super cute church nestled among the hills! The township offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with quaint shops, cozy cafes, and a sense of Icelandic charm. You can stay here overnight, or just stop for lunch. We dropped in to Halldorskaffi for a bite to eat.

Tips for driving along Iceland’s south coast:
- Fill up on gas before you departing Reykjavik. Gas stations are sporadic, so be sure to leave the city with a full tank.
- Head out early in the day. This road trip can easily fill an entire day, so set your alarm at start early! There’s a ton of sights to see and you won’t want to miss any great locations because of a lack of time.
- Be responsible. Overtourism is a problem in Iceland, and the number of tourists could potentially be harming the local environment or culture. Here’s how to be a socially conscious traveller in Iceland.
I’m dying to go to Iceland! Standing behind the waterfall looked awesome. Looks like you had a great time!
You should definitely plan a trip to Iceland, Petra! The waterfalls were amazing, but really all of Iceland is amazing 😛
Ohh I keep finding SO many excuses to go back! I loved Iceland so much but I was only there for a couple of days. I did the golden circle tour and then the next day drove down to the south coast waterfalls, but the weather was pretty rubbish and I didn’t even bother going as far as Vik. I didn’t get to the black sand beach either! Seljalandsfoss was my favourite though. 😀
You and me both, Clazz! Every time I see someone post a photo of somewhere I haven’t been in Iceland, I add it to my ‘next time’ list! So glad you enjoyed the Golden Circle and south coast. It sucks about the weather – I think it’s inevitable to get a bit of crappy weather in Iceland. One of our days in Reykjavik was pouring down rain and we were trapped inside most of the day waiting for it to pass!
hi, i would love to use this as my guide – but im confused as to how i should book accomodations? just one central hotel? or do i stay in different hotels each night? would love your advice/suggestions!
Thanks for your comment, Erica! You can do either option – I stayed in Reykjavik and did day trips out of the city, but if your wanted to do the trips at a slower pace, then you could organise to stay somewhere along the way. It’s entirely up to you 🙂
One more extra tip, when you go to Seljalandsfoss and you are standing right in front of it, start walking to your left. After approx. 500 meters you will notice another waterfall to your right. For the mountain goats amongst us, have fun climbing up but be carefull as always! For everyone else, a little further you will find a cave like entrance where you will be scared of getting wet feet, but not to worry, it isn’t very deep! Use steppingstones and make your way inside.
You will suddenly find yourself standing a some sort of a cave with a waterfall roaring down a hole in the roof. One of my favourite incidental discoveries! Have fun!!
Wow, how did I not know about this secret spot! It sounds amazing! Thanks for the tip, Merlijn 🙂
how many days is enough for iceland
That’s a difficult question! We spent 5 days there, and could easily have added another 5 on to our trip.
Hi!! we are going to iceland in may, but will have to do the south coast roadtrip in one day. What time did you get to Reynisfjara? it seems there’s almost no one in your black sand beach pictures! That is my goal! Your post is SO helpful btw! 🙂
There were a few people around when we were there, though not so many that it was a problem for photos – I would have said it was late afternoon (around 4PM)! It was a long day so make sure you get an early start 🙂