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South Coast Iceland, stop by stop.

The South Coast of Iceland is one road with a waterfall every half hour, black sand beaches, glaciers and, at the far end, a lagoon full of icebergs. Here's every stop from Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón in driving order, with real drive times, parking fees, and the safety advice that actually matters.

Published 25 September 2026 · Icebreaker · Curated with The Reykjavík Grapevine

The South Coast at a glance

The South Coast is the stretch of Route 1 (the Ring Road) running east from Reykjavík, past the big Iceland waterfalls, the black sand beaches around Vík and on to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is the most visited drive in the country after the Golden Circle, and for once the crowds are right: it packs more into one road than anywhere else in Iceland.

• Reykjavík to Vík: about 185 km, 2.5 hours without stops. A long but doable day trip.
• Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón: about 375–380 km, roughly 5 hours without stops. Doable in a day, but you will spend 10 hours in a car. Two days is the honest minimum.
• The road: paved, two lanes, 90 km/h limit. No 4x4 needed for Route 1 itself in summer. In winter you want a car with good winter tyres and the patience to wait out a storm.
• What you pay for: parking. Almost every major stop charges roughly 750–1,100 ISK per car. Entry to the sights themselves is free.

South Coast stops, in driving order

Distances are approximate and measured from Reykjavík along Route 1. Drive times assume dry roads and no stops.

Hveragerði (45 km, ~40 min)

A small greenhouse town at the bottom of the Hellisheiði pass. Worth a stop for fuel, a bakery coffee, and, if you have three hours spare, the Reykjadalur hike to a warm river you can bathe in. On a one-day trip, drive through. For more soaking options see our pools and hot baths page.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi (~130 km, ~1h45)

Seljalandsfoss is the 60-metre waterfall with a path running behind it. You will get wet, so wear a waterproof jacket and keep your phone in a pocket. The path behind the falls is often closed in winter when it ices over; don't climb the barrier. Walk 5–10 minutes north along the cliff to Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall hidden inside a narrow gorge. You wade a shallow stream to see it properly, so waterproof boots help. Parking is about 1,000 ISK, paid at the machine or online.

Skógafoss (~155 km, ~2h)

A 60-metre curtain of water, around 25 metres wide, that you can walk right up to. There's a staircase of several hundred steps up the right side for the view from the top, and it's the start of the Fimmvörðuháls trail if you want a longer walk along a string of smaller falls. Parking about 1,000 ISK. On sunny days there's usually a rainbow in the spray.

Kvernufoss (~155 km, next to Skógafoss)

Park by the Skógar Museum, a few hundred metres east of Skógafoss, and walk about 15–20 minutes up a small valley to a waterfall you can also walk behind. Far quieter than its neighbours. Parking about 750 ISK.

Sólheimajökull (~165 km, ~2h10)

An outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, about 4 km up a side road (221) off Route 1. From the car park it's a short walk to a viewpoint over the glacier snout. Look, don't climb: walking on the ice needs crampons, a guide and someone who reads crevasses for a living. Guided glacier walks run here year-round and are among the easiest to fit into a South Coast day. See our ice caves and glacier hikes guide, and book glacier tours. Parking about 750 ISK.

Sólheimasandur plane wreck (~170 km, ~2h15)

The shell of a US Navy DC-3 that crash-landed on the sands in 1973 (everyone survived). It is a walk: about 4 km each way over flat, featureless black sand, so plan on 45–60 minutes each way and 2–2.5 hours all in. There is no shelter and the wind can be brutal. A shuttle runs from the car park in the daytime for a fee (from about 3,000 ISK one way, 2026 prices) if you'd rather not walk. Parking about 750 ISK. Honest take: it's a fun photo, but if you're short on time, skip it and give the hours to Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón.

Dyrhólaey (~180 km, ~2h20)

A headland with a huge natural rock arch, a lighthouse and a view down the whole black coastline to Reynisdrangar. Puffins nest on the cliffs in summer. Access is restricted during nesting season (roughly May to late June): the area is typically closed overnight and you must keep to the paths. The steep road to the lighthouse is not for small cars in bad weather; the lower car park is enough for the view.

Reynisfjara black sand beach (~180 km, ~2h20)

Basalt columns, the Hálsanefshellir cave, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and a beach of pure black sand. It is also the most dangerous place on this route. Read the safety section below before you go. Parking roughly 750–1,000 ISK depending on the lot.

Vík (~185 km, ~2h30)

Vík í Mýrdal is the only real town between Hvolsvöllur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with a few hundred residents, a supermarket, petrol, a couple of hotels and the red-roofed church on the hill that you've seen on every postcard. It's the natural turnaround for a day trip and the natural overnight for a longer one. Its own beach looks at Reynisdrangar from the other side.

Eldhraun lava field (~225 km, ~3h)

East of Vík you cross Mýrdalssandur, a vast glacial outwash plain, then Eldhraun: one of the largest lava flows in recorded history, from the Laki eruption of 1783–84, now covered in thick grey-green moss. Stop at the marked pull-off and walk the path. Don't step on the moss; it takes decades to recover.

Fjaðrárgljúfur (~255 km, ~3h20)

A 100-metre-deep, twisting canyon a few kilometres off Route 1 near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with a path along the rim. Allow about an hour. The canyon has been closed in spring in recent years to let trampled vegetation recover, so check before you go. Parking about 1,000 ISK at the lower lot.

Skaftafell and Svartifoss (~325 km, ~4h20)

Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, with the visitor centre, a campsite and trailheads. The classic walk goes up to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by black basalt columns: allow about 1.5–2 hours round trip, with a steady climb. A flatter 30–40 minute walk takes you to the snout of Skaftafellsjökull. Guided glacier hikes start here too. Parking about 1,000–1,100 ISK, valid until midnight.

Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach (~375–380 km, ~5h)

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is where icebergs break off Breiðamerkurjökull and drift towards the sea. Seals swim between them. Walk the shore, or take a boat trip: amphibian boats and smaller zodiacs run in the warmer months, roughly spring to autumn (book boat tours). Across the road, Diamond Beach is where the ice washes up on black sand. Go at sunrise or sunset. Parking is charged by the national park, about 1,000–1,100 ISK for the day.

South Coast drive times and parking fees

Approximate 2026 figures. Parking fees change and are mostly paid by card at a machine, online, or through the Parka app. Vatnajökull National Park tickets (Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón) last until midnight.

Is Reynisfjara dangerous? Yes. Here's why

There is a warning light system at the entrance to the beach. Yellow means moderate hazard: stay well back. Orange means considerable hazard: keep at least 25 metres from the sea. Red means the beach is closed, including the basalt columns and cave; you can still look from the viewing area above. Take the light seriously, but don't treat yellow as "safe": the 2025 death happened on a yellow day. The same waves hit Kirkjufjara next door and the Vík beach, and they can come up at Diamond Beach too. Check safetravel.is for current alerts.

South Coast itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days

Going the whole way round? The South Coast is days 1–2 of our Ring Road in 7 days itinerary.

South Coast day tour or self-drive?

Approximate 2026 prices. Tour prices vary by operator, group size and season.

Our take: a Jökulsárlón day tour from Reykjavík is 14–15 hours, mostly on a bus. If you want the lagoon, a 2- or 3-day tour or a rental car is a better use of money. A Vík day tour is fine value, especially in winter when you'd rather someone else drove. You can compare South Coast tours on Icebreaker, and see the rest in best tours in Iceland.

Driving the South Coast in winter: wind, ice and closures

Route 1 along the coast is kept open in winter, but it closes during storms, sometimes for a day. Wind is the real hazard, not snow. The worst spots are known: under Eyjafjöll near Seljalandsfoss and Skógar, on Mýrdalssandur east of Vík, and in Öræfi between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón. Gusts there can push a car off the road or rip a door off its hinges.

• Check road conditions and the weather warnings on vedur.is every morning, and again before you leave each stop.
• A yellow wind warning means you drive carefully. Orange or red means you don't drive.
• Open car doors with two hands, facing into the wind, and park facing the wind.
• Daylight in December is only about 4–5 hours. Don't plan a 380 km day in it.
• East of Vík, petrol stations are far apart. Fill up in Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
• There are still single-lane bridges on this road. Whoever reaches the bridge first has right of way; slow down and look.

Heading into the highlands instead? That's a different road entirely: read F-road safety first. And pack for it: our Iceland packing list covers the layers.

Where to stay and eat on the South Coast

Where to stay

• Hella / Hvolsvöllur: cheaper, an hour closer to Reykjavík, good base for the waterfalls.
• Vík: the obvious stop, with hotels, guesthouses and a campsite. Sells out in summer; book 2–3 months ahead.
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur: small village, quieter, handy for Fjaðrárgljúfur.
• Skaftafell / Öræfi / Hali: closest to Jökulsárlón. Few beds, high prices, book early.
• Höfn: a proper town about an hour past Jökulsárlón, known for langoustine.

Where to eat cheaply

Restaurants on the South Coast cater to tourists and price accordingly. Do what locals do: stock up at a supermarket in Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur or Vík, and eat the rest at petrol station grills, where a burger or a lamb hot dog is the cheapest hot meal on the road. Bring a reusable bottle; tap and stream water is excellent. Back in Reykjavík, our cheap eats list has the good-value places.

Northern lights on the South Coast

From September to April the South Coast is one of the better places near Reykjavík to see the northern lights. Once you're past Selfoss there's almost no light pollution, and Vík, the sands east of it, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón all give you wide open skies. Aurora over the icebergs at Jökulsárlón is about as good as it gets.

The catch is cloud. The South Coast is the wettest part of lowland Iceland, so on a cloudy night the north may be clear while you're under a lid. Check tonight's aurora forecast and the cloud map, and read northern lights in Iceland for when and where to look. Don't pull over on Route 1 to watch: find a proper car park and turn your headlights off.

FAQ

How long does it take to drive the South Coast of Iceland?

Reykjavík to Vík is about 185 km, 2.5 hours without stops. Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón is about 375–380 km, roughly 5 hours. With stops, Vík is a full day trip and Jökulsárlón needs two to three days.

Can you do the South Coast and Jökulsárlón in one day?

You can, but it means around 10 hours of driving and little time at each stop. Day tours do it in 14–15 hours. We recommend at least one night on the coast, in Vík or near Skaftafell.

Do you have to pay to see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss?

The waterfalls are free, but parking is not. In 2026 it costs about 1,000 ISK per car at each, paid at a machine, online or through the Parka app.

Is Reynisfjara beach safe?

Only if you stay well away from the water. Sneaker waves surge far up the beach without warning and have killed several visitors. Stay above the wet sand, at least 25–30 metres from the sea, never turn your back on the waves, and obey the warning light: red means the beach is closed.

How long is the walk to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck?

About 4 km each way over flat black sand, so 45–60 minutes each way and 2–2.5 hours in total. A paid shuttle runs from the car park in the daytime.

Is it safe to drive the South Coast in winter?

Usually, with winter tyres, daylight and a check of road conditions and weather warnings every morning. Strong wind is the main danger. On days with orange or red warnings, or when Route 1 is closed, don't drive; take a guided tour or wait a day.

Can you see the northern lights on the South Coast?

Yes, from roughly September to April on dark, clear nights. Light pollution is very low past Selfoss, and Vík, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón are all good spots. Cloud is the main obstacle, so check the aurora and cloud forecast.