We love the south coast because of the well-maintained roads, the easy route, and the amount of mind-blowing stops along the way. And because travel time between Reykjavik and Stokksnes is 5 hr. 40 mins. (without stopping and not including the Westman Islands), you can easily pick your favorite sights and plan a day trip from the captial, or spend a few days on the road to go more in-depth with all the south coast has to offer.
Westman Islands
A 35 minute ferry ride (book online) from Landeyjahöfn will take you to the gorgeous main island of Heimaey. You can take your car on the ferry, but if you're an avid walker/hiker, you could see a lot of the island without a car. A volcano erupted there in 1973 and threatened to destroy the whole city and harbor, and you can still see buildings half consumed in cooled lava (there is also a nice exhibit about it at the museum).
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss waterfall is the big one you can see from the road. Walk behind it, contemplate life as you stare in awe at the power of the elements, and take a selfie. Gljúfrabúi waterfall is a small one further up the road (north) by the campsite. You might want to drive to it in 1 minute, but it’s walkable in 5-10 minutes. You can’t see it until you’re right there because it’s in a cave--one could call it a cave of wonders. Welcome to Gljúfrabúi! The stream coming from the falls has delicious water. Drink it. Become immortal. Oh yeah.1
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Seljavallalaug swimming pool
Built in 1923, Seljavallalaug is one of the oldest pools in Iceland (as you will find out, swimming pools are kind of Iceland's thing). Nearly halfway between Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, turn north on road 242 (marked Raufarfell), just east of the Iceland Erupts exhibit. Drive about 2km and park your car at the end of the road. Hike northward into the abyss for about 15-20 minutes. You don't see the pool until you're almost there, so it feels like you're lost. When you arrive, bask in your found-ness. There aren't many things better than sitting in a hot spring surrounded by hills full of waterfalls. If that isn't paradise, we don't know what is. Except that people are jackholes and leave the (primitive) dressing rooms all janky. Don't be one of those jackholes. Keep beautiful and free places beautiful and free.
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Skógafoss waterfall
It’s fantastically exhilarating to stand at the base of Skogafoss, but be prepared to get soaked very quickly. To dry off, you can walk up the bazillion steps to the top... unless it’s raining... which it probably is... because Iceland. Waterproof all the things!
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Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
This dude explains it better than we could. However, we DO recommend 4x4 and high clearance even though he doesn't. The worst thing you can possibly do in Iceland is underestimate how treacherous the weather and terrain can unexpectedly be. Just remember the guys that would come dig your stupid little car out of the sand are unpaid volunteers who are probably missing their dying child's last dance recital. And if that doesn't crush your soul enough, at least think of the fees you'll accumulate from your rental company.
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Dyrhólaey outlooks
Don’t miss the turn off from the main road!! Once you find it, there are two different lookout points to check out (you’ll see them when you get there). These are the kind of views that make you want to yell something primal because they're so epic. Iceland has that effect.
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Reynisfjall basalt columns
The Here app (if you're using it, and you should) doesn’t register this place for some reason, so keep an eye out for the turn off on the south side of the road. It’s not a super remarkable looking turn off, but it goes to a super remarkable place (if you hit Vik you've gone too far!). Here you will find the iconic basalt columns and a vast black "sand" (rock) beach you could see from the Dyrhólaey outlook . Time to get your Holocene on!
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The town of Vík
Get gas, pee, eat. We don’t have any restaurants to recommend that are worth the moolah, so maybe get a delicious packaged gas station sandwich (they’re cheap and better than you’d expect). If you take a little walk to the beach, you’ll notice the other side of the basalt stacks you saw at Reynisfall. Folklore says they are former trolls who tried to drag their boats out to sea only to be caught by the rising dawn. Cool folklore FTW!
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Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Ok, we know a lot of Icelandic words look like vikings overturned their game of scrabble, but "Fjaðrárgljúfur near Kirkjubæjarklaustur" really outdoes itself, don't you think? All crazy phonetics aside, this beautiful canyon is worth an adventure. It's down a dirt road which isn't marked well, so keep a sharp eye out for the turn off (if Justin Bieber can find it, you can too). Fun story: our car broke down here once. Not the easiest area to find a cell signal or a mechanic FYI. 0/10 would recommend breaking down here (though the gas station guy in Kirkjubæjarklaustur is top knotch).
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Eldhraun Lava Field
Perhaps an underrated stop along the south coast, this massive woolly-fringe-moss-covered lava field spans 280 square miles next to road 1 both east and west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It is the result of the enormous volcanic eruption Laki in the 1780s. Between 53% and 82% of the domestic animals and 20% of the human population perished as a result of the eruption. Yikes.
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Skaftafell National Park
Hiking! Camping! Glacier-ing! Oh my! If soaking in the great outdoors is your thing, you should probably spend a couple of days here if your schedule permits it. Svartifoss (pictured below) is a particularly stunning waterfall to hike to. Or if you are there in the winter months, you could book a nearby ice cave tour (coolest effiing thing ever).
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Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon
Welcome to the mini glacier lagoon! Tour buses don't go here, so drink in the quiet serentiy. It's a great place for a little picnic. Or a glam photo sesh with your honey. (Protip: Don't go in the water if you ever wish to feel warmth again)
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Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and glacial beach
Ta da! One of our top favorite places in Iceland! Do you see how amazing it is? Look at it. Loooook aaat iiiiit. Guuuhhhnnnnnnng. We love it so much! After seeing the garden of beautiful icebergs in the lagoon, be sure to go across the street to see the glacial beach. It's like a beach full of magical sparkling crystals that are every photographer's dream (especially for you long exposure gurus). If you have the budget, consider taking a boat tour around the lagoon (unless you're badasses and brought your own). It's pretty rad to get up close to the massive icebergs via boat. And the really cool thing about Jökulsárlón is, because the ice is constantly changing, it's completely different every time you go.
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the town of Höfn
Ok, so there are probably a million great things about Höfn (pronounced kind of like "hup"), but the VERY best thing is eating at Kaffi Hornið. Their famous Legendary Club is, in fact, absolutely legendary. If giant triple decker sandwiches covered in cheese and happiness isn't your thing, something else there will be (the reindeer burgers or the lobster soup, for example). Seriously, we love this place. If we are ever at Jökulsárlón we will always drive the hour into Höfn JUST to eat at Kaffi Hornið. Mmmm. Delicious priorities.
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Stokksnes
Behold Stokksnes and the Vestrahorn! People go surfing here, isn't that crazy sauce? Freezing glacial-like waters? No thanks. The mountains are sure gorgeous though! Oh baby!
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