Iceland's Greatest Road Trip
Iceland's South Coast is the country's greatest road trip. In a single stretch of Route 1, you pass
walk-behind waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers you can step onto, and finally the floating
icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. This guide
lays out the whole route from Reykjavík — every major stop, the driving distances, how to split it
across one or two days, and what guided tours cost in 2026 — so you can plan a trip that feels
rewarding rather than rushed.
The route's flagship day tour
Reykjavik: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach Tour — the full route in one guided 14-hour day. From $211 · ★ 4.68 (3,758 reviews) · Free cancellation.
The Major Stops
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
The first great waterfall, about 90 minutes out. Seljalandsfoss plunges 60 metres,
and a path lets you walk behind the curtain of water — bring a rain jacket. A short walk
away, the half-hidden Gljúfrabúi falls into a mossy canyon that many visitors
miss.
Skógafoss
One of Iceland's most powerful and photogenic waterfalls, 62 metres wide and tall, with a staircase
climbing to a viewpoint at the top. Rainbows are common on sunny days. The Skógar folk museum sits
nearby.
Sólheimajökull
A short detour off Route 1 leads to Sólheimajökull, an accessible outlet glacier
and a popular spot for beginner-friendly glacier hikes.
Walking on the ice with crampons and a guide is one of the South Coast's signature experiences.
Beginner-friendly glacier walk
Sólheimajökull: Blue Ice Glacier Hike near Vík
From $105 · ★ 4.74 (1,308 reviews) · Free cancellation
Blue ice and volcanic ridges on a guided, beginner-friendly hike — expert leaders and all safety
gear included, right off the South Coast route.
Sólheimasandur plane wreck
On the black-sand plain nearby lies the wreck of a 1973 US Navy DC-3. It is a flat
but exposed 4 km walk each way from the Route 1 car park, or a short shuttle ride. A striking,
slightly surreal photo stop.
Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara
Near Vík, the Dyrhólaey promontory offers a giant sea arch and puffins in summer,
while Reynisfjara is the country's most famous black beach, backed by basalt
columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Reynisfjara Is Beautiful but Dangerous
The beach is prone to deadly sneaker waves, and access to the columns and cave
now closes automatically when the warning light turns red. Stay well back from the water and
read our black sand beaches guide
before visiting.
Vík
The tiny village of Vík is the natural midpoint and overnight base for the South Coast, with a
handful of hotels, restaurants, and fuel. It is also the launch point for the year-round
Katla ice cave. See our tours from
Vík.
Skaftafell and Vatnajökull
Past Vík, the road crosses vast glacial outwash plains to Skaftafell, the
wilderness heart of Vatnajökull National
Park. Here you will find the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall, framed by dark basalt columns,
plus glacier viewpoints and hiking trails beneath Iceland's highest peaks.
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
The climax of the drive. Jökulsárlón is a deep glacial lagoon where blue-white
icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull and drift toward the sea. Across the road, Diamond
Beach scatters those icebergs across black sand. In summer you can take an
amphibian or Zodiac boat tour among the ice; in winter this
is a launch point for blue ice cave tours.
Höfn
Beyond the lagoon, the fishing town of Höfn is known for langoustine and makes a
good easternmost base if you are continuing around the Ring Road.
Driving and Fuel
The South Coast is fully paved, but plan your fuel. Stations are found at Selfoss, Hella,
Hvolsvöllur, Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and Höfn. The longest gap is the roughly
200 km between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Höfn (with a small station near
Skaftafell), so fill up before that stretch. In winter, studded tyres are essential and a 4x4 is
advisable; on the sandy plains east of Vík, occasional sandstorms can be fierce, so many travellers
add sand-and-ash protection to their rental insurance. Always check road.is and the
weather page.
One Day or Two?
In one long day, you can comfortably reach Vík and back (about 2.5 hours each way),
taking in Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara. Pushing all the way to Jökulsárlón and back
in a single day is possible but means roughly 14 hours and a lot of driving —
beautiful in summer's long light, but tiring.
Two Days Is the Sweet Spot
Overnight in Vík or near Skaftafell, and you can reach the lagoon at a relaxed pace, enjoy a
boat tour or ice cave, and catch Diamond Beach in good light. Three days lets
you add glacier hikes, the plane wreck, and time in the national park without rushing.
Photographers, in particular, should base themselves near the lagoon rather than day-tripping
from Reykjavík.
Guided Tours vs Self-Drive
Self-driving gives you total freedom over timing and stops, which matters most for
photography and quiet moments. Guided day tours remove the stress of winter
driving and long distances — our self-drive vs tour
comparison weighs both in detail. A popular option is a full-day South Coast tour
including Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, typically running around 14 hours from
roughly $211 per person, with excellent traveller ratings. Note that the lagoon boat
cruise is usually a seasonal, optional add-on in summer, not automatically
included in bus tours — check what your tour covers. See our
tours from Reykjavík for current options and the
prices page for what to budget.
Best value to Vík
South Coast Classic: Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik
From $125 · ★ 4.6 (2,508 reviews) · Free cancellation
The one-day option that covers Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, and Vík — ideal if you
are saving the lagoon for a separate overnight trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Iceland South Coast take?
You can see the highlights to Vík in a single day, but reaching Jökulsárlón comfortably takes
two days, and three days lets you add glacier hikes
and the national park without rushing.
Can you drive the South Coast to Jökulsárlón in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day — about five hours each way, roughly 14 hours round trip. It is more
enjoyable spread over two days with an overnight in Vík or near Skaftafell.
What are the must-see stops on the South Coast?
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black beach, Vík, Skaftafell, and the grand finale of
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.
Is the South Coast road open in winter?
Yes, Route 1 along the South Coast is paved and open year-round, but winter conditions require
studded tyres, care, and daily checks of road.is and vedur.is — see our
weather and road guide.