- Pace
- Do not treat the whole region as a Reykjavík day trip: Vík is about 190 km from Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón about 380 km, and Höfn roughly 455 km. Use Selfoss/Hveragerði for a short Golden Circle break, Hella/Hvolsvöllur for the western coast, Vík for Mýrdalur, Klaustur or Skaftafell for the middle-east, and Höfn at the far end; once you go beyond Vík, move bases east rather than commuting. Allow 5–7 nights to reach Jökulsárlón without racing, or 7–10 nights if adding Heimaey or the Golden Circle properly.
- When to go
- For the best first self-drive trip, go in May, June or September: long enough days for a real coast itinerary, fewer compromises than winter, and less pressure than July–August. July and August are best for Highlands access, long hikes and puffins, but Vík, Skaftafell and Höfn need booking well ahead and headline stops are crowded. Winter is for ice caves, aurora attempts and dramatic weather—not fast touring—so keep the route flexible and avoid committing to long daily transfers. Avoid Heimaey during Þjóðhátíð unless the festival is the point of the trip.
- Daily budget
- 48,000–80,000 ISK
Suðurland is Iceland’s great eastbound road-trip region: a long, thin corridor from the geothermal farm towns beyond Reykjavík through the waterfall-and-black-sand coast to Vatnajökull’s glacier country and Höfn, with detours to Heimaey and the summer Highlands. Beyond the headline sights, it is a working landscape of greenhouses, sheep farms, glacial floodplains, fishing ports and small service towns, tied together mostly by Route 1 rather than by close proximity.
Known for
- The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
- Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the South Coast waterfall belt
- Reynisfjara, Vík and black-sand seascapes
- Glacier walks, winter ice caves and Vatnajökull scenery
- Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and Fjallsárlón
- Heimaey’s puffins, fishing town and 1973 eruption landscape
Where to go
Golden Circle
1Short stop · 1 day
Golden Circle
Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss are the obvious first-hit trio, but an overnight around Laugarvatn or Flúðir makes the circuit feel less like a bus-tour conveyor belt. Add geothermal bread, greenhouse lunch or a hot soak rather than trying to stack more stops into one day.
first-timersfamilieswinter road-trippersshort stays
Explore Golden Circle 
2Selfoss and Hveragerði
Base · 1–2 days
These are the useful southwest bases: proper supermarkets, fuel, pools, accommodation and easy access to both the Golden Circle and Reykjavík. Pick Hveragerði for geothermal character and walks; pick Selfoss for the simplest logistics.
self-driversshort staysfoodies
Hella and Hvolsvöllur
3Hella and Hvolsvöllur
Base · 1–2 days
The best practical staging area between the Golden Circle and the South Coast, with more breathing room than Vík. Use it for Þjórsárdalur, horse-country, volcanic landscapes, or guided departures toward the Highlands.
self-driversrepeat visitorsvolcano enthusiasts
Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)
4Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)
Base · 2 days
Heimaey earns the ferry detour with Eldfell’s 1973 eruption landscape, Eldheimar museum, sea cliffs and a real fishing-town feel. Stay at least one night; a same-day ferry dash shortchanges the island and leaves no slack for weather.
walkersfamiliesgeology enthusiasts
Seljalandsfoss and Skógar
5Seljalandsfoss and Skógar
Short stop · 1 day
This waterfall belt is the classic western South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, glacier views and the gateway to Þórsmörk. Treat it as a half-day minimum, not a quick roadside detour between hotel check-ins.
first-timersphotographersfamilies
Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar
6Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar
Base · 2 days
These are dedicated Highland days, not extras to squeeze into a Route 1 itinerary. Choose Þórsmörk for lush glacier-ringed valley hiking and Landmannalaugar for rhyolite hills, lava fields and the Laugavegur Trail; take a Highland bus or guided 4WD unless you truly know F-road driving.
serious hikersadventure travelerssummer visitors
Vík and Mýrdalur
7Vík and Mýrdalur
Base · 1–2 days
Vík is the right overnight for Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey, black-sand beaches and the stretch before glacier country. It is busy and pricey, but breaking here is far smarter than trying to commute from the west.
first-timersphotographersbirdwatchers
Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Skaftárhreppur
8Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Skaftárhreppur
Short stop · 1 day
Klaustur is a functional, well-placed pause amid mossy lava fields, canyons and huge glacial-river country. Base here if you refuse to turn Vík, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón into one punishing driving day.
deliberate road-trippershikersself-drivers
Skaftafell and Öræfi
9Skaftafell and Öræfi
Base · 1–2 days
This is the stop for a real national-park day: glacier tongues, Svartifoss, birch scrub and guided glacier travel. It rewards people willing to hike beyond the parking-lot viewpoints, though weather and limited evening options make advance lodging sensible.
hikersactive travelersglacier walkers
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
10Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
Short stop · 1 day
Icebergs drifting through the lagoon and washing onto black sand make this South Iceland’s essential glacier-coast stop; nearby Fjallsárlón is the quieter alternative. Give it changing light, a walk, and ideally an overnight nearby rather than two hurried photo stops after a long drive.
first-timersphotographersfamilies
Höfn and Hornafjörður
11Höfn and Hornafjörður
Base · 1–2 days
Höfn is the east-end base for Jökulsárlón, Vatnajökull views, Stokksnes and excellent local langoustine. It is a real fishing town rather than a resort, and works best when you actually want to spend time in southeast Iceland or continue east.
seafood loversphotographersself-drivers
Don't miss
1
Fjaðrárgljúfur
A short cliff-edge path gives repeated views into a narrow, vividly green canyon carved by glacial water. It is one of the strongest non-waterfall stops on the eastern half of the South Coast, but follow any seasonal path closures strictly.
2
Thingvellir National Park
Þingvellir combines the rift between tectonic plates with the site of Iceland's historic parliament, giving the Golden Circle its cultural as well as geological anchor. Walk the Almannagjá fissure and Öxarárfoss rather than only stopping at the main overlook.
3
Dyrhólaey
This high coastal promontory delivers the South Coast's broadest view: Reynisdrangar sea stacks to one side, black beaches to the other, and a dramatic natural arch below. It is particularly valuable for perspective after visiting Reynisfjara at beach level.
4
Seljalandsfoss
The walk behind Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland's signature waterfall experiences and a natural first major stop when heading east from Reykjavík. Bring waterproof layers, then continue a few minutes to Gljúfrabúi rather than leaving after the headline view.
5
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is a defining South Coast waterfall: powerful at ground level, with a staircase giving the wide river-and-coast view from above. Give it enough time for both perspectives and, if conditions suit, add nearby Kvernufoss for a more intimate contrast.
6
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara's black sand, basalt columns, caves, and Reynisdrangar sea stacks make it the South Coast's essential beach stop. Its beauty comes with real danger: observe the warning system, keep far from the surf, and never turn your back on the ocean.
Getting your bearings
Numbers match the places above; small dots are the headline sights.
The mental map
Think west to east, not as one compact coast. Start with the geothermal lowlands and Golden Circle around Selfoss/Hveragerði, then the waterfall belt and optional Heimaey detour, followed by the Mýrdalur–Vík black-sand coast, Skaftárhreppur and glacier foothills, and finally Skaftafell–Jökulsárlón–Höfn. The Highlands—Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar—are separate, summer-only commitments rather than roadside stops.
When to go
For the best first self-drive trip, go in May, June or September: long enough days for a real coast itinerary, fewer compromises than winter, and less pressure than July–August. July and August are best for Highlands access, long hikes and puffins, but Vík, Skaftafell and Höfn need booking well ahead and headline stops are crowded. Winter is for ice caves, aurora attempts and dramatic weather—not fast touring—so keep the route flexible and avoid committing to long daily transfers. Avoid Heimaey during Þjóðhátíð unless the festival is the point of the trip.
Pacing a visit
Do not treat the whole region as a Reykjavík day trip: Vík is about 190 km from Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón about 380 km, and Höfn roughly 455 km. Use Selfoss/Hveragerði for a short Golden Circle break, Hella/Hvolsvöllur for the western coast, Vík for Mýrdalur, Klaustur or Skaftafell for the middle-east, and Höfn at the far end; once you go beyond Vík, move bases east rather than commuting. Allow 5–7 nights to reach Jökulsárlón without racing, or 7–10 nights if adding Heimaey or the Golden Circle properly.
Book before you land
Guided ice-cave tours in winter (typically mid-November to mid-March) · Guided glacier hikes at Skaftafell or around Sólheimajökull in summer and peak shoulder periods · Herjólfur ferry vehicle spaces to Heimaey, especially in summer · Highland buses and guided 4WD trips to Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar in summer · Jökulsárlón/Fjallsárlón boat or kayak tours in summer · Friðheimar greenhouse lunch at Reykholt · Accommodation in Vík, Skaftafell/Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Höfn for July–August; ferry and island lodging for Heimaey, especially around Þjóðhátíð
Getting in
KEFKeflavík International Airport
The main international gateway. Rent a car here or in Reykjavík; it is roughly an hour to Selfoss/Hveragerði, the sensible western South Iceland bases. KEF is not close to Vík, Jökulsárlón or Höfn, so do not treat arrival day as a South Coast sightseeing day.
Flights and transfers into KeflavíkRKVReykjavík
Most travelers pass through Reykjavík after landing at KEF, whether collecting a car in the city or joining a tour. It is the practical departure point for Golden Circle and South Coast tours, but the region itself is a road trip, not a city day trip.
Flights and transfers into ReykjavíkLandeyjahöfn ferry port
The gateway for Heimaey in the Westman Islands via the Herjólfur ferry. Rough weather can reroute sailings to Þorlákshöfn, making the crossing and car logistics substantially longer; build slack into any island plan.
Before you go
Questions worth settling
How many days do I need for Suðurland?
Allow 5–7 nights to drive from the Golden Circle through Vík and Skaftafell to Jökulsárlón without racing. Plan 7–10 nights if you also want to do the Golden Circle properly or spend a night on Heimaey; Höfn is roughly 455 km from Reykjavík, so this is not a day trip region.
Where should I base myself on a first South Iceland road trip?
Move east rather than commuting from Reykjavík: use Selfoss or Hveragerði for the Golden Circle, Hella or Hvolsvöllur for the western coast, Vík for Mýrdalur, Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell for glacier country, and Höfn at the far end. Once you go beyond Vík, changing bases saves substantial driving time.
Which places should I combine, and which need their own day?
Combine Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss on the Golden Circle, and give Seljalandsfoss and Skógar at least a half-day. Vík and Reynisfjara work naturally together; pair Skaftafell with an overnight around Skaftafell or Kirkjubæjarklaustur, then give Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and quieter Fjallsárlón unhurried time. Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar are separate summer Highland days, not Route 1 add-ons.
Do I need a rental car?
Yes, a rental car is the practical default, especially if you want to reach Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón and Höfn at a sensible pace. Route 1 is paved and usually manageable in a normal 2WD in good conditions, but check road.is and vedur.is daily in winter; use a Highland bus or guided 4WD trip for Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar unless you have genuine F-road and river-crossing competence.
When is the best time to visit?
For a first self-drive trip, May, June and September offer long enough days with fewer compromises than winter and less pressure than July–August. July and August are best for puffins, hiking and Highland access but are busiest; winter is best for guided ice caves and aurora attempts, but requires a flexible, weather-led itinerary with slow transfers.
What should I reserve before I go?
Book July–August accommodation early in Vík, Skaftafell or Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and Höfn. Also reserve winter ice-cave tours, glacier hikes at Skaftafell or Sólheimajökull in busy periods, summer Jökulsárlón or Fjallsárlón boat trips, and Herjólfur ferry vehicle space and lodging for Heimaey; Highland buses and guided trips need advance booking in summer.
Can I visit Heimaey as a day trip?
You can take the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn, but an overnight is the better plan for Eldfell, Eldheimar and the sea cliffs. Ferry timings are weather-dependent and rough conditions can reroute sailings to Þorlákshöfn, so leave slack and do not tightly connect the return crossing to onward flights or non-refundable mainland plans.
Do I need a visa for Iceland?
Iceland is in the Schengen Area: U.S., Canadian and UK citizens can generally visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period, while many other nationalities need a Schengen visa. Non-EEA passports normally must have been issued within the past 10 years and remain valid for at least three months after departure from Schengen, but verify current requirements for your nationality before booking.
Known for
- The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
- Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the South Coast waterfall belt
- Reynisfjara, Vík and black-sand seascapes
- Glacier walks, winter ice caves and Vatnajökull scenery
- Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and Fjallsárlón
- Heimaey’s puffins, fishing town and 1973 eruption landscape
