We think that the South Coast of Iceland has some of the most stunning and awe inspiring landscapes in the whole country. Home to the largest glaciers, most famous volcanoes, most dramatic cliffs and beautiful waterfalls, you will never tire of this varied landscape. It only takes a few hours to reach the South Coast from Reykjavik, so we’ve picked our three ultimate must do experiences to include in your travel plans.
1. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
We all know Iceland has a lot of waterfalls, but Seljalandsfoss waterfall will likely be one of the first ones you hear about when reading anything about Iceland, as its made a name for itself around the world as one of the most breathtaking waterfalls. At 60 meters high, this spectacular natural wonder can be found in the river Seljalandsá, about 30 km west from Skógar. Spectators love this waterfall as it is possible to walk behind the cascading torrents and get an incredible 360 view of this incredible sight.
Don’t miss: Gljúfrabúi Waterfall, hidden inside a gorge about 150 meters away from the famous Seljalandsfoss.
Discover Iceland’s Top Waterfalls
2. Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park
One of Iceland’s most beautiful destinations, and the first stop on the “Golden Circle” is Þingvellir National Park. The park, which is located northeast of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance. Þingvellir is a place where Iceland’s stark geological processes play out right in front of you; it is where the history of the nation truly began and where almost all its major historical turns were made; and, quite simply, it is a beautiful site with a wealth of things to do.
Top highlight: Within the national park, there is a unique site where the rifts between the tectonic plates are clearly visible. A fissure, named Silfra, appeared in 1789 after a major earthquake. Today, Silfra is filled with crystal clear glacial water, making it the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel between two continental plates.
Discover more about the Golden Circle
2. Vatnajokull Glacier & National Park
Vatnajokull National Park encompasses an enormous area in south Iceland and is the largest National Park in Europe, covering 12,000 square kilometers.
The park offers visitors the opportunity to experience a diverse landscape of volcanoes and glaciers; in the north Askja, Kverkfjoll and Snaefell volcanoes tower over the region, with Dettifoss waterfall thundering in the Jokulsargljufur canyon. The area offers a great variety of activities from hiking, ice climbing and snowmobiling.
Must view: You may have seen this crown jewel of Iceland as the backdrop to many Hollywood films. Located at the base of Breiðamerkurjökull, people are drawn to Jökulsárlón lagoon to watch large, free-flowing icebergs tumble into the Atlantic Ocean or be washed ashore on Diamond Beach. It is also one of the best seal watching spots in the country.
Discover more about filming locations in Iceland
Feeling Inspired?
Read more of our top things to do in Iceland or to really get under the skin of the country, discover our favourite quirky facts about this unique country. How many did you know?
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