Iceland South Coast 7-day Road Trip Itinerary

So, you are planning to rent a car or campervan in Iceland for more or less 7 days? Well, you find the right place! Our 7-day itinerary to Iceland South Coast is the perfect summary for first-time travellers.

It follows the Ring road along the south coast; one of the most popular routes for any first-time trippers in Iceland. And for good reasons… It is accessible, easy to drive and highly rewarding with hundreds of stops and places to see.

It will take you from Reykjavik to impressive glaciers, fuming volcanoes, beautiful waterfalls and remarkable landscapes! You will go whale and puffin watching, walk on black sand beach, relax in hot water springs, witness geysers and explore many other magnificent landmarks of Iceland.

We hope you find this itinerary to Iceland South Coast helpful!

Disclaimer: This Itinerary was made for a summer road trip. If you are travelling during the winter months, there might be a few places not accessible (such as the plane wreck). Make sure to check with an information centre or the authorities’ website before travelling during that season.

7-day Iceland South Coast Itinerary Overview

Volcano & Geothermal activities ¦ DAY 1

Blue Lagoon & Golden Circle ¦ DAY 2

Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach ¦ DAY 3

Canyon & Glaciers ¦ DAY 4

Plane wreck, Hot Springs & Waterfalls ¦ DAY 5

Whale Watching & other tours ¦ DAY 6

Reykjavik ¦ DAY 7

DAY 1 – Volcano & Geothermal activities

The Reykjanes peninsula is going thru volcanic activity and is currently mostly closed to the public for security reason. Before attempting to visit the Reykjanes peninsula please make sure to read the latest information on SafeTravel.is and on Verdur.is – The current eruption activity are very serious and not a touristic attraction like the one from 2021 & 2022.

Quick peek: Pick up your car (or campervan) and head south to the Reykjanes Peninsula to witness how the power of nature has shaped this part of Iceland.
Expected Driving Time: 1.5 hours – 90 km

After picking up your car at the airport (and some groceries at the shop), start your day by visiting the Reykjanes Peninsula. This most Southwestern part of Iceland is right on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, where the Eurasian and the North American plates are drifting apart. Here, you will quickly drive across desolated landscapes dotted with old lava fields and geothermal activity.

Your first stop should take you to Bruin Milli Heimsalfa where you can walk across a 15 m bridge from the Eurasian tectonic plate to the North American one. This “bridge between continents” is a unique experience! Make sure to also walk within the crevasse below the bridge and try touching the edge of both rifts within seconds! Yes… you are crossing continents on foot.

Next, head to Gunnuhver Hot Springs, a natural geothermal area of mud pools and steam vents. Nearby, you can also pop by the Reykjanes Lighthouse for a nice viewpoint over the ocean and the peninsula.

After a quick break in Grindavik, it is time to gear up for a hike to Fagradalsfjall Volcano. While it is currently asleep after months of lava eruption, it is an incredible experience to get up there and see weeks-old lava fields and how the landscape is changing with such volcanic activity. You never know, it might wake up the day of your visit!

Head back to Grindavik for the night.

Grindavik has been strongly affected by the 2023 & 2024 volcanic activity and has been evacuated. The town is CLOSED – do not try to visit or stay there. Follow the latest information here.

• Bruin Milli Heimsalfa = Bridge between the continents – Free entrance
• Gunnuhver Hot Springs = Geothermal Mud Pool – Free entrance
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano = 2h hike – Free entrance (but Car park 1,000 ISK)

DAY 2 – Blue Lagoon & Golden Circle

Due to dangerous volcanic activity nearby, the Blue Lagoon has been closed. To check the latest new, visit the official website here.

Quick peek: Chill for a few hours in one of the most beautiful hot water springs in the world before heading to the famous Golden Circle to see Geysers, massive waterfalls and volcano craters!
Expected Driving Time: 4 hours – 250 km

Start early in the morning with a short 7 km drive north from Grindavik, and be among the first visitors at the Blue Lagoon. While the entrance isn’t cheap (like most activities in Iceland), you can however stay as long as you wish and it also includes a free drink and a silica mud mask. You will be given a wristband upon entering the baths to close your lockers and purchase any extras.

Once you are done with the Blue Lagoon, in our experience 2 to 3 hours was enough, double back and head towards Selfoss. Take a break at Thorli beach, a surfing spot, before continuing to Kerid crater. Enjoy a nice stroll around the rim of Kerid to best appreciate the vibrant red and orange crater walls contrasting with the aquamarine lake at its bottom. Probably the most colourful place on the Golden Circle!

It is now time to head to Thingvellir National Park, another amazing place to experience the Mid-Atlantic Rift and walk along the tectonic plate’s ridge. It is also a site rich in history since it is here Iceland was first proclaimed a Republic. The park is full of well-marked walking trails dotted with information plaques to learn about the geology and history of the place. There are also multiple viewpoints and a beautiful waterfall called Oxararfoss. Allow at least a couple of hours here.

If it isn’t too late, drive to Geysir where you will spend the night. Depending on how bright it is outside by the time you get there, you can either choose to visit the geyser today or wait for the next morning.

• Blue Lagoon = Natural Hot water Spring – Standard entrance between €44 & €60/pp
• Kerid Crater = Colourful volcanic crater lake – 400 ISK
• Thingvellir National Park = Free entrance (but Car park 1,000 ISK)
• Geysir – Free entrance

Due to dangerous volcanic activity nearby, the Blue Lagoon has been closed. To check the latest new, visit the official website here.

DAY 3 – Waterfalls & Black sand Beach

Quick peek: Today you will complete the Golden circle and start your trip along the South Coast where you will stop at many waterfalls and black sand beaches.
Expected Driving Time: 4.5 hours – 220 km

Prepare for another early start to visit Geysir if you haven’t gone yet, and also enjoy the sunrise (depending on the season, of course) over Gulfoss waterfalls. These are two beautiful stops you cannot miss. Gullfoss is really impressive and thanks to the many viewpoints available, you will be able to appreciate it from multiple angles.

On the way to the south coast, near Fludir, you can pop by either Hrunalaug Hot Springs or the (not-so) Secret lagoon for a relaxing bath. Both places are relatively different so the choice is yours. While the Secret Lagoon of Gamal Laugin has good infrastructure with lockers and cafes (+ often needs to be booked in advance), the Hrunalaug Hot Springs consist of small pools within a naturally hot river. It surely feels more authentic with its small wooden huts, but it also requires driving on a gravel road for a small distance (not an F-road though). Check out our dedicated article about the best hot springs in Iceland.

Once you are back on the Ring Road that circles the entire country (Route 1), head east to Seljalandsfoss to see one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland! This is one of the only waterfalls that allow you to walk behind the water stream. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy the sunset in the background. Make sure to also stop at the hidden waterfall Gljufrabui located only 500 m from the car park. It is a very nice one to visit as it requires entering a small canyon!

If you aren’t tired of seeing waterfalls yet, you can stop at Skogafoss or skip it for now. You can still visit it on the way back to Reykjavik on day 5.

For those visiting the Iceland South Coast in July or August, we would recommend stopping at the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse on the way to Vik, to look for Puffins. If you are out of the bird’s breeding season, we believe the lighthouse can be skipped to allow for more time at Reynisfjara beach. This black sand beach is only a small 30 min detour from the main road and is known for its impressive basalt columns. Be extra careful on that beach to not get caught by waves which are very strong and could put you in grave danger.

It is now time to rest and enjoy a good night of sleep in Vik. If you still have a bit of energy, stop at the Reyniskirkja Church for a nice view of the town and take a stroll at the local beach. There are also a few souvenir shops. Make sure to fill up the car with fuel because as you head East you will find fewer villages with petrol stations.

• Geysir & Gulfoss = Free entrance
• Hrunalaug Hot Spring = 1,000 ISK (Honesty box)
• Secret Lagoon = 3,000 ISK
• Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui waterfalls = Free entrance (but Car park 700 ISK)
• Dyrhólaey Lighthouse = Free entrance
• Reynisfjara beach = Free entrance

DAY 4 – Canyon & Glaciers

Quick peek: Eery canyon for breakfast, glacier lakes for lunch and icebergs on the beach for dinner.
Expected Driving Time: 5 hours – 260 km

This can be a long day drive, so if the previous day you have some time, you could drive past Vik and stay in the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Early morning, double back a few kilometres to the incredibly beautiful and eery Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. It is located a few kilometres off-road so take your time on gravel. At the canyon, follow the trails to the right. It will take you to incredible viewpoints over the canyon and several waterfalls.

Shortly after being back on road 1, find the car park on the right side for Dverghamrar. This is one of the most stunning rock formations on the South Coast of Iceland. We particularly liked the view of the waterfall Foss a Sidu in the background. This spot isn’t much visited, so chances are you will be on your own during the visit.

Keep heading East. On the way, you will notice a change in the landscape with large glacier rivers and hopefully a nice view of the Vatnajökull ice cap. This is the largest glacier in Europe. Actually, Vatnajökull is larger than all of Europe’s glaciers combined! From this massive ice cap, flow about 30 outlet glaciers out of which several can be easily seen up close.

As you reach the Vatnajökull national park, stop at Skaftafell National Park for a hike to Svartifoss waterfall and the glacier viewpoint, but if you are camping, we would skip it for now as the campsite is really amazing and it could be nicer to return here at the end of the day. During the winter months, Skaftafell is the perfect spot to base yourself and book a tour or two for a glacier walk or visit an ice cave.

Around lunchtime, you should arrive at the Fjallsárlón glacier. It is worth spending a bit of time here to enjoy the incredible view of so many lake icebergs with the glacier in the background. There is also a company offering a boat tour if you are interested.

Finally, only 30 min drive later you will arrive at the most eastern stop and one of the most astonishing places on this 7-day itinerary in Iceland’s South Coast! In fact, at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, you will see massive icebergs floating from the blue water lake onto a river leading to the ocean.

As the icebergs reach the sea, they are broken down by the crashing waves and dropped on the beach. The glistening effect of the ice on the black sand gave it the name Diamond beach. Also, it is not uncommon to see seals playing in the current around the stranded iceberg nearby the bridge. Make sure to check this out!

After strolling a few hours around the lake and the beach, it is time to head back. Stop at Svínafellsjökull glacier then, at the Skaftafell campground for the night. If you are travelling during winter, it is also great place to see and photograph the Northern Lights.

• Dverghamrar = Free Entrance
• Skaftafell, Svartifoss & Svínafellsjökull = Free Entrance
• Fjallsárlón Glacier/lake = Free Entrance
• Jökulsárlón Glacier/lake & Diamond beach = Free Entrance

DAY 5 – Plane, hot springs & other waterfalls

Quick peek: A lovely hike to two viewpoints, a potential walk to what seems to be in the middle of nowhere, and a couple of stops to see more waterfalls or chill in hot water springs.
Expected Driving Time: 5 hours – 330km

It is time to head back to Reykjavik. It will be a long drive, but we left out a couple of great spots previously, so you can break down the drive by visiting these places. First of all, if you haven’t gone up to Skaftafell Nature Reserve, it is now time to go. The path is a little steep but you should get to Svartifoss waterfall within 30-min. If you feel like hiking a bit longer, head to Sjónarnípa viewpoint to see the glacier from above. You can get a map at the tourist office.

40 km down road 1, on the right, you will find Nupsstadur. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an abandoned settlement of turf houses and farms. They can only be seen from the road but it is worth a quick break. Continue driving west for another 45 min and you will find the lava ridge of Laufskálavarða. There is a large car park, picnic tables and toilets.

Next, head to Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck if the weather permits it. This US Navy plane that crashed in 1973 at one of the most beautiful black sand beaches on the South Coast of Iceland, is accessible on foot only. It is about 4km one-way from the car park, on a flat walk in the middle of nowhere. In our opinion, seeing the plane is worth this boring walk! Allow at least a couple of hours and be very careful/aware the weather can change drastically.

If you are not interested in walking for such a long time to see a plane wreck and prefer chilling in hot water springs, pop by the Seljavallalaug Swimming pool or Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.

The first one is located 10 km after Skogafoss (where you should stop if not already on day 3) followed by a 2.5km off-road path and a 20 min walk. This 25-meter-long man-made pool is a little bit muddy but a nice hidden local stop to relax after such a drive!

The second hot spring (Reykjadalur) is found between Selfoss and Reykjavik, nearby the town of Hveragerði. It is about a 1-hour walk one way to get to the hot river but if you were to do one hike today, it should be this one!

It is now time to head to Reykjavik for a good night’s sleep!

• Skaftafell National Park= Free Entrance (no parking fee if you are staying at the campsite. Overwise = 1,000 ISK)
• Nupsstadur & Laufskálavarða = Free – view from the main road
• Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck = Free entrance
• Skogafoss = Free entrance (no car park fee)
• Seljavallalaug Swimming pool = Free entrance
• Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River = Free entrance

DAY 6 – Whale watching & Other tours

Quick peek: A 3-hour boat ride to see whales and dolphins

This morning, head to the harbour. If you haven’t booked your tour online already, you will find a few offices offering whale-watching trips. Inquire if they have any spots left on their next boat trip.

Reykjavik is a nice spot to see whales out of the season as small humpbacks which didn’t migrate, usually stay around the bay until they are strong enough for the big trip the following year.

If you are visiting between June and August, sightings are almost guaranteed. You can extend your road trip on day 6 to head north to Husavik, and take a whale-watching tour from there. You might see Orcas and other marine wildlife that are less easy to spot around Reykjavik during summer.

In September we saw a young humpback playing with a pod of bottlenose dolphins on our 3-hour whale-watching trip from Reykjavik (11,990 ISK per person / €70-€80). It was a unique encounter we had never witnessed in our many other whales watching trips around the globe! Unforgivable trip despite being late in the season.

After your boat tour, enjoy walking around Reykjavik or book another tour from the capital. In the winter, we can only recommend a Northern light tour!

DAY 7 – Reykjavik

Quick peek: Visit Reykjavik and discover Icelandic gastronomy
Expected Driving Time:

There are enough things to do and see in Reykjavik to keep you busy for a day. As you wake up in the Icelandic capital, head to the bakery Brauð & Co. for a nice breakfast pastry and to Reykjavik Roasters for a good speciality coffee. Then, head to Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik’s biggest Lutheran parish church. Its unique architecture inspired by Iceland’s most common rock formations: the basalt columns makes it one of the most visited landmarks in Iceland. You can climb to the bell tower for a birds-eye view of the city and the bay.

Walk down the road across from the church to find the main pedestrian street painted in rainbow colours. Initially done temporarily as part of the city’s Gay Pride festival each year, the painting is now permanent and accounts for one of the most photographed street art in the country.

You can join a free walking tour to learn about the city’s history, otherwise, walk around the streets, get lost a little and enjoy your free time exploring the town. We would recommend checking out:

• Harpa Concert Hall
• Sun Voyager sculpture
• Tjörnin lake and its surroundings
• Flea market at the marina

Where to Stay ¦ Iceland SOUTH COAST

We mentioned above, Iceland is expensive and outside of Reykjavik, accommodation can be limited. In this 7-day Itinerary on the Iceland South Coast, we have selected a few places you can stay depending on your budget.

• Tent or Van: €10 to €20 / Budget: €30 to €50 / Mid-range: €50 to €200 / Fancy: €200+

Iceland attraction MAP ¦ South Coast Itinerary

ARE YOU PLANNING A TRIP TO ICELAND?

We have a lot of articles about travelling in Iceland and add new ones each month. Check out our latest guides below to prepare for your trip…

• 10+ Must-See Waterfalls in Iceland
• Best Day Trips from Reykjavik
• Self-Drive Guide to the Golden Circle
• 5 Beautiful Black Sand Beaches
• Top Day Hikes in Iceland
• Iceland on a Budget
• Exploring Vatnajokull National Park
• 7-day Road-Trip Itinerary to the South Coast
• 10 best hot springs in Iceland

Please note │ This blog post may also include affiliate links to hostels or products we recommend, which means if you buy something following a link on this page, we’ll get a small commission. This will be of no extra cost to you but will help us continue running this blog. Thank you for your support.

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About the Author

Jen is the Funder, Author & Photographer behind Talesfromthelens.com

Jen has lived for the past 15 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling in Latin America, North America, and Europe. She has visited more than 65 countries and set foot on every continent in the world! She is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife, and outdoor activities.

For more info, check out the About page.