South Iceland Waterfall Adventure

You can start with a drive to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the geological wonders of the world where you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. You continue to the famous Geysir area where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5–10 minutes and where numerous small springs are boil and bubble. Afterwards you only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, surely one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls. Drive along the south coast to Hvolsvöllur area for your overnight stay.

Today you get to experience one of Iceland’s best kept secret, the volcano island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands archipelago. On your way to the ferry crossing at Landeyjarhöfn you can stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall – you can actually walk behind it and enjoy its beauty from behind. Heimaey is a little treasure in itself and has much to offer! Hike to the top of Eldfell (the volcano which erupted in 1973), discover the “Elephant” mountain, and sail around the islands where it is not uncommon to see whales and seals. Most likely you will meet some beautiful puffins, too, as Westman Islands are considered being the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world.

Your next stop is Iceland’s scenic southeast. After passing various outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you’ll arrive at the stunningly surreal beauty of Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve is another area definitely worth a visit. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for great hiking. Later, continue your drive to Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur for your overnight stay.

Today you will spend the day along the south coast. This gives you a chance to take a closer look at attractions that you did not have the time to visit on your way east: Skógafoss waterfall and Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can walk behind. At Skógar, you will find a folk museum showing how people lived in the past in Iceland. 

If you have time in the afternoon, you can go to the Dyrhólaey bird cliff where you can usually see puffins (please note: Dyrholaey is closed from May 15 till June 23 and from mid-August the puffins will have gone to sea!). Your day will end in Reykjavík where you will spend your last night in Iceland.

It seems as if your journey to fabulous Iceland only began a moment ago, but now it is time to head back home, driving back to Keflavík Airport for your flight. Depending on your flight’s time, you may be able to squeeze in a last day in Reykjavík or an extra night in there to experience all the amazing things that the city has to offer.