Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland from above

South Coast Tours of Iceland

Iceland's south coast is the most accessible part of the country from Reykjavík and also one of the most varied. Within a few hours of the capital you have powerful waterfalls, black sand beaches backed by sea stacks, a glacier lagoon filled with icebergs, and the edge of Europe's largest glacier. Most visitors only scratch the surface. These packages are designed to give you more.

All of the tours below include accommodation and transport as standard. You can travel by self-drive, join a multi-day tour from Reykjavík, or go with a fully guided group. Itineraries can be as short as two or three days or extended to a full week if you want to take your time.

The south coast works well in any season. In summer it is lush and bright, with long evenings and puffins at Dyrhólaey from May to August. In winter, Vatnajökull National Park and the glacier lagoon look completely different under snow, and there is a real chance of seeing the Northern Lights on clear nights.

Save 10% on Select South Coast Tours

Use promo code SAVE10 to save 10% on select South Coast Self-Drive, Multi-Day, and Guided Group tours with travel dates through October 2026. Experience black sand beaches, waterfalls, and glaciers. Offer ends soon!

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Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón and more
Self-drive, multi-day, and guided group options available
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About our south coast tours in Iceland

The south coast stretches from the Reykjanes peninsula in the west all the way to the edge of East Iceland, following Route 1 through some of the country's most visited landscapes. Seljalandsfoss lets you walk behind the waterfall. Reynisfjara is one of the most striking black sand beaches in the world, with basalt columns and offshore sea stacks that appear out of nowhere. Skógafoss is big enough to feel the spray from fifty metres away. And at Jökulsárlón, icebergs calved from Vatnajökull drift slowly toward the sea while seals rest on the ice around them.

Most of our south coast packages combine these highlights with other parts of Iceland, often including the Golden Circle or an ice cave visit depending on the time of year. If you prefer to drive yourself, our self-drive tours give you the flexibility to stop as long or as little as you like at each attraction. Our multi-day tours run daily excursions from Reykjavík and suit those who want everything arranged without needing a car. And our guided group tours put a local expert behind the wheel, which means you get the history and stories behind what you are seeing.

All packages include accommodation, transport, and daily breakfast. You can add glacier hiking, the Blue Lagoon, ice caving, or extra nights at checkout.

Accommodation, transport, and breakfast included on every package
Combine with the Golden Circle, ice caves, and more
Add extra activities and nights at checkout
Lock in your trip today with just a 5% deposit

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FAQs about South Iceland trips

No vacation to Iceland is complete without a visit to this stunning region. If you’re planning a trip to the south coast, you’ve probably got some questions. We’ve answered the most commonly asked ones below.

With waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes, South Iceland definitely deserves a spot in your itinerary. This awesome area is home to some of the country’s most popular natural attractions. These include the iconic Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park, and Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls.

The south coast is also one of the best places to see puffins in Iceland! If you’re here in the summertime, you can spot these cuties at Dyrhólaey, a rocky arch next to the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach.

Whether you take the wheel on a self-drive trip, or opt for a guided large or small group tour, you won’t want to miss exploring this scenic region.

Since you’ll only be a stone’s throw from the legendary Golden Circle, you can easily detour here at the start or end of your South Iceland trip.

Iceland’s south coast is rich in awe-inspiring natural wonders. You’ll find many famous landmarks in this part of the country, including:

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Skaftafell
Diamond Beach
Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls
Reykjadalur valley
Eldhraun lava field
Mýrdalsjökull glacier
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Dyrhólaey rock formation
Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel

Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or just want to take in the jaw-dropping sights, there’s lots to do on the south coast. These are some of the top activities you can get up to while you’re here:

Sail between glittering icebergs on a boat tour of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Walk behind a curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Go glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull glacier
Stop by Vík í Mýrdal, a charming seaside village with a spectacular backdrop
Witness Reynisfjara’s giant sea stacks, basalt columns, and rock formations
Soak in natural hot springs at Reykjadalur valley and Seljavallalaug pool
Explore the Katla ice cave with an experienced guide
Chase the Northern Lights in winter at Vatnajökull National Park
Visit grass-roofed turf houses and learn about Iceland's heritage
Immerse yourself in nature on one of Skaftafell’s hiking trails

For more inspo, check out this handy guide to the best things to see and do on Iceland’s south coast.

Iceland's south coast stretches from the Reykjanes peninsula in the west all the way to East Iceland. At just a 1–1.5 hour drive away, the western end of the south coast is closest to Reykjavík. From the Icelandic capital, you can follow the Ring Road (Route 1) along the coastline.

Being so close to the capital makes it the ideal region to explore on a multi-day tour from Reykjavík. You can discover top attractions on the south coast by day before returning to your home base in the city for the evening. You'll find lots of them in this guide to the best things to see and do near Reykjavík.

You can drive the south coast in a day without stopping, but that’s no way to experience Iceland!

To truly soak up everything the south coast has to offer, we recommend at least 2 days for your trip. For instance, you could spend an entire day just exploring Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest national park and home to Europe’s largest glacier.

If you want to take your time and see all the attractions, you can easily spend 5 days or more traveling this scenic stretch of Iceland.

When you book a South Iceland vacation package with us, the following is included:

Accommodation level of your choice
Delicious daily breakfast
Detailed itinerary created by local experts
Access to our 24/7 helpline when you’re in Iceland

Depending on the travel style you choose, you can customize your trip with extra days in Reykjavík and bonus activities. For example, you could add a visit to the Blue Lagoon and soak in those famous milky-blue waters.

Our tour packages don’t include flights, which means you can get the most flexibility and value for money when you book your own. But all local ground transport is covered, such as airport transfers and hotel pick-ups for day tours. If you book a self-drive or camping tour, you’ll get a rental car of your choice.

With Iceland Tours, booking your South Iceland getaway has never been easier. Start by browsing the vacation packages on this page and narrow your search by what matters to you most. For example, you can filter by travel style, season, or budget.

Once you’ve picked your tour, follow the steps on the trip page to book online. For a detailed guide on how to find, book, and customize your ideal trip, check out our how to book with us page.

For the following travel styles, you can choose any departure day you like:

The only exception is guided group tours which have fixed departures. You can check the start dates on the individual tour pages and pick the one that suits you. You’ll find there are lots of options during the popular summer and winter seasons.

Search for flights to Iceland once you have a rough idea of what dates you want to travel and how long your trip will be. This will give you an estimate of prices and an approximate arrival time in Iceland.

Pop those dates into the booking form when you reserve your tour online. Once your trip is confirmed, you can go ahead and book your flights.

You can expect all kinds of weather in Iceland, no matter what time of year you visit. Whether you’re planning a summer or winter trip to the south coast, here are a few essentials to bring with you: