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.

Iceland's south coast covers some of the country's most visited landscapes, and it rewards the time you put into it. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are within a couple of hours of Reykjavík, while Jökulsárlón and the edge of Vatnajökull National Park require a full day's drive. The region works well as a standalone itinerary or combined with the Golden Circle at the start or end of your trip.

The south coast includes a wide range of natural landmarks. Among the most visited are Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Reynisfjara black sand beach, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Skaftafell, Diamond Beach, the Eldhraun lava field, Dyrhólaey, and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The region also contains Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel.

The south coast has a wide range of activities across all seasons. You can walk behind the curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss, go glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull, take a boat tour among the icebergs at Jökulsárlón, explore the Katla ice cave with a guide, or soak in the natural hot springs at Reykjadalur valley. In winter, the national park offers good conditions for Northern Lights viewing on clear nights.

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 length of the south coast in a single day, but that leaves little time to stop. Two days gives you enough time to cover the main highlights at a reasonable pace. If you want to include Vatnajökull National Park properly, glacier activities, or a boat tour at Jökulsárlón, allow at least three to five days.

All Iceland Tours south coast packages include accommodation, daily breakfast, and ground transport. Self-drive packages include a rental car. Guided group tours include a local guide and transport by coach. Airport transfers and hotel pick-ups are included where specified on the tour page. Flights are not included. Optional extras such as glacier hiking, ice caving, and Blue Lagoon admission can be added at checkout.

Browse the packages on this page and filter by travel style, duration, or season. Once you have selected a tour, follow the steps on the trip page to book online. A 5% deposit secures your booking. For a full walkthrough of the process, visit 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: