South Coast of Iceland 2023 (Travel Hack)

In this post, we’ll go over some tips for the south coast of Iceland so that you can get the most out of your time in Iceland!

The South Coast of Iceland is one of the most popular places to visit in Iceland.

Youโ€™ll see incredibly beautiful places youโ€™ve most likely seen online. 

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss

Skรณgafoss

Skรณgafoss

The airplane wreck

Airplane wreck

Reynisfjara

Black sand beach

But thereโ€™s a problem.

Because itโ€™s one of the most popular places to visit, there are going to be a lot of people. 

On top of that, itโ€™s a long drive and in the winter the days get shorter and shorter. 

In this post, Iโ€™ll give you some travel hacks so you can make the most out of your South Coast Iceland trip.

Iโ€™ll go over;

  • Places to check out
  • Some travel hacks 
  • The South Coast in the winter and how to plan around it.

So letโ€™s jump right into it!

Tours for the South Coast

Seljalandsfoss spring

When youโ€™re on your trip to the South Coast you want to make the most out of it.

Sure, there are going to be crowds of people in some places, thatโ€™s just the way it is. 

But that doesnโ€™t mean we canโ€™t try and work around it!

There are many tours that do day trips to the South Coast and you want to try and avoid them, especially the big ones. 

Most of the tours leave at 09:00 am and will be at the first stop (Seljalandsfoss) at around 11 am.

Seljalandsfoss maps

So make sure to leave before they do! 

If you leave at 8 am, you can be sure that you arrive before the big buses.

Big bus

This is a bit more difficult in winter, but Iโ€™ll touch more on that in the winter section. 

Some tours start earlier as well, but thatโ€™s mainly small groups.

South Coast Iceland tip

Let’s start with a quick overview of a usual South Coast trip.

This is what it looks like.

South Coast Trip
  • Seljalandsfoss 
  • Skรณgafoss
  • Airplane wreck
  • Reynisfjara

Some tours skip the Airplane wreck since it takes a while to get there and itโ€™s the โ€˜most skippableโ€™.

You can also add some places, check out this post to read more

So here are a few tips on how to travel the South Coast of Iceland.

Break it up

Donโ€™t hit every place in the โ€˜correctโ€™ order. 

This is because the drive home will be very tedious with nothing fun to look forward to.

I recommend that you break the trip up.

Go to Seljalandsfoss but then skip Skรณgafoss and go straight to the wreck or Reynisfjara.

Then stop at Skรณgafoss on the way back. 

Youโ€™ll be able to eat at Vรญk and enjoy the town before heading back to Reykjavรญk. 

Vรญk, town

But the main reason why you should break it up is to make life easier for the driver.

Donโ€™t underestimate how tiring it gets driving in Iceland after a long day. 

Reynisfjara

My only advice for the Black sand beach is to be very careful.

Listen to warnings and signs. 

Warning sign

People are caught by the waves all the time and some of them end up being dragged into the ocean and they canโ€™t come back.

The beach is beautiful and witnessing the sea rage on a stormy day is incredible, just make sure that it wonโ€™t be your last day.

Swimming pool at Hveragerรฐi

On your way back to Reykjavรญk, stop at the local swimming pool at Hveragerรฐi.

Hveragerรฐi

Itโ€™s quieter than the one in Selfoss and youโ€™re closer to Reykjavรญk so the drive back isnโ€™t as long.

And if youโ€™re feeling very adventurous or have plenty of time (and daylight) you can hike to Reykjadalur.

Reykjadalur

And get soaked in the hot waters.

Gas station meal

Now, this isnโ€™t really a โ€˜travel hackโ€™ but more of a personal recommendation.

I absolutely love gas station food. Thereโ€™s something about it. Itโ€™s sloppy and amazing. 

Make sure to try the hot dogs as well! 

N1 gas station

There are plenty of gas stations on the South Coast, so youโ€™ll have no problem finding them.

Now, donโ€™t get me wrong,

You shouldnโ€™t eat there at every opportunity, but once or twice is a nice experience.

But what about things to do on the South Coast?

Things and places not to miss on the South Coast

While youโ€™re not going to miss out on the main stops on the South Coast, there are a few places Iโ€™d like to hit on so you donโ€™t drive past without a second thought.

Nautahรบsafoss

Nautahรบsafoss

Nauthรบsafoss is very close to Seljalandsfoss but itโ€™s very frequently missed.

Nautahรบsafoss map

Not as many people will go there and itโ€™s absolutely stunning.

So make sure to drive just a little bit further and stop by!

Vรญk brewery

There is a brewery in Vรญk called Smiรฐjan. There you can try some local beers which are well worth it.

Itโ€™s located right next to the Swimming pool so you can take a swim or soak in the hot tub right after!

Sรณlheimajรถkull

Sรณlheimajรถkull is a glacier located close to road nr 1. 

Sรณlheimajรถkull

Youโ€™ll be able to walk up close to it and see an actual glacier! Though donโ€™t try to walk on it, youโ€™ll need a special guide for that.

Sรณlheimajรถkull map

It can be a long stop or a quick one, itโ€™s up to you!

Either way, I recommend checking it out!

South coast trip in the winter

How and when you travel changes in the winter. 

Skรณgafoss map

You have to be more aware of the weather and the road conditions since they might be closed.

And the days start to get really short.

This is the main thing to be mindful of when traveling the South Coast of Iceland in the winter. 

You canโ€™t really get away from the crowds during this time becauseโ€ฆ well, there simply isnโ€™t enough time. 

But I have a few recommendations to help you out with that.

Start earlier

I mentioned this earlier in the blog and itโ€™s still a good idea. 

You want to be arriving at your first location when the sun is rising.

Not only is this absolutely beautiful, but that also means that youโ€™ll always be slightly ahead of the tour buses. 

Stay in the countryside

Another tip for the South Coast in the winter is to stay there!

Hella, town

Instead of basing out of Reykjavรญk, you should stay around Hella, Vรญk, or Selfoss.

This means that youโ€™re closer to all the places and activities in the area.

This leads me to one of the most important tipsโ€ฆ

Driving in the dark

It can be incredibly uncomfortable to drive on Icelandic roads in the dark.

Iceland in winter

Itโ€™s only a two-lane road most of the time so I donโ€™t fault people that arenโ€™t used to it to feel a bit uncomfortable. 

And if youโ€™re driving like that for a long time, it gets very tiring. 

This is also why itโ€™s best to start early so that youโ€™re driving in daylight for the most part and why you should stay on the South Coast.

End

Thatโ€™s it!

Iโ€™ve gone over how you can make the most out of your trip to the South Coast.

If you follow my advice, youโ€™ll have a good time well away from the biggest crowds.

And, if you need clothes for your trip to the South Coast, check out our selection!

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