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Looking for a 2-day Iceland South Coast itinerary? When you’re traveling to Iceland, every minute of your trip is precious. Naturally, you want to see everything this amazing country has to offer, including the famous South Coast.
However, if you started planning your Iceland South Coast itinerary and reserved two days for it, it might seem that this isn’t enough. After all, the coastal stretch is jam-packed with things to do, so it’s no wonder you’re feeling stuck.
Before you get discouraged, let us assure you that seeing the best of Iceland’s South Coast in just two days is absolutely possible – you just need a good plan set in place. And that’s exactly what we’ll help out with!
The South Coast is one of the easiest regions to explore in Iceland. From Reykjavik, everything goes along one main road, so you don’t need to overthink your route. As you go, you get to see waterfalls, coastal landscapes, glaciers, and so much more! Below, you’ll find a full-rounded two-day Iceland South Coast itinerary that offers an experience like no other.
From Reykjavik, start heading east towards the waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is usually your first stop, and it immediately feels different from anything you’ve seen before.
Normally, when you visit waterfalls, you just get to stand in front of them and take in the view. Here, however, you get to follow a path that sits behind the waterfall. The splashing water can get a bit chaotic at times, so be prepared to get wet.
Close by Seljalandsfoss, only a minute away, you will find a hidden gem called Gljúfrabúi. This beautiful waterfall is hidden inside a small canyon. There is just a short walk into the canyon for an incredible photo stop.
Once you finish in Seljalandsfoss, you’ll reach Skógafoss. This is yet another waterfall, only this one is much more powerful. If you take the stairs to the top, the view opens up across the landscape, giving you a sense of just how vast everything around you really is. This part of your Iceland South Coast itinerary is closely packed, so you can take your time without feeling rushed.
From the waterfalls, it’s time for a change of scenery. Instead of lush greenery, you’ll be heading into a more rugged landscape where the ocean reigns supreme.
Dyrhólaey will be your first stop. From the cliffs, you’re looking out over the coastline, with waves crashing below and a massive stone arch rising from the sea. The view is unlike anything you’ve seen before, so be sure to have your camera ready. During summer time, seabirds nest in the cliffs and it’s possible that you are able to catch a glimpse of Iceland’s most adorable summer visitor, the Puffin.
From here, it’s a short drive to Reynisfjara, and this is easily one of the most iconic things to do on the South Coast of Iceland. This is a black-sand beach with unpredictable crashing waves and stunning basalt columns. Just offshore, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks add another layer to the scene, making it feel surreal.
However, you need to be careful around the water as you never know how powerful the waves can get. To be on the safe side, just steer clear of the water.
When you’re finished admiring the coastline, we suggest a lunch break at one of the restaurants in Vík. After your lunch break, you will continue along the South coast heading East.
Mid between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, you will find one of Iceland’s most famous canyons, Fjaðrárgljúfur. This canyon is easily reachable off the main road and very much worth visiting. It winds through the landscape with a river below, and the path along the edge gives you a steady, elevated view the entire way. This place feels significantly quiet, which is perfect as most of the coast highlights follow from here.
We suggest staying overnight in the Skaftafell area as that leaves a short drive for next days attractions before returning towards Reykjavík city.
Other worth while mentions:
– Urriðafoss waterfall
– Nauthúsagil canyon
– Kvernufoss waterfall
– Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
You’ll continue your Iceland South Coast itinerary by exploring the beautiful Skaftafell area before continuing to the land of glaciers and glacier lagoon. Afterwards, you can return towards Reykjavík city, or better yet, add another day in the South Coast wonderland.
The Skaftafell area is a part of Vatnajökull National Park, the Kingdom of Icelandic glaciers and glacier activities. This is where the experience shifts from observing landscapes to actually stepping into them. You don’t need to commit to a full hike. Even a short walk here brings you closer to the glacier environment, especially with Vatnajökull dominating the background.
If you do have the time and energy, this is also where you can add a bit more depth to your Iceland South Coast itinerary. Trails like the one leading to Svartifoss offer a mix of scenery within a relatively short distance. It’s one of the few places along the South Coast where you’re not just stopping for a view, but actually experiencing the landscape on foot, which makes everything feel a lot more immersive. If you’re looking for some of the best hikes in Skaftafell, check out our blog to see which one works best for your experience and time.
As you continue east, the landscape becomes more minimal, which makes the final stop feel even more powerful. There you will find two equally stunning glacial lagoons, Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón.
Jökulsárlón is one of those places that lives up to the hype. Icebergs break away from the glacier and drift slowly across the lagoon, creating a constantly changing scene that feels almost unreal. Right across the road, Diamond Beach adds a completely different perspective. Pieces of ice wash up onto the black sand, scattered across the shoreline like glass.
Close by Jökulsárlón, you will find a smaller, but equally, if not even more visually stunning glacial lagoon called Fjallsárlón. The main difference between the two is that Fjallsárlón is hidden from the main road making it a more secluded area to visit. The lagoon itself is smaller in size but often full of floating icebergs and you are closer to the glacier’s edge. At Fjallsárlón, you can book zodiac boat tours that will bring you even closer to the icebergs and the glacier. If you want to actually hike on a glacier, you can also join a Glacier hike and iceberg boat tour combo where you sail around the iceberg before hiking Fjallsjökull glacier. It’s easily one of the most visually striking things to do on the South Coast of Iceland, and a perfect way to end your two-day route
Let’s face it – there’s a lot to see and do along Iceland’s South Coast, so you might be compelled to see all of it. However, this can actually take away from the experience!
Our advice is not to rush with your road trip. While there are a lot of stops along the road, you don’t need to visit all of them. The landscapes and sceneries change constantly, so don’t worry about missing out on anything. Start early, give yourself time at each stop, and stay flexible. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and sometimes the best moments happen when you slow down instead of trying to fit more in.
From stunning waterfalls to epic glaciers, your 2-day Iceland South Coast itinerary will be filled with some truly amazing highlights. After you’ve done this trip, you’ll see why so many people remember this part of Iceland! If you’re looking for more information on Iceland, check out the rest of our blogs or book a tour with us for a trip like you’ve never experienced before!
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Fjallsárlón
