Iceland’s southern coast is famous for its scenic drives with countless breathtaking sites to behold along the way. In general, the roads along the southern coast of Iceland are open year-round, but it is a good idea to check for any closures during the winter months. Here are some of the must-see sites along Iceland’s southern coast.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón, or Glacier’s-River-Lagoon, is an ever-expanding lagoon that was naturally formed when the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier began retreating in the early 1900s. The gorgeous blue waters of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon are dotted with icebergs and are located just south of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull Glacier. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the surrounding area is part of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Iceland and one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. Boat tours and guided Zodiac tours are offered in the summer months.
Diamond Beach
The nearby black sand Breiðamerkursandur beach is nicknamed Diamond Beach because of icebergs that have been polished by the waters of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to look like diamonds and then washed up on the shores of Breiðamerkursandur beach. The beautiful Diamond Beach is one of the must-see sites along Iceland’s southern coast.
Þingvellir (Thingviller) National Park
The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route in Iceland and includes several sites along Iceland’s southern coast, including Þingvellir National Park. Thingviller National Park is one of the most popular attractions along Iceland’s southern coast and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and geological significance, as well as its striking natural beauty.
Thingviller’s unique geology is located in a rift valley with parts of it on the North American tectonic plate and other parts located on the Eurasian tectonic plate. Þingvellir National Park is the only place in the world where can you see the edges of both tectonic plates clearly and literally walk between two continents. Thingviller National Park is also ideal for diving, with many ravines filled with pristine glacier water created from tectonic movement. Silfra ravine is the most famous and ranked as one of the top five dive sites in the world. Þingvellir National Park is also one of the filming locations for HBO’s Game of Thrones television series, making it a popular tourist destination along Iceland’s southern coast.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall is a must-see site along Iceland’s southern coast. Gullfoss Waterfall, translated to Golden Waterfall, is Iceland’s most famous waterfall and the second stop along the famous Golden Circle tourist route. In fact, the Golden Circle was named after the iconic Golden Waterfall. Gullfoss Waterfall is fed by Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull glacier and provides breathtaking views of the forces of nature.
Skogafoss Waterfall
Another popular and beautiful site along Iceland’s south coast is Skogafoss Waterfall. Skógafoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, with a nearly 200-foot drop. There is an old legend that behind Skógafoss Waterfall lies a treasure chest that once belonged to a giant.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Nearby Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s most popular and accessible sites along Iceland’s southern coast. Seljalandsfoss is unique because it has a pathway that fully encircles the waterfall, with a wide cavern for visitors to get an Instagram-worthy shot of this natural wonder.
