Region
South Iceland
Base in Vík or Hvolsvöllur and drive the coast; skip it as a day-trip from Reykjavík.
Key facts · Iceland
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Currency
- Icelandic króna (ISK, kr)
- Language
- Icelandic
- Plugs
- C · F · 230 V
- Time zone
- GMT all year
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
South Iceland is a 350 km strip of waterfalls, glaciers and black sand between Þorlákshöfn and Höfn, with almost no natural harbours and one main road. It is a driving region: the Ring Road (Route 1) runs the whole length, and the sights sit on or just off it. Sleep two nights around Vík or Hvolsvöllur, not in Reykjavík, or you spend four hours a day in the car.
Sleep
Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- SelfossPlanned
Largest town in the region, services and nightlife, gateway to the Golden Circle.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- Vík í MýrdalCity guide
Best base for the eastern waterfalls, Reynisfjara and glacier walks.
Best Feb–Mar, May–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND - KirkjubæjarklausturPlanned
Mid-point east of Vík; Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon nearby.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- HellaPlanned
Quiet Ring Road stop with horse farms; cheaper beds than Vík.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Day trip
- HveragerðiPlanned
Geothermal town 45 min from Reykjavík; hot river hike.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- SkógarPlanned
Skógafoss and the Fimmvörðuháls trailhead.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- VestmannaeyjarPlanned
Ferry from Landeyjahöfn; puffins and eruption history.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- EyrarbakkiPlanned
Old trading village on the coast; short detour from Selfoss.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- StokkseyriPlanned
Fishing village next to Eyrarbakki; lobster and a small museum.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Selfoss or Hvolsvöllur 1 + Vík 1; waterfalls and black beach
- 3 nights
- Hvolsvöllur 1 + Vík 1 + Kirkjubæjarklaustur 1; adds canyon and glacier lagoon edge
- 4 nights
- As above plus Jökulsárlón and Vestmannaeyjar as a ferry day
- Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón and back in one day is about 9 hours of driving before stops.
- The south coast has almost no natural harbours and an unbroken sand beach open to the Atlantic; the surf is not a swimming beach.
- Highland roads inland from Selfoss are narrow and only for 4x4s in summer.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skógar | Vík | 35 min | unknown | Skógafoss is a 5-minute walk from the car park; go before 09:00 for empty photos.Skógafoss is a 5-minute walk from the car park; go before 9:00 AM for empty photos. |
| Vestmannaeyjar | Hvolsvöllur | 90 min | unknown | Ferry from Landeyjahöfn, about 35 min; check sailing status — the harbour silts up. |
| Þingvellir National Park | Selfoss | 45 min | unknown | Combine with Geysir and Gullfoss as the Golden Circle. |
| Fjaðrárgljúfur | Kirkjubæjarklaustur | 15 min | unknown | Short walk to viewpoints; the canyon path closes when wet. |
Bags between cities
No luggage forwarding on the south coast; you carry your own bags between guesthouses.
When and how
Months, arrival and passes
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vík í Mýrdal | × | go | go | ok | go | go | go | go | go | go | × | × |
| Iceland (country-wide) | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South coastÞorlákshöfn to Höfn | cold | cold | cold | ok | best | best | best | best | ok | ok | cold | cold |
- South coast
- Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.
May–September is the driving window for the full coast; in winter stay west of Vík and add buffer days for storms.
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keflavík (KEF) | Selfoss | Rental car via Route 1 or Route 36 | ~1 h 30 | Pick up the car at the airport; most trips start here. |
| Reykjavík | Hveragerði / Selfoss | Strætó bus 51 from Mjódd | ~1 h to Selfoss | The public bus reaches Selfoss; beyond that, buses are limited. |
| Reykjavík | Vík í Mýrdal | Ring Road (Route 1) by car | ~2 h 30 | Scheduled coach services also run the coast; book ahead in summer. |
| East Iceland (Seyðisfjörður ferry) | South Iceland | Ring Road south from Egilsstaðir | several hours | Stop around Höfn before pushing on; distances are long. |
Regional passes
Rental car
buyThe region is built for driving; public buses cannot reach most sights.
Golden Circle coach tour
checkWorth it only if you are not driving; a car for two or more people is usually cheaper and more flexible.
Ferry to Vestmannaeyjar
buyFoot passengers and cars both sail; check the sailing before you drive to the pier.
Eat and move on
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic char | Kirkjubæjarklaustur | Fresh-water fish from the area; a known Icelandic delicacy. |
| Dairy and lamb from local farms | Selfoss and the western farms | The west of the region is Iceland's dairy heartland; ask for local produce. |
| Farm-grown wheat | Þorvaldseyri farm | The only place in Iceland growing wheat; sold direct from the farm. |
| Brewery beer | Ölvisholt Brugghús, about 10 km outside SelfossÖlvisholt Brugghús, about 6.2 mi outside Selfoss | Small rural brewery; check opening before driving out. |
Go next
Reykjavík
Route 1 west, ~2 h 30 from Vík
Return the car at KEF or in town.
Capital Region Iceland
Route 1 west
Airport and city services.
North Iceland
plannedRing Road east then north, or highland routes in summer
Highland crossings need a well-equipped 4x4 and current road checks.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source