The South Coast of Iceland: A Complete Day-Trip Guide
How to plan a South Coast day trip — the waterfalls, the black sand beach, and how far to push toward the glacier lagoon.
The South Coast is Iceland’s other essential day trip alongside the Golden Circle, and it packs in waterfalls, black sand beaches, and — if you push further — glacier scenery, all along one coastal route east from Reykjavík.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
Two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls sit less than half an hour apart. Seljalandsfoss is famous for a path behind the falling water (bring a raincoat); Skógafoss is a broader, thunderous drop you can walk right up to and climb beside via a staircase to the top.
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Basalt columns, sea stacks, and striking black volcanic sand near the village of Vík — genuinely beautiful, and genuinely a place to respect posted safety warnings about sneaker waves rather than get close to the waterline.
How far to push in one day
A day trip from Reykjavík comfortably reaches Reynisfjara and Vík and back with an early start. Reaching Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and back in a single day from Reykjavík is a very long day — most visitors save it for an overnight or a longer [multi-day route](/tours/category/multi-day) instead.
Ready to book?See South Coast day toursBook it: related Iceland tours
Turn the plan into a trip — browse the experiences from this guide.
