• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • MENORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • English
    • Dutch
    • Italian
    • Danish
    • Portuguese (Portugal)
    • Swedish

Southwest Iceland (guide) – Map + Attractions + Photos

Last updated on November 1, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

A GUIDE TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR TIME IN SOUTH WEST ICELAND!

Within hours drive from Reykjavik, Southwest Iceland has many places to offer: waterfalls, geysers, hot baths, canyons caves… all possible as day tours from Reykjavik. Below is a guide where you will find maps with the places to see, a list of the highlights not to be missed, and some extra pictures just because it is so beautiful!

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Iceland:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Whale Watching

Fun activity: Swimming in Silfra Fissure

My favorite places to stay:

  • Reykjavik: see best rated hotels – e.g. Vintage Boutique Hotel
  • Lake Myvatn: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Laxa
  • Vik area: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Vik i Myrdal
Destination travel guide - Plan your time in the South West of Iceland around Reykjavik
Content
Video – Southwest Iceland
South West Iceland Map and locations
Highlights of Iceland’s Southwest region – The Golden Circle
Other attractions in South West Iceland
On the roads of Southwestern Iceland

Video – Southwest Iceland

Here is a short video (less than 5 minutes) with the beautiful landscapes of South West Iceland including waterfalls, geothermal areas, geysers and canyons. I am sorry I shake a lot when I film; I hope you will still enjoy it and it will give you an idea of what you can expect.

South West Iceland Map and locations

Below is a map to give you a general idea of the region around Reykjavik:

South West Iceland map
South West Iceland map

The complete map is available in my eBook to help you plan your Iceland road trip:

Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover
  • 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 100+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

Highlights of Iceland’s Southwest region – The Golden Circle

One of the highlights of the region is the Golden Circle.

A detailed guide is available on the Golden Circle Iceland article.

The main attractions are:

SouthWest Iceland - Golden Circle - Thingvellir

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir is a UNESCO Heritage site of historical, cultural, and geological importance with mountains, lake, waterfall & fault lines

See article

SouthWest Iceland - Golden Circle - Thingvellir

Geysir – Haukadalur

Haukadalur geothermal area is part of the Golden Circle. It is home to several geysers, mud pools and fumeroles

See article

SouthWest Iceland - Golden Circle - Thingvellir

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is and iconic waterfall on the Hvítá river with several steps and a very impressive drop

See article

Need to rent a car in Iceland?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Other attractions in South West Iceland

Below is the list of the top things to do and places to see in Southwest Iceland. Click to discover full articles with photos and planning information.

Blue lagoon, Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Most famous place in Iceland where you can bathe in sulphuric hot water. Relaxing and supposedely good for your health

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. Near the water you find the Sun Voyager sculpture which shines many colors at sunrise

Urridafoss, Iceland

Urridafoss

Urridafoss (the warterfall of Salmon) is a less touristic 6 meter high waterfall on the river Thjorsa

Hraunfoss, Iceland

Hraunfoss

Hraunfoss is made of a collection of gentle cascades emerging from between the lava rocks covered with moss

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Claire, I pay you a coffee!

On the roads of Southwestern Iceland

Farms

There is quite a lot of farming in South West Iceland. Sometimes it is flat and boring (but not often). Other times I like the contrast with the cliffs.

farming in Iceland

Kleifarvatn

Keifarvatn is a lake located along road 42 that takes you down to the South Coastline. There are some tracks in the vicinity to have fun with your 4WD vehicle. It is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula. The road around the lake was being reworked, good that we had a 4WD 🙂

Kleifarvatn lake Iceland
Road work iceland

Road 42

Road 42 Iceland

Other places of interest include:

  • Seltun geothermal area
  • Stransarkirka
  • Buri cave
  • Raufarhoshellir cave
  • Glymur waterfall
  • Bruarfoss
  • Faxifoss
Where to stay in Iceland?

My favorites:

  • Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
  • Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
  • Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
  • Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
  • Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
  • Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
  • Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
  • Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
See our article on where to stay
Hotel in Iceland

Want to see more of Iceland’s beauty?

PREVIOUS REGION: 

Silver Circle Iceland

NEXT REGION: 

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE ICELAND

Tourism Iceland Travel Guide

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Penny says

    March 29, 2018 at 5:54 AM

    Thank you so much and really appreciated.
    very informative plan

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      March 29, 2018 at 9:31 AM

      Thanks Penny
      I wish you wonderful travels!

Footer

  • English
  • Nederlands
  • Italiano
  • Dansk
  • Português
  • Svenska

Par Claire Robinson
Region Lovers SARL
76600 Le Havre
FRANCE
VAT FR21845103191

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr
LoireLovers.fr
CorsicaLovers.fr
Provencelovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2025 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more