Let’s discover the South Coast of Iceland in Winter: its waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier tongues, lagoons, ice caves and icebergs.
Most attractions are very easy to access and offer unforgettable experiences.
Below is my guide to help you plan your trip with tips and photos.
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
Why visit the South Coast of Iceland in Winter?
The Iceland’s South Coast is well worth a visit. It is home to some of the most famous things to do in Iceland in Winter.
Along Road 1, you will discover a multitude of natural attractions that are easy to access, even in Winter:
- 60m high waterfalls over ancient cliffs,
- Giant lava fields,
- Black sand beaches with rock formations or icebergs,
- Glacier tongues that you can approach and explore either hiking, or entering ice caves,
- Glacier lagoon where icebergs are floating right next to you…
It is a fantastic region to explore on a self-drive road trip (see my guide to help you plan).
During the Winter months, the magnificent landscapes of the South region are black and white with just a touch of blue with the ice.
The details of the mountains are highlighted with the snow sticking only to some areas.
Below is a short video to show you what you could experience on a South Coast trip, if you add it to your Iceland Winter itinerary:
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning Tips – Iceland South Coast – Winter
About South Coast of Iceland
- It is quite a long region – it stretches from Seljalandsfoss to Höfn
- But it is not wide
- Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss = 2h drive if conditions are ok
- Seljalandsfoss to Höfn = 4h30
- Vik is the town in the middle – Reykjavik to Vik = 2h45
Self-drive & itinerary
- You cannot explore it in just one day from Reykjavik.
- If you are touring the Ring Road, I recommend to plan at least 2 days, 3 if you can (especially if traveling during the short days of December)
- If you have to drive back to Reykjavik I recommend 3 to 4 days.
- The drive is relatively easy along Road 1 – Most attractions are very closed to the main road – photos of the roads in the next section
- Of course road closures can always happen due to snow and wind – check out the status on road.is
- All my favorite stops along the South Coast are included in my Winter road trip guide to help you plan your dream itinerary:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
Organized tours from Reykjavik
- If you don’t want to drive, you can book tours from Reykjavik
- The day trips will normally do the first half of the South Coast up to Vik. They include the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss as well as the Reynisfjara black sand beach
- However if you also want to see the famous Jokulsarlon lagoon, you will have to take a multi day tour
- If you are choosing to book a tour, I recommend you sit on the left side of the bus on the way out of Reykjavik, you will have much more to see
- See the one day tour options (some include glacier hiking for the more adventurous)
- See the multi-day tour options – I recommend booking one that includes an ice cave tour
Visit Tips
- For all open attractions, the access roads and carpark are overall maintained.
- However restaurants and facilities are closed in Winter at some of the attractions
- They are open at Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara and Jokulsarlon
- A few carparks have a fee
- As it is a very touristic spot, they clear the marked walking paths – but it can always get icy, so carry spikes (see options) that you can add on your shoes at any time
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!
Where to stay along the South Coast
There are 2 main accommodation hubs along the South Coast:
- The town of Vik with its black sand beach. It is a really practical area to stop for the night – see the best rated accommodations in Vik
- The town of Höfn at the East end before continuing to the East fjords or turning around to drive back to Reykjavik – see the the best rated accommodations in Höfn
But you can also find accommodations a little bit outside of the towns or a lot outside:
- Those are best options to see the northern lights without taking the car
- There are no accommodations directly at Jokulsarlon. You can find a few hotels or guesthouses in the area, this will allow you to get there for sunset, sunrise or the northern lights faster – see options
- I stayed just outside of Vik in Hotel Katla – we did not have the auroras that night, but the view from my room was splendid! – see more photos and availability
Get more ideas in my article about where to stay in South Iceland.
Winter driving in South Iceland
Before starting a drive in Iceland in Winter, always check the conditions on road.is. Roads may be closed due to snow and wind.
That being said the roads along the South Coast are normally cleared. It is mostly Route 1 and short roads to access the attractions.
The are 2 main potential difficulties you can encounter:
- The wind – This can be a very windy area – wind can cause temporary closure
- The single lane bridges – the South has a lot of them – some offer good visibility but others are a bit more difficult. Make sure to slow down a lot as you approach the bridges.
Check out my article with my tips about driving in Iceland in Winter.
The good thing is that there is some traffic on the South Coast, so the roads clear more easily with the heat of the cars.
However conditions can change drastically after a turn around a mountain.
The road can be all clear on one side and then be covered in snow.
Or you can enter a new valley and all of a sudden there is wind and snow is being blown on to the road.
Take your time and keep good distances between cars!
The photos below were all taken over a 2 day period…
Along Road 1, several carparks have been created to discover some of the landscapes or history of the region. For example below is a stop to see the remains of a bridge.
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!
Best places to stop along the Icelandic South Coast in Winter
Below are the most famous stops to enjoy along the South coast of Iceland in Winter. I have listed them in order from West to East (from Reykjavik to Höfn).
You can find the GPS coordinates and a practical map (including other stops) in my eBook to help you plan your trip.
1 – Seljalandsfoss in Winter
- Why stop –
Seljalandsfoss is a 60m high waterfall. It is famous for its walk behind the falls but this section is not accessible in Winter for safety reasons.
However it is still a nice stop and you can walk along the ancient cliff to see another waterfall hidden in a canyon, Gljufrabui - How long –
20min stop to watch the waterfall – 1h to explore the whole area - Good to know –
Food truck and toilets at the carpark - You can learn more in my article about Seljalandsfoss in Winter
2 – Skogafoss in Winter
- Why stop –
The Skogafoss waterfall is a 60m high shower curtain. It has a rectangular shape and you can get really close to the bottom. Quite impressive!
There is also a staircase on the side to see it from above (which, in my opinion, is not as good as from the bottom). - How long –
20min to admire at ground level – 1h if you include the walk to the top platform - Good to know –
Restaurants and hotel at the small village of Skogar
Flat and easy approach to the waterfall - You can learn more in my article about Skogafoss in Winter
3. Reynisfjara black beach in Winter
- Why stop –
This is the most famous black sand beach in Iceland.
The beach is quite long with powerful waves. At the carpark end, there are sea stacks, a cave and basalt columns on the side of the cliff. - How long –
It can be a short 15min stop or longer if you walk along the beach - Good to know –
Restaurant and toilets
Be very careful as the waves are unpredictable and can go up very fast.
4 – Fjallsarlon in Winter
- Why stop –
Most people rush to Jokulsarlon because of its floating icebergs. But in both Summer and Winter, my favorite is the lagoon of Fjallsarlon.
In Winter it freezes and you won’t be able to see icebergs, but you are so much closer to the glacier, you can really see the details! - How long –
You need to walk a little to enjoy it – 5 min walk up to the viewpoint and 10 min walk down to the side of the lagoon
Bring spikes as it gets slippery - Good to know –
Restaurant normally closed in Winter
5 – Jokulsarlon Lagoon in Winter
- Why stop –
This is the most famous attraction of the South Coast. Here icebergs detach from the glacier tongue, float on the lagoon and towards the sea.
The scenery is mesmerizing with all the sizes, shapes and colors. - How long –
It can be a short stop of 15min or longer if you want to walk along the lagoon or just admire the icebergs - Good to know –
Food trucks and toilets at the carpark
This is where the ice cave tours depart (see next section)
The boat tours do not operate during the Winter months - You can learn more in my article about Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach in Winter
6 – Diamond Beach in Winter
- Why stop –
At the lagoon, don’t forget to head to the sea side.
The icebergs that are pushed into the sea, float back and land on the black sand beach. I even prefer this attraction to the lagoon.
When the sun is out, the icebergs sparkle like diamonds, hence the name. - How long –
Plan at least 30min but I recommend longer as it is fascinating and you will have fun admiring all of them - Good to know –
No facilities on the beaches’ carpark, only on the lagoon side
There are beaches on both sides of the channel, have a look from the road, to see the most promising one.
The quantity of icebergs will vary. - You can learn more in my article about Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach in Winter
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Top winter Activities on the South Coast
The South coast offers easy access to glacier tongues or several glaciers. Therefore this is where you can enjoy 2 amazing experiences: visiting an ice cave and walking on a glacier!
6 – Visiting natural ice caves
In Winter, several companies are offering tours and will take you to different ice caves, especially from Jokulsarlon.
You can read my complete article to help you choose your Ice cave tour, but here are a few info and tips to think about:
- Plan 3 to 4h – you will first have 40min to 1h in a large 4WD vehicle to reach the entrance
- Access is quite easy, you don’t have to walk a lot and they provide the material necessary for the visit (helmet, flashlight, spike).
- Access will depend on the weather conditions – they will be in touch during the day to let you know in case it does not go ahead (safety first!)
- There is no ‘best cave to visit’. The caves disappear each year. You will not see what you see in pictures. There is no Crystal cave or Blue diamond cave. Every year they will search caves in the same areas and rename them that way
- My favorite tour is the Guidetoiceland one that you can book here – they try to find both a blue and a black cave (and in my opinion the black one is even more fascinating). If conditions permit, you will be able to visit both in a small group.
7 – Glacier Hiking
If you are fit enough, you may want to join a guided tour to walk on a glacier. It will allow you to see the intense blue of the ice and the crevasses. The companies will provide spikes and safety equipments. There are several locations to do it on the South Coast: before and after Vik for example at Solheimjökull – see options or at Skaftafell – see options
The main towns: Vik and Höfn
The two main towns along the South coast of Iceland are Vik and Höfn.
The South town of Vik
Vik is a mandatory stop. It is on the other side of the cliff from Reynisfjara Beach.
It has its own black sand beach and another view of the sea stacks.
You will find a supermarket and many accommodations.
Don’t forget to drive up to the church for a great view.
See the best rated accommodations in Vik
Höfn – gateway to the Easter Fjords
At the East end of the South Coast you can find the town of Höfn. It offers quite a different experience as it is organised around the harbor.
You will also find a supermarket.
I recommend to head to the Höfn Memorial for sunrise (Seamen’s monument), the sculpture is nice and you have 360° views.
See the the best rated accommodations in Höfn
Iceland’s South Coast Winter Landscapes in photos
Let’s finish with a few more pictures.
Just driving along the South Coast is a pleasure. There are mountains and cliffs with black and white winter decor.
And it between you will see many walls of ice with the various arms o the glaciers (if visibility is good).
Have a look:
Want to see more of Iceland in Winter:
- Best things to do in Iceland in Winter – read article
- 35 pictures of Iceland in Winter – read article
- Things to do in Reykjavik in Winter – read article
- Iceland Ice Cave Tours and tips – read article
- Tips for visiting Iceland in Winter – read article
- Planning an Iceland Winter Road Trip – read article
- Iceland Winter itinerary suggestions – read article
- Driving in Iceland in Winter – read article
Planning a trip to Iceland in Winter
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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