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A region of towering volcanoes, huge glaciers, cascading waterfalls and rugged lava fields, south Iceland is an arresting natural playground. Home to Vatnajökull National Park (Europe’s largest), a string of active volcanoes, and vast tracts of untouched wilderness, it’s a place where the sheer scale of the landscape is hard to comprehend. You can marvel at the icebergs in Jökulsárlón, take a flightseeing trip from Skaftafell, hike around Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, or explore the black-sand beaches and basalt columns of Reynisfjara.
The range and concentration of attractions make it a popular destination, but our specialists have explored the main sights as well as the lesser-known ones and will use their knowledge and personal experience to help you avoid the crowds. They’ll guide you on how to see the busiest sights in new and unusual ways and introduce you to some of the region’s lesser-known treasures.
Whether you want to get away from it all and see the puffins on the Westman Islands, hike in the untouched wilderness of Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar, explore the Laki lava fields or get right up onto a glacier by snowmobile, our specialists will carefully plan your trip to south Iceland as an individual tailor-made itinerary to match your preferences.
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Places to visit in South Iceland
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting South Iceland, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itinerary featuring South Iceland
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in South Iceland, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around South Iceland
- Jökulsárlón South Iceland
- South Coast South Iceland
- Vatnajökull National Park South Iceland
- Westman Islands South Iceland
- Golden Circle 35 miles away
- Langjökull 51 miles away
- Reykjavík 84 miles away
- West Iceland 88 miles away
- Southwest Iceland 101 miles away
- Blue Lagoon 101 miles away
- Akureyri 114 miles away
- Lake Mývatn 122 miles away
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula 130 miles away
- North Iceland 138 miles away
- Flatey 141 miles away
- Troll Peninsula 142 miles away
- Dettifoss 144 miles away
- Eastfjords 163 miles away
Photos of South Iceland
Accommodation choices for South Iceland
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit South Iceland. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón -
Hótel Höfn
Vatnajökull National Park -
Skálakot Manor Hotel
South Coast -
Hótel Vík
South Coast -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Hotel Rangá
South Coast
Ideas for experiencing South Iceland
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting South Iceland, and which use the best local guides.
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Small group ice cave tour Small group ice cave tour
Small group ice cave tour
Sitting below Kötlujökull, the Katla ice cave is 800 years old and sculpted into enthralling contours by dripping glacial water. Explore the cave with a local guide to see its peculiar ice formations and learn about how it was formed.
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Half day mountain bike and caving tour Half day mountain bike and caving tour
Half day mountain bike and caving tour
Explore one of the largest lava fields in the world on a guided 4x4 tour, descend into lava caves and then bike back through verdant, moss-covered lava formations on this four-hour tour that sheds light on one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history.
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Private Superjeep tour to Landmannalaugar Private Superjeep tour to Landmannalaugar
Private Superjeep tour to Landmannalaugar
On a private, guided tour of South Iceland you can travel by Superjeep, exploring areas regular vehicles can’t. Activities are tailored to your interests, whether you want to hike across lava fields or visit a Viking farm.
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Visit the LAVA Centre interactive exhibition Visit the LAVA Centre interactive exhibition
Visit the LAVA Centre interactive exhibition
Iceland’s unstable landscape is explained in great detail at the LAVA Centre, a contemporary exhibition examining the country’s history of volcanic activity. A visit offers a comprehensive understanding of the Icelandic landscape, making it a good early destination on any trip.
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