Our most recommended things to do in Southern Region, Iceland

From Reykjavík: Waterfalls, Black Beach & Glacier Day Trip

1. From Reykjavík: Waterfalls, Black Beach & Glacier Day Trip

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Iceland’s unique natural landscape on a guided tour from Reykjavík, discovering the island’s south coast. Admire picturesque waterfalls, the Black Beach of Reynisfjara, and the glacier volcano of Eyjafjallajökull, with an optional hike on the Solheimajokul glacier. Start with pickup from your hotel in Reykjavík. Meander your way along the coast onboard the minibus, admiring the scenic views. Visit the 2 great waterfalls of the south coast, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss, taking some time to gaze up at the powerful cascades. Make your way to the smaller, but no less impressive, waterfalls of Glufrabui. Stop by the serene Irafoss waterfall, which is often missed by many travelers. Continue the adventure as you drive beneath the gaze of the great Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier cap. If you’ve selected the option with the glacier hike (available on selected dates between April and October) you will embark on a guided trek across the Solheimajokull glacier. Hear the crunch of ice crystals beneath your feet and enjoy a rare opportunity to experience a glacier up close. Continue to Reynisfjara, also known as the Black Beach, and see the waves crash upon the pitch-black sands and hexagonal basalt columns. After taking some time on the beach, hop back onboard the bus and relax on the journey back to the capital, with drop-off at your hotel.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

2. Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

See the best of southwest Iceland on an 8-hour Golden Circle tour by bus from Reykjavik. Visit the spectacular Geysir area, and go to the cascades of Gullfoss Waterfall. Discover where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in Þingvellir National Park. Travel to the geothermal area of Geysir. Marvel as the active hot spring of Strokkur spouts steaming water 30 meters into the air every 8 minutes. Continue to one of Iceland’s most iconic features at the Gullfoss Waterfall (“Golden Falls“). Feel the spray of the waters of the glacial River Hvítá as it plummets down into a 32-meter deep crevice. Next, enter Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year. Þingvellir was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value in 2004, and is the site of a stunning rift valley and the Rock of Law, the first Viking parliament. Marvel at the volcanic crater at Lake Kerið, and pass through the Icelandic farms of the south on your drive around the Golden Circle, before returning to your original starting point in Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip

3. From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip

Spend the day exploring the dramatic landscapes of the south of Iceland along with its coastline on a full-day sightseeing tour from Reykjavik. Along the way, discover a variety of rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers. Following a pickup from listed hotels or guesthouses by bus in central Reykjavík, travel to the gorgeous waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. At the waterfall at Seljalandsfoss, walk behind the cascades and feel the spray on your face. Continue to Skógafoss to marvel at the 60-meter drop. Pass the black sand beaches of the southern coast and enjoy the power of the sea. Visit the glacier snout of Sólheimajökull to see an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull. Admire the ever-changing feat of nature up-close. Then, look at the basalt sea stacks at Reynisfjara, Iceland’s southernmost village just south of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, before returning to Reykjavik.

From Vik: Katla Ice Cave Jeep Tour and Glacier Walk

4. From Vik: Katla Ice Cave Jeep Tour and Glacier Walk

Explore a natural ice cave on this guided trip from Vik. Board a jeep in Vík and go off the beaten track into the Icelandic wilderness. Geared up in safety equipment, journey through a landscape of majestic mountains and glaciers toward the Katla Ice Cave. From Vík, jump into a jeep and step into the mighty glaciers and ice caves of South Iceland. Strap on your crampons and helmets to explore this natural phenomenon. Walk across the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, situated below the Katla volcano. Wander through the cave and marvel at spectacular color combinations of blue, gray and black, as your guide tells you about the Kötlujökull glacier and the Katla ice cave’s formation.

Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

5. Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike

Explore breathtaking ice formations and glacier mills on this guided tour in Skaftafell. Marvel at a naturally-formed, blue ice cave and learn how glaciers are formed. A professional hiking guide will take you to the base of Falljökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull ice cap, and lead you up to the cave. On a clear day, be sure to look out for Hvannadalshnúkur in the distance.

Silfra: Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos

6. Silfra: Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos

Snorkel at a site that National Geographic called one of the top dive sites in the world with this tour of the Silfra Fissure in Þingvellir National Park. Stay warm as you explore this magical underwater glacial world with a high-quality dry suit. Swim through pure, filtered glacial meltwater. Keep your eyes peeled for local plant species and marine life like the dwarf char. Explore the valley where the tectonic plates of North America and Europe drift further apart every year, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour

7. Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour

Experience Iceland’s 2 most visited natural attractions, the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, in one day on a comfortable and convenient minibus tour. Depart Reykjavik and head for the Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates converge. Amble through the stunning, lake-filled area, hopping back and forth between continental boundaries, and view the site where the Icelandic parliament was held from 930-1798. Next, head to the Geysir Hot Spring with geothermal pools reaching temperatures of 200 degrees. Witness the Strokkur geyser erupting a plume of boiling water and steam 100 feet in the air. Grab a bite to eat, before heading to the breathtaking waterfall at Gullfoss. Next, visit the Kerid volcanic crater with its deep blue waters, surrounded by vibrant red rock. Finish your tour at the iconic Blue Lagoon. Luxuriate in the warm, geothermal waters, making use of an included silica mud mask, before heading back to Reykjavik.

Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates, Meet on Location

8. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates, Meet on Location

Enjoy a snorkeling tour of the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the wonders of the famous Golden Circle route. Float between two tectonic plates in the clearest water in the world with 300 feet, or 100 meters, of visibility. Once you arrive at Silfra, you will be divided into groups of 6 people, one group per guide. Gear up in a wetsuit to keep you warm and comfortable in the cold water. After a safety briefing, make your way to the entry platform to spend about 45 minutes in the water. Float through what is called the Big Crack, Silfra’s narrowest section where the continental plates are so close you can almost touch them. The fissure then widens into Silfra Hall. If you look from the right angle, you can see all the way to lake Thingvallavatn, over 150 meters away.  Enter the Silfra Cathedral at the depth of 23 meters and feel like you’re flying over the boulders and glacial silt. End the snorkeling adventure at the Silfra Lagoon. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies to warm up. Chat with your guide and ask any questions you might have.

From Gullfoss: Langjökull Glacier Snowmobile Tour

9. From Gullfoss: Langjökull Glacier Snowmobile Tour

Embark on a day trip from Gullfoss, go on a snowmobile through Langjökull Glacier, and feel the adrenaline rush through your body. Admire the beautiful views of one of Iceland’s largest glaciers as you speed through the snowfields. Meet your guide at the Gullfoss waterfall to start your snowmobile tour through the Langjökull Glacier, available for individuals and groups alike. Transfer to the base camp on the east side of the glacier to equip yourself with a snowmobile and see the landscape from a different perspective. Enjoy an adventurous ride; this is an ideal choice for those with transportation but want to top off a Golden Circle adventure with something special. Professional guides will take you into the Icelandic highlands to give you the most amazing views of the majestic glacier and its surroundings. Grab a monster truck at the Gullfoss Café before you transfer to the base camp. Travel through relatively new scenery compared to the rest of the world’s terrain. Look at a sparsely settled countryside with only a few signs of commercial activity. Arrive at the base camp, and receive the appropriate equipment, such as helmets, overalls, overshoes, gloves, and a hat. Get detailed instructions from the friendly, fun-loving guides, and learn how to operate the snowmobile before you ride off into the winter wonderland. Enjoy a snowmobile trip for approximately an hour with stops, and the guides carefully review the route selection daily to maximize the experience. Stop and take pictures, catch your breath, and enjoy the silence and the scenery.

Iceland Secret Lagoon Admission Ticket

10. Iceland Secret Lagoon Admission Ticket

Originally built in 1891, the ‘Gamla Laugin’  is Iceland’s first swimming pool. Spend time in this relaxing setting feeling your worries slip away. A natural hot spring feeds the lagoon with 38-39°C water  that bubbles up from deep within the earth at a rate of 10 litres per second, constantly replenishing itself so that there is a steady supply of fresh clean water in the pool at any given time, letting you rest as long as you need.  Enjoy brand new facilities at the Secret Lagoon including changing rooms, showers, resting rooms, bar and restaurant area.  Situated in a remote location in Fluðir, the Secret Lagoon is just an hour away from Geysir, 1 hour and 20 minutes from Reykjavik and 2 hours from Vik making it a great desination on your trip to Iceland. 

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What people are saying about Southern Region, Iceland

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 35,405 reviews

AMAZING tour. One of the highlights of my trip. Our guide, Albert, was so fun and knowledgable, and even stopped some extra times to show us even more sights! We even got to see the Northern Lights on our night at the hotel. A fantastic way to see the south coast, and the ice cave tour was awesome. Would recommend bringing some power bars/snacks, as we didn't stop for lunch/dinner until 5pm the second day. But the bus made lots of bathroom stops and you could buy snacks there too. The hotel was great that they had booked us in. All around a well planned and super fun tour! (our tour bus didn't have outlets unfortunately, so I would definitely recommend a portable charger)

Best tour so far! The guide was funny and very engaging. He offered to stop the bus in case of northern lights on the way back. The bus was a bit small but comfortable. Many stops for sightseeing and toilets. For the value we paid, this tour was the absolute best. Highly recommended! We went on 20.02, I cannot remember the name of the guide but he is really an amazing person

Amazing trip, probably the best tour we did during our stay in Iceland. It was lovely to get to see so many natural highlights & the lagoon was beautiful, not too busy either! Our bus were the only ones there. Our tip would be to do the tour towards the end of your stay. We felt we’d done the best bits on our first day by doing it first haha.

The tour was excellent! Our guide and the driver did the job wonderfully. However, the service description could be better and include information that one can have limited access to some activities in the winter. Don't lose the opportunity to eat a Black Crust Pizza. It's just amazing.

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we could tell how much he loved his job. The views and caves were spectacular and the hike was great!