South Iceland
South Iceland (Suðurland) is the largest region in Iceland, stretching from Hellisheiði east to Lónsheiði. It is the country's main farming region, home to many of its most popular sights and to some of its most active volcanoes. The Westman Islands, clearly visible from the south coast, also belong to the region.
Árborg, Hveragerði and Ölfus
Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland and lies on the Ölfusá, the river with the greatest flow in the country. A new town centre with reconstructed historic buildings opened in 2021. Hveragerði is known as the flower town, with greenhouses heated by geothermal energy, and it is the starting point of the hike to Reykjadalur. Þorlákshöfn has a ferry port and a popular surfing beach. Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri are old trading and fishing villages with charming houses; the House at Eyrarbakki dates from 1765.
The inland districts and the Golden Circle
The inland districts of Árnessýsla contain some of Iceland's most famous places: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, which together make up the Golden Circle. Here you will also find Skálholt, the bishop's seat of the Southern Quarter from 1056 to 1785, Kerið, a reddish crater with a turquoise lake at the bottom, and Flúðir, home of the Secret Lagoon. In Þjórsárdalur is the Commonwealth Farm, a reconstruction of the farm at Stöng, which was abandoned after an eruption of Hekla.
The south coast
| Place | What to see |
|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss | You can walk behind the waterfall |
| Skógafoss and Skógar Museum | A 60 m waterfall and one of Iceland's largest folk museums |
| Sólheimajökull | An outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, popular for glacier walks |
| Dyrhólaey | A rock arch, lighthouse and puffin colony |
| Reynisfjara and Reynisdrangar | A black sand beach with basalt columns and dangerous waves |
| Vík í Mýrdal | The southernmost village in Iceland |
| Fjaðrárgljúfur | A canyon about 100 m deep |
| Skaftafell | Svartifoss and hiking trails in Vatnajökull National Park |
| Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach | Icebergs in a lagoon and on a black beach |
Njála country and Rangárþing
Rangárvellir and Fljótshlíð are the setting of Njáls saga. From there come some of the most famous words in the sagas, when Gunnar of Hlíðarendi turned back instead of going into exile and said: "Fair is the slope, fairer than it has ever seemed to me." Hvolsvöllur is home to the Saga Centre and the Lava Centre volcano exhibition. Þórsmörk, between three glaciers, is one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Iceland.
The Westman Islands
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are an archipelago about 10 km south of the mainland, and about 4,500 people live on Heimaey. The Herjólfur ferry sails from Landeyjahöfn. The 1973 eruption buried part of the town, and the Eldheimar museum tells that story. Heimaey has the largest puffin colony in Iceland, and Þjóðhátíð, held in the Westman Islands since 1874, is the country's biggest outdoor festival over the August bank holiday weekend. Surtsey, Iceland's youngest island, is the southernmost of the islands.
Höfn and Southeast Iceland
Höfn í Hornafirði is the largest town in Southeast Iceland and calls itself the langoustine capital; a lobster festival is held there in summer. Höfn offers magnificent views of Vatnajökull and its outlet glaciers. The writer Þórbergur Þórðarson grew up in Suðursveit, where there is now a centre in his memory. Öræfi, between Skeiðarársandur and Breiðamerkursandur, was long one of the most isolated districts in Iceland, surrounded by glacial rivers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main sights on the south coast?
Among others Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Vík, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón.
How do you get to the Westman Islands?
The Herjólfur ferry sails from Landeyjahöfn, a crossing of about 35 minutes. There are also flights from Reykjavík.