Southern Iceland Itineraries for 2 to 4 Nights

A car and a few nights are enough to cover most of Iceland’s Southern Region along the Ring Road, Route 1. The three versions below grow from a short loop to a trip that reaches the eastern glacier lagoon. All costs are in Icelandic króna (ISK).

Two nights: Golden Circle and the first waterfalls

Spend the first day on Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. Stay near the hot springs at Flúðir or Laugarvatn, and use the evening to soak at the Secret Lagoon (4,500 ISK adult) or Laugarvatn Fontana (7,490 ISK adult). The second day takes in Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi and Skógafoss before the drive back.

Three nights: add Vík and the coast

Extend the second day to Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara, then sleep in Vík. This leaves the third morning for a Katla ice cave tour (from 29,900 ISK with Katla Track ) or the live lava show before heading west.

Four nights or more: Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón

Continue east on Route 1 to Skaftafell and the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Both sit in Hornafjörður, which Statistics Iceland has counted in the Southern Region since December 2020. See Vatnajökull National Park for Skaftafell. Parking at each is about 1,000 ISK. At the lagoon, the amphibian boat is 7,100 ISK for adults, running May to November.

Side trips that need an extra night

  • Þórsmörk: reachable by highland bus in summer because of the river crossing on road F249.
  • Westman Islands: the Herjólfur ferry runs from Landeyjahöfn in about 35 minutes in summer, or from Þorlákshöfn in about 3 hours. Disruptions affected service in 2026, so book early and allow slack in your plan.

Driving and money tips

  • Þingvellir charges 1,000 ISK per day for a car with 5 or fewer seats, and one payment covers every lot. Pay at the machines or at checkit.is .
  • Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are about 1,000 ISK each, Sólheimajökull is about 750 ISK, and Reynisfjara is about 1,000 ISK in the lower lot or 750 ISK in the upper lot.
  • Fees you do not pay are billed through the rental company, with a service charge added.
  • Wind is the main hazard on Route 1. Gusts can wrench car doors open, and sandstorms can strip paint, so ask the hire firm about sand and ash cover.
  • Highland F-roads are 4x4 only.

Safety

Reynisfjara has sneaker waves that run far up the sand. Keep well back, never turn your back on the sea, and avoid the columns and the Hálsanefshellir cave in rough surf. Guided glacier hikes only. Check safetravel.is and road.is each morning, and call 112 in an emergency.

Read more: Day trips in the Southern Region describes each leg as an outing of its own, and romantic getaways suggests stays.

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