Southern Iceland Sights From Thingvellir to Vik
Sightseeing in Iceland’s Southern Region follows a line from west to east: the Golden Circle first, then the South Coast, then the far-eastern glacier lagoon. Costs are in Icelandic króna (ISK), and “around” marks figures that can change.
West: the Golden Circle
Þingvellir. This UNESCO World Heritage site is where the Alþingi was founded in 930. The main features are the Almannagjá rift, the Lögberg and the fall Öxarárfoss. A car with 5 or fewer seats pays 1,000 ISK a day to park, and a car with 6 to 9 seats pays 1,200 ISK. One payment covers lots P1, P2, P3 and P5 for the day. The park’s own parking page has the tariff for buses.
Geysir. The Strokkur geyser goes off every few minutes. Entry is free. Look at the signs to see whether the car park charges.
Gullfoss. The river Hvítá drops 11 m and then 21 m into a canyon. Entry is free, and parking may be charged.
Centre: the waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss is around 60 m high, and the walk behind it closes when ice forms. Skógafoss has a staircase of around 527 steps to its top. Parking at each is around 1,000 ISK. Gljúfrabúi is hidden in a rock cleft a short wet walk north of Seljalandsfoss.
Coast: Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a promontory with a sea arch. Part of it is closed for nesting birds in spring, usually from early May until about 25 June, so follow the signs.
Reynisfjara is the black sand beach with the Reynisdrangar stacks standing offshore. The official signs use red and yellow zones lit by warning lights. Do not step into the yellow zone while the yellow light is on, and do not go beyond the sign while red is on. Waves can surge far up the sand without warning, so stand well back, never turn your back on the sea, and stay off the basalt columns and out of the Hálsanefshellir cave in rough surf. Storms have eroded the beach, and the cave may be cut off by the sea.
East: Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
The lagoon and its black beach lie in Hornafjörður, which has been in the Southern Region since 2020. The lagoon boats cost 7,100 ISK (amphibian, adults 13 and over) or 16,600 ISK (Zodiac, same age). Parking at the lagoon is around 1,000 ISK.
Live conditions
Look at safetravel.is for alerts and at vedur.is for weather. Road.is shows which roads are open. The emergency number is 112. Sólheimajökull glacier should be walked only with a certified guide.
Read more: Walking tours in the Southern Region covers the paths, and attraction tours lists ticketed stops.
For tours that pass these sights, search Viator .