{"id":25608,"date":"2018-06-28T13:17:25","date_gmt":"2018-06-28T20:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=25608"},"modified":"2025-08-20T09:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T16:59:19","slug":"southern-iceland-roadtrip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/southern-iceland-roadtrip\/","title":{"rendered":"ROAD TRIP INSPIRATION: 10 MUST-SEE PLACES IN SOUTHERN ICELAND"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photos of Iceland\u2019s jaw-dropping natural scenery frequently circulate online these days, and it would seem that there isn\u2019t a person alive who is immune to the rugged beauty of this tiny, unspoilt island.\u00a0Floating between Greenland and Scandinavia in the ice-cold North Atlantic, the so-called ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ is an incredible contrast of volcanos and glaciers that will leave even seasoned travellers speechless at every turn. To truly discover the beauty of this unique destination, embark on an Iceland road trip on \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0vegur 1, Iceland\u2019s popular Ring Road, and build your own itinerary of lunar beaches, glacier lagoons, and thundering falls. The only challenge will be fitting everything in!<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>1) DYRH\u00d3LAEY ARCH<\/span><\/h3>\n

Jutting out 120m over the water from V\u00edk \u00ed M\u00fddral\u2019s impossibly beautiful Black Sand Beach, Dyrh\u00f3laey Arch, the\u00a0first stop on your Iceland road trip, represents the southernmost point of mainland Iceland and provides an incredible photo opportunity. You can reach the lookout by taking 218 off the Ring Road<\/span>\u00a0(near V\u00edk) and following the road right up the hill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>2) S\u00d3LHEIMASANDUR PLANE CRASH<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the 1970s, a US Military DC-3 plane crash-landed (thankfully with no casualties) on the black sand of S\u00f3lheimasandur Beach due to poor conditions, and the wreckage of this flight is now one of the most photographed sites in all of Iceland. Just past S\u00f3lheimaj\u00f6kull as you head east on the Ring Road towards V\u00edk, notice a make-shift carpark on the side of the highway. The walk to the plane is 4km from this point, but it\u2019s incredibly flat and well-worth your time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>3) SV\u00cdNAFELLSJ\u00d6KULL<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sprouting off of Vatnaj\u00f6kull, Europe\u2019s largest ice-cap, the\u00a0third\u00a0stop on your Iceland road trip is this impressively blue glacier, an incredible sight (even in less-than-ideal weather). There are several trails of varying length that offer views of the ice (enquire at the nearby visitor centre), or you can join a glacier hike<\/a>\u00a0to explore beyond the perimeter of this natural wonder.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>4) VATNAJ\u00d6KULL NATIONAL PARK<\/span><\/h3>\n

Covering nearly 14% of the country, Vatnaj\u00f6kull is Europe\u2019s second largest national park, and includes some of Iceland\u2019s most popular sights, such as the J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n glacier lagoon, Svartifoss waterfall, and, of course, the Vatnaj\u00f6kull glacier and its brilliantly blue ice caves. Wander through this frozen world on a tour with\u00a0<\/span>Local Guide of Vatnaj\u00f6kull<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>5) SELJALANDSFOSS<\/span><\/h3>\n

Plunging over 60m from the cliffs in front of a large cave, it\u2019s easy to see why this is one of the country\u2019s most beloved waterfalls (and there is no shortage of contenders). Find Seljalandsfoss just off the Ring Road near Hvolsv\u00f6llur, and explore the network of paths leading behind and around the falls for some incredible photos.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>6) FJALLS\u00c1RL\u00d3N<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unduly over-shadowed by nearby J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n, this peaceful glacier lagoon in Iceland\u2019s south-east is one of the most magical places you\u2019ll ever lay eyes on. At first light, the sky glows an unnatural cotton candy pink as the enormous chunks of ice provide a perfect contrast of bubble gum blue beneath the snow-capped glacier.<\/span>
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<\/span>7) EYJAFJALLAJ\u00d6KULL<\/span><\/h3>\n

This glacier-capped volcano actually erupted as recently as 2010, evacuating nearly 1,000 Icelandic residents and spewing enough volcanic ash into the air to ground all flights in western Europe for a week. Its tumultuous history aside, Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull, with its many lava fields and ice-caps, is beautiful to explore, particularly on horse back. Join a\u00a0guided ride<\/a><\/span> up the glacier at nearby Sk\u00e1lakot farm for the full experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>8) CRATER KERI\u00d0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This small but stunning crater lake is part of Iceland\u2019s touristic Golden Circle route, but somehow seems to receive much less traffic than sites like Gullfoss and Geysir. All the better to enjoy the red volcanic caldera and the brilliant blue water all to yourself. Entry is a modest 400ISK (~\u20ac3) payable upon arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>9) REYNISFJARA BEACH<\/span><\/h3>\n

Near V\u00edk \u00ed M\u00fddral, this beautiful black sand beach was formed as lava flowed into the icy ocean and was instantly hardened; the shiny black pebbles we see today are a result of constant erosion from lapping waves. It\u2019s not just the \u201csand\u201d of this beach that makes it note-worthy, however. Jutting out from the sea, the Reynisdrangar basalt \u201csea stacks\u201d have eroded completely away from the Reynisfjall mountain they once belonged to, and the Gardar hexagonal basalt columns dominate the beach-front with an almost unnatural symmetry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span>10) FJA\u00d0R\u00c1RGLJ\u00daFUR<\/span><\/h3>\n

Suspected to have formed at the end of the last Ice Age nearly 9,000 years ago, this fascinatingly serpentine canyon presents a somewhat other-worldly landscape above the ice-blue River Fja\u00f0r\u00e1. Near Kirkjub\u00e6jarklaustur, follow Road 206 for just a minute before reaching a small carpark, where you can hop out and clamber all over the cliff\u2019s edge.<\/span>
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If these beautiful spots have encouraged you to visit southern Iceland, we\u2019ve still only scratched the surface of what\u2019s to come. From the popular Golden Circle to the dramatic Sn\u00e6fellsnes Peninsula, prepare to be positively blown away by this bucket-list destination on your Iceland road trip!<\/span><\/p>\n

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ICELAND ROAD TRIP TIPS<\/span><\/h3>\n