Top Things to do in South Region
What to do and see in South Region, Iceland: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in South Region, Iceland including Gullfoss, Bruarfoss Waterfall, Laugavegur, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara Beach, Seljalandsfoss, Black Sand Beach, Reykjadalur Hot Springs, Landmannalaugar.
Restaurants in South Region
1. Gullfoss
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Considered by many to be the country's most beautiful waterfall.
Reviewed By David C
Amazing views of the Waterfalls with various viewing platforms. Some with a lot of stairs but others you can walk to quite easily. Very windy so wrap up warm and keep hold of your camera as can quite easily be blown out of your hand. We visited at the end of March where snow was around the edges but the waterfall was in full flow. Free toilets in the main block don't use the ones where you have to pay. If you like the views you can easily pass a hour here if you don't mind the wind.
2. Bruarfoss Waterfall
Overall Ratings
5 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By JHChicago2014 - Chicago, Illinois
Bruarfoss Waterfall is hard to find, but worth the hunt. Not located on many maps or in travel books, use google maps or a god device to try and track down how best to reach. There is a small trail, and a few fences to climb over. You do have to park on public streets, so be kind and don’t block anyone’s driveway or cause a traffic issue.
3. Laugavegur
Overall Ratings
5 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By BlueHero - New York City, New York
Laugavegur is definitely the MOST beautiful trekking trail I have ever been to. It is more beautiful than Inca trail and much easier to hike too. Within the 4-day-3-night journey, we hiked from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk while staying in huts at Hrafntinnusker, Hvanngil and Emstrur. Most people stayed at Álftavatn instead of Hvanngil where the facility is older. Many young people camped instead of staying in huts. Camping at night, especially at Hrafntinnusker could be brutal due to the weather. The wind at Hrafntinnusker was particularly strong because of its location.
The trail itself was very clearly marked and not so strenuous. The scenarary along the trail was stunningly beautiful everywhere. From hot spring to glacier, from black desert to icelandic colorful meadows and Forests, you just need to see it to believe it.
The kitchens in the huts were well equipped. The bathrooms were smelly even though they are all seperated from the living places.
Most people on trails were young pals. I think parents should bring along more kids as they can handle it. My two boys (10 and 12 years old, respectively) were essentially the only kids we saw during the entire trekking trip and I am so proud of them.
4. Fjadrargljufur Canyon
Overall Ratings
5 based on 535 reviews
Reviewed By TravelcrazyAntwerp - Schoten, Belgium
My husband and I went to this canyon in May 2017 on a misty day.
We managed to find the correct turnoff from road 1with our GPS, but otherwise you could use the coordinates of the guesthouse called "Hunkubakkar" which is situated halfway route 206 to the parking lot near the canyon.
Route 206 is a grit road full of potholes, but you can drive a normal car up there.
Parking is free, and there are some bathroom facilities near the parking lot.
You can walk for a very short distance along the bank of the river, or take a hike along the rim of the of the canyon.
The 2 km walk is uphill but it isn't very strenuous.
There are several viewing platforms along the way, and the views are very nice, even in the mist.
It's certainly worth a stop on the way to Skaftafell National park.
5. Skogafoss
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By treeCheshire - cheshire
Perhaps I was spoilt by visiting Gulfoss and Seljalandsfoss before this waterfall and for that reason not as taken back as I feel I should have been. That being said this is still a good place to visit and great for photos. There are steps to the top of the waterfall I think 450 steps in fact. Waterproofs and good shoes highly recommended along with common sense as it can be very icey underfoot.
Free to visit and if I remember correctly a donation box but I could be mixing this up with Seljalandsfoss.
6. Reynisfjara Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By mlteh800 - Klang, Malaysia
The location is at the black sand beach. Is very windy as is beside the ocean.. the sand is black volcano sand.. with the special stone formations. Be careful of the waves though as is might goes very high most of times.
7. Seljalandsfoss
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By sherylselivanoff - adams, NE
Very beautiful waterfall. You can walk behind it on a trail. Great spot for a photo with waterfall in background for a perspective shot. Highly recommend. It can be crowded, but it's worth it.
8. Black Sand Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jfbrogan - Chicago, Illinois
The Golden Circle gets all the publicity, but Vik and the Black Sand Beaches is just as magnificent. The day we visited was windy and rainy, but that just added to the experience. There is plenty of parking near the beach. Riptide warning signs are scattered along the beach warming visitors of the dangerous tides. Area is just beautiful. The drive from Reykjavík to Vik is amazing. The Atlantic on one side and beautiful Mountains with Waterfalls and glaciers on the other. If you are driving from Reykjavík take your time. Enjoy the sites. So much to see besides the Golden Circle.
9. Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 359 reviews
Reviewed By Mike L - DuBois, Pennsylvania
While our friends spent our last morning in Iceland sleeping in, we decided to get up early and hike to Reykjadalur at sunrise. The hike is around 2 miles (almost entirely uphill), but it’s so worth it when you finally get there. I highly recommend hitting the trail at daybreak. My wife and I were the only people in the hot Springs the entire hour we were there. Clothing was optional, which is always nice! It does get busier though, as we saw many hikers along the trail on the way back!
10. Landmannalaugar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Leenamt - Helsinki
Quite an incredibly absurd place! We arrived there quite late after a long drive from the airport in a bad rainy weather. The weather wasn't good earlier on either, but the temperature dropped from 12 to 6 degrees on the way, and the wind got fiercer and fiercer. The camp site looked more like a Himalaya base camp with the surrounding hills covered in snow. We really had to gather all our courage to cross the river to the camp site, I really thought I'd get a hard attack as we plunged really deep into the water. So it was cold, rainy and windy, and in that weather the people running in their swimsuits the 200 m from the camp site to the warm river looked quite extraordinary. We were quite happy to have a camper car and sleep in the back of our Subaru, as the wind shook our car quite badly - what would it have been in a tent? That said, Landmannalaugar was something very special and we totally fell in love. The next day was fortunately much better, and even the sun showed itself from time to time (in between showers). We did the Brennisteinsalda hike ( 6,5 km 2-3 h). That was an absolutely beautiful hike! We first crossed a lavafield filled with big lava rocks, walked by a river swamp towards colourful Mountains at the back, climbed up to Brenninsteinsalda (extraordinary views towards the Mountains in the back and turquoise rivers and little lakes), and returned by sulphur pools. Strongly recommend!
