Go on the South Coast of Iceland tour and see its natural wonders! Think black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, waterfalls, ice caps, mountains, volcanoes, wildlife, and more. It’s a heavy day tour from Reykjavik, so I do recommend doing the south coast in two days at least!
1) Vík í Mýrdal
Our first stop is at the southernmost village of Iceland: Vík í Mýrdal!
2) Reynisfjara & Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach
Visit South Iceland’s (including Vik’s) beaches to see black sand beaches! The sand and pebbles you find here originate from volcanoes, which gives them a black color. Walk on the beach and make sure to check out Garðar Cliff with its basalt columns resembling organ pipes. Look out to sea and spot the Reynisdrangar rock pillars. According to Iceland folklore, legend has it that these are petrified trolls!
Fun Fact: Lovina Beach, Bali (Indonesia) also has a black sand beach. Although it had a more tropical vibe than the beach in Iceland 😉
Fun Fact: Reynisfjara Beach can be seen in Game of Thrones to represent the coastal land around Eastwatch by the Sea, the Night’s Watch castle that the army of the dead is seen marching toward.
Warning: No Swimming allowed! Don’t go to close to the water as it has high under waves. People tend to drown here if they’re not careful and a big wave swoops them off their feet.
3) The river canyon of Fjadrargljufur
The weather conditions didn’t allow us to visit the stunning river canyon of Fjadrargljufur. The canyon is 100 meters deep, with steep walls covered in moss and grass (summer).
4) Wildlife
Try to spot some wildlife while discovering the south coast of Iceland! When we were driving to the lagoon, we saw an Arctic Fox crossing over! Even our driver was surprised as it was not the usual area where the Arctic fox should be! Lucky us!
5) Europe’s largest glacier lagoon: Jökulsárlón Lagoon
Europe’s largest glacier lagoon? You can visit it during your south coast of Iceland tour! Get blown away by the beauty of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (Vatnajökull National Park) and just admire this beauty! Watch the floating icebergs, seals resting on ice banks, and Guillemots swimming in the lagoon. I could just sit here for hours!
Movie Fact: Tomb Raider, Batman Begins, James Bond: Die Another Day, Game of Thrones, and many more have filmed some movie scenes here!
6) Diamond Beach
Right near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is Diamond Beach – Breiðamerkursandur in Icelandic. This black sand beach gets its name after the icebergs that wash up on the shore from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. They float from Jökulsárlón lagoon to the coast, running ashore on the beach like giant diamonds, varying in size and color.
Warning: No Swimming allowed! Don’t go too close to the water as it has high underwaves. People tend to drown here if they’re not careful and a big wave swoops them off their feet.
7) Hofskirkja
Hofskirkja church is a turf church in South-East Iceland. Only 6 turf churches remain in Iceland with Hofskirkja the last one in traditional turf style.
Fun Fact: The walls are made of rock while the roof is made of stone slabs, covered with turf.
8) Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
On the South Coast of Iceland, you need to visit the 60-meter-high Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, a must-see attraction for trips down the south coast of Iceland!
Fun Fact: You can walk behind the waterfall!
Sad Fact: We couldn’t walk behind the waterfall due to the pathway being frozen with ice as it is winter!
Want to do this trip as well?
Frequently Asked Questions Iceland General (FAQ)
✈️ Traveling in December to Iceland?
As you schedule tours and sightseeing, remember that December is when the daylight hours are the shortest. The winter solstice also means you get the longest hours of nighttime throughout the year, which is perfect for northern lights hunting.
December is one of the coldest months of the year in Iceland. Iceland is also very windy during this month. However, the weather in Reykjavik in December is usually more temperate because of the shelter from the wind provided by the city’s buildings.
💲Is Iceland a budget-friendly destination?
Iceland itself is not the most budget-friendly destination. There is no way around it: Iceland is an expensive country. Even if there are ways to save a few Icelandic Króna, you should set your budget expectations accordingly. Food and drinks are above European prices.
Budget tip: We brought some pre-packed food in our luggage, such as pasta, sauces in a plastic bag, cornflakes, etc.
❄️ Weather in December in Iceland
In the winter, the temperature generally hovers around freezing, ranging between -1°C and 4°C.
Snowfall is common in December. While the rest of the country might be covered in snow, Reykjavik won’t be. The capital’s climate is warmer than the rest of the country, and it tends only to be covered in snow sporadically between January and April. Many streets in Reykjavik are heated underneath, melting the snow and preventing it from becoming icy and slippery.
🧳 What to pack for Iceland (Winter edition)
Make sure you have warm headwear and gloves, thermal undergarments, windproof and waterproof outer layers, and warm clothes in between. You’ll also need hiking boots if you’re planning to do some exploring or hiking. Use my ultimate winter packing list to make it easy.
Frequently Asked Questions Iceland Road Trip (FAQ)
🛎️ Where to Stay in Reykjavik in December
Reykjavik is the top choice to enjoy the festivities in Iceland in December. The weather can affect the roads to North and East Iceland and the Westfjords, making the capital and South Iceland the two best options. We stayed in a cozy apartment in the center of Reykjavik!
🕒 How many days do you need for a road trip in Iceland?
The ideal length of your trip to Iceland depends on what you want to see and do. My brother did a road trip of 3 weeks, and we discovered the south with the capital city in one week.
🚙 Can you take a road trip in Iceland (December)?
Driving in Iceland during winter is only recommended for experienced and confident drivers, as the roads are often icy. Therefore, if you plan on renting a car in Reykjavik, it’s highly recommended that you choose a rental car with four-wheel drive. If you want to drive out of the capital and into the country, it’s essential.
If you’ve never driven in snowy or icy conditions before or aren’t comfortable doing so, it may be worth skipping a rental car and instead taking tours around the country, letting more experienced drivers take the wheel. Hopping onto a tour is undoubtedly the easiest, safest, and most stress-free option. That’s what we did!
🛟 Is it safe to take a road trip through Iceland?
Yes, Iceland is safe for travelers. Always stay vigilant for pickpockets, scams, or snowstorms.
Heb deze reis onlangs gedaan en het was echt prachtig!! Zeker een aanrader !
Jammer dat de Blue lagoon bij ons gesloten was, maar de sky lagoon was zeker een goed alternatief 🙂
Gelukkig dat er Sky lagoon is inderdaad! Reden om terug te keren voor blue lagoon! 😀
Jökulsárlón Lagoon is breathtaking! For sure take enough pictures at diamond beach as it’s amazing to stand next to these icebergs!