# [Iceland] South Coast Part 1: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

https://ijuhsu.com/en/posts/iceland-2025-southern · 2025-12-19
Category: travel · Tags: Iceland

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You can view the full day-by-day route and accommodation on [Wanderlog here](https://wanderlog.com/view/gkvpnfwpki/iceland-aurora-trip/shared) 🙂

Other Iceland posts:

*   [Iceland | South Coast Part 1: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach](/en/iceland-2025-southern/)
*   [Iceland | Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Spring Area & Gullfoss](/en/iceland-2025-goldencircle/)
*   [Iceland | Reykjavík City: Parking, Hallgrímskirkja, Rainbow Street, Best Hot Dogs & Harpa](/en/iceland-2025-reykjavik/)
*   [Iceland | Pre-Trip Planning Guide: Itinerary, Transport, Weather, Aurora Hunting & Accommodation](/en/iceland-2025-pretrip/)

## South Coast Overview

If you don't have time for the full Ring Road, the south coast is essentially non-negotiable. It's a long stretch, so we split it across multiple days — much less exhausting. The Ring Road here is an easy drive: two-way single-lane, but low traffic and almost no issues.

### [Urriðafoss](https://maps.app.goo.gl/nVCm97JPtkWzpgjG8) & Lava Center

We spotted Urriðafoss from the road en route from the previous night's accommodation and stopped for a look. There's a parking fee, and honestly — given how many waterfalls you'll see in Iceland — this one is skippable if you're short on time.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-195)

We also passed the well-known Lava Center. We ducked in briefly but didn't do the paid exhibit — though it's a genuinely good mid-drive break: free parking, free restrooms. If you're interested in Iceland's volcanic geology, it's probably worth the ticket price.

## Seljalandsfoss

*   Parking: ISK 1,000
*   Toilets: Free

Iceland has waterfalls everywhere. By the end of the trip, if someone asked "want to check out that waterfall?" the answer was a universal "nah." But of all of them, Seljalandsfoss is one I'd call truly essential.

**Reminder: Bring a waterproof jacket or rain gear.** You *will* get wet. One member of our group refused to wear their waterproof jacket and ended up soaked, running back to the car to change.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-196)

Seljalandsfoss is sometimes called the "Curtain Falls" because you can walk *behind* the waterfall — not the only place in Iceland where this is possible, but the most famous. The path is well-trafficked but moves quickly. With proper waterproof gear, this is genuinely unforgettable.

The area actually has three waterfalls total — give yourself extra time to visit all of them. The meadow between them is beautiful on its own.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-198)

The last one, **Gljúfrabúi**, takes you almost entirely inside the waterfall 😄 If you want to experience it properly, waterproof shoes are a good idea here too.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-197)

### Skógafoss

*   Parking: ISK 1,086 (via Parka)
*   Toilets: Free

Skógafoss is often called the "Rainbow Falls" because on sunny days you can almost always see a rainbow in the mist. We were among the lucky ones 😉 Rainbows are surprisingly common all over Iceland, but something about a massive waterfall with a rainbow right in front of you hits differently.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-199)

On a good day you can also climb the stairs to the observation platform above the falls and look down. The stairs are a bit steep and do wobble — assess your energy level honestly.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-200)

If you're hungry around noon, try your luck at [Mia's Country Van](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sXtCezNNrUY4fchy8) nearby — open 12:00–16:00. It's a single food truck run by one person, so the wait can be a while. There's parking and a few outdoor seats, though it was too cold for us to eat there — we took it back to the car instead.

I somehow didn't get a photo, but it was really good fish and chips. No fishy smell, great chips, generous portion, multiple sauces — I ended up preferring the Garlic & Lemon 😄

### Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

*   Parking: ISK 1,086 (via Parka)
*   Toilets: Free

We arrived at the famous black sand beach early and the waves were absolutely massive. There's a warning sign at the entrance — most people still went near the basalt columns for photos. The scenery here is genuinely striking: the black sand, the towering basalt hexagons, the sea stacks. Iceland has a long history of people being swept away by sneaker waves here, so please respect the warnings and don't go near the waterline when the sea is active.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-201)

## Accommodation: Lakeview Cabin near Kirkjubæjarklaustur

*   Name: [Lakeview cabin near Kirkjubæjarklaustur](https://www.booking.com/Share-CAvVNf)
*   Space: "Three-bedroom" — two double beds and one bunk bed
*   Facilities:
    *   One bathroom
    *   Kitchen: stovetop, microwave, fridge, etc.
    *   One living room

We stayed here two nights. The cabin is about an hour from the glacier, so we booked two nights as buffer against weather changes — which turned out to be exactly the right call. We went to the glacier a day early, and the next day was a full-on storm.

The cabin is smaller than the photos suggest — one room had no space for any luggage at all, so bags ended up in the living room. But this is the most memorable accommodation from the whole trip: we saw the northern lights for the first time right here, and stepping outside gives you a perfect lake view. If you're not looking for luxury, the vibe is perfect — it genuinely feels like a lakeside retreat. The Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is also very close.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-203)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dycjoye5f/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/ijuhsu/image-202)

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## Wrap-Up

The south coast has so much to offer — I'd genuinely recommend building in more time here and taking it slow 🙂

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### Thanks for reading :D

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