Beyond the city
The south coast: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout The south coast: the back story
East of Reykjavík, the south coast is a road of waterfalls and black sand. Seljalandsfoss falls from the old sea cliffs, Skógafoss thunders a little further on, and beyond the village of Vík the basalt columns and black sand of Reynisfjara meet the open Atlantic. On the way, the LAVA Centre at Hvolsvöllur explains Iceland’s volcanoes, and Raufarhólshellir, a lava tunnel 30 minutes from Reykjavík, can be walked with a guide. Before you go, check umferdin.is for the roads, vedur.is for the weather and safetravel.is for alerts.
Waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, both beside the Ring Road (south.is).
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Frerk Meyer from Buchholz in der Nordheide, Niedersachsen · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsReynisfjara
Black sand and basalt columns near Vík; follow the warning signs and keep far from the waves.
At Reynisfjara, keep well back from the water: sneaker waves are deadly.
Volcanoes
The LAVA Centre at Hvolsvöllur and the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel.
Our advice: Vík is a long day there and back in winter; consider a night on the coast.
Why it's on our list
- Waterfalls
- Reynisfjara
- Volcanoes
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The south coast: the back story before you go.