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Southern Region Iceland combines glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, black-sand beaches, farm country and the Westman Islands along a dramatic coastal route.

Iceland’s Southern Region, or Suðurland, stretches from the volcanic landscapes east of Reykjavík to the glacial country around Höfn. It is one of the country’s most varied travel areas: fertile lowlands give way to black-sand shores, glacier-capped volcanoes, moss-covered lava fields, powerful rivers and the ice-filled lagoons of the south-east. The region is broad rather than compact, and its attractions are best understood as a sequence of landscapes along Route 1 rather than as a single concentrated destination.

My first-day picks

Plan the south coast as a multi-day journey rather than attempting every major sight from Reykjavík in one long day.
Check Icelandic road and weather conditions before setting out, especially when travelling beyond Vík or approaching glacier areas.
Keep well back from the sea at Reynisfjara and other exposed beaches, where powerful sneaker waves can reach far up the shore.
Reserve accommodation and the Westman Islands ferry well ahead for summer travel, when the region is busiest.
Use signed paths and observe closures around glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic ground and nesting bird colonies.
Carry food, water and suitable outdoor clothing between settlements, as services are widely spaced along parts of the south coast.

When is the best time to visit Southern Region?

Best: June–August · 12–14°C

2° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: -1.5°C, High: 1.5°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm J

2° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: -1°C, High: 2°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm F

3° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 0°C, High: 3°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm M

6° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 2°C, High: 6°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm A

9° Temperature Range for MayLow: 5°C, High: 9°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm M

Best 12° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 8°C, High: 12°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm J

Best 14° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 10°C, High: 14°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm J

Best 13° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 9°C, High: 13°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm A

10° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 6°C, High: 10°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm S

7° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 3°C, High: 7°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 40 mm, High: 60 mm O

4° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 0°C, High: 4°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm N

2° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: -1°C, High: 2°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 50 mm, High: 70 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January	2	60
February	2	50
March	3	60
April	6	50
May	9	50
June (best)	12	50
July (best)	14	60
August (best)	13	60
September	10	50
October	7	50
November	4	60
December	2	60

Getting to and around Southern Region

How to get there

Most international visitors reach the Southern Region by travelling east from Reykjavík on Route 1, Iceland’s Ring Road; Reykjavík itself is outside the region but is the principal gateway. Keflavík International Airport is also outside the region on the Reykjanes Peninsula, and onward travel normally requires a road transfer. Domestic flights are not the usual way to tour the south coast. The Westman Islands are reached by the scheduled ferry from Landeyjahöfn when conditions permit, with Þorlákshöfn sometimes used in periods of difficult sea or harbour conditions.

Transportation

A hire car gives the greatest flexibility for waterfalls, beaches, farms and glacier viewpoints, but drivers must allow for changing weather, narrow roads, one-lane bridges and occasional closures. Public buses connect larger settlements and some major routes, although services are less frequent in rural districts and do not provide comprehensive access to every attraction. Guided day trips and multi-day excursions cover popular sections of the south coast. Mountain roads into the interior are often seasonal, may require a suitable vehicle and should never be entered when closed.

Top city travel guides in Southern Region

The cities of Southern Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Southern Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Southern Region

The Southern Region’s attractions follow a remarkable chain of geological and cultural contrasts. Þingvellir National Park combines a rift-valley landscape with the historic site of Iceland’s Alþingi, while the Golden Circle continues to the geothermal basin of Geysir and the broad cataract of Gullfoss. Along the coast, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are major waterfalls, and the Skógar area adds museums and a view into the region’s farming and transport history. The beaches near Vík, including Reynisfjara, are visually striking but require strict attention to surf warnings. Further east, the Eldhraun lava field, Skaftafell and the glacier landscapes of Vatnajökull National Park offer hiking, ice formations and guided glacier activities. Jökulsárlón and nearby Breiðamerkursandur provide close views of floating glacial ice, while the Westman Islands offer volcanic scenery, seabird cliffs and museums centred on the 1973 eruption. Smaller museums, swimming pools, farms, cafés and marked walking routes help connect these headline sights with everyday southern Iceland.

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Best landmarks in Southern Region

Þingvellir’s Almannagjá gorge is one of the Southern Region’s most important landmarks, both as an exposed geological rift and as the historic setting of Iceland’s national assembly. Gullfoss is another defining sight: the Hvítá river drops through two main limestone steps before entering a narrow canyon. On the south coast, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss mark the former coastline with contrasting forms, one broad and powerful, the other famed for the path behind its falling water when conditions allow. The black cliffs and sea stacks at Reynisfjara express the region’s volcanic character, although dangerous surf makes them places for caution rather than carefree bathing. Eldfell on Heimaey records the 1973 eruption, while the snow-covered profiles of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull dominate wide views inland. In the east, Vatnajökull, Skaftafell’s mountain valleys and the ice-filled waters of Jökulsárlón form a changing landscape shaped by glaciers, rivers and the sea.

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Explore Southern Region on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Southern Region

Dining in the Southern Region reflects Iceland’s combination of farming, fishing and a growing visitor economy. Lamb, dairy products, rye bread, potatoes, root vegetables and seafood feature prominently, while greenhouse cultivation supported by geothermal energy provides tomatoes and other produce in several farming districts. Coastal settlements and south-coast restaurants commonly serve fish, and rural cafés offer soups, cakes, pastries and simple meals suited to travellers on the Ring Road. Vík, Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, Hella and Höfn have the broadest concentration of places to eat, while farms and guesthouses provide more dispersed options. Höfn is particularly associated with langoustine, although menus throughout the country vary with season and supply. Local food shops and farmers’ markets can be useful for assembling provisions, especially before travelling into sparsely settled stretches. Booking ahead is sensible for popular restaurants in summer, as alternatives may be many kilometres away.

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Best bars in Southern Region

Evening life in the Southern Region is generally quieter and more locally focused than Reykjavík’s nightlife. Pubs, hotel bars, cafés and restaurants in Selfoss, Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Vík, Höfn and Heimaey provide places for a drink or conversation, while some venues host occasional live music or cultural events. Traditional Icelandic beer and contemporary craft beers are widely available, and a few restaurants have developed thoughtful drinks lists alongside regional food. The Westman Islands can feel more social during summer and local festival periods, but events and opening arrangements vary. In rural districts, darkness, long driving distances and early starts for outdoor activities mean that nightlife tends to centre on dining and relaxed gatherings rather than nightclubs. Visitors should never drink and drive, and should plan transport before consuming alcohol because public transport is limited outside the larger settlements.

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Best nightclubs in Southern Region

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Best shops in Southern Region

Shopping in the Southern Region is concentrated in market towns and service centres rather than large retail districts. Selfoss has the most extensive range of everyday shops, while Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Vík, Höfn and Heimaey provide groceries, outdoor equipment, souvenirs and smaller independent businesses. Farm shops and local food outlets are useful places to look for Icelandic lamb products, dairy goods, preserves, confectionery, rye bread and greenhouse vegetables, subject to seasonal availability. Craft shops and galleries may offer woollen goods, ceramics, jewellery, artwork and practical outdoor items, with selections varying between towns. Museums and heritage sites often sell books and locally themed products that explain the region’s volcanic, maritime or farming history more meaningfully than generic souvenirs. Travellers driving the south coast should buy essential supplies in larger settlements, since retail choices become limited between them and many rural establishments are small or seasonal.

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Southern Region essentials

Currency and Payment

The currency is the Icelandic króna, coded ISK, as throughout Iceland. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, petrol stations, shops and visitor facilities, and travellers generally do not need large amounts of cash. A small reserve of Icelandic currency can still be useful in remote areas or if a payment terminal is temporarily unavailable. Costs can be high by international standards, particularly for accommodation, transport, dining and guided activities, so budget for long distances and limited alternatives in rural areas.

Safety

The main risks are environmental rather than urban crime: rapidly changing weather, slippery paths, strong surf, glacial rivers, falling ice and volcanic terrain. At Reynisfjara and similar beaches, stay well back from the water and never turn your back on the waves. Follow barriers and official warnings at waterfalls, cliffs and geothermal sites. Check road and weather conditions before driving, keep fuel topped up between settlements and avoid stopping carelessly on busy roads. Glacier activities should be undertaken with qualified guides unless visitors have appropriate specialist training.

Emergency Situations

Call 112 for police, fire, ambulance, search and rescue, including incidents involving the coast or mountains. The number applies nationally in Iceland, including the Southern Region. Provide your location as precisely as possible, using a named road, marked trail, farm, attraction or GPS position, and follow instructions from emergency services. Iceland’s SafeTravel information and official road and weather services are valuable for checking hazards before departure. Do not attempt to approach a stranded vehicle, glacier incident or coastal emergency if doing so would put you at risk.

Do's and Don'ts

Do obey signs, barriers and temporary closures, keep to marked paths and leave moss, lava formations and nesting areas undisturbed. Do remove outdoor footwear when requested in private accommodation and observe normal Icelandic queueing and public-transport etiquette. Do not drive off marked roads, camp freely on private land or treat geothermal water as safe without checking local guidance. At churches, museums and farms, behave respectfully and ask before photographing people or private property. Tipping is not generally obligatory, though good service may be acknowledged.

Local Tips

Use Selfoss, Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Vík or Höfn as practical bases for different sections rather than relying on one overnight stop. The weather can change sharply between the lowlands and glacier districts, so pack waterproof layers even in summer. Early or late visits to well-known waterfalls and viewpoints can reduce congestion, but daylight and road conditions vary greatly by season. On Heimaey, allow time for the town, Eldfell and the island’s cliffs rather than treating the ferry crossing as a brief detour.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Howdy	[haʊdi]
Goodbye	See ya	[si jə]
Yes	Yep	[jɛp]
No	Nope	[noʊp]
Please/You're welcome	Sure thing	[ʃʊr θɪŋ]
Thank you	Thanks a lot	[θæŋks ə lɑt]
Excuse me/Sorry	Excuse me	[ɪkˈskjus mi]
How are you?	How ya doin'?	[haʊ jə ˈduɪn]
Fine. And you?	Good. And you?	[ɡʊd. ənd ju]
Do you speak English?	Do ya speak English?	[du jə spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understand	I don't get it	[aɪ doʊnt ɡɛt ɪt]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Can I see the menu?	[kæn aɪ si ðə ˈmɛnju]
I don't eat meat	I'm a vegetarian	[aɪm ə ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛriən]
Cheers!	Cheers!	[tʃɪrz]
I would like to pay, please	Can I get the check, please?	[kæn aɪ ɡɛt ðə tʃɛk, pliz]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Help!	[hɛlp]
Go away!	Leave me alone!	[liv mi əˈloʊn]
Call the Police!	Call the cops!	[kɔl ðə kɑps]
Call a doctor!	Get a doctor!	[ɡɛt ə ˈdɑktər]
I'm lost	I'm lost	[aɪm lɔst]
I'm ill	I'm not feeling well	[aɪm nɑt ˈfilɪŋ wɛl]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	I want to buy...	[aɪ wɑnt tu baɪ]
I'm just looking	Just browsing	[dʒʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ]
How much is it?	What’s the price?	[wʌts ðə praɪs]
That's too expensive	That's too pricey	[ðæts tu ˈpraɪsi]
Can you lower the price?	Can you give me a better deal?	[kæn jə ɡɪv mi ə ˈbɛtər dil]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	What time is it?	[wʌt taɪm ɪz ɪt]
It's one o'clock	It's one o'clock	[ɪts wʌn əˈklɑk]
Half past (10)	Half past ten	[hæf pæst tɛn]
Morning	Morning	[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
Afternoon	Afternoon	[ˌæftərˈnun]
Evening	Evening	[ˈivnɪŋ]
Yesterday	Yesterday	[ˈjɛstərdeɪ]
Today	Today	[təˈdeɪ]
Tomorrow	Tomorrow	[təˈmɑroʊ]
1	One	[wʌn]
2	Two	[tu]
3	Three	[θri]
4	Four	[fɔr]
5	Five	[faɪv]
6	Six	[sɪks]
7	Seven	[ˈsɛvən]
8	Eight	[eɪt]
9	Nine	[naɪn]
10	Ten	[tɛn]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Where's the...?	[wɛrz ðə]
What's the address?	What's the address?	[wʌts ði əˈdrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?	Can you point it out?	[kæn jə pɔɪnt ɪt aʊt]
When's the next (bus)?	When's the next bus?	[wɛn z ðə nɛkst bʌs]
A ticket (to ....)	A ticket to...	[ə ˈtɪkɪt tu]

History of Southern Region

Settlement and the Alþingi at Þingvellir

Norse settlement of Iceland began in the late ninth century, and the fertile south-west became one of the country’s important early centres. Around 930, the Alþingi, Iceland’s national assembly, was established at Þingvellir, where representatives met to debate laws and settle disputes. The site’s position beside the dramatic Almannagjá gorge also reflects the geological separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Although the assembly’s later history was connected with changing political power across Iceland, Þingvellir remains a central symbol of the country’s medieval commonwealth and national identity.

Medieval farms, churches and literary culture

During the medieval period, farming communities occupied the south’s river plains, coastal districts and sheltered valleys. The region appears in Icelandic sagas, whose narratives preserve memories of family disputes, political alliances and settlement-era life, though they were written down centuries after many events. Christianity was adopted around the year 1000, and churches became important local institutions. Turf buildings, historic farm sites and later church traditions reveal how difficult agriculture was organised in a landscape exposed to volcanic eruptions, flooding, harsh winters and shifting sand.

Agriculture, fishing and changing coastal communities

For centuries, Southern Region communities combined livestock farming with fishing and the use of coastal resources. Estuaries and sheltered shore settlements such as Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri developed connections with maritime trade, while inland farms depended on haymaking and sheep husbandry. Rivers and sandur plains could be both productive and destructive, and transport was difficult before modern roads. The region’s contemporary food culture, museums and surviving historic buildings reflect this mixed economy, in which seasonal work, self-sufficiency and links between farms and fishing settlements were closely connected.

Volcanic disasters and the Skaftáreldar eruption

Volcanism has repeatedly transformed the south. In 1783–84, the Skaftáreldar eruption in the Lakagígar fissure system produced extensive lava flows and poisonous emissions. The resulting famine and livestock losses affected Iceland far beyond the immediate area and contributed to severe population hardship. The Eldhraun lava field, now partly covered by pale green moss, remains a vast physical reminder of the event. Nearby communities also experienced destructive glacial floods, ashfall and the long-term effects of environmental change after major eruptions.

The 1918 Katla eruption and coastal vulnerability

Katla, beneath the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, has been one of Iceland’s most active and closely watched volcanoes. Its 1918 eruption generated a major jökulhlaup, or glacial outburst flood, which transported ice and sediment towards the coast and altered the surrounding landscape. Earlier eruptions had repeatedly threatened farms and routes near Vík and Mýrdal. Katla’s history explains why volcanic monitoring, evacuation planning and respect for official warnings remain important parts of life and travel in southern Iceland.

The 1973 Heimaey eruption

On 23 January 1973, an eruption began unexpectedly on Heimaey in the Westman Islands. Much of the island’s population was evacuated by fishing boats, while residents and emergency workers battled lava flows that threatened the harbour. Seawater was pumped onto the advancing lava in an attempt to slow it, helping protect the harbour entrance. The eruption lasted several months and created the Eldfell crater, now a defining feature of Heimaey. The event reshaped the town, its economy and international understanding of volcanic emergency response.

Modern roads, tourism and environmental stewardship

The expansion of paved roads, bridges and ferry services transformed access to the south during the twentieth century, linking dispersed communities more reliably with Reykjavík and the rest of Iceland. Tourism grew rapidly as visitors came to see waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes and the national park. This growth has brought new accommodation and guiding work, but also pressure on fragile moss, beaches, trails and roadside sites. Modern Southern Region history is therefore also a story of balancing farming, fishing, conservation, public safety and an internationally visible tourism economy.