south iceland & golden circle
ARTIC
GREENLAND
LOCAL WEATHER
SUNSET & SUNRISE
LOCAL TIME
02:23 PM
Black sand beaches, geysers, waterfalls, glaciers & volcanoes... few places on earth feature so many natural treasures .
South Iceland has a diverse and magnificent natural environment filled with marvellous scenery that is easy to access and experience all year round. South Iceland’s coast is known for its spectacular waterfalls, glaciers, beaches, glacier lagoons, mountains, volcanoes, and nature reserves. You also get to visit the Golden Circle!
Not only are there natural attractions in the area, there are also various charming villages. If you are looking for an adventure not far from Reykjavik, the South Coast offers a fantastic option filled with geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and even a UNESCO site!
WHY WE LOVE
ILULISSAT
Land of Volcanoes
Now we are in the volcanic zone where fire and ash reign. South Iceland is the area that is most accessible from Reykjavík and is home to some of Iceland´s most incredible sites including stunning volcanic formations and some of Iceland´s biggest natural attractions. Hekla, Iceland´s biggest volcano, the famous Eyjafjallajökull which erupted in 2010, and Vatnajökull, the world´s biggest fault, can be found in South Iceland. This area is also where the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history took place as well as where the last volcanic island emerged.Lively South Coast
The south is also Iceland's most densely populated region, so if you are looking for a good time this is probably the best place to find it. The south of Iceland has several towns and villages; each has its own style, charm, and points of interest. Many towns offer a variety of shops, services, restaurants and quick bite food places. Because most towns are close to the main route, getting to them is both easy and enjoyable.Golden Circle & UNESCO Sites
South Iceland is one of the most celebrated areas among the famous ‘Golden Circle’ route. It is undeniably a must go-to for sightseers. One of the area’s main attractions is, Þingvellir (Thingvellir), a natural park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is where settlers established an assembly in AD 930 which has evolved and become the world’s oldest parliament today. Thingvellir is also one of nature´s great masterpieces, with a scenic lake and rifts which mark where the continental plates of America and Europe meet. Glaciers blue ice Sólheimajökull is another one of South Iceland’s magnificent treasures. Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier known for its size and uniqueness. The colours and shapes found within the glacier leave all its visitors in awe. The icy blues so stunning they appear artificial, especially when compared to the ashy grey elements found within the glacier. You can explore this glacier on foot, hiking with crampons, and ice-climbing. The Sólheimajökull outlet glacier drains Mýrdalsjökull Ice Cap, which covers one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, the Katla. This is an area that perfectly combines fire and ice.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Vatnajokull glacier in Southeast Iceland is Europe’s largest glacier.
- Gullfoss, also known as the ‘Golden Waterfall’ is South Iceland’s most visited waterfall.
- Bobby Fischer, the great chess prodigy and arguably the greatest chess player of all time, was the first American-born player to win the World Chess Championship. Fischer sought asylum in Iceland after defying American orders and playing a rematch against the USSR´s Boris Spassky. Fischer lived his last few years in Selfoss, South Iceland where he died. Various movies have been made in his honour, including the 2014 blockbuster Pawn Sacrifice.
- The English word "geyser" comes from the name of the great geyser, Geysir in Haukadalur, South Iceland.
OUR SOUTH ICELAND WILDTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
WHY BOOK WITH
