Top 5 South Iceland Tours: Seeing the Sights & What to Do

Top 5 South Iceland Tours: Seeing the Sights & What to Do

South Iceland Landscape

South Iceland! It’s, like, more or less this stretch of land bursting with natural artistry that’s just begging to be explored. Think about gigantic glaciers that glisten in sunlight, dramatic waterfalls tumbling down cliff sides, plus those black sand beaches which seem to stretch forever. We’re going to jump into five great ways you can see these sights; you might want to take some mental notes! And, hey, whether you’re, say, someone looking for a chill sightseeing adventure or wanting a proper thrilling tour, there is likely something in South Iceland calling your name. Now let’s start.

1. Glacier Hiking on Sólheimajökull: Get Up Close & Personal

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Have you thought about walking on a glacier? Seriously! Sólheimajökull is, in fact, part of the bigger Mýrdalsjökull glacier, plus it’s super reachable from Reykjavík, so that’s nice. So, what is the best part of a glacier hike? Getting right up close to, almost, frozen history is special; the layers of ancient ice are beautiful to look at. Of course, you’ll have a qualified guide who’ll get you all sorted with the correct gear—think crampons that, like, give you grip on the ice, as well as maybe an ice axe just to make you feel adventurous. They’ll show you some stuff on how glaciers are shaped too, plus the, you know, story of how they are changing.

Things you may expect on the hike:

  • Learn a little something regarding glacier creation.
  • Explore some, almost, otherwordly ice formations.
  • Test how deep the glacier crevices are (safety first!).

Keep in mind you can find different hiking options from quick ‘look-see’ tours for those just slightly curious, up to those, honestly, lengthy ones that seriously test the legs and stamina, to tell the truth. Basically, so many adventures abound.

2. Waterfalls Galore: Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss

Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Waterfalls

South Iceland has some great waterfalls, like, maybe you have even seen a picture or two! Seljalandsfoss might be, perhaps, that graceful waterfall you see pictures of where it’s kinda possible to walk behind it, super photo-friendly, right? And then Skógafoss, which is a big fella, tends to be super powerful, that’s very, well, very cool. Now, a little insider’s tip, sometimes, it might be fairly dependent on the sunlight plus amount of spray in the atmosphere but keep your eyes peeled because you, like your, might just be able to glimpse rainbows there. Plus, if your feeling particularly energetic, there’s often steps right next to Skógafoss, if, as I was saying, you like climbing a bit; at the summit the panorama stretches for miles and miles.

To truly appreciate the sights to see, give yourself a bit of spare time. Why not grab some, basically, grub from a neighborhood eatery to munch near Skógafoss? Otherwise, just sit still and admire Mother Nature as a subject. Also, and by the way, be cautious; that area at Seljalandsfoss can, quite, nearly get soggy.

3. Black Sand Beach Magic: Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

You heard of Reynisfjara? Yeah, well, if dramatic, and that sort of moodiness appeals, here you are! That black sand does make quite the contrast with the forceful Atlantic waves, that much is certain. It’s one such spot where Mother Nature has been playing some serious, still, very serious and creative games. A really special thing about Reynisfjara is, actually, the basalt columns – they, you know, look a little like they’re from a fairy-tale storybook; they give off that very symmetrical, very structured vibe, you see! And those sea stacks called Reynisdrangar emerging from the water out near the coastline? They come from old Icelandic folklore plus legend, they do.

A very crucial thing, still, needs stating! Since the ocean’s tides near Reynisfjara tend to act unpredictably, exercise good judgement; it’s, arguably, best to admire water’s awesome might from something of a comfortable range! Keep eyes on it though; those surges could unexpectedly, alright, reach really far on sand without giving you warnings. So basically; be observant; value the gorgeous views.

4. Boat Tours: Glacier Lagoon Cruising in Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Lagoon could, typically, just take breaths away, maybe especially once one goes along there by water vessel. Here is how stuff proceeds. Once you, like your, glide across, expect icebergs—and not just, say, ‘any old’ ones neither. Those bergs split off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier plus drift to open sea slowly. Some people actually describe, in a way, the lighting quality on these ice structures as nearly ethereal, almost magical. And while you take everything at your leisure, stay ready; chances are nearly certain to happen to encounter some local seal wildlife either idly sunning itself over the glaciers! Boat ride options range right down to more personal Zodiac rides giving very exclusive glacial sight viewing opportunities, actually to very bigger cruises made comfortable which offer very useful environmental insights to those aboard ships, naturally; take the camera; sealife abounds in Jökulsárlón.

If one does find the budget allowing one this activity after having done several trips thus far, going throughout lagoons via vessel might well produce quite contrasting vantage perspective offering unforgettable recollections altogether, usually.

5. The Golden Circle Route: A Classic Detour

Golden Circle Iceland

Yeah, now while, like, it’s technically close to Reykjavik so technically it isn’t specifically located near or around ‘South Iceland’, it isn’t an experience any visitor might actually want lacking out upon—seriously—so that needs addressing as quickly as now actually; we absolutely must address it actually! Þingvellir is a park brimming from both Icelandic story as well landscapes of pure beauty: this spot rests, frankly, directly through that midpoint around some North American along certain Eurasian tectonic plates – genuinely. Next consider geysers spouting off some high columns filled from searing heated water into heavens, sometimes at moments literally timed almost picture perfectly. Otherwise that Gullfoss area (which literally means those “Golden Waterfall”), delivers quite magnificent stage where very wide cascading system from water thunders downward amid its prehistoric water bed structure with unmatched grandeur; don’t pass this vista!.

Should those who like daylong excursions aimed only seeing sights elect, it becomes easily doable to schedule tours throughout those very three noteworthy areas through fairly available packaged touring opportunities! To, as a matter of fact, be truly getting something distinctive along journeys nevertheless might involve getting those privately managed vehicular services to guarantee freedom moving as convenient from those spot or those places just you’re wanting much to capture throughout lens actually! Plus make time.