Thinking about using the Icelandair Stopover program ?

Why use your Stopover in South Iceland?

South Iceland is where many of the country’s most iconic sights sit within easy driving distance of Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík: powerful waterfalls, erupting geysers, black sand beaches and glacier views. Places like Gullfoss, Geysir, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara are all along the Golden Circle or South Coast routes, making them perfect for a short stopover. 
On top of that, the region is packed with accommodation options: everything from stylish design hotels and country lodges to farm stays, hostels, cottages and campsites.

To help you plan, Visit South Iceland has an interactive map where you can filter by accommodation type and area, which is ideal when you’re trying to match your overnight stop to an early flight the next morning. You'll find the map by clicking here.

Below you’ll find simple ideas for using a 1–3 day Icelandair Stopover to explore the Golden Circle or the South Coast, with suggestions for where to stay and how to make the most of your time.

Option 1:
1–2 day Stopover – Drive the Golden Circle

If you have just one or two days to spare, the classic Golden Circle is a perfect introduction to Iceland, and it fits neatly into most stopover schedules.

Typical Golden Circle highlights

• Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)  A UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk between tectonic plates and explore the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament. 

• Geysir geothermal area – Watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes, surrounded by steaming vents and hot pools.

• Gullfoss waterfall – One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, plunging in two tiers into a dramatic canyon.

• Brúarfoss Waterfall– A beautiful spring-fed river winding through the Golden Circle area, with clear blue water, small rapids and peaceful walking paths along its banks.

You can add extra stops such as the Kerið crater, small greenhouses, and geothermal baths along the way depending on daylight and season.

Where to spend the night

To make your departure day easy, consider staying close to the road back to the airport:

• Selfoss, & surroundings – A convenient hub with plenty of hotels, guesthouses, apartments and nearby countryside stays. It’s about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport (under normal conditions), so it works very well the night before your onward flight. 

• Hveragerði area – A greenhouse town known for its geothermal activity, also well-placed between the Golden Circle and the airport.

Use the Visit South Iceland map  filter for whatever suits you best – from cozy B&Bs to family-friendly hotels or cabins.

From either town and it's surrounding areas, it’s an easy morning drive to Keflavík to drop off your rental car and continue your journey.

Option 2:
2–3 day Stopover – South Coast adventure

If you can stretch your stopover to 2–3 days, the South Coast gives you a “greatest hits” tour of Iceland’s landscapes: roaring waterfalls, black sand beaches, sea stacks and glacier views. 

Day 1 – Waterfalls & black sand

Pick up your car and head east along the Ring Road (Route 1):

• Seljalandsfoss – A graceful waterfall you can usually walk behind in summer, with neighbouring falls and short walking paths. 

• Skógafoss – A powerful curtain of water that often rewards visitors with rainbows on sunny days. You can climb the stairs for views from above.

• Reynisfjara black sand beach & Dyrhólaey – Near the village of Vík, this dramatic coastline is famous for its black sand, basalt columns and sea stacks rising from the ocean. Always pay attention to warning signs and keep well back from the shoreline: sneaker waves here can be dangerous. 

• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (for longer days or extra time) – If your stopover allows for a longer driving day, continue east to this stunning glacial lagoon, where icebergs drift slowly out to sea and seals are often spotted in the water. Right across the road you’ll also find the so-called “Diamond Beach”, where chunks of ice wash up on the black sand.
• Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon – A winding, moss-covered canyon near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with marked walking paths and viewpoints that offer impressive views down into the river far below.

Overnight suggestion: Stay in or around Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Both have a good selection of hotels, guesthouses and cottages plus restaurants and services.
On the Visit South Iceland map, zoom in on the area to see the full range of accommodation types.

Day 2 – Back along the coast & to Selfoss

On your second day, make your way back west. Depending on your interests and season, you can:

• Revisit favourite spots in different light or weather.

• Add stops such as smaller waterfalls, lava fields or viewpoints marked on your Google Maps route or on the Visit South Iceland map. 

Overnight suggestion: By afternoon or evening, continue to Selfoss or the surrounding countryside for your second night. This positions you comfortably for your flight while still giving you access to restaurants, swimming pools, riverside walks and nearby nature.

Day 3 – Easy drive to Keflavík

On your final morning, it’s roughly an hour’s drive from Selfoss to Keflavík Airport in normal conditions, so you can:

• Enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

• Take a short walk or quick dip in a local pool.

• Visit the small coastal villages in the area, such as Eyrarbakki or Stokkseyri
  
  
• Do a last minute shopping at Selfoss or Hveragerði
  
  

• Then head to the airport in good time for your onward flight.

Making the most of your short time

A few tips to keep your stopover smooth:

• Plan with daylight in mind. In winter, days are short and the sun sits low (good sunglasses are a must). in summer, it hardly gets dark. Adjust your driving and sightseeing accordingly. 

• Book accommodation in advance, especially in Vík and along the South Coast during peak season as popular spots fill up quickly. 

• Check road conditions and weather daily at https://umferdin.is/en ; both can change fast in Iceland, particularly outside summer.

With a little planning, your Icelandair Stopover doesn’t have to be “just” a break between flights. It can be two or three days of glaciers, waterfalls and black sand shores in South Iceland – and the part of your trip you remember most.