Visit North Iceland is responsible for marketing and promotion of North Iceland which is a friendly and tranquil area with a population of 36 thousand, including Akureyri, the largest town outside Reykjavík, and a number of historic coastal towns. Most visited attractions are Vatnajökull National Park, where you find Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall and lake Mývatn geothermal region with hot springs, volcanic areas, craters, geothermal nature baths and amazing lava formations. We have magical winters with Iceland‘s most popular ski area, energising off-piste skiing and 13 Yule Lads (Santas) on top of unique locations for Northern Lights observation.
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Welcome to the Travel Trade hub for South Iceland.
Visit South Iceland is the destination management organisation for the region, working with local businesses and communities to develop tourism, support year-round travel, and promote South Iceland internationally.
Stretching from Þorlákshöfn in the west to Höfn in the east, the region offers iconic landscapes and experiences within easy reach of Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport — from waterfalls, volcanoes and glaciers to black-sand beaches, towns and vibrant local culture.
On this page you’ll find practical resources to help you plan, package and sell South Iceland: destination information, seasonal highlights, suggested routes, images and marketing materials, and key contacts. We’re here to support tour operators, travel agents and media partners with up-to-date information and reliable local connections.
South Iceland's Signature Routes
The Lighthouse trail
Off the beaten track, with easy reach from Keflavik airport, lies the South Coast Lighthouse Trail. It is a travel route that draws attention to the coastal scenery south of the Golden Circle. Visit three unique seaside villages: Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki, and Stokkseyri, highlighting the history and culture of the area as well as activities and nature. The route is just under 50 kilometers, stretching from Selvogsviti lighthouse to Knarrarósviti lighthouse.
The Golden Circle
Discover waterfalls, geysers and dramatic landscapes, plus history and culture at Þingvellir — an easy loop packed with iconic sights.
Top Destinations
History and nature
Þingvellir National park
As one of the most important places in Icelandic history. In the year 930 the Alþingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world, was founded. As a national park (since 1928) because of the special tectonic and volcanic environment.
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Nature
Geysir Geothermal area
One of the greatest natural attractions of Iceland and part of the famous "Golden Circle Tour", The Great Geysir, or Stori-Geysir, has been dormant since 1916 when it suddenly ceased to spout. It came to life only once in 1935, and as quickly went back to sleep. The attraction of the area is now Strokkur (The Churn), another geyser 100 meters south of the Great Geysir, which erupts at regular intervals every 10 minutes or so and its white column of boiling water can reach as high as 30 meters.
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Nature
Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 metres and the lower one 21 metres. The rock of the river bed was formed during an interglacial period.
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Reynisfjara Black sand beach
On Reynisfjöru beach, very beautiful basalt formations in the south part of the mountain can be seen, and there you will find an exceedingly beautiful cave called Hálsanefshellir.
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Vestrahorn Mountain
One of the first settlement farms in Iceland was Horn, built by Hrollaugur son of Rögnvaldur. The Hornafjörður Municipality and other sites are named it. Horn means the same thing in Icelandic and English. At Stokksnes you can feel the power of the Atlantic Ocean as the waves hit the rocky shore with massive force.
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Vatnajökull National park
The south side of Vatnajökull is characterised by many high, majestic mountain ridges, with outlet glaciers descending between them onto the lowlands. The southernmost part of the glacier envelops the central volcano Öræfajökull and Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur.
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Skógafoss Waterfall
The greatest attraction of Skógar is of course the beautiful 60-metre high Skogáfoss waterfall in the river Skógá. If the sun conditions are favourable - one can see a vivid rainbow in front of the waterfalls.
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Urriðafoss Waterfall
Urriðafoss is a waterfall in Þjórsá River. Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river, 230 km, and Urriðafoss is the most voluminous waterfall in the country. This mighty river drops down (360 m3/sec) by the edge of Þjórsárhraun lava field in beautiful and serene surroundings. Þjórsárhraun lava field is the result of the greatest lava flow on earth since the Ice Age. Located right off highway 1.
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Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a magnificent and massive canyon, about 100 meters deep and about two kilometres long. The canyon has sheer walls, and is somewhat serpentine and narrow. The bedrock in Fjaðrárgljúfur is mostly palagonite from cold periods of the Ice Age and is thought to be about two million years old. The river Fjaðrá has its source in the mountain Geirlandshraun and falls off the heath edge in this stunning canyon until it makes it down into Skaftá river.
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Landmannalaugar Nature reserve
Landmannalaugar derives its name from a hot pool that rises from under the Laugahraun lava field. Landmannalaugar has been a stopping point for people for centuries, and the mountain shepherds on Landmannaafréttur have stayed there while herding sheep off the mountain for as long as there have been reports of such travel.
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Dyrhólaey Nature reserve
Dyrhólaey is a 120-metre high promontory, not far from Vík. The place got its name from the massive arch that the sea has eroded from the headland. (The name literally means "door-hole"). When the sea is calm, big boats can sail through it. There has even been a maniacal daredevil pilot that flew through the arch with a small-craft airplane! From the top of Dyrhólaey there is a great view.
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Seljalandsfoss Watarfall
A unique waterfall in the river Seljalandsá, about 30 km west from Skógar. It is 60 meters high with a footpath behind it at the bottom of the cliff, but with a thin cascade. It is the only known waterfall of its kind, where it is possible to walk behind it. The waterfall is very picturesque and therefore its photo can be found in many books and calendars.
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Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Katla Geopark includes geological features of global significance. Over 150 volcanic eruptions have been recorded in the area since the 9th century. The eruptions created the landscape and influenced where people settled. Through the centuries, man and nature have affected the region’s history. The area is constantly changing due to volcanic activity.
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Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon which still blue waters are a sight not to be missed, as it is dotted with the icebergs from the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull. The lagoon flows through a narrow gateway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the spectacular sight of the large chunks of ice on the black sandy beach.
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Top Stories & Guides
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Visiting Dyrhólaey: What to Know Before You Go
Dyrhólaey is one of the most striking headlands on Iceland's south coast, a 120-metre-high promontory rising out of the black sand just west of Vík. Its name means "the hill with the door-hole," a reference to the massive natural arch carved through the rock by the sea. On calm days the arch is wide enough that a small plane once flew through it, a stunt pulled off by an Icelandic pilot in the 1990s that locals still talk about. -
When Do Lupines Bloom in Iceland, and Where Can I Photograph Them?
The Alaskan lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) turns large parts of South Iceland deep purple every summer. The blooming season is short but spectacular: expect peak colour from mid-June to mid-July, with the southern coast usually flowering a week or two earlier than higher inland areas. -
Where and When Can I See Puffins in South Iceland?
Puffins arrive in South Iceland in late April and stay through mid-August, with peak viewing from mid-May to early August. By the time the chicks fledge in late summer, the colonies grow quiet again until the following spring. -
10 best waterfalls in South Iceland you can easily reach
No multi-day treks. No F-roads. No mountain gear required. These are the most spectacular waterfalls in South Iceland, all accessible with just a short, easy walk from the car park.
Latest Updates
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Volcano Trails is offering something new in the highlands!
Tucked into the lush valley of Húsadalur in Þórsmörk, Volcano Yoga offers a unique way to connect with Iceland’s wild beauty. Surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes, each session invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully immerse yourself in nature. -
Ice Floating tours (NEW in Iceland)
There's a brand new addition to the line-up of activities in South Iceland, and it's the first of its kind in the country. Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, tucked beneath the southern edge of Vatnajökull, has launched an Ice Floating experience: a guided activity where guests float among drifting icebergs in a specially designed immersion suit. -
The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: A Rare Spectacle over Iceland
A total solar eclipse—when the Moon completely blocks the Sun—remains one of nature’s most extraordinary sights. The Sun and Moon appear almost exactly the same size in our sky due to a cosmic coincidence of distance and size, but such perfect alignments are fleeting. From any specific location on Earth, witnessing totality is rare—on average, only roughly once every 375 years -
Black Sand Hotel is Open
Black Sand Hotel is a brand new property that has opened in South Iceland. The hotel is designed as a quiet, design led retreat with sweeping coastal views and immediate access to South Iceland’s shoreline.
Destination Management Plan
A destination management plan (DMP) is a holistic strategy with tourism as its starting point. The plan creates a framework for the construction and development of South Iceland as a destination.
The aim is to promote responsible tourism through sustainability, which strengthens the economy of communities, improves the quality of life of residents, enhances the experience of tourists, and mitigates the potential negative impact of the tourism industry.Read the plan
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