3 Days Gems of South Iceland
Waterfalls, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and highland oases — South Iceland distilled into three remarkable days.
This South Iceland tour covers one of the most geologically dramatic regions on earth, leading travelers through cascading waterfalls, sprawling glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and remote highland basins in just three days.
From a ferry crossing to the Westman Islands — where a 1973 eruption reshaped an entire community — to a walk behind one of the country's most photogenic waterfalls, every day of this itinerary places a different facet of Iceland's natural character in front of you.
The route is graded easy, making it accessible to most travelers regardless of fitness level. Highlights include the Iceland Lava Show in Vík, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara, and a 90-minute hike toward Brenninsteinsalda, Iceland's vividly colored rainbow mountain in Landmannalaugar.
A visit to a microbrewery in Hveragerði rounds out the final day before returning to Reykjavík, offering a grounded, local perspective alongside all the grand natural spectacle.
Tour Highlights
Walk up the volcanic crater on Heimaey and visit the "Pompei of the North" excavation site, a living record of the 1973 eruption.
Stand behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss waterfall on a trail that wraps entirely around the cascade.
Experience the Iceland Lava Show in Vík — the only place in the world where real molten lava flows before a live audience.
Walk the black lava beach at Reynisfjara, bordered by dramatic basalt columns and sea-stack rock formations.
Hike toward Brenninsteinsalda in Landmannalaugar, a rhyolite mountain streaked with vivid sulfurous color, and soak in a natural geothermal stream.
Visit Skógafoss, a 60-meter waterfall and one of Iceland's most impressive, along with the open-air folk museum at Skogar.
Tour Ölverk microbrewery in Hveragerði and taste a curated selection of Icelandic craft beers before returning to Reykjavík.
Itinerary
Departing Reykjavík, the group takes a short ferry crossing to Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. A guided bus and walking tour covers the 1973 eruption story, bird cliffs, the volcanic crater rim, and the ongoing excavation project known as the Pompei of the North. The afternoon is free for independent exploration before returning to the South Iceland mainland for an overnight stay.
The morning begins at Seljalandsfoss, where a trail leads behind the waterfall itself. The route continues past the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull to the village of Vík and the Iceland Lava Show. Afterward, the group walks the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before heading to Skogar for the folk museum, turf houses, and the thundering Skógafoss waterfall. An optional glacier walk at Sólheimajökull is available for those who want an added adventure.
A drive along unpaved highland roads leads to Landmannalaugar, where a 90-minute round-trip hike ascends toward Brenninsteinsalda and its sulfur springs. After a packed picnic lunch, free time allows for a relaxing soak in the natural geothermal stream. The return journey includes a stop at the basalt-framed waterfall Hjálparfoss and a brewery visit at Ölverk in Hveragerði before arriving back in Reykjavík.
What Is Included
Included
- Ferry to and from the Westman Islands
- Guided bus and walking tour of Heimaey
- Iceland Lava Show in Vík
- 2 nights accommodation at Stracta Hotel or similar
- Breakfast on Days 2 and 3
- Packed lunch on Day 3
- Guided hike toward Brenninsteinsalda in Landmannalaugar
- Visit and tasting at Ölverk microbrewery
- Stop at Hjálparfoss waterfall
Not Included
- Lunch and dinner on Day 1
- Lunch and dinner on Day 2
- Optional glacier hike at Sólheimajökull
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
This tour is rated Easy and suitable for most fitness levels. Highland roads to Landmannalaugar are unpaved and may be impassable in certain weather or seasonal conditions. Layers and waterproof clothing are strongly recommended for all days.
Reserve Your Place on This South Iceland Journey
Three days, three distinct landscapes, and a lifetime of memories. Secure your spot on this small-group South Iceland tour before availability closes.
Book Now
