Best of South Iceland: 3-Day Tour of South Iceland3 days
From€1,190.00per person
Listing ID : 37307
Best of South Iceland: 3-Day Tour of South Iceland
3dDuration
EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration3 Days
Group SizeSmall Group
Starts AtReykjavík
LanguagesEnglish
South Iceland Tour
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
1
Westman Islands — Heimaey, Volcano Crater and Pompei of the North
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.
2
Seljalandsfoss, Vík Lava Show, Reynisfjara and Skógafoss
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.
3
Landmannalaugar Highlands, Geothermal Soak, Hjálparfoss and Ölverk Brewery
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.
Duration
3 days, departing from Reykjavík and returning to Reykjavík on the final evening.
Meeting Point
Departure is from Reykjavík. Exact meeting point details are provided upon booking confirmation.
What to Bring
Waterproof jacket and trousers, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, warm layers, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. Swimwear is recommended for the geothermal soak at Landmannalaugar.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are outlined at the time of booking. Please review the policy carefully before confirming your reservation.
Accessibility
The tour involves walking on uneven volcanic terrain and unpaved highland roads. It is not suitable for wheelchair users. Please contact the operator with specific accessibility questions before booking.
Age Range
Suitable for travelers of all ages who are comfortable with light walking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The optional glacier hike may have minimum age requirements.
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.
Is the Landmannalaugar road accessible year-round?▼
The unpaved highland road to Landmannalaugar is typically only open during the summer months, roughly from late June to early October. Conditions vary by year, and the route may be closed during adverse weather. Your operator will confirm access at the time of the tour.
What is the Iceland Lava Show in Vík?▼
The Iceland Lava Show is a unique indoor exhibition in the village of Vík where real lava is melted and poured before a live audience. Visitors can see the lava flow, hear it sizzle, and feel the radiant heat — a one-of-a-kind experience found nowhere else in the world.
Is the glacier hike at Sólheimajökull included in the tour?▼
The glacier walk at Sólheimajökull is optional and not included in the base tour price. It can be arranged as an add-on activity on Day 2. Ask your operator about availability and booking when you confirm your reservation.
What meals are included during the three days?▼
Breakfast is included on Days 2 and 3, and a packed lunch is provided on Day 3. Lunch and dinner on Days 1 and 2 are at your own expense. Vík and Skogar have dining options available.
What is the Pompei of the North on Heimaey?▼
During the 1973 volcanic eruption on Heimaey, a significant part of the town was buried under lava and ash. An ongoing excavation project has been uncovering the preserved remains of homes and structures, drawing a direct comparison to the ancient Roman site of Pompeii.
How difficult is the hike at Landmannalaugar?▼
The hike toward Brenninsteinsalda is a 90-minute round trip and is considered accessible for most fitness levels. The terrain is volcanic and uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The overall tour difficulty is rated Easy.
South IcelandWestman IslandsLandmannalaugarSeljalandsfossSkógafossReynisfjaraLava ShowGlacier HikeVolcano TourIceland Highlands3 Day IcelandSmall Group Tour
This tour operates entirely within South Iceland, one of the country's most geographically diverse regions. Starting and ending in Reykjavík, the route spans coastal, volcanic, and highland environments. Key destinations include the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), the village of Vík, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, and the highland basin of Landmannalaugar. The final stop before Reykjavík is the geothermal town of Hveragerði. This geographic spread makes the tour highly relevant for travelers searching for multi-day Iceland itineraries focused on the South Coast and interior highlands.
South Iceland | Small Group Tour | 3 Days | Easy Difficulty | Waterfalls | Volcanoes | Glaciers | Westman Islands | Landmannalaugar | Reykjavík Departure | Nature Tour | Iceland Highlands
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