Introduction

If you get the opportunity to go explore Iceland, all I can say is go for it! The country is rich in both culture and history, and the scenery can’t even compare to anything else you’ve seen. Although Iceland is a beautiful country, it comes at a cost. When working out your trip costs to Iceland you may think, “holy crap that’s expensive”! The reality of Iceland is that it is not cheap, at least for the average traveler. The current exchange rate is 1 Canadian dollar to 100.79 Icelandic Króna and comparatively, most things are more expensive (i.e. a medium pizza is about CDN $30).

In this blog I will give you the ins and outs of the most scenic and adventurous spots to visit in the southern region of Iceland. The only cost you have to worry about is food, accommodation and transportation. But don’t be discouraged, all can be done at minimal cost if you’re willing to stay in a van or hostel instead of a five-star resort. And besides it’s all about the adventure!

Scenic Circle

Starting in Keflavik, there is a drive along the south that allows you to explore many wonders of Iceland. To begin with, there is a Viking museum in the heart of Keflavik. There you will learn the rich history of the Vikings and have the ability to walk about a displayed ship.

All of these locations are along the route shown below. If you are staying in or near Keflavik, once you have reached Porbjarnarfell you can take route 43 back to the Keflavik area. To get the most of this scenic circle, it would take one day to complete.

Reykjanes Peninsula

To start the scenic circle, you will head out on route 45 to Reykjanes Peninsula. Along this route you will find many scenic stops such as: Garbskagi, once the tallest building (a lighthouse) in all of Iceland; Hvalsneskirkja, a church in the tall grass; Hafnasandur, the location of the bridge between two continents; Syrfell, an area with small geysers; Valahnúkur, black cliffs filled with puffins; and Porbjarnarfell, a 30min hike to view the blue lagoon.

The Bridge Between Two Continents

Located off of route 425, just 25 minutes (28km) from Keflavik is a bridge that connects the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates together. You can walk in between these two continents by bridge or through the sand below (but the bridge is cooler). This site is not as scenic as others, but it holds great significance as these two plates are still moving apart today.

Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrbúi Waterfalls

This waterfall (Seljalandsfoss) may look hard to find or costly to get to see, when in reality it is a small drive off of Route 1. From Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík it is approximately an hour and a half drive (120km) to the falls. But coming all that way wouldn’t be for nothing. Seljalandsfoss is not the only waterfall at this site, it is accompanied by Gljúfrbúi, a waterfall within a cave. When visiting I considered it the ‘hole in the sky’ waterfall. However, standing by this magnificent fall does not come easy. At the entrance of the cave there is a creek that you must wade through in order to get in. This is not a simple task, possibly the longest and most tedious part of the visit to the falls. The rocks within the creek are extremely slippery, it is advised that you hold onto the side of the cave while making your way in/out to prevent any falls. This type of excursion is not advised for young children or elders.

However, don’t be discouraged if Gljúfrbúi is out of reach for you. Seljaandsfoss is a stunning stroll and very picturesque. A dirt path (approximately 5 min walk) takes you under the falls where in the summer it possible for visitors to see rainbows through the falls. However, the summertime is the only time advised to visit the falls as when winter comes the ground becomes extremely slippery (not to mind cold!).

For both of these falls be prepared to get wet, a rain jacket is a must regardless of the weather as well as a change of clothes if visiting Gljúfrbúi.

Black sand beach & a show: Dyrólaey

After visiting Iceland, puffins became my absolute favourite animal. They provided the most entertainment during my stay. You can see these magnificent little birds fighting the wind and flying around the coast at multiple locations. The viewpoint I recommend is called Dyrólaey. It gives you a beautiful view of cliffs that drop to a black sand beach. This particular viewing location is located off of route 1. If you are travelling from the last destination recommended, it is a 48-minute drive (54km) but trust me it is well worth the drive.

Do be advised if you plan on staying bring layers and a rain jacket; it can be extremely windy standing on the cliffs.

Lava Tunnels

 There are many companies and sites that provide lava tunnel tours. But that can be quite expensive, so during my stay we talked to the locals to get the scoop on how exactly we can get into some lava tunnels without paying a crazy amount of money for a tour. Keep in mind the place I am about to describe is not easy to find. It may feel like you are driving to nowhere (and you are) but trust me it will get you there. Located off of route 417 these tunnels are only 33 minutes (35km) away from Reykjavík.

During the drive from Reykjavík, I advise you to keep an eye out on your right-hand side as the tunnels are not marked, they are simply at a pull out in the road. The drive is an adventure in itself as you go through lava fields covered in moss. When you arrive, there is a small sign and path through the lava field that takes you to the entrance of the tunnels. If you plan on going into the tunnels it is highly recommended that you have sturdy shoes (preferably hiking shoes), a headlamp, and a raincoat or other garments you don’t mind getting dirty. When you enter the lava tunnels there are two directions you can go, one going slightly further underground than the other. Although both do not go very far, if you are feeling brave you can explore further by crawling through small gaps in the tunnels.

Geysir

An hour and a half away (106km) from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík, is Geysir. This location has a few small walks on well-maintained paths around multiple geysers and hot bubbling creeks. To watch the geysers explode you have to have patience and a lot of battery on your camera as these geysers go off at any given moment. After many tries of catching it on film, you start to sense when they are going to explode but the height of the explosion is always unpredictable. If you are willing to stay and watch for a while, about every 10-15 minutes one geyser in the middle of the park explodes with great height catching everyone’s eye. If you are willing to stand around a boiling pool of water in the ground to see this spectacular geyser, go off I highly recommend it.

South Iceland

Iceland is full of amazing adventures and I hope you have the ability to experience them in your lifetime. When travelling to Iceland, no matter the season, be prepared for any type of weather it throws at you. It is unpredictable but the one thing that I can guarantee is that it is beautiful no matter what.

Klimaite, V. (2020, October 13). Top Must-See Waterfalls in Iceland. Adventures.com. https://adventures.com/blog/top-iceland-waterfalls/. Visit Reykjanes Iceland. (n.d.). Bridge Between Continents. Visit Reykjanes Iceland. https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/inspiration/towns/town/index/place/bridge-between-continents.