3 Day South Iceland Itinerary: What to See Around Vik
Traveled in July 2026
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make when visiting Iceland is limiting their trip to Reykjavik and the Golden Circle. If that’s all you see, you’re missing some of the best landscapes in Iceland! Not everyone has the time to drive the entire Ring Road, but even a short side trip through South Iceland lets you experience some of the country’s most stunning scenery. We used Vik as our base to explore the area, and this 3 day South Iceland itinerary covers some of the jaw-dropping sights that are absolutely worth the drive.
South Iceland Itinerary
When to Go
For the most hiking opportunities and the least stressful driving, I recommend visiting Iceland in summer (June–August). However, summer is peak travel season. I usually try to avoid peak season, but Iceland is one place where I think it’s worth it if you want the best chance of good weather. The downside is that summer travel costs more, and you’ll need to book accommodations early.
Another big benefit of summer is the long daylight hours. In June, the sun doesn’t set until around midnight. When we visited in late July, sunset was around 10:30 pm. That gives you more time to explore, which is especially helpful when you have long drives.
If you want fewer crowds and more lodging options, May and September are good alternatives. The weather may be wetter, and some mountain roads may still be closed. But since this South Iceland itinerary mainly sticks to sights near the Ring Road, it should still be doable.
Keep in mind that you won’t see the Northern lights during the summer! Mostly because it doesn’t really get that dark in the summer. Northern lights season runs from roughly September to early April.
How to Get There
The main international airport in Iceland is Keflavik international airport (airport code KEF). It is about a 3.5 hour drive from Keflavik airport to South Iceland. We did this drive on the day we arrived, but we had to stop in the middle in Selfoss for a nap. Most flights from the US arrive early in the morning. But don’t underestimate how jetlagged you will be the day you arrive!
Booking tip: certain flight searches like Kayak, Skyscanner, or Google flights allow you to set price trackers that will alert you when the price of your flight changes. I never book a flight without tracking prices first because there is no better feeling than snagging a good deal! And if you book your flights with a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire card, the card usually includes some travel insurance protections (like lost luggage reimbursements, trip delay reimbursements, or trip cancellation insurance) to save you the cost of buying extra travel insurance. Use my contact form if you’re looking for a credit card referral with bonus sign up points!
Bonus Booking tip: sign your kiddo up for frequent flyer accounts with airlines to start earning airline miles for them! Most airline miles do not expire for minors so your kiddo will thank you later.
Where to Stay Around Vik
Most people move accommodations frequently when traveling around the Ring Road to avoid backtracking. But it you’re not planning on doing the whole Ring Road, we found it much simpler to make Vik our base and do day trips out to avoid constant packing.
Staying in accommodations with a kitchenette is so helpful in Iceland. Eating out is expensive in Iceland, so a kitchenette is a great way to save money. Most of these options have kitchenettes.
- Skammidalur Cottages – cute cottages with kitchenettes off the Ring Road (where we stayed)
- Vik Apartments – spacious apartments in the heart of Vik (where we wanted to stay but was all booked up)
- Black Beach Suites – spacious suites close to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with beautiful views but slightly off the Ring Road
- Hotel Kria – modern hotel in Vik
How to Get Around
The best way to get around Iceland is to rent your own vehicle. While you can join day trips from Reykjavik to explore South Iceland, you won’t have as much flexibility to see what you want to see. And the most stunning waterfalls and sights we saw in South Iceland are ones that the tour groups don’t take you to. We don’t usually drive abroad, but it was very easy to drive around the Ring Road in the summer.
Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Payless have rental desks right in the arrivals area of Keflavik airport. We usually prefer to rent from a company inside the terminal to save time after a long flight. Blue Car Rental is another popular option that is a 3-5 minute walk away from the arrivals hall. Other rental car companies like Alamo, Enterprise, and Sixt are located in a separate building and require waiting for a shuttle.
Booking tip: if the car rental agency has a free membership program, sign up for it! Members usually get extra perks like a free additional driver, discounts, or faster reservation check ins (all very desirable things when you have an overtired toddler in tow).
Avoid Parking and Speeding Tickets!
Make sure that you always pay for parking!! Download the Parka app or look for the pay booths at each parking lot. There are cameras installed at every parking lot that scans your license plate when you enter. If you don’t pay the parking fee, the parking lot issues a ticket to the car rental company, which then tacks on a huge administrative fee before passing the cost back to you.
There are speed cameras installed along the Ring Road. There are usually signs on the Ring Road warning you of speed cameras ahead. Google Maps also warns you of the speed cameras. Speeding tickets also go to the car rental company. And you’ll have to pay that hefty administrative fee along with the speeding ticket fine.
Show Me the Money
The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). We did not take out any cash here. We noticed that American Express was not accepted as commonly here, but we had no trouble with our Visa card. We use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for no foreign transaction fees (contact me or comment below for a referral for extra bonus points).
We had read that some visitors had trouble using their credit cards at gas stations. Some stations reportedly required a PIN. We had no problems using our Chase card though.
If given the choice, always choose to pay in ISK rather than USD! As long as you are using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, this will save you some hefty conversion fees.
How to Stay Connected
Having internet on your phone is absolutely necessary on this trip for Google Maps given all the driving. We also downloaded offline Google maps of the areas we would be driving prior to arrival in case there were any dead spots along the way.
If you have an unlocked phone, then you can either purchase a prepaid sim card or you can use an e-sim. The e-sim is the cheapest way to get international cell phone data. We had a great experience using Airalo to purchase an e-sim on our trip to Canada, Switzerland, and Japan and it worked seamlessly. The downside is that you only have data and no phone service when using Airalo e-sims, so it’s a good option if you don’t anticipate needing to make phone calls.
- The Airalo website has great tutorials and I also watched this Youtube video for more installation tips. We usually start the installation process at home to load the e-sim into our phones, and then once we land at our destination we turn off our US e-sim and turn on the international e-sim.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Activity | Sleep In |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drive to Vik Lunch in Selfoss Reynisfjara Beach Dyrholaey Lighthouse | Vik |
| 2 | Day trip to Diamond Beach Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach Svartifoss | Vik |
| 3 | Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls Gluggafoss Skogafoss and Kvernufoss Waterfalls | Vik |
Day 1: Drive to South Iceland
The drive from Reykjavik or Keflavik airport to Vik takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. We did the drive immediately after arriving in Iceland, so we were pretty jetlagged. Stopping halfway for lunch is a good way to break up the drive.
Lunch in Selfoss
Selfoss is about a 1.5 hour drive from Keflavik airport, and about halfway to Vik. We always have a burst of energy after landing in a new city because of the novelty of it all so we decided to drive straight to Selfoss. However, once we got to Selfoss we all fell asleep in the car for about 2 hours.
We had lunch a Kaffi Krus in Selfoss. It’s a cute little restaurant that serves a variety of burgers, pizzas, and soups. We also saw many locals stopping in for cake and coffee. This was our first restaurant in Iceland and also our first dose of sticker shock at the prices!
Navigation Tip:
Instead of mapping to the destination on Google Maps, search for the destination parking lot. For example, “Svodufoss parking” instead of “Svodufoss.” Searching for the parking lot will more reliably navigate you to the correct parking lot.
Reynisfjara Beach
- Parking: there is a parking lot right next to the beach
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: 2 hour drive from Selfoss
- Bathrooms: available in the parking lot
From Selfoss, it is a about a 2 hour drive to Reynisfjara black sand beach. It was a little drizzly at this point so we didn’t say long, but it was an epic first stop in Iceland to see these cathedral-like basalt columns. Our kiddo also loved playing construction with all the rocks and pebbles on this beach.
Although you can walk up to the basalt columns again, never turn your back on the ocean. The waves are sneaky and strong here. As we were walking down to the beach, we saw a lady get distracted with taking photos and got caught up in a sneaker wave. She was able to get back to shore but was completely drenched. It was a good reminder to keep an eye on our kid and remind him to enjoy nature safely.
Dyrhólaey Lighthouse
- Parking: small parking lot next to the Lighthouse. It was completely full when we arrived, so we parked on the side of the road leading up to the Lighthouse (there was a row of cars already doing this).
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app. We paid for parking even though we did not park inside the parking lot itself. We saw what looked like the parking camera at the end of the road leading up to the parking lot, not at the entrance of the parking lot itself. So we paid for parking just in case it scanned our license plate as soon as we drove up the path leading to the parking lot.
- Distance: 30 min drive from Skogafoss.
- Bathrooms: not available
The panoramic views of the beach and the ocean from the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse are dramatic and beautiful. But to be honest, we were here for the puffins! Our kid decided that puffins were his favorite thing about Iceland. So getting to see some of these cutie puffins live was a highlight. The puffins are usually hanging out on the cliff to the right of the lighthouse.
When to See Puffins:
Puffins nest from mid-May to early August. The puffins are usually out fishing during the day, so go early (before 9am) or in the evening (6-7pm) if you want to see them. Note that the parking lot may close at 7pm during nesting season to protect the birds.
Other popular sights here are the lighthouse itself and the arch rock. You can’t actually go inside the lighthouse.
Grocery Store in Vik
There is a Kronan grocery store right in the center of Vik with all of the essentials. I love that all of the grocery stores in Iceland display their opening hours in large numbers outside the store.
Make sure to stock up on car snacks! The Skyr yogurt pouches were a big hit with our kid.
Dinner at Strondin Pub Vik
Stronin Pub Vik is right in the center of Vik. The food was fresh, the ocean views were beautiful, and don’t skip the Skyr blueberry cheesecake!
There was still daylight after we finished dinner so we followed the path outside of the pub towards the beach to see more of the shoreline.
Day 2: Day Trip to Diamond Beach
Total Time Spent: ~9 hours
The sights we visited on the way to Diamond Beach and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon were really unique places to see. This was a long driving day, but the sights along this part of the Ring Road are so worth it! And that’s saying a lot when you consider it’s a 3 hour drive there and back with an energetic kid in the car. We had a late start to the morning because of jetlag and start until 10am. But it worked in our favor because it was less crowded at every sight.
One of the nice things about doing this as a day trip was that we could be flexible with the order we visited the sights. We originally planned to see Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, then Svartifoss, then Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach because that’s the order you encounter them on the Ring Road. But because our kid fell asleep after leaving Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, we took advantage of the peaceful car nap and drove straight to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon instead. We stopped at Svartifoss on the way back and our kid was refreshed and ready for the hike. Just an example of how staying flexible and planning around naps can make Iceland much easier with kids.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Parking: we mapped to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Viewpoint in Google Maps, which took us up a gravel path to a small parking lot. Parking at this lot bypassed the steeper uphill climb portion from the usual parking lot.
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: 1 hr from Vik
- Bathrooms: none at the small parking lot. We did not walk down to the main parking lot so I don’t know if there are bathrooms available there.
This impressive serpentine gorge is a very family-friendly hike. The gorge itself is a short walk from the parking lot and the walk to the waterfall isn’t too long or steep. There are multiple viewing platforms to see the waterfall and the gorge itself from different angles.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
- Parking: we parked at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot because it’s bigger, has bathrooms, and has food trucks. But the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach parking lots are connected by a pedestrian walkway that runs underneath the bridge, so you can park at either parking lot and see both sights. The Diamond Beach parking lot seemed less busy when we visited.
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: 1.5 hours from Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon or 45 min from Svartifoss
- Bathrooms: available at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot
I was mesmerized by the sight of the icebergs floating silently in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon right when we pulled into the parking lot. This was one of the busiest places we visited, but you can still find a quiet stretch of beach or walk further up the viewpoint or along the path above the parking lot to admire the view away from the crowds. Our kid was fascinated by the pieces of crystal clear iceberg that washed up on shore. And he loved watching the rafts heading out on the water.
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat tours: The glacier lagoon boat tours are a popular way to see the icebergs up close, but check age limits before booking! Many of the zodiac boat tours have a minimum age for kids. The Amphibious Boat Tours may welcome families with younger kids. We decided not to book a boat tour because we didn’t know how the weather would be, and we did not want to have to rush to make a set departure time.
Food Trucks at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Fancy Sheep Truck: this is where we got some delicious lamb burgers and the viral hot chocolate.
Heimahumar: famous for langoustine soup, lobster rolls, and Icelandic hot dogs
Northern Light Bite: fish and chips
To get to Diamond Beach, take the pedestrian path along the water that runs underneath the bridge (so you don’t have to pay for parking twice!). Photographers will love the chunks of iceberg sitting on the beach with the waves crashing behind them. Our kid loved playing with the rocks on this pebble beach. Some kids will get really excited about going all the way to the shoreline to touch the icebergs. But just be careful of the waves!
Svartifoss
- Parking: parking for Svartifoss is at the Skaftafell Visitor Center car park
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: 1 hr from Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon or 45 min from Diamond Beach
- Bathrooms: available at the Skaftafell Visitor Center
Note that there is a 45 minute steep uphill hike from the parking lot to the waterfall.
Despite the hike, I would still recommend seeing Svartifoss. It was one of my favorite waterfalls of the trip. The waterfall rushes over a wall of basalt columns and it looks like something out of a fairy tale. I think the hike deters most of the tour groups, so we were one of only a handful of people at the waterfall when we visited. Our kid surprised us by walking the whole hike on his own two little legs. He loved climbing over the rocks and said this hike to the waterfall was one of his favorites of the trip!
Other Sights on the Ring Road:
I originally included these other sights along the Ring Road on the way to Diamond Beach in our itinerary, but we ran out of time to see them. Everything just takes longer with a kid!
– Dverghamrar Cliffs: (22 min east from Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon) these unique cliffs are made up of hexagonal basalt columns. There is a path in the canyon below the cliffs with beautiful views of the Foss a Sidu waterfall. Looks like it would have been a nice flat paved hike from the free parking lot.
-Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon: (12 min west from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon) we had planned to visit this glacier lagoon on our way back to Vik. It is supposedly closer to the glacier wall, with fewer crowds, and free parking.
Dinner at Smidjan Brugghus in Vik
Smidjan Brugghus is a local brewery in Vik with great burgers. We arrived back in Vik around 9pm, and this is one of the few restaurants where the kitchen is open until 10pm.
Day 3: Waterfalls Around Vik
Total time spent: ~9 hours
This day involved a bit of back tracking on highway 1, but it was worth it to us to avoid moving accommodations.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls
- Parking: Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls share one parking lot right in front of Seljalandsfoss.
- Parking fees: operated by Check-it. We paid using the machines in the lot to avoid downloading another app.
- Distance: 40 min from Vik
- Bathrooms: available next to the parking lot
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls. It’s easy to see why. Not only can you actually walk behind the waterfall, but it’s also incredibly accessible. The waterfall is right next to the parking lot, so there’s no hike to reach it. And the short path to walk behind the falls is relatively easy as well. Of course, that accessibility also means there are plenty of tour buses. We arrived around 10am and walked straight behind the waterfall without waiting in line. But by the time we left, a pretty long line had formed.
Being able to get so close to the waterfall and actually walk behind it was such a cool experience. You really get a sense of just how powerful the falls are from back there! Just prepare to get soaked from all the spray. This was the one waterfall where our kid wore the full complement of rain proof gear that we had packed for him. The path behind the waterfall can also be slippery, so definitely keep a close hand on little ones as you make your way around.
If you follow the path to the right after exiting the trail behind Seljalandsfoss, you’ll reach Gljúfrabúi waterfall. There was actually a longer line to walk up to the Gljúfrabúi waterfall because it is hidden inside a cave, and there is only one path in and out through a stream. It’s a small space, so only about 10 people can fit inside at a time. You do have to hop on top of rocks over a stream to get inside the cave, so small kids will need to be carried. But this was one of the most unique waterfalls we have ever seen and so worth the wait! Once you’re inside the cave, the waterfall comes crashing down right in front of you through an opening in the ceiling of the cave. It’s such a cool experience and unlike any other waterfall we visited in Iceland.
Gluggafoss
- Parking: small parking lot in front of the waterfall
- Parking fees: free!
- Distance: 20 min from Seljalandsfoss, but actually takes longer because part of it is a rough gravel path. Google Maps will tell you to take route 250 to connect to 261, but most of it is a rough gravel path and felt like the longest 20 minutes of my life. To avoid the gravel path. you can go the long way around by going up highway 1 and turning onto 261.
- Bathrooms: not available
Gluggafoss is slightly off the beaten path and still felt a bit undiscovered. Amazingly, we were the only family at this waterfall when we visited! The waterfall itself is really unique because it almost feels like a two-tiered waterfall. The lower section has a short path that leads behind the falls, while the upper section is what gives Gluggafoss its name. Gluggafoss translates loosely to “windows waterfall.” The name is inspired by the way the river carved tunnels and openings through the rock face. The water flows through these hidden channels before cascading through the openings, making it look like you’re viewing the waterfall through a series of natural windows. It’s such a unique waterfall and a fun stop if you’re looking to get away from some of Iceland’s more crowded sights.
The waterfall turns into a river that runs right in front of the parking area. The water is still a little rapid for little kids to wade in safely, but it’s great for throwing rocks. This waterfall was such a nice break from the crowds of Seljalandsfoss.
Skogafoss
- Parking: large parking lot in front of the waterfall
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: 45 min to 1 hour from Gluggafoss. We took the long way up 261 to connect back to highway 1 to avoid the gravel road on 250, but it was well worth it for the peace of mind.
- Bathrooms: available next to the parking lot
Skogafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. It’s super accessible because it’s a flat walk all the way to the waterfall, so it’s a very popular one as well. One of the special things about this waterfall is the very flat approach, so you can walk right up to the base of the waterfall if you want to! You do have to ford the shallow river and hop over some rocks so your feet may get wet. And your body will definitely be wet from the spray. But if you want to feel the full force of a waterfall up close then this one is it!
There is a long steep staircase that leads up to a viewpoint at the top of the falls. Our kid wouldn’t have made the climb so we skipped it. But I think saving our hiking legs for Kvernufoss was well worth it.
Food Truck at Skogafoss:
Mia’s Country Van
This fish and chips food truck is a short walk from the Skogafoss parking lot. They do have a couple parking spots in front of the food truck, but we just parked at the Skogafoss lot and walked over. The fish and chips here are fried to order and not overly greasy. They also have a selection of Icelandic salts that you can sprinkle over your fish and chips. Fish and chips is all they do, and they do it well. It was a super hearty and tasty lunch after all that waterfall chasing!
Kvernufoss
- Parking: map to Kvernufoss parking lot. The parking lot is located behind the Skogar Museum.
- Parking fees: pay through Parka app
- Distance: <5 min drive from Skogafoss.
- Bathrooms: not available
Kvernufoss was quite possibly my favorite waterfall of the day. Which is saying a lot considering how incredible all of the waterfalls were! There’s a slightly uphill 30 minute hike along the river to reach the waterfall. That extra bit of a walk seems to deter the tour buses. There were still other visitors when we arrived, but it never felt overwhelmingly crowded.
The approach to Kvernufoss was one of the most scenic parts of all the waterfalls because the waterfall is nestled into a beautiful valley. And just like Seljalandsfoss, you can actually walk behind the falls. There were less people here too, so you could actually sit and enjoy the beauty without feeling rushed or crowded.
Watching the curtain of water come crashing down while birds soared around the mouth of the waterfall was incredibly peaceful and one of my favorite moments of the day.
Dinner at Black Crust Pizzeria
If you eat out once in Vik, eat at Black Crust Pizzeria. The line is usually out the door and the wait is long, but the pizzas are worth it. They have some unique pizza toppings that feature some local Icelandic specialties, and the usual favorites.
Vik i Myrdal Church
- Parking: parking lot outside the church
- Parking fees: free, but there are directions for making a suggested donation
The picturesque Vik i Myrdal Church is perched on the hill above Vik. We still had some daylight left after dinner, so we drove up to the church on our last evening to admire the view over the city. Climbing the hill behind the church gives an even better view of the surrounding coastline.
