The South Coast of Iceland is something out of a fairy tale. With its lush vegetation, its fields of purple lupins, its black sand beaches and its misty waterfalls, its spectacular landscapes are a photographer’s dream. Both familiar and otherworldly, Iceland’s coastal landscape at times reminded me of my home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. And yet other times, I was convinced that I had just set foot on the moon. The area is desolate and treeless, yet also grassy and green—giving it the unique position of looking both lush and lunar, verdant and unforgiving, fertile and inhospitable.

I visited the South Coast of Iceland with the flight attendants I had met on my flight to Reykjavik, Brian and Jay. I had originally intended on joining a bus tour of the area, but since we had such a rewarding drive along the country’s Golden Circle the previous day, we decided to keep the car and explore the country’s southern coast together.

THE SOUTHERN COAST OF ICELAND

Along with the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, the South Coast is one of the top tourist attractions in Iceland. Part of the infamous Ring Road that circles the entire island, the rugged coastline is among the best road trip destinations in Europe.

The area’s raw and untamed landscapes are covered in a blanket of greenery, sprinkled with colorful wildflowers and dotted with wild horses and sheep.

Typical tours of the Iceland’s South Coast begin in Reykjavik and stop at the dramatic waterfalls of Seljelandsfoss and Skogafoss. Then, they continue to the black sand beaches of Vik and the iceberg-studded Jokulsarlon Lagoon.

We didn’t have the opportunity to travel as far as the lagoon on our self-guided tour of the South Coast. The weather conditions past Vik simply didn’t permit us to finish the drive.

SELJELANDSFOSS WATERFALL

The first stop on our South Coast itinerary, was the thundering Seljelandsfoss Waterfall.

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 meters from the top of a long cliff face and is famous for having a footpath that enables travelers to view the cascading water from behind. Seljalandsfoss is beautiful and imposing. Even before reaching the waterfall, we could see it from the road–cascading down the cliffs that towered above the flat, fertile plains. 

We were lucky that, as we visited the falls, the sun had decided to peak out from behind the clouds and bask us in rare, Icelandic sunlight. In the warmth of the sun, we spent time taking in the sights of the Seljelandsfoss and snapping pictures of its falling water. We walked behind the waterfall and then 360 degrees around it. Then, we scrambled up the side of the mountain, making our way up to the top in order to see splendid views of the ocean and nearby plains.

Seljalandsfoss is one of many cascades that tumble down the coastal cliffs. Within a five minute walk, we must have passed at least four or five waterfalls. Some pummeled down the mountainside with force. Others were merely trickles of water running like tears down the face of the rock wall.

From Sjelandsfoss, we drove toward Skogafoss–another of Iceland’s famous and oft-photographed waterfalls. 

SKOGAFOSS WATERFALL

We reached Skogafoss around midday. Standing 60 meters tall and 25 meters wide, Skogafoss is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. Steps leading up the mountainside to the top of the falls, provided us with breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. To the South, we could see flat plains fade into the ocean. To the North, a river wound its way up the treeless mountains toward an icefield. To the East and West, we saw endless rugged terrain sculpted by Iceland’s unique climate and geology.

While we expected Skogafoss to be beautiful, we were not prepared for the area’s rugged surroundings. We must have spent the next three to four hours climbing to the top of the waterfall, soaking in the views of the ocean from above and hiking the riverside trail toward one of Iceland’s stunning glaciers. We followed the river upstream. At every bend, new waterfalls and mountains came into view. And every time we saw these new waterfalls and mountains, we questioned how each bend could produce views more stunning than the last.

After a few hours of hiking upstream, scrambling over rocks and mingling with furry sheep, my companions and I agreed that it was time to turn back to the car and finish our drive toward Vik. 

As soon as we crossed the next mountain pass, however, the relative good weather gave way to grey skies, cold winds and biting rain. 

BLACK SAND BEACHES OF VIK

I could tell that Vik is a charming town and that its setting—on the shores of a black sand beach, surrounded by lupins and amongst towering cliffs—is nothing short of magical. But I could also tell that trying to convince my new friends to walk on the beach and admire the scenery would be not only futile, but downright silly. The weather was so menacing that turning back toward Reykjavik and away from the rain was our only viable option. 

Since we still had many hours of daylight and since the weather conditions improved significantly the farther we drove from Vik, we decided to prolong our return and venture down one of the unpaved roads near Seljelandsfoss. In doing so, we passed by Gluggafoss—another beautiful waterfall that Jay had remembered seeing a few years back on a trip he took to Iceland with friends.

GLUGGAFOSS WATERFALL

There was nobody else at the Gluggafoss Waterfall when we visited. It was just us, the bleating sheep, the splendid views and the gushing water. 

I marveled at how, in a country that sees over one million tourists a year, it was so easy to find solitude and peace. We were only a few miles form Sjelandsfoss and its busloads of tourists. In fact, I could see its shield of water tumbling off the cliff in the distance. Yet, until two other travelers scrambled over the rocks of the falls and into view, it felt as though we were a world away from anyone else.

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The South Coast road trip provides travelers with a glimpse into Iceland’s best offerings. Along the drive, we passed galloping Icelandic horses, picturesque farms and herds of wooly sheep. With every mile along the road, it seemed that we were stepping further and further into the pages of a nordic fable.

I half expected elves or fairies or hobbits to emerge from the tiny, grassy-roofed homes that dot the countryside.

This surreal and untamed beauty is what Iceland was all about, we agreed. This wild scenery. This feeling of solitude. This escape from the hectic pace of city life. In the heat of summer flying, being amidst Iceland’s raw nature was exactly what I had been craving.

And it was just the medicine I needed in order to prepare myself mentally for the second half of summer. 

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Additional Information on Traveling the South Coast of Iceland

• Travelers who can dedicate more than one day to Iceland’s South Coast, might want to take a look at Jamie’s four day itinerary for southern Iceland.
• Visiting Iceland is expensive. Check out Will’s blog for a comprehensive guide to visiting Iceland on a budget.

The post The South Coast of Iceland: Highlights and Attractions appeared first on Erika's Travels .

The Golden Circle offers a snapshot of Iceland’s most dramatic scenic wonders. A popular day trip from Reykjavik, it features thunderous waterfalls, spouting geysers, crater lakes, geothermal pools, and wide open roads.

In the summer of 2014, I spent a short layover in Iceland for work. My brief visit consisted of walking the streets of Reykjavik and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon.

When I left Iceland a mere 24 hours after my arrival, I vowed to return in order to explore the Golden Circle’s volcanic scenery.

So when I finally enough days off to string together a five day trip, I jumped on the opportunity to travel to Iceland solo. I desperately needed a change of scenery (yes, even flight attendants need those sometimes) and craved the wild and dramatic landscapes that photographs and blog posts told me I would find in the Land of Ice and Fire.

ATTRACTIONS ALONG ICELAND’S GOLDEN CIRCLE

The Golden Circle is one of the undeniable highlights of travel to Iceland. An easy day trip from Reykjavik, it offers views of gushing waterfalls, thundering geysers and mountain-ringed landscapes.

Alongside two newfound travel companions, I rented a car and set off to visit Iceland’s most famous tourist circuit. Driving the Golden Circle in Iceland afforded us awe-inspiring views. In contrast to the cities that I had been visiting for work—with their traffic, skyscrapers and constant crowds—Iceland was vast, desolate and completely wild.

The country’s clean, crisp air gave me the jolt of energy that I so desperately needed. Its untamed landscapes relieved all the stresses I had built up from my summer of constant flying.

Though Iceland’s Golden Circle is a popular day trip from Reykjavik, the wide-open landscapes made me feel like we had the area completely to ourselves.  It was just us, the vast outdoors and the open road.

We passed snowcapped peaks, volcanic outcrops, smoking fumaroles and idyllic farms.Green pastures flanked the roadside, speckled with furry Icelandic sheep and thick-maned ponies.

ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

The first stop on our day trip was Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir (pronounced Thingvellir) is a site of historic, political and geological importance.

In 930AD, Þingvellir became the site of an open air parliamentary assembly that was in use until 1798.

At Þingvellir, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly splitting apart from each other, creating deep fissures in the rocky landscape. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is both a site of geological importance and the location of Iceland’s first parliament.

The rift valley—with its high cliffs and rocky outcrops—is one of the many geologic attractions that lie along the Golden Circle.

Nearby, the Silfra fissure is a popular diving and snorkeling location. Had a had more time in the area, snorkeling in Sifra would have been a top priority of mine.

THE GEYSERS AND FUMAROLES OF KAUKADULUR

Haukadalur was our second stop along Iceland’s Golden Circle. Haukadalur is a geothermal area about 60km away from Þingvellir National Park. The area is home to Geysir—the first geyser known to modern Europeans and the first ever recorded in print.

Geysir or geysa means “to gush” in Icelandic. The word gave birth to the modern English term “geyser.”

Geysir is known to spew boiling water 70 meters into the air but, due to shifting geological patterns, it has been nearly dormant for the last few decades. The nearby Stokkur geyser erupts much more frequently, however, exploding to heights of up to 30 meters every few minutes.

We walked around the steaming terrain, trying to capture pictures of the eruptions and admiring the area’s geothermal activity. Much like North America’s Yellowstone Park, Haukadalur has a sometimes putrid, rotten-egg smell and is covered in vents with rising steam, mud pools, fumaroles, bubbling springs and mineral deposits.

GULFOSS WATERFALL

Gulfoss Waterfall rounded out our visit to the Golden Circle. One of Iceland’s most beautiful and dramatic waterfalls, Gulfoss plummets down a ravine along the Hvítá River. As it tumbles, it produces thick mist and rainbow prisms.

Gulfoss is one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls and a popular Iceland road trip destination. Though it is not particularly tall, its unique form and impressive width have landed it atop the list of the most heralded waterfalls in Europe.

Standing at the top of the falls was breathtaking. To our right, we could get views of the water cascading below. To our left, the snow-capped peaks of Iceland’s volcanoes rose above fertile, green pastures.

KERID CRATER LAKE

As we were driving back to Reykjavik for the night, my travel companions and I stumbled upon an unexpected fourth and final roadside attraction. Though not always included on day trips along the Golden Circle, Kerid Lake is a worthwhile stop along the road.

Kerid Lake was formed by a volcano that collapsed into an empty magma chamber. The volcano’s red and orange walls contrast sharply to the dusting of green grass and deep blue water found in the bowl of the crater. We paid a three dollar entrance fee and then spent a bit of time walking along the rim of Kerid Lake and taking in views of the surrounding farmlands and mountains. Aside from a small group of Italian tourists, we largely had the site to ourselves.

REYKJAVIK: THE WORLD’S MOST NORTHERLY CAPITAL

Tours of Iceland’s Golden Circle begin and end in Reykjavik. And while the city has fairly few must-see attractions compared to other European cities its size, the world’s most northerly capital has its own fair share of noteworthy places to visit. For travelers wishing to taste traditional Icelandic foods and soak up contemporary Icelandic culture, Reykjavik is the obvious place to start.

Reykjavik—true to northern European form—is a neatly manicured city with spotless streets. Instead of gawking over the ornate facades of buildings or admiring the intricate interiors of the city’s churches, I enjoyed the pleasant streets and the progressive atmosphere. I found myself admiring the way the colorful houses lined up so nicely along the streets, as though they fit together seamlessly as part of a puzzle.

Yet, while the beauty of Reykjavik lies in its overall vibe than in its particular landmarks, one attraction certainly stands out above the rest (both literally and figuratively).

• HALLGRIMSKIRKJA

The most notable landmark in Reykjavik is Hallgrimskirkja. The Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral–a 73 meter church that towers over the rest of the city–is certainly a sight to behold. Dwarfing all that surrounds it, the church is to Reykjavik what the Sagrada Familia is to Barcelona.

The cathedral,  designed by architect Guojon Samuelsson, was completed in the 1980s. Architecturally, it is fascinating.  It’s peculiar flowy design is meant to represent the lava that is found throughout Iceland’s volcanic landscape though, to me, it seemed more like a massive pipe organ rising from the surrounding neighborhood.

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I had anticipated spending an additional day in Iceland touring the country’s Southern Coast by myself, since my fellow travelers had plans to leave the following day. Despite my trying to convince them to prolong their stay, they were undecided.

After stepping foot on the raw and untamed wilderness and breathing the country’s fresh air, however, it no longer took much convincing. Their decision was unanimous. I could see that Iceland was enchanting them. Drawing them in.

My new friends decided to stay an extra day.

I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I would not have to join a loud and crowded tour bus after all. We would keep our rental car, drive the country’s untouched south coast, and once experience the country’s raw and wild scenery in great company.

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Overpriced, overcrowded and overrun with tourists. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is all these things.

But it is also tranquil, therapeutic and overwhelmingly beautiful.

I visited the Blue Lagoon on my twenty-four hour Reykjavik layover, after spending the morning meandering along the colorful streets of Iceland’s capital. Since I knew I was going to forego sleeping for a few hours upon my arrival, I figured pairing my fast-paced morning with a relaxing evening would be the perfect way to maximize my layover, while minimizing the exhaustion I often feel when deciding to skip my routine morning nap.

Before visiting the Blue Lagoon, I’d read plenty of accounts lamenting its steep entrance price. Entrance to Iceland’s premier geothermal spa costs a small fortune–from 55 euros for the most basic package to over 600 euros for the most luxurious spa retreat. The high entrance cost–especially when considering Iceland’s plethora of free natural hot springs–led me to wonder if the Blue Lagoon was even worth visiting.

Yet, I decided to bite the bullet and buy the basic package to Iceland’s top attraction during my short 24 hour layover.

As we neared the lagoon, we could see clouds of steam rising from the geothermal power plant. They tumbled out of the ground and drowned the surrounding landscape in a translucent curtain of grey.

Branching out of the center of the complex, we could see the powdery blue water runoff creating rivers through the lava beds.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the color of the water. I had previously seen pictures of the lagoon, but had always imagined them to be enhanced in some way.

But the colors were real. What I saw with my eyes were the very same milky blue shades that showed up on Google images.

The milky aquamarine color is the result of the white silica and blue-green algae that cover the lagoon’s floor.

I spent nearly four hours lounging in the water, covering my face with silica mud masks and darting between the lagoon’s various saunas and steam rooms.

It was the ultimate spa day, made a thousand times better by the jaw-dropping natural setting and striking array of colors.

Yes, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon may be overpriced, overcrowded and overfilled with tourists but, as our bus pulled away from the parking lot and headed back toward Reykjavik, I couldn’t help feeling that the price tag for this tourist magnet was totally justified.

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Additional Tips and Information on Visiting Iceland

• Due to its location near the airport, the Blue Lagoon is a perfect place to visit during an Iceland stopover. If you have more than 24 hours in Iceland, I recommend visiting the island’s southern coast and Golden Circle.

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