Road Trip From Reykjavik to Vik: The Best Iceland South Coast Itinerary
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is one to remember and should be on every Iceland bucket list. The south coast of Iceland has so much to offer, including glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, canyons, and plane wrecks.
Whether you want to spend your time hiking or just seeing roadside attractions, this Iceland south coast itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip! This guide has everything you need to know about driving from Reykjavik to Vik and how to create the best Iceland south coast itinerary!
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Why You Should Drive from Reykjavik to Vik
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is one of the most beautiful drives in Iceland! While Reykjavik is a large city, Vik is a small fishing town, and both are stunning. The drive follows along the south coast of Iceland, passing by black sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and glaciers. And the best part? Most of the must-see sights on this Iceland south coast itinerary are relatively accessible.
If you have a 4x4 vehicle, you have more flexibility to drive on F roads to get to some beautiful areas, but it’s not necessary for most of the attractions. If you are looking for one of the best road trips, the drive from Reykjavik to Vik is perfect for you. You’ll be in awe of all of the incredible things you can see and do!
Logistics for Driving From Reykjavik to Vik
Distance from Reykjavik to Vik
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is about 116 miles (187 km). If you were to drive straight through to Vik, it would take about 2.5 hours, but it will obviously take longer since you will be stopping at different attractions. Many must-see sights are along the main road, making it easy to see a lot along the drive from Reykjavik to Vik.
How to Get From Reykjavik to Vik
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is easy to follow because most of it is on the Ring Road (Route 1). Once you are out of the city, you can follow the Ring Road to the must-see sights on your Iceland South Coast itinerary and to Vik.
What to Pack for Driving From Reykjavik to Vik
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Hotels in Vik Iceland
Camping in Vik Iceland
Vik Restaurants
There are many delicious Vik restaurants! Eating out in Iceland, in general, can be expensive, but if you have the budget, I highly recommend eating in at least one Vik restaurant. The small fishing town has delicious food! Here are some of the best Vik Restaurants:
Tips for Planning Your Iceland South Coast Itinerary
Time Needed: The drive from Reykjavik to Vik can take as long as you want! You can make the drive in one day or break it up into multiple days or even a week. It depends on how long you want to make your Iceland south coast itinerary! You can see most of the must-see sights along the Ring Road in one day. If you want to explore off the main road, you will need anywhere from 2-14 days. We spent a week exploring the south coast of Iceland and felt like we could have even spent more time seeing more attractions!
Rental Car: I highly recommend renting a car to drive from Reykjavik to Vik. There are tours and buses, but the best experience is seeing the attractions on your schedule with a car. If you plan on driving only on the Ring Road, you can rent any vehicle since you will be staying on paved and easy-to-drive roads. If you want to explore F roads, you need a 4x4 vehicle. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads that can have anything from rocks to river crossings, so a 4x4 vehicle is necessary. The car you rent will depend on what you have on your Iceland south coast itinerary.
Rental Car Insurance: Make sure you get all of the car insurance you can get, especially if you will be driving on F roads. The weather and roads in Iceland can be unpredictable and crazy, so I highly recommend getting as much insurance as you can, just in case.
Discount Gas Card: Gas is one of the most expensive expenses you will have in Iceland. Most car rental companies give you a discount gas card. If they don't, I highly recommend getting one. It will help you save money on gas since you will be doing quite a bit of driving!
Weather: The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and can change quickly. It’s crucial to be prepared by packing layers and the appropriate hiking gear if you will be hiking. When we visited in September, we had many days that started beautiful and sunny then turned into a crazy rain and wind storm. Being prepared will help you handle all types of weather Iceland can throw at you.
Daylight: The daylight in Iceland throughout the year changes drastically. June and July have about 21 hours of daylight, while December and January only have about five hours. The summer months provide you with longer days and better weather, but if you want to visit Iceland in the quiet months and don’t mind the lack of daylight, the winter months are perfect for you.
Leave No Trace: It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Driving From Reykjavik to Vik: The Best Iceland South Coast Itinerary
As I mentioned previously, what you do on the drive from Reykjavik to Vik will depend on how much time you have to explore! This Iceland south coast itinerary will have many must-see sights you can fit in one day and a few you can add in if you have time. This itinerary has everything the Iceland south coast offers, so get ready for beautiful views and an epic road trip!
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Do you want to start your day soaking in a relaxing hot spring while taking in the beautiful views? Look no further! To get to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River, you have to hike 5-miles roundtrip, so the hot springs will make you work for them! The trail is easy to follow and gains a little over 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
As you hike, you will have stunning views of the valley and mountains. There will also be many hot pools everywhere, but these are NOT where you want to swim. These hot pools are boiling.
The thermal river is further along the trail, and you will know you made it when you see the boardwalk and people enjoying the warm waters. The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is the perfect way to start your Iceland south coast itinerary!
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater is a stunning, 3,000-year-old volcanic crater with a beautiful lake inside it. It’s only accessible by foot, and you can walk around the lake or along the crater rim. The rim is stunning, so I highly recommend walking around it if you are up for it! There is a small entrance fee (only a few dollars), but all of the money goes to helping preserve this beautiful place.
Urridafoss
Urridafoss will be your first of many waterfalls on this Iceland south coast itinerary! Urridafoss is in the Þjórsá River, the longest river in Iceland. Although it won’t be the biggest waterfall you see, it is the most voluminous in Iceland! The waterfall is only a quick walk from the parking lot, so it’s a quick stop to take in the beautiful waterfall.
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk)
Thorsmork is a stunning valley and mountain range in-between three glaciers, Tindafjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and Eyjafjallajokull. Because Thormsork is difficult to get to, I highly recommend only adding it to your Iceland south coast itinerary if you have at least an entire day to dedicate to it. If you do, it’ll be one of the most beautiful areas you visit along your drive from Reykjavik to Vik!
The F road leading to Thorsmork is incredibly bumpy and difficult to drive with deep river crossings. I highly recommend booking a ticket on a special mountain bus that can easily take you into and out of Thorsmork.
You can visit Gluggafoss, a lesser-known but stunning waterfall, and hike to Valahnukur, a beautiful 1.5-mile roundtrip trail offering views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cliffs. Those are just two of the many incredible things you can do in Thormsork. If you have at least an entire day to dedicate to Thorsmork, I highly recommend visiting it along your drive from Reykjavik to Vik!
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, so I’m sure you have heard of it, even if you don’t know its name! It’s a beautiful 197-foot waterfall that you can walk behind! Although you can experience its beauty from the parking lot, you also have the opportunity to have the unique experience of walking behind it (if it’s open). If you want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss, it’s only about a 0.2-mile hike, so it's great for all ages!
Gljufrafoss
Although Gljufrafoss is close to Seljalandsfoss, it’s often overlooked. Gljufrafoss is a 131-foot waterfall hidden behind a cliff, so it’s difficult to see from the road. If you want to visit this beauty (which I highly recommend you should!), it’s a quick 1.2-mile trail from Seljalandsfoss. You can walk right up to it and get an up-close and personal experience with the unique waterfall.
Skógafoss
Not too far down the road from Seljalandsfoss is another iconic waterfall, Skógafoss. This 82-foot wide and 200-foot tall waterfall is powerful and epic! You can walk up to the bottom or hike to the top. The easiest way to experience it is to walk the flat path to the bottom of the Skógafoss. If you are up for a fun hike, you can hike up about 530 steps to the top of it. Although the steps are steep, it rewards you with an incredible view of Skógafoss and the surrounding area.
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull is one of the smaller glaciers in Iceland but doesn’t lack beauty! It’s actually part of a larger glacier, Mýrdalsjökull. If you want to explore a glacier along your drive from Reykjavik to Vik, Sólheimajökull is perfect! You can take a guided hiking tour onto the glacier to explore crevasses, freezing water cauldrons, and the beauty of the area.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
One of the most popular attractions along the drive from Reykjavik to Vik is the Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck. The plane crashed on the beach in 1973 after the US Navy ran out of gas. It still stands on the beach today and is a unique attraction if you are up for a 4.5-mile roundtrip hike. Don’t let the signs fool you by saying it’s a 15-minute walk. This hike takes most people about an hour to get to the plane.
Dyrholaey
Dyrholaey is a 390-foot arch standing in the ocean that you can see from a beautiful cliff across from it. The cliff also has a lighthouse and expansive views of the surrounding black sand beach and mountains.
To get to the cliff you have to drive on a steep road. Once you are at the top, you can walk around to take in the views of Dyrholaey, the black sand beach, and the surrounding mountains. The views alone are enough of a reason to make the drive. You will not be disappointed!
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is the iconic black sand beach in Iceland! The sand has eroded volcanic rock, which gives it its beautiful black color. You can view the beach from the parking lot or walk along the beach to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the Hálsanefshellir sea cave, and the Gardar cliff. All three attractions on Reynisfjara are worth the walk!
NOTE: The waves along Reynisfjara are known to be crazy. I know some of you might roll your eyes when I say that, but people have died here. Reynisfjara is known for its sneaker waves, which can appear out of nowhere and sweep you off your feet. It’s crucial to pay attention while you are exploring Reynisfjara!
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Although Fjaðrárgljúfur is about an hour past Vik, I HIGHLY recommend visiting it! Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorgeous canyon about 330 feet deep and over a mile long. You will feel like you are on another planet here because of how insanely beautiful it is.
There is an easy two-mile round trip trail that follows along the canyon rim. It offers incredible views of the moss-covered canyon and waterfalls. Even if you only enjoy it from the first viewpoint, Fjaðrárgljúfur is worth the extra drive, I promise!
Summary of the Best Iceland South Coast Itinerary
The drive from Reykjavik to Vik is beautiful and makes for an epic road trip! Here is a summary of everything on this Iceland south coast itinerary:
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River - hot spring
Kerid Crater - volcanic crater with a lake
Urridafoss - waterfall
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) - valley and mountain range
Seljalandsfoss - waterfall
Gljufrafoss - waterfall
Skógafoss - waterfall
Sólheimajökull - glacier
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck - plane crash site
Dyrholaey - arch and lighthouse
Reynisfjara - black sand beach
Fjaðrárgljúfur - canyon
If you are looking to drive from Reykjavik to Vik, this guide is perfect for you! It has everything you need to know to make the trip and create the best Iceland south coast itinerary. Whether you want to make it a day trip or spend a few days driving from Reykjavik to Vik, this guide will help you plan everything!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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