Restaurants in South Coast
Iceland's most popular route, linking iconic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glacier lagoons.
- Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss waterfalls
- Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon
- Diamond Beach
- Solheimajokull glacier walks
Top Restaurants
Lac Polaire
A small cafe-style eatery near the Skaftafell visitor centre in Vatnajokull National Park, named after the nearby glacial waterfall and serving warming soups and light meals to hikers.
Matarbarinn
A welcoming restaurant on the Westman Islands serving fresh seafood and hearty fare to islanders and ferry-day visitors on Heimaey's main street.
Activities & Tours
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South Coast5-6 hoursGlacier Hike & Ice Cave Combo
The ultimate glacier experience — hike across Vatnajokull's ice cap and descend into a naturally formed ice cave with walls of electric blue. Available only in winter when the caves are stable enough to enter safely.
South Coast5 hoursGlacier Hiking in Skaftafell (Vatnajokull)
A longer, more immersive glacier hike on the edge of Europe's largest ice cap. Skaftafell's Falljokull outlet glacier offers dramatic ice formations, panoramic mountain views, and a true sense of wilderness.
South Coast3 hoursGlacier Hiking on Solheimajokull
Walk on an ancient glacier just two hours from Reykjavik. Solheimajokull's dramatic blue ice, deep crevasses, and volcanic ash layers make this the most accessible glacier hike in Iceland.
Attractions
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South Coast30 minutes - 1 hourDiamond Beach
A striking black volcanic sand beach where crystal-clear icebergs wash ashore from Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, creating a natural display that resembles scattered diamonds. One of Iceland's most iconic photography locations and part of Vatnajokull National Park.
South Coast15-30 minutesDverghamrar (Dwarf Crags)
Dverghamrar is a cluster of small but perfectly formed basalt column formations along Route 1. These symmetrical hexagonal pillars, protected as a natural monument, look like they were crafted by the dwarves of Icelandic folklore.
South Coast1-2 hoursEldheimar
A striking museum built around an excavated house buried by tephra during the 1973 Eldfell eruption on Heimaey island. Often called the Pompeii of the North, Eldheimar preserves the moment an entire neighbourhood vanished beneath volcanic ash in a single night.
Dining in South Coast
The South Coast stretches from Selfoss to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, passing some of Iceland's most photographed landmarks along the way. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the Solheimajokull glacier tongue, and the ethereal Diamond Beach are all strung along Route 1 like pearls on a necklace. Dining options along this stretch are sparse and far between — planning your meals ahead is essential, as you can easily drive for an hour or more without passing a restaurant.