Day 2 of your trip takes you out of the city of Reykjavik and introduces some of the most iconic waterfalls Iceland has to offer. This day’s itinerary includes a walk behind Seljalandsfoss, sneaking into the canyon of the less visited Gljúfrabúi Waterfall and soaking in the powerful force behind Skógafoss. This will be a great second day exploring your first few stops in South Iceland.
Type: Restaurant
Arrival Time: 9:25am
Departure Time: 10:00am
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost (Per Person): $25-$30 / 2,770-3,324 ISK
Bergsson Mathús is a cozy breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that has the vibe of a laid back coffee shop. When you arrive, there are a few menus at the counter (where you order) before taking a seat. There are a couple communal, as well as individual, tables for patrons to sit at, and the open floor plan makes the space very inviting. The food comes out quickly and we would recommend getting either the Bergsson Breakfast or the Bergsson Bunch – they are hearty meals that will kickstart your day and cover all the bases! Oh, and the sourdough bread is amazing, that is a must get no matter what you order.
Type: Restaurant
Arrival Time: 9:25am
Departure Time: 10:00am
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost (Per Person): $25-$30 / 2,770-3,324 ISK
Bergsson Mathús is a cozy breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant that has the vibe of a laid back coffee shop. When you arrive, there are a few menus at the counter (where you order) before taking a seat. There are a couple communal, as well as individual, tables for patrons to sit at, and the open floor plan makes the space very inviting. The food comes out quickly and we would recommend getting either the Bergsson Breakfast or the Bergsson Bunch – they are hearty meals that will kickstart your day and cover all the bases! Oh, and the sourdough bread is amazing, that is a must get no matter what you order.
Travel Time from Bergsson Mathús to Hagkaup (Grocery Store) – 30 minutes (Driving) includes walk back to Central Guesthouse Reykjavik.
Type: Grocery Store
Arrival Time: 10:30am
Departure Time: 11:10am
Time Spent: 40 min
Cost: $70
Hagkaup is an Icelandic hypermarket chain and its concept is similar to that of Walmart in the United States. It is primarily a grocery store for food & drink shopping, but they also sell clothing, electronics and more. This is basically a one stop shop for everything you need before hitting the road for your adventure.
Type: Grocery Store
Arrival Time: 10:30am
Departure Time: 11:10am
Time Spent: 40 min
Cost: $70
Hagkaup is an Icelandic hypermarket chain and its concept is similar to that of Walmart in the United States. It is primarily a grocery store for food & drink shopping, but they also sell clothing, electronics and more. This is basically a one stop shop for everything you need before hitting the road for your adventure.
Travel Time from Hagkaup (Grocery Store) to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River – 50 minutes (Driving)
Type: Hot Spring / Hiking
Arrival Time: 12:00pm
Departure Time: 3:00pm
Time Spent: 3 hours
Distance: 2.4 Miles (Roundtrip)
Type of Trail: There & Back
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a hot spring and hike in that offers an amazing experience of being able to bathe and relax in the naturally heated Icelandic water.
It was very rainy and very windy the day we went on this hike. Make sure to have a waterproof jacket and pants!
Instead of changing into your bathing suit at the top of the mountain, put on your bathing suit in the bathroom at the start of the trail. It can, and probably will, be cold, windy and wet at the top, so you won’t want to spend extra time changing. You’ll thank us for this! Also, we just wore our wet bathing suits under our hiking clothes after we got out of the river, then changed into dry clothes when we got back to the trail head.
To us, the whole point of this hike is to get into the hot spring when you get to the top – don’t chicken out if it’s too cold out! You’ll regret it.
There are a few different places to enter the thermal river. Although it is more shallow the more you move up the river, the water is warmer in those places.
Type: Hot Spring / Hiking
Arrival Time: 12:00pm
Departure Time: 3:00pm
Time Spent: 3 hours
Distance: 2.4 Miles (Roundtrip)
Type of Trail: There & Back
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a hot spring and hike in that offers an amazing experience of being able to bathe and relax in the naturally heated Icelandic water.
It was very rainy and very windy the day we went on this hike. Make sure to have a waterproof jacket and pants!
Instead of changing into your bathing suit at the top of the mountain, put on your bathing suit in the bathroom at the start of the trail. It can, and probably will, be cold, windy and wet at the top, so you won’t want to spend extra time changing. You’ll thank us for this! Also, we just wore our wet bathing suits under our hiking clothes after we got out of the river, then changed into dry clothes when we got back to the trail head.
To us, the whole point of this hike is to get into the hot spring when you get to the top – don’t chicken out if it’s too cold out! You’ll regret it.
There are a few different places to enter the thermal river. Although it is more shallow the more you move up the river, the water is warmer in those places.
Travel Time from Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River to Urriðafoss Waterfall – 35 minutes (Driving)
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 3:35pm
Departure Time: 4pm
Time Spent: 25 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
More water flows over Urriðafoss falls in Þjórsá River than any other Icelandic waterfall. Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river that flows about 230 km from source to sea and, in very cold winter conditions, ice can be piled up at the waterfall up to 30 meters in thickness.
As you approach the waterfall to take a left into the parking lot, there is a confusing sign on the right side of the road that appears to show that the waterfall is on the right side of the road by the farm / houses – don’t fall for it! This is private property. Just 10 seconds up the road on the left is the parking lot for the waterfall and it’s not extremely obvious, so just keep an eye out as you’re driving up the road.
Read the placard available at this waterfall site. This is Iceland’s most voluminous waterfall and it has a very interesting story / history.
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 3:35pm
Departure Time: 4pm
Time Spent: 25 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
More water flows over Urriðafoss falls in Þjórsá River than any other Icelandic waterfall. Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river that flows about 230 km from source to sea and, in very cold winter conditions, ice can be piled up at the waterfall up to 30 meters in thickness.
As you approach the waterfall to take a left into the parking lot, there is a confusing sign on the right side of the road that appears to show that the waterfall is on the right side of the road by the farm / houses – don’t fall for it! This is private property. Just 10 seconds up the road on the left is the parking lot for the waterfall and it’s not extremely obvious, so just keep an eye out as you’re driving up the road.
Read the placard available at this waterfall site. This is Iceland’s most voluminous waterfall and it has a very interesting story / history.
Travel Time from Urriðafoss Waterfall to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – 1 hour (Driving)
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 5pm
Departure Time: 5:35pm
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s most visited and photographed waterfalls on the South Coast. This waterfall differs from others, in that you can walk behind the falls to see the incredible force of the water and unique views.
A short five minute walk away, you will also find the also incredible Gljúfrabúi Waterfall, allowing you to see two of Iceland’s most amazing waterfalls in one stop.
Make sure you walk behind the waterfall! You might get a little misty / wet as you walk around, but it’s a must do when visiting this attraction.
While this is an attraction that you can visit at anytime of the day, it’s particularly incredible to stand behind the falls leading up to sunset, where you have a view of both the waterfall and the sun setting.
This stop features another amazing waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, that is hidden in a cave just a five minute walk from Seljalandsfoss.
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 5pm
Departure Time: 5:35pm
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s most visited and photographed waterfalls on the South Coast. This waterfall differs from others, in that you can walk behind the falls to see the incredible force of the water and unique views.
A short five minute walk away, you will also find the also incredible Gljúfrabúi Waterfall, allowing you to see two of Iceland’s most amazing waterfalls in one stop.
Make sure you walk behind the waterfall! You might get a little misty / wet as you walk around, but it’s a must do when visiting this attraction.
While this is an attraction that you can visit at anytime of the day, it’s particularly incredible to stand behind the falls leading up to sunset, where you have a view of both the waterfall and the sun setting.
This stop features another amazing waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, that is hidden in a cave just a five minute walk from Seljalandsfoss.
Travel Time from Seljalandsfoss Waterfall to Gljúfrabúi Waterfall – 5 minutes (Walking)
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 5:40pm
Departure Time: 6:15pm
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Gljúfrabúi translates to “one that lives within the canyon,” and that’s exactly where this waterfall resides. Found tucked away between a small entry between two rocks, you will find a legendary Icelandic waterfall that makes you feel like you’re in a bubble from the outside world. Although this waterfall is only a short five minute walk away from the incredible Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, this is a less visited attraction and doesn’t draw a big of crowds, which makes it a bit more exclusive.
There are only a few conveniently placed rocks that lead into the canyon to the waterfall that are above water, so be careful! We would recommend having waterproof shoes / boots on to walk inside and avoid getting your shoes wet.
There is a gigantic rock at the bottom of the waterfall that people climb on to snag an epic picture looking up at the waterfall.
This stop features another amazing waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, that is just a five minute walk from Gljúfrabúi.
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 5:40pm
Departure Time: 6:15pm
Time Spent: 35 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Gljúfrabúi translates to “one that lives within the canyon,” and that’s exactly where this waterfall resides. Found tucked away between a small entry between two rocks, you will find a legendary Icelandic waterfall that makes you feel like you’re in a bubble from the outside world. Although this waterfall is only a short five minute walk away from the incredible Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, this is a less visited attraction and doesn’t draw a big of crowds, which makes it a bit more exclusive.
There are only a few conveniently placed rocks that lead into the canyon to the waterfall that are above water, so be careful! We would recommend having waterproof shoes / boots on to walk inside and avoid getting your shoes wet.
There is a gigantic rock at the bottom of the waterfall that people climb on to snag an epic picture looking up at the waterfall.
This stop features another amazing waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, that is just a five minute walk from Gljúfrabúi.
Travel Time from Gljúfrabúi Waterfall to Ásólfsskáli – 15 minutes (Driving)
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Type: Town
Arrival Time: 6:30pm
Departure Time: 6:45pm
Time Spent: 15 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
Ásólfsskáli is a very small town right off Route 1 that features a beautiful church and a grass covered hut that makes for a nice stop on your way to Skógafoss. While this is a place to quickly stop only if you have the time, it’s interesting to briefly explore a town that is off the beaten path and away from other tourists, which was nice to have all to ourselves for 15 minutes.
Type: Town
Arrival Time: 6:30pm
Departure Time: 6:45pm
Time Spent: 15 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? No
Ásólfsskáli is a very small town right off Route 1 that features a beautiful church and a grass covered hut that makes for a nice stop on your way to Skógafoss. While this is a place to quickly stop only if you have the time, it’s interesting to briefly explore a town that is off the beaten path and away from other tourists, which was nice to have all to ourselves for 15 minutes.
Travel Time from Ásólfsskáli to Skógafoss Waterfall – 25 minutes (Driving)
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 7:10pm
Departure Time: 8pm
Time Spent: 50 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest and most powerful waterfalls that features an epic 60 meter drop. Located on the Skógá river, this waterfall is visible from the road and is one of the best attractions along south coast of Iceland. It offers not only a view of one of the world’s most prestigious waterfalls, but you can also take a set of stairs to the top and enjoy a beautiful hike along the Skógá river.
As you walk up to the bottom of the Skógafoss, there is a lot of mist and water that sprays off from the waterfall. If you’re planning on getting close, make sure to bring a waterproof jacket!
There is a staircase to the right of the waterfall that leads to a beautiful view over the falls. The climb is comprised of 370 steps and takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the top, but the sweeping views are a pretty amazing payoff when you make it up.
Once you get to the top of the waterfall, walk through the gate and follow the path for an amazing hike along the Skóga river. This trail offers amazing views and other various beautiful waterfalls, so you must spend the time beyond just the base of Skógafoss.
Type: Waterfall
Arrival Time: 7:10pm
Departure Time: 8pm
Time Spent: 50 min
Cost: Free
Bathroom Available? Yes
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest and most powerful waterfalls that features an epic 60 meter drop. Located on the Skógá river, this waterfall is visible from the road and is one of the best attractions along south coast of Iceland. It offers not only a view of one of the world’s most prestigious waterfalls, but you can also take a set of stairs to the top and enjoy a beautiful hike along the Skógá river.
As you walk up to the bottom of the Skógafoss, there is a lot of mist and water that sprays off from the waterfall. If you’re planning on getting close, make sure to bring a waterproof jacket!
There is a staircase to the right of the waterfall that leads to a beautiful view over the falls. The climb is comprised of 370 steps and takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the top, but the sweeping views are a pretty amazing payoff when you make it up.
Once you get to the top of the waterfall, walk through the gate and follow the path for an amazing hike along the Skóga river. This trail offers amazing views and other various beautiful waterfalls, so you must spend the time beyond just the base of Skógafoss.
Travel Time from Skógafoss Waterfall to Vik Camping – 35 minutes (Driving)
Type: Camping
Arrival Time: 8:35pm
Time Spent: Overnight
Cost (Per Person): $15 / 1,750 ISK ($1.75 / 200 ISK for showers)
Vik Camping is one of the most popular campsites along the south coast of Iceland. The camping area is located right off the road and near a gas station / outerwear store, which is very convenient. The bathrooms are also cleaned regularly and showers are available at a small price. There is plenty of space to park and you can arrive at any time.
You are able to pull up to the campsite at anytime during the night and you don’t need to book in advance, as there is plenty of space. There is a reception area with an attendant usually available from 8am-10pm
Vik Camping offers electricity, toilets, showers, WiFi a dining area to cook food and warm and cold running water to wash dishes.
Since Iceland is a cold and windy place, the last thing you’re going to want to do if you have to get up in the middle of the night is walk more than a minute to go to the bathroom. Park as close as you can to avoid a long walk. In the morning and evening when getting ready, we went ahead and just parked our car next to the facilities.
Type: Camping
Arrival Time: 8:35pm
Time Spent: Overnight
Cost (Per Person): $15 / 1,750 ISK ($1.75 / 200 ISK for showers)
Vik Camping is one of the most popular campsites along the south coast of Iceland. The camping area is located right off the road and near a gas station / outerwear store, which is very convenient. The bathrooms are also cleaned regularly and showers are available at a small price. There is plenty of space to park and you can arrive at any time.
You are able to pull up to the campsite at anytime during the night and you don’t need to book in advance, as there is plenty of space. There is a reception area with an attendant usually available from 8am-10pm
Vik Camping offers electricity, toilets, showers, WiFi a dining area to cook food and warm and cold running water to wash dishes.
Since Iceland is a cold and windy place, the last thing you’re going to want to do if you have to get up in the middle of the night is walk more than a minute to go to the bathroom. Park as close as you can to avoid a long walk. In the morning and evening when getting ready, we went ahead and just parked our car next to the facilities.
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