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Rangárþing eystra
Rangárþing eystra is a municipality located in southern Iceland. This area has some of the most famous sights in Iceland, like Skógafoss waterfall, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, and the valley of Þórsmörk. It’s full of farmland, mountains, rivers, and black sand lands. You can stop at Hvolsvöllur or Skógar, good bases to explore the area, with shops and places to sleep.
Area
Grindavík
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous spots. With warm milky-blue water at around 37–39°C and dark rocks, this spot is perfect for relaxing. It’s more of a luxury spa than a wild hot spring, so expect crowds during high season and higher prices. Still it’s worth visiting at least once, especially if you go early in the day. They also give you a face mask (the silica mud mask leaves your skin feeling incredible).
Natural …
Vík í Mýrdal
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara is the most famous black volcanic sand beach in Iceland. It has tall basalt columns, unique rock formations, a cave in the cliffs, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the sea. The waves are very strong and dangerous, so it is important to stay well back from the water.
Beach
Vík í Mýrdal
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter high peninsula with steep cliffs, a huge natural arch, and a lighthouse that sits at the top. From there you can see black sand beaches, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and sometimes puffins nesting in summer. It’s volcanic, raw and beautiful.
Nature r…
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Höfn
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach has black sand with chunks of ice that have drifted from Jökulsárlón and washed ashore. The contrast of clear ice and dark volcanic sand is beautiful. It can get a little crowded, but walk a bit further along the beach for quiet spots.
Beach
Rangárþing ytra
Rangárþing ytra
Rangárþing ytra is a municipality located in southern Iceland. This region is mostly farmland, with rivers and beautiful views. The town of Hella has shops and hotels, and from here you can head to Hekla volcano or the rhyolite mountains and hot springs in Landmannalaugar.
Area
Vík í Mýrdal
Vik
Vík í Mýrdal is a remote seafront village in south Iceland, with only a few hundred people. It sits between high cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean. The red-roof church on the hill is a popular photo spot and the cliffs of Reynisfjall mountain are home to seabirds such as puffins. Vík is also a good base when traveling the South Coast, as it has food, gas, and hotels.
Area
Selfoss
Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss (which means “Golden Falls”) is a multi-step waterfall plunging first 11 m then 21 m into a canyon, along a 90° bend of the Hvitá River. It’s one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. On sunny days you might see rainbows in the spray.
Waterfal…
Selfoss
Haukadalur
Haukadalur is a geothermal valley full of bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, hot springs and the famous geysers: Strokkur (erupting every 5-10 minutes) and the historic Great Geysir which erupts now only rarely. The landscape is alive with color from mineral rich ground.
Area
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Svartifoss
Svartifoss means “Black Falls” and is a 20-meter waterfall known for the dark hexagonal basalt columns behind it. To reach it, you need to walk about 1.5 km from the visitor center on an easy trail. The mix of white water and black rock makes it one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland.
Waterfal…
Hvolsvöllur
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is a narrow waterfall about 60 meters (200-foot) high. What makes it special is that you can walk behind the falling water and see it from every angle. You will get wet from the water, but the view is worth it. It is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit on the South Coast. An absolutely breathtaking waterfall and a must see in the area.
Area
Selfoss
Bláskógabyggð
Bláskógabyggð is a municipality located in Iceland's Southern Region, a mix of wild nature and Icelandic history. It includes towns like Laugarás and Laugarvatn, and some of Iceland’s most famous sights: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir’s geysers, Gullfoss waterfall.
Areapremium Only
Hvolsvöllur
Gljúfrabúi
Gljúfrabúi is a 40-meter nearly hidden waterfall located behind a cliff and partly hidden inside a mossy canyon that cascades into a pool near the famous Seljalandsfoss. From Seljalandsfoss you walk a few minutes to the gorge entrance, then wade through shallow water to get close. It’s quieter and less crowded than its famous neighbor.
Waterfal…premium Only
Keflavik
Reykjanesbær
Reykjanesbær is a municipality made up of the towns Keflavík and Njarðvík plus the small village of Hafnir, and it’s often the first place visitors see, since Keflavík Airport is here. The area has seaside paths,the Icelandic Museum of Rock ’n’ Roll, museums, and access to the Reykjanes Geopark with lava fields and cliffs. It’s a great place to stay with restaurants and hotels close to the airport.
Areapremium Only
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur (or “Klaustur”) is a small village in the south of Iceland on the hringvegur between Vík í Mýrdal and Höfn. You’ll find waterfalls like Systrafoss, the lake Systravatn, and natural spots such as Kirkjugólf (“Church Floor”). You can find accommodation, restaurants and gas, making it the perfect base to explore Lakagígar, Eldgjá and Fjaðrárgljúfur.
Areapremium Only
Vogar
Vogar
Vogar is a small town and municipality in southwestern Iceland with around 1,200 people. Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, it has quiet streets, a swimming pool with hot tubs, a golf course, and walking paths by the sea. The area is also good for birdwatching around the pond Vogatjörn. It is the perfect stop close to both the airport and Reykjavík.
Areapremium Only
Höfn
Fagurhólsmýri
Fagurhólsmýri is a farm in southern Iceland with fields, glaciers and mountains all around. It’s quiet, remote and peaceful. You can use the hotels here as a base to explore ice caves, glacier lagoons or black-sand beaches.
Areapremium Only
Thingvellir
Thingvellir is where Iceland’s first parliament met over 1,000 years ago. With cliffs and cracks between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, its trails lead through lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls like Öxarárfoss. It’s both a historic and natural highlight of the Golden Circle.
Naturepremium Only
Selfoss
Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur
Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur is a small municipality in south-central Iceland with farms, rivers, and mountains. It is peaceful and has very few people. One highlight is Þjóðveldisbær, a turf-house farm built to show how Icelanders lived in medieval times. The area also works as a base if you want to go to the highlands.
Areapremium Only
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Iceland - Vík í Mýrdal

Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara is the most famous black volcanic sand beach in Iceland. It has tall...

Selected by @silvia

Iceland - Vík í Mýrdal

Reynisfjara Beach

Address: Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

Reynisfjara is the most famous black volcanic sand beach in Iceland. It has tall basalt columns, unique rock formations, a cave in the cliffs, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the sea. The waves are very strong and dangerous, so it is important to stay well back from the water.

Known for:
Black volcanic sand and basalt columns.
Tips:
Go early or late in the day to avoid the crowds, and always keep a safe distance from the waves.

Featured in:

Best Places to Visit in Iceland

Made by @silvia

Other spots by silvia

Rangárþing eystra

Rangárþing eystra is a municipality located in southern Iceland. This area has some of the most famous sights in Iceland, like Skógafoss waterfall, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, and the valley of Þórsmörk. It’s full of farmland, mountains, rivers, and black sand lands. You can stop at Hvolsvöllur or Skógar, good bases to explore the area, with shops and places to sleep.

Bláskógabyggð

Bláskógabyggð is a municipality located in Iceland's Southern Region, a mix of wild nature and Icelandic history. It includes towns like Laugarás and Laugarvatn, and some of Iceland’s most famous sights: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir’s geysers, Gullfoss waterfall.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous spots. With warm milky-blue water at around 37–39°C and dark rocks, this spot is perfect for relaxing. It’s more of a luxury spa than a wild hot spring, so expect crowds during high season and higher prices. Still it’s worth visiting at least once, especially if you go early in the day. They also give you a face mask (the silica mud mask leaves your skin feeling incredible).

Gljúfrabúi is a 40-meter nearly hidden waterfall located behind a cliff and partly hidden inside a mossy canyon that cascades into a pool near the famous Seljalandsfoss. From Seljalandsfoss you walk a few minutes to the gorge entrance, then wade through shallow water to get close. It’s quieter and less crowded than its famous neighbor.

Reykjanesbær is a municipality made up of the towns Keflavík and Njarðvík plus the small village of Hafnir, and it’s often the first place visitors see, since Keflavík Airport is here. The area has seaside paths,the Icelandic Museum of Rock ’n’ Roll, museums, and access to the Reykjanes Geopark with lava fields and cliffs. It’s a great place to stay with restaurants and hotels close to the airport.

Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara is the most famous black volcanic sand beach in Iceland. It has tall basalt columns, unique rock formations, a cave in the cliffs, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the sea. The waves are very strong and dangerous, so it is important to stay well back from the water.

Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter high peninsula with steep cliffs, a huge natural arch, and a lighthouse that sits at the top. From there you can see black sand beaches, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and sometimes puffins nesting in summer. It’s volcanic, raw and beautiful.

Diamond Beach has black sand with chunks of ice that have drifted from Jökulsárlón and washed ashore. The contrast of clear ice and dark volcanic sand is beautiful. It can get a little crowded, but walk a bit further along the beach for quiet spots.

Rangárþing ytra

Rangárþing ytra is a municipality located in southern Iceland. This region is mostly farmland, with rivers and beautiful views. The town of Hella has shops and hotels, and from here you can head to Hekla volcano or the rhyolite mountains and hot springs in Landmannalaugar.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur (or “Klaustur”) is a small village in the south of Iceland on the hringvegur between Vík í Mýrdal and Höfn. You’ll find waterfalls like Systrafoss, the lake Systravatn, and natural spots such as Kirkjugólf (“Church Floor”). You can find accommodation, restaurants and gas, making it the perfect base to explore Lakagígar, Eldgjá and Fjaðrárgljúfur.

Similar Spots

Also known as La Pleasure Beach, you can enjoy here the ocean views and beach activities like horseback riding and beach sports. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists, especially on weekends when live music and performances are common. Be prepared for entrance fees and vendors selling various goods. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious if swimming, as lifeguard coverage can vary.

This spot is part of Belongil beach at Byron Bay and is a good place for surfing. It’s named after the shipwreck of the Wollongbar that sunk in 1922, and you can see it peeking out of the water just offshore. We loved how raw and wild this spot felt, especially with the waves crashing over the wreck. We went there for snorkeling and we would definitely go again.

A beach with chunks of icebergs wash up on shore. If you don't get to see any huge ones, there are plenty of little ones out there that are super pretty. Absolutely love that spot. It is really cool to see the contrast between the ice and then just the sheer black sand.

Reynisfjara Beach

This black volcanic sand beach with basalt rocks is super unique. The waves are pretty dangerous, so be careful.

This beach’s sand has an amazing yellow color. The drive here is a little steep and curvy, so be careful. If you’re lucky, you can see seals here.

This beautiful black sand beach has pieces of iceberg drifting ashore. A must stop area, as the contrast between the clear ice and the dark shore is amazing.

A true hidden gem in the Bali island Nusa Penida. Unique geological formation with clear and turquoise water.

A black sand beach across from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Icebergs drift out, wash back in, and land on the shore. The ocean polishes the ice so it glitters like diamonds on jet black sand.

If you’re looking to surf on the Sunshine Coast, Kawana Beach is a fantastic choice. Known for its consistent waves, it’s a great spot for surfers of all levels. The long stretch of sandy beach provides plenty of space to catch some waves without feeling crowded. We spent the day here surfing and swimming and we ended our day watching the sunset here. Honestly, it was one of the most peaceful moments of our trip.

Cotton Tree Beach

This beach totally surprised us. We stumbled on it while exploring and ended up loving how chill it was. It’s perfect if you’re into paddleboarding or just want to hang by the water without the big crowds. We brought a picnic, found a shady spot, and just relaxed for hours. It’s got this super local vibe that makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem. There are plenty of amenities nearby, including cafes, shops, and picnic areas. The best part: it’s the perfect spot to park your van and spend a comfortable night!

About

@silvia

Every place whispers its story; its cafés, galleries, backstreets, and the animals that live there. My maps are small love letters to culture and to the lives I quietly watch unfold.