Start with Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Miðborg for the most Reykjavík way to kick off a trip: a quick hot dog with all the usual fixings, especially the crispy onions and remoulade. It’s right in the center, so it’s an easy first stop after dropping bags. Expect a short queue, especially around lunch, but it moves fast; a couple of dogs will usually run you about ISK 1,000–2,000. From there, walk up toward Skólavörðuholt to Hallgrímskirkja, which is the city’s best orientation point and the easiest place to get your bearings on day one. If you want the tower view, plan for a small fee and a short wait, and the panorama is especially good on a clear day because you can see the harbor, the colored rooftops, and the surrounding lava fields.
Make your way down Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main walking street, and treat it as a slow browse rather than a mission. This is where you’ll naturally drift between small design shops, wool stores, bookstores, and coffee bars without needing a strict plan. If you want a proper coffee pause, look for a place around the lower end of the street or side streets near Austurstræti; the whole area is compact enough that you can wander comfortably on foot. Then pop across to Café Loki, right by Hallgrímskirkja, for a distinctly Icelandic lunch break: the rye bread ice cream is worth trying once, and the lamb soup is exactly what you want if the weather turns windy, which in Reykjavík it often does. Budget about ISK 3,000–5,000 per person and keep in mind it can get busy around midday, though the turnover is usually decent.
After lunch, head down toward the water for Harpa Concert Hall in Austurbær. Even if you don’t go inside for a performance, the building is worth the detour for the glass facade, the reflections, and the harbor views; it’s one of those places that feels especially good in late afternoon light. From there, take a slow walk along the waterfront and let the city ease into evening — this is a good time to linger without trying to “do” too much. Finish with an easy dinner at Grandi Mathöll in Grandi, which is ideal on a first night because everyone can choose what they want and nobody has to commit to a formal sit-down meal. Expect roughly ISK 3,500–7,000 per person depending on what you order, and if you still have energy after dinner, the harbor area is pleasant for one last stroll before calling it a night.
Start high above the village at Vík Church (Víkurkirkja), the little red-roofed church on the hill that gives you the cleanest first look at Vík í Mýrdal and the black-sand shoreline below. It’s a quick stop, usually 20–30 minutes tops, and the best time is early before the tour buses settle in. From the church area, it’s a short drive down into town and then out to the coast, so you can keep the morning loose without feeling rushed.
Next, head straight to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach for the dramatic stuff: basalt columns, the cave, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and that big Atlantic surf that makes this place famous. Give yourself about an hour, and be very cautious near the water—those sneaker waves are no joke, and the safest move is to stay well back from the edge and keep an eye on the posted warning lights. It’s one of those places where the scenery looks almost unreal in person, especially on a gray or windy day.
For lunch, Black Crust Pizzeria in Vík centrum is the easy, sensible choice: close, casual, and genuinely good after a windswept beach stop. Expect roughly ISK 3,500–6,500 per person, depending on what you order, and about an hour is enough to sit down, warm up, and reset for the rest of the day. If you want to keep the pace relaxed, grab your meal slowly and let the village do its thing—this is the kind of town where a calm lunch break fits the rhythm perfectly.
Afterward, make your way to Dyrhólaey Viewpoint for the big coastal panorama. This is the place for the sweeping cliffs and the wide-open look back over the black beach, and it gives you a nice visual contrast after the tighter drama of Reynisfjara. Plan around an hour here, and dress for wind; even in mild weather it can feel brisk up top. If the access road is open and conditions are good, the views are worth every minute, especially later in the season when you might catch seabirds moving along the cliffs.
Continue west to Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s classic waterfalls and an easy, satisfying stop after the coast. It’s one of the most accessible major falls in the country, so you don’t need to overthink it—give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to walk up close, feel the spray, and climb partway or all the way up the stairs if your legs are up for it. The base area can get busy, but it’s still one of those must-see places that earns its reputation the second you hear it thundering in front of you.
Circle back to Vík for dinner at Smiðjan Brugghús, the best all-around evening stop in town for hearty food and a proper drink after a full South Coast day. Budget roughly ISK 4,500–8,000 per person, and 1.5 hours is enough for dinner without turning the night into a marathon. It’s the right place to wind down: warm, casual, and busy enough to feel lively, but still easygoing enough that you can call it an early night and be ready for the next day.
Start early at Seljalandsfoss, ideally before the tour buses roll in, because the whole experience is better when the path isn’t crowded and you can hear the water properly. Give yourself about 45 minutes here: enough time to walk the loop, check out the views from both sides, and take your time with the spray. The path can be slippery even in good weather, so wear grippy shoes and a proper rain shell; Iceland doesn’t really do “maybe dry.” From there, a short walk east brings you to Gljúfrabúi, tucked inside its mossy little gorge like a secret. It’s a quick stop, but one of the most memorable on the South Coast — 20 to 30 minutes is plenty, though you may want a few extra minutes if you’re trying to photograph it without everyone else in the frame.
By the time you reach Hvolsvöllur, it’s the right moment for a warm reset at Café Langbrók. This is the kind of practical roadside café locals actually use, which is exactly what you want after a couple of waterfall stops: good coffee, soup, sandwiches, and a bathroom break without fuss. Budget around ISK 2,500–4,500 per person, and expect things to be straightforward rather than fancy. If you’re running a little behind, don’t worry — this is the kind of stop that works best as a flexible pause, and the next stretch west toward Skógar is easy to pick up once you’re fed and warmed through.
In Skógar, head for Kvernufoss instead of lingering only at the main roadside sights; it’s quieter, more atmospheric, and feels like a proper little hike rather than a photo stop. Plan on about an hour for the round-trip walk and time at the falls themselves, especially if the trail is wet or you want to linger in the gorge. After that, continue to Sólheimajökull Glacier Viewpoint for a completely different landscape — dark lava, ice, and that raw glacier edge that makes the whole South Coast feel bigger. An hour is generous enough for the viewpoint and a short wander without eating too far into the evening. The light can be especially good late in the day if the sky cooperates, so this is a nice place to slow down rather than rush through.
Back in Hveragerði, finish at Ölverk Pizza & Brewery, which is one of the most satisfying post-drive dinners in town: solid pizza, local beer, and a lively but not overdone atmosphere. It’s a good place to decompress after a day on Route 1, and around 1.5 hours is enough to eat well without turning dinner into a late night. Expect roughly ISK 4,500–8,500 per person depending on what you order and whether you go for a beer tasting or just one pint. If you still have energy afterward, the town center is small enough for a short, easy stroll before calling it a night.