Southwest Iceland Attractions

We loved Southwest Iceland even though it was wet and windy for most of our time there.  The sites we visited were all on or near the Ring Road.  Due to scarcity of hotel availability, we traveled from near Seljalandfoss to Höfn in one day.  It was a long day with a lot of amazing stops, but it would have been preferable to stay near Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur and spend two days exploring this area.  Here are six Southwest Iceland attractions we recommend.

#1:  Seljalandfoss Iceland

Seljalandfoss is a 200 foot waterfall that visitors can walk behind by following the path into the cave behind the falls. The Seljalandfoss hike is a bit of a trek, but our seven and nine year old boys easily handled the trail.  I walked carefully as I carried my daughter in our Beco carrier.  Seljalandfoss falls is easily accessible from the Ring Road.  

• Seljalandfoss Facts:  Plans to build an information center near Seljalandfoss caused controversy in May 2017 because opponents worried the building would spoil the view and natural look of the area.
• Seljalandfoss Kid Moment: Make sure to take the path from the cave down to the edge of the water and get a closer look at the waterfall.
• Seljalandfoss Kid Caution:  Seljalandfoss is viewed from below rather than above and therefore less dangerous than many waterfalls in Iceland.  However, the path that winds behind the falls can be slippery because of the constant mist.  Also, rain gear is probably necessary even on a dry day.
• Seljalandfoss Coordinates:  63°36′57″N 19°59′34″W

#2:  Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano is known throughout the world because of the Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption that caused the largest air-traffic shut-down since World War I.  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were stuck for an extra few days in the US when transatlantic flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash.  We viewed Eyjafjallajökull from the Ring Road when we stopped at an unmarked overlook to take some pictures.

• Eyjafjallajökull Facts:  The resulting volcanic ash of Eyjafjallajokull’s eruption disrupted air traffic over Europe and the Atlantic.  The pronunciation of Eyjafjallajökull became a news story of its own at the time.  Check out this video to learn how the correct Eyjafjallajökull pronunciation.  We were not able to master it.
• Eyjafjallajökull Kid Moments:  Show your children video of the 2010 eruption, which did not cause any injuries, and discuss some of the most destructive volcanic eruptions.
• Eyjafjallajokull Location:  63°37′12″N 19°36′48″W

#3:  Skógafoss Iceland

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls with a width of 75 feet and drop of 200 feet. Skogafoss was probably the safest and most accessible waterfall we visited as the viewing area was located on the river bank below the falls and just at the edge of the parking lot.  Don’t miss Skogafoss falls right off the Ring Road.

• Skogafoss Kid Moment:  Look for rainbows, which are common at Skógafoss, due to the amount of spray.
• Skogafoss Coordinates:  63°31′47″N 19°30′50″W

#4:  Sólheimajökull Iceland

Sólheimajökull is a beautiful outlet glacier of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. We took a short walk on a path from the parking area to view the glacier.  Sólheimajökull glacier tours were generally not offered for children under 10.  While this is one of the easiest glacial tongues to reach, we did not take attempt a Sólheimajökull glacier hike on our own.  Here is the correct Sólheimajökull pronounciation.

• Sólheimajökull Glacier Facts:  A glacier is a body of dense ice that is moving under its own weight. Glacial ice is the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth and appears blue because water molecules absorb other colors more efficiently than blue.

#5:  Dyrholaey Iceland

Dyrholaey is a coastal bird sanctuary located on a peninsula at the southernmost tip of Iceland. It’s a short walk to the lookout point, and we spotted a few puffins in the caves.  Note – This is not a black and white picture, but it was really that gray during our visit.

• Dyrholaey Facts: Dyrhólaey means “doorway hill island” because it was originally an island
• Dyrholaey Kid Moment:  Highlights include the Dyrhólaey puffins during the summer months and a view of the Dyrhólaey arch.
• Dyrholaey Coordinates:  63°23′59″N 19°07′35″W

#6:  Reynisfjara Iceland

Reynisfjara Beach is a black sand beach with a phenomenal basalt sea cave, Halsanefshellir.   The Reynisdrangur sea stacks are visible from the beach.

• Reynisfjara Beach Facts:  A scene in Rogue One was filmed at Reynisfjara Beach in which Jyn unsuccessfully tries to save her wounded father.
• Reynisfjara Beach Kid Moment:  Compare the basalt columns to a church organ.
• Reynisfjara Beach Kid Caution:  While this appears to be a safe beach, it was the only place in Iceland where we saw cautionary signs regarding recent tourist deaths that occurred in 2016 and 2017.  The Reynisfjara waves here are very dangerously unpredictable, and the undertow is extremely strong.  During our visit, our nine-year-old tripped and fell running away from a wave that came inland much further than previous ones, and he was covered by the water. My husband pulled him out before the wave retreated, but it was a very scary experience for all of us.  Luckily, the only casualty was the pair of shoes he was wearing.

Continue to Part VI – Southeast Iceland.  Planning a family trip to Iceland?  Check out our listing of all Iceland posts or join our Facebook group We Go To Iceland With Kids, which is a forum to ask questions and share ideas about family travel to Iceland.