The South Coast (Reykjavík to Höfn) is Iceland's most-driven stretch. The headliners — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón — are stunning and crowded. Here are the stops that don't make every itinerary, in order from west to east.
Kerið Crater
15 minutes off the main road just before Selfoss. A 270-metre-wide volcanic caldera with a vivid blue lake at the bottom. Small entrance fee (~400 ISK), short trail. Most Golden Circle tours skip it.
Þjóðveldisbærinn (Stöng / Þjórsárdalur)
A reconstructed Viking-era turf farm in a green valley about 50 km north of Selfoss. Almost no tourists. Pair it with a hike along the Þjórsá river or to nearby Háifoss waterfall.
Gljúfrabúi
The "hidden" waterfall right next to Seljalandsfoss. You walk into a slot canyon to reach it — wear waterproofs, you'll get drenched. 90% of Seljalandsfoss visitors miss it.
Sólheimasandur DC-3 plane wreck
The famous abandoned plane on the black sand beach. The walk in is 4 km each way and flat. Either bring shoes you don't mind sandblasting, or take the shuttle from the parking lot. Best at sunrise or sunset.
Mýrdalur cliffs and Dyrhólaey
Skip the busy Reynisfjara viewpoint and head to Dyrhólaey instead. Better cliff views, puffins in summer, and a lighthouse that's properly photogenic. Charging available at ON Vík nearby.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
A 100-metre-deep canyon between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Featured in a Justin Bieber video, briefly closed for "ecological recovery", now back open with proper paths. Walk along the rim — don't try to scramble in.
Fjallsárlón (the other glacial lagoon)
The little sister to Jökulsárlón, 10 km west. Smaller, quieter, less photogenic but more peaceful. Boat tours run May–October. Both lagoons are reachable from chargers in the South region.
Vestrahorn at Stokksnes
The mountain on every photographer's bucket list. You pay a small fee at the Viking Café, drive 4 km on a rough track, and arrive at a black-sand beach with one of Iceland's most photogenic peaks rising behind it. Best at low tide.
Where to charge along the way
The South Coast has the best EV charging coverage outside Reykjavík. Major stops: ON Hveragerði, ON Vík, N1 Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Tesla Hveragerði and Höfn. See the South region charging map for everything.
Rule of thumb
If a place has a paved parking lot and a coffee truck, every guidebook lists it. The interesting Iceland is usually 10 minutes off Route 1 down a gravel turnoff. Bring offline maps.