Romantic Getaways in Southern Iceland
Southern Iceland gives couples warm water, black sand and glacier light within a few hours of Reykjavík. Prices are in Icelandic króna (ISK).
A late soak at Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is open until 19:00 from 1 October to 31 May and until 20:00 from 1 June to 30 September, with doors opening at 10:00. Adults (15 and over) pay 4,500 ISK, and seniors 67 and over or disabled guests pay 3,300 ISK with ID. Towel or swimsuit hire is 1,200 ISK each, so bring your own to keep the cost down.
Lakeside baths at Laugarvatn Fontana
Fontana at Laugarvatn reopened in 2026 after renovation and is open 10:00 to 21:00 daily. Adults (16 and over) pay 7,490 ISK, and seniors and disabled guests pay 6,490 ISK. A late slot gives the longest evening at the lake. The rye-bread bakery tour is a separately booked ticket, with tours at 11:45 and 14:30, plus 10:15 in summer only.
Diamond Beach at Jökulsárlón
Diamond Beach is a public beach beside the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, in the municipality of Hornafjörður. Sunset times vary hugely through the year, so check them before you plan a dusk visit. For a boat trip together, the amphibian boat runs May to November at 7,100 ISK per adult (13 and over), taking about 30 to 40 minutes.
Northern Lights from a rural lodge
In the dark season, lodges outside the towns on the South Coast have less light pollution. Sightings are never guaranteed, so allow several nights and keep an eye on the forecast at vedur.is .
Reynisfjara from a safe distance
The black sand beach at Reynisfjara, with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore, is a dramatic place at dusk, but sneaker waves can sweep far up the sand without warning. Official signs use warning lights: do not enter the yellow zone when the yellow light is on, and do not go past the sign when red is on. View the scene from behind the safety line rather than at the waterline, never turn your back on the sea, and never climb the basalt columns or enter the Hálsanefshellir cave in rough surf. Winter storms have eroded part of the beach, so do not count on reaching the cave or the columns.
Practical tips
- Parking at the main sights is paid, usually around 1,000 ISK. Reynisfjara is around 1,000 ISK in the lower lot and 750 ISK in the upper lot.
- Winter days are short, so plan the drive in daylight. Check road.is before you set out.
- Call 112 in an emergency, and use safetravel.is for alerts.
Read more: Multi-day trips in the Southern Region puts these stops on a route, and sightseeing covers the daytime viewpoints.
Find a guesthouse or hotel on Booking.com for a longer stay.