Southern Iceland is one of the most popular regions for locals and tourists due to the closeness to the capital Reykjavík. Last year we shared one of our adventures on the south coast of Iceland. We created A Guide around the South Coast, where we visited the Black Sand Beach, Sólheimajökull, Seljalandsfoss, Thingvellir, and ended in Vik. This time we visited new and different places also in the Southern Region of Iceland, but just a little bit less popular.

1 – Farmers Bistro (Flúðasveppir)

Are you a mushroom fan? If your answer is yes, then you are going to go nuts with this place. Located very close to the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, this bistro follows the motto “we serve what we grow,” so you can imagine how fresh everything is. Start your trip by stopping at this place for lunch. It opens every day from noon to 5 pm. If you are a big group of 10+, please pre-book. 

Flúðasveppir is not only a restaurant. It is a mushroom farm run by a family, and it has one of the most extensive horticulture sections in Iceland. The mushrooms produced here are white, and chestnut mushrooms, and they also grow bell-peppers and tomatoes in other greenhouses. It is not surprising that they also grow other vegetables like cabbage, kale, and carrots. Enjoy a great meal with mushroom soup from the gourmet buffet and other delicacies on the menu. 

2 – Flúðir Camping

Flúðir offers a great camping site. During the summer you will find that one of the best places to be is Flúðir. The campsite is very close to the center of the town where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and the swimming pool. 

3 – Fishing in Eystra Gíslholtsvatn

Looking for a different activity around the south? Fishing is common in Iceland, and you can find many places to do this. Some of them require a fishing card, but some of them are free. To reach the lake, turn onto Heiðarvegur no. 284 from highway no. 1 just east of Þjórsá.

There are two lakes in the area, Eystra and Vestra-Gíslholtsvatn. Holders of the Fishing Card may only fish in the eastern lake on the west side, where you will find local char and trouts. The char is usually quite small, but the trout can be good. Fishing is allowed 24 hours a day. 

4 – Visit the Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon or Gamla Laugin in Icelandic is a natural hot spring located in Flúðir. It is a magical place with natural surroundings and steam from the hot water where visitors can relax and have a good time. The Secret Lagoon is very popular during summertime, but it is great to spot some northern lights during winter. 

Price list 

Adults 3000 kr.
Children Free
Seniors 2200 kr.
Additionals:
Swimsuit rent 700 kr.
Towel rent 700 kr.

5 – Viking Stöng

Vikings are an essential part of history for Icelanders. A series of excavations have taken place across the country, revealing old archaeological evidence of the Viking Age. Stöng Commonwealth Farm was destroyed in a massive volcano eruption in 1104 and excavated in 1939. A team of archaeologists reconstructed the best-preserved house in 1974, and it is now a tourist attraction. The reconstruction aimed to replicate it as exactly as possible and give a credible picture of what it was in the Settlement Age. A great place to visit. 

6 – Háifoss, Hjálparfoss, and Gjáin

As part of the valley, Þjórsárdalur, these two waterfalls and the natural area of Gjáin, is a protected area in Iceland. You will find the three of them in the same area, and you can visit them at the same time. 

Háifoss is the fourth highest waterfall in Iceland with a beautiful drop of 122m of height. Located near the famous volcano Hekla, the rock of the waterfall is entirely volcanic, giving a great reddish color with the layers that show it was created from a volcanic eruption.

Hjálparfoss is located east of Háifoss. Two short waterfalls merge in the basin of Hjálparfoss to create a beautiful scenic view. Basalt columns surround the basin, giving it the Icelandic volcano look. 

Gjáin is a beautiful place to walk on. It is a short ravine valley known to be a very peaceful place in Þjórsárdalur. Enjoy the different kinds of moss, willows, springs, and hopefully, you can see a variety of birdlife in the summertime. 

Enjoy your travels!