Travel Iceland with Iceland Travel Travel the South Coast The South of Iceland is home to many of the country’s most celebrated locations including Gullfoss, Geysir and the historically significant site of Þingvellir. The majority of people visiting the region tend to focus on these areas, but for the more determined explorer the South Coast has a wealth of natural treasures to be discovered. The beauty of the coastal road, which extends from the Markarfljót valley to the southernmost village of Vík, is that it threads through some of Iceland’s most remarkable landscapes - stitching together a progression of diverse natural wonders, including waterfalls, rivers, famous volcanoes and glaciers. The area is also famous for its rich folklore and legends, so a stop at many of these locations and you could find yourself at the site of a legendary event or in the company of Icelandic trolls and elves!
Down by the Sea There are a few towns dotted along the coastline, detached from the main thread of Rte. 1, but nonetheless worthy of attention. These little towns are but a short trip away from the main road, across the Flói marshland (a breeding ground for many birds), but tend to get overlooked in favour of the more celebrated highlights of the region further on.
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Eyrarbakki. Until 1925, Eyrarbakki was the main trading center and port in the South of Iceland, where for centuries boats were literally dragged out through the surf to be launched into deeper waters. It’s now better known as the host of Iceland’s largest prison and its concentration of criminals at LitlaHraun. Don’t let this bit of trivia put you off visiting though, the town provides a valuable insight into the past of Iceland’s old fishing communities and hosts a few historic exhibitions too, including the country’s oldest primary school, the Maritime Museum, and Húsið (The House) – a complex of attractive preserved architecture, with one Scandinavian wooden-kit home dating back to 1765. The younger village church was built in 1890, but it’s better known for the royal attention Queen Louise of Denmark gave it when she painted the altarpiece. Húsið – husid.com
TRAVEL THE SOUTH COAST
