Exploring Iceland’s south coast on a Porsche road trip in a Macan Electric

A local photographer’s guide to Iceland’s magical south coast on a Porsche road trip

Off the beaten track

January 28, 2026 | 5 min read

Woman standing behind Porsche Macan Electric in Iceland with ice-covered hills in the background

From glaciers to black beaches, Icelandic photographer Ása shares her must-visit places on Iceland’s south coast on a Porsche road trip in a Macan Electric

Ása Steinars has spent more than a decade working as a photographer and travel guide in Iceland. Her work regularly takes her across the country, helping visitors plan trips as well as documenting her own daily life on the spectacular island.

Early in her photography career, Ása travelled widely, with Iceland gradually becoming the focus of her work. The variety of scenery and the fact that waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and volcanoes can all be reached within a few hours’ drive has shaped how she now explores and shares the country with her followers.

“My passion, and what started all of this, is photography,” says Ása. “Being out in Icelandic nature and capturing images.”

Growing up, Ása dreamed of becoming a National Geographic photographer. Now her hugely popular Instagram account has allowed her to bring her love of nature photography to life. On a recent Porsche road trip in a Macan Electric, she revisited her favourite spots along the south coast. “It was a great adventure,” says Ása. “Driving a fully electric car around Iceland is still quite a novelty – a few years ago, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

That’s because Iceland is now rapidly expanding the number of public charging points, benefiting from the country’s renewable hydropower electricity. This being Iceland, some of the chargers are, naturally, in some truly breathtaking places.

“The drive was really enjoyable,” she adds. “Road tripping in Iceland is incredible: open roads, open landscapes.” She was particularly impressed with the car’s range, acceleration and smoothness (most of the time, Ása drives an old off-road car in Iceland). One particularly memorable moment in the Macan came one evening, when the Northern Lights appeared as she drove back towards town, visible through the car’s panoramic roof.

Here, Ása picks out her five favourite Icelandic south coast locations that she returns to most often and why each one is worth the journey.

1. Ice caves beneath Vatnajökull

Woman standing inside the ice caves at Vatnajökull in Iceland — Vatnajökull’s ice caves are one of Iceland’s most phenomenal natural spectacles. They are only accessible during the winter when the caves are frozen Photo: Ása Steinars

The ice caves at Vatnajökull are only accessible in winter, when cold temperatures make them safe to enter. In summer, meltwater floods the caves completely. Each year, different caves form at the base of the glacier, changing in size, shape and structure.

“Sometimes they’re big open chambers, sometimes they’re much smaller, like narrow tunnels,” says Ása.

The ice itself also varies, often appearing deep blue and translucent. Another part of the experience is the approach: in Iceland, glaciers extend down to sea level, making them unusually accessible by road.

“You’re driving with the ocean on one side and massive glaciers on the other,” she adds.

2. Skógafoss waterfall

Woman standing in front of Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland — At 60 metres high, the Skógafoss waterfall cascades down from the Skógá river. Here, visitors can hike to the top for awe-inspiring views and join the Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail Photo: Ása Steinars

Skógafoss is one of the south coast’s best-known waterfalls, dropping around 60 metres straight onto the plains below. In winter, the water continues to flow while ice builds up around the falls, creating heavy icicles along the rock face.

“It looks frozen, even though the water is still moving,” says Ása. Visitors can climb the staircase to the top of the waterfall for a different view. From there, a longer trail continues inland.

“If you keep hiking, you find many more waterfalls, and you leave the crowds behind,” she adds.

The waterfall can be visited all year round, where you are able to encounter very different conditions depending on the season.

3. Diamond Beach

Woman walking along the icebergs on Diamond Beach — Iceland’s Diamond Beach is a stunning, world-famous site where glacial icebergs from the Jökulsárlón lagoon wash up on a dramatic black sand beach Photo: Ása Steinars

Diamond Beach is a stretch of black sand where icebergs from the nearby glacier lagoon wash ashore. The ice pieces vary daily, both in size and number, depending on conditions in the lagoon and at sea.

“The ice glows in the sun like diamonds,” says Ása. “Some days there’s hardly any ice, and other days the beach is full of it.”

The beach is also a regular spot for wildlife. “I often see seals swimming there, especially because there’s a lot of fish in the area,” she adds.

The contrast between volcanic sand, ice and the glacier backdrop makes it one of the most distinctive locations on the south coast.

4. Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon

Woman with camera at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon — Jökulsárlón is Iceland's largest and deepest glacial lagoon, located at the edge of the Vatnajökull National Park and beside Diamond Beach. It’s renowned for its blue-coloured ice Photo: Ása Steinars

Jökulsárlón is a large glacier lagoon where ice breaks away from the glacier and drifts slowly towards the sea. Only a small portion of each iceberg is visible above the surface. “You only see about ten per cent of it,” says Ása. “Most of the iceberg is under the water.”

As the ice melts, it can shift and turn over, sometimes suddenly. “When they tip over, it can be really loud, and it creates waves,” she Ása.

In warmer months you are able to kayak among the icebergs, past the seals that are often seen resting on the ice. The lagoon changes character with each season, from deeper blue ice in winter to lighter tones in summer.

5. Stokksnes beach

Aerial view of Stokksnes beach in Iceland with Vestrahorn mountain in the background — For picture-postcard views, Stokksnes never disappoints, particularly in winter, where its black volcanic sand beach is framed by ice and snow and the imposing Vestrahorn mountain Photo: Ása Steinars

Stokksnes is a black volcanic sand beach set beneath the sharp outline of the Vestrahorn mountain – sometimes referred to as ‘Batman Mountain’. It’s one of the quieter and more remote south coast stop being some distance away from any towns and street lighting.

“There’s no light pollution, so it’s a really good place for watching the Northern Lights,” says Ása. Because of its openness and dark surroundings, it’s a location she often recommends spending a bit of time at rather than just passing through.

“It’s very dark and very atmospheric,” she adds. “And one of the most scenic places in Iceland.”

Gallery: more spectacular views of Iceland

Wide shot of Porsche Macan Electric driving on a bridge over a frozen lagoon in Iceland with snow-covered mountains in the background

View from inside Porsche Macan Electric driving on a snow-covered road in Iceland

Aerial view of bridge in Iceland above a frozen lagoon with mountains in background

Two reindeer walking on ice sheet in Iceland

Woman standing beside ice lagoon photographed from inside Porsche Macan Electric car

Consumption and emission information

Macan Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 19.3 – 16.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: . Macan 4 Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.4 – 17.8 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: . Macan 4S Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.4 – 17.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: . Macan GTS (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.5 – 18.4 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: .

Couple stand in front of red Porsche 911 GT3 at the Porsche Track Experience at the Nürburgring [credits Photo: Porsche]

Become a better driver with Porsche Track Experience Master Training

As multiple Porsche owners, the Bügelmayers want to find out how they can push the limits of their driving capabilities. Luckily, regular visits to the Nürburgring provides the answer

Plate of Sicilian cannoli and coffee served up for participants of the Porsche Travel Experience Sicily

Cars and coffee and pastries on the Porsche Travel Experience Sicily

With their love of their island’s famous pastries, treats and desserts, Sicilians know how to ensure that life is sweet. And you can too by following the route of the legendary Targa Florio with Porsche

Porsche 356, driven by Auguste Veuillet and Edmond Mouche, on track at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951

A guide to driving at Le Mans, with champion race driver, Richard Lietz

The Porsche Track Experience helps participants achieve their racing dreams. Here, multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Richard Lietz, reveals the secrets to conquering the Circuit de la Sarthe