Básar

The South


Básar is the choice base for Icelanders, largely due to its beautiful position in the trees. There’s hut (mattress only) accommodation for 83 people. Camping space gets extremely crowded on summer weekends. There's a barbecue and good-sized kitchen with large communal wooden benches for eating. Phone charging costs 500kr, showers per person also 500kr.

Básar is at the end of the F249, but not accessible with regular 4WD due to the river crossings en route. Amphibious buses stop here. Booking is advisable in summer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Mýrdalsjökull

10.13 MILES

This gorgeous glacier is Iceland’s fourth-largest ice cap, covering 700 sq km and reaching a thickness of almost 750m in places. The volcano Katla snoozes…

2. Skógafoss

10.26 MILES

This 62m-high waterfall topples over a rocky cliff at the western edge of Skógar in dramatic style. Climb the steep staircase alongside for giddy views,…

3. Kvernufoss

10.33 MILES

Pretty much off the tourist radar (you'll likely have the place to yourself) is this hidden 20m waterfall that you can walk behind. The short trail to it…

4. Skógar Folk Museum

10.48 MILES

The highlight of little Skógar is the wonderful Skógar Folk Museum, which covers all aspects of Icelandic life. The vast collection was put together by…

5. Sólheimajökull

10.58 MILES

One of the easiest glacial tongues to reach is Sólheimajökull. This icy outlet glacier unfurls from the main Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and is a favourite spot…

6. Drangshlíð Rock

10.88 MILES

Impressive turf houses and old farmhouses built into an enormous freestanding rock, in front of the Eyjafjöll Mountains. Local farmers would keep their…

7. Katla Geopark

11.1 MILES

In 2011 Iceland formed its first ‘geopark’ to protect a region of great geological importance, promote local culture and sustainable development, and…

8. Nauthusagil

11.62 MILES

Not far from Seljalandsfoss, on the road to Þórsmörk (4WD required), hides one of the most thrilling and adventurous scrambles to a waterfall along a…