Claim to Fame
Iceland is one of the world’s most diverse and photogenic destinations, offering active volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the elusive northern lights — all within a single road trip.
📌 Navigating Iceland : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available at most tourist attractions, rest stops, and some rural areas, though some may require a small fee.
- Hours of Operation: Hours of operation differ by season and location, with many attractions open year-round, though some may have limited hours in winter.
- Important Information: Travelers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and should dress in layers for outdoor activities.
- Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by attraction, with many natural sites being free while some museums and parks may charge a fee.
- How Long to Visit: A typical visit to Iceland can range from a few days to a week, depending on the number of sites and experiences desired.
- Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by attraction, with many natural sites being free while some museums and parks may charge a fee.
- How Long to Visit: A typical visit to Iceland can range from a few days to a week, depending on the number of sites and experiences desired.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available at most tourist attractions, rest stops, and some rural areas, though some may require a small fee.
- Hours of Operation: Hours of operation differ by season and location, with many attractions open year-round, though some may have limited hours in winter.
- Important Information: Travelers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and should dress in layers for outdoor activities.
- WIFI: WIFI is commonly available in urban areas, hotels, and some cafes, though coverage may be limited in remote locations.
- Picnic Area: Many scenic spots and parks provide designated picnic areas for visitors to enjoy outdoor meals amidst beautiful surroundings.
- Handicap Accessible: Many tourist sites in Iceland are handicap accessible, though some natural attractions may present challenges due to rugged terrain.
- Pets: Pets are generally allowed in outdoor areas, but restrictions may apply in certain national parks and indoor venues.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are widely available, covering a range of interests including nature, culture, and adventure activities.
- Restaurant or Cafe: Restaurants and cafes are plentiful in cities and towns, offering traditional Icelandic cuisine as well as international options.
- Gift Shop: Gift shops can be found in major tourist areas, offering local crafts, souvenirs, and Icelandic products.
- Parking: Parking is available at most popular attractions in Iceland, with some areas offering free parking and others charging a fee.
- Family Friendly: Iceland is family-friendly, with various activities suitable for children, including geothermal baths, wildlife watching, and educational museums.
- Photography: Iceland offers stunning photography opportunities, with dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights being popular subjects.
- Restaurant or Cafe: Restaurants and cafes are plentiful in cities and towns, offering traditional Icelandic cuisine as well as international options.
- Gift Shop: Gift shops can be found in major tourist areas, offering local crafts, souvenirs, and Icelandic products.
- Parking: Parking is available at most popular attractions in Iceland, with some areas offering free parking and others charging a fee.
- Family Friendly: Iceland is family-friendly, with various activities suitable for children, including geothermal baths, wildlife watching, and educational museums.
- Photography: Iceland offers stunning photography opportunities, with dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights being popular subjects.
- WIFI: WIFI is commonly available in urban areas, hotels, and some cafes, though coverage may be limited in remote locations.
- Picnic Area: Many scenic spots and parks provide designated picnic areas for visitors to enjoy outdoor meals amidst beautiful surroundings.
- Handicap Accessible: Many tourist sites in Iceland are handicap accessible, though some natural attractions may present challenges due to rugged terrain.
- Pets: Pets are generally allowed in outdoor areas, but restrictions may apply in certain national parks and indoor venues.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are widely available, covering a range of interests including nature, culture, and adventure activities.
Photos of Iceland
Why Iceland Is a Bucket-List Destination for Photographers
Iceland is where photographic dreams meet geological extremes. With otherworldly landscapes shaped by fire and ice, every turn of the road reveals a new shooting opportunity. Whether you're chasing auroras, capturing towering waterfalls, or framing stark volcanic deserts, Iceland delivers portfolio-worthy images by the dozen. It's a land built for wide-angle lenses, dramatic light, and immersive storytelling.
Planning the Ultimate Photography Road Trip Around Iceland
The best way to photograph Iceland is by driving the Ring Road (Route 1), a 1,332 km loop that circles the island and connects most of its iconic landmarks. Most serious photographers spend 7–14 days on this route, optionally adding detours to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or Westfjords. A 4WD vehicle is essential in winter or for accessing the Highlands in summer.
Best months to visit:
- Summer (June–August): Midnight sun, lush green landscapes, easier access to Highlands and F-roads
- Winter (October–March): Northern lights, icy waterfalls, snow-covered lava fields, fewer tourists
Top Photography Locations in Iceland (With GPS)
These are some of the most iconic and rewarding locations for landscape photography in Iceland, ordered roughly clockwise from Reykjavík:
- Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss (GPS: 64.9311, -23.3065): The most photographed mountain in Iceland, framed perfectly by a small series of waterfalls. Ideal at sunrise or under the northern lights.
- Skógafoss Waterfall (GPS: 63.5321, -19.5114): A thundering vertical curtain of water, often accompanied by rainbows. Get close with a wide-angle for dramatic foregrounds.
- Vík Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) (GPS: 63.4045, -19.0458): Towering basalt stacks, violent Atlantic waves, and ominous skies make this an atmospheric shoot location. Use caution — the waves are deadly.
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (GPS: 64.0486, -16.1796): Icebergs drifting silently against a mountain backdrop. Pair with nearby Diamond Beach for crystal-clear ice chunks on black sand.
- Stokksnes & Vestrahorn (GPS: 64.2390, -14.9631): A cinematic black sand dune foreground with jagged peaks. Great for sunrise/sunset, or moody low-light scenes.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall (GPS: 63.6156, -19.9916): Walk behind this waterfall for a rare reverse perspective. Bring waterproof gear — you will get wet.
- Goðafoss Waterfall (GPS: 65.6838, -17.5495): “Waterfall of the Gods” — excellent for panoramic compositions or telephoto close-ups of icy arcs in winter.
- Dettifoss (GPS: 65.8147, -16.3841): Europe’s most powerful waterfall, surrounded by a stark basalt canyon. Raw and thunderous.
Northern Lights Photography in Iceland
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to photograph the aurora borealis, particularly from late September to early April. Clear skies, minimal light pollution, and accessible locations make it ideal.
Aurora tips:
- Use apps like Aurora Forecast or Vedur.is to track cloud cover and solar activity
- Settings: f/2.8 or faster, ISO 1600–3200, shutter speed between 5–20 seconds
- Foreground matters: frame the aurora with a waterfall, mountain, or ice cave for interest
- Top viewing areas: Thingvellir National Park (GPS: 64.2559, -21.1295), Vík area, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Drone Photography in Iceland: Epic Aerial Views
Iceland allows recreational drone use, but strict rules apply. Drones are prohibited in national parks and sensitive areas, and you must follow distance and altitude limits.
- Drone hotspots: Jökulsárlón Lagoon, mountain roads near Landmannalaugar, and isolated glacier tongues
- Always check: ust.is and samgongustofa.is for current laws and registration requirements
Use ND filters to manage shutter speed in bright daylight, and always fly with full situational awareness — winds change rapidly, especially near the coast.
Essential Camera Gear for Iceland Photography
Given the rugged and weather-intense conditions, your gear should be versatile and weather-sealed:
- Wide-angle lens (14–24mm, 16–35mm): For landscapes, waterfalls, and northern lights
- Mid-range zoom (24–70mm): For general-purpose and tighter compositions
- Telephoto lens (70–200mm+): For mountain compression, wildlife, or isolating details
- Sturdy tripod: Wind-resistant and ice-capable
- ND and circular polarizer filters: For long exposures and reducing glare on water or ice
- Remote shutter release: For aurora and long exposure work
- Weather protection: Rain covers for both you and your camera. A microfiber towel is essential.
When to Go: Light, Seasons, and Conditions
Iceland’s seasons dramatically affect light and accessibility:
- Summer (June–August): Nearly 24-hour daylight. Great for waterfalls, Highlands, and nightless golden hours.
- Winter (October–March): Short days, long nights. Ideal for aurora, ice caves, snow-covered landscapes.
- Spring & Fall: Shoulder seasons bring fewer tourists and beautiful transitional colors.
Pro tip: In summer, you can shoot golden hour for hours. In winter, you’ll need to move fast during the narrow window of usable daylight.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary for Photographers
- Day 1–2: Reykjavík, Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Strokkur geyser (Golden Circle)
- Day 3–4: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey
- Day 5: Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach, Vestrahorn
- Day 6–7: East Fjords (Djúpivogur, Seyðisfjörður), Dettifoss
- Day 8: Mývatn, Goðafoss
- Day 9–10: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Kirkjufell), return to Reykjavík
Post-Processing Tips for Iceland Photography
Iceland’s bold contrasts and variable light give you a lot of room in editing. Work in RAW, and consider:
- Split-toning for aurora shots: Warm the greens and cool the shadows
- Dehaze + clarity: Bring out texture in moody cloudscapes or glacier detail
- Color balance: Watch out for blue cast in snow or volcanic sands; correct with white balance tools
- Panoramas: Stitch wide scenes, especially in the Highlands or at glacier lagoons
Final Thoughts: Iceland Is a Visual Feast for the Creative Eye
Iceland isn’t just a place to take pretty pictures — it’s a landscape that invites you to explore, observe, and interpret nature in its rawest form. From aurora arcs over frozen lava fields to endless waterfalls crashing into green valleys, every scene in Iceland is a chance to create something timeless. With thoughtful planning and an eye for storytelling, you’ll leave not just with memory cards full — but with images that resonate deeply with viewers around the world.