There are few places in the world where you can find yourself wondering if you are still on planet Earth. Think of a magical place where icebergs meet volcanoes and waterfalls meet multi-colored desserts. Geysers surrounded by colorful hot springs are a stone’s throw away from ice caves resting on black-sand beaches. This is Iceland, a true heaven for travel photography. The sheer beauty in nature that exists in this magnificent country made me realize that I was somewhere special and unspoiled.
The wonderful thing about Iceland is that no matter where you go, there is some natural beauty somewhere in the vicinity. You are sure to get a spectacular view as you drive along the ring road that circumnavigates the island. This road will give you the opportunity to conveniently explore all corners of the island without having to drive very far between sites. Naturally, there is more to see than what lies on the perimeter. A bit of off-roading will allow you to visit deeper in the heart of Iceland.
I decided to stay 3 weeks in the summer to capture the diverse landscapes from all regions, so if you’re looking for some of the best places to visit in Iceland, make sure to continue reading.
Landmannalaugar in the heart of Iceland
The colorful mineral-enriched mountains of Landmannalaugar, which lie more inland, should be a stop on your Iceland itinerary. You will need to do some off-roading here or hire a tour company to take you as the terrain is a bit rough. Visiting Landmannalaugar is totally worth it though. The colors of the mountains here are unique and the views over the endless valleys make you forget the bumpy ride over quickly.
For an exact location where the photo was taken, you can save the photo or hover over it.
Westfjords and Latrabjarg cliffs filled with puffins
In summer, Iceland is one of the best places on the planet to spot puffins. These cool looking sea birds gather in large numbers and rest on the edge of the cliffs of Latrabjarg in the westfjords of Iceland. You won’t need a long telephoto lens to see these birds as they are used to visitors and are not easily frightened. The west of Iceland is also home to Kirkjufellsfoss, an iconic waterfall with a beautiful cone shaped mountain in the back. Coming here for sunset is magical as the sky turns pink with some dramatic clouds. This part of Iceland is a bit off the beaten path so you are guaranteed lower crowds.
Northern Iceland – Geothermal lava fields and waterfalls
The northern part of Iceland shows a completely different landscape from the west. Here you can walk across the Myvatn geothermal area for outstanding photography opportunities near the Krafla volcano. You can explore volcanic sulphur fields where you can see many different pools with extremely hot water and steam coming out of the ground. Luckily the camera doesn’t transfer smells as the sulphur smells are quite strong. Northern Iceland is also home to the Godafoss waterfalls, some of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls, located right off the ring road for easy access.
Southern Iceland’s most beautiful spots around Vik, Höfn and Iceland’s golden circle route
For many visitors, the golden circle is high on the itinerary. With iconic locations such as the hot springs of the world famous blue lagoon and the geysir of Strokkur, which shoots water up to 60 meters from the ground, this region cannot be missed. The entire coastal road along the towns of Vik and Höfn is any photographer’s dream. The coast is filled with beautiful rock formations and the beaches are formed by black lava sand, giving this area a unique look. When you’re down in the south, make sure to check out the mystical Fjadrargljufur Canyon (try pronouncing that one), where water runs through a moss covered canyon, and visit the beaches at Stokksnes where the mountain of Versturnhorn towers over the black sandy beaches below.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
A visit to Iceland is not complete without having visited the glaciers and icebergs of Jökulsárlón, where chunks of ice break off glaciers and flow into the sea only to be swept back by the waves onto a black-sand beach. It’s probably one of my favorite spots on the island, and exploring the lagoon on a zodiac offers such a cool perspective. You are often greeted by seals that call this lagoon their home, and it’s from the water where you can truly admire the sheer size of the icebergs making their way to the coast.
there is a little of everything in Iceland if you are into nature. Visiting in the summer allows for easy access to almost all the locations on the island. However, I would like to return in the winter for a completely different experience. Iceland instantly became one of my favorite countries in the world. There’s no place like it and if there is, please let me know.
