As a professional landscape photographer, photographing Iceland and its many natural marvels was a genuine dream come true! From ice caves to aurora borealis (northern lights) to volcanoes and more, it is truly a paradise for nature lovers like myself.
I have created this guide to showcase what I consider the 100 best locations to photograph in Iceland. In addition, I will provide expert tips and guidance for photographing each of them.
These tips include considerations such as what additional photography equipment to bring for the arctic climate, how to photograph the northern lights, how to find and shoot the ice caves, and so much more.
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🇮🇸 Top 100 Best Locations for Iceland Photography
There are endless incredible places to photograph in Iceland, making it the most popular destination in the entire world for landscape photography.
List: 100 Best Locations for Photographing Iceland
- Diamond Beach
- Mt Vestrahorn
- Skogafoss
- Vatnajökull Ice Caves
- Kirkjufellsfoss
- Reynisfjara
- Glacier Lagoon
- Godafoss
- Grjotagja Cave
- DC-3 Plane Wreck
- Blue Lagoon
- Seljalandsfoss
- Arctic Stonehenge
- Gulfoss
- Strokkur Geyser
- Seljavallalaug Spring
- Svartifoss
- Hof Church
- Viking Village
- Bruarfoss
- Hverfell Crater
- Lake Myvatn
- Reykjadalur Hot River
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Gljufrabui Falls
- Snæfellsjökull Nat. Park
- Hoffell Hot Spring
- Dettifoss
- Kolugljufur Canyon
- Þingvellir Nat Park
- Oxarafoss
- Kerið Crater Lake
- Aldeyjarfoss
- Dynjandi
- Skaftafell
- Skorhagafoss
- Thjorsardalur Valley
- Stjórnarfoss
- Hengifoss
- Westfjords
- Barnafoss
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Norafoss
- Faxifoss
- Malarrif
- Gatanof
- Hvítserkur
- Svalþúfubjarg
- Valahnúkar og Karlinn
- Háifoss og Granni
- Stjórnarfoss
- Veiðivötn
- Kerlingarfjöll
- Hveravellir
- Fjaðrárgljúfur
- Fjallsárlón
- Folaldafoss
- Hengifoss
- Litlanesfoss
- Ljósastapi og Skjólfjörur
- Fuglabjarganes
- Glymur Waterfall
- Grundarfoss
- Selfoss
- Stuðlagil canyon
- Hverarönd
- Hraun
- Kolufoss
- Gjögur
- Berserkjahraun
- Kerlingarfoss
- Búðir og Búðahraun
- Arnarstapi
- Svörtuloft
- Kvernafoss
- Svöðufoss
- Hraunfossar
- Morsárfoss
- Black Lava Beach
- Snaefelsness Shipwreck
- Hellnar Arch
- Þakgil
- Hverir Geyser
- Múlafoss
- Reykjafoss
- Golden Circle
- Myvatn Baths
- Vatnajokull National Park
- Selvallafoss
- Stuðlafoss
- Waterfall Circle
- Gljúfursárfoss
- Almannaskarð
- Dyrhólaey
- Gluggafoss
- Hvítárfoss
- Englandsfoss
- Hafragilsfoss
- Gjáin
- Anywhere with horses
Iceland Photography Gallery
1. Diamond Beach
The slideshow above features photography from many of these incredible destinations. Simply click the left and right arrows to skim through the gallery.
If you do not see a slideshow about this text, you will need to adjust your browser settings or skip this section.
🌅 Top 10 Photography Locations in Iceland
There are simply too many amazing places to photograph in Iceland to cover every single one in detail or to visit in one trip. However, these 10 locations are the absolute essential destinations for every Iceland photographer’s bucket list.
If you see nothing else, make sure you visit these places.
💎 1. Diamond Beach
At the top of every Iceland photography bucket list is Diamond Beach. This unassuming black sand beach is home to one of nature’s greatest miracles…
Known locally as Breiðamerkursandur, the colloquial moniker of Diamond Beach comes from the large chunks of ice that break off of icebergs and wash ashore, closely resembling massive diamonds. Much like the colors in a glacier, they often have deep hues of blue, aqua, and sea green.
This natural phenomenon only occurs in a few places in the world, but nowhere else will you find it in tandem with the volcanic black sand. The contrast in luminance and color tones makes the diamonds sparkle brighter.
The truly fortunate may even witness the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) dancing above, capturing many of Iceland’s greatest natural marvels in one photograph.
While this requires a bit of luck and photography comprehension, the result will be once-in-a-lifetime.
🌄 2. Mt Vestrahorn
Mt Vestrahorn is an isolated mountain in Stokknes on the southwest shore of Iceland. It is a favourite place for every landscape photographer due to its savage, undeniable beauty and dramatic setting.
The black sand beach at its base provides incredible photographic opportunities for mountain reflections or for simply capturing the tides rolling in. The other popular option is to shoot from just up the beach, where rolling black dunes and tufts of golden-yellow grass create a unique texture and foreground unlike any other.
From the beach at Mt Vestrahorn, you will be facing north toward the mountain. This means that even during the faintest of northern lights displays, you have a high probability of capturing it in your frame.
There is no bad time nor bad weather to photograph at Mt Vestrahorn. Even on a cloudy day, the moody grey works to create an almost ominous tone.
The golden grass pops as the only colour in this otherwise monotone scene.
💦 3. Skogafoss
Skogafoss is the most iconic and most visited waterfall in Iceland. This powerful display features a width of 82 feet (25 meters) with a plunge of almost 200 feet (about 60 meters).
There are numerous things to love about photographing Skogafoss waterfall. The first is that it is located a short stroll from the parking lot, making it easy to visit. The next is that you can walk right up to the plunge to feel its spray and raw power, or climb the steps to the top of the falls to look down. The last is that in sunshine or even moonlight, the spray is enough to combine with the light to create spectacular rainbows (or moonbows)!
The most difficult thing about photographing Skogafoss is battling the enormous crowds and keeping your lens clear of spray. Bring lots of microfiber cloths and try to get there early to minimize these factors.
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❄️ 4. Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Caves
Winter visitors of Iceland have the rare and spectacular opportunity of photographing ice caves.
These large glacial tunnels create one of the most incredible landscapes you will ever encounter. What’s more, every year they form differently so you will never see the same ice cave twice.
The best and most easily accessible are the Vatnajökull ice caves in Skaftafell National Park, which form throughout the glacier. Of note, this happens to be the largest glacier in Europe!
In order to access the Vatnajokull Ice Caves, you will absolutely have to have specialized ice-hiking equipment for the glaciers and a local tour guide.
Do not attempt to hike to the ice caves without a guide!
There are a few Icelandic experts who scout the caves that form each year, name them, and provide the information to local tour companies (or operate their own.)
Attempting to find them yourself is extremely dangerous!
What’s more, even local experts have expired due to toxic gas that can form in the caves, and equipment is needed to monitor the air before exploration.
Guided Ice Cave Tours
At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any bookings made using the links below.
The following are all highly rated ice cave tours to consider, though you may wish to jump down to the Iceland Photography Tours section of this guide to find out more information on booking the right one for you.
- Skaftafell Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike: 4.6/5 ⭐
4 hour tour from Skaftafell including a glacier hike over Vatnajökull Glacier before exploring a natural blue ice cave. Small group limit: 12 people. - Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: 4.5/5 ⭐
2.5-hour tour to visit one of the crystal ice caves of Vatnajökull Glacier from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Small group limit: 14 people. - Katla Ice Cave and Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavik/Vik: 4.5/5 ⭐
Discover the natural wonders of Iceland’s south coast with Arctic Adventures by Super Jeep and explore a natural ice cave at Kötlujökull Glacier.
⛪️ 5. Kirkjusfellsfoss
Kirkjufellsfoss is the crown jewel of the Snæfellsnes peninsula; a region known for being one of the most beautiful in the country.
In Icelandic, the suffix “-foss” means waterfall. Accordingly, most of the waterfalls are named for something they resemble or a nearby feature. The large, conical mountain that resembles a wizard’s cap is Kirkjufell, translating to church mountain. Kirkjufellsfoss is the waterfall at its base.
Naming conventions aside, the scene that comes together here is one of otherworldly beauty. A small but vibrant waterfall spills through the foreground with the large mountain adorning the backdrop.
At sunrise, the sky often adds some color and magic, though it is even more popular at night when the aurora is on display.
While the photographs depict a remote, unspoiled landscape, the road is actually just in front of it all with an entire parking lot and even a town only slightly out of frame to the right!
This is one of those places where the picture is often more charming than the experience, but it is undeniably an amazing place for photography.
🧊 6. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The land of the midnight sun is home to multiple glaciers. In particular, Jökulsárlón Glacier is responsible for many of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland.
You have already seen Diamond Beach and the ice caves that form near here, and now you are discovering Glacier Lagoon.
On the black sand lakeshore, mountains of jagged ice fragments pile up like fallen leaves. The view looks across this frozen lagoon at distant mountains which adds a sense of drama to your composition.
From the shore, the view is facing north making it a popular destination for Northern Lights photography.
However, sunset can also be quite special and should be considered if you have already spent an evening photographing Diamond Beach.
🖤 7. Reynisfjara (Black Sand Beach)
Massive columns of black basalt rock line the shores at Reynisfjara, also known as Black Sand Beach (despite being one of many black sand beaches in Iceland.) This popular spot is located near the city of Vik in Southern Iceland.
Reynisfjara will be busy nearly any time of day and can be challenging to photograph as a result. However, mornings are the best time to limit the crowds and also provide the nicest light when there is a sunrise to be had.
To create a cinematic feel, consider introducing a subject in red to this night-black landscape. This stark contrast is extremely effective in creating a mood to your image.
👑 8. Godafoss
The small but idyllic Godafoss is one of the most picturesque waterfalls you will find anywhere in the world. Massive icicles form in the wedges where the thundering waters stream over the edge.
At first glance, the falls at Godafoss may slightly resemble those of the “natural wonder of the world” of Niagara Falls. In reality, they are much smaller than might be expected after seeing photos.
♨️ 9. Lake Myvatn / Grjotagja Cave
Near serene Lake Myvatn in Northern Iceland is Grjotagja Cave. This small cavern, complete with a geothermal hot spring, feels like it was stolen from a movie set. In fact, Game of Thrones has borrowed this location for filming!
Once a popular bathing site, soaking is no longer allowed following eruptions from 1975 to 1984 which caused the temperature of the water to rise to more than 122°F (50°c). Still, the photo opportunity it presents is reason enough for visiting.
The deep-aqua water and rising steam creates a dreamlike atmosphere, particularly when the sunlight streams in.
✈️ 10. DC-3 Plane Wreck
The famous DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland has become one of the most popular places to visit in Iceland. Out in the middle of nowhere lies the remnants of a small plane that crashed in 1973. Due to its remote crash site and difficulty in moving it, it was opted to just leave it there.
Since photographers (and Justin Bieber!) brought it to the public eye, it has become one of the most visited destinations in the country. There is some debate as to whether it should be preserved as a kind of art installment, but the consensus was made to let nature take its course.
The hike is a lengthy one but the trail is quite clear. Alternatively, there are tours available that provide ATV delivery to save the walk.
If you are going there with photography in mind, try to arrive before sunset and stay for at least a couple hours of nightfall to capture some aurora.
*It is worth noting for the superstitious that no one perished in this crash. *
🎞 Photography Tips for Shooting in Iceland
Regardless of your skill level, you may encounter some conditions and events when photographing Iceland that you are not prepared for.
The arctic winter climate presents unique challenges, and photographing a moving sky at night is not an easy thing to master.
This section of the Iceland photography guide provides some expert photography tips and insights to help you capture the impressive sights you will discover.
🎆 Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights
Photographing the Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights is an incredibly challenging thing to do for beginners and even amateur photographers. It combines the already-difficult task of shooting at night with the challenge of capturing a moving target.
There are many considerations that have to be made such as seasonality, weather conditions, equipment, and moon cycle, and that is before getting into the camera settings!
If you have hopes of shooting this for your first time, we have created a comprehensive guide to photographing the aurora that covers every single factor for you to consider as well as apps and tips that may prove useful.
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❄️ Tips for Photographing Ice Caves in Iceland
Iceland is home to some of the most spectacular ice caves you will find anywhere in the world. The majority of those accessible to tours are located within the glacier of Vatnajökull National Park.
Unless you are an absolute expert in glacier hiking and navigation, you will need to book a photo tour in order to see the ice caves.
Additionally, they only form in the latter winter months into early spring.
The best thing you can do to guarantee a positive experience is book a photo tour with a smaller group size.
Arctic Adventures is the most popular, but mostly because they have the best marketing.
They offer full-day tours that include a stop in one of the ice caves, but they also bring in groups by the literal busload. This means the caves they visit will be largely chewed up and you will be dealing with crowds throughout your day.
🐴 Tips for Photographing Icelandic Horses
A frost-tipped Icelandic horse stares heroically at the photographer.
You will see these surfer-cut beauties anywhere you go in the country, so the trick is to look past the ponies at what is behind them. Having a strong background will make your images far more memorable.
There will be times when a large telephoto lens will be necessary, but more often you will able to get fairly close to the animals. They are very friendly and may want food, but please do not feed them!
Aside from finding a strong background, the other consideration is to try and make find angles or subjects where there is minimal bunching. The ponies tend to stay in groups creating a jumbled frame with no clear subject; your job is to make them stand out.
🐧 Tips for Photographing Iceland Wildlife
The arctic climate of Iceland means fewer opportunities for photographing wildlife than most places in the world, but those that do exist here are spectacular!
Which wildlife you are likely to encounter is incredibly seasonal. Some of the main attractions include migrating whales, arctic foxes, reindeer, and the adorable puffins. There are also a variety of avian and aquatic animals you may encounter if this is your priority.
Photographing wildlife in Iceland is no different from anywhere else in the world. A telephoto lens will be the preferred choice, ideally something in the 400-600mm range. For reference, we use the Tamron 150-500mm for Sony Full Frame cameras.
Additionally, you will need to research the seasonal habits of the animal you wish to photograph. Puffins and whales, in particular, have very predictable patterns that will all but ensure a successful photoshoot if you are in the right place at the right time.
🌨 Tips for Iceland Winter Photography
Photographing Iceland in the winter months presents some unique challenges, but also some unique opportunities. Ice caves and the aurora borealis, for example, are seasonal events that cannot be enjoyed in the warmer months.
Dealing with the arctic cold can be difficult. As you come in and out of the cold, condensation will appear on your lens that can be difficult to deal with. If you leave your gear out in the cold too long, ice can form on the glass ruining your shots.
Heck, even trying to use your fingers to manipulate your camera settings can be impossible when cold enough! Yes, it does get that cold.
🙋♀️ FAQs About Photographing Iceland
This section provides answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding photography in Iceland, especially those pertaining to night photography (ie aurora) and shooting in an arctic climate.
Simply click the drop-down arrows to reveal answers.
❄️ How do you take pictures in Iceland?
🎆 How do you take pictures of the northern lights?
If you are attempting to photograph the aurora borealis (northern lights) but do not understand photography, the best strategy is to use the “Night Mode” on your smartphone and use a tripod or other object to hold the phone still.
If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you will want to follow these simple steps:
- With your LENS set to Auto-focus (AF), find something in your foreground to focus on. If nothing is available, place a flashlight at least 10-20 yards away and use that to Autofocus.
- Toggle the small switch on the side of your lens to Manual-Focus (MF). This is important to lock focus!
- Spin the top dial on your camera to “Manual” mode using the twist dial on the top.
- Set aperture (indicated by the letter F) to the lowest number it will go to (usually F3.5)
- Set shutter speed (indicated by a “ or / symbol) to 15″
- Find the ISO option and set to 3200 or higher.
- Set your camera to 10 second self-timer to avoid shake after pressing the shutter button.
- Press the shutter button.
For even more tips, check out our Complete Guide to Photographing the Northern Lights.
How do you photograph the Blue Lagoon in Iceland?
Cameras are allowed at the Blue Lagoon, but you should take a waterproof camera or waterproof smart phone if possible. This will not only protect it from water, but from becoming damaged internally from the steam.
If possible, arrive at sunrise or as early as possible to avoid crowds and enjoy the best light.
How do I plan a photography trip to Iceland?
There are 3 options for planning a photography tour to Iceland:
- Photography Tour: Many local operators provide photography tours of Iceland, with Arctic Adventures being the largest and least expensive.
- Photography Workshop: Many prominent landscape photographers offer Iceland workshops which will focus extensively on photography.
- Self-Guided: Organize your own itinerary by researching blogs and travel guides.
📸 Is Iceland good for photography?
Iceland is largely considered to be the best country in the world for landscape photography, rivaled only by New Zealand.
🌦 What season is best for photographing Iceland?
💨 When is the best time to visit Iceland?
Fall is the best times to visit Iceland for photography. The shoulder season provides an opportunity to see the aurora borealis, the autumn foliage is spectacular, and the Highlands region will be accessible by car.
That said, each season brings different pros and cons.
- Winter is the most challenging but features ice caves and long nights with greater chances to see the aurora borealis.
- Spring and Fall see more road openings and easier access, while still providing plenty of nighttime hours for northern lights photography.
- Summer provides the best weather, migrating wildlife, and access to the Highlands, but also suffers from the largest crowds, limited availability, and no chance at seeing the northern lights.
📷 What camera should I bring to Iceland?
If you know how to shoot with Manual settings, you should bring a full frame camera with at least one standard zoom (24-70mm minimum) and one wide angle prime for photographing aurora (15-25mm range.)
The Sony Alpha series is largely considered the best and is weather-sealed for the harsh Icelandic climate.
If you do not know how to shoot in Manual modes, bring a waterproof smart phone, preferably one with Night Mode. Waterproof camera will also be weather-protected which is important in Iceland.
👓 What lenses should I bring to Iceland?
You will want a minimum of 1 zoom lens and 1 wide-angle prime lens. A good zoom is necessary to avoid potentially harmful lens changes in the harsh environment, and the wide-angle prime lens is essential for photographing the Northern Lights.
We used the Sony G Series 24-105mm zoom lens for most of our Iceland photos and highly recommend it!
Our preferred lenses for night photography are the Laowa 15mm F2 and Zeiss 25mm F2 for Sony E-Mount.
🎞 What equipment do I need for Iceland photography?
What equipment do I need for Northern Lights photos?
The absolute essential photography equipment you need for Iceland and Aurora photography are a camera, a “fast” lens (aka prime lens), and a sturdy tripod.
Additional pieces of equipment that can be helpful are:
- A remote control to avoid camera shake for night photos.
- Specialized photography gloves that allow you to use your index fingers & thumbs.
- Lens warmers to keep the glass from icing over.
- Spare batteries, as performance suffers in the cold.
📖 More Iceland Travel & Photography Guides
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
If you found this complete guide to photographing Iceland useful, you will likely find value in some of our related and regional guides below:
- Ultimate Guide to Iceland Waterfalls: 100 Falls with Interactive Map, Photos, & More
- Photographing the Northern Lights: A How-to Guide for Aurora Borealis Photography
- Dream Destinations: 100+ Bucket List Locations for Travel Lovers
💬 Final Thoughts on Photographing Iceland
The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below 🙂
I truly hope you have found this guide to Iceland Photography invaluable as you plan the vacation of a lifetime.
As a professional travel and landscape photographer, it is no small statement to declare that Iceland is my favourite country in the world to photograph!
Now I’d love to hear from YOU!
Was there anything confusing, outdated, or inaccurate in this guide? Was it everything you hoped it would be?
Share your thoughts and help us improve by leaving a comment below!
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