Iceland is a dream destination for landscape photography, boasting a diverse range of natural wonders that seem almost otherworldly. From towering waterfalls and expansive glaciers to volcanic craters and black sand beaches, this Nordic island nation is a canvas painted with stunning geological contrasts.
This guide covers some of the best landscape photography locations in Iceland, as well as some information on nearby towns and villages that can serve as convenient bases.
We’ve also included some suggested hiking trails to help photographers access these breathtaking spots, along with photogenic sights and landmarks to look out for along the trail.
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Reykjavik and Surrounding Areas
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and largest city, is often the starting point for many photographers. While the city itself has urban photography opportunities, including modern architecture and street scenes, the surrounding areas offer easy access to a range of natural landscapes.
Photography locations near Reykjavik
Mount Esja: Just a short drive from Reykjavik, The mountain provides stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape. Mount Esja’s summit is reachable via a well-marked trail, making it an excellent spot for sunrise and sunset shots.
The mountain offers stunning landscape photography opportunities that capture the essence of Iceland’s natural beauty. This volcanic mountain range, with its highest peak reaching about 914 meters (2,999 feet), presents a dramatic backdrop for landscape photography.
The range itself is characterized by its rugged cliffs, steep slopes, and jagged peaks that create a sense of awe and grandeur. The mountain is often dusted with snow in summer, adding a striking contrast to the dark volcanic rock.
One of the most captivating aspects of Mount Esja is the interplay of light and shadow. The mountain’s orientation and the dynamic Icelandic weather combine to create ever-changing lighting conditions, perfect for capturing moody and atmospheric shots.
During sunrise or sunset, the mountain’s slopes can glow with warm, golden hues, while the surrounding sky is painted with vibrant colors.
The hiking trails leading up Mount Esja provide various vantage points, each offering unique perspectives of the landscape. From these heights, photographers can capture panoramic views of Reykjavík and Faxaflói Bay, making for breathtaking shots that encompass both the rugged mountain terrain and the serene coastal scenery.
Whether you’re capturing the mountain’s sheer cliffs or the sweeping vistas from its slopes, Mount Esja is a paradise for landscape photographers.
Þingvellir National Park: Located about 40km northeast of Reykjavik, Þingvellir is not only a site of historical significance but also a photographer’s paradise. The park is characterized by dramatic rift valleys, clear blue waters, and the Silfra fissure.
Photographers can capture the stunning contrast of the green moss, black volcanic rocks, and azure water.
The area offers a stunning array of landscape photography opportunities. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its dramatic scenery that has been shaped by tectonic forces where the North American and Eurasian plates meet.
The park’s iconic rift valley, with its jagged cliffs and deep fissures, provides striking compositions, particularly the Almannagjá gorge, a prominent feature that is both photogenic and historically significant.
Þingvellir is also home to the serene Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake. The crystal-clear waters, surrounded by mountains, reflect the sky and the surrounding landscape, creating perfect opportunities for capturing serene water reflections. The lake’s shoreline, dotted with volcanic rock formations and moss-covered lava fields, offers textured foregrounds for landscape shots.
In the autumn, Þingvellir transforms into a palette of vibrant colors as the foliage changes, providing photographers with a rich tapestry of reds, yellows, and oranges against the stark basalt rocks.
In winter, the park is often blanketed in snow, creating a stark, monochromatic landscape, with the dark rocks and icy expanses providing a stunning contrast.
Whether capturing the ethereal glow of the midnight sun in summer or the mystical northern lights dancing over the landscape in winter, Þingvellir National Park is a destination that promises breathtaking photography opportunities year-round.
Glymur Waterfall: One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, Glymur is situated about an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. The hike to the waterfall involves crossing rivers and passing through a cave, providing numerous photo opportunities along the way. The trek is about a 7km round trip.
The waterfall, located in Hvalfjörður fjord, is the second-highest waterfall in Iceland, cascading down 198 meters (650 feet) into a dramatic canyon. This stunning natural feature offers a plethora of landscape photography opportunities, especially for those willing to undertake the moderately challenging hike to reach it.
The trail to Glymur takes you through a variety of terrains, including lush forests, a narrow cave, and along the banks of a river, offering diverse scenery. As you ascend, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and fjord open up, providing breathtaking backdrops for your shots.
The waterfall itself is a spectacular sight, with the water plunging down the moss-covered cliffs, creating an ethereal mist that adds a mystical quality to photographs.
The contrast between the vibrant green vegetation and the dark basalt rocks around the waterfall makes for compelling compositions. Photographers can capture the full scale of Glymur from different viewpoints along the trail, with each offering unique perspectives.
The best time for photography is early morning or late afternoon when the soft lighting enhances the textures and colors of the landscape.
Iceland Kirkjufell Mountain
Nearby Towns and Villages
Mosfellsbær: A small town located about 15 minutes from Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær is a good base for exploring Mount Esja and the surrounding areas.
Selfoss: A larger town located about an hour from Reykjavik, Selfoss is a gateway to the Golden Circle and offers various accommodations, restaurants, and shops.
Suggested Hiking Trails
Esja Hiking Trail: The trail to the summit of Mount Esja is approximately 6.6 km round trip. It is moderately challenging and provides stunning views of Reykjavik and the surrounding area.
The trail offers a wealth of photography opportunities, showcasing Iceland’s rugged natural beauty. As hikers ascend the mountain, the views open up to stunning vistas of Reykjavik and the surrounding coastline. This provides for breathtaking shots of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
The trail features diverse landscapes, from verdant valleys and rocky outcrops to jagged cliffs, making it a paradise for landscape photographers.
In the lower sections, the trail winds through lush meadows dotted with wildflowers, perfect for close-up nature shots. As you climb higher, the scenery shifts to more dramatic, rocky terrain, with moss-covered boulders and panoramic views that extend for miles.
The mountain’s summit offers sweeping, unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and fjords, providing ideal conditions for capturing expansive, wide-angle shots.
Photographers can also capture the changing weather patterns, with clouds rolling over the peaks and the play of light and shadow across the landscape. In winter, snow-covered peaks and icy landscapes add a different dimension, ideal for dramatic, high-contrast images.
Whether you are shooting landscapes, nature, or atmospheric conditions, the Esja Hiking Trail is a fantastic location for photography.
Glymur Waterfall Hike: This 7.5 km round-trip hike is moderately challenging, involving river crossings and a steep ascent. The reward is a breathtaking view of Glymur Waterfall and the surrounding canyon.
The hike offers stunning photography opportunities, combining breathtaking natural beauty with dramatic landscapes. The hike leads you to the waterfall which is Iceland’s second-highest one, plunging nearly 200 meters into a moss-covered canyon.
You can capture the sheer force of the water cascading down, framed by steep cliffs adorned with lush greenery. The contrast of the white water against the dark basalt rock and vibrant moss creates a striking visual.
Along the trail, there are multiple vantage points to photograph the waterfall from different angles, including a narrow cave and a river crossing over a log bridge, which add elements of adventure and scale to the shots.
As you ascend, panoramic views of the Hvalfjörður fjord and surrounding mountains unfold, offering expansive landscape photography opportunities. The interplay of light and shadow throughout the day enhances the textures and colors of the scenery. Wildlife sightings, such as birds soaring near the cliffs, provide dynamic action shots.
The hike, while challenging, will reward you with a diverse range of subjects, from sweeping vistas to intimate nature details, making it a must-visit for those seeking to capture Iceland’s raw and untamed beauty.
Golden Circle Route
The Golden Circle is one of the most popular tourist routes in Iceland, encompassing a range of geological and natural wonders within a relatively short distance from Reykjavik. This makes it ideal for day trips and offers numerous landscape photography opportunities.
Photography locations along the Golden Circle Route
Geysir Geothermal Area: The area offers an attractive blend of natural beauty and geothermal activity. Located in the Haukadalur Valley, this area is home to the famous Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters into the air.
Capturing this dramatic spectacle requires patience and timing, making it an exciting challenge for photographers.
The surrounding landscape is equally stunning, with steaming fumaroles, vibrant mineral-rich pools, and bubbling mud pots, providing an array of textures and colors to photograph.
The combination of the stark, rugged Icelandic terrain and the dynamic geothermal features creates a surreal atmosphere, perfect for both wide-angle shots of the landscape and detailed close-ups of the unique formations.
The area is surrounded by scenic mountains and hills, offering elevated vantage points for panoramic views. Early morning or late afternoon light enhances the visual appeal, casting a golden glow over the steam and water.
The Geysir Geothermal Area offers a huge array of opportunities to capture the raw and untamed beauty of Iceland’s natural wonders.
Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, Gullfoss offers spectacular views from multiple vantage points. The double cascade, combined with the frequent rainbows formed by the mist, makes this a favourite spot for photographers.
The waterfall is one of Iceland’s most beautiful natural landmarks which offers a wealth of photography opportunities. The waterfall, part of the Golden Circle route, boasts two main cascades that drop in succession, creating a powerful and dramatic visual.
The mist rising from the falling water often catches the sunlight, resulting in stunning rainbow displays that are perfect for capturing vibrant, dynamic shots.
You can take advantage of different vantage points from the various viewing platforms along the cliffs to capture the grandeur of Gullfoss from multiple angles.
In summer, the lush green vegetation around the waterfall contrasts beautifully with the white froth of the water, providing a rich colour palette. In winter the surrounding landscape is blanketed in snow, and the waterfall itself partially freezes. This offers you a more serene, ethereal ambiance with icy textures and formations that are unique to the season.
The surrounding rugged Icelandic terrain and dramatic skies add to the breathtaking backdrop, making Gullfoss a prime location for landscape photography.
Kerið Crater: A volcanic crater lake with striking red volcanic rock contrasted by the blue water, Kerið is an excellent location for unique landscape photography. The trail around the crater’s rim offers different perspectives and compositions.
The crater is located in the Grímsnes area of South Iceland and is a captivating site for photographers, offering a variety of striking visual opportunities.
This volcanic crater is about 3,000 years old and measures approximately 170 meters wide, 270 meters long, and 55 meters deep. What makes it particularly photogenic is its vibrant, contrasting colours.
The caldera’s steep walls are composed of red volcanic rock, a stark contrast to the vivid blue of the lake at its base.
This combination creates a dramatic palette, especially when the sunlight hits the water, intensifying the blue hues against the rusty reds of the crater walls.
Try capturing shots from multiple perspectives. The elevated rim provides panoramic views of the crater and surrounding landscapes, perfect for wide-angle shots. Walking down to the lake’s edge offers a different viewpoint, emphasizing the scale and colours of the crater walls reflected in the water.
Seasonal changes bring varied photographic opportunities: in summer, the surrounding vegetation adds lush greens, while in winter, snow contrasts against the reds and blues, creating a surreal, almost otherworldly scene.
Iceland Aurora Borealis
Nearby Towns and Villages
Laugarvatn: A small town near the Geysir geothermal area, Laugarvatn offers hot springs, spas, and various accommodations.
Flúðir: Located close to the Secret Lagoon, Flúðir is a small village with restaurants, guesthouses, and proximity to several Golden Circle attractions.
Suggested Hiking Trails
Gullfoss Trail: A short walk leads to multiple viewpoints overlooking the waterfall. The trail is easy and well-maintained, making it accessible for photographers with gear.
The trail leads to the iconic Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions. As you walk along the path, you will be treated to stunning views of the waterfall’s powerful, cascading torrents, which drop into a rugged canyon below.
The mist rising from the falls often creates vivid rainbows, providing you with the chance to capture magical, almost ethereal shots.
The surrounding landscape is equally beautiful, featuring vast, rocky terrain covered in moss, with the distant Hvítá River snaking through the landscape. During the winter months, the trail and waterfall take on a different character, with ice and snow adding a dramatic, frozen beauty to the scene.
You can also capture the contrast of the dark volcanic rock against the white snow, a stark and striking visual. The area’s changing light, influenced by Iceland’s weather and time of year. It offers a range of moods, from soft golden hours to the eerie glow of the midnight sun, or even the chance to see the Northern Lights.
Kerið Crater Trail: The trail around the crater is approximately 1.5 km and provides different angles and perspectives of the crater lake.
The trail offers a unique and visually attractive experience for photographers. It encircles a volcanic crater that is approximately 3,000 years old, featuring a vivid blue-green lake at its base.
This provides a stunning contrast against the red and black volcanic rock of the crater’s slopes. The dramatic colour contrasts are particularly eye-catching on sunny days, making for exceptional landscape shots.
Walking along the rim of the crater, you can capture panoramic views of the surrounding Icelandic countryside, dotted with lava fields and distant mountains.
The early morning or late afternoon light enhances the textures and colours of the crater walls, creating opportunities for dramatic shadow play. The trail itself offers various vantage points, allowing you to capture the crater from different perspectives, whether focusing on the entire landscape or honing in on the vibrant lake below.
Close-up shots of the unique geological formations and colourful mosses growing on the crater’s slopes add interesting details to captured images.
Iceland Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Range
Southern Coast
The southern coast of Iceland is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, including black sand beaches, towering cliffs, and glaciers. This area is a favorite among landscape photographers due to its variety and accessibility.
Photography locations along the Southern Coast, Iceland
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Near the town of Vík, Reynisfjara is famous for its black sand, basalt columns, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. The beach provides excellent opportunities for capturing seascapes, especially at sunrise and sunset.
It is renowned for its distinctive black sand, formed from volcanic activity, which contrasts sharply with the white, foamy waves of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Towering basalt sea stacks, Reynisdrangar, rise majestically from the ocean, providing an iconic subject against the backdrop of the deep blue sky or moody clouds. The cliffs surrounding the beach are lined with columnar basalt formations, creating geometric patterns that are perfect for capturing abstract and textured shots.
At sunrise or sunset, the sky lights up in hues of pink and orange, casting a surreal glow over the black sands and adding a magical quality to photographs. The dynamic weather of Iceland, with its frequent fog and mist, can add a mystical atmosphere to the scene, making each visit a unique experience for photographers.
Birdwatchers will also find ample opportunities, as the area is a nesting ground for puffins during the summer months.
Skógafoss Waterfall: One of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss is easily accessible and provides a perfect backdrop for wide-angle shots. A staircase leading to the top of the waterfall offers different perspectives and views of the river.
The waterfall is one of the country’s most iconic and breathtaking natural attractions, offering exceptional photography opportunities.
The waterfall drops approximately 60 meters (200 feet) and spans 25 meters (82 feet) in width and creates a powerful cascade of water that generates a misty spray, often resulting in stunning rainbows on sunny days.
You can capture this beautiful display by positioning yourself near the base of the falls, where the combination of mist and sunlight creates a magical atmosphere.
A set of stairs next to the waterfall allows visitors to climb to the top, providing a different perspective and a chance to photograph the surrounding landscapes, which include lush green cliffs and views of the river below.
The view from above offers a dramatic panorama of the waterfall’s power and the expansive, rugged Icelandic terrain.
If you are looking for a more creative angle, taking photos from behind the waterfall can create unique shots of water against the sky. Skógafoss is accessible year-round, with each season offering a different ambiance, from the greenery of summer to the icy formations of winter.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Known for the pathway that allows visitors to walk behind the cascade, Seljalandsfoss is a unique location for photographers. Sunset is the best time to capture the waterfall with the sun setting behind it, creating a dramatic effect.
This 60-meter-high waterfall is unique because of the footpath that runs behind it, allowing photographers to capture the cascading water from an unusual, behind-the-falls perspective. This vantage point, especially during sunset, offers stunning shots with the sun’s rays piercing through the waterfall’s mist, creating a magical ambiance.
The surrounding landscape of lush green meadows, rugged cliffs, and the open sky further enhances the scene, providing ample opportunities for wide-angle shots that capture the waterfall in its broader context.
The constant mist from the falls often results in the formation of vibrant rainbows on sunny days, adding another layer of beauty to photographs.
Long exposure shots are popular here, as they transform the waterfall into a silky curtain of water, highlighting the serene yet powerful nature of Seljalandsfoss.
You can also experiment with different perspectives and compositions, including close-ups of the water as it plunges into the pool below or capture the reflection of the waterfall in the nearby river.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck: The site of a US NavyDC-3 plane crash in 1973, this eerie location on a black sand beach is accessible by a 4 km hike. The abandoned plane fuselage against the desolate landscape creates a striking image.
The wreck is another of Iceland’s unique and iconic photography destination. The stark, weather-beaten fuselage of the plane against the expansive black sand landscape creates a striking contrast, making it a favourite subject for photographers.
The site’s remote location and the absence of surrounding structures enhance the feeling of desolation and isolation, providing a haunting, almost surreal atmosphere.
Photographers can capture the wreck from various angles, showcasing the plane’s silhouette against the often dramatic Icelandic skies.
Sunrise and sunset are particularly popular times, as the soft light creates moody shadows and highlights, while the glow of the horizon adds warmth to the scene. In winter, the chance of capturing the wreck under a blanket of snow or with the Northern Lights dancing above offers incredible opportunities for unique shots.
Long exposure photography can also be effective here, capturing the movement of clouds or the play of light during twilight. The stark, minimalistic setting is perfect for dramatic compositions, making Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck a must-visit location.
Iceland Volcano
Nearby Towns and Villages
Vík í Mýrdal: The southernmost village in Iceland, Vík is close to Reynisfjara Beach and Dyrhólaey Peninsula. It offers a range of accommodations and dining options.
Skógar: A small village near Skógafoss, Skógar has a few guesthouses and a museum detailing the history and culture of the region.
Suggested Hiking Trails
Reynisfjara Beach Walk: A walk along Reynisfjara Beach provides different perspectives of the basalt columns, sea stacks, and ocean waves. The walk can be extended to Dyrhólaey Peninsula for panoramic views.
Skógafoss to Fimmvörðuháls: This challenging trail is about 25 km and takes hikers from Skógafoss up into the mountains, passing by numerous waterfalls. It offers stunning views of glaciers, rivers, and volcanic landscapes.
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland. The park encompasses glaciers, volcanoes, and glacial lagoons, making it a must-visit for landscape photographers.
Photography locations in the Vatnajökull National Park
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: A stunning glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, Jökulsárlón is a prime spot for capturing reflections, ice formations, and the famous Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up on the black sand.
The lagoon offers a photographer’s paradise, with stunning landscapes and dynamic scenes perfect for capturing breathtaking images.
The lagoon is fed by the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and as icebergs calve from the glacier, they float serenely in the crystal-clear waters, creating a mesmerizing display of ice formations. These icebergs, ranging in size and shape, often glow in various shades of blue, reflecting the light beautifully, making for stunning photos.
One of the prime photography opportunities at Jökulsárlón is during sunrise or sunset when the soft, golden light casts a magical glow over the icebergs and the surrounding landscape.
The contrasts of light and shadow during these times can create dramatic and captivating images. Additionally, the black volcanic sand beach nearby, known as Diamond Beach, is scattered with ice chunks washed ashore, offering a striking contrast between the dark sand and the gleaming ice.
Wildlife photography is also rewarding here, as seals often swim in the lagoon or lounge on the icebergs, and a variety of bird species can be spotted.
Skaftafell National Park: Part of Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell offers a variety of landscapes, including glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic peaks. The Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basalt columns, is a highlight for photographers.
The national park has a diverse range of beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. This park is part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park and is renowned for its stunning contrasts of ice and fire.
One of the most iconic photography spots is the Svartifoss waterfall, which cascades over dramatic hexagonal basalt columns, creating a unique and captivating scene. The surrounding lush vegetation and rugged terrain provide a striking backdrop for capturing the beauty of the falls.
For those interested in glacier photography, Skaftafell provides access to the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. Photographers can capture the vast, undulating ice fields, mesmerizing blue ice caves, and impressive glacier tongues that descend from the mountains.
Iceland Skaftafell Ice Cave
The interplay of light on the ice creates an ever-changing display of colors and textures, making for captivating shots.
Skaftafell’s landscapes feature scenic hiking trails, including routes to stunning viewpoints like the Sjónarnípa overlook, which offers panoramic views of the glacier, mountains, and the surrounding countryside.
During summer, the midnight sun casts a golden glow over the landscape, while winter brings the chance to capture the mystical Northern Lights dancing over the icy terrain.
Hvannadalshnúkur: The highest peak in Iceland at 2,110 meters (6,923 feet), Hvannadalshnúkur offers an epic backdrop for photography. It is often photographed from a distance, with the peak rising above the surrounding landscape.
Located in the Vatnajökull National Park, this majestic peak is part of the Öræfajökull volcano, surrounded by glaciers and dramatic landscapes. Photographers can capture stunning images of the snow-capped summit, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light creates an ethereal glow over the icy surfaces.
The surrounding Vatnajökull glacier is one of Europe’s largest, and offers opportunities to photograph ice caves, deep blue crevasses, and glacier tongues.
These features provide a stark contrast to the rugged volcanic terrain, making for striking compositions. Wildlife enthusiasts can also capture shots of Arctic foxes, reindeer, and various bird species that inhabit the area.
For panoramic landscape shots, the ascent towards Hvannadalshnúkur provides sweeping views of the surrounding glacial plains, jagged mountains, and coastal vistas.
Nearby Towns and Villages
Höfn: A fishing town located near Vatnajökull National Park, Höfn offers various accommodation and is known for its lobster dishes. It is a convenient base for exploring the eastern side of the park.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur: A small village located between Vik and Höfn, Kirkjubæjarklaustur has guesthouses and basic amenities. It is a good base for exploring both Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón.
Suggested Hiking Trails
Svartifoss Waterfall Trail: A 3.5 km round-trip hike, this trail leads to Svartifoss waterfall, passing through lush vegetation and providing views of the surrounding glaciers.
The trail, located in Vatnajökull National Park, is approximately 3.5 km round trip and takes you through a variety of Icelandic landscapes, including verdant forests, moss-covered rocks, and dramatic cliffs.
Along the way, photographers can capture the rich contrast between the lush greenery and the rugged terrain.
The highlight of the trail is Svartifoss, also known as the “Black Waterfall,” which is renowned for its striking basalt columns that resemble a natural organ pipe formation.
The dark hexagonal basalt columns provide a dramatic backdrop to the cascading white water, and is perfect for both wide-angle shots and more focused, detailed compositions. Experiment with long exposure techniques to create a silky effect on the falling water, emphasizing the ethereal beauty of the scene.
The trail also offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including glimpses of distant glaciers and vast open spaces, providing ample opportunities for capturing the stunning Icelandic scenery.
The varying light conditions throughout the day can offer unique and dynamic photography options, from the soft glow of sunrise to the dramatic shadows of late afternoon.
Glacier Hikes: Various guided glacier hikes are available in Vatnajökull National Park. These hikes allow photographers to get up close to the ice formations and capture unique patterns and textures.
The trail offers stunning photography opportunities, showcasing the country’s dramatic landscapes and natural beauty. As you traverse the trail, you will be captivated by the vast expanses of ancient ice fields, with their intricate patterns of blue ice, deep crevasses, and rugged ice formations.
The contrast between the icy terrain and the dark volcanic ash creates a striking visual effect, perfect for capturing unique and surreal images.
Along the trail, you may encounter crystalline ice caves, where sunlight filters through the translucent ice, casting an ethereal glow that’s a photographer’s dream. The surrounding snow-covered peaks and ridges provide a majestic backdrop, often shrouded in mist, adding a sense of mystery and grandeur to your shots.
Wildlife photography enthusiasts might also spot Arctic foxes or a variety of birds that inhabit this icy wilderness.
The ever-changing weather in Iceland adds another layer of intrigue, as sunlight, clouds, and occasional snowfall dramatically alter the landscape, providing a range of lighting conditions.
Iceland Ofaerufoss Waterfall
East Fjords
The East Fjords of Iceland are less visited than other parts of the country, offering serene landscapes, quiet fishing villages, and dramatic fjord views. This area is ideal for photographers seeking solitude and unspoiled natural beauty.
Photography locations in the East Fjords area of Iceland
Seyðisfjörður: A picturesque town nestled in the Eastfjords of Iceland, offers exceptional photography opportunities for nature and landscape enthusiasts.
Surrounded by towering mountains and lush valleys, the town is set against a stunning backdrop, with cascading waterfalls such as Gufufoss providing dramatic and photogenic scenes.
The fjord itself, with its calm, reflective waters, allows for breathtaking mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
The charming architecture of Seyðisfjörður, including its iconic blue church and colourful wooden houses, adds a vibrant contrast to the natural scenery. The rainbow-painted street leading up to the church is a favourite subject for photographers, offering a unique blend of culture and color against the backdrop of the serene Icelandic landscape.
Seyðisfjörður’s foggy and mystical weather conditions often create a dreamlike atmosphere, perfect for capturing moody, atmospheric shots.
For wildlife photographers, the fjord is home to various bird species, including puffins and eider ducks, and the surrounding waters occasionally host seals and even whales.
Hengifoss Waterfall: One of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, at approximately 128 meters (420 feet), Hengifoss is known for its striking red strata visible in the surrounding cliffs. A hike to the waterfall provides various perspectives for photography.
Located in East Iceland, the waterfall is renowned for its striking geological layers that create a captivating backdrop. These layers include red clay sandwiched between dark basalt columns, which are remnants of ancient volcanic activity, offering a striking contrast that enhances the beauty of the cascading water.
You can capture the waterfall from various angles along the hiking trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Lagarfljót river and the picturesque valley below.
The journey to Hengifoss itself is about a 2.5-kilometer hike, which offers plenty of scenic spots to take photos of smaller waterfalls and the rugged Icelandic terrain along the way. Early morning or late afternoon light can create dramatic effects, casting shadows and highlighting the vibrant colours of the rock formations.
In winter, the partially frozen falls present a different, mesmerizing scene, with icicles adding an extra dimension to the photographs.
Stórurð: Located in East Iceland near the town of Borgarfjörður Eystri, Stórurð is a hidden gem that offers incredible photography opportunities. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Stórurð features a surreal landscape of gigantic boulders scattered across a valley, surrounded by tranquil turquoise ponds and lush green meadows.
These boulders, some as big as houses, are remnants of ancient glacial activity, creating a dramatic contrast with the vibrant surroundings. You can capture the reflection of these rocks in the crystal-clear pools, creating mirror-like images that are perfect for landscape photography.
The area is also framed by the majestic Dyrfjöll mountains, whose towering peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop, especially when shrouded in mist or illuminated by the midnight sun.
The changing light conditions throughout the day offer varying shades and shadows, making every visit a unique experience for capturing different moods. Stórurð is also a great spot for photographing Iceland’s flora, with colourful wildflowers dotting the terrain in summer.
Wildlife enthusiasts may encounter Arctic foxes or various bird species, adding a dynamic element to the scenery.
Before You Venture Out
Check Iceland’s Current Weather Conditions, Volcanic Activity and Drone Rules
Before venturing out anywhere in Iceland it is important to check the weather forecast and any volcanic activity that may hamper your visit:
Icelandic Met Office: https://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/areas/
Visit Iceland: https://www.visiticeland.com/eruption/
Drone Rules in Iceland: https://island.is/en/o/transport-authority/drones
Iceland - A landscape photographer's dream location!
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