Top Photography Spots in Iceland

Iceland is one of the most photogenic countries on Earth. The light is unlike anywhere else, shifting from soft pastels at golden hour to the alien green glow of the aurora. The landscapes range from jet-black volcanic deserts to blindingly white glaciers, from turquoise geothermal pools to towering waterfalls framed by basalt columns. Every turn in the road reveals something worth photographing.

This guide covers the best photography locations across Iceland, organised by region, with practical tips on timing, light conditions and access. Whether you are shooting on a phone or a full mirrorless setup, these spots will deliver.

The Golden Circle

Strokkur Geysir

Strokkur erupts every 5 to 8 minutes, sending a column of boiling water 15 to 20 metres into the air. The key to capturing it is patience and timing. Stand on the upwind side to avoid steam, and use burst mode or a fast shutter speed (1/1000 or faster) to freeze the water at its peak. The moment just before eruption, when the blue bubble swells at the surface, is actually the most striking frame.

Best light: Morning, when the rising steam catches low sunlight from the east.

Gullfoss

Iceland's most powerful waterfall drops 32 metres in two stages into a narrow canyon. The classic composition is from the upper viewing platform, where you can capture the full horseshoe shape. In winter, the surrounding ice and snow add incredible drama.

Best light: Afternoon, when the sun illuminates the spray and creates rainbows. Summer evenings around 8 to 9pm offer the warmest tones.

Tip: The lower walkway gets you closer and the spray creates natural foreground interest, but protect your lens. A UV filter you do not mind getting wet is worth having.

Þingvellir National Park

The tectonic rift at Þingvellir is visually dramatic but surprisingly tricky to photograph well because of its scale. The Almannagjá canyon walk, with its vertical rock walls, works best as a leading-line composition. The Öxarárfoss waterfall at the end of the walk provides a clear focal point.

Best light: Early morning before tour buses arrive. The canyon faces roughly east-west, so morning light cuts across the walls beautifully.

South Coast

Seljalandsfoss

One of the few waterfalls in the world you can walk behind, and the view from behind the curtain of water is extraordinary. Photograph from the inside looking out for a unique frame, but be prepared to get soaked. A waterproof camera bag or a rain sleeve for your lens is essential.

Best light: Late afternoon and evening. During midnight sun season, the late-night golden light hitting the waterfall from the west is spectacular. In winter, the waterfall is sometimes lit artificially at night.

Nearby: Do not miss Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall just 5 minutes south, tucked inside a narrow canyon. You need to wade through a shallow stream to reach it, but the enclosed composition is stunning.

Skógafoss

A 60-metre curtain of water with a famously flat foreground that makes for a clean composition. Walk right up to the base for a dramatic sense of scale, or climb the 400 steps to the top for an aerial perspective looking down into the spray.

Best light: Morning for front-lit drama. Overcast days can actually work better here, as the even light prevents the spray from blowing out your highlights.

Tip: Include a person at the base for scale. The waterfall is so large that photos without a human reference point often fail to convey its size.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

The hexagonal basalt columns, crashing North Atlantic waves, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore create one of Iceland's most iconic scenes. The columns work as both foreground and background, and the contrast between the jet-black sand and white wave foam is naturally dramatic.

Best light: Overcast days are surprisingly good here. The dark sand and columns have rich texture that harsh sunlight can flatten. Stormy days produce the most dramatic waves, but stay well back from the water. Sneaker waves at Reynisfjara are genuinely dangerous.

Diamond Beach (Jökulsárlón)

Chunks of glacial ice wash up on the black volcanic sand at the mouth of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, creating a natural jewellery display. The ice pieces range from fist-sized to taller than a person, and each one catches the light differently.

Best light: Sunrise and sunset are extraordinary here. The low-angle light passes through the translucent ice and makes it glow. For the most ice on the beach, visit after a period of strong winds, which push more icebergs out of the lagoon and onto the shore.

Tip: Get low. Shooting from ground level with a wide-angle lens makes the ice chunks look monumental against the sky. A polarising filter helps control reflections and saturate the sky.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The lagoon itself, with icebergs drifting slowly toward the sea, is one of Iceland's most surreal scenes. Telephoto lenses (70 to 200mm) work well for isolating individual icebergs, while wide angles capture the full scale. Look for seals resting on the ice, they make perfect subjects.

Best light: The lagoon faces roughly south, so midday winter light skims across the water beautifully. In summer, midnight sun sessions are unforgettable.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss

The most photographed mountain in Iceland, and for good reason. The classic composition includes the small waterfall (Kirkjufellsfoss) in the foreground with the pointed mountain behind. The waterfall viewing area is a 2-minute walk from the car park.

Best light: Morning light from the east illuminates the mountain's face. For northern lights over Kirkjufell, visit between September and March and position yourself at the waterfall with a wide-angle lens.

Tip: The "classic shot" is from the bridge near the waterfall, but walk 50 metres further along the path for a slightly different angle that avoids the crowd. Also consider the view from across the bay, which gives the mountain more separation from the background.

Búðakirkja (The Black Church)

A tiny black wooden church sitting alone on the edge of a lava field. Simple, stark and incredibly photogenic. It works in every season: wildflowers in summer, snow in winter, aurora overhead on clear nights.

Best light: Blue hour (just before sunrise or after sunset) gives the scene a moody, ethereal quality that suits the subject.

East and North Iceland

Vestrahorn (Stokksnes)

A dramatic mountain with sharp peaks reflected in the tidal flats of Stokksnes beach. When conditions are right, the wet sand creates a near-perfect mirror reflection. This is one of Iceland's most reward-for-patience locations. You might visit three times before getting the reflection.

Access: The beach is on private land and requires a small entry fee (around 900 ISK) paid at the Viking Café.

Best light: Low-angle sunrise or sunset. The mountain faces roughly east, so sunrise light is direct and warm. Overcast days with gaps in the clouds can produce dramatic light beams.

Tip: Arrive at low tide for the best reflections. Check tide tables in advance. Wear waterproof boots, as you will be walking on wet sand and shallow water.

Goðafoss (North Iceland)

The "Waterfall of the Gods" is a wide, horseshoe-shaped falls near Akureyri. It is less tall than Skógafoss but more graceful, and the semi-circular shape allows you to photograph it from multiple angles.

Best light: Morning in summer, when the sun is in the east and the waterfall faces north. In winter, Goðafoss surrounded by ice is breathtaking but the paths can be extremely slippery.

Dynjandi (Westfjords)

A 100-metre cascade that fans out as it falls, creating a bridal-veil shape unique among Icelandic waterfalls. The hike to the base takes about 15 minutes and passes several smaller waterfalls, each worth a shot.

Best light: Afternoon, when the sun moves to the west and illuminates the falls. The Westfjords are remote, so you will often have this location to yourself.

The Highlands

Landmannalaugar

The rhyolite mountains here display colours you will not believe are real: candy pinks, sulphur yellows, moss greens and volcanic blacks, all on the same hillside. This is perhaps the most unique photographic subject in Iceland, because nowhere else on Earth looks quite like this.

Access: Via F-road 208 (4WD required, typically accessible July to September) or by highland bus.

Best light: Midday works here. The colours are so vivid that you do not need golden-hour light to make them sing. Overcast days actually intensify the saturation.

Askja and Víti Crater

A vivid blue crater lake inside a massive caldera in the remote highlands. The scale is enormous and the colour of the water is almost unbelievable. A wide-angle lens is essential.

Access: Via F-road 88. Full-day super jeep tours depart from Mývatn.

Northern Lights Photography

The aurora is Iceland's most sought-after photographic subject, and it rewards preparation. Key settings for northern lights:

Manual focus set to infinity (or focused on a distant light and then locked)
ISO 1600 to 3200 (higher for faint aurora, lower for bright displays)
Aperture as wide as possible (f/2.8 or wider is ideal)
Shutter speed 8 to 15 seconds (longer captures more light but the aurora movement can blur)
Tripod essential. No exceptions. Even image stabilisation cannot handle multi-second exposures
Remote shutter release or 2-second timer to avoid camera shake

For detailed settings and technique, see our dedicated northern lights photography guide.

Best locations for aurora: Away from Reykjavík's light pollution. The Þingvellir area, Vik, Kirkjufell, Jökulsárlón and anywhere in north Iceland offer dark skies. Check the aurora forecast and the cloud cover map at vedur.is.

Practical Photography Tips for Iceland

Weather and Gear Protection

Iceland's weather will test your equipment. Wind-driven rain, sea spray, volcanic dust and sudden temperature changes are all common. A rain cover for your camera bag and lens cleaning cloths are not optional, they are essential. Bring more microfibre cloths than you think you need, especially near waterfalls.

Condensation is the hidden enemy. Moving a cold camera into a warm car or café causes immediate fogging on the lens and inside the camera body. Put your camera in a sealed bag before bringing it indoors, and let it equalise temperature slowly.

Drone Rules

Iceland permits recreational drone use, but with restrictions:

Maximum altitude: 120 metres
Always maintain visual line of sight
Do not fly over people, vehicles, or buildings
Drones are prohibited in all national parks and nature reserves (including Þingvellir, Snæfellsjökull, Skaftafell/Vatnajökull)
Register your drone with the Icelandic Transport Authority if it weighs over 250g
Wind is a constant challenge. If it is too windy for comfortable walking, it is too windy for a drone

The penalties for violating drone regulations are significant, and enforcement has increased. Always check the latest rules at samgongustofa.is before flying.

Best Seasons for Photography

Winter (November to February): Short days (4 to 6 hours of daylight) but the light is extraordinary. The sun stays low on the horizon, meaning "golden hour" effectively lasts all day. Aurora photography peaks. Ice caves accessible. The downside: weather is unpredictable, roads can close, and some locations are inaccessible.

Summer (June to August): Midnight sun means you can shoot at any hour. Puffins are on the cliffs. Highland roads are open. The light is less dramatic (high noon sun for most of the day) but the 10pm to 2am window offers beautiful soft light.

Shoulder seasons (March to May, September to October): The sweet spot for many photographers. You get a mix of dramatic light, manageable weather, possible aurora, and fewer tourists at popular spots.

The One Tip That Matters Most

Stop at the places between the famous spots. Iceland's most rewarding photographs often come from the unnamed waterfall beside the road, the abandoned farm with mountains behind it, or the coastal viewpoint you pulled over at on a whim. Keep your camera accessible at all times, because Iceland does not announce its best moments. They just happen.