Iceland is one of the most popular places for landscape photography. It offers unique landscapes such as volcanoes, big glacier rivers and river deltas, black sand beaches, geothermal fields and mud-cracks, many waterfalls, lava fields and sometimes volcanic eruptions! This guide will concentrate on some known locations, but mostly more remote and unique places.
Best Mountain Photography Spots Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Iceland
One of the more popular waterfalls in Iceland is Seljalandsfoss. It is certainly not the most original, but you can shoot it from 3 different angles. From each side, obviously, but also from behind. During the mid-summer months you can see the sunset from behind the waterfall. There are also flowers on each side of the stream and with a drone you can get a nice perspective.
In summer the flowers make a nice foreground.
Hafragilsfoss
The waterfall Hafragilsfoss is coming from the Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacier river and is located in the Jökulságljúfur canyon. Most people who visit this area are going to the bigger and famous waterfall Dettifoss, around 2 km further upstream. The best spot to photograph the Hafragilsfoss waterfall is down the canyon and next to the waterfall. Here you can find foreground objects such as the Angelica Archangelica plant. This is also the only foreground plant you will find. Please note, getting down the canyon is not easy and only recommended for people with experience!
The Angelica Archangelica plant has a unique shape making it great for foreground interest.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is located in the highlands of Iceland and is north of the Torfajökull volcano. The area is very popular among hikers and tourists for it’s hot-springs and unique looking landscape.
Glacier rivers weave together and great the perfect leading lines.
Landmannalaugar is part of the big Fjallabak Nature Reserve and is considered as one of the best places in Iceland for landscape photography.
Landmannalaugar at night time.
Landmannalaugar is only reachable by 4×4 vehicles via F208 or F225 mountain roads or by a lot of hiking! The Fjallabak Nature Reserve is a protected landscape made up of volcanic plains, glacial rivers, and remote crater lakes. As you can see the glacier rivers are incredible for landscape photography.
An aerial perspective is best to shoot the glacier rivers as it gives good depth.
Thórsmörk
Thórsmörk is a nature reserve north of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and west of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. While the area of Thórsmörk itself is small, the surrounding area with good photography potential is much bigger. I therefore include the surrounding area of Thórsmörk also when looking at landscape photography spots in Thórsmörk.
Adding a person to this scene is necessary to connect with the sun.
The first area I recommend exploring is when you come down from the Laugavegur Trail, looking towards the north. This is when you are around one hour away from reaching the valley. Here are some great viewpoints where the rivers go into the distance towards the sun. The mountains with different elevations create layers and depth.
Including a person here can help greatly with adding depth, scale and a subject. (Interesting) foreground objects can be difficult to find. If you are alone you can use the self-timer or the interval-timer. A tripod is also recommended. I say recommend because you could also use your backpack as a tripod.
If you like high mountain selfies in landscape photography this is a great place to go.
Álftavatn
Álftavatn is a lake in the highlands which is worth visiting as a landscape photographer. It is located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. (just like Landmannalaugar). This part of the highlands is green, mixed with the black volcanic ash and sand deserts. It is also open, with many volcanic shape mountains (steep, symmetrical cones) and of course many small and bigger rivers. This area is great for exploring because the mountains are relatively low (up to 350 meters high from the valley) and the ground around it is relatively flat.
The difficulty in finding foreground means lots of selfie spots!
The ground doesn’t have any bushes and the only difficulties you will find are the glacier rivers you have to cross. At the same time, you have to accept that only a few mountains work well. As a landscape photographer who wants to have a composition with an idea behind it, think about leading lines. Things like rivers that line up and lead to the background, depth, layers.
Here a few compositions and viewpoints from this area.
Þeistareykir
A somewhat secret place in Iceland for landscape photography is Þeistareykir. I discovered it back in 2013 when looking at photos in a photo book in Akureyri. Þeistareykir is a Geothermal Area 30km north of Reykjahlíð. It is great for landscape photography because of the colors, the cracked mud fields, the clay pools and the Solfatara formed by the geothermal activity. You will also find the Mt. Bæjarfjall mountain nearby - a young mountain with a crater which is supposed to be the best preserved in Iceland.
Back in 2013 I hiked from the small town of Reykjahlíð to Þeistareykir. I hiked along the route 87 road and then turned right on a gravel road. This gravel road is now paved and goes all the way to the small town of Húsavík.
Langisjór
Langisjór Is a giant, 20km long and 2km wide lake in the Vatnajökull National Park. It is a great spot for landscape photography in Iceland. While the Langisjór Lake itself is beautiful, it is the surrounding area which makes it even more special. There are numerous smaller lakes around the big lake. You will also have many stand alone mountains and glacier rivers. The best place to shoot Langisjór is from the air. If you decide to use your drone make sure you get a special drone permit because this is required for this area.
There are 4x4 and hiking trails around the area. There is also a small cabin you can stay in near the lake. You can find it here: Langisjór. It doesn’t come cheap and camping seems the better option. The most common starting point is Ófærufoss Parking. They also have a cabin here and I have shipped a package with food supplies here once. Keep in mind that the parking is still 30km hiking from the actual Langisjór lake - but the area leading up to it is already worth exploring and shooting
Laugavegur trail
The laugavegur trail is a 55km long trail, starting in Landmannalaugar and finishes in Thórsmörk. The laugavegur trail can be connected with another 25km long trail, the Fimmvörðuháls Trail. This trail finishes in Skógar, where you find the famous Skógafoss. This section goes over the Fimmvörðuháls Pass (between the Eyjafjallajökull en Mýrdalsjökull glaciers).
There are different campgrounds along the way, including cabins with showers and toilets. You have to make use of these campgrounds since wild-camping is not allowed. For example, when you start in Skógar, you have a campground called Baldvinsskáli halfway the trek at around 13km. Another 13 km you have Thórsmörk. After around each 10km you will find a new campsite. Making a reservation in 2026 is recommended since the trail is getting busier each year.
The landscape photography options are good along the laugavegur trail. Make sure you will be considered with the weight of your camera gear since you already have to bring your camping gear. My recommendation is to bring a wide angle zoom and maybe a tripod if you are not familiar with shooting hand held. Do your Google Earth research before doing the hike to mark your best locations. The landscapes around the laugavegur trail stand out with the glacier rivers an the stand alone mountains. You want to find a viewpoint where the rivers and the mountain work together. If you also include a sunrise or sunset - make sure the sunset will connect with the river and the composition.
Drone Photography Iceland
If you fly your drone in Iceland you have to follow the EASA and Samgöngustofa rules. Since May 17th, there are now over 25 areas listed as a no-fly zone for recreational and educational use. Only big companies can get a permit (think about a big movie). Here is a map of Iceland with a display of the banned locations.
Maelifell
Maelifell is a mountain located north of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and is one of Iceland’s best spots for landscape photography. It is a mountain of around 200 meter high - and 791 meter above sea level. This mountain is great for aerial photography. You will be able to see many small streams around the mountain during the afternoon and sunset. It are the rivers around the mountain which makes it look so special. Another element which helps making Maelifell stand out from other mountains is the shape. While it doesn’t have a perfectly symmetrical shape, it does look like a cone from many angles. Lastly, Maelifell is green and the valley floor is black. This gives it a great contrast. In the background you will see the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and many other smaller mountains.
When flying the drone make sure you will have permission from the rangers. Maelifell is located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve so this is required.
Getting to the area of Maelifell requires a 4x4. The road into the area does cross a few smaller rivers. You can also park the car at 1 hour hiking away from Maelifell so you don’t have to cross the biggest river – especially in May and June this river can be a bit hard for normal size 4x4’s.
Transportation Iceland
Which transportation method is best for your Iceland photo tour depends on the kind of photography locations you have planned. If you go to the better known places around the ring road a normal rental hike will do the job. If you also include a location like Maelifell a simple 4x4 will be the better option (but skip the last river crossing and go hiking). You can rent a 4x4 from a place like Icerental 4x4 Iceland.
If you decide to mainly focus on the highland locations you have the option to rent a serious 4x4 or do everything on foot. When you choose the 4x4, keep in mind it will be expensive and you always have the challenge of crossing the glacier rivers by car. Expect to pay 1,500 euro (Land Rover Defender) to 3,000 euro (INEOS Grenadier) a week. Here is another recommendation to rent from ISAK 4x4 rental.
Much cheaper and in many way easier option is to not rent any car. There are great bus connections from Reykjavik to many places in the highlands. You can for example start in Thórsmörk, Landmannalaugar, Álftavatn and Langisjór. From there you plan your route all on foot. Since you have to hike you will see a lot more in detail compared to driving a 4x4. How about the food? You can transport any package to any bus stop (with campground/ accommodation). You simply buy your food supplies, put it in sturdy box, go to the bus station and write down the address details. Alternatively you can do the bus ride yourself and drop it off at 1 or more stations. Water is something you drink from the streams, it is 100% clean.
Final Thoughts
Now you have enough information to plan a epic landscape photography trip to Iceland! It it is a different shooting style to what many people are used to, but the easy and accessibility of the hiking is what makes it such a fun place to explore. Definitely bring your drone, but keep in mind the drone map and look out for updated regulations. Like many landscape photography destinations Iceland is facing massive tourism and is updating it’s regulations in regards to hiking and photography. If you enjoyed this article, and plan to visit Iceland for landscape photography, then continue reading with Seven Best Waterfalls in Europe.
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
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