To photograph the beauty of Iceland during fall
At the end of September and the beginning of October 2024, I spent 10 days in Iceland. It was my first trip to Island, and my goal was to explore the west and south of the country. In this article, I share my 10-day itinerary focused on landscape photography. You’ll find Google Maps links to photo spots, accommodations, and practical tips for planning your own photography adventure. From breathtaking photo locations to insights about the Northern Lights, hidden gems, and composition ideas. This itinerary was curated based on my personal preferences. Please note that this article does not contain any affiliate links.
Quick recap: key links and highlights
Top landscape photography spots
➜ Stokksnes/Vestrahorn
➜ Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
➜ Breiðamerkursandur (Diamond Beach)
➜ Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
➜ Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
➜ Kirkjufell mountain
➜ Sæljós GK-2 from SANDGERÐI shipwreck
Northern lights app
➜ My Aurora Forecast : a must-have for chasing auroras
Northern guide and tips
➜ Read my northern lights blog article to get all the tips to photograph the northern lights
Accommodations
➜ iStay Cottages in Sandgerði, on the Reykjanes Peninsula
➜ Skýjaborg apartments in Höfn, near Stokksnes/Vestrahorn
➜ Borg Apartments in Hvolsvöllur, near the Golden Circle
➜ Stöð Guesthouse and Apartments near Kirkjufell, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Car rental
➜ Lava Car Rental : Reliable service, ideal for road trips in Iceland

Day 1 – Arrival day in Iceland
Heading to iStay Cottages in Sandgerði
Our flight arrived at 2:30 PM in Reykjavík. After collecting our luggage, we went straight to Lava Car Rental to pick up our vehicle. For this first half-day, we decided to settle into our cozy cabin at iStay Cottages in Sandgerði, a lovely, comfortable spot. We also stopped at Bonus for groceries to prepare for the long drive the next day.
➜ Lava Car Rental
➜ iStay Cottages
First photographic visit : Hvalsneskirkja
Despite the cold, rainy weather and poor light, we visited Hvalsneskirkja Church, a charming stone church built in 1886–87 on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
➜ Photo spot Hvalsneskirkja
Dinner: fish and chips at Sandgerði
For dinner, we tried Sjávarsetrið, a family-run seafood restaurant just three minutes from our accommodation. The fish and chips were excellent, and the warm atmosphere made it a perfect start to our trip.
➜ Sjávarsetrið restaurant


Day 2 – Braided river and black sand beach
Braided river and drone photography
Today is the day with the longest route. We’ve decided to start our journey by driving all the way to Höfn, which is a 6.5 hour drive. Then we’ll head back to visit the Golden Circle and the Vík í Mýrdal region.
On the way, we plan to make a stop to take photos of a braided river using a drone. Just before the town of Selfoss, there’s a bridge that crosses a wild river that I spotted on Google Maps. There’s an area just before the point that allows a stop to launch the drone. The weather was quite cloudy which is perfect for taking photos of rivers from the air, as there are fewer reflections. This spot is really beautiful as you can photograph turquoise and yellow water.
➜ Braided river photo spot
➜ Rules to fly your drone in Iceland



Arrival at the Skýjaborg Apartments in Höfn
It was a relief to finally arrive at our Skýjaborg flat. When we first discovered the location, we had a little doubt as it’s situated in an industrial area. But as soon as we stepped inside, we loved it. The decoration was super pretty and everything was very comfortable.
➜ Skýjaborg apartments
Sunset, blue hour and northern lights at Stokksnes/Vestrahorn
No sooner had we arrived in Höfn than we were off to Stokksnes/Vestrahorn. The black sand beach is around 25 minutes from our flat, so we’ve got just enough time to get there before sunset. Please note that there is a charge for access to the beach: 800 ISK (~$6) per person (rates 2024). You can buy your entrance ticket at the little café in the car park. I bought 2 tickets in case there were Northern Lights and I wanted to come back in the evening. We tested it out: the QR code on the entrance ticket is only valid once!
➜ Café to buy your entry
Frankly, this is a sublime place, whatever the weather. There are several photo spots where you can park your car. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to compositions. You should also pay attention to the tides. When the tide is high, the beach can be covered in water, giving you a beautiful reflection of the mountains. For us, it was low tide and sunset didn’t happen, but we were treated to a magnificent blue hour with beautiful clouds that added a nice touch of mystery to the place. We went home to cook a nice meal.
And it was at midnight that I received a notification from the My Aurora app informing me that there were Northern Lights. We drove straight back to Stokksnes/Vestrahorn. And it was at this point that I was glad I’d taken a 2nd entrance as the café was closed and we would have had to walk several hundred metres before reaching the end of the beach (of course, I was very stressed that the aurora would go away and I’d leave without taking any photos!) But we got there in time and enjoyed the show for over 2 hours!
➜ My article on how to photograph the northern lights




Day 3 – Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón glaciers
Breiðamerkursandur, also known as Diamond Beach
On this 3rd day, we took a step back in time to discover the glacier region. As we went to bed late the day before, because of the auroras, we slept in. So we left mid-morning for our first stop at the famous Breiðamerkursandur (or Diamonds Beach). But to our disappointment, there were very few pieces of ice on the page. So we decided to visit the Fjallsárlón glacier and return later to Jökulsárlón.
Fjallsárlón glacier
Located a little further west, the Fjallsárlón glacier is easily accessible by car. There is a large car park at the entrance and you need to walk about 10 minutes to see the edge of the lagoon. Please note that many car parks in Iceland charge for parking. Some car parks can be paid for using the Parka app, which you can download and enter the registration number of your hire car.
In our case, the weather was very moody and there was quite a bit of fog. This made the place mystical, as you could barely make out the glacier in the distance. But what’s really unique is that the water in the lagoon is brown. There are also chunks of black ice on the beach. You’ll see, it’s very special and very photogenic!
➜ Car park Fjallsárlón glacier
➜ List of paid car parks in Iceland
➜ Parka App
Back to Jökulsárlón Lagoon and Breiðamerkursandur beach
In the middle of the afternoon, we tried our luck at Diamond Beach. We started our visit by taking a look at the Jökulsárlón Lagoon. We just stayed on the path, but there were some big icebergs, which was impressive to see. There are also seals swimming in the lagoon and it’s really great to see them having fun. But what interested me most was the chunks of ice on Breiðamerkursandur. We took the car and parked right next to the beach. The good thing is that the price of the car park is valid for one day and covers the 2 car parks (Jökulsárlón lagoon + Diamonds Beach). So you can get in and out without paying a second time.
On the other hand, in terms of small ice cubes on the beach, it wasn’t really any better than in the morning, but there were 2-3 small ice cubes that made it possible to take a few photos. So of course I went all out to photograph them in semi-long exposures. I’d advise you to take 2 pairs of shoes, as your feet will easily get wet!
➜ Car park Jökulsárlón Lagoon
➜ Car park Breiðamerkursandur
➜ Photo spot Diamond Beach


Day 4 – Lómagnúpur, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Mossy Lava Fields
Ice cubes at Diamond Beach
Today, we’re heading back to our new Borg Apartments accommodation in Hvolsvöllur. We’ll be staying there for 4 nights to visit the Vík í Mýrdal region and the Golden Circle. The idea is to travel a bit like a star. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from Höfn to Hvolsvöllur and it’s a great opportunity to make 4 photo stops.
On the way back, we passed the famous Breiðamerkursandur square again and I noticed that there were a lot more ice cubes washed up this morning. We turned around and went back to the parker to try one last time to immortalise this place I’ve always dreamed of. Initially, I had planned to visit a church on the way, but we spent nearly 2 hours at the beach as there were several beautiful pieces of ice.
➜ Car park Breiðamerkursandur
➜ Photo spot Diamond Beach

Drone photography Lómagnúpur scenic point and braided rivers
I wanted to take advantage of our return journey to take some drone photos of this iconic spot. Close to a wild river, I wanted to get a panorama of the beautiful mountain and the river.
➜ Car park Lómagnúpur

Drone photography at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
One of Iceland’s most incredible canyons, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is just a 40-minute drive from Lómagnúpur. As well as being easy to get to and well laid out, it’s also very photogenic. It takes around 15 minutes to walk to the view point.
➜ Car park Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon



Landscape photography at Mossy Lava Fields
Mossy lava fields were one of the places I really wanted to photograph during my trip to Iceland. I really love this soft-looking landscape. What’s more, there were little red and yellow leaves in some places, which made a nice contrast against the very green surroundings.
I think we are not allowed of walking on the lava fields, but there are several gravel paths that are accessible by car and where you can also park. I advise you to take a little time if you visit this place, as finding a good composition can be challenging. In any case, I had to make several attempts before finding a satisfactory composition.
Afterwards, we drove straight to our studio, the Borg Apartments accommodation in Hvolsvöllur. It’s very simple, but perfect for exploring the region.
➜ Mossy Lava Fields area
➜ Borg Apartments



Day 5 – Vík í Mýrdal and Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara black sand Beach
The first place we visit fairly early in the morning in the south is the beautiful Reynisfjara black sand beach. This beach seems to have a reputation for being dangerous because of its waves. So be careful. For me, the waves weren’t too strong, but they did tend to come very close to the edge. I think it’s best to keep your bag on your back and always keep an eye on the waves.
I had planned several photographs, such as long pauses with the view of the black rocks, a vertical photo of the most emblematic rock in the region with big waves and a self-portrait in a red dress, on the basalt stones at the entrance to the beach. This spot attracts a lot of tourists, so I’d advise you to go either early or later in the day. Be sure to check the tides, depending on the photos you want to take.
➜ Car park Reynisfjara
➜ Tide information
➜ Photo spot self-portrait



Dyrhólaey view point
Dyrhólaey offers a really nice viewpoint high above the black sandy beach. Access by car and on foot is really very easy. Personally, I really enjoyed the view of the black sandy beach, which you can see to infinity, especially given the foggy weather that day. If I’d had the chance, I think it’s a spot that could be very nice for a sunrise too!
➜ Dyrholaey lighthouse parking top
➜ Photo spot black sand beach


Arnardrangur sea stack
Arnardrangur was one of the photo spots I absolutely wanted to see in Iceland. It’s a little lower down than Dyrhólaey. There’s a car park nearby so it’s very easy to get to. From this viewpoint, you can see the whole of Reynisfjara black sand beach. It’s a really great spot for landscape photography. The beach changes its appearance according to the tide, so I think you can visit this place several times and get lots of different photographs!
➜ Dyrhólaey View Parking Lot
➜ Photo spot Arnardrangur

Next stop Kvernufoss
We left Arnardrangur in the middle of the afternoon and had time for one more visit. We’re starting to feel a bit cold, as the wind is blowing hard, but we’re also getting hungry. As the weather is getting really cloudy and it’s raining a bit, we decide to go and see the Kvernufoss waterfall. Situated right next to Skógafoss (where you can see there are a lot of people), this waterfall requires a bit of a walk as it’s at the end of a gorge. The great thing about this place is that you can go behind the waterfall and get a great panoramic view of the arch. I’d advise you to set aside some time for this visit, as there are plenty of options for landscape photography, whether behind the waterfall or in front of it!
➜ Car park Kvernufoss
➜ Kvernufoss access info



Day 6 – Waterfalls, braided river and icelandic horses
Blue hour at Skógafoss
Yesterday, we noticed that the Skógafoss car park was full. So we got up at the crack of dawn to go and see Skógafoss with a little less crowd. It’s one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, so we had to be prepared to elbow each other to get a shot. Fortunately, there were only a few photographers there that morning. I just took the time to take a few photos with Paolo in his yellow jacket in front of the waterfall, because I still wanted to capture it, just for its beauty and power.
➜ Car park Skógafoss
➜ Skógafoss photo spot
Heading to Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
The famous Seljalandsfoss! It was definitely one of my photo spots. You can also see it from the back. It’s quite fascinating to see. They say it’s beautiful at sunset, but we weren’t lucky enough to have this weather. On the other hand, it’s also a waterfall that attracts a lot of people. I’d advise you to visit it off-peak so that you have time to enjoy it at your own pace.And from Seljalandsfoss, you can take a short path to Gljúfrabúi waterfall. When you get there, you have to pass through a small canyon that leads to the cave and waterfall. It’s really quite beautiful! And this is where I wanted to take another self-portrait in my red dress. As you can imagine, it was freezing, my dress was soaked and I was cold all day! But it was worth it. I was lucky because when we arrived there weren’t many people around, but it’s also very touristy. Go outside during rush hour.
➜ Car park Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
➜ Gljúfrabúi photo spot

Rainy day means braided river and drone photography
Just beside Seljalandsfoss, you can see a large wild river. A little further along the main road, there’s a small area where you can park. This was an opportunity to launch the drone and capture some aerial views. As the weather was cloudy and a bit dramatic, I decided to do a panorama of 10 photos with the view of the mountains in the distance and the braided river below, to really show the size of it.
➜ Car park braided rivers
➜ Braided river photo spot

Þjóðveldisbærinn from the air
As the weather was getting bad around the waterfalls, we decided to head to Þjóðveldisbærinn, a small reconstruction of a Viking farm. You have to pay to get in, but it’s a great photo spot from the drone. What’s more, the museum is really interesting: you can try on the clothes and live for a few minutes as if you were in Viking times.
➜ Car park Þjóðveldisbærinn
➜ Þjóðveldisbærinn information

Iceland’s famous horses
Horses are my favourite animals, so I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to photograph them. We took advantage of this chill day on our way back from Þjóðveldisbærinn to stop and take some photos of horses. Honestly, you’ll see them everywhere in Iceland. You just need to find a place where you can stop without obstructing traffic. This goes without saying, but I’ll say it all the same: you have to respect the horses, not feed them, not enter the meadows and not bother them. But they are quite curious and will easily come up to you as soon as you approach the meadow.



Day 7 – Þingvellir, Geysirs and northern lights
Back to Reykjavik to change car
A little problem with the car this morning when we left. It had all the warning lights on. After talking to our supplier, Lava Rental Car, we decided to go to Reykjavik to change the car. They were very nice and gave us a new car straight away. Many thanks to them! The only problem was that we lost a good part of the day, but we were still able to make the most of the beautiful afternoon light.
Heading for the geysirs via Þingvellir national park
As long as we had to drive, we gave it our all. On our way out of Reykjavik, we decided to drive through the Þingvellir national park and then go and see the Geysirs. Paolo really wanted to see them for real, so we couldn’t miss this stage. On the road through Þingvellir park, there were some magnificent little trees with orange and red leaves. The colours were crazy and I managed to find a pretty little tree that was perfect for a photo.
➜ Þingvellir national park information
Then it was back on the road to the geysers. We got there just before sunset and were able to see Strokkur Geyser in full eruption with the pinkish sky in the background. Frankly, it was perfect. There weren’t too many people either, so we really got to enjoy it.
➜ Car park Geysirs
➜ Photo spot Strokkur


Blue hour and northern lights at Gullfoss waterfall
Just an 8-minute drive from Les Geysirs is the Gullfoss waterfall. The blue hour is about to start and the kp on the My Aurora app looks promising. We didn’t hesitate for a second and set off for Gullfoss. We arrive and the car park is completely empty! We grab our warm clothes, as a freezing wind is blowing and we head for the lower viewpoint of Gullfoss, as I wanted to take my photo from the front, but there are several other places to see to take some great photos. I’d advise you to arrive a little early to do a little scouting. Afterwards, we settled in to capture the blue hour and wait for the aurora borealis.
➜ Car park Gullfoss
➜ Photo spot Gullfoss


Day 8 – Road trip to the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Charming little church Úlfljótsvatnskirkja and drone photography
Today we’re off to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, in the north-west of Iceland, to reach our last accommodation Stöð Guesthouse and Apartments, located opposite Kirkjufell! We can’t wait! But as it’s a long drive, I’ve planned a first drone photo stop at Úlfljótsvatnskirkja. It’s an unusual little church on the edge of a lake. Seen from the sky in autumn colours, it looks great in photographs. It’s perfect for a few pretty photos and videos before hitting the road again.
➜ Car park Úlfljótsvatnskirkja


Unplanned stop, discovery of the beautiful Selvallafoss and the volcanoes
We’re about 30 minutes from our hotel when we see this incredible light over the volcanoes. We see a rest area and decide to stop. That’s when we hear the sound of a waterfall. We discovered that it was Selvallafoss and that we could also slip behind it. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a few photos during this golden hour from behind the waterfall, with Paolo posing on a rock in the distance.
On the way back, we also found a stop to photograph the volcanoes in the golden light. I took the opportunity to get out the drone because I find that the best photographs are taken from the air. You can really see their warm textures and reddish-brown colours. Fantastic photo spots for any weather! In the meantime, Paolo stayed in the car, as it was freezing cold!
➜ Car park Selvallafoss
➜ Photo spot volcanoes


Sunset and northern lights at Kirkjufell
This time, it’s the right one. We made our way to our hotel, Stöð Guesthouse and Apartments. We got a great welcome and the room was really cute. No sooner had we picked up the key and put down our suitcase than we were off to Kirkjufellsfoss for the famous photo of Kirkjufell mountain at sunset! Admittedly, it’s crowded and you’ll probably have to make room for yourself, but the view is definitely worth it! After freezing our butts off for over an hour, we head back to the hotel. We’re hungry and our table in the restaurant is waiting for us. But that’s without counting the sun’s peak of activity! When dessert arrives, the My Aurora app tells us that we have a chance of seeing an aurora. So we grabbed a bite to eat, paid our bill and headed to the seafront to photograph Kirkjufell, with an incredible aurora borealis right behind it. It only lasted about fifteen minutes before the clouds covered the sky. What luck, photo in the box!
➜ Stöð Guesthouse and Apartments
➜ Car park Kirkjufellsfoss
➜ Photo spot Kirkjufellsfoss
➜ Photo spot Kirkjufell northern lights




Day 9 – Exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Morning: seal beach at Ytri Tunga
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is packed with incredible landscapes, and we begin our exploration at Ytri Tunga Beach, known for its seal sightings. Remember to keep a respectful distance of at least 100m from the seals, as they should not be disturbed. A telephoto lens or binoculars will help you get a closer look, as they tend to be quite far off. Be prepared to walk on the rocks to get closer, and you might find yourself spending quite a bit of time here!
➜ Car park Ytri Tunga

Late morning: Búðir, the famous black church
Next, we head to Búðir, where the iconic black church stands. It’s a must-see, but it can get crowded, so we made sure to arrive early to avoid the rush. Despite the crowds, it offers several unique composition options for photographers, so try to visit during quieter times to truly enjoy the place.
➜ Car park Búðir
Afternoon: Arnarstapi and the famous white house
We then made our way to Arnarstapi, a picturesque fishing village famous for its little white house. The coastline here is stunning, with a natural arch that’s perfect for photos. Unfortunately, the bright sun made it difficult to capture the scenery at its best, so I focused on the white house. After a photo session, we enjoyed a delicious fish and chips lunch on a terrace, because when the sun’s out, you have to make the most of it!
➜ Car park Arnarstapi
➜ Arnarstapi white house photo spot
➜ Arnarstapi fish and chips

Late afternoon: Hólahólar volcano and Svörtuloft lighthouse
Our next stop was the Hólahólar Volcano, a dormant volcano where you can actually drive into its interior. It’s a unique experience, driving inside a volcano, though it’s not particularly high. From there, we made our way to Svörtuloft Lighthouse, an orange lighthouse that stands out beautifully against the landscape. The road to get there is a bit rough, but the lighthouse is worth the effort, offering great photo opportunities.
➜ Car park Svörtuloft lighthouse


Evening: Sæljós GK-2 wreck at sunset
On our way back, we stopped at the wreck of the Sæljós GK-2 ship, located in Sandgerði. I love photographing shipwrecks, and this one is accessible on foot. Paolo even climbed a ladder to explore the wreck from the inside, while I took photos of the wreck during sunset and blue hour, with the sky turning a beautiful pink and purple hue.
➜ Car park Sæljós GK-2 from SANDGERÐI



Night: northern lights at Ingjaldshólskirkja
After dinner at a local restaurant in Hellissandur, we checked the My Aurora app and saw that the aurora borealis was active. We spent nearly 3 hours photographing the Northern Lights, visiting four different spots. I had identified several places for aurora photography, including the wreck, the sea, and the volcanoes, which made for incredible backdrops to the northern lights.
➜ Car park Ingjaldshólskirkja
That night, solar activity was really strong and the sky was completely clear. We spent nearly 3 hours outside taking timelapses and photographs of the aurora. I’d identified several places to photograph with the aurora and we ended up going to 4 different spots. Between the shipwreck, the sea and the volcanoes, there really are a lot of options.


Day 10 – Time to leave Iceland
Morning: last drone shot of Kolgrafarfjörður
On our final day, we left Grundarfjörður and made our way to Keflavik Airport. Before leaving, I couldn’t resist one last drone shot of the iconic Kolgrafarfjörður Bridge, a classic Icelandic spot. It was the perfect way to end our journey before heading back to Switzerland.
And that’s it, our trip to Iceland is coming to an end and we’re already thinking about the next one! I hope this itinerary has inspired you and helped you create your own.

Published on 18.01.2025 by Jennifer Esseiva