Planning your next trip? Or just daydreaming about traveling?
Here are 40 breathtaking Iceland pictures that will make you want to pack your bag right away!
Waterfalls, landscapes, auroras, volcanoes… this is a magnificent island! 40 photos of the inspiring Iceland scenery.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Iceland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Whale Watching
Fun activity: Swimming in Silfra Fissure
My favorite places to stay:
- Reykjavik: see best rated hotels – e.g. Vintage Boutique Hotel
- Lake Myvatn: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Laxa
- Vik area: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Vik i Myrdal
1 – One of my favorite Iceland Pictures
This is one of my favorite pictures of Iceland. Lost in the Central Highlands, I don’t know the name of the place. I just know I was on road F208… Discover more pristine scenery from this road.
2 & 3 – Strokkur Geyser – pictures of an Iceland classic
The Strokkur geyser on the Golden Circle erupts every 5 to 8 minutes. This is one of the most famous stops in Iceland. Which makes it one of the more classic pictures of Iceland… I had fun trying to capture the bubble just before it erupted. More information on the Haukadalur geothermal area article.
4 – Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss is a waterfall you can reach after a short hike in the Skaftafell National Park. It is located in an amphitheater of basalt columns. Some say it inspired the architecture of the Cathedral in Reykjavik. More information and photos on the Svartifoss article.
5 – Londrangar
Iceland has some fascinating coastlines created by the lava. Here in the end of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
6 – Beautiful picture of Iceland – Trollaskagi Peninsula
This Iceland photo was taken on the Trollaskagi peninsula. Not sure where exactly. I just stopped to capture the beauty.
7 – Seljalandfoss – Classic Iceland photo behind a waterfall
One of the most iconic Iceland pictures: Seljalandsfoss from the track going behind it. The waterfall is magnificent from that angle but is actually quite boring from the front. Check it out on the Seljalandsfoss article.
9 – Vestrahorn, top spot for photographers
Another one of my favorite pictures of Iceland: the mountain of Vestrahorn and its black sand dunes. I was lucky to get a very interesting cloud above the magnificent cliffs. More information and pictures on the Vestrahorn article.
About taking pictures of Iceland – scenery & nature
Iceland is so beautiful that whatever equipment you use and whatever your skills, you can come back with amazing pictures (except if you are like my father and place your thumb in front of the lens…).
Photos in this article are all real pictures of Iceland (no overlay or extreme manipulation) and I shot them myself.
They have been taken in Summer / Fall. If you want to see Winter pictures of Iceland, check out my other article.
To plan your itinerary, you can check out:
- My general post about planning an Iceland road trip
- My suggested itineraries for 5 days in Iceland
- My suggested for 7 days in Iceland itineraries
- My 4 itineraries to spend 10 days in Iceland
- And my favorite itinerary for 14 days around Iceland
- or get one of my practical eBooks to help you plan your ideal itinerary:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
10 – Mud Pool at Hverir
In North Iceland is my favorite geothermal area: Hverir. This is a close-up photo of a bubble forming in a mud pool. It looks post-apocalyptic, don’t you think? I was wondering if I was still on Earth, check out more photos of Hverir.
11 – Skogafoss – another classic image of Iceland
Another icon and one of the most photographed places in Iceland, Skogafoss is a 60 meter high waterfall. You can admire it from the distance, get close and feel the shower or climb to the viewing platform on the right.
12 – Changing weather
There is a saying in Iceland: “if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”. Here is of photo of Iceland capturing this change.
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
13 – Jokulsarlon lagoon
I visited the Jokulsarlon lagoon many times. And every time the mood was different. In this photo, you cannot see the glacier behind in the cloud, just the floating icebergs and the changing sky. More Iceland photos of icebergs on the Jokulsarlon lagoon article.
14 – Hraunfossar
This waterfall is very different from all the others in Iceland. The water delicately flows between the lava rocks. Learn more on the Hraunfossar article.
15 – Leirhnjukur
If you are looking to feel like the only person left on Earth post-apocalypse, head to Leirhnjukur. Not far from Myvatn this lava field is still fuming… More Iceland photos and information on the Leirhnjukur article.
16 – Hjalparfoss
At the limit with the Central Highlands, Hjalparfoss displays some vibrant colors, especially in Autumn.
17 – Photo of Icelandic Sheep
I have many pictures of Iceland sheep. However, this one is my favorite as if they are hitchhiking. The only problem is that you never know when they will decide to cross…
18 – Hidden Secret: Sigoldugljufur – wanderlust picture alert!
Since I wrote about this magnificent canyon on my blog it is not that secret anymore, but you really need to want to go there to find it. So, it remains quiet and free from tourists. Sigoldugljufur is located in the Central Highlands.
19 – Fjallsarlon
Less visited than its brother Jokulsarlon, the lagoon of Fjallsarlon is very photogenic: the mountains, the glacier and the icebergs… More photos on the Fjallsarlon article.
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
20 – Thjofafoss
This Icelandic waterfall is not well known and quite out of the way. But the purple rocks surrounding it are worth the detour!
21 – Diamond Beach
Across from the lagoon is a black sand beach where Icebergs wash off. Quite a sight! And a wonderful place to take pictures of Iceland, the magnificent. More iceberg photos on the Jokulsarlon beach article.
22 – Central Highlands
In the Central Highlands that you can reach only during summer months and with a 4WD, you find unforgettable landscapes where nature displays all its beauty.
Some of the best Iceland pictures are from the Central Highlands…
23 – Glanni waterfall
Glanni waterfall: One of the best places to stop in Autumn because there are some trees… rare in Iceland!
24 – Jokulsarlon beach (bis)
Over the course of 1 hour the sky changes from black and white to an intense blue. So, here is another shot of icebergs walking off the black sand beach of Jokulsarlon.
25 – Godafoss
In North Iceland, Godafoss is a mandatory stop. I spent the night nearby to be able to shoot it at sunset. What a magical moment! More photos of Iceland on the Godafoss article.
26 – Picture of Icelandic Horse
If you like horses, head to my Icelandic Horses article with more photos and facts about this special breed.
27 – Blue Lagoon
I did not get inside as it was too touristic for my taste, but I did visit the platform to get a view of the man-made spa area of the Blue Lagoon.
28 – Grabrokargigar
Grabrokargigar: 2 perfect circular craters that you can easily see close to the Ring Road. Just be careful with the wind. I almost fell inside one!
And keep track of your own trip!
29 – Lake Myvatn Pseudo-craters – Unique Iceland nature in picture
Those are not real craters. They were created by special conditions and it is believed that Mars is also home to this phenomenon (learn more on the Pseudocraters article). Even if they are different, they are still beautiful.
30 – Dettifoss
So much power at the Dettifoss waterfall in North Iceland!
It is very easy to take nice photos of Iceland with such locations…
31 – Krafla Viti Crater – one of my most beautiful pictures of Iceland (I think!)
See how tiny we are against the powerful Iceland Nature. Here walking the rim of the Krafla Viti crater.
32 – The Sun Voyager
An Iceland Pictures list is not complete without the icon of the capital city Reykjavik, the sculpture of The Sun Voyager by Jón Gunnar Árnason is best photographed at sunrise or sunset.
33 – Kirkjufell
One of the most photographed mountains in Iceland: Kirkjufell and its 2-level waterfall. There is a special vibe at the place. It is hard to describe. More photos on the Kirkjufell article.
34 – Central Highlands, the return
Another scenic location in the Central Highlands in Iceland, which I cannot name… but was not far from Landmannalaugar Iceland
35 – Hverir geothermal area
As I told you earlier in the article, Hverir is one of my favorite geothermal areas. It just feels like you landed on another planet.
36 – Pseudo-craters of Lake Myvatn
A closer look at one of the speedo-craters of Lake Myvatn.
37 – Aurora Borealis
No Iceland pictures article is complete without a photo of aurora borealis. I took it in Thomorsk national Park. Learn more about how to hunt and photograph Northern Lights in Iceland in my dedicated article.
38 – Lava field
Iceland has many lava fields covered in moss. This creates intriguing landscapes. Here in the Snaefellsness peninsula.
39 – Heart of Trollaskagi peninsula
If you feel adventurous, head inland of the Trollaskagi peninsula. Just look above, isn’t it worth it?
40 – THE PHOTO of my Icelandic Road Trip
And to end this Iceland photo essay, here it the shot that sums up what I feel about my road trip. Every time you turn there is another stunning view in your face!
Pictures of Iceland in Winter
Want to see stunning pictures of Iceland in Winter?
Check out my dedicated article here
Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?
- Tips to plan your Iceland road trip – read article
- Tips to rent a car and drive around Iceland – read article
- Itinerary suggestions – read article
- The best stops on the Ring Road – read article
- The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
- 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article
- Top 5 places to see around Myvatn – read article
- 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland – read article
- The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – read article
- Where to stay in Reykjavik: see my selection of best hotels
Planning a trip to Iceland?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
PREVIOUS:
NEXT:
Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!
Ronald Wright says
Every time I see pictures of Iceland brings back memories of when I was stationed there from 1984-1985. And I still learn of more places I did not see and loved the pictures that people take. I like the new photo of the volcano with the northern lites together. Even though it was a long time ago, Iceland will always have a place in my heart.