30 incredible photos of Iceland

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Rough Guides Editors

written by
Rough Guides Editors

updated 03.06.2024

A land full of bubbling hot springs, frozen glaciers and striking fjords, Iceland is a photographer's dream. There are lush green fields, barren landscapes and towering mountains and volcanoes to be discovered, and the hiking is some of the best in the world. See if these incredible photos of Iceland convince you to fly north...

Crater at Askja

askja-volcano-crater-iceland-shutterstock_1268548642

© inspi_ml/Shutterstock

Dettifoss river, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

Dettifoss waterfall in Jokulsargljufur National Park, Iceland © Smit/Shutterstock

© Smit/Shutterstock

Kverkfjoll ice caves

Famous glacier caves at Kverkfjoll in the highlands of Iceland used to be magical place to visit © Filip Fuxa/Shutterstock

© Filip Fuxa/Shutterstock

Sprengisandur route

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© Corepics VOF/Shutterstock

Aldeyjarfoss, Sprengisandur

aldeyjarfoss-waterfall-shutterstock_352617464

Aldeyjarfoss waterfall, Iceland

© Sergio Paciencia/Shutterstock

Puffins at Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)

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© Erik Mandre/Shutterstock

Arctic fox

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© Giedriius/Shutterstock

Skaftafellsjokull, Skaftafell National Park

Skaftafellsjokull glacier, Iceland © Shutterstock

© Ruben Martinez Barricarte/Shutterstock

Latrabjarg, West Fjords

Latrabjarg cliffs, Iceland © Shutterstock

© LouieLea/Shutterstock

Whale breaching at Husavik

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© SasinTipchai/Shutterstock

Skaftafellsjokull glacier, Skaftafell National Park

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© Ana del Castillo/Shutterstock

Dynjandisvogur, West Fjords

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© Mino Surkala/Shutterstock

Lake Mývatn

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© Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

The colourful mountains of Lonsoraefi

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© Mino Surkala/Shutterstock

Icelandic horses, Oxnadalur Valley

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© Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock

Strokkur Geyser

Strokkur geyser, Iceland © ZinaidaSopina/Shutterstock

Strokkur geyser, Iceland © ZinaidaSopina/Shutterstock

Hiking in Landmannalaugar

Beautiful colorful volcanic mountains Landmannalaugar in Iceland © Oleg Senkov/Shutterstock

Beautiful colorful volcanic mountains Landmannalaugar in Iceland © Oleg Senkov/Shutterstock

Northern Lights, Jokulsarlon

Northern lights, Scandinavia

© Shutterstock

Fishing town Siglufjordur

Boat parking at the jetty of the town in Siglufjorour. Northern Iceland © Jordan Lye/Shutterstock

Boat parking at the jetty of the town in Siglufjorour. Northern Iceland © Jordan Lye/Shutterstock

Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik © Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock

© Shutterstock

The Blue Lagoon thermal spa

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© Jacksoo999/Shutterstock

Seals at Jökulsárlón

Seals perched on floating glacial ice in a deep blue glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón, Iceland © Travis J. Camp/Shutterstock

Seals perched on floating glacial ice in a deep blue glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón, Iceland © Travis J. Camp/Shutterstock

Eyjafjallajokull

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© Arnold van Wijk/Shutterstock

Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak Nature Reserve

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© Michel Kluyskens/Shutterstock

Eyjafjordur fjord

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© Francesco Dazzi/Shutterstock

Gullfoss Waterfall

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© Marcin Krzyzak/Shutterstock

Icelandic Fisherman

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© Johann Ragnarsson/Shutterstock

Travel ideas for Iceland

Created by local experts

6 days - Wild West Fly&Drive

6 days

6 days - Wild West Fly&Drive

Take the road less travelled around the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes peninsulas. Visit places unspoiled by humans and see the wonders and creativity of nature at their very best! The wild Westfjords feature a stunning landscape of towering mountains, deep blue fjords, and thundering waterfalls.

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9 days - East to West Fly & Drive with the Westman Islands

9 days

9 days - East to West Fly & Drive with the Westman Islands

Drive around the Lake Lagarfljot and visit Hengifoss waterfall and the Hallormsstadur forest. Continue to the South Coast with its beautiful waterfalls, glacier lagoons and black sand beaches. Take a detour to spend a day in the stunning Westman Islands and end your trip with the Golden Circle.

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10 days - The Icelandic Ring Road

10 days

10 days - The Icelandic Ring Road

Spend 10 days driving along Iceland's scenic Ring Road, which stretches around the outside of the country. Soak in a thermal tub or pool beside gushing geysers or waterfalls, and relish the prospect of whale-watching, bird-watching, and glacier hiking in magical surroundings.

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8 days - Wild West Drive

8 days

8 days - Wild West Drive

Awaken the adventurous part of your soul and visit the remote Westfjords and parts of the Snaefellsnes peninsula that are yet to be discovered by most Iceland visitors. Here's where you'll have nature to yourself, from lava fields and craters to red sand beaches.

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7 days - The South Coast and Snaefellsnes in one week

7 days

7 days - The South Coast and Snaefellsnes in one week

With just a week's time, you'll be able to discover the popular Golden Circle, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, as well as Skaftafell National Park. This self-drive trip focuses on the South coast only, limiting your driving distances each day and as such allowing you more time to explore.

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7 days - The Classics of the South Coast and the Westman Islands

7 days

7 days - The Classics of the South Coast and the Westman Islands

This Classic Highlights trip to Iceland's most visited sights with a day off the beaten path in the gorgeous Westman Islands. This trip is perfect for those who want to visit the most popular sights of Iceland, and have an extra day to do something different without adding a lot of extra driving.

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See all Iceland travel ideas

Explore more of Iceland with the Rough Guide to Iceland. Book hostels for your trip, and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.

Rough Guides Editors

written by
Rough Guides Editors

updated 03.06.2024

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