UNIQUE LANDSCAPES OF ICELAND - 11 BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AND DRONE SPOTS AROUND ICELAND

Traveling around Iceland is like traversing multiple universes within a matter of hours and discovering new worlds every few kilometers. Black beaches, colorful mountains, and milky blue rivers are just a few globally unique yet typical Icelandic landscapes. Every distinct location in Iceland offers a wholesome sensory experience, and will leave you with vivid memories of sights, sounds, and scents. The following list is a perfect itinerary for your photographic road trip around Iceland.

BLACK BEACH - REYNISFJARA BEACH

Reynisfjara Beach is among the most stunning black sand beaches in Iceland,encompassed by unique geological formations and offering panoramic ocean views.Here, you can immerse yourself in the roaring sounds of the Atlantic Ocean, aswhite, foamy waves filter through the black sands. The massive basalt columns,located near the beach, are the result of rapidly cooling lava exposed to thefrigid air. Nearby, Hálsanefshellir Cave is made of similar square-shapedcolumns, and is filled with black sand. Offshore, an impressive rocky formationknown as Reynisdrangar provides a dramatic backdrop for every photograph takenat Reynisfjara Beach.

MOSSY LAVA FIELDS

Laufskálavarðaand the Mossy Lava Fields are two distinct landscapes, both formed by volcaniclava. Laufskálavarða is a moon-like scenery with a rocky surface, in starkcontrast to the Mossy Lava Fields, where irregular lava chunks are entirelyblanketed by a soft, green moss. You can meander along designated paths,weaving through delicate, bubble-like green formations, lightly touching thesoft surface, and immersing yourself in the silence that envelops this place -after all moss is a great insulation material!

GLACIAL LAGOON – JÖKULSÁRLON

Jökulsárlón isIceland’s most renowned glacier lagoon, distinguished by its mesmerizingly bluewaters and colossal icebergs gracefully drifting from the lagoon into theAtlantic Ocean. On a sunny day, you are likely to witness these icebergscolliding, breaking into smaller pieces, and flipping over. This location isalso known for its abundant wildlife, including seals and various bird species.Sunset, in particular, is an ideal time to visit, as a golden aura dancesgently on the water's surface and sparkles upon the ice blocks. It's a trulymagical spectacle!

GLACIERS– SVÍNAFELLSJÖKULL AND FJALLSÁRLÓN

Svínafellsjökull is among the most easily accessibleglacier viewpoints in Iceland. It is also the largest ice cap in Europe. Whiledirect access to the glacier is prohibited, you can take a roughly 1 km strollfrom the designated parking area to the moraine's edge. Here, you can marvel atthe towering ice chunks, the rugged surface of the glacier, and the untamedbeauty of deep crevasses.

Fjallsárlón is a glacial lagoon located near the southerntip of the Vatnajökull glacier. This spot provides an excellent vantage pointto witness colossal icebergs breaking away from the ice cap and drifting in thewater, often colliding with one another. To your right, you can also spotBreiðárlón, a glacier lake with a small river flowing into Fjallsárlón and avast moraine extending from the Vatnajökull glacier.

GEOTHERMAL AREA – KERLINGARFJÖLL

Kerlingarfjöllis a mountain range in Iceland's central Highlands, offering breathtakingscenery and serving as an outstanding photography destination for capturingunique and vibrant images. Hike between yellow, greenish and orange hills,cross little bridges above fuming geothermal sites, and spot mud bubbling inthe pits. This place has a specific for geothermal sites smell of sulphur. Theair here carries, typical for geothermal areas scent of sulfur.

MOUNTAIN RANGE - LANDMANNALAUGAR

Landmannalaugaris a mountain range located in the southern Highlands of Iceland. Drive fromthe Golden Circle side and explore colourful hills, craters and lava fields.The occasional patches of snow on the mountains add an extra layer of vividnessto this colorful environment. There are numerous options for day and multi-dayhikes here. Landmannalaugar is a truly photogenic location, with plenty ofunique textures, shapes, and colors.

ARCHIPELAGO -VESTMANNAEYJAR

Vestmannaeyjar, also known asthe Westman Islands, form a captivating volcanic archipelago of 15 islands andtwice as many rock stacks, situated along Iceland's southern coastline. Whilesailing to Heimaey Island, the largest among the Westman Islands, take a momentto enjoy the views from observation deck. You can marvel at the distant snow-cappedpeaks of volcanoes on the mainland, spot the charming hut on Elliðaey Island,and closely observe nesting birds on towering cliffs as you enter the port ofHeimaey Island.

For aneven more immersive experience, consider hiking to the summit of HeimaeyIsland's highest peak, Heimaklettur, which offers panoramic views across theisland and its surrounding rock formations. Take a walk to the 200-metervolcanic crater of Eldfell Volcano and be awed by the Martian-like landscape, astriking contrast against the lush green cliffs and deep, blue ocean. Don'tmiss the opportunity to visit Stórhöfðaviti, known for Europe's largest puffincolony. While exploring the island's west cliffs, capture a photograph of thefamous Elephant Rock.

VOLCANIC AREA - MÝVATNLAVA FIELDS

Mývatnis a captivating lake located in North Iceland, surrounded by volcanic cratersand seemingly endless black lava fields. It is also the largest geothermal areain Iceland. The entire 175-kilometer journey from Egilsstaðir to Mývatn Lake isa mesmerizing expedition through moody and moon-like landscapes.

VisitVíti crater in the Krafla caldera, wander amidst the sulphur pits and steamingfumaroles of the Hverir geothermal area, and take a dip in the milky-blue, warmwaters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. Here, you'll find yourself enveloped by apost-apocalyptic-looking landscape, characterized by steaming lava fields andthe remnants of past eruptions.

As youdrive around Mývatn Lake, be sure to check out other unique volcanicformations, including the geothermally heated Grjótagjá cave, the HverfjallVolcano, the eerie Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the mysteriousSkútustaðagígar pseudocraters.

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FJORDS - WESTFJORDS

Embarkingon a long drive along the crystal-clear fjord waters and traversingsnow-covered mountain plateaus is an unforgettable road trip experience yousimply can't miss. Enjoy days filled with breathtaking scenery, make frequent stopsat picturesque viewpoints, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of thisremarkable region. Here, you'll discover an array of unique waterfalls,tranquil fishing villages, panoramic overlooks, and secluded hot pools.

WATERFALL- DYNJANDI

DynjandiWaterfall stands is one of Iceland's biggest and most enchanting naturalwonders. This waterfall spans an impressive 60 meters in width, plunging froman almost 100-meter cliff. You can take a 15-minute stroll along the rocky pathto the massive upper cascade. The ideal times to visit are in the lateafternoon and during sunset. While Dynjandi Waterfall is gaining popularity,its remote location ensures that you can still enjoy it in solitude most of thetime.

GLACIALRIVERS - JÖKULSÁ Á FJÖLLUM RIVER

Jökulsá á Fjöllum River is the second longest river inIceland, originating from the vast Vatnajökull Glacier. The river body changesfrom a wide area of hundreds of smaller streams to one narrow but powerfulstream carving its path through a deep canyon. As a glacial river, Jokulsa aFjollum carries sand and debris, creating a mesmerizing milky-blue stream thatgracefully carves its way through the volcanic landscape. Follow the course ofJökulsá á Fjöllum to reach the region's most renowned attraction - DettifossWaterfall.

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