Iceland is one of my favorite countries in the world. It is a country that is made for landscape photographers. It is truly epic and breathtaking. The country is quite small, but there is so much to photograph, from Waterfalls, Northern Lights, Lupins, Icelandic Horses, Puffins, Glaciers, Flowers, Mountains, and incredible rock formations.

There are places that make you reach for your camera. And then there’s Iceland—a place that makes you wish you had a hundred of them, all firing at once.

It's also a country where more than one visit will be needed; there's just too much to see. You could happily spend a couple of weeks driving around the ring road, visiting well-known locations like Diamond Beach, Black Sand Beach, Vik, Skogafoss, and Vestrahorn. Yet there are so many other locations. You will continuously stop the car and take photos of something you see along the ring road.

In a single day, you can watch geysers erupt into a stormy sky, walk across black-sand beaches littered with glacial diamonds, and stand beneath waterfalls so powerful they drown out your thoughts. It’s not just beautiful—it’s elemental. A land where fire, ice, and light collide in ways that don’t seem real, even as you stand in the middle of it.

For travelers, Iceland offers rare freedom. The roads are open, the scenery uninterrupted, and the welcome is warm despite the latitude. It’s safe, easy to navigate, and the kind of place where even roadside stops look like movie sets. Whether you want to soak in geothermal pools, hike through volcanic craters, or linger in a Reykjavík café as the northern lights dance overhead, there’s something deeply grounding about this island.

For photographers, Iceland is pure gold. The light lingers in summer and softens the landscape with long golden hours. In winter, it disappears just enough to let the aurora take over. Every texture—the lichen on lava rock, the steam rising from a remote hot spring, the curve of a horse’s mane in the wind—is a photo waiting to happen.

In this Photography Guide to Southern Iceland, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip—from travel tips for Iceland, where to stay, and what to eat, to the best photography spots in Iceland. Whether you're chasing auroras or catching reflections in mirror-still fjords, Iceland offers an epic backdrop for every level of photographer and curious traveler.

In Skogafoss, the Bistro Bar in Hotel Skogafoss is quite good. In Vik, we had a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Suður-Vík. It is a very cute restaurant owned by local women. If you make it to Hofn, on the east coast, there is an excellent restaurant called the Pakkhús Restaurant. Finally, in Stykkishólmur, we had an excellent dinner at Narfeyrarstofa.

Hotel Recommendations?

Best Areas to Stay: Vik & Surroundings

Staying near Vík í Mýrdal offers easy access to major photography sites like Reynisfjara Beach, Dyrhólaey, and Skógafoss. It’s central, quiet, and dramatically beautiful.

The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon

There are 2 hotels at the famous Blue Lagoon. There is the Silica Hotel, located directly at the Blue Lagoon and the Retreat. The Retreat is the higher-end hotel. The rooms and food are just fabulous. They even have a Michelin-starred restaurant. This is an excellent stop for 1-2 nights at the beginning or end of your trip, allowing you to relax in the geothermal water.

Skálakot Manor Hotel

We loved this Bed and Breakfast hotel. They have an incredible restaurant and a horse farm on the property. The rooms are very cozy.

Luxury Hotels in Iceland

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon – A splurge-worthy spa experience surrounded by lava fields.
Reykjavik Edition - This is a very elegant hotel right in the heart of Reykjavik. The hotel is located right by the water, and they have a wonderful restaurant—definitely a great choice if you decide to stay 1-2 nights in the capital.
ION Adventure Hotel – Located near Thingvellir National Park, perfect for Northern Lights viewing.
Torfhús Retreat – Eco-luxury turf houses with private hot tubs near the Golden Circle.

Mid-Range Hotels in Iceland

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – Close to Jökulsárlón. The only thing that is good about this hotel is the location. It is close to Diamond Beach. The rooms are average, and the restaurant is something you will quickly forget.
Hótel Kría – A stylish stay in Vík, great for sunrise shoots on Reynisfjara Beach. They opened in 2022, so the rooms are very modern and clean. They also have a good restaurant and very friendly staff.
Hotel Kea by Keahotels – Central Akureyri, with fjord views and Northern access.

How is the Food?

In general, the food in Iceland is excellent. If you eat fish, you will really enjoy the fresh cod. Also, do not miss trying the cod. The only thing you might not like is the price of food. Like everything in Iceland, it is expensive.

Best Time to Visit Southern Iceland

Summer (June–August): Long daylight hours (20+ hrs), perfect for golden hour photography at midnight. Puffin season and accessible highlands. During the summer, you’ll experience warmer temperatures and long days of sunlight. This is called the midnight sun since the sun never really goes down, especially in June.
Fall (September–October): Autumn color and fewer tourists. Great light for photography.
Winter (November–March): Northern lights, icy waterfalls, and glacier ice caves.

Duration of Stay

For a well-paced trip, plan to spend 5–7 days exploring Southern Iceland. This gives you time to shoot in varying light, chase weather windows, and visit both famous and lesser-known locations.

Getting Around Southern Iceland

The best way to get around is by rental car, preferably a 4x4, especially in winter.

Roads are generally safe, but conditions change fast.
Public transport is very limited.
Services like Uber and Bolt are not available.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

Camera: Canon EOS R5, Nikon Z7 II, or Sony A7R V. The camera should be weather-sealed
Lenses:
- 16–35mm for landscapes and ice caves
- 24–70mm for waterfalls and portraits
- 70–200mm for wildlife and compression shots
- 100-500 mm for wildlife
Accessories:
- Lightweight tripod (Manfrotto Befree or Peak Design Travel Tripod)
- Polarizing and ND filters - I brought a Polarizer and a 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop ND filter.
- Drone (DJI Mini 4 Pro)—check local flying restrictions. I would definitely bring a Drone. If it’s not too windy, Drones are awesome in Iceland.
- Rain cover and extra batteries
Tripod—I brought my RRS Travel Tripod with a BH-40 Ballhead. This particular tripod was heavy enough for Iceland. A tripod is essential for capturing the Northern Lights and in many situations in Iceland where lighting conditions are not optimal.
Camera Bag - I recommend bringing a camera bag that is waterproof or at least water-resistant, with a rain cover that protects your gear when it rains. I used my Shimoda Explore V2 30-liter backpack.
Microfiber Towels - bring a lot of microfiber towels to wipe off our camera and lenses near waterfalls. I also used them to wipe down my gear at night. There is a lot of water that will not only get on your camera but also your lens. I was constantly wiping down my camera and lenses. I would bring at least 3 microfiber towels.

Winter Clothing & Gear

If you plan to visit Iceland during the Winter, you should be prepared for cold weather. As photographers, we often stay in the same spot for hours on end, which quickly makes us cold. During our winter trip to Iceland, we experienced a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.

Here is a link to my Winter Clothing Packing List

The Best Photography Locations in Iceland

Below are some of my favorite photography locations in Iceland so far. There are still so many spots I have not reached. I’ve placed these in order, running from the West to the Eastern part of the country. Of course, there are many more beautiful spots in Iceland, and stumbling upon lesser-known spots is always enjoyable.

Top photography spots in Iceland—don’t miss these

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Walk behind it at sunset.
Skógafoss – One of the most photogenic falls, especially in misty light.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Floating icebergs and arctic terns.
Diamond Beach – Ice chunks on black sand at sunrise.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Basalt columns, sea stacks, and moody waves.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – Best shot in early morning light.
Vestrahorn (technically East Iceland, but reachable) – Epic foregrounds and mirror reflections.

Probably the most iconic locations are along the Southern Coast. So driving from Keflavik Airport with stops along the way to Hofn is an excellent idea.

Photography Locations Map

PUFFINS

On our last trip to Iceland in June we really wanted to see Puffins again. You can see Puffins between June and August in Iceland. We saw them at the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, Black Sand Beach, Ingólfshöfði, and the Latrabjarg Cliffs. You will also find them in the Western Islands and other locations in Iceland. They are challenging to photograph, but I just love them.

Icelandic Horses

The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. They are simply beautiful to photograph. Oftentimes, you will be driving down the road and see them behind a fence along the road.

Icelandic horses tend to be smaller, at times pony-sized. Despite being small they are very strong and live long lives.

When you see them by the roads, they will often come right up to you to say hello.

Lupins

Why Does Iceland Get So Many Lupine Flowers? Lupine plants are unique because they thrive well in harsh conditions and rugged landscapes. So, how do they survive in such harsh conditions? They are able to extract nitrogen from the air and redistribute it to their roots. Basically, the lupine plant makes its own fertilizer.

The Southern Route

There are several ways to discover all the photography areas of Iceland. Some people enjoy driving the Ring Road. The Ring Road is the Road that circles Iceland. We have driven the South Coast Road from Keflavik Airport to Hofn, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the remote Westernfjords. While we have seen a great deal, there is still much more to discover.

One of the best drives in Iceland is to drive the Southern Coast. There are just so many locations to shoot. Here is a good guide to the South Coast. My list below is pretty comprehensive, but there are still many places I need to visit.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss i probably my favorite waterfall in Iceland. What I love about this waterfall is that you can walk behind it. In the winter, the ice can be challenging to manuver but its ’s well worth it. You might even get lucky and see a rainbow.

The path behind the waterfall provides an opportunity for some very unique shots.

In the Summer, there are flowers in front of the waterfall.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss Waterfall is probably the most famous waterfall in Iceland. There are so many people in front of the waterfall. While the waterfall is magnificent, I would highly recommend taking the 500 steps on the right side. It will bring you hiking routes that go on for miles (kilometers) and there are lots of waterfalls along the pathways.

The first time I was in Iceland, I went on a workshop with Nigel Danson, pictured below.

Once you hike to the top and pass the Hestavaðsfoss and Fosstorfufoss waterfalls, the views are amazing, and the walk is well worth it.

Kvernufoss

Yes, another waterfall! Kvernufoss is right next to Skogafoss, but it’s much less visited. You can also walk behind the waterfall.

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

Dyrhólaey is a lighthouse that overlooks Vik Beach. You can often see Puffins by the rock formations. There is also the Dyrhólaey rock arch and cliffs.

Reynisfjara Beach

Vik Beach is also known as Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. This is one of the most iconic locations to photograph in Iceland because of the black sand and beautiful sea stacks. As you approach the beach, there are lots of signs warning visitors to be careful. Yet, very few people pay attention. Check out this video on Sneaker Waves at Via Beach.

The waves can be more than 7 meters high (25 feet) today. The first time I was in Iceland, a large wave came onto the beach. Most of us ran. But there is always that one person that does not think it’s a big deal. The wave flipped him over, and he was drenched. Luckily, he was okay but he had to change his clothes. and he even had a change of clothes with him. His camera also survived thanks to someone telling him to remove the batteries.

Vík i Myrdal Church

The church in Vik is stunning. In the summer, it is surrounded by Lupins.

I loved taking photos of this church from different angles with the lupins.

The Yoda Cave

The cave is located in Hjörleifshöfði mountain and is often called the Yoda Cave. The cave wasn’t well known until the Hollywood movie Star Wars Rogue was filmed there. You can find unique caves all around Iceland, but this one is special for its shape and the views you get when standing inside and watching the surrounding area as it opens.

While we were in the cave, three young women began singing. It was incredible.

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Iceland has some spectacular canyons, including Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in South Iceland. It is located just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur village. To reach the canyon, you turn left on road 206 for Lakagígar.

Fjaðrárgljúfur is around 2 km long and 100 meters deep. It was not well-known until a few years ago when Justin Bieber shot parts of his video "I'll Show You" in the canyon.

Svinafellsjokull

Svínafellsjökull is part of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. It is very popular with hikers. The road to Svínafellsjökull is quite challenging so you really need a 4x4 vehicle.

Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour

We absolutely loved our Puffin tour. The owner, Einar, is so friendly and welcoming. He is also a gifted photographer so he gave us lots of tips. I recommend the tour if you want to see Puffins. Here is a link to their website.

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After the tour ends, a great spot to grab lunch or coffee is Cafe Vestajorkul.

Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach is one of the most popular spots in Iceland. It is located by the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the South Coast of Iceland. Icebergs from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon drift down right behind Diamond Beach and wash up on shore. .

You will see 100s of large pieces of ice all over the beach. I love this spot for long-exposure photos.

If you can reach Diamond Beach at sunrise or sunset, it would provide the best chances for some great photos.

Fjallsárlón Glacier Parking

Fjallsárlón is Jokulsarlon’s smaller and less well-known glacier. Fjallsárlón and Jokulsarlon are glacier lagoons, yet significantly different in size and fame.

Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon, bordering Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. Its still, blue waters are dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, part of larger Vatnajökull Glacier. The Glacier Lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach. In winter, the fish-filled lagoon hosts hundreds of seals.

Sólheimajökull

Solheimajokull Glacier has a ton of dramatic ice formations, including crevasses, rugged ridges, and sinkholes. Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue of Mýrdalsjökull – the 4th largest glacier in Iceland. The black volcanic sand is what you see on the glacier.

Vestrahorn

This might be my favorite spot in Iceland. You will need to stop at the Viking Cafe by the entrance to buy a token that allows you to enter Vestrahorn. Since Vestrahorn is off the beaten path, it is less ‘touristy’ than many of Iceland’s other mountains.

I am standing in the water for this composition to get the reflection.

The black sand in this location provides such a beautiful contrast

I love the lone figure on the right side

We came back at night to see the Northern Lights at Vestrahorn. While it was not a fantastic display of Northern Lights, it was a lot of fun.

Eystrahorn Beach

Eystrahorn is one of those locations that is made for photographers. There was only 1 other person there when we arrived. I think it is so far away from Reykjavik that tourists don't get that far east. It is located by the Hvalnes Lighthouse, about 45 minutes drive from Stokksnes. Take a look at this YouTube Video from Mads Peters Iverson.

Festivals & Events

Seafarers Day (first weekend in June): Celebrations in coastal towns like Vik.
Northern Lights season (September–April): The real show happens in the sky.
Iceland Airwaves (November, Reykjavik): Extend your trip to catch this music festival.

Final Thoughts

Southern Iceland doesn’t just look good—it feels like a different planet. Whether you're road-tripping solo with your camera or joining a group tour, this region will stretch your imagination and fill your memory cards.

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My Photography & Travel Guide to the Southern Route of Iceland