On the well-trodden south coast of Iceland, you could be forgiven for thinking that hidden gems are few and far between. Yet there are plenty of places within easy reach of Hotel Jökulsárlón where you can get off the beaten track. Once you’ve experienced the breathtaking views across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, here’s a few suggestions about where to visit next.
1. Múlagljúfur Canyon
Iceland’s verdant canyons offer some of the country’s most striking scenery. Somehow Múlagljúfur Canyon has managed to stay under the radar and the trail leading to this remarkable place isn’t overused. The canyon was created by the river Múlaá which itself is fed by glacial meltwater from Öræfajökull glacier. A couple of magnificent waterfalls, Hangandifoss and Múlafoss, tumble down over the steep sides of the gorge. Like the much more famous Fjadrárgljúfur Canyon, the rocks here are carpeted with green grass and moss. But this one has never featured in a Justin Bieber music video and also requires a bit of a walk. To reach it, you’ll need to hike for around 45 minutes and ford a couple of small streams, but the reward is well worth it. It’s best to do this hike in summer as the trail can get slippery.
2. Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Despite its proximity to Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón is often quiet in comparison. This jaw-dropping glacial lagoonenjoys a similar backdrop to its more popular neighbour, with mountainous scenery and of course a glacier too, this time Fjallsjökull, a steep outlet glacier of the much larger Vatnajökull. At Fjallsárlón, icebergs calve into the water and float around. As with Jökulsárlón, activities form part of the appeal and it’s easy to arrange a boat trip out onto the water to get a closer look. There’s no outlet stream to the sea, however, and perhaps that’s why it is overlooked in favour of Jökulsárlón. Nevertheless, this feels more intimate and certainly less busy, so if you’re in need of a natural escape this ticks a lot of boxes. Diamond Beach is within easy reach, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the sight of icebergs washed up on this famous black sand beach.
3. Heinabergslón
Another nearby glacier lagoon, Heinabergslón, is further off the beaten track, so if you’re keen on finding solitude this might be just the place. It too lies within the protected area that is Vatnajökull National Park, a tourist favourite for its vast expanses of ice and stellar views. Heinabergsjökull glacier is part of the much larger Vatnajökull ice cap and in its zone of ablation, the melting ice needs somewhere to go – so it collects as a deep lake. In fact, this glacial lagoon is around 100 metres deep. The moraines and volcanic ash that you find in this area settles at the bottom of the lake, meaning the water that you see from the shore looks relatively clear. The water’s cold here, but dressed appropriately this is a great place to go kayaking and local tour operators can take you out onto the lagoon with an experienced guide. As with Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, you might see seals in the water here, which is an added bonus.
4. Þórbergssetur Cultural Centre
Not every tourist attraction in this part of Iceland is out in the open, which is good news if you’re unlucky enough to encounter inclement weather. If you’re interested in literature and Iceland’s cultural heritage, then you might consider a visit to Þórbergssetur Cultural Centre. Its focus is the Icelandic writer Þórbergur Þorvarðsson. He was born in 1888 and for a time, he lived on a farm called Hali, close to Jökulsárlón. During that time, this part of Iceland was isolated because of its topography; glaciers and rivers made access difficult. As a consequence, the people who lived here scratched a living from subsistence farming and fishing. They banded together to help with seasonal chores and cope with unfortunate events. These formative years would have been a struggle for Þorvarðsson, but had an impact on his material. A visit here provides a fascinating insight into how natural landscapes can influence thinkers and writers.
5. Víkingaþorpið
Some of the earliest settlers in Iceland were Norsemen and this Viking heritage perhaps explains the resilience of today’s residents. Not to be confused with the Viking complex in Hafnarfjörður, Víkingaþorpið is actually a film setbuilt using driftwood and other materials such as disused telephone poles, but in the end it was never used for a movie. It did eventually realise its intended purpose when it was used for the shoot on the Netflix series The Witcher: Blood Origin. But for a lot of its life, it has been maintained as a tourist attraction. The village is as authentic a replica as you’ll find anywhere and even has a replica longship, the Drakar, a replica of the famous Gaukstaða ship built in 890 AD. There’s also a dungeon concealed beneath an artificial boulder. This curious place is located close to Vestrahorn.
6. Hofskirkja
Turf houses were once a common sight in Iceland. In a land where building materials were scarce, this was a practical form of construction. Stones were stacked to create a foundation and turf was used to cover a rudimentary frame built out of driftwood or birch tree branches. Windows and doors were small; ventilation was poor and these structures would often be damp and smoky. Often, they were tucked up against the hillside in order to protect them from the elements. Yet though they have largely been replaced, some of these historic buildings survive. Among them are six turf churches and Hofskirkja is the newest of them. It was erected in 1884 in the village of Hof in Öræfi, though a church has stood in this spot for far longer. Today, the church is a protected monument, under the custodianship of the National Museum of Iceland, who rebuilt it in the 1950s. It’s not open to the public but the outside makes a pretty picture.
7. Skútafoss
Located close to the town of Höfn, Skútafoss is one of south east Iceland’s loveliest waterfalls. It sits on the Þorgeirsstaðaá river in the Þorgeirsstaðadalur valley, a stone’s throw from the Ring Road and in the vicinity of the art installation called the Red Chair (if driving from Hotel Jökulsárlón, the sight of the chair means you’ve gone a little too far). Flanked by rocks and with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, it feels more remote than it is. Unlike waterfalls further west such as Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, few visitors bother to pull off and take a look, which is a pity. Though it’s not that tall, the cave that’s been eroded beneath it makes it an unusual landform and well worth the stop. Try to time your visit for a summer morning when light catches on the waterfall.
8. Stjórnarfoss, Rauðárfoss and Systrafoss
Two other hidden gem waterfalls are Stjórnarfoss and Rauðárfoss, both located within striking distance of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
- Stjórnarfoss consists of two drops which combined fall about 15 metres. The moss-covered rocks which surround it are pretty and taken together, this makes this bucolic spot attractive to picnickers.
- Rauðárfoss means Red River Falls; the area gets its red colouring from iron deposits in the soil and the rocks that are scattered around it. Rauðárfoss is a little higher than Stjórnarfoss and the way the water spreads as it cascades leads some to nickname it the Bridal Veil waterfall.
- You can hike from here to Systrafoss, twin falls popularly known as “Sisters Waterfall”. According to legend, the landmark gets its name from two nuns that bathed here. When one found a golden comb, the other reached for it, but both drowned, hence the twin falls.
9. Ingólfshöfði
Heading in the opposite direction, road trippers might also consider a detour to Ingólfshöfði in South Iceland. This was the cape where Ingólfur Arnarson – one of the first Norsemen to permanently settle here – spent a lonely 9th century winter. Today, it’s a protected nature reserve and known for its abundant birdlife. Because of the topography, you need to park up and take a guided tour. A tractor pulls a hay cart laden with visitors out across the wet sand; you’ll then climb a steep sandy hill to reach the grassy meadows on the top of the island. In season, puffins nest here, but there are plenty of other birds to observe too, including great skuas, kittiwakes and fulmars. On a clear day, the views back across to the mainland are also breathtaking.
10. Hvalnes
This gorgeous peninsula boasts a black pebble beach with volcanic origins overlooked by Eystrahorn. This 756 metre high mountain is formed of gabbro and forms part of the Krossanesfjall range. It’s a great spot for photographers: the coat of orange paint worn by its lighthouse contrasts dramatically with the natural colours of the surrounding landscape. Birdwatchers also often come here; bring a set of binoculars for a closer look at the seabirds found close to the shore. The beach itself stretches for several kilometres and makes a great – and easy – hike to break up a longer road trip. If you’re keen to explore nearby attractions, then from here it’s not far to the town of Djúpivogur known for its art installations such as The Eggs of Merry Bay.
Travel Tips
When researching a road trip in south and east Iceland, our top piece of advice is to remember to inject some variety. Along with the most popular attractions near Hotel Jökulsárlón, such as the jaw-dropping beach and the iceberg-strewn Diamond Beach, it’s a good idea to intersperse them with some hidden gems.
You’ll have the advantage of being able to say you’ve visited some of the country’s most magnificent places, yet when the crowds become a little too much these off the beaten track sights promise peace and quiet, providing a useful opportunity to reset.
Plan to take a short hike or, weather permitting, enjoy a picnic.
Another tip is to be careful not to cram too much into your schedule.
Spend a few days rather than a few hours in a place and you won’t spread yourself too thinly. Iceland’s incredible landscapes aren’t going anywhere, so if you can’t fit everything in to one trip you can always come back.
We have a few practical suggestions too:
- Always check the tides if you plan to visit the shore,
- Keep a close eye on the weather forecast – conditions can change quickly even in summer.
- Make sure you have a full tank of fuel or that your EV is fully charged.
- Bring a camera.
- And finally, take the time to absorb your surroundings – Jökulsárlón and this part of Iceland in general shouldn’t be rushed.