Iceland In June: 2-week road trip itinerary and 20 waterfalls (Part 1)
Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, is a photographer’s paradise. From its majestic waterfalls to its otherworldly landscapes, this Nordic island offers an array of breathtaking scenes that are sure to leave you speechless and impressed. Whether you’re a beginner photo hobbyist, or a seasoned photographer with mirrorless or DSLR cameras, these photo spots in Iceland will help you capture the essence of this stunning country.
Bruarfoss, Iceland
In fact it’s been 10 years since our last trip to Iceland, when we still had no kids. My husband and I are super excited to visit Iceland again, and introduce our two boys a special place on this planet that we both absolutely enjoyed.
Logistic Tips
We planned the whole trip in the last minute. Buying flight tickets and lining up 7 accommodations only 3 days before the trip took quite some adrenaline. But everything turned out great except a few small hiccups in the first couple of days.
Tip 1 - Pack weather Appropriate clothes
Even it was in June, we had to pack for four seasons. The first two days after we landed, some parts of Iceland in the east and north were snowing.
Iceland is rich in geothermal hot springs. So pack swimming suits.
We accidentally left our 6 yo’s winter jackets in our car before taking off, so we had to run for a quick shopping trip in Reykjavík right after landing. Icewear was an outdoor clothing store where we found everything we needed.
Tip 2 - Bring Eye masks
June in Iceland means you sleep in “day light” at night. If you want to adjust to the Iceland time zone quickly and have quality sleep at night, bring eye masks. Out of the 6 guesthouses we booked, only one had double dark blinds that completely darken the bedrooms. Most were pretty bright at night even with blinds or curtains.
Or, you could follow our plan and not sleep at night.
Tip 3 - Arrange your Photo activities at Night
Due to the midnight sun in June, you’ll be lucky to have 6-7 hours of golden hours every day, anywhere between 9pm to 4am in the morning.
If you are into landscape photography like me, your best windows might be between 11pm - 2am. Depending on the specific days of June or July, the best window might change. Of course, you have to factor in unpredictable weather in Iceland, eg. rain and fog, and plan accordingly.
3am sun in June, Iceland
We chose not to adjust jet lags and keep our US schedule during our trip. This meant we spent most of our hiking and photo activities at night.
It could be a bit stressful on our checkout days when our kids didn’t wake up until noon, but most of our guesthouse hosts were kind enough to allow us late checkout at 12:30 or 1pm instead of 11am.
Tip 4 - Get The right rental car
If you plan to do road trips only around the ring road in the summer, it’s probably OK to drive any cars.
But if you are into off the beaten paths, get a 4 wheel drive.
Other than the ring road which is numbered 1, you can guess the difficult level of the road by their digits. Double digit roads could be narrower or less smooth while triple digit road could be more dirt and gravel covered. F-road is most bumpy and might even involve river passes, which we didn’t take this time.
Tip 5 - Budget Time wisely
We spent 2 weeks driving around Iceland. Even we skipped some popular touristic sites in South and West Iceland where we’ve already seen 10 years ago, we still felt we were rushing, and didn’t have enough time.
Iceland is beautiful in every corner. Many unknown waterfalls or coastal hikes are equally beautiful to those popular ones you might see on social media.
If you have the time and want to photograph Iceland in your unique perspective, slow down your pace and go off the beaten path.
Tip 6 - Research and Plan Ahead
There are lots of information on google map. Select “attraction” on the map and check out the review and pictures others have shared. We’ve got lots of tips of how to access certain off the beaten paths that way.
All the green flags on the map below were the ones we planned to visit. We hit almost all of them except a few due to bad weather or road closure.
For each day, I’ll map out our travel route (see blue line for our day 4 for example), so you know the time required on the road, and the sequence of the location you want to visit.
We also try to embrace possibility and flexibility, especially traveling with children. Sometimes we have to stay longer in a place, add additional stop, or skip some locations. For important sites I definitely want to see and photograph, I’ll try to manage everyone’s expectation in advance.
My Photo Plan
Before the trip, I made a small mental note to myself: I’d like to photograph 20 waterfalls in Iceland this time.
Folaldafoss, Iceland
During our first trip to Iceland 10 years ago, we saw some waterfalls in the south and west. However, most were frozen in March, the month we visited. Most of the places we visited were covered by snow. I wanted to photograph a “brand new” Iceland.
I had no photo plans for night photography subjects such as northern lights or milky ways this time, as there was no chance. Besides general landscape and travel shots for my family, waterfalls naturally became my main photo subjects for this trip.
Photo Goal - 20 Waterfalls
I ended up photographing 20 waterfalls within 2 weeks, despite having to skip a few due to bad weather and road closure.
Goðafoss, Iceland
Apart from a couple well known waterfalls in the south, most waterfalls I photographed were new to me.
Unanimously charming, each waterfall offered unique and memorable photo experience to me.
In the following, I’ll share my waterfall images as well as some favorite travel moments in the order of our road trip route. You can follow the same counter-clock travel route, or the opposite clock-wise route, to travel around Iceland.
Remember, there’s no guarantee to see all waterfalls in other seasons. Summer is your best bet.
Day 1 - arriving in Reykjavík, settling Down At Golden Circle Dome
We booked a glamping dome for the first three nights. It was our plan to try something new in each trip. Our kids were intrigued by camping but we were not campers. So the glamping dome was our middle ground.
We loved everything about the dome. It was spacious and modern with tons of storage space, as well as a modern kitchen and bathroom, a big couch as a third bed option, dining area and a fireplace.
The only problem was the weather. We arrived in high wind for the first two days. Imagine trying to sleep in bright sunlight while experiencing “mini earthquakes” and loud wind noises all the time.
This, together with the crowd we saw the next day while traveling in day time, cemented our plan to shift our activities to later evening or midnight.
Day 2 - Thingvellir National Park & nearby waterfalls
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir National Park is not only rich in history but also offers stunning geological formations.
The rift valley, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, provides dramatic landscapes with deep fissures and clear blue water.
Waterfall 1 - Öxarárfoss
The Öxarárfoss waterfall within the park is a photogenic spot worth exploring. Apparently everyone thought so.
It was pretty crowded when we arrived. I had to climb onto the big rocks behind the crowd and used my Big Lee 10-stop filter to slow down the shutter. This is a common practice when I photograph waterfalls in bright sunlight.
When it was not super bright and sunny, especially during the midnight golden hours, my NiSi 1-5 variable ND filter was sufficient.
Waterfall 2 - Brúarfoss
Brúarfoss, often referred to as the "Bridge Falls," is a hidden gem in Iceland featuring strikingly blue waters that cascade through a narrow, rocky channel. This picturesque and relatively secluded waterfall offers a tranquil setting perfect for capturing the unique beauty of Iceland's waterways.
Brúarfoss was one of my favorite waterfalls in my last Iceland trip. I went out of my way to document our treasure hunt experience how to find this waterfall. This time it was a lot easier. There was a new parking lot built not far away from the waterfall.
Most people stayed on the bridge and took a few snapshots and left. But the best photo experience, in my opinion, was to hike down and photograph at the water level.
Strokkur Geyser
In the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, Strokkur Geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 20 meters into the air. Timing your shot to capture the moment of eruption can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. The surrounding geothermal features, including bubbling mud pots and steaming vents, add to the surreal environment.
Our 9 yo was fascinated by the geyser and insisted taking the video of the eruption. So I stayed on with him for extra time. It took us 5 tries to get the perfect video right from beginning of the eruption. It was certainly a fun and memorable experience.
waterfall 3 - Gulfoss
Gullfoss, or "Golden Falls," is one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls, cascading in two stages into a dramatic canyon with thundering power and mist that often produces vibrant rainbows.
This breathtaking natural wonder is a highlight of the Golden Circle, attracting photographers and nature lovers from around the world.
This was our last stop for the day. We saw only a handful of tourists.
Day 3 - Golden Circle
We signed up a local experience to get to know the Icelandic goats, one of the goals our animal loving 9-yo tried to achieve for this trip.
After that evening activity and dinner, we took 4 hours round trip to see Háifoss. We were the only visitors.
waterfall 4 & 5 - Háifoss, granni
Háifoss, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, plunges dramatically 122 meters into a rugged gorge, creating a breathtaking spectacle of cascading water and mist. Located in the highlands, this awe-inspiring waterfall is surrounded by raw, untouched landscapes that highlight the wild beauty of Iceland.
This was one of the least accessible waterfalls I photographed in this trip. It was pretty cold and windy. The cliffs next to the waterfalls were not fenced. My husband had to take our kids back to the car while I tried my best to secure my tripod on the edge of the cliff in high wind. It was uncomfortable, but the view was worth every effort.
There was another waterfall next to Háifoss. If I wanted to take a better shot of it, I would have ventured a longer cliff hike in the high wind, which I chose not too.
The above photo was taken at Gaukshöfði, a small hill top on our way to Háifoss. It offered a serene, peaceful river view with mountain backdrop.
Logistic Tip
Did you know?
You have so many postcard views along the ring road of Iceland, but you can’t stop anytime just to take pictures.
The Iceland Ring Road, the only paved road that goes around the country has only two lanes, one lane per direction. Oftentimes, you have to pass narrow bridges that are only one lane width.
Therefore, whenever you can go off the road to park and rest, do it. Chances are you might be able to take a postcard picture right there.
Day 4 - South Iceland
This was a long travel day eastwards along the south coast. We saw the "must visit" waterfalls just for our kids as this was their first trip to Iceland.
Waterfall 6 - Seljalandsfoss
Imagine standing behind a curtain of water, feeling the mist on your face, and capturing a photo that embodies the raw power and beauty of nature.
Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, offers this unique perspective. Located just off the Ring Road, this waterfall plunges 60 meters into a serene pool, and the path that circles behind it provides a perfect opportunity for a stunning shot.
There are several challenges to photograph this waterfall during the day. There was crowd, big crowd, no matter from what angle.
As you walk close to the waterfall, you’ll get mist onto your lens for sure. Setting up a tripod within close distance or behind the waterfall is never a good idea. I had to wipe the lens constantly when I was behind the waterfall.
It was a sunny day, my NiSi 1-5 variable ND filter at highest 5 stop setting was not enough to slow down the shutter. Even it did, I didn’t have a tripod to secure a sharp photo.
My best advice is to come here during the golden hours (see several version of Seljalandsfoss I photographed 10 years ago in 2014) In June this time, golden hours would be around 10pm. It wasn’t practical for us as our next accommodation was more than 4 hours away by car. We had planned many stops in between which made this trip even longer.
Even without all the ideal setup, I stood behind Seljalandsfoss for at least 10 minutes, trying various angles. But when you don’t have the right light, and don’t want to risk your camera being showered, just move on.
waterfall 7: Gljúfrabúi and Nearby Unknown waterfall
Gljúfrabúi, a hidden gem partially concealed within a narrow canyon, offers a magical and intimate waterfall experience as it cascades gracefully into a mossy grotto.
It was within walking distance to Seljalandsfoss and a pleasant stroll. Make sure to wear waterproof shoes if you want to trek to the waterfall. My 6 yo certainly enjoyed it.
Due to the narrow space and crowd, in addition to the water splash and low and contrasty light, I didn’t set up a tripod to photograph this, but did enjoy the unique experience.
Waterfall 8 - Skógafoss
Not far from Seljalandsfoss is the equally impressive Skógafoss. This mighty waterfall, with a drop of 62 meters, is famous for the rainbows that appear on sunny days due to the spray. Climb the staircase to the observation platform for a panoramic view or stay at the base for a shot that highlights the waterfall's grandeur against the green cliffs.
As usual, I had to use the Lee big stopper filter to photograph this waterfall. To minimize tourists in my frame, I set my tripod in the middle of river. If I had the choice, I would have come here during the midnight golden hour. But again, our second accommodation was hours away.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
In the evening, we arrived at Fjaðrárgljúfur, a stunning canyon in south Iceland, carved by the Fjaðrá River over millennia, featuring dramatic cliffs and lush greenery that create a fairytale-like landscape.
This picturesque canyon is perfect for hiking and photography, offering breathtaking views from both the bottom and the top.
Waterfall 9 - Mögárfoss
Mögárfoss (below left), a lesser-known but captivating waterfall, can be viewed in one of the three viewing platforms. The waterfall flows elegantly through a narrow gorge, offering a serene and picturesque setting amidst lush, rugged landscapes.
It was a bit challenging to set up my tripod on the viewing platform, which was in metal grid with holes. In addition, I had to wait till no one was walking on the platform to take photos. Any foot traffic would cause shake on the platform, making your image blurry. Fortunately, we were one of the only guests there. I just had to ask my husband to take our kids somewhere else while I took the photos.
The waterfall was small compared to the grandeur canyon scene, which was the main draw for my visit. It was my favorite stop for the day.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
We made our last stop at Jökulsárlón, one of my favorite photo spots in my last trip 10 years ago.
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is like stepping into another world, a must stop no matter it’s your first or repeat Iceland trip. Floating icebergs of various shapes and sizes, reflecting shades of blue, white, and black, make this location a top spot for dramatic and surreal photos.
I was surprised there were still plenty of icebergs in June. Although there was a big parking lot nearby with lots of camper vans, I was the only one by the lagoon clicking the camera at 2am in the morning.
If I have to define luxury, this is it. Having such a picturesque and peaceful scene all to myself was true luxury. There was occasional ice crack sounds in the lagoon. At one time some ice was lifted. I suspected seals swimming underneath, but I didn’t spot any. It was a surreal experience.
We wrapped our day and checked in our second guesthouse near Höfn. It was nearly 3am.
For the rest of my waterfall photography in Iceland, check out Iceland In June: 2-Week Road Trip Itinerary And 20 Waterfalls (Part 2)
Pin it 👇
You may also love…
Let me continue sharing our Iceland road trip itinerary, as well as my photo experience and learnings of photographing the rest of 20 waterfalls in the less traveled part of Iceland.