Best locations near Reykjavik
It is no secret that Iceland is incredibly rich in photogenic locations, here you can find almost any landscape you like from glaciers, waterfalls and snowcapped mountains, to black sand beaches, lava fields and volcanoes. Not many people know, however, that in order to get amazing scenery in your photos you don’t always have to drive far away through the whole island, some stunningly beautiful spots are located right outside the capital city!
Here is my list of 5 best locations close to Reykjavik where I love to shoot.
1. Rauðhólar og “The Red Hills” (available only when there is no snow)
This location is a site of an old volcanic eruption and the red soil in the hills is hardened lava. The red backdrop looks so otherworldly and makes you feel like you are on Mars!
Best colors to wear: white, blue, minty green, bright orange/yellow.
Best time of day/weather: overcast/cloudy or if sunny right after the sunset.
If you walk a little bit to the side of the red hills you can find a hidden spot which looks completely different. Huge lava rocks are all covered in thick and spongy Icelandic moss making it look like a scene straight out of the Lord of the Rings universe.
The location is on the outskirts of Reykjavik, only 15 min away from the downtown by car so it is perfect for those who don’t have much time to spend on traveling or simply don’t want to go far for a photoshoot.
Best colors to wear: white, red, yellow, orange, black.
Best time of day/weather: overcast/cloudy or during the sunset.
2. Lake Kleifarvatn
This is another stunning place for a shoot located only 30 min away from the capital. The location is quite versatile as the lake is surrounded with beautiful rock formations, black sand beaches and moss. You can get some great shots with a view over the lake and a black sand beach right from the parking lot called Lake Kleifarvatn Car Park.
The black rock formations across the road look so smooth and otherworldly! Another incredible backdrop for unique shots.
Those who are more adventurous and up for a little bit of a hike can go down on the beach and explore the area more. Make sure to pack your hiking shoes or any sturdy footwear (good sneakers in the summer could be fine too).
The positive side of this location is that it looks gorgeous in any weather. When it’s overcast the clouds usually roll over the tops of the mountains nearby creating a really moody atmosphere.
Best colors to wear: white, pink, purple, bright red, yellow.
Best time of day/weather: overcast/cloudy or if sunny 10-11 in the morning or right before the sunset.
3. Waterfall Þórufoss
This waterfall is famous for being one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones so definitely a must for the show fans. The area itself is very pretty with mountains and numerous smaller waterfalls in the distance, when you get there you will understand why it was chosen as one of the filming sites!
If you walk for a little bit from the car park along the road (in the direction you came from when driving from Reykjavik) you will see the waterfall down there on your left.
You can also go down and get closer to Þórufoss (there you can get the best shots in this location), just remember to bring along a pair of hiking shoes or boots as the descent is rather steep and could be a bit slippery in certain weather. As you walk down you will see the waterfall immediately and just continue along the path on the right side of the river. The path is quite rocky and there are a lot of big stones so be careful!
When it is sunny the best time for a shoot is around noon as the sun is directly behind the waterfall creating really beautiful backlight and illuminating all the little water droplets in the mist.
This location is only a 30 min drive from Reykjavik and it is not super touristy yet, sometimes you can be there absolutely alone so it is perfect for those looking for an intimate photoshoot with a stunning backdrop without spending too much time driving.
Best colors to wear: red, purple, yellow, orange, black combined with other brighter colours.
Best time of day/weather: overcast/cloudy or if sunny around noon (before the sunset could also work depending on the time of year).
4. Valahnúkamöl
Spot no. 4 on my list is a location about 1 hour away from Reykjavik. Valahnúkamöl is located on the edge of Reykjanes peninsula and offers breathtaking views of the ocean and towering rocks near the coastline.
This spot becomes especially magical when it is sunny and everything is drenched in the golden sunlight.
Best colors to wear: white, red, yellow, anything but dark tones.
Best time of day/weather: sunny at sunrise or sunset
5. Secret canyon + waterfall (it’s an easy 30 min hike)
Last but not least on the list is a location quite close to Reykjavik (about 25 min of driving + a 30 min hike). It’s a little hidden gem that not many people know about so there is a high chance we will be alone there.
You can also go down to the bottom of this quite impressive waterfall and enjoy this incredible view.
The canyon looks stunning in any weather but it becomes especially dramatic when it rains or snows. We were lucky to catch almost all types of weather in this location!
