Overlooked Viewpoints and Instagram Spots Around the Glacier Lagoons

Vatnajökull National Park – Unesco Heritage Site:
This week we would like to share with you some information about Vatnajokull National Park, why you should explore the area and the main highlights. This beautiful area possesses endless natural wonders of different landscapes. 

It’s human nature to look for explanations when we don’t understand something. In the past, when scientific knowledge wasn’t what it is today, myths and legends filled the gaps. Amid Iceland’s dramatic coast and countryside, there’s ample inspiration to feed people’s imaginations.

Driving to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is easy and the parking lot is accessible by any type of car. Just 600 meters from the ring road no. 1, you find the parking lot next to Fjallsarlon Iceberg boat tours, service center and restaurant. More information here FJALLSARLON PARKING AND LOCATION. At Fjallsarlon parking is free of charge. Few years ago, parking around Iceland was free at most nature reserves and tourist attractions. That has changed in recent years and now parking fees are collected at top sights such as Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon, our neighboring ice lagoon.

Vatnajökull’s immense size means it has many outlet glaciers radiating out from its edge like fingers. One of these is Fjallsjökull glacier, which is above us here at Fjallsárlón, while another is Svínafellsjökull glacier located close by. We’d suggest you make time for both as you travel along Iceland’s scenic south coast, so here’s what to see and do at Svínafellsjökull.

Who doesn’t dream of finding a tucked-away spot in Iceland that is relatively undiscovered? You can be forgiven for thinking that, especially along the country’s busy south coast, it’s almost impossible to find such a place. Yet with a bit of effort, an intrepid attitude and a sense of adventure, hidden gems do still exist. In this article, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites close to Fjallsárlón, which you can schedule before or after your visit.

Iceland’s glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, is one of the most popular sights in the country. Most travellers will find themselves there at some point – or wish they had been able to visit. But did you know it’s not the only glacier lagoon in this part of the country? A short drive away, Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon is still one of the south coast’s hidden gems, yet it shares many characteristics with its more famous neighbour. Let’s take a look at both places and find out why you need to include them both in your itinerary….

Skaftafell is located in the heart of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland. It has been protected since 1967 and is a breathtaking wilderness that combines spectacular natural scenery with cultural heritage. You’ll pass by on the way to Fjallsárlón if you’re coming from the west. Like many places in Iceland, Skaftafell boasts extraordinary landscape and is a good focus point for several outdoor activities, not least scenic hikes. At Skaftafell, you will also find food trucks, good camping grounds and tourist information centre if you decide you want to stay overnight.

When thinking of housing in Iceland, one might think that in the past Icelanders used to live in igloos made from snow. The fact is that this is not the case, Icelanders never lived in snow igloos. In the much colder neighboring country Greenland housing was however mostly made of snow. The names “Greenland” and “Iceland” might seem contradictory given the contrasting climates of the two countries. Greenland has always been much icier and colder than Iceland. The reason for the conflicting names dates to when the Norse explorer Eric the Red discovered both countries. He wanted to attract settlers to the icy country, naming it Greenland and deter settlers from coming to Iceland with its milder climate and fertile lands.

Iceland is packed full of incredible landscapes but even where the bar is this high, a glacial ice cave will stop you in your tracks with its extraordinary beauty. One of the best parts of the country to visit these seasonal landforms is from Fjallsárlón, where we are ideally situated to access the ice caves beneath Vatnajökull’s icy surface. From November to March our guides will lead you to a winter wonderland where you’ll have time to explore this breathtaking subglacial landscape.

When you travel, is food your thing? Getting to know an area’s cuisine and trying out its restaurants and cafés can be a great way of finding out about the cultural heritage of a place. But even more than that it’s a chance to enjoy delicious food in new surroundings. If you haven’t eaten at Frost Restaurant while you’ve been visiting Fjallsárlón, you might be feeling peckish by the time you reach Höfn. Or perhaps it’s your next overnight stop. Either way, here’s our food lover’s guide to Höfn in Iceland, including where to track down the best eats and treats.

Glaciers and glacial lagoons are fascinating places. These mighty tongues of ice carve their way through the landscape like giant bulldozers. Though the rate of movement is too slow to observe with the naked eye, the evidence that it’s happening is all around us as the valley is shaped by the erosional power of the ice as it slides imperceptibly downhill due to gravity.

Fjallsárlón or Fjallsarlon is a natural glacial lagoon located in Southeast Iceland within Vatnajökull National Park. The lagoon started to form about 70 years ago when Fjallsjökull glacier started to retreat. In earlier times, as the glacier expanded the glacier carved into the landscape pushing hills and land aside making a gap of 100 meters below sea level. Naturally when the glacier started to melt away Fjallsarlon, a magnificent glacier lagoon slowly materialized right in front of the glacier tongue. Fjallsarlon is now the 4th deepest lagoon or lake in Iceland.

Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier, making it a dream destination for photographers eager to capture the raw, ethereal beauty of Iceland’s glaciers. Known for its vast expanse of glistening ice and sweeping landscapes, Vatnajökull is a world-class location for capturing one-of-a-kind photos.

The Northern Lights can be elusive so give yourself the best chance of a sighting by doing your research up front. If you’re planning an aurora hunt while you’re in Iceland, then setting your sights on glacial lagoons such as Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón on the south coast is a great idea, because they’re a long way from the light pollution that can be so problematic in built up areas. Before you start chasing the Northern Lights at any of the region’s glacier lagoons, you’ll want to check out these tips and tricks.

Glaciers are not the most inviting home or habitat for animals, therefore Iceland in general does not boost of the most flourishing wildlife in the world. Over the centuries wildlife and animals have adapted and evolved to survive in these harsh conditions.