Where to stay around Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon and Vatnajökull glacier

Glaciers in Iceland have been retreating in Iceland for the last decades. This is a result of global warming which has had a huge effect on the glacier rivers that flow from the glaciers. As the glaciers are getting smaller there is less ice to melt causing glacier rivers to decrease in volume as time goes by.

Öræfajökull (Oraefajokull glacier) volcano above Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is by far the biggest volcano in Iceland by volume around 300km3. Located in Vatnajokull National Park in the Southeast of Iceland you will find impressive sights surrounding the volcano giant. At the top of the mountain the crater is around 14km2 filled with ice. Crawling down from the brim there are eight glacier tongues that extend from the glacier, one of them being our Fjallsjökull Glacier.

If you’ve been researching a visit to Fjallsárlón, then you might be interested to learn that it’s not the only glacier lagoon in Iceland. That should come as no surprise as Vatnajökull glacier is vast, after all. Let’s take a brief look at some of the more notable glacier lagoons that you might choose to visit. Most lagoons can be easily reached on foot. But be mindful of your safety at all times; going with a guide is advisable for longer hikes or tours. Two out of these lagoons offer boat tours, which you may consider booking for a more adventurous, educational and fun experience. Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon offers small boat experience away from the crowds and Jokulsarlon lagoon offers amphibian boat tours and zodiac boat tours. You can also join a kayak tours on both lagoons.

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.

In the Land of Fire and Ice, glaciers play a significant role in shaping the landscape, both directly and indirectly. In Iceland, there are well over 250 of these huge bodies of ice. Ice covers about a tenth of Iceland’s land area and of course the largest sheet is Vatnajökull itself.

Every time I travel, I make a packing list. It helps to avoid forgetting important things, but sometimes, it’s still not foolproof. If you’re planning your trip to the land of fire and ice, the Northern Lights, the midnight sun, glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes, it’s best to be prepared with the right gear and clothes. At the same time, packing light will allow you to move around more easily.

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.

Skaftafell slots into the much larger Vatnajökull National Park, of which Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is also a part off. This remarkable area is known for its striking scenery, including jaw-dropping waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. The terrain that you see today owes a lot to past eruptions of Öræfajökull volcano. The flow of glacial rivers coupled with intermittent floods have shaped and reshaped the area’s valleys and plains.

If you’re a keen photographer, you’ll find plenty of irresistible locations throughout Iceland. One that has become a firm favourite with travellers is undoubtedly Breiðamerkursandur, better known to visitors as Diamond Beach. It’s easy to visit this place before or after Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. For those in the planning stages of a visit, here’s our take on the best time to visit and how to photograph it.

Iceland is known for extreme weather at least some of the time and the surroundings of Vatnajökull Glacier. The southeast of Iceland has somewhat uniqueness in weather compared to other parts of the country. It is in fact warmer and rainier than any other parts of the country.

Glacier hiking is one of the most popular activities to do in Iceland. No wonder, in Iceland, especially on the South Coast of the island, you will find majestic glaciers on every turn. These glaciers are fairly easily accessible, but at the same time people should be extremely careful and not venture onto a glacier without proper guidance. Around the Vatnajökull National Park area you will find many companies that operate guided glacier experiences. At Fjallsárlón you will find one of those companies that promises a fantastic glacier adventure, and no crowds!.

Iceland is known for its clean air, good drinking water, geothermal pools, welcoming residents and lastly but not least breathtaking landscapes. The country’s iconic spots, such as glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches, attract thousands of visitors every year especially in the south of Iceland. With the increasing number of tourists, managing parking at these nature attractions can be confusing. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when parking at some of Iceland’s most visited natural wonders, including fees and free parking spots on the Ring Road.

The Vatnajökull Ice Cap is the largest in Iceland and the second biggest in Europe after the Severny Island Ice Cap in Novaya Zemlya, Russia. It covers an area of about 7700km2 which represents about 8% of Iceland’s land area. Beneath its surface hide seven active volcanic systems: Öræfajökull, Bárðarbunga, Kverkfjöll, Grímsvötn, Þórðarhyrna, Hamarinn and Esjufjöll. These sometimes cause some of the ice to melt creating floods known as jökulhlaups.

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. 

If you’re planning to do a road trip in Iceland, it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself driving through the scenic south region. In that case, you’ll want to spend some time on Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull – or its outlet glaciers – and experience at least one glacier lagoon. Fjallsárlón is a great choice if so, a tranquil lagoon with a striking backdrop of glacial ice. Let’s take a look at what it’s like to go there at different times of the year and what you should expect.