Visiting one of the famous glacier lagoons should be on everyone’s Iceland bucket list. Here is your guide to visit the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with our local tips to create an Iceland trip that goes far beyond a photo stop.

A glacier lagoon forms when a glacier retreats and calfs. This is the process when ice is breaking off the glacier. In South East Iceland you can witness Europe’s biggest glacier calf in multiple spots.

The best thing is that it doesn’t matter what season you are visiting! There can always be days with more or less blue icebergs floating around the lagoons. Icebergs often flip over and reveal new shapes and blue ice, that hasn’t been touched by the sunlight.

Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon

In the southeast of Iceland there are two glacier lagoons that you should not miss out on. Planning a road trip in Iceland on road no.1, often called the ring road, you have likely heard of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. 

Jökul is Icelandic for glacier, ár is a river and lón is a lagoon. So the name makes a lot of sense, like most places in Iceland if you can understand Icelandic. But no need to learn one of the most difficult languages to find your way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You can’t miss it when you are driving around the ring road in Iceland. You will already see the blue icebergs from the one lane bridge and can park right next to the lagoon. 

Local tip: Get a discount on your parking pass at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon when visiting the famous Skaftafell National Park on the same day! Both destinations are must-see locations in Iceland.

 

Get out on the water

Apart from the breathtaking scenery and a walk along the shoreline you can explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by boat. Daily tours get you closer to the ice and give you different perspectives as long as the lagoon isn’t frozen over. You might be lucky and spot some of the curious seals bobbing their heads up and down in the cold water. 

You can choose between the amphibian boats, that start driving from the shore or the more adventurous zodiac boats. Boat tours on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon are a great adventure for the entire family.

If you are an active traveler, you should take a look at Kayaking Tours. Paddle amongst floating icebergs and explore nature the environmentally friendly way.

 

The place to be for blue Ice Cave Tours

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the meeting location for our blue ice cave tours from October to April. Jump into a 4×4 jeep on a guided tour to see the best ice caves of Vatnajökull. There are different tours available for families or more adventurous souls. Ice Caves are a must for every traveler and local alike and never seem to disappoint. Learn more about the current conditions by contacting info[at]localguide.is and save your spot on the most popular tour today.

 

Where to Eat around Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

While Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is best known for its incredible scenery, boat tours, and ice caves, it’s always good to know where you can grab a bite to eat — especially after a chilly walk along the shoreline or a photo session at Diamond Beach.

Jökulsárlón Café
Right next to the lagoon’s main parking area, the small on-site café offers light refreshments and hot drinks year-round. It’s a great spot to warm up with coffee or hot chocolate while enjoying panoramic views through the café’s large windows. You’ll also find sandwiches, soups, and pastries — simple but satisfying options for a mid-day snack.

Food Trucks (Summer Season)
During the busier summer months, food trucks often pop up in the main parking area. These serve everything from fish and chips to the famous Icelandic hot dogs. We recommend tasting their lobster hot dogs! While availability can vary, it’s a fun way to sample local flavours on the go.

Nearby Dining Options
If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, several guesthouses and hotels within a short drive offer restaurant dining. Hali Country Hotel to the east and Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon to the west are popular choices with hearty Icelandic menus. Freysnes Service Station offers a great priced menu all year around.

Café Vatnajökull
Located in the nearby village of Fagurhólsmýri, just a short drive west of the lagoon, Café Vatnajökull is a cozy and welcoming stop for homemade treats and warm meals. They serve freshly made sandwiches, hearty hot soups, homemade cakes, and some of the best coffee and hot chocolate in the region. The café also hosts occasional events like open mic evenings — check out their Facebook page for current updates and happenings. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a favorite among locals and travelers alike.

Local Tip: Bring snacks or lunch if you’re visiting outside peak season, as food options may be limited. A thermos of tea or soup is especially comforting if you’re planning to stay out photographing the lagoon or waiting for northern lights.

 

Right next door – Diamond Beach

The lagoon has a direct connection to the ocean. Depending on the tide, saltwater enters the lagoon or freshwater flows into the ocean. The blue icebergs are slowly melting and some make their way out to sea. The powerful waves then throw the icebergs in smaller pieces back on land. 

A black sand beach covered in chunks of ice – known as Diamond Beach – is just across the street of the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You can even use the same parking ticket or take a short walk underneath the bridge.

Nature decides their paths here as well so some days you don‘t know where to put your feet in between all the ice, others it is just a black sand beach. Even though visiting a black sand beach alone should be on everyone’s Iceland bucket list as well. 

Local tip: During the wintertime the sun rises and sets in the south so Diamond Beach is a perfect spot for romantic Iceland photos. Or enjoy the endless daylight during the midsummer sun season and less crowds during the night.

 

Wildlife spotting

On the east side of the lagoon you might be lucky enough to spot some wild reindeers. When the first snow sets on the mountains they are coming to the lowlands to find food. Sometimes they even relax at the beach and snack on some seaweed like the free roaming sheep do in the summer. 

Wildlife in Iceland is mesmerizing all year around. There are no dangerous animals in Iceland. If you are really lucky, you can spot an arctic fox in Iceland. They often change their fur from dark during the summer time to white in the winter. So the arctic fox is perfectly camouflaged all year round.

Since Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is connected to the ocean, there are often seals fishing in the tide. They enjoy the sunshine on icebergs or pop their heads out of the ice cold water close to shore.

 

Everyone’s favourite – the Icelandic puffins

Many birds return to Iceland in the spring for their nesting season. During that you can not fly drones close to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – find more information about drone flying here.

Iceland is famous for the cute puffins that make their way back to land every year. Our favourite place to watch puffins is on Ingólfshöfði, around 30 minutes south of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. According to the Icelandic sagas, Ingólfshöfði was the place where Icelands first settler came to land around 874CE.  

A tractor will bring you across the wide black sand flats to the cape. There you can hike around and observe one of the biggest puffin colonies in Iceland. As the cape is protected, you can only get here on an official puffin tour.

 

A more secluded glacier lagoon

But apart from the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, we have another local tip for you. This glacier lagoon is often overlooked but as just as stunning and more secluded. Save Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon to your Iceland itinerary!

Fjallsárlón might be smaller than the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon but you is much closer to the actual glacier. You can see first hand where the icebergs are calving off from. Fjalljökull, the glacier that forms this lagoon, is like a massive wall of endless ice. Making its name fjall– mountain, ár – river, lón – lagoon justice.

No matter how often we as locals are seeing these big crevasses, we always feel humbled. Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the perfect location to add to your Iceland photo album. 

Located just a few minute drive away from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, there is even free parking available. On zodiac boat tours with Fjallsárlón boat tours you can get up even closer to the glacier and blue ice bergs.  The small boats offer a more private experience on the glacier lagoon.

Iceland’s most unique accommodation

The newest addition to Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a floating hut right on the lagoon. With no one else around you can enjoy these unique views all night long. This is definitely an accommodation in south iceland for the memory book.

 

Discover a Hidden Gem: Heinabergslón Glacier Lagoon

If you’re looking to escape the crowds and experience one of Iceland’s hidden gems, Heinabergslón Glacier Lagoon is the perfect off-the-beaten-path destination. Located east of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and well off the typical tourist route, this tranquil lagoon offers breathtaking scenery and a truly peaceful atmosphere.

Unlike Jökulsárlón, Heinabergslón sees far fewer visitors — making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more personal, immersive connection with Icelandic nature.

The Best Way to Explore? By Kayak.
Heinabergslón is not just about stunning views — it’s also home to one of the most unique and adventurous ways to explore a glacier lagoon: kayaking among icebergs. Paddling silently across the glassy surface, you’ll get closer to floating ice formations than you ever could on foot or in a large boat with no one else around.

Check out our Kayaking Adventure, to navigate between sculpted icebergs, pass by glacier tongues, and take in views that few travelers ever see. These small-group tours are suitable for beginners and include all the gear you need — dry suits, gloves, and expert guidance.

If you’re already visiting Jökulsárlón and looking to add a less touristy glacier experience to your itinerary, Heinabergslón makes for a perfect half-day detour. It’s a reminder that Iceland still holds plenty of quiet corners where nature takes center stage.

 

Glacier Lagoons, Ice Caves & Beyond 

From shimmering icebergs and blue ice caves to puffin cliffs and kayaking on secluded lagoons, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is more than a photo stop — it’s a gateway to some of Iceland’s most unforgettable nature experiences. Whether you’re here to explore by boat, hike nearby glaciers, or simply take in the view with a warm drink, the area offers something magical in every season.

Use these local tips to go beyond the typical tour and create a trip that’s truly your own. Don’t forget to add nearby gems like Fjallsárlón and Heinabergslón to your route — and be ready for seals, reindeer, and perhaps even northern lights to surprise you along the way.