Fjallsarlon is a glacier lagoon in Southern Iceland. Things to do at Fjallsarlon include;
- Fjallsarlon Glacier
- Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Boat ride to the Glacier
- Öræfajökull volcano (largest active volcano in Iceland)
The closest city to stay in for a visit to Fjallsarlon is Höfn, there are also hotels and hostels spread out over the Iceland route 1 road as well as airbnb accommodation.
Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon and glacier are very similar to it’s neighbor Jokulsarlon but without the tourists. Another advantage to Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon over Jokulsarlon is the view of the huge glacier behind the lagoon. In addition, Fjallsarlon is calm and clear which gives you the opportunity of reflection photography. Furthermore, it’s a peaceful place to watch the sunset from too. Comparatively, at Jokulsarlon, there are always thousands of people making noise and posing for pictures. On a clear day it’s possible to see Iceland’s largest active volcano, Öræfajökull.
A tip for visiting Fjallsarlon is you don’t have to park by the visitor center. It’s possible to drive past the visitor center therefore a lot closer to the lagoon.
Fjallsarlon Glacier
Do you wish to get closer to Fjallsarlon Glacier? It’s possible to organize a boat tour of the lagoon either online or at the visitor center. As a result, you’ll get up close and personal with this enormous glacier. As a matter of fact, you may witness huge blocks of ice crashing into the lagoon.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lake is a 10 minute drive east of Fjallsarlon. It is more beautiful than Fjallsarlon but there are thousands of tourists there. In addition, it’s possible to visit Diamond beach, take a glacier walk as well as visit Ice Caves. Read about Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on my travel blog.
Road Trip to Skogafoss – Skaftafell
The first stop on the road trip to Skogafoss is Skaftafell. There are a couple of mentionable waterfalls which you can drive right up to at Skaftafell. In fact, you can park at Svartifoss waterfall and Hundafoss waterfall is a short walk from there. There is a tour company based at Skaftafell visitor center where you can organize;
- Glacier hikes
- Volcano hikes
- Ice cave night tours
- Crystal ice cave tours
- Kayaking to the glacier
Skaftafell visitor center is definitely worth a visit!
Foss a Sidu
On the drive to Skogafoss you’ll pass lots of small waterfalls which in any other country would be worthy of a tourist attraction by themselves. In Iceland, falls such as Foss á Síðu (Foss a Sidu) are the smaller rarely visited falls. I recommend stopping for a few minutes to take photos at the waterfalls of Foss á Síðu (Foss a Sidu). There is parking on the route 1 road and it’s a short hike to the base of the falls.
Additionally, you can also stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon which is a short drive from the route 1 ring road.
Eldhraun Lava Field
The route 1 passes through Eldhraun lava field which has the 3rd largest lava flow in the world since the ice age. The volcano erupted violently for 8 months from the end of 1782 to 1784. This eruption is called the Lakagigar eruption and you’ll be driving through the lava field for at least an hour, it’s that huge. An interesting section of the lava field is the part where you see several cones, for me this resembled the chocolate hills of the Philippines. There is a viewing point of the cones therefore look out for it when you are passing through the coned section of Eldhraun lava field. Spring thru fall the lava fields are covered in moss and in winter they are covered in snow.
Vik
Vik is a small town which you’ll pass through on Iceland route 1 in the south of the country. Vik is the southernmost city in Iceland, that’s a big one for the bucket list! Vik is a good place to stop for groceries, gas or to eat at a restaurant. Gas stations are quite scarce on Route 1 so I recommend filling your tank here. The 2 main attractions in the city of Vik are the white church as well as the Iceland Instagram spot, the black sand beach. If you decide to stay overnight, Vik has a few hotels.
Finally, from Vik to Skogafoss you’ll pass the viewing point of the most active and dangerous volcano in Iceland, Hekla.
We visited Jökulsárlón when we were in Iceland back in October 2016 and loved it, but you’re right, there were a lot of people around. I love the idea of visiting a less crowded glacier. We also enjoyed visiting Vik while we were there and stopped for dinner. I always found the lava fields covered in moss to be quite striking!
I really, really want to visit Iceland and experience the glaciers and waterfalls and all those amazing scenery that the country has to offer. I love that you talk about non touristy places, where you can just be alone with the nature and appreciate its beauty. Foss a Sidu looks like it’s been taken out of a fairy tale about an ice princess
I would definitely visit this glacier because it’s more off the beaten path. I really hate crowds and Iceland has been becoming increasingly popular in the international travel tribe so I’m always looking for novel ways to explore travel destinations on everyone’s list.
I never made it this far on the south coast but I have seen the glacier lake in pictures before and its a place I really want to visit. I would love to do a drive around the whole island but I think for me it would be best to wait to summer to do it. I would love to see the little towns and the lava field too 🙂
Iceland has volcanoes? I didn’t know that! Wow! Foss a Sidu looks just like a painting!!! The white church just is breathtaking in that landscape!
The scenery in Iceland is just so stunning! I love the photos you got of the little villages, since we often just see the amazing landscapes. I’ve done this trip once before so this brought back memories and really makes me want to go again!
Iceland is a dream destination for sure. This year am definitely going to tick it off from our list. Can’t stop reading and gawping on all such stunning photos you keep posting on Instagram.
The more I read about Iceland, the less. A friend of mine was there last year and she told me how this tiny country holds so many surprises. I had never heard of Fjallsárlón. The pictures of glaciers you have shared are other worldly.
I am a fan of your Iceland posts. Guess you know how to grab a reader’s attention. Your pictures are stunning. I would love to visit Vik which passes through on Iceland route 1.
A miniature northern paradise! It blows my mind to realize just how with such a cold climate a heart could warm so much:)
Beautiful pictures, you have made me consider Iceland as a travel destination. If you don’t mind, whats the name of your map app? Thanks.. its very cool.
It is google maps embedded straight from the site.
Wow! The scenery is breathtaking & the history is INCREDIBLE! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Oh my, very nice article and pictures! Those landscapes are really impressive! I’ve never been to Iceland but from the pictures it looks a little like the extreme south of my home country.
This post brings back some memories. Iceland is my favourite country so far and I will return for sure sometime soon. The waterfalls are gorgeous in Iceland and the scenery is breathtaking. We had our first encounter with the Northern Lights in Vik.
Great to hear about Iceland! I’ve been wanting to go for a while, and this makes it even more of a dream of mine! Lovely
Lovely pictures! Is it cold all year in Iceland?
Not all year, summer can be quite mild.
Looks just beautiful! Iceland is such an intriguing place. Would love to travel there one day!!
What a lovely post! I’ve been dying to explore Iceland and I keep finding more and more wonderful things to do there, I’ll need to move there to do it all!
Iceland is just incredibly stunning and there is just so much natural beauty there! I really can’t wait to visit and hiring a car and exploring it at your own pace sounds like a great way to see it!
Wow! It looks incredibly beautiful! I love the photo with the caption – “Foss á Síðu (Foss a Sidu), Iceland”
Wow it looks so beautiful there! I can only dream of visiting one day!
Great post, brought back lots of memories from our trip there last year. Iceland is just the most beautiful country, i think it’s now our favourite, as we’re planning our third trip!
beautiful place it is <3 loved all your pictures
Seeing your wonderful photos I am ready for a visit to Iceland. I would love to stop at the Skaftafell visitor center and schedule a glacier hike and more. I pinned this for later use.
Iceland is one destination in Europe I really want to visit but it has eluded me so far! Beautiful pictures- will save this as I will get there one day!
So beautiful! We did stay in Hofn and Vik. Didn’t end up at Fjallsárlón due to time restraints. But we will keep it in mind for our next trip. Thanks for sharing.
Your photographs are stunning. I especially love the ones that show cottages with red roofs.
I was in Iceland this time last year, what a beautiful , interesting place it 8s and the people are so Lovely there too! It was on my bucket list to go there!
I wanted to Don the whale watch but didn’t get to do that so it’s back on my bucket list to go again! If recommend this place highly
I also saw the northern lights first night! Would like to see that again too.
Gosh your well travelled and seen things I probably never will, ” good for you!” be careful in the part if the world where you are now! Be safe ☺👍
I was in Iceland this time last year, what a beautiful , interesting place it is and the people are so Lovely there too! It was on my bucket list to go there!
I wanted to Do the whale watch but didn’t get to do that so it’s back on my bucket list to go again! I recommend this place highly
I also saw the Northern Lights first night!
Would like to see that again too.
Gosh your well travelled and seen things I probably never will, ” Good for you!” be careful in the part of the world where you are now! Be safe ☺👍
Hi Julie – wow, you were lucky to see the Northern Lights on the first night. I got to see them on my last night through a break in the clouds. Whale watching is also fun in Alaska, if you get chance to visit there! Thanks for the comment and I will do my best to keep safe!