Category: Diamond Circle

Have you been on the wonderful Golden Circle? Seen all the epic sites on the South Coast of Iceland? You want to impress your friends with pictures and stories from some of the lesser known but perhaps the most stunning places in Iceland? Well, then the Diamond Circle route in the north east of Iceland might just be for you.

Rent a car or join a tour

You can, of course, enjoy the route by joining a tour, but I would recommend renting a car and taking plenty of time. There is just so much to see and explore.

I have created a full Diamond Circle road trip plan for you, complete with booking widgets for affordable accommodation along the way. The attractions along the way include the following:

Goðafoss waterfall in Iceland in winter.
Goðafoss waterfall in Iceland in winter.

Goðafoss – The Waterfall of the Gods

Did a Viking Chieftain throw his pagan gods in the waterfall? We will never know but that legend gives the waterfall it name.

Lake Mývatn – The Beauty of the Diamond Circle

A huge bird sanctuary and the site of immense natural beauty. You should also soak the the local nature baths.

Hail to the King! Dettifoss Waterfall in north eastern Iceland.
Hail to the King! Dettifoss Waterfall in north eastern Iceland.

Dettifoss – The Beast of the Diamond Circle

The most powerful waterfall in Europe thunders away. Don´t miss it!

Echo Rocks

No, this is not a defunct eighties band but an area with incredible rock formations.

Ásbyrgi canyon lies in the north of Iceland, about two hours' drive to the east from Akureyri. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km in length and 1.1 km across. For more than half of its length, the canyon is divided through the middle by a distinctive rock formation 25 meters high called Eyjan (
Ásbyrgi canyon lies in the north of Iceland, about two hours’ drive to the east from Akureyri. The horseshoe-shaped depression is part of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and measures approximately 3.5 km long and 1.1 km across. For more than half of its length, the canyon is divided through the middle by a distinctive rock formation 25 meters high called Eyjan (“the Island”), from which hikers may enjoy spectacular views.

Ásbyrgi – the shelter of the gods

This is the place where Sleipnir, the horse of the Norse god Óðinn stepped down and left a huge hoofmark. True story.

Tjörnes – puffins and fossils bonanza

On this peninsula, there are nesting grounds for puffins and layers of ancient fossils.

Sunset at GeoSea Baths in Húsavík.
Sunset at GeoSea Baths in Húsavík.

Húsavík town

The wonderful town of Húsavík has some of the best whale watching in Iceland and the newly opened GeoSea baths.