Reykjavik / 10 photo spots
10 Instagram spots in Reykjavik, from rainbow street to waterfalls
A rocket shaped church, a rainbow painted street and a glass concert hall on the harbor: central Reykjavik packs its photo spots into a short walk. These 10 spots add the Golden Circle and two south coast waterfalls that fit into day trips from the city.
Shoot the city spots early before the tour groups arrive. For the waterfalls, bring a waterproof jacket and a cloth for your lens, because the spray reaches every viewpoint.
Hallgrímskirkja
Iceland's tallest church rises over the city in stepped concrete wings modelled on basalt columns. Shoot the facade frontally from the Leif Erikson statue, then ride the lift to the tower for the colourful rooftops.
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Privacy detailsSkólavörðustígur Rainbow Street
The lower stretch of Skólavörðustígur is painted as a permanent rainbow for Reykjavik Pride. Stand low at the bottom of the stripes and shoot uphill, so the colours lead straight to the Hallgrímskirkja tower.
Open in Google MapsSun Voyager (Sólfar)
A stainless steel dreamboat points out to sea on the Sæbraut waterfront promenade. Frame the sculpture against Mount Esja across the bay, best in the low evening light or under the midnight sun.
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Privacy detailsHarpa Concert Hall
The glass honeycomb facade of the Harpa concert hall shifts colour with the sky and the harbor water. Go inside as well, because the geometric windows and staircases give the strongest abstract frames in the city.
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Privacy detailsÞingvellir National Park
In this rift valley between two continental plates you find the Öxarárfoss waterfall and the crystal clear Silfra fissure, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Walk the Almannagjá gorge path for the classic view over the old assembly plains and the lake.
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Privacy detailsGeysir and Strokkur
In the Geysir geothermal area the Strokkur geyser erupts every 5 to 10 minutes and throws its water column up to 30 metres high. Stand upwind with the sun behind you and keep the camera ready, because the blue bubble before the burst lasts only seconds.
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Privacy detailsGullfoss
The Hvítá river drops in two powerful tiers into a rugged canyon on the Golden Circle route. On sunny days a rainbow hangs in the spray, so work both the upper rim path and the lower viewpoint close to the water.
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Privacy detailsKerið Crater
Red volcanic slopes ring a milky blue crater lake right beside the Golden Circle road. Walk the full rim for the clean ellipse from above, then descend to the shore and shoot the colour contrast at water level.
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Privacy detailsSeljalandsfoss
This 60 metre waterfall on the south coast lets you walk on a path completely behind its curtain of water, as a day trip from Reykjavik. Shoot from behind the falls towards the coastal plain at sunset and expect to get wet.
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Privacy detailsSkógafoss
A 60 metre high and 25 metre wide wall of water thunders off the old sea cliffs, about 30 minutes east of Seljalandsfoss on the same south coast day trip. Photograph the rainbow in the spray from the riverbed, then climb the staircase for the view from the top.
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