Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon is an iceberg-filled glacial lake at the foot of Fjallsjökull glacier, an outlet of Vatnajökull, in South Iceland's Öræfi region. The lagoon sits about 10 km (6 mi) west of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and lies inside Vatnajökull National Park, which has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2019. Floating icebergs, a glacier tongue that reaches almost to the shoreline, and a much quieter walk than its larger neighbor are the reasons travelers stop here.

Below, you'll find a quick-facts summary, how to get there, the tours that run on the water, wildlife to watch for, and how Fjallsárlón compares with Jökulsárlón.

Here are the practical facts at a glance, with sources confirmed by our team.

Fjallsárlón is a young feature on the map of Iceland. The lagoon formed during the 20th century as Vatnajökull's southern outlet glaciers retreated, leaving a basin behind that filled with meltwater. Fjallsjökull, the outlet that feeds the lagoon, still reaches almost to the shoreline today.

As the glacier moves, large pieces break off the ice cliff and drop into the water. This process is called calving, and it's why icebergs keep appearing in the lagoon even on still days. The pieces drift across the freshwater surface and slowly melt, sometimes over weeks.

The water at Fjallsárlón looks darker than the bright blue of nearby Jökulsárlón because Fjallsárlón is freshwater and holds more glacial sediment, while Jökulsárlón mixes with seawater through a short tidal channel to the Atlantic. Icebergs at Fjallsárlón often show grey streaks too. Those streaks are layers of volcanic ash, called tephra, laid down during past eruptions and trapped in the ice as the glacier grew.

Vatnajökull has lost more than 15% of its volume during the last century, according to the park authority, and the lagoon has grown as the glacier has receded. What looks like a permanent ice landscape is changing year by year.

Most travelers reach Fjallsárlón by driving the Ring Road (Route 1) from Reykjavík. There's a clearly marked turnoff between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and free parking sits right at the visitor building. The car park is set above the lagoon, so the walk to the shore takes about 10 minutes, gently downhill, with the basin opening up below you as you approach.

From Reykjavík, Fjallsárlón is about 380 km (236 mi) east along Route 1. The drive takes around 4.5 hours in good summer conditions and notably longer in winter. From Höfn, the nearest sizeable town, the lagoon is about 70 km (43 mi) west, roughly one hour by car. From Skaftafell, plan on about 47 km (29 mi) east, around 40 minutes.

Public transport options are limited but functional. Strætó's south coast service is now Route 52 (the network was restructured in January 2026), running the full route from Reykjavík through Vík and Skaftafell to Höfn, with a stop at Jökulsárlón. From Jökulsárlón, the final 10 km to Fjallsárlón needs a taxi or a rental car. Schedules vary by season, so check straeto.is before relying on the bus for a same-day return.

Three things draw people to Fjallsárlón: the boat tour out among the icebergs, the chance to float in the water alongside the ice, and the easy walk to the shoreline for a closer view of Fjallsjökull glacier than you'll get at any roadside stop in the region.

Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon Boat Tour takes a small group out on the water in a zodiac, weaving between the floating icebergs and bringing you close to the glacier wall itself. Guides explain how the lagoon formed, point out the tephra-streaked ice, and answer the questions that come up once you're sitting next to a five-meter block of glacial ice. The tour runs in the warmer months when the lagoon is free of fast ice. Specifics on duration, group size, age limits, what's included, and price are on the tour page.

Fjallsárlón is the only place in Iceland where you can get into a glacier lagoon yourself. You suit up in a buoyant immersion suit that keeps you warm and on the surface, then drift among the icebergs for 20 to 30 minutes with a certified guide alongside. The whole experience runs about 1.5 hours from check-in to wrap-up, and ends with hot chocolate or tea at Frost Restaurant. This is a meet-on-location tour, which means you'll need to drive there yourself or arrange transport. Minimum age is 15, maximum is 75. Travelers need to be 150 to 210 cm (4'11" to 6'11") tall and under 110 kg (243 lbs). Full details are on the tour page.

If your itinerary has room for only one glacier lagoon, most travelers should pick Jökulsárlón for the larger icebergs and easier shoreline access. Choose Fjallsárlón for the closer view of the glacier wall, smaller crowds, and the chance to do the ice floating tour.

Most people who have time stop at both. They sit 10 km (6 mi) apart on the same stretch of Route 1, and the experiences are different enough that visiting both adds up to more than the sum of the parts. The table below sets out the key differences.

If you can build the schedule for both, the easiest order driving east is Fjallsárlón first for a coffee at Frost restaurant and the close glacier view, then Jökulsárlón for the bigger icebergs and Diamond Beach. Travelers driving from Höfn back toward Reykjavík can do the reverse and end the day at Fjallsárlón.

Through the warmer months, a mix of seabirds and the occasional harbor seal live at Fjallsárlón. The animals here are wild, the paths are unfenced, and all species require active respect from visitors.

Great skuas (Stercorarius skua) nest in the cliffs and slopes around the lagoon. They are large, brown, and protective of their nests. In summer, give them a wide berth and stay on the marked paths, since skuas have a documented habit of dive-bombing anyone who walks too close to their chicks or eggs.

Arctic terns return in late spring to nest in the area. Like the skuas, they will defend their territory loudly and at low altitude if you come close. Watching them work the wind over the lagoon from a respectful distance is one of the small pleasures of a summer visit.

Harbor seals occasionally appear in the water, though they're not the constant presence they are at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. If you see one, watch from the shore and don't try to approach. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and a degree of luck. Keep your distance, stay on the marked paths, and don't bait animals for photos.

The best time to visit Fjallsárlón is summer if you want boat tours, easier driving, and open-water views of floating icebergs. Winter is best for frozen landscapes, quiet photography, and Northern Lights on clear nights. Spring and fall sit somewhere in between, with fewer visitors than summer and more changeable conditions around the lagoon.

Summer is high season at Fjallsárlón for one practical reason: the boat tours run. Zodiac tours operate from roughly May through October, weather permitting, and they sell out on the busiest days in July and August. Book ahead.

The other draw is light. In June and July, the midnight sun keeps the sky bright deep into the night, and the low-angle light just before midnight is the window of opportunity most professionals plan around. Wildlife is active too, with skuas and terns nesting around the shoreline and birds visible on most warm afternoons.

The downside is more visitors. While Fjallsárlón is much quieter than Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, summer still brings buses and rental cars to the car park. Visiting early in the morning or after 17:00 usually means fewer people on the shore.

Winter is the season most travelers underestimate at Fjallsárlón, but it can be the most rewarding. From around December to March, the lagoon often freezes over completely, creating a thick ice sheet between the shore and Fjallsjökull glacier. Icebergs become locked in place, boats stop running, and the whole lagoon turns into a quiet white plain framed by dark mountains and pale-blue ice.

Fjallsárlón is quieter than Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon year-round, but winter makes the contrast even stronger. Between November and March, travelers often describe the lagoon as nearly empty, with few cars, few people, and only the sound of ice settling on the lake. Some visitors may find it too remote. For others, the stillness is exactly the reason to come.

The short walk from the car park can be icy in winter, so microspikes or boots with good grip are strongly recommended. Without them, the descent can be slippery, especially when the path turns glassy or packed with snow. In December and January, bring a headlamp if you plan to arrive after about 3:30 PM, as daylight fades quickly.

The ice floating tour still operates in winter, weather permitting, and Frost Restaurant remains open. Fjallsárlón is also one of the South Coast’s best Northern Lights locations. The lagoon sits deep inside Vatnajökull National Park, about four hours from Reykjavík, with no nearby town and very little light pollution. On clear nights from late September to early April, the aurora can reflect on frozen ice or open water, making the lagoon especially photogenic.

Winter driving here needs careful planning. This stretch of Route 1 is one of the most weather-exposed parts of Iceland, and conditions can change fast between Vík, Skaftafell, and the glacier lagoons. High winds, whiteouts, and sudden road closures are possible even when the sky looks clear. Use studded tires, choose a 4WD vehicle, check the Icelandic Met Office, the local road conditions, and SafeTravel before each leg, and plan around the four to five usable daylight hours in December and January. Staying overnight near Hof or Höfn is often safer than driving back to Reykjavík the same day.

The closest base for a Fjallsárlón visit is Hof, a small settlement in Öræfi about 30 minutes west of the lagoon. Höfn, the largest town on this side of Vatnajökull national park, sits about 70 km (43 mi) east. Vík town is further west on Route 1, around two hours away, so it works for travelers driving the South Coast on a longer journey.

Recommended options nearby:

• Adventure Hotel Hof: A three-star hotel, part of the Arctic Adventures hotel group. Mountain-view rooms, restaurant on-site, about 30 minutes to either glacier lagoon.
• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon: A larger four-star property on the Ring Road close to Hof. Easy access for groups and self-drive itineraries.
• Hali Country Hotel: A smaller hotel a little further east near Hali farm, on the road to Höfn.
• Guesthouse Gerði: A guesthouse near Höfn for travelers who prefer something smaller and family-run.
• Reynivellir: Family-run guesthouse east of Hof in the Suðursveit area.
• Skaftafell Camping: For campers, the campground at Skaftafell is open year-round and is good as a base for hikes in the park as well as a lagoon visit. Price is about ISK 2,800, or roughly US$23 / €20 (general fee per person,17-66 years old per night).

If you're aiming for early morning at the lagoon (the best time for fewer crowds and softer light), staying in Hof rather than driving from Reykjavík makes the day much easier.

The only restaurant directly at the lagoon is Frost, the on-site bistro at the Fjallsárlón visitor building. Frost serves a buffet-style menu of soups, hot dishes (cod, lasagna, chicken, Icelandic lamb soup), salads, cakes, coffee, beer, and wine. Picture windows face Fjallsjökull glacier, so even on a wet day you can stay dry and watch the ice from a chair.

For a wider choice, head 70 km (43 mi) east to Höfn, the largest town on this side of Vatnajökull. The closest places worth a stop:

• Café Vatnajökull by the Fagurhólsmýri farm, about 15 km (9 mi) west of the lagoon. A small roadside café with one of the best espresso machines on the South Coast, homemade sandwiches (the Glacier Baguette is the one travelers come back for), refillable soup that often features a creamy coconut curry, and homemade cakes. There's also a small shop with genuine Icelandic wool sweaters made by people in the region. Attached to a gas station, which makes it the most practical refuel-and-eat stop between Vík and the glacier lagoons.
• Heimahumar food truck parked at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon car park, 10 km (6 mi) east of Fjallsárlón. Run by a local couple who source langoustine directly from boats less than an hour away. Order the langoustine roll (their take on a lobster roll, served on crusty bread with fried onions and yellow sauce) or the langoustine soup. There's also an Icelandic hot dog, a vegan hot dog, and waffles on a stick for travelers who want something quick. Outdoor picnic benches are available in the summer season.
• Humarhöfnin by the harbor in Höfn, about 80 km (50 mi) east. The town's most established langoustine restaurant, opened by the Þorsteinsdóttir family with a French-trained chef behind the menu. The signature dishes are the whole langoustine and the langoustine tails, both served with their well-known Black Magic Sauce. Expect to pay around 7,000 to 8,000 ISK ($57–65 / €49–56), but the langoustine is landed at the pier you can see through the window, so freshness isn't in question. Reservations are recommended in the summer.
• Íshúsið Pizzeria in Höfn, also by the harbor. Thin stone-baked pizzas in a converted ice house, run by two brothers. The lobster pizza (langoustine, of course) is the one to order if you want the local twist. The breadsticks served with pizza sauce and red currant jelly are a small surprise worth ordering on the side. Also serves langoustine soup and fish and chips. More casual than Humarhöfnin, lower price point, and ranked in the top three or four restaurants in town on TripAdvisor.

Höfn is a 60 to 80 minute drive each way from Fjallsárlón, so plan accordingly if you're heading there for a meal.

Fjallsárlón appears briefly in Ben Stiller's 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, used along with the nearby Kálfafellsdalur valley to stand in for the Himalayas in Afghanistan. On screen, you see the iceberg-strewn water and the glacier wall behind it, just before the film cuts to the long-distance hike that follows. If a movie cameo isn't reason enough to visit, the floating ice and quiet shoreline usually are.