What You Need To Know About Driving Iceland’s Diamond Circle

Most tourists visiting Iceland often stick to the southern part of the country, which is a grave mistake. There is much beauty and adventure to be discovered in Northern Iceland, and the captivating scenery makes for perfect road trips.

With so many unspoiled landscapes to uncover in this remote part of Iceland, how can you know which attractions to include in your itinerary? Fortunately, there is a popular route running through this region, known as the Diamond Circle. Let’s break it down.

What is the Diamond Circle in Iceland?

The Diamond Circle is a popular road trip route in Northern Iceland and includes some of the region’s most popular attractions. Traveling on this route is a chance to discover what this peaceful and wild part of the country has to offer. Similarly to the Golden Circle, there are main attractions to stop off at, but also plenty of optional stops to pause and explore.

How long does it take to drive the Diamond Circle?

The route has a total of roughly 250 km (155 mi), and without stopping, can be traveled in less than a day. However, if you want to make the most of your time in the area and take your time with the attractions, we’d recommend allowing yourself up to two days to tackle the route so you can take in all its captivating beauty.

How to drive the Diamond Circle

The best way to enjoy the Diamond Circle route is to begin in the biggest town in Iceland’s north, called Akureyri. It’s worth spending a day or even an afternoon and evening exploring the charms of this town, which is less than 100 km (62 mi) from the Arctic Circle! Heading north from Akureyri will lead you to the legendary and powerful Goðafoss Waterfall. From here, you’ll travel onwards to the charming fishing town of Húsavík, then to Ásbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss Waterfall, and Mývatn, before returning to Akureyri.

Map of the Diamond Circle Route

More of a visual learner? We’ve included a Diamond Circle map below so that you can follow it on your travels!

Highlights of the Diamond Circle

Now that you know the basics about the Diamond Circle, let’s get into the really interesting stuff: the attractions! The five main attractions along the Diamond Circle are fascinating and well worth the trek to the north to explore. These are as follows:

1. Goðafoss

2. Húsavík Town

3. Ásbyrgi Canyon

4. Dettifoss

5. Lake Mývatn

We explore all 5 of these in more detail below.

1. Goðafoss Waterfall

The first stop along the Diamond Circle is the legendary “waterfall of the gods,” or Goðafoss. An astounding amount of glacial water cascades down the curved face of this waterfall, dropping nearly 40 ft (12 m) into a beautiful blue pool.

Steeped in religious history, this stunning waterfall is perfect for admirers of breathtaking landscapes as well as photographers. The location plays a central role in the story of Iceland’s conversion to Christianity in the 11th century AD, where Iceland’s religious leader, Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, disposed of idols depicting the old Norse gods in order to pave the way forward.

The waterfall can be visited all year round and looks extra beautiful surrounded by a blanket of snow, but for maximum exploring, you may want to visit in the summer!

2. Húsavík

This charming coastal town in Northern Iceland is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. Tours depart from Húsavík Harbor regularly during the warmer months and are well worth joining. The waters surrounding this part of Iceland are teeming with sea life, and if you’re lucky, you might glimpse any number of species, including humpbacks, minke whales, blue whales, fin whales, and even orcas!

In addition, Húsavík became globally recognized after the release of the 2020 Netflix film, Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga. In the film, Húsavík locals, Sigrit and Lars fulfill their childhood dream of representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. If you’re a fan of the film, you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to Húsavík to see if you can spot film locations from the movie.

3. Ásbyrgi Canyon

Located far in the North, Ásbyrgi Canyon is a mind-blowing sight. Surrounded by towering cliff faces and lush foliage, the canyon is a hiker’s and explorer’s paradise. The thick vegetation within the canyon is quite unusual in Iceland, and the gentle waters covering the canyon floor provide a hushed and serene setting, contrasting with the wildness of the place.

While there is a sound scientific theory for the geological development of the canyon, which, like many of Iceland’s features, rests on volcanic activity, Icelandic folklore also has its own take. Due to the horseshoe shape of the canyon, it is said that Ásbyrgi was formed by Odin’s powerful eight-legged horse.

4. Dettifoss Waterfall

Another of the main attractions along the Diamond Circle is the famous waterfall, Dettifoss. It has been featured in several blockbuster films, including the 2012 Alien franchise prequel, Prometheus.

Located in Vatnajökull National Park, Dettifoss is legendary for being the second most powerful of all European waterfalls, beaten only by the Rhine Falls in Switzerland. The glacier waters, fed by Vatnajökull, thunder into the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon below. The dramatic scenery is definitely worth the visit.

5. Lake Mývatn

The final unmissable stop on the Diamond Circle is Lake Mývatn, the 4th largest lake in the world in terms of area. Spanning some 37 square kilometers, the lake is famous for its unique flora and fauna, especially popular among bird-watching enthusiasts. In summer, eager onlookers will spot marsh birds, lake birds, and a huge array of duck species.

Like many marshy areas around the world, Lake Mývatn is infamous for the number of midges swarming its banks. In fact, its name actually comes from the Icelandic for ‘lake of midges’, which should tell you just how crucial a face covering or glasses are if you’re keen to stop here!

Top Detour Stops on the Diamond Circle

Now we’ve covered the biggest and most famous attractions on the Diamond Circle, we’ve got a few smaller ones to check out, if you’ve got the time!

• Námaskarð Pass: This geothermal valley offers some otherworldly landscapes, complete with steaming craters and wooden walkways.
• Dimmuborgir: Close to Lake Mývatn, this beautifully gnarled rock formation is a stunning addition to your road trip.
• Hljóðaklettar: Also known as the whispering rocks, these columns of lava rock stand at the opening of Vesturdalur valley.
• Aedafossar: About 6 miles south of Húsavík lies this waterfall, overlooking a stunning black sand beach.

To experience the perfect Diamond Circle road trip, make sure to choose one of our rental cars, allowing you reliability and flexibility on your Northern Iceland adventure!

Want to beat the crowds to the most popular attractions? Rent a camper van, pitch up nearby and be one of the first to arrive in the morning.