North Iceland: The Volcanic Diamond Circle

A man standing with his hands on his head watching a dramatic volcanic eruption with bright orange lava.

The Arctic Alternative

While the south has the Golden Circle, the North has the Diamond Circle. It’s a 250-kilometer circuit that takes you through some of the most unearthly landscapes on the planet. Here, the crowds are smaller, and the forces of nature feel much more raw and active.

A geothermal area featuring bubbling mud pots and steam rising from colorful red and orange clay ground.
A geothermal area featuring bubbling mud pots and steam rising from colorful red and orange clay ground.
A geothermal area featuring bubbling mud pots and steam rising from colorful red and orange clay ground.

Our Philosophy

Mývatn: Where Earth Breathes

The area around Lake Mývatn is a hotbed of geothermal activity. This is the "Mars" of Iceland.

  • Hverir: A geothermal field of bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. The ground is stained red, orange, and yellow by minerals. The smell of sulfur is intense!

  • Dimmuborgir: Known as the "Dark Cities," this is a maze of giant, twisted lava pillars that look like the ruins of an ancient castle.

A snow-covered mountain perfectly reflected in the calm water of a lake with a snowy shoreline.
A snow-covered mountain perfectly reflected in the calm water of a lake with a snowy shoreline.
A snow-covered mountain perfectly reflected in the calm water of a lake with a snowy shoreline.
A paved road winding through a vast, barren black lava landscape towards distant mountains under a blue sky.
A paved road winding through a vast, barren black lava landscape towards distant mountains under a blue sky.
A paved road winding through a vast, barren black lava landscape towards distant mountains under a blue sky.

Dettifoss: The Beast

You cannot visit the North without feeling the ground shake at Dettifoss, widely considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

  • The Power: Unlike the pretty waterfalls of the south, Dettifoss is a monster of grey, sediment-rich glacial water thundering into a canyon.

  • The View: You can walk right up to the edge (be careful!) to see the sheer volume of water plummeting down.

A large whale breaching out of the ocean water with a whale-watching boat and snowy mountains in the background.
A large whale breaching out of the ocean water with a whale-watching boat and snowy mountains in the background.
A large whale breaching out of the ocean water with a whale-watching boat and snowy mountains in the background.

Húsavík: The Whale Capital

After the fire and ice of the interior, drive to the charming coast of Húsavík.

  • Whale Watching: This is arguably the best place in Iceland to see humpback whales, often just a short boat ride from the harbor.

  • GeoSea Baths: End your day soaking in geothermal seawater infinity pools overlooking the Arctic Circle.

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* Availability, pricing, vehicle specifications, and rental conditions may vary depending on location, selected vehicle category, rental period, optional equipment, and local regulations. Images and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the exact vehicle configuration available at the time of booking.

* Fuel consumption, electric range, and CO₂ emissions (where applicable) may be influenced by driving style, road conditions, weather, vehicle load, and selected options. All values are provided for reference purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee.

Legal information · Privacy policy · Cookie policy · Terms & conditions · Accessibility · Open-source software notice · Other regions

* Availability, pricing, vehicle specifications, and rental conditions may vary depending on location, selected vehicle category, rental period, optional equipment, and local regulations. Images and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the exact vehicle configuration available at the time of booking.

* Fuel consumption, electric range, and CO₂ emissions (where applicable) may be influenced by driving style, road conditions, weather, vehicle load, and selected options. All values are provided for reference purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee.

Legal information · Privacy policy · Cookie policy · Terms & conditions · Accessibility · Open-source software notice · Other regions

* Availability, pricing, vehicle specifications, and rental conditions may vary depending on location, selected vehicle category, rental period, optional equipment, and local regulations. Images and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the exact vehicle configuration available at the time of booking.

* Fuel consumption, electric range, and CO₂ emissions (where applicable) may be influenced by driving style, road conditions, weather, vehicle load, and selected options. All values are provided for reference purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee.

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