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Iceland · South-east Iceland

Jökulsárlón travel guide

A lagoon of floating icebergs and Diamond Beach

Icebergs in Jökulsárlón lagoon. Photo: Molechaser, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2h 30mflight from London
KEFnearest main airport
8° in Julwarmest month
-0° in Febcoolest month

Jökulsárlón is a glacier lagoon where great blue icebergs break off Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, and drift out to sea. Across the road, ice chunks glitter on Diamond Beach.

It's about five hours from Reykjavík, so most people stay nearby and add Skaftafell's trails and ice caves.

Good forIcebergsIce cavesHikingPhotography

What Jökulsárlón is known for

  • Icebergs

    Blue ice floating to sea.

  • Diamond Beach

    Ice on black sand.

  • Vatnajökull

    Europe's largest glacier.

  • Seals

    Often swim in the lagoon.

Top things to do in Jökulsárlón

  1. 1

    An amphibian boat tour

    Sail among the icebergs.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Diamond Beach

    Best at sunrise.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Ice cave tour

    Blue caves from November to March.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    Svartifoss

    A waterfall framed by basalt columns.

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See all tours and tickets in Jökulsárlón

Where to stay in Jökulsárlón

Find a hotel in Jökulsárlón

Best time to visit Jökulsárlón

Best value: Feb–May, Sep–Nov. May to September for boat tours; November to March for ice caves.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-0.1 C-0°J-0.2 C-0°F0 C0°M1.6 C2°A3.4 C3°M6.3 C6°J7.8 C8°J7.8 C8°A6 C6°S3.3 C3°O1.2 C1°N0 C0°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Jökulsárlón, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h 30m from London to KEF, and flights from most UK airports.

A car or a multi-day tour. Distances are long and services few.

Find flights to Jökulsárlón (KEF)

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Good to know

  • Book ice caves in advance.
  • Weather can close roads in winter.
  • Fill up in Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Höfn.
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Jökulsárlón FAQ

Day trip from Reykjavík?

Possible, but it's 10 hours of driving.

When can I visit ice caves?

November to March.

More places in Iceland

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