The 9 best things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle

If you had to pick only one of Iceland’s must-see driving routes, Iceland’s Diamond Circle impressed me way more than the Golden Circle: here’s why.

Stretching around 250km through North Iceland, the Diamond Circle’s scenic loop feels quieter, wilder and therefore, even more impressive. Taking you past Europe’s most powerful waterfall, otherworldly geothermal parks and some of Iceland’s best whale watching, it requires more commitment than the Golden Circle – it’s much further from Reykjavik – but it’s well worth it.

Based on our 10 day Iceland ring road itinerary, here’s my list of the best things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle.

What is the Diamond Circle?

The Diamond Circle is a scenic driving route connecting some of North Iceland’s most impressive attractions. It’s the ideal road trip for an Icelandic summer if you want to avoid the crowds down south.

You can tick off most of the Diamond Circle’s attractions in one full day, but two days will give you plenty of time to explore without rushing.

Nervous about driving? While it’s quieter than the Golden Circle down south, you can still take tours of Iceland’s main Diamond Circle attractions.

However if you’re renting a car, the roads in the summer season are perfectly navigable without a 4×4. Check out my exact 10 day Iceland road trip itinerary to see how we included a Diamond Circle trip into our tour of Iceland.

Where to stay in Iceland’s Diamond Circle

Most travellers spend either one or two nights in Húsavík or near Lake Mývatn when exploring the Diamond Circle. For us, two nights was the perfect length of time and I definitely wouldn’t scrimp up here.

For more tips, check out my post on affordable places to stay in Iceland or I’ve pinpointed all our choices on this handy map:

We chose to stay at Guesthouse Stöng in Lake Mývatn, a super remote guesthouse with a great complimentary breakfast and two outdoor hot tubs. We had a few hiccups along the way with our stay there, but it would be an incredible spot in Northern Lights season!

If I were to stay in Húsavík next time, we’d pick somewhere like Haosavak Cape – affordable and close to town with good reviews.

Best things to do in the Diamond Circle

1. Go whale watching in Húsavík

If you do one organised tour in Iceland’s Diamond Circle, make it this.

Húsavík is Iceland’s whale watching capital, with an incredible summer success rate of 97-99%. We boarded our boat layered up to the max with thick overalls and a windproof jacket, but the Arctic chill is still very much present out to sea. But was it worth it? 100%.

After a long wait, twitching at every hint of a rogue wave, time genuinely slowed when a humpback whale finally surfaced beside us. Plus, finishing the trip with cinnamon buns and hot chocolate on the journey back to port was a delicious treat!

There are tons of whale watching tours around and while you don’t always have to book in advance, it could be worth looking at if there’s a specific experience you want to guarantee.

2. Visit Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall

On an East – West coast driving road, Dettifoss is often the first Diamond Circle stop people come across and it’s absolutely one of the most impressive we saw in the whole of Iceland.

Considering the size and scale of this waterfall, it’s busy but nowhere near the crowds of some of the Golden Circle’s attractions. After seeing some of the iconic waterfalls on the south coast, it was great to see that the north definitely had strong rivals.

You can also walk to Selfoss from Dettifoss. Take a short walk upstream and you’ll be surrounded by a dramatic horseshoe of cascading falls. You can’t get super close by walking and there are other driving viewpoints, but it’s excellent for a quick trip.

3. Don’t skip isolated Hafragilsfoss

The third waterfall in the Dettifoss-Selfoss trio, Hafragilsfoss is often underrated or skipped compared to the larger, more impressive options. However, just five minutes by car (it’s a bumpy road, but short and accessible without a 4×4) and you’ll find a world that feels undiscovered.

Plus, when my husband dropped to one knee in front of the vast canyon and distant falls, it quickly became a place I’ll absolutely never forget.

While North Iceland is nowhere near as busy as the south, this was one of the first places we felt virtually alone. If that’s important to you too, take the extra time for a quick detour!

4. Wander through Ásbyrgi Canyon

This was our most spontaneous stop and we’re so glad we found it!

While Ásbyrgi Canyon is a famous Diamond Circle attraction, we stumbled upon it on our way back from the Arctic Henge when we felt like stretching our legs. After a long, windswept drive through both lunar and summer landscapes in a single day, it felt surreal to end up in this little oasis.

For the first time on our August road trip, in the protection of the canyon, we could strip off our layers and enjoy the gentle summer sunshine. The quiet paths and sheltered walking trails are super easy, so it felt like a nice break from the harsh yet spectacular landscapes throughout the rest of the country.

More ‘normal’, yes, but incredibly peaceful.

5. Explore Hverir Geothermal Area

Look, I’ll be straight with you – Hverir stinks. But persevere through the sulphur smell and you can spend a good hour exploring the most spectacular geothermal area in Iceland.

The vibrant orange landscape is marked by bubbling mud, steaming vents and mineral-streaked rocks of all shades.

When looking at Google reviews, I was honestly super confused at why this spot had such negative reviews. The parking fee is a little steep, but considering most areas of natural beauty in Iceland are free of charge, it feels like a small price to pay. It’s well maintained, with paths around the main sections and you can hike up the mountain peak too.

6. Krafla Crater and Leirhnjúkur Lava Fields

A short drive from Hverir and Mývatn Nature Baths, Krafla Crater and Leirhnjúkur Lava Fields make for a great day exploring all different types of Iceland’s geothermal wonders! I’ve combined the two because, while technically different attractions, they’re so close together that you can easily tick both off in one visit.

Krafla itself is a volcanic crater lake with super blue water that’s great for a quick stop. There are definite parallels to be found with Kerið Crater on Iceland’s Golden Circle!

However, after driving through some pretty boring lava fields on the south coast (sorry), I was super impressed by Leirhnjúkur Lava Fields.

Formed in the 1970s, the area has an interesting history and it’s so big that you could spend a good amount of time exploring the gently steaming, rugged landscape.

7. Spot Game of Thrones location, Grjótagjá Cave

The temperature in the cave noticeably increases when you duck your head inside – a sure sign of some major geothermal activity! The waters are impressively blue but with no bathing allowed, it’s a quick look in and out rather than somewhere you can spend a significant amount of time.

You can also walk to the nearby Stóragjá canyon which is lukewarm and ‘just about’ accessible for a dip – if your arm strength is decent.

If you’re not a GoT fan, it wouldn’t be the highest on my list of things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle, but it’s not a bad stop if you’re already passing nearby.

8. Admire Goðafoss

A powerful, horseshoe-shaped cascade, the “Waterfall of the Gods” is super accessible with two car parks nearby.

Goðafoss is one of the busier attractions in Northern Iceland, as you can see the waterfall for quite a few different angles, but as the area is quite spread out, you don’t feel like you’re jostling for space or the best views.

I’d recommend seeing Goðafoss on your way to Akureyri, as it’s more on the edge of the Golden Circle locations.

9. Choose which thermal baths to visit

The Diamond Circle has two excellent options for geothermal baths so if you have enough time, a soak in one of these is a great treat!

Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths | 7490 ISK per adult

With naturally heated seawater and a stunning view of the North Atlantic, Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths are really convenient for those staying in Húsavík. I wish we’d made time for here, but with a long day when we visited, it was fast going dark when we finished our whale watching tour!

Mývatn Nature Baths | from 7900 ISK per adult

Northern Iceland’s (cheaper) answer to the Blue Lagoon, it’s one of the few places in Iceland you’re able to bathe in milky blue mineral-rich waters.

If I’m being totally honest, we had fully planned to visit Mývatn Nature Baths instead of the Blue Lagoon. However, the smell at Hverir was SO strong that I panicked, thinking that I wouldn’t be able to chill if the baths had a similar odour. Obviously I regret that decision in hindsight!

A bonus extra: the Arctic Henge

While not officially part of the Iceland’s Diamond Circle, Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn makes a long but fascinating detour if you’re already exploring Ásbyrgi or want to get as close as possible to the Arctic Circle while in Iceland. Knowing we were stood on mainland Iceland’s most northern settlement was a bit surreal – it’s officially the furthest north I’ve ever been on this planet.

While it’s still under construction, the Arctic Henge is designed as a modern monument inspired by Norse mythology so if that’s your type of vibe (or you’re a big fan of visiting Stonehenge or similar) and you have time, check it out.

Summary | Things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle

So, is it worth it? You’ll know by now, it’s a must-do!

Quieter, more expansive and varied – especially if you get good weather – there are so many things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle that you can easily feel like you’ve visited three different countries in a day.

The great thing about sightseeing in Iceland is that it can be as expensive or affordable as your budget allows. Aside from parking and the obvious big ticket attractions like whale watching and Geothermal baths, all the spots listed in this guide are totally free to visit.

If your trip is more on the budget side, my article on how to plan an affordable trip to Iceland will be super useful for you.

Laura x

Looking for your next Iceland itinerary? If you’re short on time, here’s what I’d recommend for a 5 day Iceland South Coast road trip based on our experience!