Perhaps no other place on earth has so many ethereal and otherworldly landscapes than Iceland—the precise reason why so many incredible movies have been filmed in this magical country. Here are 10 filming locations in Iceland that are worth planning a trip to see.
1. Fast and Furious 8 (2017)
If you’ve seen Fast and Furious 8, you may have wondered where the epic, frozen lake car chase scene was filmed. That would be none other than Lake Myvatn in Iceland’s north.
There were actually three different locations filmed in Iceland for Fast and Furious 8. Lake Myvatn is, of course, where the car chase scene took place, but some scenes also show Skútustaðir, a tiny village on the southern shores of the lake. The town of Akranes, situated in West Iceland, also makes an appearance in a shoot-out scene.
Visitors can reach Lake Myvatn by following the Ring Road (Route 1) north from Reykjavik. The route follows the northern shores of the lake itself, a journey that takes about 6 hours from the capital.
The best rental car options for this adventure include a standard vehicle in the summer months (May-September) and a 4WD vehicle in the winter months (October-April).
Although this scene might have you daydreaming about your own off-road adventure in Iceland, leaving paved or gravel roadways is illegal and strictly enforced by local law enforcement.
Exact shooting Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
Mývatn
Located in northern Iceland, Lake Mývatn is famous for its dramatic landscapes of lava fields, pseudocraters, and geothermal features. In Fast and Furious 8, this frozen lake set the stage for the thrilling car chase scene, with its icy expanse providing a stark and cinematic backdrop.
Skútustaðir
This tiny village on the southern shores of Lake Mývatn is known for its distinctive pseudocraters formed by past volcanic activity. Skútustaðir’s unique terrain of grassy craters and serene lake views briefly appears in the film, adding a touch of Icelandic charm to the intense action.
Akranes
Situated in West Iceland, Akranes offers a coastal setting with scenic views and iconic lighthouses. The town features in a shoot-out scene, showcasing its industrial yet picturesque landscape, just a short drive from Reykjavik.
2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Stunning Icelandic landscapes stars in the opening scene of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The camera flies over black sand beaches and craggy, mountains covered in greenery, scenery that could only be Southern Iceland!
These scenes were filmed near the town of Vik on the Mýrdalssandur Plane and feature the peaks of Hafursey and Hjörleifshöfði in the background. The nearby cave of Gygjagja is also shown a bit later in the opening scenes. Visitors will see that the cave’s outline resembles the silhouette of Yoda, hence the nickname Yoda Cave.
Getting to these locations by car is easy. Take the Ring Road (Route 1) south out of Reykjavik, and you’ll reach them just after passing through the town of Vik.
Your best rental car option is a standard car in the summer months, although you may want to rent a 4WD vehicle in the winter, depending on snow and ice levels.
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
Mýrdalssandur
This expansive black sand plain, located near Vik, sets the scene with its stark and otherworldly landscape, perfectly capturing the alien planet vibes in the opening of Rogue One.
Yoda Cave
Known for its unique entrance resembling Yoda’s silhouette, this cave (Gygjagja) near Vik adds a touch of mystery to the film, appearing later in the opening sequence.
Hafursey
A striking mountain with lush greenery on its slopes, Hafursey serves as a dramatic backdrop in the opening scenes, highlighting Iceland’s rugged beauty.
Hjörleifshöfði
This isolated mountain, rising from the black sands near Vik, adds to the cinematic grandeur of the Rogue One landscape, enhancing the film’s epic feel.
3. Interstellar (2014)
Only Iceland could have two diverse enough landscapes to represent completely different planets. That’s why the Land of Fire and Ice was the perfect backdrop for the film Interstellar. Even more wild—these locations are only separated by an hour’s drive.
The first location, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, is just off the Ring Road (Route 1) in Southern Iceland, while the second location, Svínafellsjökull Glacier, is also located along the Ring Road about an hour further east.
You can reach both of these otherworldly locations by following the Ring Road (Route 1) south out of the capital of Reykjavik and heading counterclockwise.
Because both of these locations are just off the Ring Road, you can easily get by with a standard vehicle in the summer months (May-September), although you might want to upgrade to a 4WD vehicle in the winter months (October-April).
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows Ben Stiller (aka Walter Mitty) on a quest to find himself again. Lots of locations across Iceland were used as film backdrops, including the tiny fishing village of Garður, home to the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður, Hveradalir, Fjallsárlón, Kalfafellsdalur, Höfn, and Seyðisfjörður. These locations are spread across Iceland from Reykjavik to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the East Fjords.
Most of these locations can be reached from paved roads like the Ring Road (Route 1) but some will require a 4×4 car.To make sure you can reach all of these locations, be sure to rent a 4WD vehicle and visit in the summer months.
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
5. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The second movie in the Thor series that Marvel created, Thor: The Dark World has many scenes that are set on the planet Asgard. This is where Iceland’s iconic scenery comes in!
Several different locations were used in the filming of Thor: The Dark World, including the Mars-like landscapes of Landmannalaugar and both the Dettifoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls.
Landmannalaguar can be reached from Reykjavik in three hours, first by following the Ring Road south and then taking Landvegur Road before turning onto F225. Skógafoss is easy to reach from Reykjavik by following the Ring Road (Route 1) south for two hours. Dettifoss is a bit further, with a 6.5-hour journey from Reykjavik. You’ll once again follow the Ring Road (Route 1) before turning left onto Route 862.
You’ll need a 4WD vehicle to reach Landmannalaugar, which is only accessible in the summer months, but Dettifoss and Skógafoss can be reached with a standard vehicle in summer.
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
6. Prometheus (2012)
A spooky science-fiction movie directed by Ridley Scott, Prometheus needed an equally mysterious backdrop. Filming locations for Prometheus in Iceland included Hekla Volcano and the beautiful Dettifoss Waterfall.
Hekla can be easily viewed from the Hekla Center along Landvegur Road, about 1.5 hours from Reykjavik. You’ll follow the Ring Road (Route 1) south before turning onto Landvegur Road. Dettifoss is a much longer journey at 6.5 hours from the capital, a route that follows the Ring Road north and then turns onto Route 862.
Seeing Hekla from the Hekla Center can only be accomplished in the summer months as Landvegur (Route 26) is a gravel road. You’ll need a 4WD vehicle. A standard vehicle is perfectly capable of reaching Dettifoss in the summer months, but a 4WD vehicle is necessary in winter.
Exact Filming Locations:
7. Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
Based on the legendary book by Jules Verne, which partially takes place in Iceland, the film Journey to the Center of the Earth recounts a modern day man’s epic adventure to see if Professor Lidenbrocks adventures were real.
The movie’s filming locations were scattered around the Snæfellsness Peninsula, including the Snæfellsjökull glacier. It takes 3 hours to reach the Snæfellsjökull glacier from Reykjavik, following the Ring Road north before turning onto Route 54 in Borgarnes.
The Snæfellsness Peninsula can be accessed by standard vehicle most of the year in Iceland, although it is advised to rent a 4WD vehicle during the winter months.
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
8. Batman Begins (2005)
The very first film in The Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman Begins,by christopher nolan has several scenes that were filmed in Iceland, which provided the perfect moody weather for Bruce Wayne’s training with the League of Shadows.
The Svinafellsjökull glacier was the backdrop for all of the scenes shot in Batman Begins. Visitors can reach the glacier in four hours and 20 minutes by taking the Ring Road (Route 1) counterclockwise out of Reykjavik.
Renting a standard vehicle is fine for most of the year. In the winter months, a 4WD vehicle might be required depending on snow.
Exact Filming Locations-Click to see the location on Google Map:
9. James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)
James Bond films are known for having spectacular scenery, and Die Another Day was no exception. Of course, James Bond movies also have to have an evil lair, and what better place to build an ice palace than Iceland?
Although the evil lair doesn’t exist, the Jökulsárlón Lagoon was the backdrop for an epic chase scene.
Visitors can easily reach the Jökulsárlón Lagoon via the Ring Road, traveling in a counterclockwise direction in 5 hours from Reykjavik.
You’ll be able to reach Jökulsárlón Lagoon with a standard vehicle for most of the year. Winter can be a different story with snow and ice and it’s advised to rent a 4WD vehicle.
Exact Filming Locations:-Click to see the location on Google Map:
Jökulsárlón
Set against the backdrop of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull glacier, the Jökulsárlón Lagoon is filled with stunning icebergs and glacial beauty, making it the perfect setting for the epic car chase scene in Die Another Day. The vast ice fields and dramatic landscapes highlight the icy grandeur that fits perfectly with the film’s theme of an evil lair hidden in Iceland’s frozen wilderness.
10. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
What better place to set an action and adventure movie than Iceland’s rugged landscapes? The Land of Fire and Ice starred in the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider film which shows scenery from the Jökulsárlón Lagoon.
Although these scenes weren’t meant to portray the icy landscapes of Siberia, you can visit Jökulsárlón in just 5 hours from Reykjavik, heading counterclockwise around the Ring Road (Route 1).
A standard vehicle can reach Jökulsárlón Lagoon for most of the year, aside from winter when all roads in Iceland can become covered in snow and ice. While the scenes in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider show off-roading, keep in mind that this is strictly forbidden in Iceland and may result in fines and jail time.
Conclusion
Whether you want to recreate scenes from Interstellar’s galactic landscapes or see the inspiration behind Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, renting a car through Firefly Iceland is the first step in planning your epic adventures in Iceland.
