Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Iceland's Other Ice Lagoons (2027)

Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is the best alternative to Jökulsárlón. It lies 10 km to the west on Route 1, it is smaller and quieter, and the glacier wall rises right at the far side of the water. Further off the main road, Breiðárlón and Heinabergslón are wilder still. This guide compares the south coast's glacier lagoons beyond Jökulsárlón, how to reach them and what you can do at each.

Which glacier lagoons are there besides Jökulsárlón?

The main ones are Fjallsárlón, Breiðárlón and Heinabergslón, all fed by outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, plus the young lagoon at Sólheimajökull further west. They are all free to visit, but they differ a lot in access and facilities.

What is Fjallsárlón like?

Fjallsárlón is a glacier lagoon at the foot of Fjallsjökull, a steep, heavily crevassed outlet of Vatnajökull. Icebergs float close to the shore, and the glacier front is near enough that you can sometimes hear ice break off. The lagoon has grown a great deal since the 1940s as the glacier has retreated, and it is still growing.

It is about 47 km east of Skaftafell and 10 km west of Jökulsárlón, about 4.5 to 5 hours' drive from Reykjavík. From the car park, a short walk over the moraine brings you to the shore. There are toilets and the Frost restaurant by the car park, but no fuel or shop. Fewer tour buses stop here than at Jökulsárlón, so it is usually much quieter.

A Zodiac tour is the way to get close to the glacier wall. Tours run from about April to November, last 75 to 90 minutes in total with about 45 minutes on the water, and accept children from 5. They cost from about US$93 per adult in 2026. Meet at the tour reception behind the Frost restaurant, and book ahead in summer.

How does Fjallsárlón compare with Jökulsárlón?

Fjallsárlón is smaller, closer to its glacier and much calmer. Jökulsárlón is bigger, has more facilities and has Diamond Beach across the road. If you have time, see both: they are only about 12 minutes apart.

• Choose Fjallsárlón for a close view of the glacier front, fewer people and a quieter Zodiac trip.
• Choose Jökulsárlón for the amphibian boat, seals at the lagoon mouth, ice on Diamond Beach and winter ice caves.

Our Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach guide covers the bigger lagoon, its parking fee and its boat tours.

How do you get to Breiðárlón?

Breiðárlón lies between Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, in front of Breiðamerkurjökull, and is reached by a rough track of about 3 km off Route 1. Expect ruts and deep puddles. A 4x4 or a car with good clearance is advisable, and small two-wheel-drive cars should not try it in ice or heavy rain. You can also walk in along the track, or hike across the moraines from the Fjallsárlón side. The Breiðá river drains from Breiðárlón into Fjallsárlón.

There are no facilities, no marked car park and no scheduled boat tours, so most visitors have the lagoon almost to themselves. The nearest toilets and cafés are at Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón. Check your rental terms before driving the track, keep to it, and turn back if it looks worse than your car can handle. Driving off marked tracks is illegal in Iceland.

What is Heinabergslón like?

Heinabergslón is a lagoon in front of Heinabergsjökull, another outlet of Vatnajökull, about 30 minutes from Höfn. Turn off Route 1 about 1.5 km after the Kolgríma river bridge, at a small sign for Heinabergsjökull, and follow the gravel road for about 15 minutes to a car park in front of the glacier.

It is best known for guided kayak trips, which run from June to September, take about three hours and go out twice a day. Paddling among the icebergs below the glacier is one of the quietest ways to see the ice in Iceland. Only paddle with a guide: the water is close to freezing, and icebergs can roll without warning.

What about the lagoon at Sólheimajökull?

At Sólheimajökull, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavík, a lagoon has been forming in front of the glacier since around 2011 and is about 60 m deep in places. It sits between the car park trail and the ice, and is the main reason the way onto the glacier keeps changing.

In July 2026 the Icelandic Met Office warned that a new lagoon had thinned the ice ridge used to reach the glacier, with deep lagoons on either side and a risk of rockfall above the path. Enjoy the view from the trail, and go onto the ice only on a guided hike. Our glacier hiking guide explains the options.

Keep off the ice and out of the water. Do not climb onto icebergs, stranded ice or the glacier front, and do not swim or paddle in any lagoon without a guide. Calving ice can send waves across the water.

Which lagoon should you visit?

If you only have time for one stop besides Jökulsárlón, make it Fjallsárlón. It is right on the Ring Road, needs only a short walk, and gives you the closest easy view of a glacier front in the area.

• Short on time: Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón together, in about three hours.
• Want solitude: Breiðárlón, if your car and the track conditions allow.
• Staying in Höfn in summer: a kayak trip on Heinabergslón.
• Coming from Reykjavík for the day: the Sólheimajökull lagoon from the viewpoint trail, with a guided hike.

What should you bring to the glacier lagoons?

Bring warm, windproof layers, because cold air drains off the glaciers and the lagoon shores are often much colder than the road. Waterproof boots help on the wet moraine paths at Fjallsárlón and Breiðárlón. Carry food and water for the quieter lagoons, which have no café, and fill the tank before you set off, as there is no fuel at the lagoons themselves. A pair of binoculars is useful for watching the glacier fronts from a safe distance.

When is the best time to visit the glacier lagoons?

The lagoons are open all year. Summer gives long days, boat and kayak tours and easier roads. In winter, the lagoons can partly freeze, the tracks to Breiðárlón and Heinabergslón may be icy or impassable, and days are short, but you may see the northern lights over the ice. Early morning is the calmest and quietest time at any season. Check road.is and vedur.is before driving any gravel road.

For the wider picture, read our guide to Iceland's glaciers and the Vatnajökull National Park guide. See the Fjallsárlón and Breiðamerkurjökull pages for photos.

Facts checked October 2026. Lagoon shores, tracks and tour seasons change every year as the glaciers retreat. Check road.is before driving to Breiðárlón or Heinabergslón, and confirm tour dates with the operators.