Blue lupine flowers bloom in the foreground with a harbor town across a bay under a blue sky.

The Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle is one of Iceland's best driving routes and a great way to explore some of the highlights of North Iceland. The route covers about 250 kilometers (155 miles) and takes you to places like Dettifoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, Ásbyrgi Canyon, and Húsavík, one of the country's best whale-watching destinations.

Those are the main attractions, but there's plenty more to see along the way. Volcanic landscapes, geothermal areas, lava fields, hot springs, and smaller waterfalls are scattered throughout the route, making it easy to spend a full day or even longer exploring the region. This guide will help you find the best stops and plan your Diamond Circle trip.

Full Diamond Circle Guide

The Diamond Circle’s 5 Main Attractions

Most people drive the Diamond Circle to visit its five main attractions: Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi Canyon, and Húsavík. Each stop offers something a little different, from powerful waterfalls and volcanic landscapes to dramatic canyon views and some of the best whale watching in Iceland.

A powerful waterfall plunges into turquoise water amidst rocky cliffs under a vibrant sunset sky.

Goðafoss

Historic waterfall of the gods

Aerial view of Lake Mývatn, Iceland, showing grassy terrain dotted with numerous dark pseudo-craters, a vast blue lake, and a prominent conical mountain under a clear sky.

Lake Mývatn Area

Volcanic landscapes and geothermal wonders

A powerful waterfall plunges into mist, with a rainbow at its base and a line of people visible on a rocky cliff edge to the left.

Dettifoss

Europe's most powerful waterfall

Aerial view of a deep, verdant canyon with a path through dense trees leading to vivid turquoise pools.

Ásbyrgi Canyon

Horseshoe-shaped canyon and hiking trails

A colorful harbor town with a church steeple and boats docked in turquoise water, backed by a green mountain.

Húsavík

Iceland's whale-watching capital

A street with a crosswalk leading to a row of rustic wooden buildings bathed in warm sunlight under a blue sky.

What's the Best Way to Explore the Diamond Circle?

There are a few ways to explore the Diamond Circle, but most travelers choose to drive it themselves. Having your own car gives you the freedom to spend more time at places like Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, or Ásbyrgi, and makes it easier to add extra stops along the route.

Guided tours are available, especially from Akureyri and Húsavík, and can be a good option if you don't want to drive. But if you'd like to visit some of the area's smaller attractions, take your time, or adjust your plans along the way, a self-drive trip is usually the better choice.

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Diamond Circle Add-ons

Most people focus on the five main Diamond Circle attractions, but some of the region's best experiences are found along the way. Places like the Mývatn Nature Baths, Hverir geothermal area, Dimmuborgir lava fields, Hverfjall crater, and Grjótagjá cave are all easy to reach from the main route and can add a lot to your trip without requiring a major detour.

Vibrant blue geothermal hot springs with wooden walkways under a cloudy sky.

Earth Lagoon Mývatn

Geothermal lagoon with volcanic views

Vibrant geothermal landscape with steaming mud pots and cracked, colorful earth.

Hverir

Bubbling mud pots and steam

Winding paths through a volcanic field of dark, jagged rocks covered in green moss and shrubs, with people walking and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

Dimmuborgir

Lava formations and walking trails

Aerial view of a dark, wide volcanic crater surrounded by barren, rugged terrain and distant hills.

Hverfjall Crater

Massive volcanic crater hike

A natural cave with a clear, bright blue pool of water.

Grjótagjá Cave

Lava cave with hot spring

A person views a bright turquoise crater lake with snow-dusted reddish walls under a dramatic red sky.

Víti Crater

Volcanic crater and geothermal area

A river flows past a tall rock formation amidst steep, green and rocky banks under an overcast sky.

Hljóðaklettar Basalt Cliffs

Unique basalt rock formations

A cream-colored church with a teal roof and spire stands in a grassy cemetery, with a lake and dark mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.

Reykjahlíð

Gateway village to Lake Mývatn

A person in a steamy geothermal pool overlooking a vast body of water and distant mountains under a blue sky.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Diamond Circle?

You can drive the Diamond Circle at any time of year, but summer is usually the best time to visit. Between June and August, you'll have long days, easier driving conditions, and full access to attractions like Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and the Lake Mývatn area. It's also one of the best times of year for whale watching in Húsavík.

Winter brings a very different experience, with snow-covered landscapes, frozen waterfalls, and a chance to see the Northern Lights. Spring and autumn sit somewhere in between, with fewer visitors and changing scenery while still offering good conditions for exploring.

If you're looking for the easiest trip and the most flexibility, summer is generally the best time to drive the Diamond Circle.

Learn about summer in Iceland

Hidden Gems Along the Diamond Circle

If you've already covered the Diamond Circle's main attractions and the most popular add-on stops, these hidden gems are worth considering. Most are easy to include with a short detour or quick stop, and while they're not as famous as places like Dettifoss or Lake Mývatn, they often offer quieter viewpoints, fewer crowds, and a chance to see parts of North Iceland that many travelers miss.

Aerial view of a green landscape with multiple lakes and numerous circular volcanic mounds, with bright sunlight reflecting on the water.

Skútustaðagígar Pseudo-Craters

Unique volcanic landforms by lake

A wide blue waterfall in a snowy winter landscape with a few people on a cliff.

Selfoss Waterfall

Scenic waterfall beside Dettifoss

A group of puffins on a grassy, rocky slope with a dark pebble background.

Tjörnes Peninsula

Coastal cliffs and wildlife

Vibrant sunset over the ocean, silhouetting a resort building and outdoor pools.

GeoSea Baths

Oceanfront geothermal baths and views

Höfði and Kálfaströnd

Lava pillars by Lake Mývatn

A winding road lined with purple flowers leads to a white church and houses with red roofs in a green, hilly landscape under a blue, cloudy sky.

Kópasker Village

Quiet village off the route

A wide view of a river flowing through a deep canyon, featuring a large waterfall and green patches, under a partly cloudy sky.

Hafragilsfoss Viewpoint

Canyon views and waterfall

A vibrant blue-green lake surrounded by autumn foliage and tall, dark cliffs.

Botnstjörn Pond

Hidden pond inside Ásbyrgi

The Diamond Circle On The Map

The Diamond Circle covers a large area of North Iceland, and many of its best attractions are spread out across the route. Use this map to see where the main stops, popular add-ons, and lesser-known attractions are located so you can plan your route more easily.

Diamond Circle Tailored Itineraries

Most people drive the Diamond Circle to visit places like Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi Canyon, and Húsavík, but there's a lot more to the route than those five stops. Depending on how much time you have, you can also visit places like Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall, Grjótagjá, GeoSea, and a handful of quieter spots that many travelers overlook, which is why we've put together Diamond Circle itineraries for different trip lengths.

A clear blue pool nestled within a rocky cave.
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Aerial view of a deep canyon filled with lush green forest, a winding path, and small turquoise pools.
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2-Day Diamond Circle Itinerary: Relaxed Route, Best Stops, Overnight Plan & Winter Travel Tips

A wide waterfall cascades into a turquoise river, surrounded by green cliffs and distant mountains under a cloudy blue sky.
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FAQs About the Golden Circle

Here are some commonly requested answers that will help you make the most of your trip.

Yes. The Diamond Circle is one of the best road trips in North Iceland, with some of the region's most impressive waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, canyons, and coastal scenery all along the same route. It takes a little more time to reach than the Golden Circle, but many travelers feel it's one of the highlights of a trip around Iceland.

Yes, but conditions vary more than on the Golden Circle. Many of the main attractions can be visited throughout the year, though winter weather can sometimes affect road conditions and access to certain areas. It's always a good idea to check road conditions before setting out.

Many travelers drive the Diamond Circle in a day, but having extra time makes a big difference. It gives you the chance to visit places like Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall, GeoSea, and some of the smaller stops that are easy to skip when you're in a hurry.

They're quite different experiences. The Golden Circle is closer to Reykjavík and focuses on some of Iceland's most famous attractions, while the Diamond Circle offers a quieter route through North Iceland with waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, whale watching, and fewer crowds. If you have enough time, both are worth including in your trip.