Iceland Krafla Vita Crater - Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle Iceland: A First-Hand Guide to North Iceland’s Most Dramatic Route

ByAmber Hours

After driving the full Ring Road of Iceland, I quickly realized that some of the country’s most memorable landscapes weren’t in the south – they were tucked away in North Iceland along the Diamond Circle.

This Diamond Circle guide is based on my own experience driving the route and timing it as part of a longer Iceland road trip. Below, I’ll walk you through what the Diamond Circle is, the best stops, how long you need, and why it’s worth prioritizing if you’re planning a Ring Road itinerary.

What Is the Diamond Circle?

The Diamond Circle is a roughly 250 km (155 mile) scenic loop in North Iceland that connects some of the region’s most powerful natural sights.

The main stops include:

  • Dettifoss
  • Lake Mývatn
  • Húsavík
  • Goðafoss
  • Ásbyrgi Canyon

I drove this loop as part of a longer Ring Road journey – something I highly recommend if your schedule allows.

How to get to the diamond circle

From Akureyri, it is about a 45 minute drive to reach the Diamond Circle.

Most people visit the Diamond Circle naturally in North Iceland through apart of their larger Iceland road trip on the Ring Road – typically completed in over 7+ days.

👉 Check out my 12 day Ring Road Itinerary

If you’re driving from Reykjavík, the fastest route to the Diamond Circle is via the north route on the Ring Road. The drive is about 5–6 hours to reach Akureyri, without extended stops. This option works best if you’re already planning a longer road trip through Iceland.

If you’re short on time or planning a dedicated visit to North Iceland, flying is the easiest option.

Flights from Reykjavík to Akureyri take about 45 minutes, making it possible to explore the Diamond Circle without committing to a full Ring Road drive.

Once in Akureyri, there are several guided tours that cover the main Diamond Circle highlights- a great option if you prefer not to self-drive.

Why the Diamond Circle Is Worth It

After spending time in both South and North Iceland, the Diamond Circle became one of the most memorable sections of my trip.

It was overall quieter and felt more local. After several hours of non-stop driving, it was also a welcomed stop.

If you enjoy waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, hiking, and photography – and want fewer crowds – the Diamond Circle delivers all of that without feeling overrun.

How long does the diamond circle take?

If you were to drive straight through, the Diamond Circle itself would take about 4 hours, but most people spend 8+ hours exploring.

Our Diamond Circle Itinerary (What We Actually Did)

When planning our time in North Iceland, we built a flexible Diamond Circle itinerary knowing we wouldn’t hit every stop. We stayed over night in Husavik and had several hours of driving on both ends of the Diamond Circle, so we didn’t do it in a traditional “loop” fashion.

Here’s how our Diamond Circle route played out & what we prioritized:

Dettifoss

  • Detifoss iceland
  • Detifoss

Dettifoss was our top priority on the Diamond Circle – and it absolutely delivered. Standing here, you don’t just see the waterfall, you feel it. The sound, the mist, and the sheer volume of water make it one of the most powerful places we visited in Iceland.

We accessed Dettifoss from the west side, which worked best for our timing and weather conditions. If you have extra time and stable weather, the east side offers two different viewpoints: a close-up, almost bird’s-eye perspective and a farther, full-scale view. I haven’t personally visited the east side, but the road is longer, more gravel-heavy, and more impacted by weather.

The west bank is accessed by a paved road and is slightly shorter. There are two viewpoints here: the first is about a 10-minute walk, and from there you can continue down a set of stairs to the lower viewpoint for a more expansive angle.

Fair warning – the west side was freezing when we visited. Between the wind and how much the waterfall sprays, it was incredibly slick. Watch your footing and expect to get wet.

  • myvatn nature baths - earth nature baths iceland
  • Earth Nature Baths Myvatn , iceland

Earth Lagoon (Mývatn Nature Baths)

After a day of driving and walking in windy conditions, the Mývatn Nature Baths – now known as Earth Lagoon – were exactly what we needed. They are often compared to the Blue Lagoon, as both hold a blue tint. In the lagoon you’ll view weeping views over the volcanic landscape.

Soaking here in the evening was one of the most memorable parts of our Diamond Circle day and helped break up the constant pace of waterfall-hopping.

  • lake myvatn geothermal area
  • myvatn lake

Námaskarð Hverir

Námaskarð Hverir is located in the Lake Myvatn area and was one of the most visually striking stops of the day. Bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and sulfur-stained earth make this area feel almost unreal – especially under cloudy skies.

We also stopped at the Námafjall viewpoint, which gives a wider perspective of just how active this geothermal area really is. This was a short stop, but one that left a big impression.

  • Husavik Iceland
  • Husavik Iceland
  • Husavik

Húsavík

We stayed overnight in Húsavík, and it was the perfect way to get a close up picture of life in small town Iceland. Known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, the town itself is charming even if you don’t take a boat tour.

One of the highlights of our stay was visiting GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths. It was smaller than some of the other geothermal spas we visited, but I loved how the pools overlook the ocean – it was both beautiful and incredibly relaxing.

We also spent time walking around the harbor and enjoying the quieter coastal atmosphere. Ending the day here felt much calmer than pushing on to another waterfall or hike.

👉 Book your whale watching excursions in Húsavík

lake myvatn krafla crater iceland

Krafla Viti Crater

The Viti Crater at Krafla was a highlight of our northern Iceland trip. The bright blue crater lake immediately caught my attention – I’m a sucker for big blue lakes, and this one delivered.

What surprised me most was how accessible it was. Usually, lakes this color come at the end of a long backpacking trip… but here, you can walk right up to the crater rim and take it all in.

The contrast between the turquoise water and the dark volcanic landscape makes this an easy stop with a big payoff.

godafoss iceland

Goðafoss

Goðafoss felt completely different from Dettifoss – and that contrast is part of what makes the Diamond Circle so special. Its name translates to “Waterfall of the Gods.”

When Iceland transitioned to Christianity, a goði (a lawmaker with religious authority) is said to have thrown statues of the Norse gods into this waterfall, solidifying its name.

While Dettifoss is raw and overpowering, Goðafoss feels wider, calmer, and more symbolic. Knowing the history made this stop feel like more than just another waterfall – it felt like a place where Iceland’s natural beauty and cultural history intersect.

Stops We Considered — But Skipped

Even though the Diamond Circle is packed with incredible sights, we didn’t try to see everything. These were the places we considered adding, but ultimately skipped based on time, road conditions, and pacing.

Ásbyrgi Canyon

A massive horseshoe-shaped canyon tied to Icelandic folklore and often called the “Shelter of the Gods.” It’s a beautiful and peaceful stop, but visiting properly would have required more driving time than we had.

Grjótagjá

A small lava cave with striking blue geothermal water. While it’s visually stunning, the water temperature is unsafe for swimming making it an easy skip if you’re short on time.

Dimmuborgir

A maze of lava formations and natural arches near Lake Mývatn. It’s conveniently located, but best enjoyed when you have extra time to wander the walking paths rather than rushing through.

We arrived in Húsavík after coming from the south and visiting Dettifoss. We arrived in the afternoon to do our whale watching tour, which was subsequently cancelled due to weather. Had we known this sooner, we likely would have made a stop at Ásbyrgi Canyon before arriving.

How Long Should You Spend on the Diamond Circle?

From my experience:

  • 1 day: Possible, but rushed
  • 2 days: Ideal for most travelers
  • 3 days: Best for slow travel and photography focused trips

If you’re driving the Ring Road, spending at least one night near Lake Mývatn makes the experience far more relaxed. We stayed at Husavik Cape Hotel and had a great experience.

Best Time to Visit

  • Summer (June–September): Best road conditions and access
  • Shoulder seasons: Fewer crowds, moodier skies
  • Winter: Possible but weather-dependent

Final Thoughts

After driving the full Ring Road, the Diamond Circle stood out as one of the most powerful and underrated sections of my trip. It offers a slower, more immersive experience of Iceland- one that rewards travelers willing to go a little farther north.

If you’re planning a longer Iceland itinerary, this route is absolutely worth building into your plans.

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring the world through hiking, food, culture, and the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.

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