Winter is a beautiful season for a visit to Iceland. Waking up to the city and mountains covered with a fresh blanket of snow is an amazing start of the day. Also, some of Iceland’s natural wonders are only visible in winter, like the northern lights and ice caves. In this article, we will tell you about one of those destinations that is even prettier in winter than in summer: Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon.
What is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lake in Southeast Iceland (380km, 236mi from Reykjavík), formed by meltwater from Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier of Europe. It is beautiful to see from land, with big and small icebergs floating in the lagoon against the backdrop of the impressive Vatnajökull glacier. The lagoon is located right next to a parking lot with a small coffeehouse. The short walk to the lagoon is over easy terrain so you don’t have to go on a difficult hike to enjoy this natural wonder.
Diamond Beach is a famous black beach located on a short walk’s distance from the lagoon. Just walk under the bridge over the lagoon towards the ocean. On this beach, thousands of ice blocks, both large and small, are washed onto shore. They are fascinating to look at and it’s also a great setting for photos.
Seal watching
On the big ice blocks in Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, you can often spot seals resting and sunbathing. You can also see them swimming through the currents. Bring binoculars, it’s great to see them in their natural habitat!
How to get to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
Self-drive
If you rent a car, you can go on a self-drive to Jökulsárlón lagoon. The drive is 380km [236mi] and this should take you about 5 hours from Reykjavík without stops. However, it’s quite a drive so a few stops along the way are probably a good idea, for instance at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skógafoss waterfall, or Vík’s black sand beach. Make sure to check the weather forecast and road conditions before you head out.
Take a bus
You can take public transportation to the glacier lagoon. From bus station Mjódd in Reykjavík, you can take bus 51 or 52 in the direction of Höfn í Hornafirði. The second to last stop is Jökulsárlón. At the time of writing, a one-way trip will cost 25 tickets, or 12,250 ISK.
Book a guided tour
Booking a guided tour is the most comfortable way to see the glacier lagoon. You don’t have to worry about road conditions or the route, you can eat a snack, enjoy the beautiful landscape, and you will hear all kinds of interesting facts about Iceland along the way!
