The Diamond Circle Iceland Explained

If the Golden Circle is Iceland’s classic first-timer loop, the Diamond Circle is its northern counterpart, a shorter, quieter drive linking together some of North Iceland’s biggest names in one route. It doesn’t get anywhere near the crowds the Golden Circle does, mostly because it sits so much further from Reykjavik, but for anyone already up in Mývatn or Húsavík, it’s the natural way to string some more highlights together. Here’s our guide to the Diamond Circle…

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If you’re trying to work out what’s actually included in Iceland’s Diamond Circle, here’s the rundown: the five stops that make it up, how it compares to the Golden Circle, getting there, where to stay, and where to eat. We’ve covered every one of these stops properly, in full depth, in our North Iceland guide, so consider this the map, and that the territory.

Before I start, let me cover the fact that you’ll get most out of this route if you’re self-driving, and so I’ve prepared a series of informational guides on that.

• Driving in Iceland, what you need to know
• Renting a car in Iceland – insurance, additional options and more
• Parking in Iceland – oh yes, this gets an entire post on its own
• Do you actually need a car in Iceland?  I answer the question in this post.
• Iceland without a car

What’s Included in the Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle is a loop through five main stops: Goðafoss, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, Mývatn, and Húsavík. It’s a similar idea to the Golden Circle, a handful of headline attractions that are close enough together to link into one drive, just further north and considerably less crowded.

Goðafoss

The “Waterfall of the Gods,” named for the legend that Iceland’s lawspeaker threw statues of the old Norse gods into it after the country converted to Christianity around 1000 AD. Wide, symmetrical, and one of the easiest stops on this whole loop. There are full details on Godafoss here, but here’s the headline info you’ll need.

• How to get to Goðafoss: right off Route 1, between Akureyri and Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Goðafoss: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Dettifoss

One of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls by volume, a raw, largely unfenced wall of glacial water dropping into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Full details, including which side of the canyon to approach from, are in my guide here.

• How to get to Dettifoss: off Route 862 (west side, paved) or Route 864 (east side, gravel, better views).
• How long to spend at Dettifoss: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free

Ásbyrgi

This horseshoe-shaped canyon in the same national park system as Dettifoss, with a legend attached: Sleipnir.  Odin’s eight-legged horse is said to have left the hoofprint that formed it. There’s more on Ásbyrgi in my guide here.

• How to get to Ásbyrgi: north of Dettifoss on Route 85.
• How long to spend at Ásbyrgi: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Húsavík

Iceland’s whale-watching capital, with high spotting success rates and an amazing harborside whale museum to fill the gaps between sightings. See our whale watching guide for the full picture on tours, timing, and what to expect.  I’ve covered what Húsavík has to offer here.

Book the Húsavík whale watching tour here if you want to lock in a spot before your trip.

• How to get to Húsavík: on Route 85, a coastal town northwest of Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Húsavík: half a day, more if you’re doing a boat tour.
• Entry: free to visit the town; boat tours and museum entry ticketed separately.
• Parking: free in town.

Geosea

So it’s not a technical part of the Diamond Circle, but you’re going past it, so you shouldn’t miss it.  These glorious geothermal sea baths are perched on a cliff above Skjálfandi Bay, right in Húsavík, with warm mineral-rich seawater with a view out over the water where you might spot a whale between soaks. There’s more on Geosea here.

Skip the line and book your Geosea ticket here.

Mývatn

Lake Mývatn is the anchor for the rest of this loop.  It’s a shallow volcanic lake surrounded by craters, lava formations, and geothermal features packed in closer together than almost anywhere else in Iceland. I’ve covered the full cluster of attractions including Skútustaðagígar, Stóragjá, the Mývatn Nature Baths, and more, here. However, here are a few highlights to whet your appetite. Skip the line and book Mývatn Nature Baths tickets here if the geothermal soak is a priority for your visit.

Námafjall Hverir

A seriously alien-looking geothermal area, bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and bare orange-red earth with almost no vegetation at all.  You can read more about geothermal aspects of Iceland in my guide here.

• How to get to Námafjall Hverir: just east of Mývatn on Route 1.
• How long to spend at Námafjall Hverir: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: 1,200 ISK via kiosk or Easypark app

Grjótagjá

A small lava cave with a geothermal pool inside, once a popular bathing spot before the water temperature became unpredictable, and a Game of Thrones filming location besides.

• How to get to Grjótagjá: a short detour off Route 860, close to Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Grjótagjá: 15-20 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Dimmuborgir

A sprawling field of twisted, cave-riddled lava formations, one of the stranger landscapes in the country, with easy walking trails running right through the middle of it.  There’s more here.

• How to get to Dimmuborgir: signposted off Route 848, near Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Dimmuborgir: 1-2 hours, depending on which trail you take.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Map of the Diamond Circle

Here’s our map of the Diamond Circle route; you can also see the map here.

How to Get to the Diamond Circle

Most people drive this loop from Akureyri or as an extension of a wider North Iceland stay, rather than as a standalone trip from Reykjavik; it’s simply too far for that to make sense as a day trip. See our North Iceland guide for the wider logistics of getting up here in the first place.

If you’d rather not self-drive, a guided option covers the whole loop for you: book the Diamond Circle Tour with Waterfalls from Akureyri here, pickup included.

Check rental car availability here if you’re driving yourself, so it’s sorted before you land.

Where to Stay to Explore the Diamond Circle

Vogahraun 4 is a family-run guesthouse right in Mývatn, part of Vogar Travel Service, with a garden, terrace, and free EV charging on site, just a five-minute drive from Grjótagjá Cave. Reserve a room early, since this whole area books up fast in peak season. We stayed here recently and it’s a super comfortable room, with close proximity (across the parking area) to Daddi’s Pizza.

Sel-Hótel Mývatn sits right by the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, a proper hotel rather than a guesthouse, with 58 rooms, hot tubs, a sauna, and its own restaurant and bar on site. Check room rates now if a full-service option matters more to you than a smaller, family-run stay.

How Long to Visit the Diamond Circle

A full day covers all five stops if you’re efficient about it and based nearby already, but two days is a more comfortable pace, particularly if you want to spend some real time at Mývatn’s geothermal areas rather than just making a quick drive-by at each stop.

Grocery Shopping Near the Diamond Circle

Options for grocery shopping are limited to Húsavík and the Mývatn area itself along this specific loop. At Mývatn, there’s a small Vínbúðin for alcohol, with shorter opening hours than the bigger towns, and a Krambúðin at Reykjahlíð for groceries.  These are both smaller and noticeably more expensive than stores further afield. Húsavík has good options of its own, and it’s worth stocking up there if you’re passing through rather than relying on Mývatn alone.

Food & Drink Options on the Diamond Circle

At Mývatn, Fish and Chips Lake Mývatn does exactly what it says, and Daddi’s Pizza is fabulous and cost-effective; they’re both worth seeking out specifically. In Húsavík, Naustið is a family-run seafood restaurant worth planning a stop around.  Read my guide to food in Iceland for more suggestions.

FAQs on the Diamond Circle

Got questions about the Diamond Circle? Here are quick answers to what we’re asked most.

How long is the Diamond Circle?

The full loop covers roughly 250-300 kilometers (155-186 miles), depending on which stops you add and how much of a detour you take at each one.

Can you do the Diamond Circle in one day?

Yes, you could, if you’re already based in or near Akureyri or Mývatn, but you’re going to miss the point of stopping and seeing places that you’re driving past.

Is the Diamond Circle similar to the Golden Circle?

In shape, yes, it’s a handful of headline stops close enough together to loop through. In practice, it’s quieter, further from Reykjavik, and leans more geothermal than the Golden Circle’s mix of rift valley, geyser, and waterfall.  You can read my guide to the Golden Circle here.

Do you need a 4×4 for the Diamond Circle?

No, the main roads covered here are paved and manageable in a standard car for most of the year. Winter conditions are worth checking on road.is before you go, the same as anywhere in North Iceland.

Is Húsavík part of the Diamond Circle for whale watching?

Yes, Húsavík is one of the five stops, and it’s truly the best whale-watching town in the country. See our whale watching guide for the full picture on tours and timing.

How far is the Diamond Circle from Reykjavik?

It’s roughly 390-480 kilometers (240-300 miles) from Reykjavik depending on which stop you’re measuring to. Plan it as part of a North Iceland stay rather than a standalone excursion from the capital.

Final Words on the Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle earns its name honestly, five properly different, properly worthwhile stops in one manageable loop. It’ll never draw the crowds the Golden Circle does, mostly because of the extra distance from Reykjavik, but that’s exactly what makes it worth the trip for anyone already up this way.

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