November 24, 2014 Read time - 2 minutes Since the dawn of the age of cinema, filmmakers have gone in search of the Earth’s most dramatic, visually intense landscapes in which to capture their stories, and Iceland filming locations have become increasingly popular in recent years. Of the many incredible locations on film, perhaps the most suited to the big (and little) screen is Iceland – a surreal, otherworldly expanse of volcanic topography and groaning glaciers. Iceland and cinema go hand in hand; from fire and brimstone to icy wastes, countless artistic visions have been brought to life in this barren, beautiful world. Iceland Movie Locations Thingvellir National Park - A Game of Thrones Thingvellir National Park A Game of Thrones is a cultural phenomenon; you’ve almost certainly heard of it by now, even if you’ve yet to see it! HBO’s sprawling, melodramatic epic fantasy is adapted from a series of books called “A Song of Ice and Fire” – what more fitting location than Iceland, home of lava fields and snowy expanses? The scenes set in Westeros’ far north, a harsh land of barbarian tribes and macabre undead spectres, are largely shot in Thingveller National Park. Skaftafell in Iceland Christopher Nolan’s most recent blockbuster is an extrasolar adventure of mind-bending proportions, taking its characters through a wormhole to far-away planets, where the gravitational effects of a nearby black hole have led to the formation of planets very different from our own. The alien, ice-cold beauty of Svínafellsjökull in Skaftafell National Park proved ideal, unsurprisingly, for Nolan’s purposes. Jökulsárlón - Die Another Day Jökulsárlón glacier One of England’s biggest cultural exports also got his day in the 24-hour sun; James Bond’s momentous 20th entry (also Brosnan’s last) used the glacial lake Jökulsárlón to film the climactic, adrenaline-fuelled car chase. Jökulsárlón’s 18km squared of icy water rests beneath a 3,000 feet ice cap, and stretches 250m down into the earth, making it Iceland’s deepest lake. Vatnajökull National Park - Batman Begins Vatnajökull National Park Nolan seems to have a fondness for Iceland – the first entry in his iconic, critically acclaimed Batman trilogy also had scenes filmed here. This time Vatnajökull National Park was used as a stand-in for Bhutan – the crew built an actual temple in which to shoot Batman’s rigorous training sessions. Vatnajökull itself is one of the largest glaciers in Europe; it looks incredible on film, and even more so in real life. Dettifoss - Prometheus Dettifoss Ridley Scott’s ambitious prequel to Alien, the seminal sci-fi horror series, takes its characters on an odyssey to an alien planet where human life is thought to have originated. The unforgettable opening shot, featuring a mysterious alien performing some kind of ritual atop a massive, raging waterfall, was shot in Vatnajökull National Park; the waterfall was Dettifoss, thought to be the most powerful in all of Europe. Dark, turbulent waters plunge over the precipice, evoking the sensation of a truly alien land. See all of our Iceland tours below and explore this magnificent country.
Iceland Explorer Discover Iceland's star attractions and wild side with vast glaciers, picturesque fjords and rugged coastline. Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 10 Days from £2,549 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Iceland Northern Lights 44 reviews See Iceland's best sights in one weekend Winter Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 5 Days from £1,299 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Iceland's Laugavegur Trek 2 reviews One of Iceland's best-loved treks through unforgettable landscapes. Walking & Trekking Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Moderate / Challenging 7 Days from £2,199 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Best of the Western Arctic: Canada and Greenland Venture far above the Arctic Circle, in a land where the sun never sets and Polar bears roam Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 20 Days from £13,100 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland New Four unique Arctic regions - from impressive icebergs to iconic wildlife to traditional Inuit culture and more Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 18 Days from £10,300 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland Visit the remains of Thule camps and enjoy the splendour of Scoresbysund as the ship navigates past majestic icebergs Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 14 Days from £8,200 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland (Southbound) 1 review A voyage encompassing three Arctic countries with dramatic, contrasting and desolate landscapes. Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 15 Days from £9,900 £7,920 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen (Northbound) A voyage encompassing three Arctic countries with dramatic, contrasting and desolate landscapes. Polar Expeditions Suitable for: Age 18+ Activity level: Leisurely 15 Days from £8,300 Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details