Diamond Circle, Waterfalls and Amazing Landscapes from Akureyri

Waterfalls set the pace here. This full-day tour from Akureyri packs Northern Iceland’s best-known natural sights into one long outing, from Godafoss and Lake Mývatn to the thunder of Dettifoss. I like the hotel pickup and round-trip transport, and I like the small-group format, which can make a busy day feel more personal.

I also like the range of scenery: bubbling mud, black lava, a volcanic crater, a huge canyon, and a fishing village. The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of ground in roughly 10 hours, and some stops are short, so this suits you best if you want many major sights rather than long, quiet walks at each one.

Key reasons to consider this tour

• Dettifoss gives you the day’s biggest roar: You have about 90 minutes to see Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
• Hverir feels almost otherworldly: Smoking fumaroles and bubbling mud pits spread across old volcanic ground.
• The route covers the full Diamond Circle: You visit Mývatn, Krafla, Víti, Jökulsárgljúfur, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík.
• The small-group setup can be a real advantage: The tour is promoted as limited to eight people, though the additional tour information lists a maximum of 16, so confirm the actual group size before booking.
• Guides add personality to a long drive: Yori, Thor, Reynir, and other Star Travel Iceland guides have been praised for good stories and strong local commentary.
• Pack for exposure, not just sightseeing: Warm layers, waterproof clothing, sturdy walking shoes, water, and a packed lunch will make the day much easier.

A long but rewarding day from Akureyri

The Diamond Circle is Northern Iceland’s answer to the Golden Circle near Reykjavík, but it feels more spread out and wilder. From Akureyri, you spend much of the day on the road, connecting waterfalls, volcanic sites, a national park, and the coast.

The advertised price is $390.08 per person. That is not a cheap day trip, but the value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. The price includes a driver-guide, hotel pickup, drop-off, and transport in a 4×4 or tour vehicle. You also avoid the work of planning a long route with several remote stops.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring a lunch pack, or plan to buy lunch at your own expense. With an early start and an expected return around 7pm, this is not a tour where you want to rely on finding food by chance.

The tour information gives both an 8am pickup departure and a 9am start time at Hótel Kea in central Akureyri. Treat the pickup time as something to confirm carefully when you book. If you are staying elsewhere, check whether the vehicle comes to your hotel or if you need to meet at Hótel Kea, at Hafnarstræti 87-89.

Godafoss starts the day with a classic Iceland view

Godafoss is an excellent first stop because it gives you an immediate sense of the scale and force of Northern Iceland. The waterfall is broad, powerful, and easy to appreciate without a long hike.

Its name means Waterfall of the Gods. The stop also has a useful practical advantage: you get a major sight early in the day, before the longer drive toward Mývatn and the more remote parts of the route.

You will want your camera ready, but do not rush the first view. Waterfalls can look very different depending on light, wind, and spray. If the sun appears, keep an eye out for rainbows, a detail that made one outing feel especially memorable.

Lake Mývatn brings volcanic scenery

Lake Mývatn is one of the main reasons to choose the Diamond Circle. The lake sits in a volcanic region, and the surrounding ground has an unusual mix of water, lava, craters, and low volcanic formations.

The listed stop is only 15 minutes, so do not expect a full walk around the lake. Instead, think of this as a scenic introduction to the Mývatn area, with time to step out, take photographs, and get a feel for the setting.

The short stop is one of the tour’s tradeoffs. Mývatn deserves more time if you want to explore its shores in depth. On this route, it functions as part of a larger day that keeps moving toward Hverir, Krafla, and Dettifoss.

Hverir shows Iceland’s raw geology

At Námafjall Hverir, the scenery changes sharply. The ground is marked by smoking fumaroles and bubbling mud pools, with mineral colors and steam rising from the earth.

You may notice the smell of sulfur before you fully take in the view. That is part of the experience, though it can be strong. Stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s instructions around the hot ground.

The itinerary gives about 20 minutes at the mud pits and another 10 minutes for views around Námafjall Hverir. That is enough for a close look and photographs, but not enough for a long hike. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground, and bring waterproof layers because weather can shift quickly.

I like this stop because it is not simply pretty. It helps explain why Northern Iceland looks the way it does. You are seeing heat, water, and volcanic forces at work rather than just admiring scenery from a viewpoint.

Krafla and Víti add a volcanic crater

The tour continues toward Krafla Volcano and Víti crater. Víti is a crater with a lake inside, giving you one of the day’s clearest reminders that this is an active volcanic region.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That makes it a photo stop and short walk rather than a full geological outing. You will have time to look into the crater and take in the surrounding volcanic ground, but the schedule does not leave room for lingering.

This is where good weather matters. Clear conditions can reveal the crater lake and the surrounding volcanic forms. In poor weather, visibility may be limited, so keep your expectations flexible. Iceland does not promise you the postcard version, but even mist and wind can make the area feel stark and dramatic.

Dettifoss is the day’s main event

Dettifoss is the stop that justifies much of the long drive. The waterfall drops 45 meters and stretches about 100 meters across, sending a huge volume of water through the river below. It is widely described as the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

You have approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes here, the longest stop on the listed route. That is a smart use of time. Dettifoss needs more than a quick photograph because the sound, spray, and scale take a moment to register.

The walking conditions can be demanding. The longest walking time on the tour is listed as 40 minutes, and you should bring good hiking shoes. Warm clothes and waterproof layers matter here more than at almost any other stop. Even on a bright day, spray and wind can make the viewing area feel cold.

The long visit also gives you some choice. You can focus on the waterfall, take photographs, or spend more time walking nearby. You do not need to turn this into a major hike, but you should be ready for uneven paths and changing weather.

Jökulsárgljúfur and Ásbyrgi widen the view

After Dettifoss, the route continues through Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. The main feature is Ásbyrgi, a huge horseshoe-shaped canyon associated with Icelandic legend.

The tour also includes views toward Vesturdalur Valley and the Whispering Cliffs of Hljóðaklettar. These formations give the day a different feel from the volcanic sites around Mývatn. Instead of steam and craters, you see the effects of glacial water cutting through rock.

The information provided does not assign a separate walking time to every canyon viewpoint, so expect the guide to shape the exact stops around road conditions, weather, and the day’s timing. This is another reason the guide matters. A good driver-guide can help you make sense of a wide area that would otherwise blur into one long drive.

Húsavík adds a coastal finish

The return route includes Húsavík, a fishing village known here for its geothermal hot springs. You have about 40 minutes, which gives you a useful break after the inland sights.

Húsavík is not presented as a full town tour, so keep your expectations modest. You will have time to see the village atmosphere and take a breather, but not to build an entire coastal day around it.

This stop helps break up the return journey to Akureyri. After the roaring waterfalls and steaming ground, a fishing village offers a quieter change of scene before the final drive.

What the small group means in practice

The tour is described as a small-group experience limited to eight people, which is a strong selling point. A smaller vehicle can make pickup easier, and you may have more chance to ask questions or request a brief extra photo stop when the schedule allows.

However, the additional information lists a maximum of 16 people. That conflicts with the advertised eight-person limit. I would ask Star Travel Iceland to confirm the expected group size before paying, especially if a personal atmosphere is important to you.

The guides receive some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Yori is singled out for being a fantastic guide, while Thor and an assistant were credited with helping a group see even more than expected. Reynir is also praised for good guiding. Another guide was appreciated for stories and informative commentary.

Those details matter because this day involves plenty of driving. A friendly, engaging guide can turn the road sections into useful parts of the tour rather than dead time. The exact guide is not guaranteed, but Star Travel Iceland’s guide team appears to be one of the experience’s main strengths.

How to prepare for ten hours outdoors

You should treat this as a moderate-activity day, not a bus ride with only roadside photographs. The longest walking time is listed as 40 minutes, and several stops involve uneven volcanic ground, exposed paths, or damp conditions.

Bring:

• Warm layers
• Waterproof clothing
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• A water bottle
• A packed lunch
• Camera protection for spray and rain

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but confirm the exact pickup time because the supplied schedule refers to both 8am and 9am.

The child rate applies only when a child shares with two paying adults. The tour is near public transportation, and confirmation is received at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund, and the tour requires a minimum number of people to operate.

Who will get the most from this route

You should consider this tour if you have one full day in Akureyri and want to see the Diamond Circle without renting a car. It is especially useful if you want major highlights in one sweep: Godafoss, Mývatn, Hverir, Víti, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík.

I would also recommend it to photographers who enjoy variety. The route gives you water, volcanic color, steam, crater views, canyon rock, and coastal village scenes in one day.

It may not suit you if you dislike long drives or prefer slow travel. Mývatn and Hverir receive brief visits, and even the longer Dettifoss stop must fit within a demanding schedule. If you want to hike deeply in one area, a more focused day would be better.

The route also demands basic fitness and sensible clothing. You do not need to be a serious hiker, but poor shoes and light clothing will make the day uncomfortable.

Should you book the Diamond Circle tour?

Book it if you want maximum sightseeing from Akureyri in one day, value included transport, and like having a guide handle the route. The price is high, but it covers a remote and time-consuming circuit that would take careful planning by car.

Before booking, confirm the pickup time and group size. Those are the two practical points that need clarification. If the group is close to eight and the guide is as personable as Yori, Thor, or Reynir, the experience offers strong value for a packed day.

Skip it if you want long walks, leisurely meals, or extended time at Lake Mývatn. For a first look at Northern Iceland’s major natural sights, though, this is a well-filled and memorable choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels at Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri, Iceland.

Does the tour provide hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting point information lists a 9am start. The tour description also refers to pickup in time for an 8am departure, so confirm your exact pickup time when booking.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours and is expected to return to Akureyri around 7pm.

Is lunch included?

No. Food, drinks, and lunch are not included. Bringing a packed lunch is recommended.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothes, waterproof clothing, and good hiking shoes. A water bottle is also recommended.

How much walking is involved?

The longest walking time is listed as 40 minutes. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.