Lakes · Iceland
Iceland Lakes
186 mapped · 8 regions · Glacial lagoons included · Fishing needs a permit
TommyBee · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Hansueli Krapf · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Steinninn · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0Iceland has thousands of lakes, but a handful stand out: Þingvallavatn (the largest natural lake, in the Þingvellir rift valley), Mývatn (the shallow, bird-rich lake in the north), and the glacial lagoons Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón on the South Coast, where icebergs drift from the retreating ice. Most named lakes are easy roadside stops; the highland reservoirs need an F-road and a 4×4.
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Top lakes
Iceland’s best-known lakes and glacial lagoons, with real access info. Distances on the cards are straight-line from Reykjavík.
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When & how to visit Iceland's lakes
Þingvallavatn anchors the Golden Circle and pairs with the Þingvellir rift and the Silfra dive site. Mývatn in the north is a full day on its own — pseudocraters, lava fields and nearby geothermal areas. The South Coast glacial lagoons — Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón and Breiðárlón — sit near Vatnajökull and change year to year as the ice retreats. Highland lakes and reservoirs like Þórisvatn, Langisjór and Hágöngulón usually need an F-road and a 4×4, and most routes only open in summer. Fishing anywhere needs a permit bought per water body, and swimming rules vary by lake — check local signage first.
The lakes of Iceland, compared
All 159 named lakes, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Surface area and access details come from Wikidata and OpenStreetMap where they exist.
| Lake | Region | Surface area | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Þórisvatn | Highlands | 88 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Þingvallavatn | Reykjavík Area | 83 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Blöndulón | Highlands | 57 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Hálslón reservoir | East Iceland | 57 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Lagarfljót | East Iceland | 53 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Mývatn | North Iceland | 37 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Hvítárvatn | Highlands | 30 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Langisjór | South Coast | 26 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Kvíslavatn | Highlands | 20 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Sultartangalón | Highlands | 19 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Jökulsárlón | South Coast | 18 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Skorradalsvatn | West Iceland | 14.7 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Apavatn | South Coast | 13 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Kleifarvatn | Reykjavík Area | 9 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Hvalvatn | West Iceland | 4.1 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Fjallsárlón | South Coast | 4 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Frostastaðavatn | South Coast | 2.6 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Úlfljótsvatn | Reykjavík Area | 2.45 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Laugarvatn | West Iceland | 2.14 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Hreðavatn | West Iceland | 1.3 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Hafravatn | Reykjavík Area | 1.02 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Kerið | South Coast | 0.05 km² | Worth discovering |
 | Blue Lagoon | Reykjanes Peninsula | — | Worth discovering |
 | Breiðárlón | South Coast | — | Worth discovering |
 | Hágöngulón | Highlands | — | Worth discovering |
 | Hornafjörður | East Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Leirvogsvatn | Reykjavík Area | — | Worth discovering |
 | Miklavatn | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Rauðavatn | Reykjavík Area | — | Worth discovering |
 | Reynisvatn | Reykjavík Area | — | Worth discovering |
 | Sigöldulón | South Coast | — | Worth discovering |
 | Tjörnin | Reykjavík Area | — | Worth discovering |
 | Veiðivötn | South Coast | — | Worth discovering |
 | Víkingavatn | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
| Hvítavatn | South Coast | — | Worth discovering | |
| Nyrðra-Vatnalautavatn | Westfjords | — | Worth discovering | |
 | Grænalón | South Coast | 18 km² | Lake in South Coast |
 | Svínavatn | North Iceland | 12 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Öskjuvatn | North Iceland | 11 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Vesturhópsvatn | West Iceland | 10.3 km² | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Höfðavatn | North Iceland | 10 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Hítarvatn | West Iceland | 7.6 km² | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Hestvatn | South Coast | 6.8 km² | Lake in South Coast |
 | Grænavatn | South Coast | 3.3 km² | Lake in South Coast |
 | Ljósavatn | North Iceland | 3.2 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Vestmannsvatn | North Iceland | 2.5 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Elliðavatn | Reykjavík Area | 1.8 km² | Lake in Reykjavík Area |
 | Vífilsstaðavatn | Reykjavík Area | 0.3 km² | Lake in Reykjavík Area |
 | Ástjörn | North Iceland | 0.25 km² | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Langavatn | West Iceland | 0.0000050999999999999995 km² | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Arnarvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Arnarvatn-Stóra | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands |
 | Álftavatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast |
 | Baulárvallavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Botnsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Bretavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Djúpavatn | Reykjavík Area | — | Lake in Reykjavík Area |
 | Fljótsbotn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast |
 | Flóðið | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Hagavatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands |
 | Haukadalsvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Háfsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Heiðarvatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast |
 | Helgafellsvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Héðinsfjarðarvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Hlíðarvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Holtavörðuvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Hóp | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Hraunsfjarðarvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Kaldá | Reykjavík Area | — | Lake in Reykjavík Area |
 | Krókavatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland |
 | Lambavatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast |
 | Ljótipollur | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast |
 | Meðalfellsvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Ólafsfjarðarvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Papafjörður | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland |
 | Reyðarvatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands |
 | Selvallavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Sigríðarstaðavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Skarðsfjörður | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland |
 | Skriðuvatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland |
 | Svartárvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Uxavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland |
 | Vatnsdalsvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords |
 | Víti Askja | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
 | Víti Krafla | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
| Litlisjór | South Coast | 9.2 km² | Lake in South Coast | |
| Aðalmannsvatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Aravatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Arnarvatn-Litla | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Bergsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Bjarnarvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Blönduvatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Breiðarvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Brunnvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Bæjarvötn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Efstadalsvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Efstafellsvatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Eiðavatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Eiðisvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Eiríksvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Eskihlíðarvatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast | |
| Eyjavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Fljótavatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Flókatjörn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast | |
| Fremra-Selvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Galtaból | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Galtarvatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Gedduvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Geldingavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Gripdeild | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Grjótárvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Gufudalsvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Gæsavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Götuvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Hafralón | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Haugsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Haukabrekkuvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Haukstjörn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Háleiksvatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Hávaðavötn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Helgavatn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Helluvaðstjörn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Hnúksvatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Hnútuvatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Hosuhlíðarvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Hólmavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Hólmlátursvötn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Hrafnabjargarvatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast | |
| Hraunsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Hraunvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Hraunvötn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Hrófbergsvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Hundavötn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Húnavatn (lagoon) | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Höskuldsvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Jökulvatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast | |
| Kaldbakstjarnir | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Kálfborgarárvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Kelduárvatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Kerlingavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Kirkjufellsvatn | South Coast | — | Lake in South Coast | |
| Kollumúlavatn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Kringluvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Krossaxlavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Krókatjarnir | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Langhólmavatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Laxárvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Leirvötn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Myrkavatn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Ódáðavötn | East Iceland | — | Lake in East Iceland | |
| Rekavíkurvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Skorarvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Staðarvatn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Urriðavötn | Westfjords | — | Lake in Westfjords | |
| Viðarvötn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland | |
| Þúfuvötn | Highlands | — | Lake in Highlands | |
| Þverárvötn | West Iceland | — | Lake in West Iceland | |
| Ölvesvatn | North Iceland | — | Lake in North Iceland |
Lake questions
What is the largest lake in Iceland?
Þingvallavatn is Iceland’s largest natural lake by surface area (~84 km²), in the rift valley at Þingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes east of Reykjavík. Þórisvatn, a highland reservoir, is larger still at high water levels but is regulated for hydropower.
Can I swim in Iceland’s lakes?
Some lakes allow swimming, but most are cold year-round and a few are protected or have unstable shorelines. Þingvallavatn is a well-known cold-water dive and snorkel site (Silfra) — only with a licensed operator and a drysuit. Always check local signage before entering the water.
Do I need a permit to fish in Iceland?
Yes. Angling in Icelandic lakes and rivers requires a permit, bought per water body from the landowner or local angling association, and you must disinfect gear used abroad before fishing. Rules vary by lake — check before you cast.
What are the glacial lagoons — are they lakes?
Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón and Breiðárlón are glacial lagoons: lakes that formed as glaciers retreated, filled with icebergs calving off the ice. They sit on the South Coast near Vatnajökull and are among Iceland’s most-visited water bodies.
Which lakes can I reach without a 4WD?
Þingvallavatn, Mývatn, Kleifarvatn and the South Coast glacial lagoons all have paved-road access suitable for any car. Highland lakes and reservoirs like Þórisvatn, Langisjór and Hágöngulón usually need an F-road and a 4×4, and most only open in summer.
Why is Mývatn famous?
Mývatn, in North Iceland near the Krafla volcanic system, is a shallow, biologically rich lake ringed by pseudocraters and lava formations. Its name means “midge lake” — the summer midges are harmless but dense, so many visitors bring a head net.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10