We were up at about 5.30am and drove to Stokksnes to catch the sunrise on the beach, with the light coming up on the Vestrahorn mountains. The jagged peaks rise straight up behind black volcanic sand dunes. Access to Stokksnes needs a pass, which is sold at the Viking Café next to the road barrier.
Next was the Viking Village, which was built as a film set and sits inside the same area, about 15 minutes’ walk away. Then it was back to the Viking Café for food and coffee while we worked out where to go next. We drove back to Hoffell Glacial Lake, and finished the day at Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon in Vatnajökull National Park, and Diamond Beach, watching chunks of glacier ice float out to sea and wash up on the shore.
Good to know
- Stokksnes: entry is 1,200 ISK per person, free for under-16s, paid at the Viking Café or the kiosk outside. The film set is inside the same area, about 15 minutes’ walk away. Vestrahorn
- Hoffellsjökull: after the paved road, the last 4km is gravel that can be rough. The national park recommends a 4x4, or you can walk from the guesthouse. Vatnajökull National Park
- Jökulsárlón: the lagoon is part of Vatnajökull National Park, and there’s a daily parking fee of about 1,100 ISK per car. Vatnajökull National Park
We checked these details in October 2026. Times, prices and rules do change, so it’s worth a quick look at the official sites before you go.