Notable lake · Southern Region, Iceland

Grímsvötn

Grímsvötn is a lake in Southern Region, Iceland.

Grímsvötn: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Grímsvötn

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

How to reach Grímsvötn — distance from nearby cities

    Coordinates: 64.39842, -17.31789. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

    Places to visit near Grímsvötn

    • Grímsvötn · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~2 km · Must-see
    • Hamarinn · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~27 km · Must-see
    • Grænalón · lake · Southern Region · ~32 km · Must-see
    • Bárðarbunga · viewpoint · Northeastern Region · ~36 km · Must-see
    • Skeiðarárjökull · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~37 km · Must-see
    • Hvítavatn · lake · Southern Region · ~42 km · Must-see
    • Esjufjöll · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~44 km · Must-see
    • Morsárfoss · waterfall · Southern Region · ~47 km · Must-see
    • Kristínartindar · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~52 km · Must-see
    • Dyngjujökull · viewpoint · Northeastern Region · ~53 km · Must-see
    • Kverkfjöll · viewpoint · Eastern Region · ~53 km · Must-see
    • Hágöngulón · lake · Southern Region · ~55 km · Must-see
    • Svartifoss · waterfall · Southern Region · ~56 km · Must-see
    • Hrútsfjallstindar · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~60 km · Must-see
    • Breiðamerkurjökull · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~61 km · Must-see
    • Lomagnupur · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~62 km · Must-see
    • Öræfajökull · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~65 km · Must-see
    • Hvannadalshnúkur · viewpoint · Southern Region · ~66 km · Must-see

    See everything within a day’s drive of Grímsvötn

    Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Grímsvötn

    • Grænalón · lake · Southern Region · ~32 km · Must-see
    • Hvítavatn · lake · Southern Region · ~42 km · Must-see
    • Hágöngulón · lake · Southern Region · ~55 km · Must-see
    • Kvíslavatn · lake · Southern Region · ~78 km · Must-see
    • Glacier Lagoon · lake · Southern Region · ~80 km · Must-see
    • Þórisvatn · lake · Southern Region · ~93 km · Must-see
    • Krókslón · lake · Southern Region · ~110 km · Must-see
    • Frostastaðavatn · lake · Southern Region · ~118 km · Must-see
    • Sultartangalón · lake · Southern Region · ~130 km · Must-see
    • Langisjór · lake · Southern Region · ~68 km

    All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Iceland

    Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

    Frequently asked

    What is the best time to visit Grímsvötn?

    August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open. Moderate; weekends busier.

    What are the places to visit near Grímsvötn?

    Nearby: Grímsvötn (viewpoint, 2 km), Hamarinn (viewpoint, 27 km), Grænalón (lake, 32 km), Bárðarbunga (viewpoint, 36 km), Skeiðarárjökull (viewpoint, 37 km), Hvítavatn (lake, 42 km).

    Is Grímsvötn worth visiting?

    Grímsvötn is listed as a notable lake in Iceland on Spotwander.