Visiting Iceland with a drone is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the country’s dramatic landscapes. From black sand beaches and glacier-carved fjords to lava fields and waterfalls, Iceland looks like it was made to be seen from above. If you’re planning to bring your drone, a little preparation—and the right base for each region—will help you capture incredible footage while staying safe and legal.
Ourhotels.is offers comfortable, well-located inns in some of the most photogenic areas of West and Northwest Iceland, making it easy to explore with your drone: Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (near Borgarnes), Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords.
Before you fly, it’s important to know that Iceland has clear drone regulations. You must respect no-fly zones (such as around airports and some protected areas), keep a safe distance from people and buildings, and avoid disturbing wildlife. Always check the latest rules from the Icelandic Transport Authority and local signage at popular nature sites. Many of Iceland’s most famous attractions are shared spaces, so flying early in the morning or later in the evening is often the best way to avoid crowds and get smooth, cinematic footage.
Borgarfjörður is a fantastic first stop for drone enthusiasts. Staying at Hvítá Inn places you within easy reach of rivers, waterfalls, and wide-open valleys that are perfect for aerial photography. The Hvítá river itself, with its winding course through farmland and lava fields, looks especially impressive from above. From this base, you can explore nearby sights like Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, where the contrast of blue glacial water and dark lava makes for striking drone shots—always keeping a safe distance and following local guidelines. The gentle landscapes around Borgarnes and Borgarfjörður are also ideal if you’re newer to flying and want to practice in less extreme terrain.
From there, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers some of the most diverse scenery in Iceland in a relatively compact area. Stykkishólmur Inn is a convenient base for exploring this region with your drone. The town of Stykkishólmur itself, with its colorful houses, harbor, and surrounding islands, looks beautiful from the air. Within driving distance you’ll find dramatic coastlines, sea cliffs, and iconic mountains. When conditions allow and regulations permit, you can capture sweeping views of lava fields, beaches, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier area. The peninsula’s constantly changing weather and light can give your footage a cinematic feel, especially at sunrise and sunset.
For more remote and rugged drone adventures, the Westfjords are hard to beat. Ísafjörður Inn places you in the heart of one of Iceland’s most dramatic fjord landscapes. The steep mountains, narrow fjords, and small fishing villages are made for aerial perspectives. From above, you can see how the town of Ísafjörður sits on a spit of land surrounded by towering peaks and deep blue water. The region’s winding roads, hidden coves, and high plateaus offer countless opportunities for unique shots, as long as you respect local rules and avoid flying near nesting birds or sensitive wildlife areas, which are common in this part of Iceland.
Weather is a key factor when visiting Iceland with a drone. Strong winds, sudden rain, and low clouds are common, especially in coastal and fjord areas. One advantage of staying with Ourhotels.is is having a comfortable base to wait out bad weather and plan your flights around the best conditions. Use breaks in the weather to your advantage: low clouds over mountains, fresh snow on peaks, or a calm evening after a storm can all create unforgettable aerial scenes. Always check the forecast and be prepared to cancel a flight if conditions look unsafe.
Battery management is another practical consideration. Cold temperatures can reduce battery life, so it’s wise to keep batteries warm and plan shorter flights. The central locations of Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn make it easy to return, recharge, and head out again to new locations. Many guests use their inn as a daily hub: scouting locations by car, flying during the best light, then coming back to review footage and plan the next day’s route.
Respect for nature and local communities is essential when flying a drone in Iceland. Avoid flying directly over people, livestock, or private property without permission, and keep noise to a minimum in quiet natural areas. If you’re staying at one of the Ourhotels.is properties, the staff can often point you toward scenic spots nearby and advise you on local customs and practical tips, such as where parking is easiest or which areas are less crowded at certain times of day.
By combining thoughtful planning with comfortable, well-situated accommodation, visiting Iceland with a drone becomes far more than a photography trip—it becomes a deeper way to experience the country’s landscapes. Using Hvítá Inn as your gateway to Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn as your base on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Ísafjörður Inn as your launchpad into the Westfjords, you can create a route that showcases some of the most spectacular aerial views in Iceland. With each region offering its own character and scenery, your drone footage will tell the story of a journey through some of the wildest and most beautiful corners of the country.
