Icelandic Filming Destinations Every Nordic Noir Fan Must Visit

At the far end of north Iceland’s Tröllaskagi peninsula lies the small fishing village of Siglufjörður, where most of the first two seasons of Trapped were filmed. Season three for the series –which is arguably the most successful Icelandic crime drama – began production in 2020. The cast and crew were trapped by a blizzard that blocked the road out of the fjord during filming – much like what happens to the town’s fictional residents in the series. In summer, Siglufjörður is a hiker’s paradise, while it’s great for skiing in winter. Beer drinker? Its superb craft brewery, Segull 67 – housed inside an old fish factory – is a must-visit.

The ferry you see docking in the first episode of Trapped is actually a real passenger vessel (Norröna), which links Hirtshals in Denmark with Seyðisfjörður in east Iceland, stopping in Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands en route. Although Siglufjörður is the main setting of Trapped, several scenes were filmed here. It’s well worth venturing 30 minutes off the Ring Road to visit this idyllic village, with its thriving art community. Browse for handcrafted souvenirs at Blóðberg and snap a photo at the Blue Church, renowned for the rainbow path leading up to it – one of Iceland’s most Instagrammable spots.

Created by Baltasar Kormákur – also the director of Trapped – and Sigurjón Kjartansson, Katla is Iceland’s first Netflix Original series. This eerie eight-part series which was filmed during the Coronavirus pandemic in Vík on the south coast follows residents who remain in the town despite being advised to evacuate following the eruption of Katla – a real volcano hidden beneath the Myrdalsjökull ice cap. The usual Nordic noir formula is shaken up with a hefty dose of sci-fi in an almost apocalyptic setting: think ash-covered people – who were thought to be dead – emerging from the volcano.

Sky Atlantic’s Fortitude is set in Svalbard in Arctic Norway, featuring Stanley Tucci, Christopher Eccleston, Sofie Gråbøl and Michael Gambon. But this twisted thriller – which morphs from a classic murder mystery into a grotesque environmental horror involving prehistoric parasitic wasps, psychotic polar bears and a demonic sheriff – was actually filmed in Reyðarfjörður, in east Iceland. You can visit the infamous Fortitude bar, Kaffi Kasg – which has kept the neon fox sign above its doorway – as well as the guesthouse, Tærgesen, right next door to each other on Búðargata. Directly opposite, the N1 gas station was used as Fortitude’s snowmobile store.

Far more than just a useful pit stop at the beginning or end of an Icelandic road trip, Reykjavík is a destination worth visiting for its architectural masterpieces, such as Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa concert hall – plus fascinating museums and vibrant café and bar scenes. Unsurprisingly, it features in several Icelandic crime dramas, too. The brutal opening scene of the Valhalla Murders takes place near Ægisgarður street at the Old Harbour – while Case is based around the mysterious chain of events leading to the death of a young ballerina at the National Theatre.

Head 10km (6.2mi) south of Reykjavík and you’ll arrive at Hafnarfjörður – the third biggest town in Iceland, home to around 30,000 people. The old swimming pool – Sundhöll Hafnarfjarðar – is where the pool party scene in Trapped (S1, E5) was filmed. It’s open to the public Monday to Friday and entrance costs 800 ISK (£4.60). While you’re here, take a stroll through Hellisgerði Lava Garden for an immersive introduction to Icelandic elf folklore – or admire the intriguing range of exhibitions on display at the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art.