Icelandic Filming Destinations Every Nordic Noir Fan Must Visit

Visit Iceland to explore some of the best film destinations used in Nordic noir and explore endless glaciers while youre at it
Visit Iceland to explore some of the best film destinations used in Nordic noir and explore endless glaciers while you're at it | © Zimu Liu / Alamy Stock Photo
Joel Rabinowitz

Iceland’s rugged volcanic landscapes, remote fishing villages and majestic fjords provide the perfect backdrop to chilling crime fiction and mysterious sci-fi television dramas, such as Trapped, Fortitude and Katla. Here are the top locations every Nordic noir fan will want to visit in Iceland.

From awe-inspiring waterfalls, glaciers and geothermal springs to an eclectic mix of architecture, Iceland boasts an extraordinary array of natural and cultural attractions for its size. The long, dark winters and relative lack of light pollution also make it one of the most reliable and accessible places on earth to see the northern lights – which you now have the chance to do with Culture Trip on our specially curated five-day Iceland trip – led by our local insider.

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Destinations Unlocked:

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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A much murkier picture of this Nordic nation is portrayed by numerous popular murder mystery TV series, though, including Trapped, Case and the Valhalla Murders. These are characterised by bleak cinematography and slow-burning but gripping plotlines – interlaced with shocking twists to keep you guessing all the way through.

Iceland doesn’t quite have the international reputation of Sweden or Denmark when it comes to the Nordic noir genre, but that could soon change. In recent years – thanks to the creativity of award-winning directors such as Baltasar Kormákur and Baldvin Zophoníasson and heavy funding from RÚV, RVK Studios and most recently, Netflix – it has undergone a major boom in crime fiction to rival its Scandinavian cousins.

Siglufjörður

Natural Feature

The buildings of the Herring museum at Seydisfjordur tell the story of this important industry for the town in past years, Iceland
© Cavan Images / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

Seyðisfjörður

Natural Feature

The wooden church in the village of Seydisfjordur, Eastfjords, Iceland
© Robert Preston / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

Vík í Mýrdal

Natural Feature

Aerial view over Vik (vik i myrdal) with its church and the reynisdrangar (basalt sea stacks) at dawn, South Iceland
© David Brabiner / Alamy Stock Photo
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.

With Culture Trip, you can visit spectacular sites including Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara beach and the Dyrhólaey lava arch around Katla and Vík as part of our five-day small group Iceland adventure.

Reyðarfjörður

Natural Feature

View of Reydarfjordur (background) and Eskifjordur (foreground), two fjords in east Iceland.
© Eric Nathan / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

Reykjavík

Museum

People, Tourists walking in the shopping district in Reykjavik, Iceland.
© Richard Green / Alamy Stock Photo
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.

Hafnarfjörður

Natural Feature

Hafnarfjordur, suburb of Reykjavik, Iceland
© ARCTIC IMAGES / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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