REFERE°NCES

Fjords, mountains and coastlines. Iceland is known for volcanic landscapes, craters and black-sand beaches. Norway offers a different visual palette: deep glacial fjords, steep mountains, white-sand beaches, forests and coastal islands.

Distinctive settings. Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord offer striking fjord landscapes, while Lofoten, Preikestolen, Trolltunga and Kjerag provide recognisable mountain and coastal settings. This variety gives productions more options for finding locations that serve the story.

Multiple arrival points. Norway’s international and regional airports offer several gateways into the country, including Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Tromsø.

Connections closer to the locations. The domestic network links major cities with smaller regional centres. For productions filming in several regions, combining flights with ground transport can offer greater flexibility when moving cast and crew.

An extensive transport network. Norway’s roads, tunnels, bridges and ferry crossings connect many coastal, fjord and mountain communities. These connections create options for moving people and equipment between locations.

Scenic routes with production potential. Norway’s scenic roads offer distinctive backdrops as well as access to surrounding landscapes. Vehicle access, filming permissions and seasonal conditions must be assessed for each location.

Capacity for productions of different sizes. Norway’s larger accommodation market offers a broad range of potential bases, from city and conference hotels to coastal guesthouses, cabins and serviced apartments.

Urban resources alongside the scenery. Cities such as Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Tromsø combine accommodation, dining and local services with access to surrounding filming regions. Smaller towns can provide alternative bases closer to the locations.

Svalbard adds another visual world. Beyond mainland Norway, Svalbard offers a distinct High Arctic setting of glaciers, mountains and tundra.

Specialist planning is essential. Arctic filming requires careful preparation, local expertise and compliance with environmental, wildlife and access requirements. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and filming must respect protected species and habitats.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier: A dramatic glacial setting associated with productions including Interstellar and Batman Begins.

Mýrdalssandur: A vast black-sand landscape used in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Noah.

Reynisfjara: A black-sand beach known for basalt columns and views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: An ice-filled lagoon featured in A View to a Kill, Die Another Day and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Skógafoss: A major waterfall featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Thor: The Dark World.

Seljalandsfoss: A waterfall known for the walking path behind its cascade.

Fjaðrárgljúfur: A winding river canyon framed by steep, moss-covered cliffs.

Hjörleifshöfði: A distinctive coastal headland with a cave commonly known as “Yoda Cave.”

Diamond Beach: A black-sand shoreline near Jökulsárlón, where pieces of glacial ice wash ashore.

Háifoss: A tall waterfall in the Þjórsárdalur area, identified by Visit Iceland as a filming location for Stranger Things.

Reykjavík: Iceland’s capital and a production base, offering urban settings, cultural landmarks and services.

Reykjanes Peninsula: A region of lava fields, geothermal areas and coastal landscapes used by international productions.

Blue Lagoon: A geothermal spa recognised for its pale-blue water and surrounding lava landscape.

Seltún: A geothermal area with colourful mineral deposits, mud pools and steam vents.

Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with a distinctive rift-valley landscape, featured in Game of Thrones.

Geysir Geothermal Area: Home to Strokkur, an active geyser.

Gullfoss: A two-tiered waterfall descending into a canyon.

Kerið: A volcanic crater lake with contrasting slopes and blue-green water.

Kirkjufell: A distinctive mountain recognised as “Arrowhead Mountain” in Game of Thrones.

Snæfellsjökull: A glacier-capped volcano associated with Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Stykkishólmur: A harbour town featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Dettifoss: A powerful waterfall featured in the opening sequence of Prometheus.

Lake Mývatn: A region of volcanic formations and lakeside landscapes associated with international productions.

Krafla & Hverir: Geothermal and volcanic settings offering craters, lava fields and steam-filled terrain.

Grjótagjá: A lava cave near Mývatn associated with Jon Snow and Ygritte’s cave scene in Game of Thrones.

Húsavík: A fishing town featured in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Goðafoss: A broad, curved waterfall along the northern section of the Ring Road.

Seyðisfjörður: A fjord town whose winding approach road features in the skateboarding sequence in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Djúpavík: A remote coastal village used for the meeting between Bruce Wayne and Aquaman in Justice League.

Many well-known locations are accessible from Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Other regions offer different settings and require longer transfers or additional planning.

For production use, assess each location individually for access, permissions, environmental restrictions, weather and seasonal conditions.