Iceland Tjörnes Lighthouse, Iceland

Tjörnes Lighthouse sits on the remote Tjörnes Peninsula in northern Iceland, surrounded by a beautifully exposed coastline and seemingly endless open landscape. From the ground, the lighthouse itself is relatively small, but from above the entire setting becomes the subject: the rugged peninsula stretching into the ocean, dark cliffs breaking through the snow, and the tiny orange lighthouse providing a perfect splash of color in an otherwise almost monochrome winter landscape.

This is definitely a location where a drone adds another dimension. Flying out over the water and looking back toward the peninsula reveals its unusual shape and lets you use the coastline as a natural leading line. I particularly like keeping the lighthouse relatively small in the frame. Its bright color is still enough to immediately attract the eye while emphasizing just how vast and remote the surrounding landscape is. Snowy winter conditions make that contrast even stronger.

Tjörnes is a worthwhile detour when exploring North Iceland, particularly when traveling around the Diamond Circle and the area near Húsavík. The lighthouse and coastline feel considerably quieter than many of Iceland’s major attractions, making this a great stop if you enjoy remote landscapes. In winter, however, conditions can change quickly, so check road and wind conditions before heading onto the peninsula. For drone photography, the exposed coastline can also mean considerably stronger winds than you experience further inland.