Top 10 Music Videos Shot in Iceland: A Visual and Musical Journey

Key Takeaways from Iceland's Music Video Landscapes

• Iceland's landscapes help shape the tone, mood, and meaning behind music videos.

• Both local and international artists turn to Iceland to capture the raw, cinematic power of the island's nature.

• Many music videos shot in Iceland highlight the country's most iconic and remote locations.

• Exploring real life locations behind these music videos offers a unique way to connect with both the music and the land, but it comes with responsibility.

10. New Politics - Tonight You're Perfect (2013)

Getting stuck on a layover usually isn't much fun, unless it happens in Iceland. In this road movie-style music video, Danish-American rock band New Politics turn a delayed flight into an unforgettable adventure across South Iceland. What begins in Reykjavik quickly becomes a scenic joyride through some of the country's most stunning locations.

Filmed at places like the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the video is a great example of what to do during a layover in Iceland. It captures the thrill of self-drive adventures in Iceland, offering incredible landscapes and a sense of freedom.

9. Hildur – Alltaf eitthvað (2019)

Alltaf eitthvað, which translates to "Always Something," is a feel-good pop gem that captures the beautifully chaotic mindset of a chronic overthinker. The video serves as a warm, cinematic glimpse into everyday life in Iceland, the kind of scenes you might come across as you stroll through Reykjavik.

Filmed across 20 locations, it blends together footage from New Year's celebrations in Iceland with glimpses of Vik i Myrdal on the South Coast. The result is a video that feels both personal and grounded, showing Iceland not just as the perfect travel destination for the Christmas and New Year holidays, but as someone's home.

8. Bon Iver - Holocene (2011)

After glimpses of Vik i Myrdal in Alltaf eitthvað, Holocene draws us deeper into the surrounding landscapes and offers hits of what you should know about Iceland's South Coast. The song is one of Bon Iver's most hauntingly beautiful tracks, and the video captures that feeling with quiet intensity.

Rather than focusing on the artist, the video follows a young boy as he wanders through open landscapes, rugged coastlines, and moss-covered fields. Filmed in and around Vik, including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and other parts of South Iceland, the visuals reflect the stillness and scale that make this part of the country feel almost otherworldly.

It's a reminder that sometimes the most powerful visuals come from simple moments in awe-inspiring places, like those you might experience on a guided journey along Iceland's South Coast.

7. Westlife - What About Now (2009)

From quiet reflection to emotional release, What About Now by Westlife finds the perfect backdrop in South Iceland's frozen beauty. Filmed near the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon in Vatnajokull National Park, the band performs surrounded by drifting ice, heavy clouds, and a sense of stillness that mirrors the song's emotional weight.

But as the music swells, something shifts and hints at healing. The northern lights appear, casting color over the cold and reminding us that something beautiful can break through even in the most uncertain moments. Watching it feels a bit like previewing a northern lights trip through Iceland's South Coast.

Read more: Northern Lights at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

6. Justin Bieber - I'll Show You (2015)

When it comes to music videos shot in Iceland, I'll Show You stands out as one of the most iconic that did more than gather millions of views. It sparked a wave of tourism, inspired film crews like those behind Game of Thrones, and even caused the temporary closure of Fjadrargljufur Canyon due to overcrowding. 

The video features Bieber wandering through some of South Iceland's most dramatic scenery, including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Reynifjara Black Sand Beach, Solheimasandur Beach, and Skogafoss Waterfall.

Rather than relying on performance or spectacle, the video strips things down. One person. Big questions. Wide-open nature. It's a reminder that Iceland doesn't just look dramatic; it creates space for transformation.

See also: 5 Reasons Not to Behave Like Justin Bieber in Iceland

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Game of Thrones in Iceland

5. Elliphant - Down on Life (2013)

If I'll Show You captures Iceland's solitude, Down on Life flips the mood, turning the same landscapes into a stage for release and rebellion. Lyrically, the track wrestles with alienation and emotional weight, but it's also a call for connection. That yearning feels even stronger set against the start beauty of the land of fire and ice, where emotional extremes seem to belong.

The video opens with Elliphant and two others riding horseback along Reynisfjara's black sands, then moves through glacial lagoons and rugged backcountry. The Blue Lagoon also makes a rare appearance, pulling together some of the best things to see and do in Iceland in one visceral, fast-moving sequence. 

If that quick glimpse of Iceland's most famous spa sparked your interest, it's worth learning everything you need to know about the Blue Lagoon. From bathing etiquette to the best times to visit, it's a highlight that blends comfort with cinematic beauty.

4. KALEO - Backbone (2021)

KALEO's Backbone live performance at Breidarmerkurjokull captures a different kind of power. Set deep inside a cave in one of Iceland's glaciers, the stripped-down rendition feels intimate and vast at once. The cold blue walls, hollow acoustics, and slow camera pans create a sense of awe that doesn't compete with the song's message—it amplifies it.

The performance ends with a simple but chilling message. Without fanfare or blame, the moment lands like a quiet call for solidarity. The song's title feels almost ironic, as if the land itself is holding on by a thread. The performance becomes more than music; it becomes a tribute to something already lost.

3. Ragnar Ægir – I’m At Home (2021)

Ragnar Ægir’s I’m At Home offers a quiet, contemplative journey through Iceland’s scenic countryside. The video follows Icelandic content creator Ása Steinars on a drive through familiar landscapes, finally arriving at a yellow farmhouse, which was Ragnar’s home before moving to Germany. 

Along the way, we see Icelandic horses grazing by the roadside and a lone seal swimming near the edge of a glacier. These quiet encounters highlight the rich variety of wildlife and animals in Iceland, often found in unexpected, peaceful corners of the landscape.

There are no dramatic reveals or grand gestures. Just a return. A feeling. A recognition of what shaped you. In this way, the song’s title becomes a gentle reminder that where we come from never really leaves us.

2. Deloraine - Odin, Havranů Pán (2024)

Deloraine’s Odin, Havranů Pán (Lord of Ravens) conjures a world shaped by myth and music. Filmed partly at the Arctic Henge, an ambitious modern monument inspired by Norse mythology, the location sets the tone for a dramatic tribute to Odin, the god of wisdom and war.

The video draws from both Norse myth and Icelandic folklore, with every frame leaning into the epic. Draped in medieval costume and backed by thunderous folk metal, the Czech pagan fantasy folk band move through Icelandic landscapes like characters lifted from legend. 

The backdrop does not simply frame the story; it becomes part of it. In Deloraine’s hands, Iceland is a myth made visible.

1. Ásgeir - Lazy Giants (2020)

Ásgeir’s Lazy Giants is a fitting finale in this journey through music videos shot in Iceland. The video traces a path from Iceland’s quiet countryside to the busy edges of Reykjavik. With each shift in location, it mirrors the song’s slow building energy and the quiet tension between memory and change.

There is no elaborate story or visual trickery here, just Ásgeir moving through familiar places with guitar in hand. But that simplicity carries weight. The landscapes do more than frame the music; they hold it. 

Lazy Giants closes this visual journey by grounding us in Iceland’s evolving rhythm, where nature and growth move side by side, and even the quietest songs can leave a lasting impression.

Other Notable Music Videos Filmed in Iceland

Not every music video can make the top 10, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve a spotlight. These picks still show off Iceland's wild charm, whether it's a quiet stroll through lupine fields  or a bold live session in a volcano. If you're looking for inspiration or just want to see what Iceland looks like through a camera lens, these are worth a watch.

• Jon Bellion - Wash (2025): Set against the icy expanse of Myrdalsjokull Glacier, this surreal video features Bellion delivering an emotionally charged performance amid dreamlike landscapes. The mood is strong, but please don't take wardrobe cues from this if you're wondering what to wear in winter in Iceland.

• Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well (2024): Filmed in South Iceland, the video reflects the song's themes of renewal and inner clarity through quiet, wide-open landscapes. Like Bjork's Joga music video, it features digitally manipulated terrain, blurring the line between emotion and nature to deepen its atmospheric pull.

• twenty one pilots - Jumpsuit (2018): Filmed in the dramatic valley of Thorsmork, this video uses Iceland's rugged terrain to heighten the tension and symbolism in the story. The volcanic cliffs and misty trails mirror the track's psychological edge, creating a surreal, immersive atmosphere. 

• Great American Canyon Band - Only You Remain (2015): Set against the soft glow of Iceland in summer, the video drifts through blooming lupine fields and quiet mountain vistas. Its serene pacing and reflective visuals echo the track's sense of longing and stillness.

• KALEO - Way Down We Go (Live in a Volcano, 2015): Performed inside the dormant magma chamber of Thrihnukagigur Volcano, this stripped-down live session is as intense as it is unforgettable. The video proves that a tour inside Thrihnukagigur offers more than geology; it delivers pure atmosphere, both sonically and visually.

• Retro Stefson - Glow (2011): This energetic, youth-driven video captures the spirit of everyday life in Reykjavik with a playful and carefree atmosphere. Scenes around the city, including a moment outside Hallgrimskirkja Church, give it a distinctly local and authentic feel.

Each video offers its own take on Iceland's landscapes, and together, they invite you to see it for yourself. The places behind them are real and waiting if you're ready to go.

FAQs: Visiting and Filming Music Video Locations in Iceland

Whether you're planning your own cinematic adventure or just want to stand where your favorite artists once stood, here's how to explore Iceland's music video locations the right way.

Can I visit the locations featured in these music videos shot in Iceland?

Yes! Many of the music video locations are part of well-travelled routes and are included in popular tours and vacation packages around Iceland. Spots like Vik i Myrdal, Skogafoss Waterfalls, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Thorsmork Valley are open to visitors, though weather conditions and road access can vary seasonally.

Do I need special permits to film in Iceland?

For casual filming, no permit is required to shoot videos in Iceland. But if you're shooting for commercial purposes, filming in protected areas, or using drones to film in Iceland, you'll need to apply for permits through the Icelandic Film Center or local municipalities.

Are there restrictions on drone use for filming in Iceland?

Yes. Drone use is restricted in certain national parks, near airports, and in areas with sensitive wildlife. You must follow local drone regulations, maintain a safe distance from people and structures, and check for location-specific rules before flying.

If your drone weighs more than 250g or is used for professional purposes (like filming), you are required to register it with the Icelandic Transport Authority via flydrone.is. Drones under 250g without cameras or data sensors are generally exempt from registration.

Go Behind the Scenes: Exploring Iceland's Music Video Locations

Visiting the filming locations of these music videos offers more than just a list of beautiful places. It invites you to experience the emotion behind each scene.

From Iceland's black sand beaches and vast glaciers to volcanic craters, these landscapes aren't just visually stunning. They help tell stories. And when you visit, you become part of that story too.

To keep these places beautiful for generations to come, travel thoughtfully. Stick to marked trails, respect closed areas, and avoid disturbing wildlife. Even a single footprint off-path can cause lasting damage in fragile environments.

The places you've seen in these music videos shot in Iceland are real, and they're even more powerful in person. Practicing sustainable tourism in Iceland means leaving no trace, supporting local communities, and preserving the landscapes that inspire so many artists. Iceland rewards curiosity, but asks for care in return.

Which of these music videos moved you the most? Did we miss a music video you love that was filmed in Iceland? Share it below!