I’ve watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty more than once just to pause and ask, “Where exactly is that?”
If you’ve done the same, you’re in the right place.
Where was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty filmed in Iceland? That’s exactly what I cover here.
From the longboard road to the glacier lagoon, I break down every real Iceland location used in the film.
I’ve put this guide together so you get clear, honest answers fast.
Trust me, these places are even more impressive when you know what was filmed there.
How Iceland Brought the Film to Life
Iceland was the backbone of this film. Director Ben Stiller used the country’s raw landscapes to stand in for Greenland, Afghanistan, and the Himalayas.
The locations range from small fishing towns on the west coast to glacier lagoons in the south. Some spots are easy to reach by road.
Others sit deep in the highlands and require more planning to get to. Iceland’s varied terrain meant the crew could shoot very different-looking scenes without ever leaving the country.
This section covers every real location used, what scene was filmed there, and why each spot was chosen for the film.
10 Real Iceland Spots Used in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Iceland’s landscapes did the heavy lifting in this film, from coastlines to volcanic valleys.
1. Garður (Garðaskagi Lighthouse): Walter’s Leap Into the Ocean
Garður is a small coastal village close to Keflavík Airport. The crew used this spot to film the scene where Walter jumps into the North Atlantic Ocean.
The area is known for its historic lighthouse and seabird activity. The cold, grey coastline here sets the tone for Walter’s impulsive decision to chase the helicopter across the sea.
2. Stykkishólmur: The “Greenland” Bar Scene
Stykkishólmur is a small town on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The production used it to represent Nuuk, Greenland.
A local shop was converted into the bar where Walter meets the helicopter pilot. The town’s colourful harbour buildings and open skies made it a convincing stand-in for a Greenlandic port town.
3.Grundarfjörður: Harbor and Bicycle Scene
Grundarfjörður is a fishing town sitting near the base of the iconic Kirkjufell mountain. This is where the scene was filmed in which Walter arrives by boat and races to grab a bicycle.
The harbour setting and mountain backdrop gave the scene its dramatic, wide-open feel. It is a short drive from Stykkishólmur along the peninsula.
4. Hveradalir :Geothermal Valley Landscape
Hveradalir sits in the Kerlingarfjöll Mountains in Iceland’s central highlands. The area is packed with steaming vents and brightly coloured rhyolite hills.
The crew used this location to capture Iceland’s raw volcanic scenery. The otherworldly colours and rising steam clouds gave certain scenes a look that no studio set could replicate.
5. Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Ice Landscape Scenes
Fjallsárlón is a glacier lagoon located just south of the Vatnajökull ice cap. Large chunks of ice float across the still water, surrounded by glacier walls.
The production used it for ice landscape scenes that needed a dramatic, remote feel. It is less crowded than the nearby Jökulsárlón lagoon, which adds to its quiet intensity on screen.
6. Kálfafellsdalur: Valley Used as the Himalayas
Kálfafellsdalur is a valley sitting within Vatnajökull National Park in southern Iceland. The crew chose this location to stand in for mountainous Himalayan terrain during the film’s mid-section.
The wide valley floor, surrounding peaks, and lack of visible roads made it easy to pass off as a remote mountain region far from Iceland.
7. Höfn : Harbor and Airport Scenes
Höfn is a small fishing town on Iceland’s southeast coast with clear views of the Vatnajökull glacier. The production used Höfn for scenes connected to the Nuuk airport.
Its compact harbour and flat surrounding land gave the crew a workable, believable setting for those transitional scenes in the film.
8. Road 93 to Seyðisfjörður : The Iconic Longboard Road
Road 93 is a winding mountain road that drops down toward the fjord village of Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland. This is where Walter’s famous longboard scene begins.
The long downhill stretch, mountain views, and open road made it one of the most recognised shots in the film. The road is scenic at any time of year.
9. Borgarnes: Papa John’s Restaurant Scene
Borgarnes is a town on Iceland’s west coast. The local Geirabakarí Kaffihús bakery was dressed up and converted into a Papa John’s for the film.
This is the scene where Walter receives a phone call from Cheryl. The everyday setting of a bakery turned fast food spot gives the scene a grounded, relatable quality.
10. Skógafoss: Himalayas Trek Scene
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most well-known waterfalls, sitting on the south coast near Vík.
The production used it for the trekking scene where Walter searches for the photographer Sean O’Connell.
The powerful waterfall and surrounding green cliffs created a dramatic backdrop that read convincingly as a remote Himalayan landscape on screen.
How Iceland Was Used to Represent Other Countries in the Film
Iceland played multiple roles in this film, standing in for places thousands of miles apart.
Iceland as Greenland
Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula was used to represent Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
The town’s harbour, buildings, and cold coastal atmosphere were close enough to a Greenlandic port that very little set dressing was needed.
A local shop became the bar where Walter tracks down the pilot.
Iceland as Afghanistan and the Himalayas
Several highland and southern Iceland locations were used to represent Afghanistan and the Himalayan mountain region. Kálfafellsdalur valley stood in for remote mountain terrain.
Skógafoss doubled as a Himalayan trekking backdrop. The highlands near Kerlingarfjöll added a volcanic, rugged texture.
Iceland’s varied landscape meant the crew rarely had to leave the country to get the shots they needed.
Conclusion
Knowing where The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was filmed in Iceland makes every scene hit differently. I still think about Road 93 every time I watch that longboard scene.
There is something about knowing a real road exists, in a real fjord, that makes the whole film feel more grounded.
If you ever make it to Iceland, put Seyðisfjörður and Skógafoss on your list. I’d love to hear which location stood out to you most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty filmed in Iceland?
Key locations include Stykkishólmur, Seyðisfjörður, Skógafoss, Höfn, and Fjallsárlón.
Was Greenland actually filmed in Greenland?
No. Stykkishólmur in Iceland was used to represent Nuuk, Greenland.
Can you visit the longboard road from the film?
Yes. Road 93 to Seyðisfjörður is open to the public.
Was Skógafoss really used in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
Yes. It doubled as the Himalayas trekking scene in the film.
Is Fjallsárlón the same as Jökulsárlón in the film?
No. Fjallsárlón is a separate, smaller glacier lagoon nearby.
