Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Sep. 24, 2024

Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

In Iceland"s Skaftafell, autumn isn"t just a season—it"s an experience. From glaciers to waterfalls, like the one featured here today, to northern lights, this area in Vatnajökull National Park is a showcase of nature"s raw beauty. Skaftafell, once a thriving farm and now a preservation area, has been formed over thousands of years by the fierce interplay of volcanic fire and glacial water. Here, the glacier Skaftafellsjökull, a branch of Vatnajökull—the second largest ice cap in Europe—stretches out like a frozen river, inviting visitors for guided hikes. Then there"s Svartifoss, another waterfall in the park, fed by glacial meltwater.

© Nopasorn Kowathanakul/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Starry, starry night
Sep. 24, 2023World Rivers Day
Sep. 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct. 12, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Feb. 18, 2026Przewalskis horses
How’s the air up there?
Pearl among the emeralds
Sep. 19, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Ride the wave
Jun. 4, 2025Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy
An island park for everyone
A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
Where history comes alive
Celebrating the Scottish bard
Jan. 19, 2026Abraham Lake, Alberta
Jan. 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Oct. 23, 2025International Day of the Snow Leopard
Oct. 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
Colours of Colorado
A delightfully ornate Easter display
Oct. 19, 2024International Archaeology Day
Where are these illuminated walkways?
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
Jul. 28, 2024Colourful bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden
Jan. 4, 2024Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Nov. 11, 2025Quiver trees, Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Jun. 7, 2025International Trails Day
A public restroom or a tourist spot?
Dec. 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Mar. 11, 2025Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Mar. 13, 2026Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-dOlonne, France
Colours of spring
Feb. 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia