Photographing a lavender field has been on my bucket list for many years. As a result, when I learned that there were some blooming fields near Thessaloniki, where I currently live, I couldn’t pass it up. I grabbed my camera bag and drove to Mesimeri in search of the perfect lone tree in a lavender field.

Best time to visit the lavender fields of Mesimeri

There are numerous lavender fields in the Mesimeri village area. Mesimeri is less than a half-hour drive from Thessaloniki’s city center. Plant nurseries have recently been established in the area where aromatic and medicinal plants such as lavender are grown. 

Lavender blooms in the early summer and is harvested by the middle of July. Of course, it can vary depending on the weather, so the timing of the full bloom may differ slightly from year to year. The second two weeks of June are probably the best period to visit the area. And, of course, time your visit for sunset or sunrise to get the best light. Just be wary of the bees buzzing around!

Photographing the lavenders

I was fortunate to witness an incredible sunset with beautiful red and magenta tones in the clouds. A lone tree, of course, is an excellent subject for a beautiful landscape photograph. Because the atmosphere was so clear, we could see Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain, in the distance.

Another lone tree stands in a lavender field beneath the waxing crescent moon in the following photo. The moonlight beautifully illuminates the lavenders. The warm colors of the sunset remain visible in the sky. This lavender field is easily accessible because it is located on the main road connecting Mesimeri and Epanomi. It’s the Gresense lavender field. Gresense is an essential oil manufacturing company. So, please be careful not to damage the lavenders while taking pictures in the field!

These images are available as fine art prints if you’d like to hang them on your wall!

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Vestrahorn mountain in the Stokksnes Peninsula of Iceland is such a beautiful and epic location. We visited this place twice despite having to pay an entrance fee since it is a private location! We were paid back by an amazing sunset, which you can see here. An alpine red glow had covered the mountain peaks. The clouds had so many beautiful red, pink and orange tones. The next morning we went back and witnessed an amazing sunrise at Vestrahorn. The low freezing temperature had prohibited many tourists from getting there this autumn day. So, there weren’t too many photographers around. You can literally spend hours in this location especially if you are a photographer. You can photograph the reflection of the mountain, the black sand dunes and the waves with so many different compositions. However, be careful for the sneaker waves! They appear without warning!

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Godafoss waterfall is located in the river Skjálfandafljót in north Iceland. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. It has three different vantage points and I believe all of them are pretty amazing! This is the view from the east side which is a great place to view the sunset. From this side you can also climb down to the water’s edge. Just be careful since it’s very slippery and rocky. No reason not to visit this place if you are travelling around the ring road of Iceland!

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Probably the best known photo of Kirkjufell is the one with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls in front of it. However if you explore the area a little, and the weather allows it, you can find a perfect reflection of the mountain. Just look around for photographers with tripods! We were lucky enough to have no wind that day so we could see Kirkjufell mountain mirrored into the lake! A moody photograph during the sunset.

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Another shot of Vestrahorn mountain at Eastern Iceland. Vestrahorn rises out of a black sand beach and dominates the view. That morning the mountain and the sand dunes were painted with a wonderful yellow color while the sun was rising above the horizon. Oh, those dunes are much bigger than they appear in this photograph. It is pretty easy to get to this location but you have to pay a fee because you must pass through private area. Keep that in mind!

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Kirkjufell (church mountain in Icelandic) is a 463m high mountain on the north coast of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country. We got there one hour before sunrise and there were already 30 photographers who had theirs tripods and cameras ready to shoot! Not to mention how many people were in the place the previous afternoon. Probably you have seen this composition many times before but it is hard to resist and not take this photo. Afterwards you can explore the area and find many different and interesting angles to shoot!

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Godafoss is a magnificent waterfall in the Mvatn District of Northern Iceland. Its name translates as “Waterfall of the Gods” in modern Icelandic! However, an old Icelandic folklore mentions a Viking leader named Orgeir Ljósvetningagoi as the source of the waterfall’s name. Nonetheless, due to its location on the Ring Road, approximately 45 minutes east of Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city, it is easily accessible to tourists.

During our road trip around Iceland, we chose a settlement that was very close to this waterfall, which turned out to be a great decision. We didn’t have to get up super early the next morning to see a spectacular sunrise. The first photograph depicts the sunrise. The sky had beautiful purple and pink tones. Simply stunning!

Goðafoss waterfall is formed by the Skjálfandafljót River’s water, which falls from a height of 12 meters across a width of 30 meters. You can see Godafoss from two different viewpoints, so you could easily spend an hour there. You can also take a stroll down to the river’s edge. Cutting rocks, on the other hand, can be dangerously slippery, so proceed with caution. Aside from that, the walkaways and lookouts are fantastic for making the most of your visit.

This long exposure black and white photograph was taken from the riverbank on the east side of this lovely waterfall. Can you see the silhouette of a man standing on the rocks at the top of the waterfall? Now you can get a sense of scale of how big this waterfall is!

The following image was taken from a deck on the East Bank. Again, a long exposure contributes to the scene’s calm and peace. I think that the autumn colors complement the orange hues in the sky perfectly. Although, to be honest, the waterfall was definitely loud!

Of course, Godafoss is an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is always a spectacular sight. When you combine it with an incredible landscape of Iceland, you have a spectacular show into the arctic wilderness.

You should definitely not miss this waterfall if you are driving around Iceland or the Diamond Circle. Both the East and West Banks are worth a visit to take in the scenery and snap some photos!

If you liked my photos they are available as fine art prints, canvas prints and other products.

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Gullfoss (meaning “Golden Falls”) is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland. It is very easy to access as part of the Golden Circle route. The photo can’t make justice of how huge this waterfall is. In fact it has two stages. The first, shorter cascade is 11 meters (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 meters (69 feet). The water afterwards flows through a gorge. Depending on the wind you might get a little wet or a lot. We were lucky enough to have a great sunset when we visited this waterfall! Oh, and an amazing northern lights show over Gullfoss afterwards!

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Nestled in Iceland’s stunning South Region, Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a must-see natural wonder that’s incredibly easy to reach, thanks to its prime location right alongside the famous Route 1 (the Ring Road). This majestic waterfall plunges an impressive 60 meters (about 197 feet), but what truly sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls is the unique experience it offers—you can actually walk behind the cascading water!

Imagine standing in a hidden cave behind the curtain of water, feeling the cool mist on your face as you watch the waterfall from a completely different perspective. The view is nothing short of breathtaking, especially during sunset when the golden light filters through the falling water, creating a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. It’s a photographer’s dream and an unforgettable moment for any traveler.

However, a visit here requires a bit of preparation. Because you are so close to the waterfall, you will almost certainly get soaked by the spray, so waterproof clothing is essential. A sturdy rain jacket and waterproof pants will keep you comfortable while you explore. For photography enthusiasts, a waterproof camera or a reliable protective cover is highly recommended. When I visited, I had to wrap my camera in a waterproof protector to capture the perfect shot without damage. Even then, I found myself constantly wiping the lens to clear away droplets and maintain a crisp, clear image.

In summary, Seljalandsfoss is not just a waterfall—it’s an immersive adventure that combines Iceland’s raw natural beauty with a rare, interactive experience. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply someone looking for a memorable outdoor activity, this waterfall should be at the top of your Iceland itinerary. Just come prepared to get wet and be ready to be amazed!

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This shot was taken in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, next to Saint Nicholas church (which obviously you can’t see in the photo). I was trying to find something interesting to shoot when I saw those rocks covered in green moss. Luckily the sunset was on my side and it gave me a colourful sky. After so many years taking landscape photos in Thessaloniki it is getting harder and harder to find something new to photograph. Probably I should travel more!

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