How to Plan a Honeymoon in Iceland
Kari Bjorn Photography | Iceland Elopement Photographer
ICELAND FOR YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON! BEST PLACES TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE THERE!
Congratulations on your engagement or wedding! Honeymooning in Iceland is on so many couples’ bucket lists and the destination is actually perfect for both getting married and turning that getaway elopement into a honeymoon. Talk about feeding two birds with one stone!
If you are planning your dream honeymoon, you should definitely consider Iceland as your destination. Here are a few reasons why (in case you really needed them!)
Learn more about my favorite wedding venues in Iceland
1. ENDLESS NATURAL BEAUTY
Iceland is a land of unparalleled contrasts and natural landscapes. From the mesmerizing Northern Lights dancing across the night sky to the majestic waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, pristine black sand beaches in the south, and geothermal hot springs — the country offers an abundance of picturesque backdrops for your honeymoon. Imagine exploring the breathtaking beauty of places like the Blue Lagoon, Skaftafell National Park, and the dramatic landscapes of Reynisfjara Beach, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Head on over to my elopement page for the best wedding locations and how to plan your wedding in Iceland.
2. PRIVACY AND SECLUSION
When it comes to your honeymoon, privacy, and seclusion are often key elements for a romantic getaway. Iceland, with its vast and untouched landscapes, provides the perfect opportunity for you and your partner to escape and be by yourselves. Summers can be pretty crowded but that is mostly around the biggest tourist attractions. Book a honeymoon over New years and be amazed at how incredible the country is in winter.
3. ADVENTUROUS EXPERIENCES
If you're seeking a honeymoon filled with thrilling adventures, Iceland is perfect! There are endless activities — take a romantic hike on a glacier, witness the power of nature while exploring ice caves in the south and southeast, or hop on a Super Jeep tour through rugged moon-like terrains. The possibilities are truly limitless.
4. UNIQUE CUISINE
Not many know this, but Iceland offers a pretty unique culinary experience, blending traditional Nordic cuisine with modern influences. Iceland typically ranks in the top 10 in the Bocuse d’Or, the world cup of chefs, not bad for a country of just 350.000 folks! Try fresh seafood like langoustine and hot-smoked salmon or traditional Icelandic dishes like hákarl (fermented shark) and skyr. With a focus on local and sustainable ingredients, the dining options in Iceland are sure to delight and surprise you. A few favorite restaurants include Slippurinn and Fisk Félagid
WHAT TO DO DURING YOUR HONEYMOON
I’ll make a wild assumption and say that you’re not coming to Iceland to stay in your hotel. So here are my top adventure driven outdoorsy things to do on your honeymoon in Iceland.
#1 DRIVE THE RING ROAD
The ring road is highway number 1 — and as the name suggests, goes around the island. This road gives you access to many of the amazing wonders in Iceland. Driving the road can take anywhere from 4-14 days on average, depending on your budget and how much time you have. I’d recommend about 8-10 in summer and about 10-14 in winter as there is less light in winter, and it’s cold and you’ll want to spend a bit more time inside and sleep in a bit more. The best way to experience the ring road is to drive it yourself! Iceland Road Trip offers both self-drive and guided tours.
#2 GO INSIDE A VOLCANO
Þríhnúkagígur (don’t even try to pronounce that, lol) is an extinct volcano about 20-30 minutes east of Reykjavik. You’ll get lowered into the now empty magma chamber for a feast for the eyes. Believe me, I did it in 2014 after it just opened and they’ve just made it better since. This isn’t the cheapest option but well worth it.
#3 SPEND THE NIGHT BY THE GLACIER LAGOON
The Glacier Lagoon is one of my favorite places in Iceland. It’s right on the Ring Road and yes — it can be packed during the day — but during summer, there is midnight sun in Iceland and that’s the perfect time to explore the lagoon and the nearby ice beach. They say you need less sleep when the sun is up 24 hours and it’s true. You only need 5-6 hours of sleep!
#4 HIKE A GLACIER
Iceland has a few glaciers. Sólheimajökull is right in the middle of the south shore and super close to all the main attractions and waterfalls. It’s the perfect half-day activity, especially when the weather is nice. I’ve been there both in summer and winter (middle of January!) and it was better in winter, the view from the glacier is truly incredible!
BEST PLACES TO STAY ON YOUR HONEYMOON
#1. The retreat at The blue lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of the main attractions in Iceland and for good reason, there is literally no other place like it! The newly opened Retreat Hotel is no different, totally unique, and offers a complete luxury 5-star experience.
#2. HOTEL RANGA
Hotel Rangá is one of the old-school luxury experiences in Iceland. It was built around one of the best rivers in the country for salmon fishing and has kept its high standard throughout the past few decades.
#3. SIGLO HOTEL
Sigló Hotel (Sigló is the nickname for the town Siglufjördur) is a wonderful 4-star hotel in one of the northernmost towns in Iceland. If you want seclusion, you got it!
#4 HOTEL LAKI
This hotel is on the the corner of south and east Iceland. If you’re going east from Reykjavik, this would be the ideal night for your first night. I stayed there over Christmas 2019 and we were able to see the northern lights from the hotel’s outdoor patio.