Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital, and largest city. Sitting on it’s west coast and centrally located near many of Iceland’s most famous sights, it’s the perfect place to base yourself for an Icelandic adventure! The city has beautiful views of the sea, interesting architecture, great street art, and a very welcoming energy. We fell in love with the capital city and had such an enjoyable time in Iceland. We loved how friendly the locals were and how LGBTQ+ friendly it is. Within driving distance of Reykjavik you can visit waterfalls, geysers, national parks, a crater lake, black sand beaches, and a world famous geothermal spa. Iceland is such a special country with incredibly unique sights and natural wonders. If you’re looking for an amazing adventure in Iceland, keep reading for our lesbian guide to Reykjavik!
When To Go
Iceland is an incredible country to visit any time of year, so choosing your preferred season really depends on what you’d most like to see and experience. We visited in the summer, which meant that we had milder temperatures and nearly twenty-four hours of daylight. This made it easy to do long day trips outside the city, and we felt safer never having to drive in the dark. Of course in Iceland, one of the magnificent natural wonders to see is the Northern Lights, and these can only be viewed for eight months of the year, from early September to the end of April. If you choose to visit outside of the summer season, you have the possibility to see the incredible Aurora Borealis, but you may have to endure more difficult weather conditions. Iceland during the winter time can see a lot of snow, so you would need to pay close attention to road conditions and take more safety precautions. There are also only five hours of daylight during the winter months, which means you would have to be very strategic about fitting in your daytime activities. Regardless of what time of year you choose to visit, Iceland is an incredible country with unbelievably unique landscapes and experiences. You truly can’t go wrong.
What To Do
Downtown Reykjavik
There is a lot to explore in the city of Reykjavik. Because it sits on Iceland’s coast, there is a beautiful waterfront with views of the unique surrounding landscapes. Be sure to take a stroll along the water and look out for “Sun Voyager”, a famous sculpture that sits beside the sea. Other well known landmarks in Reykjavik are Hallgrimskirkja, a stunning cathedral in the middle of town, and the Perlan glass dome offering incredible panoramic views of the city. Rich with history, Reykjavik is home to several museums that explore Iceland’s Viking past, and there are plenty of places to learn more about the country’s culture. One of the oldest streets in Reykjavik is now it’s main shopping strip: Laugavegur. Along with tourist shops, there are many boutiques selling Icelandic made goods. Laugavegur is also where much of the restaurant scene is located, with cuisines ranging from traditional Icelandic, to modern vegetarian/vegan. There is also a lot of nightlife in this area with many different bars and live music venues, as well a lot of interesting street art. Be sure to spend plenty of time exploring downtown Reykjavik as there is so much to do!
Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon is an outdoor geothermal spa featuring mineral rich waters in a lava field. While it is certainly a popular tourist activity, it really is an incredible experience and fully worth a visit! The Lagoon is located near the village of Grindavik, about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, and can be reached easily by car. It’s best to purchase admission tickets online in advance, and read up on the Blue Lagoon website for all of their regulations on spa etiquette. The lagoon is very big, and the water is the perfect temperature to relax for a good length of time. There is a swim up bar to buy drinks, as well as a silica bar giving out their famous silica mud masks. You can also look out for employees in the water that might be sampling other products. We found a lovely young woman in a floral swim cap who was giving out samples of their black lava exfoliator. The views from the lagoon are stunning, and we had a really wonderful time enjoying the spa. Highly recommend!
Iceland’s Golden Circle
A perfect day trip from Reykjavik, and an absolute must-do while in Iceland, is the Golden Circle. There are four major stops along this route in central Iceland, and the driving time is roughly three hours. The entire day trip can easily take up to ten hours depending on how long you take at each spot, and the sights are incredible! We rented a car and really enjoyed driving this route ourselves, but it’s also possible to take a guided bus tour from the city of Reykjavik. (Keep reading for more information on car rentals and driving in Iceland).
The first stop on this route is Þingvellir National Park, which is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly moving apart. The fissure between the plates is actually a diving and snorkelling site, and is the only spot in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates. The park is beautiful and quite large with rocky cliffs, stunning lakes, and beautiful scenery. If you have the time you can hike through it, but if you’re just making a quick stop it’s still well worth it!
The second stop is the Geysers At Haukadalur: Geysir and Strokkur. Geysir (from which the name came) is no longer active, but Strokkur erupts about every ten minutes. This is a popular spot, but we had no problem getting close to the water to take some photos. Be careful where you stand or you might get soaked!
The third stop on the route is the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. It’s magnificent! Be sure to wear something waterproof as the spray from the water reaches all of the viewing areas and you can get pretty wet, but the falls are remarkable.
The last stop on the Golden Circle is the Kerið Crater Lake. The colours of the crater and the lake are gorgeous, and there is a pathway to hike the perimeter of the crater as well as climb down to the water. It’s a really unique site and worth the visit.
The Golden Circle drive itself is also very beautiful. You will go through a lot of farmland on this route with sheep and horses on either side of the road, and there are plenty of pull offs to stop and take photos, or admire the animals. There aren’t a lot of places to stop and get food other than the small cafes at a couple of the attractions, so we recommend bringing along lunch and water. You’ll easily get through the day on a full tank of gas, and there are plenty of stations in Reykjavik when you’re leaving the city. Enjoy!
The Geothermal Energy Exhibition
Iceland’s unique geography allows the country to use a lot of geothermal energy to generate their electricity, and it’s really interesting to learn about this while visiting because it’s something that makes Iceland so special. 100% of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable sources, and they are the only country in the world in that position! Located about 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik is The Geothermal Energy Exhibition at The Hellisheiði Power Plant, where you can take a guided tour to learn about Iceland’s geothermal energy utilization. With multimedia installations, displays, and presentations, the tours are very thorough and informative. The Hellisheiði Power Plant is located in one of the largest geothermal areas in Iceland, and it’s the biggest single site geothermal power plant in the world. If you’re interested in learning more about what makes Iceland so unique, or you have a fascination with renewable energy, definitely fit in a visit to the Energy Exhibition. You won’t be disappointed!
Iceland’s South Coast
Another incredible day trip from Reykjavik and a definite must-do in Iceland, is a tour of the South Coast. There are so many amazing sights to see, and you may even choose to do this over numerous days to fit in some glacier activities, but it can easily be done in a well planned single day trip. The drive to the fishing village of Vik from downtown Reykjavik, is two and a half hours, and there are plenty of stops along the way to fill a day. We drove the South Coast ourselves, but you can also do a guided bus tour from Reykjavik. (Keep reading for more information on car rentals and driving in Iceland).
The first major stop on Iceland’s South Coast is the Reykjadalur Valley, home to the hot spring thermal river near the town of Hveragerði. The bathing areas are about an hour hike from the road, but this is a very unique Iceland experience.
The second stop is the famous Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which is absolutely magnificent. Something very special about this waterfall is that you can actually walk behind the water, but be sure to dress appropriately because you will get wet!
On the South Coast between two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, there’s a plane wreck that sits on the Sólheimasandur black sand beach. If you’re driving the South Coast yourself, this can be a really interesting stop! A US Navy aircraft crashed here in 1973 with no fatalities, and the plane has remained ever since, broken and decaying. It’s become a popular spot for tourists and photographers, and can be accessed on foot about a 45 minute hike off the road.
After this, is the beautiful Skogafoss Waterfall, which is one of the largest waterfalls in the country and probably the most well known attraction on this route. Here, you can walk very close to the base of the falls, as well as climb a staircase that takes you up to the top. It’s an incredible sight and a major highlight of this region.
The next stop is Reynisfjara, a beautiful black sand beach on Iceland’s South Coast. The volcanic shoreline is stunning, and there are amazing rock formations and cliffs to see here. Be sure to stay a safe distance from the water as there can be dangerous waves.
The final stop on this route is Vík í Mýrdal, a remote seaside town which sits just South of the Katla Volcano. While it’s the largest village in this region, it has a very small population, but it’s worth a stop and makes the perfect turning point for a drive along the South Coast. Just like the Golden Circle, we recommend bringing snacks, a packed lunch, and water for this day trip, as there aren’t a lot of places to stop and get food. It’s also a good idea to fill up with gas in Reykjavik before heading out on your adventure!
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
While Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is the most famous spa in the country, there are many smaller geothermal baths that are more popular with the locals. These are much less busy, and still a wonderfully unique experience when visiting Iceland. Just over an hour away from the city of Reykjavik is Laugarvatn Fontana, a beautiful lakefront spa and wellness centre with outdoor mineral pools, saunas, and natural steam baths. It’s located near other attractions on the Golden Circle route, so this can certainly be worked into that day trip, or you could make a day of the spa trip on it’s own. Laugarvatn Fontana is built on natural hot springs, so the spa’s steam baths use hot steam that comes directly from the ground. The Finnish style sauna includes beautiful views of the lake, and the natural mineral pools, hot tubs, and steam rooms are perfect for relaxing and recharging. If you’re feeling brave, you can also take a dip in the cold lake in between warm sessions. The spa also has a small cafe which offers a buffet style lunch and dinner, and the facilities are very well kept and well maintained. Enjoy!
Iceland’s Snaefellnes Peninsula
The third day trip from Reykjavik that is quite popular to do is the Snaefellnes Peninsula. Located in West Iceland, the Peninsula can be easily explored by car yourself, or you can book a bus tour from the city of Reykjavik. Because there are so many incredible sights, you could easily plan to spend a couple days here, but it is also entirely possible to fit a lot of it into a single day trip.
One of the most well known spots on the Peninsula is Kirkjufell Mountain, which is one of the most photographed sites in Iceland, and a beautiful natural wonder.
Nearby is Kirkjufellsfoss, gorgeous waterfalls that can be enjoyed with the stunning Kirkjufell behind them.
Another popular stop on the Snaefellnes Peninsula is Arnarstapi, a small fishing village that sits at the foot of Mt. Stapafell, and has incredible rock formations, cliffs, greenery, and views of the water.
The nearby village of Hellnar is also a lovely stop, featuring more amazing landscapes and water views.
The Peninsula has many incredible stops, and you will need to determine how much time you’ll spend here in order to see everything that you’d like. Just like the Golden Circle and South Coast, it can make for a long day, so we recommend bringing snacks, a packed lunch, and water for this day trip, as there aren’t a lot of places to stop and get food. It’s also a good idea to fill up with gas in Reykjavik before heading out on your adventure!
Where to Stay
Staying in downtown Reykjavik is a great option to enjoy the city, and you will also be centrally based for day trips around this region of Iceland. In the city of Reykjavik, both Hotels and Airbnb rentals are great options for accommodations. The city is quite small and easy to get around on foot, so if you choose something in the city centre it will be convenient for you. When booking hotel accommodations we always use Hotels.com because it consistently has great prices, and it’s easy to narrow down your search with the amenities you want. Hotels.com also does price matching, and they have a great rewards program offering you one night free for every ten nights you stay. If you prefer to enjoy a more authentic travel experience, we highly recommend booking an Airbnb in Reykjavik. This is what we did when we visited, and we enjoyed a very comfortable stay in a local host’s rental apartment. We loved being able to support the nearby businesses, and also explore the heart of the city from a local’s perspective. We love choosing Airbnb for this reason, as it gives you such a different experience! If you’ve never used Airbnb, click here to save on your first stay.
Where to Eat & Drink
Iceland is a very expensive country to visit, and going out for meals certainly does have a high cost. We highly recommend bringing some packaged snacks and food items with you when you visit, and doing some grocery shopping while in Reykjavik, so you can pack some lunches for day trips around the area. That being said, you will certainly want to check out the food scene in Reykjavik, and there is a large range of cuisine available. You will be able to find a lot of traditional Icelandic food, as well as menus offering culinary fusion, and even a growing number of plant-based options. Our favourite spots for a healthy vegan meal were Glo, and Hraðlestin, while nice upscale options were Kitchen & Wine, and Nostra. And be sure to check out Joylato for some amazing vegan ice cream and Eldur Og Is for vegan crepes!
Lesbian Friendly
Iceland is very LGBTQ+ friendly, and is often regarded as one of the most gay friendly countries in the world. We felt welcomed and fully supported while we travelled in Iceland, and we loved that our marriage was recognized. Iceland legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, and overall their laws regarding the community are very progressive. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly Iceland is. We had no issues being out and open in the city of Reykjavik, or in the smaller villages we visited on our day trips. We felt extremely safe and comfortable, and never felt the need to hide our relationship. In the city, you will find Pride flags displayed in the streets, as well as LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, bars, and nightclubs. Reykjavik also hosts amazing Pride festivities every August, with their Pride parade being one of the country’s largest annual events. Similar to other cities, the gay scene in Reykjavik is mostly geared toward men, but that being said it is very inclusive of everyone. There aren’t any specifically lesbian venues, but the most well known LGBTQ+ bar is called Kiki Queer Bar. Other gay friendly venues include Gaukurinn, Bravo, and Kaffibarinn. Iceland is a very welcoming destination for all people, and lesbian travellers can definitely feel comfortable here. We highly recommend Reykjavik as a lesbian friendly destination!
How to Get Around
Rent a Car
We rented a car in Iceland and we’re so glad we did! It is definitely the best option for exploring outside of Reykjavik, and allows you the freedom to design your own day trip itineraries and have some flexibility in your plans. Of course you want to consider the time of year that you’re visiting, and be sure that you rent a vehicle that will be safe in the weather conditions you might encounter. When we visited in the summer, we were safe with a small car, but in the winter months you would definitely want something bigger and more powerful. It’s best to book your car in advance, and it’s very convenient to rent your vehicle from Keflavik International Airport. Be sure you get the proper insurance to cover your trip, and keep in mind that if you plan on driving off the major roads in Iceland you may be required to purchase gravel road insurance. If you visit in the winter months, you may also want to purchase ice and ash insurance. We found driving inside and outside of Reykjavik to be really easy and stress free. The roads aren’t very busy, and the other drivers were all responsible. Have a quick read on the rules of the road to be sure you know the local regulations, but overall driving is a great and easy option for transportation! If you’re heading outside the city to do some exploring, be sure to fill up with gas in Reykjavik as there aren’t many gas stations in the remote areas of Iceland. Fuel is expensive in Iceland so keep this in mind when budgeting your trip.
Taxi
For shorter trips around the city of Reykjavik, taxis are a great option. You can hail them on the street, call for one, or grab a taxi from a taxi stand. There aren’t any ride sharing services in Reykjavik like Uber or Lyft, so traditional taxis are the only option. They are safe and an easy way to get around the city!
Bus Tours
If you’re looking to do some adventuring outside of Reykjavik but are unable to drive yourself with a rented car, there are many bus tours available from the city. You can book organized excursions for the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the Snaefellnes Peninsula, and the Blue Lagoon, as well as tours for glacier adventures, whale watching, hot springs, snowmobiling, ATVing, and to see natural wonders like lava tunnels, ice caves, and the incredible Northern Lights. Depending on your travel style, bus tours might be a nice option for exploring the incredible sights in Iceland outside of Reykjavik. Enjoy!
Walk
The central downtown area of Reykjavik is very walkable, and you can definitely do plenty of exploring on foot. The main attractions in the city are quite accessible and easy to walk to, so you can really see quite a bit without a vehicle.
Has anyone else fallen in love with Reykjavik, Iceland? Let us know in the comments!
2 comments
This is such a great post, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading!