What are the most romantic and beautiful places in Iceland? Are you looking for a little love nest for you and your partner? Perhaps you want to propose in a unique destination? If you're looking for a special ambiance, then here are the top romantic destinations in Iceland.
When Iceland is filled with stunning landscapes, it may be hard to choose where to go for a romantic destination. It doesn't come as a surprise that many couples choose to come to Iceland to get married—and Guide to Iceland can even help you plan your wedding in Iceland!
But which place to choose for a lovey-dovey getaway? Plan self-drive trips to these stunning locations with the privacy of a rental car, or enjoy the convenience of fantastic Iceland tours for a stress-free experience. Afterward, you can relax in some of the best accommodations in Iceland for a truly memorable trip.
Let the love light your way with this list of our favorite romantic locations in Iceland, mostly within a few hour's drive from Reykjavik!
- Learn more about the Best Places for Marriage Proposals in Iceland
- Experience Iceland your way with 7 day summer package
- Embrace the magic of Iceland with this 4-day package to the Vatnajokull ice cave
Most Romantic Places in Iceland
These stunning locations bring an air of romance to your trip. If you want to be on your own, then you should rent a car and drive yourself to these locations, but it can also be fun to go on a tour (and in some cases necessary!)
Thorsmork Valley
Thorsmork is an oasis in the highlands of Iceland and our number one romantic destination. Obviously, it's the company that makes the location romantic, but it helps to be surrounded by stunning views. Experiencing the midnight sun here is something that will stay with you forever.
This green valley is filled with beautiful rock formations, mountains, rivers, and great hiking paths for every level. We recommend camping, or even glamping, as it's super romantic to bring your own tent and nestle in a small clearing. It's pretty rustic and simple, but that adds to the charm!
Thorsmork is known for having slightly better weather than its surroundings—but even if it rains, it just makes it cozy and intimate to listen to the drops on the roof of your tent.
- See also: Getting Married in Iceland
You can hike up to the Eyjafjallajokull glacier and see where the famous volcanic eruption took place in 2010. The ground there is still warm and it's nice to sit down and feel it warm up your legs as you look over the stunning surroundings. It's also a pretty spectacular location for a marriage proposal!
There are also plenty of gorgeous other hikes inside and around Thorsmork, such as over the ridge Kattarhryggur (Cat's Spine), up to the top of Valahnukur mountain or hike into Stakkholtsgja canyon, pictured above, where you'll find a waterfall at the bottom of the canyon.
Thosmork's beauty is mentioned in the story of Burnt Njal (Brennu-Njáls saga). Gunnar, a famous and strong Viking, had been outlawed, and as he was riding out of Thorsmork, he looked back and said that the hill was so beautiful that he would not leave. And still, today, when you go to Thorsmork, you'll never want to leave.
Thorsmork is mainly accessible during summer in Iceland. We don't advise driving yourself to Thorsmork, as you'll need to cross some dangerous rivers on the way - and you should definitely NOT attempt to go there in wintertime on your own! It's best, and safest, to take highland tours and let someone else take care of driving you.
- See also: Romantic Glamping in Thorsmork in Iceland
- Book the Hiking in Thorsmork Valley | Super Jeep Day Tour here
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Snaefellsjokull is the glacier that crowns the end of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Surrounding it is a national park filled with birdlife, hiking trails, and small fishing villages. You'll also find nice rocks, such as the Londrangar, that are pictured here above!
Between Arnarstapi and Hellnar is a beautiful and easy hiking trek that takes less than an hour, along with a nice little café by the seaside in Hellnar.
Djupalonssandur is another gorgeous location on the peninsula. It's a black pebble beach with some remains of a shipwreck scattered across the pebbles and sand, and nearby, there's the stunning Djupalon lake.
Famously, the mountain Kirkjufell has become a favorite spot for photographers and Game of Thrones enthusiasts, with its iconic triangular shape (that mountain that's 'shaped like an arrowhead') and the nearby waterfall.
A favorite thing to do on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is trekking up to the top of Snaefellsjokull glacier in the middle of the summer and looking towards Reykjavik on one side and over Breidafjordur fjord on the other. It's especially magical in the twilight of different shades of pink, orange, golden and purple.
It's simply ideal for lovebirds and even better if you remember to bring a bottle of hot chocolate and a blanket with you and sit down on the glacier. Keep in mind that this can only be done with guided glacier tours, as glaciers can be very dangerous for those not intimately familiar with them.
To top it off, book accommodation in Snaefellsnes, such as a romantic cabin or a charming guesthouse. In wintertime, there's nothing more romantic than soaking in your own hot tub while watching the dancing northern lights above!
Reykjadalur Valley
Photo from Relaxing 4-Hour Hike to Reykjadalur Valley With Hot Spring Tour from Hveragerdi
Reykjadalur is a valley just outside the charming town of Hveragerdi, about a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik. Its name translates to "smokey valley," which stems from the warm water river that runs through it, and it's perfect for bathing!
We recommend going there in the summer, but it's quite popular for hot spring tours, so chances are you won't be there on your own. If you go mid-week and in the middle of the night, you might be in luck and have the place all to yourself.
If you're visiting Iceland in winter, however, know that the water is warm all year round. You may even get the chance to sit in hot water whilst watching the northern lights!
We recommend pairing a visit to some of the best restaurants on the South Coast for the best experience. One of them, Fjöruborðið, is situated in Stokkseyri, a short drive from Hveragerdi where the Reykjadalur hike starts. The hike is about 1,5-2 hours going up and 1-1,5 hours going down.
- Learn more: The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
- See also: Food in Iceland | An Introduction to Icelandic Cuisine
You can hike up to Reykjadalur in the evening during summer as it doesn't get dark. Bring a bottle of wine and maybe some chocolate or strawberries. Then enjoy a glass of wine with your loved one whilst sitting in warm water underneath the midnight sun! After you've had your fill of the warm water, you can jog down to the scenic village of Hveragerdi, maybe even spend the night in cozy Hveragerdi accommodation.
Ice Cave Inside Vatnajokull Glacier
The locations mentioned so far are best to visit in the summertime, so what about if you're visiting Iceland in winter?
Well, if you're coming to Iceland during the colder months, then you can't miss out on ice cave tours in the Southeast. Most are only accessible between September and April as the colder temperatures ensure that it's safe to visit.
One of the most beautiful experiences is the blue ice cave of the Vatnajokull glacier. You have to go with a guide so you can't really be on your own, and you can visit with this ice cave tour from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
However, this is one of the most popular places in the country for proposals to take place. It looks like a crystal palace from a fairytale, so it's not really surprising - you'll be hard-pressed to find a place of more magical natural beauty!
Even if it's cold, Iceland's cold weather is fairly dry, so you can dress it off with plenty of warm layers. What makes this place even better is that it's far away from Reykjavik, so you'll need at least 2 days (even better to take 3) to go there and back - and there are plenty of gorgeous places on the way and great South Coast accommodation in the vicinity.
Some favorites include the cliffs at Dyrholaey, Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui waterfalls, Fjadrargljufur canyon, and Skaftafell nature reserve (hike up to Svartifoss waterfall, it's gorgeous!).
And the créme de la créme is, of course, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach! So it's the perfect weekend getaway, far from the stress of city life.
Also, because it's wintertime, there's a chance you'll see the northern lights dancing above you at night - or that you need to cuddle up tight if there's a snow blizzard raging outside.
- See more: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon | Iceland's Crown Jewel
- See also: Northern Lights at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Just imagine: Enjoy a sleep-in inside your private rented cottage, enjoy a good breakfast together, go for a short scenic drive to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, explore the gorgeous blue ice cave in the early afternoon, stroll along the Diamond Beach in the late afternoon, have a nice warm drink and admire the northern lights at night dancing over the glacier lagoon, or snuggle up in a hot tub with snowflakes melting on your face on a cloudy day.
You can drive the South Coast yourself with a rental car, though in winter, it's recommended to rent a 4x4 vehicle. This 3-day winter self-drive tour includes accommodation and a visit to the ice cave while giving you great flexibility!
This video can give you an idea of what you might see on the South Coast of Iceland!
These are just a few of our favorite places, but there are plenty more to choose from!
For more exciting and romantic locations in Iceland, check out these 20 hidden gems in Iceland to see some locations off the beaten path. The best hot springs in Iceland are great for a relaxing soak in nature, and if you're looking for something you can't find elsewhere, this list of the most unique experiences in Iceland provides you with some exciting activities.
And if you want to explore the country on your own, then check out the best attractions by the Ring Road of Iceland.
What do you think is the most romantic location in Iceland? Do you know of any places that deserve a spot on this list? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below!
