How to Have the Best Honeymoon in Iceland: Five Romantic Things to Do

With its unspoiled landscapes, breathtaking natural beauty and serenity, Iceland has continued to rise in popularity over the years. And this is all the more true when thinking about Iceland’s romantic side. Many globetrotters have made Iceland their place of choice for marriage proposals, weddings and honeymoons.

And when you consider that a honeymoon in Iceland could mean admiring waterfalls, hiking in the countryside, watching the Northern Lights dance overhead and relaxing in hot springs together, it’s no surprise that travelers are seeing how much love this European island is able to offer them.

So if you also have your sights set on having the best honeymoon in Iceland, here is my pick of the most romantic things you can do.

1. Watch the Northern Lights dance overhead

Perhaps one of Iceland’s largest draws for honeymooners is the opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) first-hand. Think about it - nothing says romance like cosying up under a blanket together, flask of tea or coffee in hand, watching one of nature’s greatest phenomenons.

Hesitant to put a damper on the parade though, I should mention that you won’t always be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. That’s the thing about nature, it does what it wants. But a trip to Iceland greatly increases your chances of seeing them, particularly when visiting between September to April.

In order to capture the Northern Lights, my best advice would be to keep an eye on Aurora forecasts and cloud cover charts. I’ve found the Aurora forecast from the Iceland Met Office to be the most accurate in its predictions. Generally speaking, an active rating of 4 or higher without cloud cover (and on a dark night) is when you’re likely to be in for a magical evening.

But you shouldn’t be perturbed by a lower rating either. During my stay in Iceland, our first night had a rating of just 1, and yet, we were still able to see green wisps in the sky!

If you’re able to stay out in the depths of the Icelandic countryside (perhaps within the Golden Circle), then this will help to enhance your chances of seeing the lights. But equally, special Northern Lights tours are run by experts whose job it is to try to ensure you get a chance to see the lights. Although it’s not guaranteed, embarking on a tour does help!

2. Relax in hot springs together

Icelanders have been soaking in hot springs for hundreds of years, with this special type of geothermal activity said to be present at over 700 sites across the country. And personally, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate your recent nuptials than by soaking in hot springs with your true love.

Although many travelers head straight to the infamous Blue Lagoon, there are a number of fantastic hot springs dotted around the country. So you’d be best served to do a bit of reading to determine which bath will bring the most romantic experience to you and your partner.

Some hot springs, such as the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon, charge entry fees and generally offer changing rooms and showers. But there are also a number that are completely free to soak in, although admittedly are likely to be lacking in facilities.

Whichever hot spring you decide to head to, one thing’s for certain - you’ll love soaking in the warm water with your beau, while gazing at the beautiful Icelandic countryside. Maybe you’ll even see some snow falling gracefully from the skies while soaking? We did!

And whilst we’re on the subject of soaking in warm water, if you have the fortune of renting a car in Iceland and staying within the depths of the countryside, then the chances are high that you’ll be renting a cute, wooden cabin. And the chances are also high that you’ll have access to your very own private hot tub.

So make like an Icelander by also relaxing in a hot tub with your spouse, preferably with a delicious drink in hand while the Northern Lights dance overhead. It’s all completely possible within romantic Iceland!

3. Hike together within the Icelandic countryside

Aside from the magical sights you’ll see overhead, another of Iceland’s largest attractions is its unspoiled landscapes.

Never-ending fields, remarkable black sand beaches, towering mountains, sparkling ice caves, you name it, the Icelandic countryside seems to have it.

And UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, is one such hiking spot you should definitely add to your Iceland honeymoon itinerary.

You’ll find waterfalls, rivers and lakes here, as well as an authentic Icelandic church, impressive views and even the chance to walk through two tectonic plates! Parking at Thingvellir is very simple to do and is charged at just 500 ISK for the whole day.

Or for those of you who are unable to drive yourselves, there is also the opportunity to embark on a tour here, which should show you everything you’ll want to see.

4. Spot wildlife with puffin, dolphin and whale watching tours

Iceland is home to an abundance of wildlife, and right up there with the most interesting to see in their natural habitats are dolphins, whales and puffins.

Certainly for whales and puffins, you’re best visiting Iceland during the spring and summer months. For puffins, this is usually when they return ‘home’, and for whales, this is when there is an abundance of krill to feed on.

Around Iceland, it’s possible to see lots of different types of whale, including humpbacks, orcas and pilot whales, among others. And the best way to see them? With a special tour, of course! Whale watching tours are designed to show you the best of the animals, but without disturbing their natural habitat. And generally along the way, you’re also likely to spot dolphins.

It’s also possible to book puffin tours in the warmer months as well, which is a great way to again, see the animals behave naturally. You’ll get some great shots with a good zoom on your camera!

5. Chase waterfalls together

Waterfalls are as synonymous with Iceland as hot springs are. It seems wherever you look when out in the countryside, you’ll see a waterfall. Small, large, short, tall, they come in all sizes, and you and your partner will definitely have a lot of fun chasing them together.

To ensure you have a particularly special honeymoon, I’d recommend scouting out the waterfalls that offer something really unique.

Gullfoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland and is definitely a star of the Golden Circle. During the warmer months, the water is a murky brown, but if you’re venturing out on your honeymoon during the colder months, you’ll see bright blue water!

Seljalandsfoss is one you can walk behind when it’s not icy. It’s a lot of fun to see the waterfall from this angle - just prepare yourselves to get soaked through when doing so!

Skógafoss is one that you can see from ground level and from above. Although you’ll have to climb over 500 steps to see it from up high, the views are incredible (both of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape).

Gljúfrabúi is a neighbor of Seljalandsfoss and can sometimes be overlooked as it’s hidden inside a large rock crevice. Some daredevil honeymooners choose to climb the rocks in order to see the waterfall, others prefer to wade through ankle-deep water, while some (myself included) choose to admire it from the sidelines…

Öxarárfoss can be found in Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park and is not only home to a Game of Thrones filming location, but also has water so clean that you can actually drink from it!

I hope this list of romantic things to do has been a good source of inspiration for your honeymoon. Enjoy making treasured memories in Iceland like the many more you’ll have throughout your years together.