Romantic Things to Do in Iceland
The Vikings weren’t exactly known for their romance skills. In part because of its history, and even moreso because of its unique geography, Iceland isn’t “swaying palm trees and long walks on the beach” romantic. Its romance is more of the “powerful waterfalls, alien landscapes, alone in the middle of nowhere” variety. And that’s perfectly fine by me. If you too prefer untamed nature to perfectly manicured resorts, you might just find Iceland to be one of the most romantic places on Earth. Add in the colder climate – who doesn’t love a good reason to cuddle – and you’ve got the recipe for a steaming hot vacation with a loved one. Here are some of the most romantic things to do in Iceland.
Soak in the Blue Lagoon
Yes, it’s touristy, and if you go in summer, it’ll be packed, but the Blue Lagoon is an iconic experience in Iceland. So grab your sweetheart, ignore the crowds, find a cozy corner of the Lagoon and lazy float around for a few hours. Whether you’re soaking under the sun at midnight during the summer or staying warm in the water as winter snow falls all around you, you’ll have an experience you won’t soon forget.
Have an amazing meal
Dining in Reykjavik is expensive, with entrees costing upwards of about $30US, but at the city’s best restaurants, it’s worth every penny. If you’re traveling on a budget, plan on at least one splurge meal. Try some of the country’s fresh fish or tender, free-range meat, sip a little wine or beer, linger over dessert, and enjoy. Just don’t look too closely at the bill when it arrives. You don’t want to spoil the mood.
Work up a sweat
If an adrenaline rush is your favorite aphrodisiac, there are lots of activities to get your heart pumping in Iceland. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, white-water rafting, caving, glacier walking, dog sledding, 4X4 driving, diving and snorkeling are all possible, with many of the activities available year round.
Search for the Northern Lights
If you visit between September and March, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. You could book a group tour, but where’s the romance in that. Instead keep an eye on the forecast and, when there’s a good chance of a sighting, grab your car and head away from civilization. Pack some cocoa and cookies and warm blanket for an evening under the stars. Even if the Lights don’t make an appearance, you can still make an exciting evening out of it.
Marvel at Iceland’s natural wonders
If beach sunsets (though Iceland has those, too) don’t rank high enough on the romance scale for you, check out some of Iceland’s other natural wonders. You can hike, horseback ride, or camp throughout the country, taking your pick of backdrops from multi-hued mountains to rolling green hills to powerful waterfalls to rock canyons to naturally occurring hot springs. And as an added bonus, you can…
Be completely alone
2/3 of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavik and though the country is becoming more popular with tourists, it’s still very quiet outside of major tourist attractions and during the winter months. If you take a short drive from Reykjavik, you may find yourself completely alone, with plenty of room to enjoy the wide open spaces with your loved one.
>> Read about romantic hotels in Iceland
>> Read about luxury hotels in Iceland
Photos by racoles, Tom Olliver