Iceland Gay Travel Guide

Most gay travelers have to hop on a plane to experience a new continent. In Iceland, you just have to do a backstroke! Snorkel in the Silfra Fissure that sits over the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates (the rocks that the Earth sit upon), aka the official division between two continents. How’s that for a dinner party anecdote? The waters are super clear and at certain points visibility is 328ft (100m) deep. Brace yourself for the freezing water though. Brrrrrrr!

As someone who jumps at the slamming of a car door, it was a choice to go see an exploding geyser! The most popular geyser is the Strokkur (sounds like a drag queen saying ‘OK’), located in the Geysir Geothermal Area. It erupts every 5-10 minutes with water often reaching over 65ft (20m) high. How does it all happen? Well, when water deep in the ground heats up, the high pressure caused by overlying rocks forces the water out of the ground in a dramatic blow. Like a Seby temper tantrum!

Featured in Game of Thrones, Thor: The Dark World, and in the video of Justin Bieber's song, “I'll Show You”, the Skogafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. With a drop of over 200ft (60m), the sound of the rushing water is near deafening. Though it’s worth it for the epic and stunning sight it offers. Rumor has it that the Vikings buried treasure behind it when they settled. Maybe that’s why there is almost always a rainbow shining over it!

On the southern tip of Iceland, sits the shining white Dyrhólaey lighthouse. A hike up there offers a stunning view of sea arches, sandy beaches, and mountainous glaciers. On a rainy day, the road up the lighthouse can be muddy, so bring a good pair of shoes. While you won’t be able to access the lighthouse, you can explore the grounds. It has sat there since 1927, with its light flashing every 10 seconds helping ships navigate their surroundings.

It ain’t a trip to Iceland without seeing some ice, amiright? On an ice cave tour, you will literally find yourself standing inside the belly of a glacier. Sound scary? Wait until you hear the sound of ice creaking above you! These caves form in the winter when water runs through glaciers, carving out enough space for people to go inside and live out your true Elsa fantasy… Mother Nature sure is amazing, isn’t she? #TheColdNeverBotheredMeAnyway

The most popular feature of the Skaftafell National Park is Svartifoss Waterfall. It is recognizable for its dark black columns that flank each side of the water like a pair of mean bodyguards. Intimidating? Sure. But the sight of it is so stunning that it inspired the design of Iceland’s National Theatre and the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik. Water travels from the Svinafellsjokull glacier, dropping over 80ft (20m) onto the sharp rocks below. To reach it takes around 45 minutes by foot from the visitor center.

If you were hoping to show off your beach body, you came to the wrong place! We love beaches (in case you haven’t heard!). Though Diamond Beach is like no other beach we’ve been to. For one, the sand is black. And second, it’s beside a glacier lagoon, the Jökulsárlón. Looking out onto the horizon took our breath away, with the calm, icy-blue waters, disturbed only by iceberg heads poking up from beneath the surface.

Whether you are drinking in the vast greenlands of the Icelandic countryside, the far-off glacier shadows, gushing waterfalls, sparkling fjords, playing “spot the reindeer”, or simply enjoying the serene silence, a drive through East Iceland is like no other! We recommend stopping off in the small villages along the way, especially Seydisfjordur. Having become a refuge for artists, it is a colorful town filled with friendly people, great food places, and a rainbow runway.

Indulge in the ancient, Icelandic tradition of bathing in a geothermal pool. Explore the baths, moving from the geothermal pools with their infinity view, to the sauna, to the cold-water spray tunnel, and finally, to sit back and enjoy a delicious meal at the Vök Bistro. There are different price tiers, depending on how much you wish to spoil yourself. Premium admission will allow you to enjoy a drink in the pool bar and tuck into a premium platter at the bistro.

…my hoooometown! Bored of Netflix? Why not subscribe to some whale watching instead? Head on over to the stunning town, and marine-lovers mecca, of Husavik. Spot whales, dolphins, and sea birds in all their wild glory. You can hop on board an oak ship to get a closer look, where tour guides will give you all the stories behind life at Skjálfandi Bay. Fun fact: Husavik is the hometown of Anchorman and Regina George (ahem we mean Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams) the main characters in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

This takes the game, “The Floor Is Lava”, to a whole new level. But don’t worry, you won’t be walking across actual lava – it’s all dried up now, thankfully. The tunnel is 1585m long. It can get narrow in some parts of the tube, but believe it or not, it is the largest of its kind in Iceland, with parts of the passage reaching 15.8m high and 16.5m wide. It can get cold in there, so bring a hat, gloves, and a heavy coat.

Who doesn’t enjoy a spa day? A visit to the Blue Lagoon is an absolute must. After all, we don’t use call it “the most fabulous thermal bath in Iceland” for nothing. Kick back your feet in the warm waters at the Blue Lagoon. Not only will it feel incredible, but your body will also thank you for it. Known to cure skin conditions and improve your well-being, you can skip the workout for the day and do this instead!

Sweaters never go out of style! They are dynamic, cozy, and fluffy. What other clothing item looks good on both a granny and a buff man? The Lopapeysa is a beloved Icelandic sweater that dates back to the early 20^th century, although its knitting style roots back to the 16^th century. Made from wool, provided by Icelandic sheep, they are recognized for their yoke design, namely the large circle around the neckline. And putting one on feels like a warm (scratchy!) hug.

If the night sky is clear (always check the latest hourly weather forecast) and dark (so best in winter months October to March when the night sky is at its darkest), check the chances of seeing the Northern Lights on the Aurora Forecast website to help you plan. Getting a good photograph of them is just as hard! If you want to keep the memory of them forever in your mind, we recommend researching high-quality cameras that have manual exposure and a fast lens.

We are in love with this! High in protein, low in sugar yogurt, and full of flavor. It makes for an extremely nourishing and healthy snack. For our road trips, we always factored in a packed lunch and always had our trusty Skyrs to hand. One of the best things about how cold it is in Iceland is that the car acts as a fridge overnight – perfect for storing things that need to be kept cool.

Fish is one of the most popular foods in Iceland. And the best of them all, in our humble opinion, was the arctic char. Fished from the icy Arctic waters, it is similar to salmon and trout, though they tend to vary more in color. It makes for a healthy meal, rich in omega-3s, calcium, and vitamin D, and is typically served with a lemon-honey sauce or garlic, alongside a bunch of fresh veggies.

Sometimes, simplicity can be what makes something so special. Kjötsúpa is a lamb soup, made with veggies, and seasoned with salt and pepper. The lamb chops are left on the bone and coated in garlic. Added carrots, cabbage, and rutabagas help color up the dish, but for us, it’s all about the taste. It's particularly great for warming up bellies during the long and frosty winters. It’s tender, juicy, and earthy (just like us when we go camping).

A rye bread, thick and dark, often crustless, that tastes delicious with a slab of warm butter, mutton pâté, pickled herring, and a piece of smoked lamb, known as hangikjöt. It is baked in a pot or by steaming it in a wooden cask that has been buried in the ground near a geyser. Mother Nature really does make the best sous-chef. The bread can be soaked, to make brauðsúpa (bread soup), and flavored with raisins and lemon.

When Iceland ended their Prohibition of Spirits in 1935, they went all in by inventing Brennivin. A clear, unsweetened akvavit schnapps, which has a 40% strength. Icelandic people love it so much that other countries, such as Denmark, Sweden, and the US, have started importing it. It can be taken in a small glass, dropped in a beer, or used as a cocktail ingredient. No matter how you consume it, it will be a night to remember. Though truthfully, it may be a struggle to remember anything!