Visiting Iceland is an incredible experience. Not only are the locals extremely friendly, but it’s also one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes you’ll ever see. There’s something for every type of adventure seeker — from glacier trekking, backcountry skiing, and hiking famous trails to visiting black sand beaches and hot springs.

Whether you have an adventurous spirit, or just want to take advantage of the beautiful scenery, you’ll love everything Iceland has to offer.

Traveling to, from and around Iceland

Iceland is a lot closer to home than you think. It’s much closer to the U.S. than continental Europe and was only a 7-hour direct flight from Seattle to Reykjavik.

Depending on when you visit, you may want to rent a car. I recommend reserving a 4x4 so you can visit all the sights and drive on the f-roads without breaking your rental contract. DO get all the insurance possible, including windshield coverage!

If you’re visiting during winter and don’t like the idea of driving in snowy conditions, consider booking tours with pick-ups and drop-offs included, which are very common.

When to visit

High season

High season is June through August, and if you’re interested in hiking, backpacking, or glacier trekking, this is the ideal time to visit. Many of Iceland’s most famous trails aren’t accessible until summer. You’ll also have the advantage of enjoying the midnight sun and weather in the 60s.

Shoulder season

If you’d rather skip the crowds and lower your costs, visit in the shoulder season – March through May or September through October. Most of the tourist attractions are still available, although you may experience more rain, wind, and colder temperatures. I visited in late May and was pleasantly surprised with blue skies for the entire 10 days I was there.

Winter

Winter is the perfect season to visit if you’re wanting to walk through natural ice caves, go dog sledding, ski, and possibly see the northern lights. Just be ready for colder temps (usually in the 30s) and limited hours of daylight.

Legal requirements to marry in Iceland

Getting married in Iceland is very straightforward. You can marry regardless of religion or sexual orientation. Check here for the required paperwork and legalities and here for advice on marrying abroad.

If you’d rather make it as simple as possible, consider doing a simple civil marriage at home and exchanging vows during your ceremony abroad.

What to do in Iceland

Like I said before — there is something for EVERYONE in Iceland. You can plan your own epic road trip like I did, visiting landmarks like the famous plane crash, mountains, and waterfalls, or build your own adventure complete with super jeeps, off-roading, or guide-led tours.

If you’re a hiker, Iceland is paradise. Backpack hut to hut, camp on your own, or day hike with the chance to soak in the nearest hot spring when you make it back to town. Check out Landmanlauger, the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, and the Laugavegur trail for a little inspiration.

Where to stay

When I visited Iceland, I stayed in a mix of Fosshotels and local guest houses. I loved the convenience of the Fosshotel’s included breakfast since I rarely stayed put for more than a night, but the charming guest houses stole my heart. Campervans and campsites are also abundant, so choose accommodations to fit your style.

Where to elope

Southern Iceland

Southern Iceland is packed full of tourist attractions. It’s the closest region to Reykjavík and is home to some of the world’s most famous hiking trails, numerous waterfalls, and hidden beach caves. Just watch out for the world’s most adorable sheep and puffins.

Western Iceland

West Iceland is known for the Golden Circle. It’s full of geothermal activity (think Yellowstone), has the only continental divide you can walk and swim between, and Þingvellier National Park.

Nearby is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Walk along gorgeous cliffs, beaches, and Kirkjafellfoss. The east is truly unique and only a day’s drive from Reykjavík.

Westfjords

The Westfjords is one of the more remote locations in Iceland. Although farther from Reykjavik, ferries make it more accessible than it appears. The fjords here make for great backcountry skiing, kayaking, hiking, and extreme sports such as climbing, paragliding, and mountain biking. I want to plan another trip just to explore this region alone.

Northern Iceland

Northern Iceland is home to the Myvatn hot springs, many scenes from Game of Thrones (such as the Grjótagjá Cave), and Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. The towns here are few and far between, which make for great northern lights hunting but long drives to the other regions.

If you’d rather not be in for a long road trip or you’re visiting during winter, I’d recommend flying to Myvatn from Reykjavik.

Eastfjords

I loved the peacefulness of the Eastfjords. It’s less populated than the south and incredibly beautiful. Driving the coast here made for a stunning day. Visit any of the waterfront towns for a picturesque scene, take a boat tour around Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon, and explore Vatnajökull — Europe’s largest glacier. Visit during high season to see the incredible Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.

Start your adventure

The best part of choosing to elope in Iceland is that no matter where you decide to stay or what you decide to do, it’s all incredible. There are no bad choices here!

When you hire me as an adventure elopement photographer, I do so much more than show up and take beautiful photos. We’ll get to know one another throughout the process as I help suggest shooting locations, activities, recommend local vendors, and plan a timeline that prioritizes you having a great time and while getting amazing photos.

Let me help guide you in creating the most incredible elopement experience possible.

Start planning your Iceland elopement