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Iceland Gay Travel

The Land of Fire & Ice is one of the world's most welcoming gay & lesbian destinations.

This pristine nation is a perfect place to explore if you’re hungry for an epic adventure. Capital city Reykjavik offers everything from eclectic nightlife to tantalizing Nordic cuisine. The countryside is a great place to spike your adrenaline by white water rafting, glacier trekking, or zipping on Zodiacs through glacial lagoons. And when you’re ready to unwind in a natural hot tub, hundreds of geothermal zones await (you may even spot the Northern Lights).


Quick Facts

  • Capital City: Reykjavik
  • Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
  • Languages: Icelandic
  • Best Time of Year to Visit: Summer (July & August) or to see the Northern Lights (October or March)

LGBT Rights in Iceland

Gay Iceland Travel

Best Places to Visit in Iceland

More Info

While the scene is small and centred around Reykjavík, being gay or lesbian in Iceland is a complete non-issue (they’ve already had a lesbian prime minister). Since 2006, LGBT people have been able to adopt legally, and in 2010 same-sex marriage was legalized.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal

LGBT travellers will be delighted by how comfortable they feel in Iceland. While there’s technically only one gay bar (Kiki Bar), every bar, pub and club is essentially a safe space for gay men and lesbians to express themselves freely. Reykjavik Pride is also world-renown as the ‘Biggest Small Pride in the World.’ Bonus: Advertising and corporate sponsorship is completely banned from the parade itself.

Gay Villages in Iceland

There are no gay villages in Iceland. However, LGBT travellers will feel comfortable even in small towns.

Pride Festivals/Events in Iceland

Reykjavik Pride: Annually, in August
Bears on Ice: Annually Labour Day Weekend
Rainbow Reykjavik Festival (AKA Iceland Winter Pride): Annually in March

Best Gay Bars in Iceland

Reykjavik: Kiki Queer Bar

Best Lesbian Bars in Iceland

There are no Lesbian-specific bars in Iceland.

5. Silfra

There are only a few places on Earth where travellers can snorkel between tectonic plates and witness the incredible majesty of our planet. One such place is Silfra in Iceland.

4. Vik

Iceland’s southernmost town is a gateway to incredible surroundings. Visit the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara or the nearby puffin cliffs. The region also boasts plenty of volcanoes and glaciers, exemplifying Iceland’s notorious moniker ‘The Land of Ice and Fire.’

3. The Blue Lagoon

Due to the country’s volcanic geography, naturally occurring thermal pools pepper the island. The most famous of which is The Blue Lagoon, just outside Reykjavik.

2. The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle hosts some of Iceland’s most famous sights, including but not limited to the Gullfoss waterfall, the Great Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park (where you will see the Great Atlantic Rift).

1. Reykjavik

Surprisingly cosmopolitan and completely LGBT-friendly, Iceland’s capital city may be small, but it is indeed mighty. It boasts incredible food, art and culture scenes. You’ll need a few days to truly appreciate this Nordic city’s splendour.

Best Time to Visit: Iceland is a great place to visit all year round. If you’re after long days and midnight sunsets, head there during the summer solstice, when the sun rises only three hours after it sets (and it doesn’t even get dark). If the Northern Lights are on your bucket list, visit in October or March, as it can be too cloudy from November through February. Temperature-wise, summer reaches a ‘balmy’ 10-13C/50-55F, while winter hovers near the freezing mark.

Electricity: F-Type Sockets

Time Zone: (GMT) Monrovia, Reykjavik

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Iceland, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Visas: For up-to-date visa information, click here.

Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.
LGBT Rights in Iceland

While the scene is small and centred around Reykjavík, being gay or lesbian in Iceland is a complete non-issue (they’ve already had a lesbian prime minister). Since 2006, LGBT people have been able to adopt legally, and in 2010 same-sex marriage was legalized.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal

Gay Iceland Travel

LGBT travellers will be delighted by how comfortable they feel in Iceland. While there’s technically only one gay bar (Kiki Bar), every bar, pub and club is essentially a safe space for gay men and lesbians to express themselves freely. Reykjavik Pride is also world-renown as the ‘Biggest Small Pride in the World.’ Bonus: Advertising and corporate sponsorship is completely banned from the parade itself.

Gay Villages in Iceland

There are no gay villages in Iceland. However, LGBT travellers will feel comfortable even in small towns.

Pride Festivals/Events in Iceland

Reykjavik Pride: Annually, in August
Bears on Ice: Annually Labour Day Weekend
Rainbow Reykjavik Festival (AKA Iceland Winter Pride): Annually in March

Best Gay Bars in Iceland

Reykjavik: Kiki Queer Bar

Best Lesbian Bars in Iceland

There are no Lesbian-specific bars in Iceland.

Best Places to Visit in Iceland

5. Silfra

There are only a few places on Earth where travellers can snorkel between tectonic plates and witness the incredible majesty of our planet. One such place is Silfra in Iceland.

4. Vik

Iceland’s southernmost town is a gateway to incredible surroundings. Visit the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara or the nearby puffin cliffs. The region also boasts plenty of volcanoes and glaciers, exemplifying Iceland’s notorious moniker ‘The Land of Ice and Fire.’

3. The Blue Lagoon

Due to the country’s volcanic geography, naturally occurring thermal pools pepper the island. The most famous of which is The Blue Lagoon, just outside Reykjavik.

2. The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle hosts some of Iceland’s most famous sights, including but not limited to the Gullfoss waterfall, the Great Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park (where you will see the Great Atlantic Rift).

1. Reykjavik

Surprisingly cosmopolitan and completely LGBT-friendly, Iceland’s capital city may be small, but it is indeed mighty. It boasts incredible food, art and culture scenes. You’ll need a few days to truly appreciate this Nordic city’s splendour.

More Info

Best Time to Visit: Iceland is a great place to visit all year round. If you’re after long days and midnight sunsets, head there during the summer solstice, when the sun rises only three hours after it sets (and it doesn’t even get dark). If the Northern Lights are on your bucket list, visit in October or March, as it can be too cloudy from November through February. Temperature-wise, summer reaches a ‘balmy’ 10-13C/50-55F, while winter hovers near the freezing mark.

Electricity: F-Type Sockets

Time Zone: (GMT) Monrovia, Reykjavik

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Iceland, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Visas: For up-to-date visa information, click here.

Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.


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Reviews

Some from our travellers

Tom C

Five days is a perfect amount of time to visit Iceland.

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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Five days is a perfect amount of time to visit Iceland. I learned a lot about the country and its people.

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Bryon W

A very well organized tour.

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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A very well organized tour. Everything is taken care of for you from start to finish.

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James H

Incredible scenery!

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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Incredible scenery! Great place to visit, reasonable pace. Wonderful fellow-travelers Great guide.

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Alvaro H

Out Adventures gay Iceland tour was very well organized.

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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Out Adventures gay Iceland tour was very well organized, excursions, accommodation, all planned to perfection.

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Brian S

The personal touches throughout the experience were great!

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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Great itinerary. Fun group. Super easy way to book a vacation, that is guaranteed to have fun agenda. And the personal touches throughout the experience were great!

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Jorge C

Beautiful country and very nice people.

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
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Great time and experience. Beautiful country and very nice people.

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Eugene L

The best part was seeing Aurora Borealis

Iceland: Northern Lights & Essential Sights
Rating:

I had a great time exploring Iceland in Winter. I got to experience walking/hiking on a Glacier. I got to see a lot of Earth’s natural wonders. The best part was seeing Aurora Borealis while soaking in a naturally heated jacuzzi in a cozy boutique hotel

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Ian Z

This was my second Out Adventures tour and won't be my last.

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
Rating:

We got VIP treatment at a large local gay Reykjavík event, had special unadvertised extras along the way and got to know people we ordinarily would have just been introduced to in passing. This was my second Out Adventures tour and won’t be my last.

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Paul H

It turned out to be a trip of a lifetime!

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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THIS was a tour I went on to appease my partner, I truly was nervous about an “active” adventure. Truth is it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime! Spectacular country with beautiful views, great tour guide, the other travelers were super, and a wonderful itinerary that, as an active one, wasn’t so active that it wore me out! Our days were full and wonderful and I would definitely travel with Out Adventures again. We are already planning our next trip!

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Michael H

The guide was excellent and the destination amazing

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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The trip far exceeded expectations. Every day’s events were well planned yet flexible enough to accommodate for weather conditions (two excursions were switched to take advantage of this). Though clearly this is not something that can be done on all trips this demonstrates how important the customer experience is to Out Adventures. The guide was excellent and the destination amazing. Our experience was so positive we’re already planning our next trip with Out Adventures.

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Tim J

Very good variety of activities, beautiful country.

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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Friendly and helpful Out Adventures staff before the trip , a great local guide, very good variety of activities, beautiful country.

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David D

Traveling with Gudni is like having an old friend show you around their home country.

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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Not only does Out Adventures put together an ideal itinerary for visiting Iceland, but traveling with Gudni is like having an old friend show you around their home country with pride and a knowledge of the facts AND the people.

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Brian Y

Iceland is an amazing place!

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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Iceland is an amazing place and Out Adventures makes sure you’ll have a gay time!

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Dave C

Our tour leader Haffy went above and beyond

Iceland: Countryside & Reykjavik Pride
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Iceland had been on my list of destinations for years. Out Adventures provided a memorable first visit to this amazing country, and our tour leader Haffy went above and beyond to ensure we were enjoying ourselves. Thank you for a great trip!!

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