Why Honeymoon in Southeast Iceland
The scenery is the reason. Few places put a glacier, a lagoon full of icebergs and a black-sand beach within a few minutes' drive of each other.
It also changes with the seasons. Summer brings long days, green moss and seals lounging on the ice. Winter brings blue ice caves, low golden light and the chance of the aurora over the lagoon.
For couples, the area balances adventure and calm. One morning might be a guided glacier hike with crampons. The next might be coffee at a farm hotel watching the weather roll over the ice cap.
It is quieter after dark than the Golden Circle. Many day-trippers turn back before reaching here, so staying overnight lets you see the lagoon at dawn or dusk with fewer people.
When to Go
Both main seasons are good, for different reasons.
- June to August: nearly 24-hour daylight, mild temperatures often in the 50s°F and open hiking trails. Boat tours on Jökulsárlón run in the warmer months. This is the busiest period.
- November to March: ice cave season, when guides judge the caves safe to enter. Short days, snow and storms are part of the deal. Northern lights are possible on clear nights.
- April to May and September to October: shoulder months with fewer visitors and changeable weather. September and October bring the first aurora nights with milder roads.
Winter driving can be serious. Check road and weather conditions daily on the official Icelandic sites before setting out.
Where to Stay
Accommodation is spread out along the Ring Road, mostly in farm hotels, guesthouses and a few newer upscale hotels.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón, is a popular comfortable base with mountain views. Around Öræfi and near Skaftafell there are farm-based hotels and cabins, some with hot tubs for aurora watching. Höfn has guesthouses and small hotels if you prefer a town with restaurants.
Rooms book out early for summer and winter holiday weeks, so reserve months ahead. Expect roughly a couple of hundred to several hundred dollars a night for good hotels. These figures are approximate and rise in peak season.
For a honeymoon, choose somewhere between Skaftafell and the lagoon for two nights, so you are close to both at quiet times of day.
Romantic Things to Do
- Jökulsárlón boat tour: amphibious boats and smaller Zodiacs take you among the icebergs. Kayak tours are also offered in summer.
- Diamond Beach: walk among ice chunks on the black sand at sunrise or sunset.
- Fjallsárlón: a smaller, quieter glacier lagoon just west of Jökulsárlón, with Zodiac tours to the glacier face.
- Ice caves: from about November to March, guided tours lead into blue ice caves under the glacier. Always go with a licensed guide.
- Skaftafell: hike to Svartifoss, framed by dark basalt columns, or join a guided glacier walk.
- Aurora watching: on clear winter nights, step outside your hotel or park safely away from lights near the lagoon.
- Höfn: dinner of langoustine in the harbor town.
Getting There and Around
Iceland is one of the easiest places in Europe to reach from the US. Nonstop flights to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) leave from a range of US cities, often around five to six hours from the East Coast. Check current schedules, since some routes are seasonal.
From Keflavík, the drive to Jökulsárlón along Route 1 takes about five to six hours without stops. Most couples break the trip with a night or two along the south coast. Domestic flights from Reykjavík Airport (RKV) to Hornafjörður (HFN) near Höfn save time but run on limited schedules.
A rental car gives the most freedom. In winter, choose a 4x4 with proper tires, drive slowly and watch for one-lane bridges. Small group tours from Reykjavík are an alternative for couples who prefer not to drive.
Food and Drink
Langoustine is the southeast's signature. Höfn calls itself Iceland's langoustine capital and restaurants serve it grilled with garlic butter, in soup or on pizza.
Elsewhere, expect lamb, Arctic char, cod and skyr. Farm hotels often serve their own lamb and dairy, sometimes with homemade bread and jams.
Food is expensive everywhere in Iceland and options are few outside Höfn. Plan meals around your hotel's restaurant and stock up on snacks in larger towns. Many hotels serve dinner only at set times, so book ahead.
Icelandic craft beer is widely available. A thermos of hot chocolate is a smart extra for winter lagoon visits.
Honeymoon Tips
- Stay at least two nights between Skaftafell and Höfn. Day trips from Reykjavík are rushed.
- Visit Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach early or late to avoid tour buses.
- Dress in layers with a waterproof shell, warm hat and gloves for both of you, even in summer.
- Never walk on icebergs or onto glaciers without a guide. Waves on Diamond Beach can surge without warning, so stay back from the water.
- Book ice cave tours in advance. Caves change every season and tours depend on conditions.
- Fuel up when you can. Gas stations are far apart in this area.
