At a glanceA long two-part summer honeymoon in the North Atlantic: three nights on Iceland's Golden Circle, three by the icebergs of Jökulsárlón, a night at the Blue Lagoon, then a short flight to Norway for three nights in Bergen and three on the Geirangerfjord. It suits couples who love dramatic landscapes, hiking and long light evenings. Go from June to August.
Iceland and Norway are neighbors across the North Atlantic, linked by short flights from Keflavík. In summer they make one of the most scenic honeymoons in Europe. Iceland is raw and volcanic, with geysers, glaciers and black-sand beaches. Norway is deep green and vertical, with fjords so steep that farms cling to ledges above the water.
This route starts with a road trip in Iceland. Three nights on the Golden Circle cover Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, plus the waterfalls of the south coast. Three nights near Jökulsárlón follow, with icebergs drifting in a glacier lagoon and ice glittering on Diamond Beach. A night at the Blue Lagoon breaks the drive back and is the splurge of the Iceland half.
Then you fly to Bergen for three nights of wharves, funiculars and seafood before finishing with three nights on the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's World Heritage fjords. With long summer days and almost no darkness in June, you will have plenty of time for everything.
The route
- Golden Circle & South CoastIceland · 3 nights
- Southeast Iceland & JökulsárlónIceland · 3 nights
- Reykjanes PeninsulaIceland · 1 nights
- BergenNorway · 3 nights
- GeirangerfjordNorway · 3 nights
- Best months
- June to August
- Trip length
- 14 days
- Budget
- About $350–600 a night for two in Iceland and Norway, well over $1,000 for the Blue Lagoon night (approximate)
Day by day
Days 1–4: The Golden Circle and South Coast
Fly overnight to Keflavík International (KEF), about five to six hours from the East Coast. Pick up a rental car and drive about an hour and a half to the ION Adventure Hotel at Nesjavellir, a design hotel above Lake Þingvallavatn with an outdoor geothermal pool.
Sleep off the flight, then spend day 2 on the Golden Circle loop: Þingvellir National Park, where you can snorkel the Silfra fissure between two tectonic plates, the Strokkur geyser, which erupts every few minutes; then the twin-level Gullfoss waterfall. Stop for lunch in a tomato greenhouse at Friðheimar.
On day 3, drive the south coast to Seljalandsfoss, where a path leads behind the falling water, then on to Skógafoss. Take a guided glacier walk on Sólheimajökull with crampons. The romantic moment is the evening at ION's Northern Lights Bar, with its huge windows facing the hills and summer light lasting past midnight.
Days 4–7: Southeast Iceland and Jökulsárlón
Drive east along Route 1 past Vík and its black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, then across wide lava fields to Jökulsárlón, about four and a half to five hours without stops. Stay at Hótel Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon Hotel) or Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, both close to the lagoon.
On day 5, take an iceberg boat tour on Jökulsárlón among blue and white bergs that have broken off Breiðamerkurjökull. Then cross the road to Diamond Beach, where ice washes up on black sand. Seals often swim in the lagoon mouth.
On day 6, hike to Svartifoss in Skaftafell, a waterfall framed by black basalt columns, about an hour and a half round trip. Or join a guided glacier walk. Drive to Höfn for a langoustine dinner. The romantic moment is sunrise at Diamond Beach, which in summer means a very early alarm, but you may have the ice to yourselves.
Days 7–8: The Blue Lagoon
Drive back west along the south coast to the Reykjanes Peninsula, about five hours without stops. Break the drive at any waterfall you missed on the way out, or for lunch in Vík.
The splurge is a night at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, a luxury hotel built into the lava next to the famous lagoon. Guests have access to a private section of the lagoon, a subterranean spa and the Moss restaurant. Book a spa ritual for two and take your time in the warm milky water as the light softens.
The hotel is about 20 minutes from Keflavík, which makes the next morning's flight to Norway easy. If you would rather save money, stay in Reykjavík instead, about 45 minutes from the airport. Visit the lagoon on a day ticket. The romantic moment is a late-evening soak in the lagoon with steam rising off the water and the lava fields around you.
Days 8–11: Bergen
Fly from Keflavík to Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO), about two and a half hours nonstop on days when Icelandair flies the route, or connect through Oslo. The Bybanen light rail runs to the center in about 45 minutes; a taxi takes about 25.
Stay near the harbor so you can walk everywhere. Det Hanseatiske Hotel occupies old merchant buildings on the wharf at Bryggen. Bergen Børs Hotel is in the former stock exchange and has the Michelin-starred restaurant Bare.
On day 9, walk Bryggen early before the cruise crowds, then ride the Fløyen funicular and walk the lakes above town. On day 10, take a boat on the Osterfjord to the Mostraumen strait, or visit Troldhaugen, Grieg's home, for a lunchtime concert. The romantic moment is a boat to Cornelius, a seafood restaurant on an island in the fjord outside Bergen, with dinner and the evening light on the water.
Days 11–14: The Geirangerfjord
Pick up a rental car and drive north to Geiranger, a full day of about seven to eight hours with ferries, mountain passes and fjord views. Break the drive with a stop in the Sognefjord area. Alternatively, check whether coastal ships from Bergen detour into the Geirangerfjord on your dates.
Stay overnight in the village, since the fjord changes completely once the day visitors leave. Hotel Union Geiranger has been run by the same family for generations and has a spa and indoor pool.
On day 12, kayak at dawn below the Seven Sisters waterfalls, then hike to the cliff farm at Skageflå. On day 13, drive Trollstigen's hairpins and stop in Valldal for strawberries, or take the Hellesylt ferry along the fjord. The romantic moment is sunset at the Dalsnibba Skywalk, nearly 5,000 feet above the fjord. On day 14, drive about three hours to Ålesund (AES) and fly home via Oslo.
Getting Between Stops
In Iceland, a rental car is the easiest way to travel. Keflavík to the ION Adventure Hotel takes about an hour and a half. The south coast to Jökulsárlón takes about four and a half to five hours without stops. The drive back to Reykjanes takes about five. Never stop on the road for photos; use pullouts.
From Keflavík, Icelandair flies to Bergen on some days and to Oslo daily, about two and a half hours. If there is no nonstop, connect through Oslo.
In Norway, rent a car in Bergen when you leave for the fjords; driving in the center is restricted and parking is costly. Bergen to Geiranger takes about seven to eight hours with ferries. Ålesund is about three hours from Geiranger, with frequent flights to Oslo for connections home. Norwegian roads are narrow and steep, so allow extra time.
Where to Stay
Golden Circle: the ION Adventure Hotel at Nesjavellir is a sleek, modern design hotel with an outdoor geothermal pool and a bar facing the hills.
Southeast Iceland: Hótel Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon Hotel) and Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon are the closest comfortable hotels to the lagoon. Book early, since rooms are limited.
Reykjanes: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is the splurge, with suites built into the lava and private lagoon access.
Bergen: Det Hanseatiske Hotel on the wharf or Bergen Børs Hotel with its Michelin-starred restaurant. Opus XVI is a boutique option by the lake.
Geirangerfjord: Hotel Union Geiranger has a spa and fjord views. Hotel Utsikten sits above the village with a terrace facing down the fjord. Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal suits couples who want architect-designed cabins by a river gorge.
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When to Go
June to August is the season for this route. Iceland's roads are open and easy. The days are very long; in June it barely gets dark at all. Norway's fjords are green, the waterfalls are full and the Hellesylt ferry and mountain roads such as Trollstigen are open. Many Geiranger hotels close outside summer.
Early September is quieter and still workable, with autumn colors starting and the first chances of the northern lights in Iceland, though some Norwegian roads and ferries reduce service.
Avoid winter for this route. Iceland's south coast is dramatic in winter, but Geiranger's hotels and roads close and the days are very short. Expect cool temperatures even in summer: highs in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, with rain likely at any time in both countries.
Budget and Booking
Iceland and Norway are expensive. Expect roughly $350–600 a night for two at good Iceland hotels and well over $1,000 for a suite at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Bergen and Geiranger hotels run about $300–600 a night for two. Restaurant meals in both countries cost more than in major US cities. All figures are approximate.
Rental cars, fuel, ferries and tours such as the Jökulsárlón boat and Silfra snorkel add up, so budget for them early.
Book hotels near Jökulsárlón and in Geiranger six to nine months ahead for July and August, since they have few rooms. Book The Retreat as early as possible. For dinners, reserve Bare in Bergen and any special meals in Iceland well ahead. Mention your honeymoon when booking; some hotels add a small gift or upgrade.
Make It Shorter or Longer
For 10 or 11 days, cut the Golden Circle to two nights and Southeast Iceland to two, then spend two nights in Bergen and three on the Geirangerfjord. Or skip the Blue Lagoon night and fly to Norway from Reykjavík.
With 16 to 18 days, add two nights in Flåm between Bergen and Geiranger for the Flåm Railway and the Nærøyfjord. Or add three nights in the Lofoten Islands, a short flight from Bergen, for fishing villages and midnight sun hikes.
Couples who want more Iceland can add Snæfellsnes, two hours north of Reykjavík, for a glacier-topped volcano and wild coast.
Honeymoon Tips
- Pack waterproof layers, hiking boots and a warm hat for both countries, even in July.
- Bring a sleep mask; summer nights in Iceland and Norway are very light.
- Book the Silfra snorkel and Jökulsárlón boat tours ahead in summer.
- In Iceland, follow road.is and the Icelandic Met Office before every long drive.
- Stay behind ropes at Reynisfjara; sneaker waves there are dangerous.
- Norway is nearly cashless; cards work almost everywhere.
- Read the State Department advisories for Iceland and Norway before you go.
FAQPlanning this trip
How do we get from Iceland to Norway?
Fly from Keflavík to Bergen, about two and a half hours, on days when Icelandair flies the route. If there is no nonstop, fly to Oslo and connect to Bergen in under an hour. The night at the Blue Lagoon, about 20 minutes from Keflavík, makes a morning flight easy.
Do we need a car on this trip?
Yes, in both countries. In Iceland, a rental car is the best way to see the Golden Circle and the south coast. In Norway, pick up a car when you leave Bergen; you will not need one in the city. Roads in both countries are narrow in places, so drive carefully.
Can we see the northern lights on this route?
Not in June or July, when the sky never gets dark enough. In late August and September, aurora sightings become possible in Iceland on clear nights. For a reliable aurora trip, travel in winter and choose a different route, since many Geiranger hotels and roads close then.
Is 14 days enough for Iceland and Norway?
Yes, for a highlights trip. Seven nights in Iceland covers the Golden Circle, the south coast and Jökulsárlón. Six in Norway covers Bergen and one great fjord. Longer trips add Flåm, Lofoten or Snæfellsnes rather than more driving.
How much does an Iceland and Norway honeymoon cost?
For 14 days, many couples spend roughly $11,000 to $20,000 for two including hotels, a rental car, the flight to Norway and main tours, before international airfare. These are approximate figures. Meals are expensive in both countries, so budget generously for dining.
