Iceland girls trips

Iceland is the place to go if you and your girlfriends are looking for out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

Awe-inspiring nature is probably what comes to mind when you think about Iceland. And it’s true, the Land of Fire and Ice won’t disappoint in this department. During your visit, you could hunt for the Northern Lights, walk behind waterfalls, and soak in geothermal pools surrounded by lava fields.

What’s more, Iceland is home to a thriving cultural scene that belies its small population. And, with laws designed to uplift women, you’ll find plenty of the art and music initiatives here are female-led.

Find out more in this guide to female travel in Iceland.

Iceland may be a small island nation, but there’s plenty to see and do here. Where you’ll want to spend time once you arrive depends on the interests of your group.

The Icelandic capital of Reykjavík is the ideal place to start your trip. And it’s located just a 40-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport.

The city is brimming with trendy food halls and restaurants, along with cool cafés and bars. Not to mention its fascinating museums and legendary music scene.

Here are some ideas for things to do in Reykjavík on a girls trip:

• Marvel at the striking architecture of the Harpa Concert Hall and take in a show
• Sip cocktails in a Reykjavík bookstore that’s also a music venue
• Browse an art*zine-recommended gallery or two for a taste of the local art scene
• Tour some of the best museums in Reykjavík
• Enjoy gourmet cuisine when you book a tasting menu experience
• Time your visit to line up with a local music festival

From Reykjavík, you could follow the Ring Road around the entire country. Or use it to explore one or two of Iceland’s beautiful regions in more depth.

While it’s definitely worth allowing time to experience Nordic culture in Reykjavík, you won’t want to miss exploring beyond the capital either.

Head out of the city and you’ll discover untamed nature punctuated by geothermal springs, and charming towns and villages. Here’s a brief round-up of what you can do in each of Iceland’s regions:

• Reykjanes – Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon and go sightseeing near Reykjavík
• South Iceland – Visit breathtaking waterfalls and glimpse the country’s largest glacier in Vatnajökull National Park
• East Iceland – Marvel at deep fjords and stroll around Fáskrúðsfjörður, an old French fishing town
• North Iceland – Ride an Icelandic horse and check out Húsavík, known as the whale watching capital of Europe
• West Iceland – See the glacier-topped volcano in Snæfellsjökull National Park and snap Kirkjufell, perhaps the most Insta-worthy mountain in the country
• Westfjords – Hike through the region’s pristine landscapes, looking out for puffins and Arctic foxes as you go

You can even visit some of Iceland’s top spots by basing yourself in Reykjavík and taking guided excursions on a multi-day trip. This is perfect if you’d rather let someone else do the driving. Plus, it’s a great way to tour natural wonders by day and enjoy the perks of city living by night.

If you’d prefer to venture further afield and immerse yourself in epic landscapes, then we highly recommend a self-drive tour. Not only will you see more of Iceland, but by driving yourselves you’ll also be able to stop whenever and wherever you like.

Iceland’s unspoiled nature offers you endless opportunities for adventure. But as well as thrilling activities, there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation too. Icelanders place huge importance on time to unwind with family and friends.

One of the best-loved ways of doing this is by visiting one of Iceland’s geothermal pools, hot pots, or hot springs. Don’t miss out on taking part in this Icelandic ritual of relaxation during your visit.

Our advice for making the most of your trip would be to combine time to chill out with memorable excursions. Get inspired by these ideas for things you could see and do in Iceland:

• Take a walking tour of downtown Reykjavík and its main shopping street, Laugavegur
• Sample Reykjavík's food halls & street food
• Apply a mud mask and enjoy some R&R at the Blue Lagoon
• Visit these iconic sights on a Golden Circle tour: Strokkur geyser, Þingvellir National Park, and Gullfoss waterfall
• Head to the south coast and admire the picture-perfect turquoise waters of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
• Hike to a secluded hot spring and bathe surrounded by nature
• Chase the Northern Lights on a crisp winter evening
• Walk between glittering icebergs on Reynisfjara black sand beach
• Discover ‘Iceland in Miniature’ when you visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula

You’ll have an unforgettable trip to Iceland no matter whether you choose a summer tour or winter vacation. So the best time of year for your girls trip depends on what you’d like to do during your getaway.

Head to Iceland in summer – June, July, and August – and you’ll benefit from mild temperatures and more daylight, particularly around the summer solstice. This means traveling to Iceland in summer is best if your group wants to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

On the other hand, visit during winter – October to March – and you could try activities in the snow, such as ice caving or snowmobiling. Or why not celebrate the festive season with your girlfriends on a Christmas tour or New Year’s package?

If you’re planning to hunt for the aurora on a Northern Lights tour, you’ll want to travel around mid-winter. This is because the longer nights will give you a better chance of seeing them. Discover other things to see and do in winter.

Find out more about when to visit Iceland and how to see the Northern Lights.

Yes, spending a week touring Iceland’s Ring Road, also known as Route 1, is a great way to explore the country with your girlfriends.

Browse these Iceland Ring Road tours to find the one that suits you. If you want to spend more time exploring along the way, there are also longer itineraries to choose from. Plus, you can opt for a self-drive trip or let a guide do the driving on a multi-day package.

If you decide to drive yourselves, rest easy knowing the navigation will be pretty straightforward – the Ring Road encircles the entire country. It’s also good to know that your rental car comes with insurance for two drivers as standard so it’s simple to split the driving.

The Ring Road’s not the only way to go if you’ve got a week to spend. Check out ideas for other 7-day tours of Iceland.

Absolutely! In fact, Iceland often ranks as the safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.

Plus, Iceland’s gender equality laws are world-leading, so it’s a great place to live as well as go on vacation. Perhaps this isn’t surprising when you consider that in 1980 they were the first nation to vote in a female president.

All of this makes Iceland a welcoming destination for female, solo, and LGBTQ+ visitors. Get travel tips and find out more about why Iceland is a safe place for you to visit.

Tailoring your trip to suit your needs is easy when you book online.

For example, on these self-drive and multi-day tours you can select your preferred accommodation category. And if you’re planning a road trip, you get to pick the type of rental car that you want too.

What’s more, you can extend your stay in Iceland with extra nights in Reykjavík at the start or end of any package. This is ideal if you want more time for activities or sightseeing. So you could squeeze in a final visit to these architectural beauties: Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager sculpture.

With Iceland Tours, all self-drive and multi-day packages are available to start on any day. Meaning that it's that much easier to find a date that works for everyone in your group.

Begin by browsing these packages and deciding on an itinerary that works for your group. To narrow down the selection, you can filter by interest, time of year, date, and more.

After pinpointing your dream getaway, follow the step-by-step instructions to book your tour. When you arrive at checkout, customize your package by adding extra nights or excursions.

Good to know: Flights aren’t included so make sure to purchase them as soon as your itinerary is confirmed.

Then all that’s left to do is get excited for a girls vacation to remember!

The weather in Iceland is changeable year-round. This means that no matter when you’re traveling, it’s best to be prepared for a variety of conditions. To make the most of your time here, it’s a good idea to pack:

• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm, insulated jacket
• Cozy gloves, scarf, and wooly hat
• Walking boots with a grippy sole
• Swimwear and travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Moisturizer and lip balm

Make sure you can capture the special moments on your Icelandic adventure by bringing:

• Camera
• Waterproof camera bag
• Charging cable and spare battery packs
• Tripod, for group shots and photos of the Northern Lights