An Inclusive Travel Adventure with Pride Adventures
Welcome to Iceland — Where Inclusivity Rules
Iceland is one of the most LGBTQ+ inclusive countries in the world. It’s so welcoming, in fact, that it sometimes feels like the tables have turned: this is a gay traveler’s paradise where straight travelers are more than welcome to join the fun too.
(And yes — that’s tongue-in-cheek. Inclusivity is at the heart of Icelandic culture, and everyone is celebrated here. But for queer travelers, it feels extra special to explore a country where you’re not just accepted, you’re embraced.)
Whether you’re here for dramatic waterfalls, otherworldly glaciers, hot springs, or the legendary Reykjavik Pride Parade, Iceland offers a mix of natural wonder and cultural warmth you won’t find anywhere else.
✨ Travel tip: If there’s one thing to remember — take tours, not just self-drives. Tours unlock the stories — the trolls, the settlers, the sagas — that make Iceland so much more than a postcard.
🌈 Our Top 10 Iceland Experiences
1 – Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss (The South Coast Waterfalls)
If you only have time for one adventure, make it the waterfalls of the South Coast.
- Seljalandsfoss: The waterfall you can walk behind — a surreal, cinematic experience. Nearby, the hidden falls of Gljúfrabúi feel like stepping into a secret cave of mist and moss.
- Skógafoss: A thunderous 60-meter drop, often crowned with rainbows. Icelandic lore says a Viking hid a treasure chest behind it — and in the Skógar Museum, you can even see the ring said to have been pulled from that chest.
✨ Insider Tip: This was our group’s first “wow” moment together, and it set the tone for our trip. Go with a guide who can share the sagas and point you to hidden gems you’d otherwise miss.
2 – Glacier Walk on Vatnajökull
Strap on crampons, grab an ice axe, and step onto Vatnajökull Glacier — Europe’s largest ice cap.
Walking on the glacier is like stepping onto another planet. It was out of most of our comfort zones, but our group did it together. We were triumphant, and it became one of the most unforgettable highlights of our adventure.
✨ Insider Tip: A glacier hike is only safe with a certified guide. They’ll not only keep you secure but also share folklore about trolls and glacier spirits, blending science with Icelandic magic.
3 – Reykjavik Pride Parade 🌈
Okay, confession: this could easily be #1.
Reykjavik Pride isn’t just a parade — it’s a national celebration. Around 60% of Iceland’s entire population attends the festival. Imagine that: brothers, sisters, parents, priests, politicians — everyone marching together for inclusivity.
For me, this was deeply emotional. To stand in a sea of rainbows, knowing that inclusivity is a shared national value, was powerful.
Check out our Reykjavik Pride Parade Video on Instagram to get a bit more perspective of this amazing experience. We were in the parade!
✨ Insider Tip: If you can, time your trip around Pride in August. It’s one of the most uplifting LGBTQ+ festivals anywhere on earth.
4 – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Massive blue icebergs float through Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon before drifting out to sea. Across the road, they wash up on Diamond Beach — glittering like jewels against black volcanic sand.
✨ Insider Tip: Go at low tide. That’s when the ice is at its most dazzling on the beach. A guided boat tour through the lagoon also brings the stories of “living” glaciers to life.
5 – Reynisfjara (The Black Sand Beach)
Towering basalt columns, roaring Atlantic waves, and the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks — said to be trolls frozen into stone by sunlight. This was a Game of Thrones was filming location.
⚠️ Danger Warning: This beach is breathtaking but deadly. Sneaker waves can knock you off your feet and pull you into the sea without warning. The safety signs aren’t suggestions — they may save your life.
✨ Insider Tip: Go with a guide who knows where it’s safe to stand and will share the legends that make Reynisfjara unforgettable.
6 – Þingvellir National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can:
- Walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
- Stand on the site of the Alþingi, the world’s oldest parliament (established in 930 AD).
For adventurers, you can also snorkel or scuba dive in the Silfra fissure, with visibility so clear it feels like flying through glass. We skipped it due to cost, but if underwater adventure is your thing, it’s truly one of a kind.
7 – Gullfoss (Golden Falls)
The mighty Gullfoss waterfall crashes into a rugged canyon with breathtaking force.
Local heroine Sigríður Tómasdóttir fought to protect it from being harnessed for electricity. Her story is part of Iceland’s environmental legacy.
✨ Insider Tip: Guides bring her tale to life, turning Gullfoss into a story of activism as much as beauty.
8 – Geysir & Strokkur
The original Geysir gave its name to all geysers worldwide. Today, Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes, thrilling onlookers.
✨ Insider Tip: Guides often share quirky stories — like how settlers once used hot springs to cook bread and even lamb. It’s more than boiling water; it’s culture bubbling from the earth.
9 – Blue Lagoon vs. Public Pools
Yes, the Blue Lagoon is touristy. But if you’ve never been, it’s worth it. Warm, milky-blue geothermal water surrounded by lava fields — iconic Iceland.
Locals rave about Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, but we skipped it. Instead, I’ll make a stronger recommendation: visit the public pools. Every town has one, and they’re central to Icelandic life.
- Hot tubs are for socializing — don’t be shy, join in conversations with locals.
- Respect the rules: you must shower completely naked before entering.
✨ Insider Tip: Do Blue Lagoon once, then soak like a local in the neighborhood pools as often as you can.
10 – Rainbows Everywhere 🌈
The rainbow flags, rainbow-painted crosswalks, and rainbow street in Reykjavik are about us — the LGBTQ+ community — and Iceland’s true inclusivity.
This is a nation that doesn’t just tolerate us, but openly celebrates us. That’s not a tourist gimmick. That’s culture. That’s love.
Final Thoughts: Take the Tours, Live the Stories
You can rent a car and drive Iceland’s Ring Road. But if you do only that, you’ll miss the best part — the stories.
Guides tell you about the trolls who roam the cliffs, the Viking settlers who hid treasure, the activists who saved waterfalls, and the Pride celebrations that unite a country. Without the stories, Iceland is just scenery. With them, it’s magic.
At Pride Adventures, we travel not just to see places, but to connect with people, culture, and each other. And Iceland — with its rainbows, waterfalls, glaciers, and heart — is the perfect place to feel included.
🌈 Travel with Pride. Join our next adventure.
