An Iceland Bachelorette Party Guide to Plan Your Adventure

Explore majestic sites and find plenty of R&R—and fun—on a girls' weekend in Iceland.
woman standing on green cliff in iceland admiring beautiful mountain scenery
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allyson johnson the knot
by
Allyson Johnson
allyson johnson the knot
Allyson Johnson
Wedding Planning Contributor
  • Allyson writes articles for The Knot specializing in registries, wedding planning, and travel.
  • She’s written articles on such topics as best bachelorette and bachelor party destinations, top bridal shower games, and registry gifts.
  • Allyson has also written for WeddingWire, Brides.com, Brit + Co., and Bustle.
Updated Jan 13, 2021
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Spend three days on an Iceland bachelorette party and you'll be wanting to come back again and again. Just a quick hop over the pond—you can often find great flight deals—gets you to Reykjavík, your hub for the bachelorette weekend. But Iceland is meant for exploring—so grab the tribe and head out to wander through Iceland's many wonders, from the Blue Lagoon to the Golden Circle—on the ultimate bachelorette party.

What Are Some Iceland Bachelorette Party Ideas?

From exploring volcanic landscapes to taking a plunge in geothermal waters, there is plenty to see and do on an Icelandic bachelorette party. Start in Reykjavík, home to more than 80 bars that don't close until the wee hours of the morning (in summer, daylight lasts 24 hours). Then tour the other parts of Iceland's most infamous destinations. Whether you're looking for rugged adventures or luxury tours and a day at the spa, you'll find plenty on offer in this hot spot. Whatever you choose to do on an Iceland bachelorette party, The Knot Shop has plenty of swag to hook up the group with. And don't forget to commemorate the trip with a group photoshoot around some of the most majestic parts of Iceland—just book through Flytographer before arrival.

For the Adventurer

There are plenty of ways to see Iceland, but if your bride has a sense of adventure, consider booking a tour through Midgard Adventure, where you'll find opportunities for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and ATV tours. Along the way, you'll see waterfalls, wild horses, and even walk on glaciers. You can also book an ice cave tour for your group or spend the night hunting down the Northern Lights (time of year dependent).

For R&R

Iceland is possibly best known for the Blue Lagoon, and for good reason. Beyond a soak in these healing waters, brides and their tribes can go full-spa with treatments like massages and facials at the subterranean Retreat Spa after your dip.

For the Party Animals

If your bride is looking to let loose on her last hurrah, consider Reykjavík's nightlife the perfect opportunity for her. With more than 80 bars on offer, and spots open until all hours of the night, you won't be wanting for opportunity. Of course, to get them all in—or at least the best ones—consider taking part in one of the city's fun bar crawl experiences.

What Do You Do at a Bachelorette Party in Iceland?

On a three-day bachelorette party in Iceland you can fit in the best the country has to offer: sites, bites, drinks, and relaxation. Don't believe us? Just follow this ultimate Iceland bachelorette party itinerary.

Day 1

Morning: Start your trip on the right foot with brunch at the CooCoo's Nest where you'll find fun menu items like green eggs and ham (made with pesto and bacon), and eggs Florentine alla CooCoo's made with spinach and creamy blue cheese sauce. Of course, there's also a great brunch drink special, including mimosas of a variety of flavors, bloody Mary's, and iced coffee served with cream and kahlua.

Afternoon: Your group may still be trickling in, so take today to explore Reykjavík. Don't miss Old Reykjavík Harbour, which offers gorgeous bay views (you might spot some whales) and a couple of museums to pop in and out of. Or you can head to the Reykjanes Peninsula for your first of many dramatic landscapes of the weekend: volcanic craters, mineral lakes, and rugged mountains make up your views here.

Evening: Dinner tonight is at Dill, one of the highest rated restaurants in Iceland. The restaurant honors Nordic traditions and seasonal Icelandic ingredients, with a tasting menu that can also be paired with a selection of organic wines. From dinner, head into downtown Reykjavík for your first night on the town. Bars not to miss include B5 where you can enjoy bottle service; Microbar for craft beers; or the Lebowski Bar, which we know you can guess the theme to this one.

Day 2

Morning and Afternoon: Today is all about seeing the sites that Iceland has to offer, and you'll need most of the day to get it done. Grab a quick coffee and pastry from Café Babalú, then head out on a private, luxury tour guided by local experts through Icelimo Luxury Travel. The six hour Golden Circle Essential tour takes you to must-go places (including the Keriô Crater and Langjökull Glacier) with the twist of insider's secrets and lesser-known spots along the way. You can book for groups up to 20. If you'd rather keep things simpler, you can head to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you'll see geological wonders, plenty of wild life, lake views, and have opportunities for hiking.

Evening: For dinner, make your way to Flóran's Garden Bistro for a beautiful setting and delicious fare. Located within Reykjavík's botanical gardens, the menu consists of seasonal options inspired by Scandinavian cooking traditions. Don't skip the homemade lemonade along with beer from local breweries and organic wine. After dinner, you have two options for tonight. You can head back out into downtown Reykjavík to explore one of the 80 bars you haven't hit yet—consider Slippbarinn, Iceland's first cocktail bar . Or, grab a cup of coffee and then head out for more sightseeing, this time the Northern Lights. Tours through Gateway to Iceland, rated five stars by TripAdvisor, are only offered at prime Aurora Borealis viewing times—November to January, February, March, September, and October. On your private tour, you'll chase down the dancing green lights and find the perfect, breathtaking photo opps.

Day 3

Morning: Start the day with brunch at Snaps Bistro and Bar, a cozy café with a decidedly French flare. Here you'll find everything from American favorites like avocado toast, eggs benedict, and pancakes with bacon and butter, as well as more localized favorites like Iceland Skyr with fruit and muesli and eggs Norwegian. You can also enjoy cocktails ranging from the Snaps margarita to bloody Mary's and an Aperol Spritz, or a great coffee menu.

Afternoon: Today is the day to get in plenty of relaxation. Head to the Blue Lagoon to do just that. Consider booking a package through the Retreat Spa, which will give you access to the Blue Lagoon where you'll soak in the iconic mineral waters, but also five hours of exclusive use of private changing rooms, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a drink of your choice, entrance to the Spa Restaurant for lunch, and spa treatments including facials and massages.

Evening: Once you've finished being pampered head to Kol for your last hurrah. The ultimate in fine dining in Iceland, this restaurant offers a tasting menu meant to be shared by the table that includes three starters, a fish course, meat course, and a mix of desserts to share (think milk chocolate mousse and gingerbread cheesecake). End the night here, or make your way to Port9 Wine Bar to enjoy a final bottle or two with your crew.

Where Should I Stay in Iceland for a Bachelorette Party?

Make downtown Reykjavík your home base for the weekend—lots will be in walking distance or accessible by cabs and Uber. For everything outside of the city center, you'll have transportation provided by tour groups or via your own rental car bookings.

Best Iceland Bachelorette Hotels

  1. Hilton Reykjavik Nordica is located just a few blocks from the Botanical Gardens and many attractions downtown—it offers a great budget-friendly stay that includes modern rooms and an in-hotel spa.
  2. Ion City Hotel is the place to be for a luxury stay at the top of the price range. The steeper price tag gets you epic views and a boutique hotel experience, plus you'll be in walking distance to most bars and restaurants.
  3. The Apotek Hotel is a great mid-level stay that offers modern rooms in a historic building right in the city center. There are suites for larger group hangs, and a lounge bar and restaurant.

Best Iceland Bachelorette Home Rentals

  1. With room for up to 8, this Art Collectors Downtown Apartment is both chic and convenient, located in Parliament Square and an easy distance to many attractions.
  2. Large groups who want to stay downtown can book an Apartment in Reykjavík City Center. The six-bedroom home sleeps up to 13 and is just blocks away from shopping and dining.
  3. While it may be outside the city, a Villa with a Hot Tub may just be worth the extra drive to downtown, especially for large groups (up to 16) who want to spend some quality time lounging around together.

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