LGBTQIA+ travel in Iceland

Iceland has had an openly gay prime minister and was among the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption rights. Reykjavík Pride, the summer parade, is one of Iceland’s most-attended events year after year. 

Iceland ranks among the highest countries on the Legatum Prosperity Index when it comes to perceived tolerance and legal rights of LGBT+ individuals. The Spartacus Gay Travel index considers Iceland a top-ten destination.

Plan your trip: Catch up on latest news and events at gayice.is and gayiceland.is 

Pedestrian Skólavörðustígur is permanently painted in support of Iceland's LGBT+ movement

Places to go in Reykjavík 

Kiki Queer Bar is a Reykjavík institution and the heart of the city's LGBT+ scene. The two floor-venue overlooks the pedestrian Laugavegur; a tin-clad house in rainbow colors. Dance shoes on weekends. 

Pink Iceland, a travel agency specializing in destination weddings for LGBT+ couples, has a list of queer-owned businesses in Reykjavík worth the visit. Among them is cozy café Babalú, bookstore Iða and the long-standing restaurant Jómfrúin. 

Reykjavik Pride, held annually since 1999, is one of the most-attended event in Iceland

Reykjavík Pride & the Reykjavík Bear Festival 

The Reykjavík Pride festival and parade, an annual event in Iceland since 1999, garners massive attendance, with approximately 100,000 participants, constituting 25% of the country's population. Every year, this colorful celebration unfolds on a Saturday in early August, commencing from the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church and proceeding along the Skólavörðustígur with a rainbow flag painted on the street. 

Meanwhile, the Reykjavík Bear Festival, occurring in early September, is orchestrated by the local nonprofit organization Bangsafélagið, welcoming bears of diverse shapes and sizes. Spanning four days, this festival features an array of parties and day tours originating from Reykjavík.

Travel agency Pink Iceland organizes destination weddings for queer couples. Photo by Pink Iceland

The National Queer Association 

Samtökin 78, the National Queer Association of Iceland, is based at Suðurgata 3 right by Reykjavík City Hall. The association regularly hosts variety of events, including an open house for informal socializing.  

At the University of Iceland, the Queer Student Association Iceland (called Q) hosts regular public events. 

"Little Gay Reykjavík" by Guðjón Ragnar Jónsson is available in English

Tales from ‘Little Gay Reykjavík’

The history of the Icelandic gay rights movement is no different from other nations – it has been a struggle, fought by brave souls. 

Guðjón Ragnar Jónsson's book "Little Gay Reykjavík," published by Sæmundur, delves into the inception of the gay rights movement, featuring amusing anecdotes centered around the nightlife of the 1980s.

Akureyri, the largest town outside the capital region, has weekly meetings

Beyond Reykjavík 

Attitudes towards LGBTIQ people are positive throughout Iceland, surveys suggest. But beyond Reykjavík, it is hard to connect with the local community, as exclusively LGBT+ places are scarce. 

In Akureyri, the organization HIN Hinsegin Norðurland hosts weekly meetings at Rósenborg, Skólastíg 2, where everyone is welcome. Nearby Hrísey Island hosts a pride celebration in July.

Hinsegin Vesturland, an organization spanning western Iceland, hosts annual pride celebrations in the region towards the end of June.

In East Iceland, Hinsegin Austurland has organized pride celebrations in different towns of the region. Furthermore, since 2014 a fabulous parade has annually marched down the rainbow street in Seyðisfjörður, corresponding with the timing of Reykjavik Pride.