8 Best Places for Marriage Proposals in Iceland

Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cave

What could be more exciting and romantic than proposing to your loved one inside of an Ice Cave? It is an experience that would be hard to top. The glowing blues ice walls make it a gorgeous and unbelievable photo opportunity. These majestic ice caves form during the winter months from the glaciers of Vatnajökull, which is also one of the biggest glaciers in Europe.

The caves are created as canals at the bottom of the glacier. Then the water comes from underneath, creating a cave. This usually happens in the summer months when the ice melts. During this time the caves cannot be accessed. Then when fall hits, the snow melt decreases which allows a refreeze in winter. Then all of a sudden the ice caves are here for you to explore!

This means your bucket list proposal spot can only be accessed from November to March. These months can change depending on warmer or colder winters. So how do you get inside of the cave? It is mandatory that you go with a tour guide and Iceland has plenty of them.

While there are many different tours to choose from, they all offer to bring you into the cave. The tours normally start with a five-mile hike to the glacier. This hike is not for the faint of heart, since there are ropes and heights involved. However, with your guide there you should have nothing to worry about. Once you reach the cave, marvel at the bright blue ice walls before getting down on one knee. Another perk of having a tour guide there is that they will most likely be happy to snap that proposal photograph for you! Vatnajökull Glacier’s Ice Cave is a dream proposal spot for all of the adventurous couples out there.

Under The Northern Lights In The Icelandic Countryside

This one is a little broad, but also completely tangible. Spotting the Northern Lights is a top item on most people’s life’s adventure list. Iceland is one of the best places in the world to spot them. It all comes down to the time of year, as well as the time of day. Your best chances to see them are from October to March. These months have fewer daylight hours, providing more dark hours. This brings us to the best time of day to spot them, which is midnight. Midnight to the early hours of the morning is when the sky is the darkest. If you pair that with a clear night, your chances are pretty good.

After you have your month and time planned, you need to find the best location. We recommend heading out into the Icelandic Countryside. There are no city lights out there which means skies are darker than in more populated areas. Towns such as Hella and Hvolsvöllur are wonderful places to start. But feel free to drive through during the day and find the ideal spot that speaks to you.

There are a few ways to track the lights and to see when they will be most noticeable. You can try the Hello Aurora App, which will help you know when the lights are going to be visible. You can also take a tour with a guide who will bring you to familiar areas where the lights are spotted. Getting proposed to under the Northern Lights in Iceland would be an unforgettable memory that would last an eternity. 

The Bottom Of Gljúfurárfoss Waterfall

While many pop the question in front of Iceland’s waterfalls, you can get a bit creative by asking underneath one. Beat the crowds by visiting Gljufrabui or Gljúfurárfoss, which is normally overlooked because it sits right next to the very famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The waterfalls are located in Hamragarðar in South Iceland, only a two-hour drive from Reykjavik.

This waterfall is 131 feet tall and is mostly hidden by a cliff rock which makes it often missed by travelers in the area. You can find the waterfall by taking on the short and sweet 1.2-mile out and back hike. The hike will first bring you around Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is a visual bonus for your proposal hike. When you get to the other side you will end up making a right which will bring you off of the Seljalandsfoss trail and onto the Gljufrabui Waterfall Trail. 

From there it is a brief walk over to the waterfall. There will be a small space that opens up and then suddenly you will see it! You can even climb on some of the rocks, to get that bucket list photograph, with the mossy green walls and the cascading falls in the background.

The light that shines through the opening will end up illuminating the waterfall, making it a truly gorgeous backdrop for your proposal. Take advantage of this forgotten area and make it your own during your special day.

During Sunset At Grotta

Sitting at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula is a gorgeous lighthouse accompanied by a rocky shoreline. Also known as the tied island of Grótta, which is roughly a ten-minute drive heading west from Reyjavik.

This area not only has rugged black sand beaches, but it also is home to a nature reserve. It was established back in 1974 and this was mostly due to the birds spotted in the area. The lighthouse puts this place at a whole new level. There has been a lighthouse here since 1897 and the current lighthouse is said to have been here since 1947.

Today, it is known as the tall white lighthouse that has a bright red top. Luckily, it is also an immaculate place to propose to someone. We just recommended that you do it at sunset. The sky's majestic colors combined with the black sand and blue ocean will provide a very romantic setting. Take advantage of the white lighthouse by using it as a backdrop for a unique proposal snapshot. This is an ideal location for all of those beach lovers out there, who want a serene engagement at the foot of the ocean.

DC Plane on Sólheimasandur

While it may seem a bit contradictory to have the happiest moment of your life at a place of tragedy, it is a top runner on our proposal list. And we are going to tell you why. First off the story of the plane wreck has a positive ending, as everyone did survive. So what happened? The small DC plane had to make a crash landing due to a lack of de-icing and low fuel on the airplane. The plane landed safely on the stony black beaches of Sólheimasandur.

Today, the white shell of the plane is still intact and sits on the beach, attracting visitors from all over. The wreckage site is a two and half hour drive, heading southeast of Reykjavik. You can reach the parking lot at FJRP+9J8, Path to Wrecked DC-3 Plane on Sólheimasandur, 871 Iceland. You will see a small sign displaying parking for the plane wreckage site. While you cannot drive to the foot of the site, you can enjoy a relaxing hike to it instead.

We recommend you take the four-mile round-trip hike to the abandoned DC plane. Once you get there, you can go inside the plane, which is a flawless spot for the proposal! Daredevils can even climb on top of the airplane to pop the question, which provides a captivating view of the area. We recommended starting early in the morning, so you can catch the sunrise over the black beach and misty ocean.

At Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls During Fall

Did you know Iceland has fall foliage? Well, it does, just when we thought Iceland couldn't get any more stunning. Some of the best places to spot these fall colors are located in west central Iceland. The Borgarfjörður district is home to a hidden gem that showcases the leaves, also known as the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls.

Hraunfossar is a series of small and large creeks and waterfalls that flow out of the lava field for a half mile. The flow of lava also changes the colors of the water. Some days it is a whiter color, and others it can be a bright turquoise blue. Right above this waterfall is another one, Barnafoss Waterfall. The vibrant fall foliage compliments these two amazing waterfalls during the fall months. The trees will turn a variety of colors, including golden yellow, burnt orange, and bright red. The best time to capture this is when the peak season hits, normally in the middle of September. If you are looking for a gorgeous autumn backdrop for your proposal then head over to the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls.

At The Remote Flatey Island

If you want a remote proposal then look no further than Flatey Island. While Iceland is an island of its own, it is also home to smaller islands that are located off the coasts. Flatley island is a tiny island that sits in Breidafjordur bay, in the northwestern part of Iceland. The island is only a little over a mile long and a half of a mile wide. So we then said it’s small, we meant it! It is also a flat surface, hence the name.

So how do you get here? There are two ferries that will take you over, one located in Stykkishólmur and the other in Brjánslækur. Once you arrive take the gorgeous walk through the old village, which features adorable and restored houses. You may even see the town sheep strolling the streets with you, as they do roam free. 

We recommend staying the night here at the stunning Hótel Flatey. Which sits right in the heart of the old village in an old timber structure. The hotel has three suites as well as double, twin, and family rooms. They have a restaurant on site that provides stunning views of the village and the coastline. Enjoy fresh seafood or local meats, paired with tasty vegetables and more. A delicious way to celebrate your engagement.

But first, walk down to the dock at sunset for that proposal-worthy sky. Because how many people can say they were proposed to on an island while visiting another island? The hues of the colorful sunset reflecting off of the ocean water will simply take your breath away. We couldn’t think of a more exquisite and tranquil place to say “I Do”.

On The Shore At Diamond Beach

While it may seem cliche, Diamond beach is the perfect place for a proposal to take place. This unique shore has thousands of icebergs that travel from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The icebergs float in the icy blue water, resembling diamonds. The frozen jewels become vibrant crystals thanks to the contrast of the black volcanic sand. 

The beach is a long stretch of black sand that extends over eleven miles. It is famous for those wanting to capture sunrise or sunset photos, as the colors of the sky reflect off of the ice chunks. It is perfect for a proposal because no place could accompany your new diamond ring better,

The beauty of this area is hard to put into words. This is why so many celebrities have come here. Famous movies and films such as Batman Begins, Tomb Raider, and Game of Thrones filmed some scenes here. This just adds to the list of reasons why Diamond Beach makes a special proposal spot.

Iceland is full of the best places for marriage proposals. Are you adventurous couples who want to explore the country's rugged terrain together? Maybe you are ocean lovers who want a peaceful life. Either way, Iceland has a memorable location for you to capture your once-in-a-lifetime memory, and GO car rental can help you get to it!

FAQ

Where is the most romantic place to propose?

While we recommend Iceland of course, there are some top runners across the world. Cinque Terre, Italy, New York City, Venice, Italy, and Santorini, Greece seem to be the most popular. They are all very unique and beautiful places so we understand why.

Can foreigners get married in Iceland?

Yes! Just be sure to complete the necessary paperwork before arriving in Iceland. As well as following Iceland's marriage requirements. That means sending the required documents to the National Registry Office at least three weeks in advance of your wedding day.

Where is the most common place to propose?

It is no shocker that Central Park in New York City is the most common place to propose. The area is beautiful any time of the year! With fresh snow blankets in the winter and foliage during the fall.