Volcanic Layover

Hot Soak with a Viking: How to Live It Up in Iceland When the Airport is Covered in Hot Lava

GayCities blogger and photographer Jeffrey James Keyes regularly checks in from his world travels with updates from his best and most unusual experiences.

Another volcano eruption screwed up air traffic this week. If your layover in Reykjavik went from two hours to two days because of Grimsvotn, Eyjafjallajokull, or any really un-pronounceable Icelandic volcano you’re luck because there’s still plenty to do in a country where the Prime Minister is an out lesbian and a new law provides all the sperm you could ask for. Here are five things I did to pass time in Iceland during the, er, eruption.

1. Get Wet: Dive into the Blue Lagoon‘s geothermal spa. Close your eyes and fully immerse yourself. You never know who will be floating towards you when you rise to the surface.

2. Check in to Reykjavik. Find a great hotel to hang your coat and live it up. 101 is definitely the hottest neighborhood to kick back in, and possibly get a glimpse of Icelandic pop star Jonsi. Consider The Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel.

3. Get Your Art On: Iceland features great museums and galleries. The Reykjavik Art Museum, located in the Harbour House, is the go-to for funky modern. Just around the corner you can find the Reykjavik Museum of Photography is tiny but worth a quick stop. If you’re looking for a Viking, check out the Saga Museum. History and antiquity-hungry? Head to the National Museum of Iceland.

4. Find Your Viking. The chances of meeting an actual viking at the Viking sculpture in Reykjavik are slim. However, if you head over to Barbara Bar & Club you can definitely make eyes with your very own cute, scruffy, Leif Erikson.

5. Get Outta Dodge: Book a Golden Circle Tour and explore as much of the countryside as you can. The Golden Circle takes all day, stopping at the national park, the enormous Gullfoss Waterfall and Geyser country. Mind the lava if your guide brings you to the base of the volcano.

All images by Jeffrey James Keyes

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated