A Gluten-Free Week in Iceland: Exploring Reykjavik, Vik, Golden Circle & Beyond by Car
Traveling gluten-free in Iceland may sound challenging, but with a bit of planning and an adventurous spirit, it’s entirely possible—and incredibly rewarding. In April 2025, we spent one unforgettable week road-tripping through southwestern Iceland. The weather in April can be chilly, so dress in layers and always pack waterproof shoes and a raincoat!
But no matter what time of year you decide to go to Iceland, you will always be able to find gluten-free food and a memorable holiday! From relaxing at Sky Lagoon to chasing waterfalls in Vik, exploring the Golden Circle, and hiking the wild beauty of Husafell, we discovered that on a vacation in Iceland you can embrace these unique natural surroundings while also enjoying gluten-free food in nearly every venue.
Here’s a detailed itinerary of our gluten-free adventure through Iceland, including where we stayed, found safe gluten-free food, and explored with a rental car.
Flying to Iceland on Iceland Air
First off, I highly recommend Iceland Air and the pre-order food option. I’ve flown Iceland Air before and explored their menu on-line before the flight, so I was already familiar with their options.
Unlike most U.S. flights I’ve taken, the pre-order Iceland Air option allowed me to see all of the ingredients and order well in advance so I knew I would have a safe gluten-free meal before landing. Food in Iceland is very pricey, so this also helped me to avoid buying something in the airport or locally as soon as we arrived.
The other tip I will offer is that I always travel with my own food. Gluten free granola bars, trail mix, purity protocol instant gluten free oats, and of course my favorite homemade gluten free “travel muffins” which stay soft and fresh for a week (especially if you make them vegan)! You’ll see these pop up in a few photos throughout out trip. They are a breakfast and snack saver!
For more food travel tips, check out my Top 9 Gluten Free Travel Tips here!
Day 1: Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon, Vik – Spa Moments & Urban Introduction
We landed at the crack of dawn, picked up our rental car at Keflavík Airport, and drove to downtown Reykjavik for a cup of coffee and another gluten free muffin from home. Even after a little smushing in my bags, these muffins are always delish!
We briefly explored the scenery of the city and were drawn to the Hallgrimskirkja — the iconic cathedral Reykjavik’s skyline is known for. Access to the cathedral is free, but there is a paid option to go up into the tower.
Sky Lagoon:
I had booked a reservation for the first available Sky Lagoon opening, so we headed there late morning and enjoyed several hours of an incredible geothermal spa experience.
The “when in Rome” thing to do in Iceland is to either go to the Blue Lagoon or to Sky Lagoon — both just outside the capital city — and you can’t go wrong with either. I opted for Sky Lagoon as it seemed the more “adult” of the two, offering couples’ changing room rentals and restricting younger visitors to the lagoon.
The scenery was indeed amazing, and the rejuvenating 7-step ritual is worth experiencing at some point on any Iceland adventure.
A pleasant surprise: the café just inside offers light gluten-free options like salads, soups, Skyr yogurt bowls (contains dairy), and even gluten-free toast with hummus or lox.
After decompressing at the lagoon, we were ready to embark on the nearly 3 hour drive to Vik, where we were staying for the night. Along the way though, we were told to take a longer route so we could see the bubbling mud pools of Seltún.
These sulphur ponds were like nothing I had ever seen. Seltún itself is accessible by raised boardwalks, so you can wander among the sulphur ponds and watch them erupt periodically. Quite a site and smell!
While long, the drive to Vik is gorgeous, with ever-changing scenery and interesting places to stop along the way. Like the small fishing village of Eyrarbakki. There you’ll find a sign pointing out that the next stop directly south is Antarctica (a distance of 15,329 lm or 9,525 miles). Keep going in the same direction and you’ll hit the South Pole!
However, driving along the South Coast, Vik is an essential stop for sights like the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss (famous waterfalls) that grace the highway itself. You’ll want to stop at these two in particular, but you can see them clearly as you’re driving.
We stopped at Skógafoss on our way to Vik and at Seljalandsfoss on the way back.
Skógafoss is such an impressive waterfall due mostly to its width. It’s high too, don’t get me wrong, dropping 197 feet (60 meters), but it’s also 82 feet (25 meters) wide!
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall was actually our favorite, as you could walk behind it if you didn’t mind getting wet, and there was a path leading to many other waterfalls and caves nearby, so it was a more interesting destination. This photo is a screenshot taken from a video I made of the waterfall from the highway — that’s how huge it is!
Where We Stayed: Hotel Vik
I chose Hotel Vik as I had read that their restaurant offerings were nearly all gluten-free. We were exhausted by the time we reached the hotel that night, but we were determined to eat a meal in this restaurant and it did not disappoint.
Here’s a photo of our gluten-free dinner at Hotel Vik, which was delish!
Day 2: Vik – Black Sand Beaches & Breathtaking Views
Vik is also known for its Reynisfjara black sand beach. While beautiful, we spoke to several locals who regaled us with tales of tourists who were killed or nearly drowned on this dangerous beach, so use caution when walking the beach and taking photos!
If you’re here at the right time of year, you may even see puffins with a scenic drive to Dyrhólaey. We were there just a bit too early for the puffins’ return from Europe to breed, but if that’s the focus of your trip, plan for an early summer stop in Vik and you’re sure to see them!
The best place to see the landscape of Vik from up high is from ABOVE the church with the red roof. Follow the road snaking up to the church and then keep going to the cemetery. Feel smug as you pass the tour buses in your rental car!
Gluten-Free Tips in Vik:
- Hotel Vik Restaurant – Offered gluten-free bread and modified Icelandic dishes on request. The chef was very happy to accommodate my gluten-free, dairy-free, pescatarian request, and my meal was delicious!
- The Soup Company – Great for quick meals; has allergen-friendly soups. Ask for the gluten-free options.
- Skool Beans Cafe – A quirky school bus turned coffee shop that is a must-see when in Vik. While there are no real gluten-free food options here (my homemade gluten-free muffins and the gluten-free oats I brought along were once again handy!), the coffee was delicious and the vibe was like no other!
Where We Stayed: Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel in Hveragerði
We drove back from Vik to the Golden Circle region of southern Iceland and arrived at our hotel in time to relax a bit before dinner.
This riverside hotel offers geothermal hot tubs and local Icelandic cuisine cooked in a geothermal restaurant. I even cooked eggs in a geothermal hot spring in the morning for fun!
We had our evening meal at the Restaurant Varmá located in the hotel. We were early, so we had it nearly to ourselves the night we were there, and we got to know the waitress and the host well — they were so nice! When they passed along my dietary restrictions to the chef, she prepared an off-menu meal for me that was a true delight.
Here’s a pic of the menu:
Note that gluten-free bread is available nearly everywhere in Iceland. It’s store-bought sandwich bread, but it’s at almost every restaurant as an option.
The chef even proudly brought out my meal to the table herself! Just look at this gorgeous plating. I felt so cared for … and so full!
The next morning’s included breakfast buffet had plenty of gluten free choices, including classic Icelandic breakfast items like baked beans, smoked fish, eggs, fruit, and even gluten-free bread.
That night we spent hours in one of the outdoor hot tubs, waiting to see the Northern Lights. Sadly, they never graced us with their presence, but this view wasn’t too bad, either!
Day 3: Golden Circle – Geysers, Waterfalls & Craters
Typical Golden Circle tourist routes include the Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park. Roads in April were clear, and crowds were minimal—ideal for driving and photography.
My husband even hired a guide and went fly fishing at Lake Þingvallvatn where you can fish for huge prehistoric trout.
I opted for a slightly less touristy 3 hour hike to/from the Reykjadalur Thermal River. The scenery and the unique experience of being in this naturally thermal river is something you won’t get anywhere else.
Once you arrive at the thermal river, there is a boardwalk with X-shaped “changing” dividers erected periodically providing some semblance of privacy, but not much! It’s the kind of place where you decide you’re going to be ok with changing your clothes and probably being seen out in the middle of nowhere, amongst a bunch of like-minded hikers.
Sitting in a thermal river is worth it.
Gluten-Free Dining Along the Golden Circle:
- Friðheimar Tomato Farm – Nearly everything can be made gluten-free. They’re known for their fresh tomato soup and gluten-free bread.
- Geysir Center Restaurant – Offers marked gluten-free meals (soups, meats, sides).
Where We Stayed:
- Where We Stayed: Hotel Husafell
We drove north and west for our next two nights and stayed at this slightly more upscale and out of the way hotel upon the recommendation of friends who had stayed there before. It did not disappoint.
The staff was outstanding, the meals were wonderful and created by an attentive and curious chef who was more than willing to think out of the box to plate delicious gluten-free meals for me, and the scenery was epic. This quiet west Iceland spot is not the location most tourists think to visit first when they think Iceland, but it’s well worth it!
Day 4–5: Husafell – Into the Wild
Western Iceland revealed Iceland’s more remote beauty. Husafell is a gateway to glaciers, lava fields, and otherworldly landscapes like the Hraunfossar (waterfalls). We especially loved the Barnafoss waterfalls and canyon, and I’ve heard that the Into the Glacier tour is well worth the splurge, but it was too splurge-y for us!
We took free hikes around Husafell and explored the canyons and trails there, finding all kinds of hidden beauty in this incredible landscape.
I always had a gluten-free granola bar with me on these hikes, as we weren’t sure how long we’d be. They came in handy!
We also enjoyed the hot tubs, sauna, and cold bath available on-site. Icelanders make use of these “public pools” year-round, and we did, too! As guests at Hotel Husafell, we were permitted free entry, but others from the surrounding area would enter on a fee basis.
We learned that these public pools are found all over Iceland and are the country’s favorite past-time. We later found one close to our hotel in Reykjavik and paid to enjoy a quick hot tub/sauna/cold bath before we flew out on our last day.
Dining at Hotel Husafell:
The restaurant was one of our favorites. The included breakfast buffet was full of gluten-free options and therefore I was full well past lunch each day!
The dinner menu included fish and lamb dishes with gluten-free sauces and sides:
However, as we were dining there two nights in a row, the chef got creative and made off-the-menu meals for us the second night which were exceedingly creative and delicious!
Day 6-7: Return to Reykjavik
We drove back to Reykjavik via Borgarnes (and a very cool cafe) and the tunnel. We were treated to an epic rainbow (see photo at the top of this post) and a beautiful drive!
For our final night, we returned to Hotel Alda and dined at
Where We Stayed:
- Where We Stayed: Hotel Alda
This cute hotel with all the amenities you’d need is located on the iconic Laugavegur Street, offered modern comforts and easy access to excellent gluten-free dining right next door at the Brass Kitchen. There is no parking there, and the staff gave poor instructions about where to locate parking for the weekend, but we figured it out. In the intervening 5 minutes it took to drop off our bags though, we were hit with a $60 parking ticket for being on the street out front, so beware!
Once we parked safely, we were able to walk to everywhere we wanted to go in Reykjavik. If it wasn’t so expensive to get to and from the airport, it may have made sense to turn the car in for our last two days instead, as we didn’t use the car at all!
Where We Ate Gluten Free in Reykjavik:
This was super handy to Hotel Alda, as it was attached! Located on Laugavegur Street, it’s walking distance from most other local hotels as well.
The menu is clearly marked with any allergens and they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer! The server was very helpful and I felt safe eating there.
You know I got the fries …
This plant-based restaurant was as quaint and cozy as it was yummy.
The day we ate there was a bit cold and wet, so the warm comfort food available in the curry rice bowls they offered was the perfect choice. Note that while everything there was plant-based, NOT everything on the menu was gluten-free.
We stumbled upon a section of Reykjavik that was loaded with Thai restaurants, but this one had the best and most ratings for being gluten-free, so it’s the one we chose and it did not disappoint.
We got lucky with the timing and didn’t have to wait, but the website goes to great pains to explain that reservations are required and that wait times for food, once ordered, will be long, so take that under advisement.
Other Gluten-Free Eats in Reykjavik:
- Gló Restaurant – Healthy, locally sourced meals with clearly marked gluten-free options.
- Braud & Co. – Sometimes has gluten-free pastries (get there early!).
- Messinn – Great fish dishes; staff are helpful with gluten-free needs.
- Kopar Restaurant—they offer a gluten-free tasting menu.
- RossoPomoDoro — offering gluten free pasta, pizza, and dessert options.
- Reykjavik Kitchen — gluten-free menu with soup, bread, salads and more.
About Gluten-Free Beer in Iceland:
If you order a gluten-free beer in Iceland, you’re likely to get this: Gull Lite, marked “gluten free.”
The only problem is … it contains malted barley. That means this beer is NOT gluten-free.
It’s likely a gluten-reduced beer just like those in the U.S. which cannot be called gluten-free, but must be called “gluten-reduced” or “crafted to remove gluten.” Read all about the differences in my article linked here, along with why experts agree this kind of beer is NOT safe for celiacs.
Gluten-Free Travel Tips for Iceland
- Grocery Stores: Chains like Krónan, Bonus, and Hagkaup stock labeled “glútenlaus” products. Snacks like this crispbread — when purchased at an actual grocery store or a convenience store — are inexpensive and tasty!
- Bring Snacks: Especially for long drives between towns—protein bars, nuts, and dried fruit are ideal.
- Use Google Translate: Scan ingredient labels if unsure (Icelandic labels can be tricky).
- Communicate Early: Let hotels and restaurants know about your dietary needs ahead of time.
Final Thoughts: Gluten-Free and Stress-Free in Iceland
From the food-forward city of Reykjavik to the untouched landscapes of Husafell, Iceland surprised us with how gluten-free-friendly it truly is. With a rental car, flexible itinerary, and proactive communication, we explored confidently and ate safely. I know you, too, will enjoy your gluten-free holiday in Iceland!
Loading...
