Iceland is a popular travel destination thanks to its unique natural landscapes, hot springs and the opportunity to witness the elusive Northern Lights. It’s typically regarded as a super safe place for travellers and expats – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t susceptible to natural disasters.
A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula has erupted for the fourth time since December on Saturday, with lava flowing dangerously close to the small fishing town of Grindavík. Residents of the town, which was first evacuated in November, reportedly received text messages telling them to evacuate again with just a few minutes notice. The eruption is thought to be the most powerful so far, and a state of emergency has been declared.
Understandably, those with trips booked to Iceland might wonder whether visiting the country is safe. This is everything we know about travelling to Iceland right now.
Is it safe to travel to Iceland?
Despite Saturday’s eruption, neither the UK Foreign Office nor the US Department of State are recommending against travel – though the former has warned against travelling near the affected region.
Where was the volcanic eruption in Iceland?
On Saturday evening, a long-dormant volcano erupted for the fourth time since December just north of Grindavík, a town in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Grindavík is in southwest Iceland, around 42km away from the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. Its 4,000 residents were evacuated.
Is the Blue Lagoon open?
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions, over the weekend. The famous geothermal spa will remain closed until further notice.
Have flights been cancelled?
Flights to and from Iceland are operating as normal.
Your best bet if you have a flight booked to or out of Iceland is to keep an eye on your airline’s website for updates on whether your journey will be affected. Multiple airlines have said they’ll contact passengers if and when the situation changes.
What is the UK Foreign Office saying?
Despite the eruption, the UK Foreign Office has not advised against tourists visiting Iceland.
The statement on the website reads: ‘Iceland is volcanic and seismically active. Recently there have been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland, the latest occurring on 16 March. These have affected the town of Grindavik and area to the north of it. All roads to Grindavik and the surrounding area are closed and you should stay away from this area.
Keflavik International Airport and the road to it is unaffected and operating normally. The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland is not impacted by the eruptions. The likelihood of further eruptions in this location remains high. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities’ advice on travel to the area.’
It also advises keeping up with the Icelandic Met Office, Safe Travel Iceland and Almannavarnadeild Facebook page and Twitter/X (@almannavarnir).
What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip to Iceland?
As the UK Foreign Office has not advised against travel, it’s likely your trip will go ahead as normal. Unless the advice changes, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to cancel your trip without a penalty. Contact your travel provider directly for all the up-to-date info about your trip.
When was the last eruption in Iceland?
The last volcanic eruption in Iceland was just over a month ago on February 8, 2024, following two other eruptions in January and December. Before that, other than some volcanic activity in 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula was dormant for 800 years.
In 2010, an ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption was responsible for the biggest halt to European air traffic since World War Two.
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