Working out the place to stick in Iceland used to be probably the most trickiest portions of making plans our journeys there. It’s now not like maximum Ecu international locations the place you’ll rock as much as a the city and discover a dozen accommodations to make a choice from. Out of doors Reykjavik, lodging is proscribed, it books up speedy, and it’s now not reasonable.
We’ve visited Iceland more than one instances, together with spending 4 weeks using all of the Ring Street, and we’ve stayed in the entirety from good town accommodations to tiny guesthouses in the midst of nowhere. Between us, we’ve slept in over twenty other houses throughout each and every area of Iceland, from Reykjavik to the Westfjords.
The fast resolution, when you handiest have a couple of days: base your self in Reykjavik and take day journeys. When you’ve got per week or extra, transfer each and every night time or two alongside the Ring Street and e book the southeast phase first, as a result of that’s the place the beds run out soonest. The entirety under is the element at the back of the ones two sentences, area through area, with the puts we in truth stayed and what you will have to be expecting to pay in ISK.
If you happen to’re making plans a highway time out, our itineraries pair nicely with this information. We’ve got write-ups for 7 days at the Ring Street, 5 days in Iceland, and a 3 day stopover itinerary, all of which come with explicit lodging suggestions for each and every night time.
| Area | Primary bases | Highest for | Nights | Iciness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik and Reykjanes | Reykjavik 101, Keflavik | Brief journeys, day excursions, first and remaining nights | 1 to three | Complete selection |
| Golden Circle | Selfoss, Laugarvatn, Flúðir, Hella | Breaking apart the pressure south | 1 | Just right |
| South Coast | Hvolsvöllur, Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur | Waterfalls, black sand, glacier journeys | 2 | Just right |
| Southeast | Höfn, Djúpivogur | Glacier lagoons | 1 to two | Restricted |
| East Iceland | Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður | Quiet fjords, few crowds | 1 to two | Restricted |
| North Iceland | Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík | Whale staring at, Northern Lighting | 2 to three | Just right |
| West and Snæfellsnes | Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður, Borgarnes | Images, calmer tempo | 1 to two | Lowered |
| Westfjords | Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður | Faraway using, fowl cliffs | 3 plus | Most commonly closed |
How Lodging in Iceland Works
Iceland’s lodging scene isn’t like what you may well be used to in other places in Europe, and figuring out the types makes the reserving websites so much more uncomplicated to learn.
Motels
Motels in Iceland fluctuate from international-standard chains to smaller locally-owned houses. The principle chains you’ll come across are Fosshotel, Keahotels, and Berjaya Iceland Motels (previously Icelandair Motels). We’ve stayed at a number of houses throughout those chains and so they’re typically dependable, trendy, and at ease, if now not in particular characterful. Room sizes have a tendency to be at the smaller aspect, however the amenities are at all times blank and nicely maintained.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses are some of the not unusual form of lodging outdoor Reykjavik. They vary from a couple of rooms in any person’s domestic to purpose-built houses with a dozen or extra rooms. Some have en-suite toilets, some have shared amenities, and lots of have visitor kitchens, which is an actual bonus in a rustic the place consuming out is costly.
A few of our preferrred remains in Iceland had been at family-run guesthouses. They’re additionally the place you’ll get exact native recommendation in regards to the highway forward, which issues extra in Iceland than maximum puts.
Farm Remains
Farm remains are a uniquely Icelandic enjoy. Many running farms alongside the Ring Street have transformed outbuildings or constructed small cabins for visitors. They have a tendency to be in gorgeous places, regularly surrounded through not anything however sheep and lava fields, although they are able to be an excellent distance from the closest the city.
Don’t be expecting luxurious or room provider. Do be expecting persona, home-cooked breakfasts, and a facet of Iceland that lodge visitors leave out solely. Some farms be offering horseback using or sheep-related actions, which generally is a spotlight for households.
Resort Edda
Resort Edda is a series you received’t have heard of ahead of you get started reserving. Those accommodations perform in transformed faculty constructions and neighborhood centres right through the summer time months (more or less June to mid-August) when the universities are empty.
The rooms are fundamental, regularly with shared toilets, and really feel precisely like what they’re: dormitory lodging with a recent coat of paint. However they flip up in puts the place not anything else does, and so they fill an actual hole. Blank, practical, and beautiful reasonably priced through Icelandic requirements.
Hostels
Hostels exist basically in Reykjavik and the bigger cities. They’re now not as reasonable as chances are you’ll hope (that is Iceland, in spite of everything), however they’re probably the most budget-friendly choice with a roof over your head. KEX Hostel in Reykjavik is most probably the best-known, and it’s a excellent position to stick.
Residences and Cottages
Residences and cottages are more and more common, particularly for households or longer remains. They provide the house and kitchen amenities that accommodations regularly lack. Cottages alongside the Ring Street will also be beautiful, although availability is proscribed and so they pass early.
Tenting and Campervans
Tenting and campervans are probably the most budget-friendly option to see Iceland, and so they’re very talked-about in summer time. Iceland has over 170 campsites across the nation, and when you’re staying some time, the Tenting Card will give you get admission to to a community of websites at a flat price.
We haven’t camped in Iceland ourselves, however a variety of readers have advised us it really works nicely when you’re ready for the elements. Wild tenting is not accepted in many of the nation because of environmental issues, so keep on with respectable campsites. Campervans provide you with flexibility to transport round with out reserving forward, although you’ll nonetheless want designated campsites in a single day.
What to Be expecting from Icelandic Lodging
Icelandic lodging has a couple of quirks that catch first-time guests off guard. Realizing about them upfront makes for a smoother time out.
The recent water smells of sulphur. That is utterly commonplace. Iceland’s water is geothermally heated, and the recent faucet can have a faint (once in a while now not so faint) egg-like scent. It’s completely protected, and also you get used to it temporarily. The chilly water, in fact, is one of the purest you’ll drink any place on this planet, which does make the distinction a little peculiar for the primary day or two.
Rooms are regularly small. Icelandic lodge rooms have a tendency to be compact through foreign requirements, and that’s true even at mid-range and upmarket houses. If you happen to’re used to spacious American lodge rooms, modify your expectancies. The rooms are virtually at all times blank and well-designed, simply now not massive.
Breakfast is a spotlight. Maximum accommodations and guesthouses come with breakfast, and the Icelandic breakfast buffet is one thing to stay up for. Be expecting skyr (Iceland’s thick, tangy dairy product, someplace between yoghurt and cream cheese), freshly baked bread, smoked fish, chilly cuts, cheese, cereals, and fruit. It’s in most cases very good high quality and filling sufficient to stay you going for a protracted day of sightseeing.
Blackout blinds are uncommon. It is a large one for summer time guests. In June and July, Iceland will get with reference to 24 hours of sunlight, and lots of houses don’t have blackout curtains or blinds. The sunshine streaming thru your window at 2am could make slumbering strangely tricky.
We’d strongly suggest packing a excellent sleep masks. We use the Manta Sleep Masks. It’s costlier than the elemental ones, however we went thru numerous inexpensive mask ahead of selecting it, and it’s the one one we’ve discovered that works constantly and with ease. It’s now an enduring fixture in our trip equipment.
Toiletries are minimum. You’ll normally in finding cleaning soap and perhaps bathe gel for your room, however that’s about it. Don’t be expecting shampoo, conditioner, or different merchandise except you’re staying at an upmarket lodge. Pack your individual.
Heated flooring are not unusual. An attractive function of many Icelandic houses, particularly toilets. Your toes will thanks on chilly mornings.
Scorching tubs are in all places. Probably the most actual pleasures of staying in rural Iceland is the choice of houses with their very own out of doors scorching tubs. After a protracted day of using and climbing, sitting in a scorching bath staring at the middle of the night solar (or, in iciness, the Northern Lighting) is set as excellent because it will get. Test whether or not your lodging has one while you e book, and pack your swimming gear despite the fact that you’re now not making plans on visiting the Blue Lagoon. That is the one perfect improve to an Iceland time out and it normally prices not anything additional!
Shared toilets are extra not unusual than you’d be expecting. Out of doors Reykjavik, many guesthouses nonetheless have shared toilet amenities, even at what could be regarded as “mid-range” costs in other places. If a personal toilet issues to you, take a look at the list in moderation ahead of reserving. En-suite rooms are to be had, however they value extra and have a tendency to e book out first.
For a whole checklist of what to carry, see our Iceland iciness packing checklist or our Iceland summer time packing checklist, relying on while you’re going. Two issues explicit to the place you sleep: a nap masks (as above), and your individual towel when you’re staying in hostels or plan to discuss with geothermal swimming pools alongside the way in which.
What Does Lodging in Iceland In truth Value?
Iceland is costly. If you happen to’re coming from maximum different Ecu international locations, or from america, lodging costs (and costs for almost the entirety else too) will make you wince a little. Or so much.
Right here’s what you’ll realistically be expecting to pay in line with night time for a double room in summer time:
| Stage | What you get | Summer season, in line with night time |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | Dorm beds, easy guesthouses, shared toilets | 11,000 to 18,000 ISK |
| Mid-range | Personal room, en-suite, breakfast normally integrated | 20,000 to 40,000 ISK |
| Upmarket | Chain accommodations, design accommodations, high places | 40,000 to 80,000 plus ISK |
Funds houses exist, however they e book up speedy, particularly in summer time. Mid-range is the place maximum travellers finally end up, and it’s the place houses like Resort Framtid in Djúpivogur and the guesthouses alongside the south coast take a seat.
On the best finish, Reykjavik has probably the most selection, although houses like Sigló Hótel in Siglufjörður display that upmarket exists nicely outdoor the capital.
The ones figures are for top season, June to August. Shoulder months (Would possibly and September) in most cases run 15 to twenty-five p.c inexpensive, and iciness will also be inexpensive nonetheless, although availability outdoor Reykjavik and the south coast drops considerably.
When to E book
That is most likely crucial sensible recommendation on this complete information: e book early. Iceland has a ways much less lodging than the choice of vacationers visiting would recommend, and common spaces replenish months upfront.
For summer time journeys (June to August), e book a minimum of 3 to 6 months forward. Alongside the south coast and within the smaller cities the place lodging may be very restricted, even that is probably not early sufficient for the finest houses.
For iciness journeys (October to March), you’ll regularly e book a little later, but it surely’s nonetheless price making plans forward, in particular in Reykjavik round Christmas and New 12 months, and for common Northern Lighting viewing spaces. Many rural guesthouses and smaller houses shut solely in iciness, particularly within the north, east, and Westfjords.
We use Reserving.com for many of our Iceland lodging as a result of their unfastened cancellation insurance policies provide you with flexibility in case your plans exchange. Icelandic climate is unpredictable, roads can shut, and with the ability to modify bookings with out penalty makes an actual distinction.
Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula
Reykjavik has through a ways the biggest choice of lodging in Iceland, which makes it the very best position to search out someplace to stick at any price range stage. It’s additionally the herbal beginning and finishing level for many journeys, and a excellent base when you’re making plans day excursions moderately than a self-drive time out.
The 101 district (downtown) is the preferred space to stick. It’s compact and walkable, with eating places, bars, and the primary points of interest all inside simple succeed in. Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa live performance corridor, the Solar Voyager sculpture, and the primary buying groceries side road Laugavegur are all inside a 15-minute stroll of one another. If you wish to lower your expenses, the Laugardalur neighbourhood is quieter, well-connected through bus, and with reference to town’s greatest geothermal swimming pool.
We’ve stayed at quite a lot of Reykjavik accommodations over time. Reykjavik Marina (Berjaya Iceland Motels) may be very centrally situated, proper at the harbour, with at ease rooms and a excellent eating place. It’s inside strolling distance of the whale staring at boats and the Harpa, which makes it a handy base.
The Grand Hótel Reykjavík (which you may additionally see indexed as Resort Reykjavík Grand) is set a mile from town centre however gives four-star amenities together with a spa, health centre, and unfastened parking, which is an actual plus since parking in central Reykjavik generally is a ache. Reykjavík Natura (Berjaya Iceland Motels) is every other forged choice, a little additional out however with excellent amenities and a quieter atmosphere.
For price range travellers, KEX Hostel is well-run and sociable, with a excellent bar and eating place on website. Guesthouse Galtafell is excellent worth, round ten mins’ stroll from the centre, with each visitor rooms and residences that include small kitchenettes, to hand for protecting prices down.
One sensible word about Reykjavik: when you’re selecting up a apartment automotive, maximum rent corporations are primarily based at Keflavik airport, which is set 45 mins’ pressure from town. Some travellers wish to spend their first night time in Reykjavik and not using a automotive (taxis and the Flybus attach the airport to town), then select up the auto once they’re able to go away for the geographical region. Others wish to have the auto from day one and pressure immediately to their first forestall. Both works, simply issue the airport switch into your making plans.
If you happen to’re arriving overdue or flying out early, the Reykjanes Peninsula close to Keflavik airport is price taking into account. We stayed on the Northern Mild Inn, which is true subsequent to the Blue Lagoon and about twenty mins from the airport. It saves you the 45-minute pressure to Reykjavik in case your flight instances don’t line up nicely.
One caveat for this space. The Sundhnúkur crater row at the Reykjanes Peninsula has erupted time and again since overdue 2023, and despite the fact that the latest eruption resulted in August 2025, magma continues to be collecting underneath Svartsengi and extra eruptions are regarded as most probably. In observe the Blue Lagoon has stayed open the huge majority of the time, last at first of an tournament and reopening as soon as the government have assessed it. Test SafeTravel.is and the Blue Lagoon site ahead of you e book, and deal with a Reykjanes lodge as a small additional chance moderately than a nasty thought. Sky Lagoon, nearer to Reykjavik, is a wonderful choice when you’d moderately now not construct an afternoon round it.
For extra on what to look and do within the capital, see our information to day journeys from Reykjavik.
The Golden Circle and Close by
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s hottest day time out path, however when you’re proceeding south or desire a extra at ease tempo, staying an evening on this space makes numerous sense. It additionally breaks up the pressure when you’re heading to the south coast, moderately than seeking to do the Golden Circle and the primary phase of the coast multi function very lengthy day.
The principle cities for lodging are Selfoss (the biggest, with supermarkets and services and products), Laugarvatn (lakeside, quiet), Flúðir (close to the Secret Lagoon), and Hella (on learn how to the south coast). Each and every has a unique really feel. Selfoss is probably the most sensible as a provide forestall. Laugarvatn is gorgeous if you wish to have a calming night through the lake. Flúðir places you inside strolling distance of the Secret Lagoon. Hella is your only option if you wish to have a head get started at the south coast the following morning.
We stayed at The Hill Resort at Flúðir (previously the Icelandair Resort Fludir) and located it very at ease, with a excellent on-site eating place. It’s to hand for the Secret Lagoon, which is a a lot more low-key choice to the Blue Lagoon and doesn’t require advance reserving in the similar method.
In Hveragerði, a geothermal the city recognized for its scorching springs and greenhouses, we stayed at Skyr Guesthouse. It’s a gorgeous little position, although word that it isn’t lately indexed on Reserving.com, so that you’ll want to e book thru every other platform. Hveragerði itself is price a forestall. There’s a scorching river (Reykjadalur) you’ll hike to and shower in, and town has an incredibly excellent meals scene for its dimension.
The using distances on this space are manageable. It’s about an hour from Reykjavik to Thingvellir, then every other 45 mins to an hour between each and every of the primary Golden Circle stops. You’ll with ease see the entire circuit and be at your lodging through overdue afternoon, leaving time for a soak within the Secret Lagoon or Reykjadalur ahead of dinner.
This space is roofed intimately in our whole information to the Golden Circle, which incorporates a complete using itinerary and map.
The South Coast
The stretch from Hella to Vík is the busiest lodging hall outdoor Reykjavik, for excellent reason why. It’s domestic to a few of Iceland’s most famed waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss), the black sand seashores at Reynisfjara, and the departure issues for glacier hikes and ice caves. If you happen to handiest have a couple of days in Iceland, that is the place you’ll spend maximum of them.
The principle base cities are Hella and Hvolsvöllur (about 90 mins from Reykjavik, excellent for the primary night time heading south), Vík (the primary hub, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik), and Kirkjubæjarklaustur (additional east, nearer to Skaftafell and the glacier lagoons). The stretch between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur is in moderation populated, so your choices skinny out temporarily if you cross Vík heading east.
One replace when you’re picturing Reynisfjara from older pictures, together with ours. Extended easterly winds in February 2026 brought about cliff cave in and main sand loss on the seaside, undermining the security signage and a viewing platform. Restoration relies on the winds turning westerly moderately than on any time table, so the seaside would possibly glance other from the pictures you’ve observed. The SafeTravel caution gadget for the seaside runs yellow, orange and pink (there is not any inexperienced stage, regardless of the automotive rent blogs let you know), and the seaside is rarely closed outright. Take the sneaker-wave warnings severely. Folks die there.
This space will get very busy in summer time, and lodging can really feel stretched. Lots of the accommodations alongside this stretch cater closely to train excursions, this means that massive teams checking out and in on the identical instances. It’s now not a deal-breaker, however issue it in when you worth a quiet surroundings. Smaller guesthouses and farm remains clear of Course 1 have a tendency to be calmer.
For the Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur space, we’ve stayed at Resort Klaustur in Kirkjubæjarklaustur and had a pleasing enjoy. It’s trendy, the rooms are easy however at ease, and it places you in a excellent place for exploring Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Skaftafell the following day and not using a lengthy pressure.
One tip for this area: if you’ll, e book two nights in the similar position moderately than converting lodging each and every night time. The south coast has such a lot to look that splitting it over two days from the similar base is extra stress-free than packing up and shifting each and every morning. We’ve executed it each techniques, and staying put is far better.
In case your itinerary lets in, imagine staying moderately off the primary path. The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are obtainable through a 35-minute ferry from Landeyjahöfn at the south coast, and we stayed on the Westman Islands Inn, which is definitely worth the detour. The islands have a fully other really feel to the mainland, with puffin colonies (in summer time), the still-steaming 1973 volcanic eruption website at Eldfell, and a ways fewer vacationers. You’ll want to plan the ferry round your itinerary, but it surely works nicely as an in a single day forestall.
This area is roofed in our 5 day Iceland itinerary and the primary few days of our Ring Street itinerary.
The Southeast and Glacier Lagoons
The stretch round Höfn and the glacier lagoons (Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón) is among the maximum impressive portions of Iceland, and likewise one of the accommodation-limited. There are only a few choices between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Höfn, so those that exist replenish speedy.
Höfn itself is a small fishing the city (inhabitants round 2,000) and the primary base for this area. It has a handful of accommodations, guesthouses, and eating places, and is understood for its langoustine. If you happen to’re using the Ring Street, Höfn is the herbal preventing level between the south coast and east Iceland, more or less a five-hour pressure from Vík.
We’ve stayed at Blabjorg Lodge and Hótel Norðurljós on this space, either one of which served as at ease bases for exploring the glacier lagoons. Resort Framtid in Djúpivogur is a gorgeous choice moderately additional east, overlooking the harbour. It’s a quieter choice to staying in Höfn itself, and places you a little nearer to the Eastfjords if that’s your subsequent vacation spot.
A couple of houses also are scattered alongside the street between Skaftafell and Höfn, regularly transformed farms. Those will also be very good if you wish to be nearer to Jökulsárlón with out using to Höfn, however they have a tendency to be very small (once in a while only a handful of rooms) and e book out extraordinarily early.
That is the area the place reserving a ways upfront issues maximum. If you happen to’re visiting in July or August and haven’t booked your southeast lodging a minimum of 4 to 6 months out, you could in finding your self with very restricted choices or an overly lengthy pressure to the closest to be had mattress. Have a backup plan in case climate or highway stipulations power a metamorphosis in your path, which does occur in this stretch.
East Iceland
East Iceland is the quiet stretch. Maximum Ring Street travellers cross thru quite temporarily, this means that there are fewer lodging choices but in addition much less pageant for them. The principle cities are Egilsstaðir (the regional hub, with a home airport, grocery store, and the biggest choice of lodging within the east) and Seyðisfjörður, a vibrant the city down a steep mountain cross that’s domestic to the Smyril Line ferry terminal connecting Iceland to the Faroe Islands and Denmark.
The pressure from Höfn to Egilsstaðir is among the longer stretches at the Ring Street, round 4 to 5 hours relying on stops. The surroundings alongside the Eastfjords is impressive however the highway winds significantly, so it takes longer than you’d be expecting. Issue this into your making plans and don’t attempt to rush it.
In Seyðisfjörður, we stayed on the Aldan Resort and Eating place, which is among the maximum characterful puts we’ve stayed in Iceland. It’s a small, superbly restored lodge proper within the centre of the city, and the eating place is very good. Town itself is definitely worth the 25-minute pressure down the mountain cross from Egilsstaðir, with its vibrant wood homes, arts scene, and the blue church on the finish of the rainbow-painted highway.
When you’ve got any flexibility for your itinerary, spend an evening in Seyðisfjörður moderately than simply using thru. The day trippers go away within the overdue afternoon and also you get town in large part to your self within the night gentle, which is when it’s at its preferrred.
The Eastfjords on the whole are underrated. They’re dramatically gorgeous, the roads wind thru some impressive surroundings, and the loss of crowds provides the realm an overly other really feel from the south coast. When you’ve got time for an extended time out, exploring this area extra slowly may be very rewarding. Fáskrúðsfjörður, Reyðarfjörður, and Neskaupstaður all have lodging and a fragment of the vacationers you’ll in finding additional west.
North Iceland
Akureyri is the most obvious base for North Iceland. It’s the biggest the city outdoor Reykjavik, with a inhabitants of round 19,000 and a right kind fluctuate of stores, eating places, and lodging. It seems like an actual the city moderately than a vacationer forestall, which is refreshing after days of tiny villages. There’s a pleasing botanical lawn, excellent eating places, and sufficient to fill a half-day if you wish to have a damage from waterfalls.
We’ve stayed at Hótel Kea through Keahotels in Akureyri, which is at ease and well-located proper within the centre. From Akureyri you’ll simply succeed in the Lake Mývatn space (about an hour’s pressure), the whale staring at the city of Húsavík (about 45 mins), and the Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls.
Round Lake Mývatn, we had a gorgeous keep at Laxá Hótel, a design lodge with nice perspectives simply 2km from the lake. The Earth Lagoon Mývatn baths (previously the Mývatn Nature Baths) are within sight, and a few of our favorite geothermal baths in Iceland, with perspectives proper around the lake. Choices on this space are restricted although, so e book nicely forward.
The Mývatn space merits a minimum of a complete day. Between the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the effervescent dust pots at Hverir, the Krafla volcanic space, and the geothermal baths, you’ll simply fill two.
In Húsavík, we stayed at Kaldbaks-Kot Cottages, that are self-catering cabins simply outdoor the city. Húsavík is the whale staring at capital of Iceland, and staying in a single day way you’ll take an early morning excursion ahead of the day trippers arrive from Akureyri. Town additionally has an incredibly excellent whale museum and a few great eating places alongside the harbour.
Additional alongside the coast, Sigló Hótel through Keahotels in Siglufjörður is price a detour in case your itinerary lets in. Siglufjörður is a superbly located former herring the city, and the lodge is among the nicest puts we’ve stayed in Iceland, with harbour perspectives and a very good eating place. It does require a detour off the Ring Street, however the pressure alongside the Tröllaskagi peninsula is impressive, with dramatic mountain passes and small fishing villages. If you’ll spare the time, this detour is among the highlights of the entire Ring Street time out.
North Iceland may be very good for iciness visits. Akureyri has excellent lodging to be had year-round, the roads are typically higher maintained than within the east, and the Mývatn space is a major Northern Lighting viewing location.
West Iceland and Snæfellsnes
West Iceland is regularly overpassed through travellers speeding to finish the Ring Street, which is a disgrace for the reason that Snæfellsnes Peninsula is among the maximum photogenic portions of the rustic. Assume Kirkjufell (that mountain you’ve observed in each and every Iceland photograph), coastal rock formations, lava fields, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier which caps the top of the peninsula.
The peninsula will also be executed as an overly lengthy day time out from Reykjavik (about 2 hours each and every option to the beginning of the peninsula, plus using round it), however you’ll revel in it a lot more with an in a single day keep. The principle cities are Stykkishólmur (the biggest, with harbour boat excursions and a pleasing the city centre), Grundarfjörður (with reference to Kirkjufell), and Ólafsvík. Lodging is extra restricted right here than at the south coast, but it surely’s rising, and the ambience is far calmer.
On learn how to or from Snæfellsnes, Resort Hamar close to Borgarnes is a handy forestall. We stayed right here and it really works nicely as a base for the Borgarfjörður space (Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Deildartunguhver scorching spring), or as a damage at the pressure between Reykjavik and the peninsula.
At the Snæfellsnes Peninsula itself, we stayed at Guesthouse Hof, which is a at ease base for exploring the realm. For extra choices, Stykkishólmur has the widest number of lodging at the peninsula, and Grundarfjörður places you inside strolling distance of Kirkjufell for that vintage first light or sundown photograph.
If you happen to’re finishing the Ring Street and your itinerary comprises the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a herbal preventing level at the method. Stykkishólmur additionally has a ferry (the Baldur) that runs to Brjánslækur within the Westfjords, which saves a vital quantity of using when you’re combining the 2 areas.
This space is roofed in our Ring Street itinerary as an afternoon 7 spotlight.
The Westfjords
The Westfjords are Iceland’s maximum far off and least visited area, and so they really feel wild in some way the remainder of the rustic, common as it’s, doesn’t reasonably fit anymore. The roads are winding (some are gravel), the using takes for much longer than you’d be expecting from the map, and the lodging is sparse. A distance that appears like an hour at the map can simply take two or 3 with the fjord-hugging roads.
The payoff is Dynjandi waterfall, the Látrabjarg fowl cliffs, Rauðisandur seaside, and a remoteness that’s getting tougher to search out in other places in Iceland. We drove for 2 hours as soon as with out passing every other automotive.
We spent a couple of days within the Westfjords and stayed at 3 other houses. Resort West in Patreksfjörður is a small, at ease lodge with beautiful perspectives over the fjord, and a excellent base for visiting Látrabjarg and Rauðisandur. Within the tiny fishing village of Suðureyri, we stayed at Fisherman Guesthouse, which captures the nature of those remoted Westfjords communities completely. We additionally stayed at Malarhorn Guesthouse. All 3 have been at ease, well-run, and precisely what you wish to have after a protracted day of using.
Ísafjörður is the biggest the city within the Westfjords (inhabitants round 2,600) and has the widest choice of lodging, eating places, and services and products. It makes a herbal base when you’re spending more than one days within the area. Patreksfjörður is the opposite primary base, in particular in case your focal point is the southern a part of the Westfjords.
Crucial factor to grasp in regards to the Westfjords is that almost all lodging is handiest open in summer time (more or less June to September). Lots of the roads are impassable in iciness, and the area necessarily shuts down outdoor the summer time. If you happen to’re visiting the Westfjords, upload a minimum of two to a few additional days in your itinerary past the usual Ring Street. It’s now not a spot you’ll rush, and the using by myself will take longer than you suppose. A 4×4 is really helpful for one of the gravel roads, in particular within the southern Westfjords round Látrabjarg.
The place to Keep for the Northern Lighting
If seeing the Northern Lighting is a concern, your lodging selection issues, although not up to the general public be expecting. The aurora is visual in Iceland more or less from September to March, and your preferrred probability of seeing it’s from someplace with minimum gentle air pollution and a transparent view of the northern sky.
Rural lodging in North Iceland typically gives the finest stipulations, because the skies have a tendency to be clearer there than within the south. The Mývatn space, Húsavík, and Akureyri are all excellent bases. We’ve additionally observed the Northern Lighting from the south coast, or even from the outskirts of Reykjavik on a transparent night time. Location is helping, however good fortune and climate subject extra.
Some accommodations and guesthouses be offering Northern Lighting wake-up calls, the place the team of workers will knock to your door if the lighting fixtures seem whilst you’re slumbering. Ask while you take a look at in whether or not your house does this, for the reason that aurora can seem at any hour and also you don’t need to leave out it since you went to mattress early after a protracted day of using.
Homes with out of doors scorching tubs are perfect for aurora viewing. You’ll take a seat within the heat water and scan the sky with out freezing. A number of of the agricultural houses we’ve stayed at had scorching tubs with just about no gentle air pollution, which made for some memorable evenings.
The Highlands
A temporary word on Iceland’s internal highlands for completeness. The Highland roads (F-roads) are handiest open in summer time, require a succesful 4×4 car, and lodging is basically restricted to fundamental mountain huts run through the Iceland Traveling Affiliation. There aren’t any accommodations, guesthouses, or standard lodging within the highlands. If you happen to’re making plans a highland journey, you’ll want to be self-sufficient or e book a mountain hut nicely upfront. For many guests, the highlands paintings preferrred as an afternoon time out or multi-day climbing tour from a base within the lowlands.
Travelling with Kids
Iceland is a family-friendly vacation spot, however lodging for households takes a little extra making plans. Usual lodge rooms are regularly too small for greater than two other people, and kin rooms (the place to be had) e book up temporarily.
Residences, cottages, and cabins are normally the most suitable choice for households. They provide you with more room, a kitchen for making ready foods and snacks (crucial with kids, and far inexpensive than consuming out for each and every meal), and the versatility to paintings round nap instances and bedtimes. Homes like Kaldbaks-Kot Cottages in Húsavík are a excellent instance of what works nicely.
Highchairs and cots are to be had at many houses, however now not all. Verify at once with the lodging ahead of you arrive moderately than assuming they’ll have what you want.
The right way to Select In response to Your Itinerary
The fitting lodging plan relies closely on how lengthy you’ve gotten in Iceland. Right here’s how we’d cut up it:
3 days (stopover): Keep in Reykjavik for comfort, or cut up between Reykjavik and one night time alongside the Golden Circle or south coast. You received’t have time to move additional. See our 3 day stopover itinerary.
5 days: Reykjavik, Golden Circle space, south coast (Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur), and most likely so far as the glacier lagoons. You’ll want 3 or 4 other in a single day stops. See our 5 day itinerary.
7 days (Ring Street): You’ll want lodging in each and every area described above excluding the Westfjords. Plan for 6 to seven other in a single day stops, and e book the southeast phase earliest as that’s the place availability is tightest. See our Ring Street itinerary.
10 days or extra: Sufficient time so as to add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords, or just to decelerate and spend two nights in puts that deserve it. Mývatn, Seyðisfjörður, and Siglufjörður are all higher with two nights. That is the time out period the place you’ll discover moderately than simply cross thru.
Sensible Pointers
Parking: Many common websites alongside the Ring Street now rate parking charges, in most cases 750 to one,500 ISK. The Parka app and checkit.is are the primary fee methods. This doesn’t have an effect on your lodging at once, however price range for it.
Self-catering saves cash: Homes with visitor kitchens or kitchenettes are price in quest of out. Supermarkets like Bonus and Kronan are considerably inexpensive than consuming out, or even making your individual breakfast and packed lunch saves a significant quantity over per week.
Automotive apartment and the brand new highway tax: If you happen to’re doing a self-drive time out (which we’d suggest), issue within the per-kilometre highway rate that changed gas responsibility on 1 January 2026. Automobiles and SUVs as much as 3.5 tonnes pay 6.95 ISK in line with kilometre, regardless of the gas. Your apartment corporate handles the billing, although how they cross it on varies: some meter it, some fold it right into a flat day by day rate. Both method it’s an actual line merchandise on a Ring Street time out the place chances are you’ll pressure 1,500km, so ask how your rent corporate expenses it ahead of you examine quotes. We use Uncover Automobiles to match apartment choices.
Cancellation flexibility: Icelandic climate is unpredictable, and highway closures occur. E book lodging with unfastened cancellation anywhere conceivable, so you’ll modify your itinerary with out shedding cash if stipulations exchange.
Web get admission to: WiFi is typically excellent at Icelandic accommodations and guesthouses. For cell knowledge at the highway (crucial for navigation), we suggest an eSIM from Airalo, which you’ll arrange ahead of you permit domestic.
Iceland Lodging FAQ
The place will have to I keep in Iceland for a primary discuss with?
For a primary time out of below 5 days, keep in Reykjavik and take day journeys out. Town has the widest number of lodging at each and every price range, and the Golden Circle and far of the south coast are inside day-trip fluctuate.
For per week or extra, don’t base your self any place. Transfer alongside the Ring Street, staying one or two nights in each and every area, and deal with Reykjavik as your first and remaining night time moderately than your base.
How a lot does lodging value in Iceland?
Funds on 20,000 to 40,000 ISK in line with night time for a mid-range double room in summer time, which is the place maximum travellers finally end up. Fundamental guesthouses and hostel dorms get started round 11,000 ISK, and chain or design accommodations run from 40,000 ISK upwards.
Shoulder season (Would possibly and September) in most cases runs 15 to twenty-five p.c inexpensive. Iciness is inexpensive once more, however with a ways fewer houses open outdoor Reykjavik and the south coast.
How a ways upfront will have to I e book lodging in Iceland?
3 to 6 months forward for summer time, and longer for the southeast across the glacier lagoons, the place there are only a few beds between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Höfn. That reach is the person who catches other people out.
For iciness you’ll regularly e book later, although Reykjavik round Christmas and New 12 months is an exception. E book with unfastened cancellation both method, as a result of highway closures and climate do exchange plans.
Is it higher to stick in Reykjavik or transfer round Iceland?
The cut-off is set 5 days. Underneath that, keep in Reykjavik. The using distances are lengthy sufficient that shifting each and every night time eats the time you got here to spend having a look at issues.
Over 5 days, transfer. Iceland’s preferrred surroundings is unfold proper across the island, and staying in Reykjavik way a number of hours of day by day using simply to achieve it and get again.
What’s the finest space to stick in Reykjavik?
The 101 district downtown, if the price range lets in. It’s compact and walkable, and Hallgrímskirkja, the Harpa, the Solar Voyager and Laugavegur are all inside about quarter-hour of one another on foot.
Laugardalur is the worth choice. It’s quieter, nicely related through bus, and sits subsequent to town’s greatest geothermal pool.
Do Icelandic guesthouses have personal toilets?
Continuously now not. Shared toilets are not unusual outdoor Reykjavik even at costs that may get you an en-suite in other places in Europe, so take a look at each and every list moderately than assuming.
En-suite rooms do exist at maximum houses, however they value extra and so they’re the primary to promote out.
The place’s the finest position to stick for the Northern Lighting?
Rural North Iceland will give you the finest odds, in particular round Lake Mývatn, Húsavík and Akureyri, the place skies are in most cases clearer than within the south. A assets with its personal scorching bath and no gentle air pollution is the perfect aggregate.
That stated, we’ve observed the aurora from the south coast and from the threshold of Reykjavik. Climate and good fortune subject greater than location, so don’t reshape an entire itinerary round it.
Is lodging in Iceland open in iciness?
In Reykjavik, alongside the south coast and round Akureyri, sure, year-round. The ones spaces stay a sensible choice of accommodations and guesthouses in the course of the iciness.
Somewhere else, be expecting closures. Many rural guesthouses within the east and north close for the season, and the Westfjords successfully shut solely, with many roads impassable.
Additional Studying
We’ve got an entire number of Iceland guides that can assist you plan your time out:
Our 7 day Ring Street itinerary is probably the most complete, with detailed day-by-day breakdowns together with the place to stick each and every night time.
For shorter journeys, see our 5 day itinerary and 3 day stopover itinerary.
Our Golden Circle information covers the preferred day time out from Reykjavik.
For sensible making plans, see our information to making plans a time out to Iceland, our using guidelines for Iceland, and our packing lists for iciness and summer time.
On the cheap? Jess has written a complete information to visiting Iceland on the cheap which is definitely price studying.
If you happen to’re serious about pictures, take a look at our information to the preferrred pictures places in Iceland.
