Bonus : Camping Campervans And Rvs In Iceland
So youve decided to book your trip to Iceland, youve picked out your route, and had a look at all the hotels in Iceland on this list but youre still not feeling convinced? Dont worry. There is another way for those of you who want ultimate flexibility or are looking for a way to get ever closer to those Icelandic views!
Whether youre considering camping in a tent, campervan or RV here are some things to consider when planning where to stay in Iceland on your ultimate adventure.
1. Wild Camping
Before you get too excited about the idea of renting a campervan and pulling over on the side of the road for the night, wherever you please. Its important to note that camping anywhere other than a designated campsite is strictly illegal in Iceland.
In an effort to preserve the countrys incredible nature, the Icelandic government introduced a law in 2015 which prohibits everyone from spending the night on the side of the road, in a car park, or wherever you may stop regardless of if they are in a car, van, RV, caravan, tent etc.
2. Campgrounds
Since its illegal to camp outside of designated campgrounds, no matter if you decide to rent a camper or simply set up a tent, you will want to purchase a camping card. The Iceland camping card gives you access to nearly all of the countrys campgrounds for an entire summer for the cost of 19,900 KR . One card covers 2 adults and up to 4 children in the same tent/camper/Rv.
3. Weather
4. RVs and Camper Vans
The 10 Best Places To Stay In Iceland Check Out Our Selection Of Great Places To Stay In Iceland
-
9.2Wonderful860 reviews
Boasting a terrace and free WiFi, Blue Hotel Fagrilundur – On The Golden Circle is situated in Reykholt.The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Rooms include a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge.
Show more
-
Place to Stay in Ölfus
9.3Wonderful108 reviews
Located in Ölfus in the South Iceland region, Strýta Apartment 2 features a terrace and garden views. The accommodation is 39 km from Hella, and guests benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site.
Show more
-
Place to Stay in Drangsnes
9.8Exceptional105 reviews
Set in Drangsnes in the Westfjords region, Hvammur 4 with private hot tub features a balcony and garden views. The property is 19 km from Djupavik and free private parking is featured.The holiday home includes 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with a hot tub and a shower, a seating area, and a kitchen with a microwave. Towels and bed linen are offered in this accommodation.
Show more
Best Airbnb In Vesturbr: Cute Flat Close To Shore
This apartment is located in the coolest area of Reykjavík, Vesturbær. A walk to downtown is just about 15 minutes, and theres a wonderful walking path on the shoreline if you want to chill and unwind. They offer free WiFi, Apple TV and Netflix. Also: a swimming-pool, coffee-house, restaurants, bakery, gourmet food-stores and friendly neighbors!
Recommended Reading: Best Neighborhood To Stay In Baltimore
Where To Stay In East Iceland Egilsstair
East Iceland is often overlooked by tourists, being so far from the capital of Reykjavik. But it has a lot to offer. The picturesque fishing villages which line the rugged landscape are dotted with waterfalls and glaciers, making the area perfect for hiking.
The main city people base themselves in East Iceland is called Egilsstaðir, one of Icelands youngest towns. It was built on the banks of the Lagarfljot River in a wide valley. It has good access to the Eastern Fjords too.
East Iceland is also rich in legends about the elves and other mythical creatures which were believed to populate the area. Its a good place for wildlife spotting, including herds of wild reindeer, arctic foxes, and puffins.
Here are my suggestions for the top hotels, hostels, and campgrounds near Egilsstaðir and the East Fjords depending on your budget.
Best Places To Stay On Icelands South Coast
The South Coast is one of the most spectacularly beautiful parts of Iceland. Theres countless waterfalls pouring over towering cliffs as you travel along Route 1, or Icelands Ring Road. The basalt lava stacks and black sand beaches make for the perfect backdrop for photos. The DC3 plane crash on a remote black sand beach is an almost eerie sight that seems like something straight out of a movie. And no trip to Iceland is complete without visiting Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon full of blue icebergs.
While ambitious travelers to Iceland often make day trips from Reykjavik all the way to Jökulsárlón and back in a day , it does take about 5 hours to drive each way without factoring in the countless stops youll want to make. You can more easily day trip the South Coast from Reykjavik during the summer when Iceland experiences long days and the Midnight Sun. If youre traveling in winter, its not even possible to make the drive one way as days are short with as little as 5 hours of daylight in December and January.
Iceland South Coast Attractions You Shouldnt Miss
Theres just so many sights on Icelands South Coast that its really best to stay somewhere along Route 1. Breaking up your trip with at least a 1-night stay affords you the luxury to take your time exploring this beautiful stretch of Icelandic coast.
You May Like: Places To Stay In Arcata Ca
Ion Adventure Hotel Selfoss
Set among the mountains and lava fields on the Golden Circle route and close to Thingvellir National Park, Ion Adventure Hotel is a luxury option and a popular choice for Northern Lights viewing less than an hour outside of Reyjavik.
The rooms all boast floor to ceiling windows giving guests a view of either the lava field or the geothermal power plant and have a contemporary Scandinavian design. The hotel does have a spa and a gourmet restaurant onsite, and offers free wifi to guests. For rates from $300 per night, not including breakfast, we do except a friendlier staff and better service though. Note that TripAdvisor reviewers regularly also note the poor service and pretentious attitude of the staff at the hotel.
Best Hotel In Midborg: Heidas Home Center
This modern guesthouse is located at the centre of the city, conveniently situated for exploring Reykjavik. It has 12 cosy rooms, each outfitted with wifi, heating and a variety of amenities. Close to Reykjaviks entertainment district, Heidas Home Centre is a short walk to restaurants, bars and clubs.
Also Check: Places To Stay In Venice Florida
The 6 Main Parts Of Iceland
Rimma R/Shutterstock
Iceland has lots of things to see and do, but you should first choose a place to stay. Some of the best areas for tourists include the following:
Camping & Campgrounds Near Reykjavik
- Reykjavik Campsite Located in the Laugardalur area of Reykjavik, this modern campground features a kitchenette, self-service laundry and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible. Bring a canine friend too because dogs are welcome! Parking and wireless internet is free.
- Hafnarfjörður Camping Stay in Iceland on a budget inside Vídistaðatún, on grounds with lush lawns. Escape the bustle of the city for a quiet camping experience just half an hour away from Keflavik International Airport. This family-friendly campsite has modern amenities like a laundry machine. Internet access is available at the hostel located next door.
Also Check: Places To Stay In Ullapool Scotland
Luxury Hotels On The Golden Circle
Frost & Fire Hotel This unique luxury hotel in Iceland is near a geothermal area, giving you the feeling of being in the middle of nature. Thingvellir National Park is only a 40-minute drive away. Relax at the spa-like facilities including two hot tubs, an outdoor pool, hot spring powered Jacuzzi and sauna. You can even cook an egg over a natural hot spring for breakfast!
Ion Adventure Hotel View of the northern lights is a definite reason to stay at this hotel near Thingvellir National Park. The hotel sits on Mount Hengill and it has a restaurant, heated pool, spa and sauna. The communal lounge is where you share your stories as you meet other adventure-seekers.
Budget Hotels In Egilsstair
Laufás Guest House A night on a comfortable bed prepares you for the range of adventures nearby such as skiing, swimming and hiking. This family-friendly guesthouse has simple but modern rooms with a communal bathroom, a kitchen and a lounge. Theres a play area for kids, and you could also take children to the geothermal swimming pool a short walk from the property.
You May Like: Best Place To Stay In Kauai In September
Husavik Best Place To Stay In Iceland For Families
Boasting exceptionally low-crime rates Iceland is a very safe country. Its a great place to travel with the family. When looking for the best city to stay in Iceland with kids, we have to recommend Husavik lovingly referred to as the whale-watching capital of Europe!
In fact, during the summer, there is usually a 100% chance of seeing a whale each day in this area of North Iceland! Now thats a statistic we can get behind Nothing is worse than going whale watching with the kids and leaving with nothing but disappointment.
As Husavik is a tiny settlement in North Iceland, you definitely want to get your accommodation secured well in advance. There arent a ton of options out there! But we dug deep and found the best ones for you and your family.
Where To Stay For Dramatic Landscapes
- For designer stays: ION Hotel, in Thingvellir National Park, juts out of rocks surrounded by lava fields. Here, GeysirDropdown content, Silfra drift, Kerið crater and the Golden CircleDropdown content are all within easy reach.
- For comfortable stays: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is stylish and cosy, plus its dramatic near neighbours are Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Svartifoss Waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park.
- For unique stays: a scattering of yurt-style pods set on an icy lake near Selfoss, Fjallsarlon Overnight Adventure is the type of inventive accommodation Iceland has made its own.
continued below
Also Check: Where To Stay In Newport Beach Rhode Island
Things To See And Do In Hlidar
- Visit the Icelandic Philological Museum, the worlds only museum dedicated to penises and penile parts.
- See a large selection of contemporary Icelandic art at Galleri List, the oldest fine art gallery in the country.
- Enjoy delicious European and Scandinavian dishes at Skal!.
- Explore the largest visual art collection in Iceland at the Reykjavík Art Museum.
- Catch a Valur football match at Valsvöllur.
- Shop til you drop at Kringlan, a nearby shopping mall.
- Savour the great flavours at Mai Thai, a cheap and delicious Thai restaurant.
- Sit back, relax and watch a film at the state of the art cinema, Sambíóin Kringlunni.
- Climb Oskjuhilo and enjoy stunning views from the top of the hill.
- Head out late at night in the winter months and see the spectacular Northern Lights.
- Grab a sweet treat at Dons Donuts.
Best Hotel In Midborg: Hotel Dinsv
This central Reykjavik hotel is stylish and modern. Located at the heart of the city, its close to bars, restaurants, shops and museums. It has wireless internet, a little terrace on the second floor with a nice city view, and an on-site cafe. Each room comes with a private coffee machine, perfect to start the day right before heading out to explore the city.
You May Like: Places To Stay In Manhattan Ny
For The Northern Lights
- Ion Hotel offers simple, ultra-modern rooms, as well as a gourmet restaurant and a revitalising spa just 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The hotels architecture is the real sell: this impressive design space boasts floor-to-ceiling glass, perfect for admiring the Northern Lights by night and the rural views by day.
- Hotel Ranga is a cosy resort offering traditional wood-panelled rooms in South Iceland. The gourmet restaurant serves Icelandic specialities, and this is an ideal spot to see the Northern Lights. This is one for outdoor adventurers in nearby nature reserves: think horse riding, off-road driving, dips in hot springs and volcanic hikes, making the most of the unspoilt southern scenery.
- Hotel Grimsborgir lies in Iceland’s famed Golden Circle, offering five-star luxury in stunning surroundings. Rooms, suites and apartments are classically elegant, there are 29 geothermal hot tubs on-site, and a lively restaurant offering international cuisine. Pick this place for beautiful accommodation, live entertainment each weekend, and lots of outdoor activities as well as a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Where To Stay In Iceland To See Northern Lights
Iceland is one of the best destinations to see northern lights because, thanks to its 65º latitude, the chances of seeing them are very high if you travel at the right time. If your trip to the island is because you want to see the Northern Lights, I recommend you check out one of the best hotels to see northern lights in Iceland.
These are the best hotels in Iceland to see the Northern Lights:
- Rangá Hotel: The best hotel to see Northern Lights in Iceland. It has an observatory at the rooftop
- Husafell Hotel: Hotel away from light pollution that is perfect for seeing the Northern Lights
- Laxnes Hotel: The best rustic hotel to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Reykjavik Domes: Original igloo hotel in Iceland to see the Northern Lights
- Grand Hotel Reykjavik: The best option if you want to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik
- Aurora Cabins: Best Hotel to see the Aurora Borealis in east Iceland
- Kjarnalundur Hotel: Enjoy the Northern Lights from a Jacuzzi
- Villa Lola: The best hotel to see Northern Lights in northern Iceland
Don’t Miss: Best Area To Stay In Paris France
Best Airbnb In Reykjavik: Beautiful Reykjavik Studio
Not often do you find spacious, modern studio apartments for such an affordable price in Iceland. Sure, its definitely not the cheapest, however, if you use the Airbnbs full capacity of 4 guests and split the bill at the end, itll turn out cheaper than a hostel. The space is super modern, bright and sparkling clean. Theres a comfy living area with a massive TV, perfect for a lazy day indoors. The location couldnt be better either, youll be based on the main street of the absolute centre of Reykjavik.
Where To Stay In Vik
I have stayed at 2 different accommodations around Vik:
- Hotel Edda Vik with a choice of modern rooms and old huts. Plus a delicious restaurant – See more photos and availabilities
- Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka, close to Vik but more in nature, large comfortable rooms and nice staff – See more photos and availabilities
Don’t Miss: What Area To Stay In Key West
Selfoss And Hverageri Where To Stay In Iceland Around The Golden Cirlce
For those travelers touring the Golden Circle drive, and prefer not to return back to Reykjavik at the end of the day or take a day trip, Selfoss and Hveragerði are good locations for an overnight stop, or an extended stay to explore the southern area of Iceland. These small towns, just 40-50km from Reykjavik, offer plenty of overnight options, usually a bit less expensive than Reykjavik and have a good assortment of dining options as well. If youre wondering where to stay in Iceland for Northern lights, this is also two great areas to see them!
Northern Light Inn Grindavik
Just a 1-minute drive to the famous Blue Lagoon and 20-minutes from Keflavik Airport, the Northern Light Inn is another great choice when arriving late or leaving early on flights. Its also close enough to Reykjavik to enjoy the capital city, yet far enough away from the city light pollution if youre interested in Northern Lights viewing.
We love the comfortable rooms with views of the moss covered lava field that the hotel is situated in. Theres also a gorgeous common room with fireplace, perfect for relaxing with a cup of tea after a busy day exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Breakfast is included, with a buffet offering of breads, skyr, smoked salmon and other typical Icelandic breakfast items. Maxs Restaurant is also an excellent choice for dinner and serves Icelandic specialties like fresh fish, lamb and home baked breads and cakes.
You May Like: Best Side Of Island To Stay In Kauai
Lighthouse Stay In Iceland By Outside Suburbia
Can you imagine playing lighthouse keeper for a night or two in Iceland with amazing views of the Dyrhólaey. That is what we did after a fun day of hiking on glaciers and a zipping through the a glacier lagoon in Iceland. The lighthouse located in the Vik area of Iceland has been transformed into a boutique hotel perfect for a family stay, it can accommodate up to 5 people. You are only 15 minutes from the town of Vik but feels like you are in a world of your own.
Dyrhólaey is a 120m high promontory and its name means the door hole island. The promontory got its name from the massive stone arch that the sea has eroded from the headland. While in the past farmers often went fishing around Dyrhólaey, today they have developed a nesting site for eider ducks for the gathering of down. But also loads of other birds find a home here. Therefore all the cliffs, rocks, etc. are protected area and Dyrhólaey has been a natural reserve since 1978. From on top of the hill you get the best view of the massive stone arch.
The Dyrhólaey lighthouse is not currently available to book but contact Icelandair Hotels to book this as part of a tour.