![\"where](\"https:\/\/iceland-lovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/where-to-stay-iceland-best-hotels-reviews.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n Content<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n In this article, we present them not in order of preference, but by geography, doing the whole of Iceland counter-clockwise. Here are a few driving times to give you an idea of summer travel times:<\/p>\n\n If you don’t want to read the whole article, here are the essential points to remember:<\/p>\n\n Each region of Iceland has its own character, and it’s hard to choose just one. <\/p>\n\n Our favorite region:<\/p>\n\n To maximize your chances of spotting the northern lights (between September and March), choose accommodations far from light pollution. Northern Iceland is often considered more favorable thanks to clearer skies, but this is not an absolute rule. Some hotels even offer a night alarm service to warn you when auroral activity is high. Among our recommendations:<\/p>\n\n It’s time to book! Icelandic hotels offer classic comfort and are located in all the main towns. You’ll find different ranges, especially in Reykjavik.<\/p>\n\n Guesthouses and B&Bs offer a more personal alternative: the welcome is often warm and direct contact with the locals is a real bonus to the trip. Please note that many guesthouses offer shared bathrooms. We advise you to check this point carefully before booking if it is important to you.<\/p>\n\n Farm stays are a typically Icelandic experience, available mainly in summer. You’ll sleep on working farms, often located off the beaten track, in the midst of breathtaking scenery. This is your chance to get up close to the local way of life: some farms raise Icelandic horses, others sheep. <\/p>\n\n If you like to cook and have your own space, apartment rental is a good option, especially in Reykjavik and Akureyri. It’s also a great way to reduce your meal budget, as restaurants in Iceland are relatively expensive. Outside the major cities, the rental offer is more limited.<\/p>\n\n Iceland has around 170 campsites throughout the country, a great way to travel at a lower cost in summer. If you’re staying several weeks, the Camping Card gives you access to a network of campsites for a flat rate. Wild camping is regulated: since 2013, it’s been complicated to pitch your tent outside designated areas, especially as the land is often privately owned with no obvious signage. See motorhome<\/a> and van<\/a> options.<\/p>\n\n Discover the best offers on Discovercars<\/a>, our preferred platform! Read all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n Reykjavik is Iceland’s natural gateway and the city with the widest choice of accommodation, from luxury hotels to small guesthouses. It’s the only really viable option if you don’t rent a car, as all day trips leave from the capital: Golden Circle, south coast, Snaefellsnes, whale watching, northern lights hunting in winter.<\/p>\n\n Beyond its role as a logistical base, Reykjavik is also well worth a visit. We enjoyed its varied gastronomic scene, its museums and the atmosphere of its central districts. The town remains compact, however, and is easily visited on foot. If your primary objective is to discover Icelandic nature, we think one or two nights will suffice before you hit the road.<\/p>\n\n See directly the best rated accommodations in Reykjavik.<\/a><\/p>\n\n The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most famous itinerary, accessible in just one day from Reykjavik. Yet spending a night there really does change the experience. You can visit the sites early in the morning or at the end of the day, when the tourist groups have left for the capital. We particularly enjoyed watching the Strokkur geyser erupt in the early hours of the morning, in complete peace and quiet.<\/p>\n\n You’ll find plenty of accommodation all around the region. See the top-rated Golden Circle accommodations directly .<\/a><\/p>\n\n Vik is a coastal village in southern Iceland, strategically located for exploring the region’s main attractions. From this base, you can reach the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the Myrdalsj\u00f6kull glacier and the activities that surround it (glacier hiking, snowmobiling). <\/p>\n\n The village itself remains small, with a few restaurants and a handful of shops. And that’s exactly what makes it so appealing: in the evening, after a day out in nature, the atmosphere is calm and restful. <\/p>\n\n See Vik’s top-rated accommodations directly.<\/a><\/p>\n\n The Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, where icebergs break off the glacier and drift out to sea, is one of Iceland’s most striking sites. Staying close by means you can access it at sunrise or sunset, when the light completely transforms the atmosphere of the place. Diamond Beach, just opposite, where blocks of ice wash up on the black sand, is also worth seeing at different times of the day.<\/p>\n\n There is no village to speak of around Jokulsarlon. The accommodations are located in the surrounding countryside, on either side of the lagoon. <\/p>\n\n See directly the best rated accommodations around Jokulsarlon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n H\u00f6fn is a small port town located between the southern coast and the eastern fjords. It’s a logical stop-off point if you’re touring Iceland via Route 1. The village makes its living from lobster fishing, and several local restaurants offer excellent preparations. <\/p>\n\n We loved the authentic atmosphere and the views of the snow-capped mountains. We fell in love with the atmosphere of this small town!<\/p>\n\n H\u00f6fn offers enough services (supermarket, petrol stations, restaurants) to make it a comfortable stopover. It’s also a good starting point for exploring the eastern fjords if you don’t want to go all the way to Egilsstadir. <\/p>\n\n See directly the best rated accommodations in H\u00f6fn <\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Egilsstadir is the main town in eastern Iceland and a strategic stopover if you’re touring the country on Route 1. The town has all the services you need: supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants. It’s a good place to end the day after exploring the Eastern Fjords, whose winding roads demand time and attention.<\/p>\n\n The area around Egilsstadir offers a variety of landscapes: Lake Lagarflj\u00f3t, one of Iceland’s rare forests (Hallormsstadask\u00f3gur) and waterfalls accessible by a short detour. In winter, we were lucky enough to observe the Northern Lights from the field in front of our hotel, an experience we won’t soon forget.<\/p>\n\n<\/span>Where to stay in Iceland – map and summary<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
Map of towns to stay in Iceland<\/h3>\n\n
![\"map](\"https:\/\/iceland-lovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/map-best-areas-iceland-where-to-stay.jpg\")
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The main cities where to sleep in Iceland<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Sun](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Reykjavik\/Sun-Voyager\/i-kkqz2Fc\/0\/NDMR2xstzDBmRNBrpg8QmFRL9tFHZjhKx6z24gd2M\/L\/sun_voyager-10-L.jpg\")
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Where to stay in Iceland for the most beautiful scenery<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/North-Iceland\/Stukustadir\/i-Td8khHt\/0\/L7SLSnSSXG8jfDVx82hjMzGsPbtf7DRGPfz4Dgt9X\/L\/Stukustadir-08-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n
![\"Snaefellsnes](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Snaefellsnes\/Londrangar\/i-rHghF5x\/1\/djHKWwvcdfKcdzpBzjksPQc844zBQcD63j6cxCpF\/L\/Londrangar_Iceland-4220-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhere to stay in Iceland for the northern lights<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"autores](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Northern-lights\/i-ZHvptgS\/0\/MXL2WdMKBHHwLvdrXXSJR4QRjV7j6SrGS5t6SSJXq\/L\/northern-lights-iceland-winter-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"iceland](\"https:\/\/iceland-lovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/iceland-plane.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Types of accommodation in Iceland<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
Hotels<\/h3>\n\n
B&Bs and guesthouses<\/h3>\n\n
![\"farm\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/North-Iceland\/Drive\/i-xDrxbsS\/0\/LHLK26Tm87gsJBjxRcTDzs4xhkzDc2CzHPhCb9gwR\/L\/Drive-04-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nIcelandic Farm Holidays<\/h3>\n\n
Apartment rentals<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Apartment](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Reykjavik\/Hotels\/Rey-Apartments\/i-7PnsjFq\/1\/K2gHrRcxqhsqbtwjFx3DrCKqfZNnD826ZzTVxXbqb\/L\/Reykjavik_accommodation_Iceland-4291-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nCamping and camper vans<\/h3>\n\n
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"driving](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Driving\/i-q2wFFnJ\/1\/Dn4qbSGkrKhZgHBNz2hWXrPc3VdddRQZ7cdj3FpVX\/S\/drive_South_coast_Iceland-2-21-S.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Location 1 – Reykjavik<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Reykjavik\"\/](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Reykjavik\/Perlan\/i-KrTWqMd\/0\/LMC2JNr7KBftnDcKhZzhFFdmvKBNMFNHPNkfJtwGn\/L\/reykjavik-winter-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy stay in Reykjavik?<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Reykjavik\/Hotels\/Hotels-facades\/i-q73px9T\/1\/MXzqbqD6R3s64CvCG9brRV3rGWxNQZM2x9f3Sf295\/L\/Reykjavik_Iceland-5592-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhere to stay in Reykjavik – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/span>Location 2 – Fludir on the Golden Circle<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Geyser](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Golden-Circle\/Haukadalur\/i-cBFrK37\/0\/L8XwPNXwCpVLvMhLKnWkPGrXXptN5DMKRM8thSJHq\/L\/strokkur-26b-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy stay at the Golden Circle<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Golden-Circle\/Hotel-Fludir\/i-mz8GP8r\/1\/LgBndP2kzhHk56rNWD8DW5SXCwLmmmnxNKkXb2N4k\/L\/hotel_Fludir_Iceland-3519-L.jpg\")
Where to stay on the Golden Circle – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/span>Location 3 – Vik, in the heart of the south coast<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Vik](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/South-Coast\/Vik\/i-f6Z8Zkm\/0\/NWBDVR5BQpDGmkFqS7CNPB26qfZwKCp9ZkbMKkjQw\/L\/Vik-2-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy stay in Vik<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/South-Coast-in-Winter\/Hotel-Katla-Vik\/i-RRMBdFj\/1\/MRgj2R5pwR2tTk5Km34FHbFLXgdkXSZMg7ZSsKzcM\/L\/Vik_Accommodation_Iceland-3648-L.jpg\")
Where to stay in Vik – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/span>Location 4 – Around Jokulsarlon<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Jokulsarlon](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/South-Coast\/Jokulsarlon\/i-rjNHsBJ\/0\/KHGL45PsXHF7NGjGVjq9QQCRHmBSqKN4pmB9WznD8\/L\/Jokusarlon-149-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy stay around Jokulsarlon<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Diamond](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/South-Coast-in-Winter\/Jokulsarlon\/Diamond-beach\/i-w82tPzL\/1\/CQkkgfRGV4nKrq99fm37WL8BMd6Kkv8VW8JPtp8kp\/L\/Jokulsarlon_Diamond_Beach_Iceland-3698-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhere to stay around Jokulsarlon – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
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OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Road](\"https:\/\/iceland-lovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Guide-road-trip-Iceland-cover-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/span>Location 5 – H\u00f6fn, gateway to the eastern fjords<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Port](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/South-Coast-in-Winter\/Hofn-sunrise\/i-SSq72nP\/1\/DMH6vNQJxLdXGqmJtSKLQJ3bBgFw7rH8NpsCWsfXd\/L\/sunrise_Hofn_Iceland-2902-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy stay in H\u00f6fn<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Höfn](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/South-Coast-in-Winter\/Hofn-sunrise\/i-rdgDxmB\/1\/KNZ4fKvsm9j3dv8Js8TBsn6DhpmZcJMMVG2RKzZ6S\/L\/sunrise_Hofn_Iceland-3782-L.jpg\")
Where to stay in H\u00f6fn – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/span>Location 6 – Egilsstadir, gateway to the eastern fjords<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
![\"Northern](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/Northern-lights\/i-9ZrRK3j\/1\/M7jZrVv2DBXxtRCC8NtZ5thGbCC9pm3dLg4vbPGfm\/L\/northern_lights_Iceland-3661-L.jpg\")
Why stay in Egilsstadir<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/Winter\/East-Fjords\/Hotel-Eglisstadir\/i-HJrdFn6\/1\/KWPPTkp2wJc6LvrPrBt2Q9Z7krnmHc2HMTqGtvKbg\/L\/accommodation_Egilsstadir_Iceland-3946-L.jpg\")
Where to stay in Egilsstadir – selection of hotels<\/h3>\n\n
\n
![\"Hverir](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/North-Iceland\/Hverir-Namajfall\/i-3R2TwfR\/0\/LWtfbHQFwgF7gZ7Jt9ktCcnrm27Frkxk35FHqs7Fk\/L\/Hverir-47-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n![\"Guesthouse](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Iceland\/North-Iceland\/Myvatn\/i-wB7gDjh\/0\/L237jGKQtgbB6cMmFk82vnjRjRXrwq5ng7QnqGzc5\/L\/Dimmuborgir_guesthouse-L.jpg\")