Accommodation
Iceland offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from luxury hotels to hostels, guesthouses, and rooms in private homes. There are also many camping options, especially during the summer months. Prices can be quite high, especially in popular tourist areas, so it is recommended to book in advance, particularly during the high season.
To be able to make a complete road trip in Iceland, choosing accommodation at key points along National Road 1 is crucial. If you want to reduce the cost of the trip, one solution would be for the apartment to have a kitchen for evening cooking. Finally, we recommend finding hotels or apartments with parking as parking spaces especially in the centre of Reykjavik are a bit hard to find. Below you will find all the accommodation we stayed in along with information and indicative prices.
Reykjavik
Midtown hotel in the centre of Reykjavik for 140 euros per double room. Good choice for visiting the most important attractions of Reykjavík city such as the impressive and unique Hallgrimskirkja church, the centre of Reykjavík with its picturesque streets and the coastal boulevard with the harbour and the Harpa multi-purpose hall with its modern architecture. Unfortunately the hotel does not have parking so it takes a bit of searching for paid parking in the surrounding area.
Center Apartments-Esja, a nice and modern apartment 42 sqm with bedroom, kitchen for 250 euros. A little further away from the centre in a quiet area and with free parking.
Hvammstangi
Hvammstangi Hill Homes, a detached house 46 sqm with one bedroom, kitchen and cost 180 euros. It is located in a small town so dining options are limited. Here we even had the opportunity to admire the northern lights from the windows of the apartment. A unique experience with more information below.
Myvatn
Myvatn-Berjaya Iceland Hotels a 4 star hotel by the lake with beautiful, comfortable and modern rooms. We spent 140 euros per double room; probably the nicest accommodation we stayed in Iceland.
Egilsstadir
Ormurinn Cottages a small triangular house of 26 square meters in front of Lake Logurinn. It has one bedroom, kitchen and costs 200 euros per night.
Hofn
Milk Factory a hotel that before was a milk factory. It is a 3-star accommodation with a good breakfast. We had a two-storey room 35 sqm with a view of the garden and paid a total of 220 euros.
Vik
Farmhouse Lodge a special guesthouse a few kilometres outside the town of Vik. Here you can enjoy various activities like table tennis. The rooms are spacious and the price for a double room is 150 euros.
Food
Icelandic cuisine is centered around local products, often based on fish, lamb, and dairy. Specialties include “hákarl” (fermented shark), “lamb” (lamb), and “skyr” (a dairy product similar to yogurt). You will also find international restaurants in larger cities like Reykjavik.
Food in Icelandic restaurants is definitely expensive. For example, a pizza costs around 20 euros and in a more traditional Icelandic restaurant main courses cost 30 to 50 euros per person.
For lunch, the budget supermarkets Kronan or Bonus for various snacks and sandwiches is an affordable and quick solution, especially if you are constantly on the go during the day. Along National Road 1 there are small shops for food, coffee and snacks. Also as mentioned above, you could choose some apartments with a kitchen for evening cooking. Some indicative addresses for dining are as follows:
Reykjavik chips. A small restaurant in the centre of Reykjavik with a nice atmosphere and affordable prices. Burger with fries and a soft drink for about 20 euros.
Hotel Snaefellsnes. This hotel restaurant is a great choice for a coffee, snack or lunch stop if you are on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Askur. Pizzeria in the centre of Egilsstadir town. Variety of pizzas for 20-25 euros.
Pakkhus. Icelandic restaurant with traditional seafood and meat recipes, even horse meat. For main courses prices range between 35 and 50 euros. Reservations are recommended especially for dinner.
Smidjan Brugghus. Brewery where they produce their own beer. For a beer the prices start at 5 euros and for a burger you can expect about 20 euros.
Beitarhusid. Don’t miss a stop at this small wooden cafe-restaurant with a special Icelandic atmosphere between Lake Myvatn and Egilsstadir. Here you can find hot drinks, hot dogs and delicious traditional Icelandic doughnuts.
Hot springs
Iceland is famous for its natural hot springs, which are an authentic and unmissable activity. The experience is unforgettable and worth to try at least once in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon, near Reykjavik, is one of the most famous, but there are many other hot springs throughout the country, many of which are free and set in nature. These hot baths, often located in spectacular landscapes, offer a unique relaxation experience.
Sky lagoon. Located within walking distance from the center of Reykjavik. The place is gorgeous with views of the North Atlantic Ocean. The temperatures are 38° to 40° where you can of course swim. The cost starts at 80 euros per person (book online and in advance) and you can stay as long as you wish. For an extra charge it is possible to buy alcoholic and soft drinks from a small bar inside the springs. Payment is made automatically with an electronic wristband given to you at the reception. You can also opt for an Icelandic “ritual” with various stages including cold shower, sauna (with sea view), and body scrub (90 euros in total per person). The experience will be unforgettable and worth trying at least once in Iceland.
Myvatn Nature Baths. Located next to Lake Myvatn, this is a more economical option (50 euros per person) but the experience is once again unique and perhaps less touristy than Sky Lagoon or the more famous Blue Lagoon.
Northern lights
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, especially between September and April. The cold, clear winter nights provide ideal conditions for this spectacular natural phenomenon. Many guided tours are organized to view the auroras, but you can also see them by getting away from the city lights, in areas less affected by light pollution. Certainly the odds are not in your favour but it’s worth a few evenings with clear skies to give it a try.
In the evening at Hvammstangi under low temperatures, the sky was clear so we chased our luck . After some time and going to areas with little or no lighting and following various websites and apps that show you the chances of this phenomenon, we saw the northern lights in the sky for the first time. A literal experience of a lifetime.
