
Places to stay in Iceland
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Top-rated places to stay in Iceland
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Other great vacation rentals in Iceland

Hraunháls, Sanctuary
Guðlaug’s cottage is really awesome. We stayed for two nights. It is located in a quiet farm with great view by the seaside. The view from the window is fantastic. The cottage is warm, well equipped and tidy. We really loved it! Guðlaug sent clear instructions to find the cottage and is really responsive. Will definitely choose this cottage again when visiting Iceland next time.

Two bedroom apartment (A) with amazing view
We stayed four nights and did day trips from the house. It was a great starting point for the northern Golden Circle. The house is lovely and as pictured. The kitchen is nicely equipped for meals at home. Loved the views and the hotpot. We would love to return!

Valley guesthouse - Cottage 2
Honestly one of the best airbnbs i’ve stayed at. Just perfect for two of us and was nice and clean!

Unique and Beautiful Cottage by the Ocean (nr 3)
Amazing place next to a small river, the place is cozy and super clean. Host was super friendly and the communication was very easy and fast. A super friendly dog named Tata might visit you, it’s the neighbours dog. She loves to cuddle, so enjoy.

Adorable new guesthouse
A small paradise in the midst of tranquility. Perfect for unplugging and re-energizing. We were warmly greeted and provided with lots of great recommendations. The cottage was very comfortably furnished, well equipped and just to feel good. We will be happy to come back!

Eyri seaside houses north, with great sea view.
Amazing place! Right on the water. We enjoyed watching the sea birds in the evening. And what a treat to see some whales in the morning! Beautiful horses on the property as well as 2 friendly dogs who will give you a warm welcome. The space is very comfortable, private, and peaceful. I would definitely go back and highly recommend this apartment.

Beautiful Villa on the South Coast. Great location
Great stay in this wonderful home. Super spacious, very comfortable. In a very quiet and beautiful setting. The spotless house, perfect for a large family. Very grateful for Sigurjòna's constant attention. Thank you!

Beachfront holiday house with Hot Tub
I can’t say enough kind words about our stay at Stefan’s home. It was a short 30-40 minute drive from Reykjavík, and a great starting point for seeing popular sites like Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss. Getting to the house was exciting, it is very remote and just when you think the driveway has ended, you keep going and drive nearly right on the beach! Beautiful surroundings, and we even got to see some seals close to the shore! The inside of the house was clean but not boring like a hotel room. A lot of neat artwork and comfortable furniture and lighting made hanging out in the house and enjoying the view a highlight of our stay. I would recommend Stefan’s place to any friend visiting Iceland that wants a remote and private home base!
Your guide to Iceland
Welcome to Iceland
An island born from violent volcanic activity more than 16 million years ago, Iceland’s rugged natural beauty has become globally synonymous with adventurous travelers in search of an off-the-beaten-path holiday. And indeed Iceland’s landscape rewards the curious and intrepid, with all roads and trails seemingly leading toward yet another spectacular Arctic lagoon, geyser, black sand beach, jagged lava field, steaming hot spring, verdant valley, or spiraling mountain top to explore (often without another soul in sight). In winter the dazzling Northern Lights flicker and shimmer overhead, and in summer days stretch without end. With so much natural beauty around, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the capital city of Reykjavík. Host to one of Europe’s most vibrant art and design hubs, Reykjavík’s dining and nightlife scenes play prominently in the lives of locals and visitors alike. And of course, when you’ve hiked too far or danced too much, geothermal-heated milky-blue pools await to soothe sore muscles back to health.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Iceland
Iceland’s primary seasons of summer and winter offer diametrically different but equally stunning experiences strongly influenced by its proximity to the Arctic Circle. In summer, daylight lingers for up to 24 hours, a Northern Hemisphere phenomenon known as the midnight sun, offering visitors the unusual opportunity to experience neverending daylight around the clock (peaking in June), with numerous agencies offering guided hikes and whale-watching tours illuminated by the nighttime sun. The summer months are also optimal for staying in one of the area’s homes and spending the days investigating the island’s diverse and unique ecosystems — vivid woodlands, pristine ice-blue lakes, craggy peaks, moss-covered coastline, and majestic waterfalls.In winter the days become shorter and the temperatures dip considerably, requiring layered attire. Yet many will tell you Iceland in winter is the best time to visit, with fewer travelers around, inviting an unforgettable sense of solitary silence, the world muffled to a memory by the pristine white snow that covers the landscape. It’s also the season to catch the spectacular Northern Lights.
Top things to do in Iceland
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Also known as Feather River Canyon, a coat of emerald moss covers almost every inch of this remarkable scar across the South Coast destination during summer months. Created by thousands of years of streaming deep-blue glacial water cutting through dark bedrock, the resulting ravishing ravine is popular with hikers and photographers. If you experience a certain sense of familiarity here, it may be because you’ve seen it as the backdrop in a very famous cable network show set within an imaginary realm of fire and ice.
Rauðasandur Beach
With 10 kilometers of golden red-tinged sands to explore during low tide, Rauðasandur Beach is a beachcombing paradise of epic proportions. Known for its red sand and tranquil remoteness, this is a place where migrating whales can be spotted offshore alongside the occasional whale bones onshore. Be prepared to drive carefully along a steep and narrow gravel road to the beach, one requiring constant attention and slow speeds.
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
If peace and quiet rank high on your list and you identify as a capable backcountry backpacker, this nature reserve offers the opportunity to experience a section of Iceland left mostly untouched by human habitation for the last 70 years. Home to the country’s largest colony of Arctic foxes, alongside a unique abundance of endemic flora and fauna, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve’s ecosystem is popular with birders and nature photographers. Camping gear and proper attire are required before entering, as there are no shops available in Hornstrandir.
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