Travel in Iceland

Below are some ideas for your pre or post travel in Iceland. We have included hotels that we have personally visited, however please note that there are many additional accommodation options and this list is in no way comprehensive. If you do plan to rent a car we recommend 4WD vehicles or vehicles with winter tires for the months of March and April. This page focuses on the drive between Reykjavik and Akureyri. If you plan to travel around the entire island there are a number of online resources available but of course please let us know if you are looking for additional ideas or suggestions and we will assist you in any way that we can.

ACCOMMODATION

FOR GROUPS OF 8 OR MORE PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HOTEL BOOKINGS.

REYKJAVIK (Capital city in the South of Iceland, hotels below are all in or near the city center and only a short taxi ride to the domestic airport).

Iceland Hotel Collection by Berjaya

KEFLAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOTELS (ideal for guests who have early morning flights, while not as lively as Reykjavik, Keflavik has plenty of restaurant options).

Hotel Berg (in downtown Keflavik, 10 minute shuttle to airport)
Courtyard by Marriott (5 minute taxi to Keflavik airport)
Hotel Airport Aurora Star (5 minute walk to Keflavik airport)
Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel (20 minute taxi to Keflavik airport)

AKUREYRI (North Iceland)

MIDWAY BETWEEN REYKJAVIK AND AKUREYRI ALONG ROAD 1 IN THE WEST

Hotel Laugarbakki

DINING

REYKJAVIK (in no particular order)

Dill (Michelin star restaurant)
Gillmarkaðurinn
Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market)
Fiskfelagið
Apotek
Matur og Drykkur
Snaps

AKUREYRI

Rub23
North

DRIVING FROM REYKJAVIK TO AKUREYRI IN THE NORTH OF ICELAND

It is possible to get a one way rental car (surcharge applied) at the Keflavik airport or in Reykjavik and drive up to Akureyri returning your vehicle there. Driving directly to the Akureyri takes 5.5-6.5 hours depending on conditions. You can download this pdf for driving directions.

Some possible detours along the way include Snaefellsjokull Peninsula and Stykkishólmur (approximately 2 hours from Reykjavik).

From Reykjavik follow signs to Akureyri. You will have the option to go through a 7km long tunnel under the fjord or you can add 40 minutes to your driving time and drive around Hvalfjordur (whale fjord). Either way works and Hvalfjordur is nice- it really just depends on if you want to add 40 minutes to your drive. After a town called Borganes (if you have time for a 2 hour detour) you can continue onto road #54 to Snaefellsness Peninsula. There is a cave trip that is a nice side trip if you have the time.
After the town of Varmahlið you have the option of continuing on Road #1 over the highland towards Akureyri or taking Road #76 around the fjord. If you have time we recommend the fjord route and it is not too much longer (adds roughly 45 minutes and is very scenic if the weather is good). There is a tiny island Drangey that you can take a boat out to (only available after May 20th). The same ferry that takes you to the island stops at Grettislaug. There is also the tiny town of Hofsós that has a very nice pool: Hofsos Pool.
You will come into Siglufjörður which has a very interesting Herring museum that is definitely worth a visit. From Siglufjörður to the heli lodge (Klaengsholl) it is just about an hours drive. If you do drive directly to our lodge instead of Akureyri we will do our best to assist you in returning your rental car to Akureyri.

ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE WAY:

Snæfellsness Peninsula: we recommend Hotel Buðir if you plan to stay the night.
Midway between Reykjavik and Akureyri is Hotel Laugarbakki
Make your way to the charming town of Akureyri and stay there for the night (see Akureyri accommodation options above).

DOWNLOAD PDF DRIVING DIRECTIONS

AROUND REYKJAVIK

A great resource for ideas of things to do around Reykjavik Grapevine (resource for things happening around Reykjavik).

DAYTRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK (glacier walks, snowmobiling, cave visits etc.):

IN & AROUND DOWNTOWN REYKJAVIK:

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTH AROUND AKUREYRI

TOUR OPERATORS

CUSTOM MULTI DAY TOURS

ICELAND LUXURY TOURS: Offering tailor made luxury tours around Iceland
PROTOURS

DAY TOURS:

ICELIMO: Private luxury day tours
ASGARD BEYOND (south Iceland): We highly recommend the team at Asgard Beyond if you are looking for an active day trip on the south coast (ice climbing, rock climbing, glacier hiking and mountaineering). They offer small group experiences and have very qualified and knowledgeable guides.
ARCTIC ADVENTURES (south Iceland): they offer a wide variety of tours including glacier walks, snorkeling, cave tours and horseback riding (to mention just a few)
SAGA TRAVEL (north Iceland): We have been working with Saga Travel for a number of years and they are the leading operator of fun and interesting day tours in the north.