Iceland Travel Guide

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina

Address: Mýrargata 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 444 4000
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Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is Iceland’s premier hotel, owned and operated by the Icelandair tourist group. Decorated in modern Icelandic style with unique references to the county’s maritime history, the hotel is colorful, comfortable, and centrally located. Interested in seeing an Icelandic movie? The attached Slipp Cinema shows them with English subtitles. Hungry? Hang out in Slippbarinn, the hotel’s cafe and bar, which serves a wide variety of local and international favorites. You can also book day tours to surrounding landmarks on the hotel’s website or at the front desk.

Hotel Laxá

Address: Olnbogaás, 660 Mývatn, Iceland
Phone: +354 464 1900
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If you’re visiting Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area, Hotel Laxá is an excellent choice for an overnight. The property is decorated in clean, comfortable Nordic style, and has an attached restaurant that serves delicious cuisine inspired by traditional Icelandic recipes. With day tours to the nearby hot springs and lava fields, it’s easy to spend more than a day or two in Mývatn, and Hotel Laxá will take good care of you while you do.

Hotel Kea

Address: Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Phone: +354 460-2000
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Located in the heart of Akureyri and right next to the famous Church of Akureyri, Hotel Kea holds prime real estate. Like most hotels in Iceland, it’s happy to help you book day tours to surrounding areas. Akureyri is known for its whale watching and horseback riding tours, as well as its proximity to the gorgeous Goðafoss waterfall (or “Waterfall of the Gods”). The hotel is also decorated with an emphasis on elegance and comfort, offering a pleasant oasis after adventurous days.

101 Hotel

Address: Hverfisgata 10, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 580-0101
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The 101 Hotel is known for its luxurious spa and chic design, which combines an industrial aesthetic with clean minimalism. Rooms here range from doubles to full apartment suites. It’s also easy to book all kinds of day tours from the front desk. The 101 Hotel offers frequent deals and packages, so it’s worth checking the website before you book.

Ion Adventure Hotel

Address: Nesjavellir við Thingvallavatn, 801 Selfoss, Iceland
Phone: +354 578 3720
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If your goal is to immerse yourself in the beauty of the land around you, the Ion Adventure Hotel is a perfect choice. Comfortable and outfitted with a natural spa, including a sauna and outdoor hot pool, the Ion Adventure Hotel puts an emphasis on – you guessed it — adventures, with several unique tours on offer.

Hotel Rangá

Address: 851 Hella, Iceland
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Feel like staying at the base of a volcano? Of course you do. Hotel Rangá boasts such a unique location that it’s almost always booked in the height of the season, and should you stay here, it’s likely you’ll see one of the many weddings hosted every year. Hotel Rangá’s available tours emphasize the beauty of the stars and northern lights, as well as the luxurious experience of geothermal baths. But if you’re more interested in hiking or kayaking, fear not, as Hotel Rangá is also in a great location for all kinds of outdoor activities.

Hotel Katla

Address: Höfðabrekka, 871 Vík, Iceland
Phone: +354 487 1208
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Owned by the same hotel brand as Hotel Kea, Hotel Katla is decorated in a similar way and boasts many of the same luxuries as its northern cousin. However, if your trip is focused on the beauty of southern Iceland, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better hotel to spend your nights in. Hotel Katla is centrally located to Reynisfjara black-sand beach, Skógafoss waterfall, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Vatnajökull National Park, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

Address: Hverhamar, 810 Hveragerdi, Iceland
Phone: +354 483 4959
Website

With a name as dramatic as the landscape surrounding it, Frost & Fire offers an off-the-grid experience 40 minutes away from Reykjavik. The hotel prides itself on offering a resort experience, including geothermal swimming, an excellent restaurant, and lushly appointed rooms. And, of course, the sightseeing opportunities around Frost & Fire are many and gorgeous.

Hotel Egilsen

Address: Aðalgötu 2, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
Phone: +354 554 7700
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Formerly a farmhouse, Hotel Egilsen retains all that rustic charm. With cozy rooms, freshly made daily meals and snacks, and live storytelling in the common areas, Hotel Egilsen offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

Best Restaurants

Rub23

Address: Kaupvangsstræti 6, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Phone: +354 462 2223
Website

Serving seafood, sushi, and meat dishes, Rub23 is an Akureyri favorite. The lunch buffet is offered daily, and the service is excellent. The restaurant also uses its own spice blend, giving each dish a unique flavor that you won’t find anywhere else.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Address: Tryggvagata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Website

Two words: hot dogs. These aren’t just any hot dogs, though; this stand in Reykjavik is world-famous for its particular hot dog blend (beef, pork, and lamb) and fixings. It’s open until 1 a.m., so if you’re out drinking at one of Reykjavik’s many pubs, cap off your night with one of the tastiest hot dogs you’ll ever eat.

Fish Company

Address: Vesturgata 2a, Grófartorg, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Website

Located in the Zimsen house, a former store built in the 19th century, Fish Company is both modern and cozy — a style also reflected in the menu. Here, chef Lárus Gunnar Jónasson serves up fresh seafood with a contemporary take on traditional recipes.

Grillmarkaðu

Address: Lækjargata 2a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 571 7777
Website

Using meat and produce from local farmers, Grillmarkaðu is the ideal choice for visitors who aren’t fond of seafood. The menu, which changes seasonally, focuses on infusing dishes with unique flavors brought on by smoke, wood, and coal.

Forrettabarinn

Address: Nýlendugata 14, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 517 1800
Website

Delicious, frequented by locals, and comfortably decorated in a modern diner style, Forrettabarinn is an excellent, inexpensive choice for any meal of the day. It’s specifically known for its set of four-course menus, which are sure to fill you up without emptying your wallet.

Restaurant Suður-Vik

Address: Suðurvegur 1, 870 Vík, Iceland
Phone: +354 487 1515

This is one of Vík’s most popular restaurants — and for good reason. Should you find yourself touring Iceland’s south coast or black-sand beaches, Restaurant Suður-Vik is a must-stop for lunch or dinner. The menu includes delicious, locally sourced, and hearty fare with several gluten-free and vegan options.

Salka Restaurant

Address: Gardarsbraut 6, 640 Husavik, Iceland
Phone: +354 464 2551

After some whale watching, make your way to Salka Restaurant for a pizza or the fish of the day. Beloved by tourists and locals alike, it’s also a great spot for groups larger than 15. In fact, there’s a menu dedicated for groups this big.

Things to Do

Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle, located in northern Iceland, has four primary stops, but it encompasses much more. Leaving from Akureyri, touring the Diamond Circle will bring you to the town of Húsavík (home to the Húsavík Whale Museum), as well as to natural landmarks such as the Dettifoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, and Ásbyrgi canyon.

South Coast

Touring the south coast is well worth your time, and can take one to 10 days, depending on your preference. Excursions begin in either Reykjavik or Vík and will bring you to stunning natural wonders, including the famous Eyjafjallajökull glacier and Skógafoss, a towering waterfall that often produces a rainbow on sunny days. Other highlights include the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara black-sand beach, and more.

Ásmundarsafn

Address: Sigtún, 105 Reykjavík
Phone: +354 411 6430
Website

This small museum features many of the works of famed Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, who also designed, worked, and lived in the building. In fact, the building itself is a work of art. While Sveinsson’s collection is always on display, there are additional rotating exhibitions from other modern and contemporary artists.

Reykjavik Botanical Garden

Address: Hverfisgata 105, Hverfisgata 105, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 411 8650
Website

A beautiful walk through the flora of Iceland is a lovely way to break up or end your day. The Reykjavik Botanical Garden features a large collection of roses and perennial herbs. Admission is free, including 30-minute guided tours every Friday during the summer.

Best Shopping

Wherever you go in Iceland, it’s easy to find boutique shops, locally owned cafes, craft stores, and the like, but here’s what’s best in Reykjavik.

Laugavegur

Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main street, is shop after shop of fun. Here, you’ll find local boutiques, cute and delicious cafes, vintage stores, book shops, and the flagship location of 66°North. In other words, Laugavegur should be your first stop if you’re looking to have a shopping day during your trip.

Kolaportið

Address: Tryggvagötu 19, Old Harbour Grófin, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Phone: +354 562 5030
Website

Down by the Reykjavik Art Museum and world-famous hot dog stand Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur lies an unassuming building with a line of people usually heading in, and that’s the Kolaportið flea market. Open during the weekend, this eclectic shopping experience features booths selling old and new things, a food court, and stalls manned by locals trying to unload some of their clutter. The flea market has a stoop sale vibe, and you might even find a real treasure while there.

Frú Lauga

Address: Laugalækur 6, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 534 7165
Website

A market that stocks imports from the mainland, Frú Lauga (or Mrs. Lauga) is a great stop if you’re craving fresh fruit or would like to sample the kombucha bar. Pick up some snacks for your day or stock your kitchen if you’ve opted to stay at an Airbnb during your trip.

Lucky Records

Address: Rauðarárstígur 10, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 551-1195
Website

Lucky Records started in 2005 as part of the Kolaportið flea market and is now Iceland’s largest record store, offering a huge selection of vinyls and CDs both new and used. Expect a wide range of genres, including Icelandic music, as well as T-shirts, posters, and miscellaneous souvenirs.

Herrafataverzlun Kormáks og Skjaldar

Address: Laugavegur 59 Basement, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Phone: +354 511 1817
Website

This menswear shop prides itself on a gorgeous aesthetic and finely crafted clothing. Known for its military-adjacent style and wide range of offerings, it’s worth a visit if you’re interested in Icelandic fashion or are searching for a gift for someone you love.