Where Should I Stay In Iceland?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Reykjavik – Overall Best Place to Stay in Iceland.
  • Husavik – Best Place to Stay in Iceland For Families.
  • Laugarvatn – Where to Stay in Iceland for Couples.
  • Akureyri – Coolest Place to Stay in Iceland.
  • Reykjavik – Where to Stay in Iceland on a Budget.

Where should I stay in Iceland for the first time?

If you are planning your first visit to Iceland, most likely you want to see the highlights. For many first-timers,

Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and the south coast

tops the list of places to visit.

Where is the prettiest place in Iceland?


Kirkjufell (Church Mountain)

is the most photographed mountain in Iceland and a natural icon on its own. In a way, it’s considered among the most beautiful of Iceland’s scenery. Located next to the small town of Grundarfjörður, it rises 463 meters above sea level in an unusual, long, conical shape.

Where do most people stay in Iceland?

You will find most people living in

Reykjavik

, Iceland’s capital city. Reykjavik is also one of the most expensive places to live in.

How many days do you need in Iceland?


A minimum of 1 week in Iceland is ideal, but visiting for up to 2 or even 3 weeks will allow you to see more of this beautiful country in the same trip

. Staying for less than 7 days in Iceland is still doable, but there’s no doubt you’ll want to come back again to see and do more.

Is Iceland expensive to visit?

Is Iceland expensive to visit, or is it possible to travel on a tighter budget? According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index,

Iceland currently ranks as the third most expensive country in the world

. Local banks have also studied the essential travel costs for tourists, and the numbers are staggering.

Is Reykjavik safe?

Safety in Reykjavík


Reykjavík is a friendly and very safe capital city

, which is why it’s heralded as a great destination for families and solo travellers in Iceland. Crime rates are low and there are no “bad” neighbourhoods in Reykjavík, but petty theft and pickpocketing – though rare – can occur.

Is it worth staying in Reykjavik?

So if you stumbled upon this post wondering if Iceland is worth visiting, then my answer is

YES, absolutely

. Iceland is one of the most beautiful and unique places on our planet and it’s definitely worth a trip.

Can you see Northern Lights in Reykjavik?


Yes, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

! In fact, Reykjavik is the only capital city besides Nuuk, Greenland where you can see the Northern Lights. Reykjavikers swear they can see the lights from their bedroom windows during bright auroras!

What part of Iceland should I visit?

  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is not coincidentally the first one mentioned on this list. …
  • South Coast – Vík Beaches. …
  • Golden Circle. …
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula. …
  • Blue Lagoon. …
  • Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls. …
  • Myvatn. …
  • Húsavík.

Is there a black beach in Iceland?

Iceland boasts a number of black beaches awash with silky dark sand including

Diamond Beach on the eastern coast near to Iceland’s highest mountain peak Hvannadalshnúkur, and Djúpalónssandur Beach on the west coast near Snæfellsjökull National Park

.

Is Reykjavik pretty?

Iceland’s capital city is also a terrific base from which to experience some of the island’s

breathtakingly beautiful natural wonders

, such as the famous Blue Lagoon geothermic spa, The Northern Lights or The Golden Circle; where you’ll witness spouting geysers, waterfalls, rift valleys and more.

Do they speak English in Iceland?

English has been and continues to be taught as a second language in the schools, so

almost every person in Iceland is fluent in English

. Since Iceland is geographically positioned very close to Eastern Scandinavia, Swedish and Danish are not officially labeled as foreign languages.

What is the best time of year to go to Iceland?


May and September

are the best time of year to go to Iceland because they offer lower prices and fewer crowds but without the harsh weather conditions found in the winter. Many people worry about whether Iceland is expensive.

How far is the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik?

Yes, the driving distance between Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík is

47 km

. It takes approximately 41 min to drive from Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík.

Do and don’ts in Iceland?

  • Do’s. Please be considerate and mindful of the locals. Be open-minded and don’t yuck their yum. Rent a car! …
  • Don’t. Do not be an ugly tourist and stay safe. DO NOT hike glaciers without a guide. Don’t assume their horses are ponies.

Is Iceland crowded with tourists?

When travelling around Iceland, however, one can clearly see that

Iceland is not overcrowded

. You can, in fact, enjoy large distances of highways or hiking trails without encountering a single soul, even during the high-season summer months.

Is Iceland safe for solo female Travellers?

Fortunately,

Iceland is one of the safest and best places for solo female travel

. The combination of Iceland’s low crime rates and stellar gender equality makes it the perfect solo female travel destination.

What should you avoid in Iceland?

  • Avoid: Busy and expensive hot springs.
  • Do: Go and find quieter or cheaper hot springs.
  • Avoid: Buying bottled water.
  • Do: Drink from the tap.
  • Avoid: Spending all your time in Reykjavik.
  • Do: Get out and explore the rest of the country.
  • Avoid: Expensive day tours.

Can I use US dollars in Iceland?

Money. Currency: The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK).

Many places (restaurants, bars, tourist attractions) will take US dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish currencies

. Payment: Icelanders usually pay for everything by credit or debit card.

How much money do you need for a week in Iceland?

In general, I would count

at least 1500 USD per week per person

in Iceland, not including the flights. This is approximately what my winter trip to Iceland cost, staying in mid-range accommodations, dining out every evening, and doing just two paid excursions: Iceland glacier hiking and Blue Lagoon.

How walkable is Reykjavik?

Reykjavík is a

small and walkable

city with around 123,00 inhabitants. In this self guided walking tour, I will provide a map, a downloadable GPX, and a detailed walking guide with photographs and information for the tour highlights.

What language is mostly spoken in Iceland?


Icelandic

is a North Germanic language spoken by about 314,000 people, the vast majority of whom live in Iceland where it is the national language. It is most closely related to Faroese and Western Norwegian. The language is more conservative than most other Western European languages.

Does Iceland have a nightlife?

The Iceland party scene surprises many when they first arrive.

Reykjavik is the crown jewel of nightlife in Iceland

, with local and international clubs, bars, and craft breweries to suit every taste. Reykjavik’s great nightlife might not compare to big cities like London and New York.

Is north or south Iceland better?


Most visitors prefer the south as it is more diverse and more accessible

. Visitors can enjoy the Golden Circle, its geysers and its national park, the black sand of Vík and the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls all year round. It is therefore rare to find yourself alone at these sites, even in the winter.

Is Norway cheaper than Iceland?

Exchange rates vary, but at the time of writing most cost comparison websites consider

Iceland to be more expensive than Norway

. That being said, it’s very easy to spend a lot of money in Norway if you’re not careful. But in-country costs are not the only consideration.

How many days do you need in Reykjavik?

Iceland is worth a longer trip than just a day or two and

4 days is an absolute minimum

for Reykjavik and the South Coast. However, no matter whether you’re traveling – in summer or in winter – I recommend planning at least 5-7 days if you want to see some of the main highlights of Iceland.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.