Grimstunga Guesthouse

The Grimstunga Guesthouse is a lovely place to stay on the cusp of the highlands on the edge of the ring road in northeast Iceland. Slow-paced ring road travelers, in particular, will love their stay at this welcoming home-away-from-home.

Location & Nearby

The wonder of the Grimstunga Guesthouse is its immersion in the rugged wilderness of northeast Iceland. As such, there are no settlements for miles around. Travelers who stay here will usually do so between exploring the Eastfjords and the volcanic north as a fantastic respite away from the crowds.

Before arrival, it is thus advised to stock up on amenities (although breakfast is provided at the guesthouse and packed lunches can be organized). You can get basic supplies at the village of Reykjahlid, which is 25 miles (40 kilometers) west. Still, you will want to get most from either Akureyri or Egilsstadir, depending on the direction you are driving the ring road.

Akureyri, the capital of the north, is 76 miles (123 kilometers) away. The journey between this settlement and Grimstunga Guesthouse will take you past two of the region’s most incredible attractions: Godafoss waterfall and the Lake Myvatn area. Godafoss waterfall is both a natural and historic site, providing intrigue to all guests, and Lake Myvatn is an incredible landscape of water, geological marvels, and geothermal areas. You can find the Myvatn Nature Baths here, a fabulous spa.

Both these attractions are on the Diamond Circle, and it is easy to detour to the two others, Asbyrgi Canyon and Dettifoss waterfall. These incredible landmarks are 18 miles (29 kilometers) and 36 miles (58 kilometers) from the guesthouse, respectively. Asbyrgi’s astonishing scale and formation led early Icelanders to believe it was created by the Old Norse gods, while Dettifoss is the most powerful feature of its kind in Europe.

Egilsstadir, which is 82 miles (132 kilometers) from Grimstunga, is the largest town in the east. It is a connecting point to the Eastfjords, where you can discover a breathtaking coastline, an abundance of wildlife, and some beautiful fishing villages.

When renting a car during summer in Iceland, Grimstunga is an excellent base for exploring the country’s interior.

Facilities & Amenities

There are four houses at the Grimstunga, three of which have single, twin, triple, and quadruple rooms with shared bathrooms, and one of which has three-person apartments with en suites. The decor is simple, clean, and welcoming. All the houses have a shared kitchen, although breakfast is also served at the on-site restaurant. You can schedule packed lunches and sit-down dinners here too.

You’ll find common areas with televisions in each house, and all have free, fast WiFi. Parking is also complimentary.

There are beautiful landscapes around the guesthouse, allowing you to explore and photograph the area with ease.

Why Choose Grimstunga Guesthouse?

The Grimstunga Guesthouse is a magical place to stay on the cusp of the highlands in northeast Iceland, particularly for ring road travelers taking a casual pace. Check availability by choosing a date.