Best Hotels in the Icelandic Countryside — Biggest Selection & Lowest Prices Guaranteed

Staying in hotels in Iceland gives you a wide range of options, from city accommodations in Reykjavik to Icelandic countryside stays surrounded by nature. While urban hotels offer convenience, hotels in the Icelandic countryside provide a quieter, more scenic experience, with better chances to see the northern lights under darker skies.

These rural hotels also put you closer to the top natural attractions along the Ring Road, including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast. Instead of returning to Reykjavik each night, you can stay near the landscapes you came to see.

From farm stays and holiday apartments to cottages in Iceland, these accommodations put nature right at your doorstep for a truly authentic experience. They also serve as great bases for activities such as horseback riding, glacier tours, and hiking tours in Iceland.

Popular Regional Stays in Iceland’s Countryside

If you are deciding where to stay, these countryside regions offer some of the most convenient bases for exploring Iceland’s top natural attractions.

• South Iceland: This region is the perfect base for exploring waterfalls and black sand beaches. Top picks include stays in Hella for affordable retreats, accommodations in Hvolsvollur near Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, and small countryside hotels in Vik for exploring Reynisfjara Beach.

• Southeast Iceland: This region is the gateway to Vatnajokull National Park, with views of glaciers and mountains. Accommodations in Hofn and hotels near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon provide easy access to glaciers and ice caves in Iceland.

• Golden Circle: Laugarvatn is ideal for peaceful stays near Reykjavik, with easy access to Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park. You’ll find a mix of secluded guesthouses, farm stays, and country hotels in Laugarvatn.

• Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Grundarfjordur offers epic views of Kirkjufell Mountain and a central base for exploring the peninsula, while Budir offers countryside hotels for romantic, secluded stays set by lava fields.

• North Iceland: Most Lake Myvatn hotels are situated along the Ring Road, ideal for North Iceland sightseeing, birdwatching, and visiting the Earth Lagoon. For a quieter stay, Skjaldarvik features family-run cottages near Akureyri set beside the fjord.

Best Luxury Countryside Stays in Iceland

Escape to some of the most peaceful and scenic parts of the country with luxury countryside hotels in Iceland. Set away from busy towns, these high-end hotels offer stylish rooms and easy access to Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes for a more immersive nature experience.

• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon: A 4-star countryside hotel near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, best known for its spa facilities, on-site restaurant, and glacier views.

• Hotel Jokulsarlon: A stylish Southeast Iceland hotel with glacier and mountain views, outdoor hot tubs, and a sauna for a more upscale countryside stay.

• Stracta Hotel: A modern stay near Hella, well placed for exploring South Iceland, with views toward Hekla Volcano, Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, and the Westman Islands.

• Hotel Grimsborgir: An upscale Golden Circle hotel, surrounded by rolling landscapes and close to Kerid Crater, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park.

Budget-Friendly Countryside Accommodations in Iceland

Affordable stays in Iceland set in the countryside let you stay close to waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and glaciers while keeping costs more manageable.

• Midgard Base Camp: A budget stay in Hvolsvollur with dorms, private rooms, a rooftop hot tub, and convenient access to the South Coast and Golden Circle.

• Sel-Hotel Myvatn: This comfortable countryside stay in North Iceland near Lake Myvatn, with scenic views, hot tubs, and easy access to geothermal sights.

• Hotel Laugarvatn: Perfectly located when driving the Golden Circle, this countryside hotel in Iceland sits close to the lake, geysers, and geothermal hot springs.

Best Countryside Hotels for Northern Lights in Iceland

In remote areas with minimal light pollution, northern lights hotels in the Icelandic countryside let you see the aurora right outside your door. These stays also place you close to glaciers, lava fields, and mountain landscapes for a memorable winter trip.

• Hotel Ranga: A luxury countryside hotel in Hella with dark-sky surroundings, outdoor hot tubs, and an observatory for northern lights and stargazing.

• Eldhestar Hotel: A rural stay on a horse farm near Hveragerdi that is close to both the Golden Circle and South Coast.

• Hotel Kria: A modern 4-star hotel in Vik, South Iceland, located near Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and along the Ring Road. Its position away from major city lights is perfect for northern lights viewing during clear winter nights.

• Magma Hotel: A peaceful lodge near Kirkjubaejarklaustur, surrounded by lava fields and glaciers, with cozy rooms and strong aurora-viewing potential.

Best Countryside Hotels on the Golden Circle

Beat the crowds at Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route by staying at Golden Circle accommodations. Below are the top Icelandic countryside hotels for exploring Iceland’s top natural wonders without returning to Reykjavik.

• Efstidalur Farm Hotel: A Golden Circle farm accommodation with horse rentals, on-site ice cream parlor, farm-to-table dining, and a hot tub surrounded by open landscapes.

• Hotel Geysir: An upscale countryside hotel directly across from the Geysir Geothermal Area, ideal for easy access to Golden Circle highlights.

• Litli Geysir Hotel: Located in Haukadalur Valley steps from erupting geysers, this cozy countryside stay offers a nature-immersed base at the heart of the Golden Circle.

• ION Adventure Hotel: Perched on Mount Hengill near Thingvellir National Park, this stylish countryside retreat blends dramatic lava field views with spa facilities.

Best South Iceland Countryside Hotels

These rural accommodations in South Iceland offer easy Ring Road access and quick routes to glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches without long daily drives.

• Hotel Katla: A spacious countryside hotel just outside Vik, ideal for exploring nearby black sand beaches, glaciers, and waterfalls.

• Fosshotel Nupar: A peaceful rural hotel near Skaftafell Nature Reserve, offering views of Vatnajokull Glacier and convenient access to Skaftafell tours.

• Hotel Drangshlid: Located near Skogafoss Waterfall and Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, this rural hotel offers scenic surroundings and convenient access to South Coast highlights with a laid-back atmosphere.

Best Countryside Hotels in West Iceland

These countryside hotels in West Iceland put you at the center of the country’s diverse nature and rich Viking history. Enjoy unmatched access to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its fishing villages and the majestic Snaefellsjokull Glacier.

• Hraunsnef Country Hotel: A rustic countryside stay set on a working farm, ideal for travelers seeking a quiet base with easy access to West Iceland waterfalls like Glanni Waterfall and geothermal sights, such as Deildartunghver Hot Spring and Krauma Spa.

• Hotel Snaefellsnes: An eco-friendly rural hotel in Iceland offering a convenient base for visiting Ytri Tunga Beach, Budir, and Kirkjufell.

• Midhraun – Lava Resort: Set on a remote farm on the Snaefellsnes surrounded by open landscapes, lava fields, and peaceful countryside views.

Best North Iceland Countryside Stays

Countryside stays in North Iceland put you close to Akureyri, Husavik, and Lake Myvatn, with easy access to whale watching tours, geothermal areas, and dramatic northern landscapes filled with mountains, lakes, and fjords.

• Vogafjos Farm Resort: This family-run guesthouse by Lake Myvatn is surrounded by geothermal scenery, lava fields, and birch trees. 

• Fosshotel Myvatn: A nature-inspired hotel with a grass roof, eco-friendly design, and breathtaking scenery of Lake Myvatn.

• Hotel Laugarbakki: A convenient countryside stop along the Ring Road, ideal for road trips in Iceland between North Iceland and the Westfjords.

Best East Iceland Rural Hotels

Rural hotels in East Iceland offer peaceful stays among fjords, forests, and quieter landscapes, making them ideal for travelers looking to slow down and explore a less crowded side of Iceland.

• Hotel Hallormsstadur: A forest-side retreat near Egilsstadir with modern comforts, sauna and hot tubs, and easy access to hiking and birdwatching.

• Hotel Eyvindara: A cozy countryside hotel near Egilsstadir with woodland surroundings and log cabins for a quiet East Iceland stay.

• Hotel 1001 Nott: A modern lakeside hotel by Lake Lagarfljot, surrounded by forests and mountains, ideal for Ring Road travelers seeking a peaceful atmosphere.

Why Stay in the Icelandic Countryside

Staying in the Icelandic countryside offers more space, quieter surroundings, and closer access to nature. Whether you choose a cottage, farm stay, or boutique hotel, you can stay near waterfalls, glaciers, and lava fields while enjoying a more peaceful and scenic base for your Iceland trip.