Hotel Skaftafell

Hotel Skaftafell is a fantastic choice of accommodation right by the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland. South Coast travelers spending more than one day in the region and Ring Road travelers looking for a perfectly positioned pitstop will find no better place to stay.

Location and Nearby

Hotel Skaftafell sits on Route 1, just 3 km east of Skaftafell, an incredible reserve within Vatnajokull National Park, and the Svínafellsjökull glacier is a short walk behind the hotel. With its three surrounding glaciers, sprawling lava fields, abundant woodland, and iconic waterfall of Svartifoss, it is a dreamland for hikers and photographers looking to spend a day or more following magical trails to incredible sites.

Skaftafell, however, is not the only nearby attraction. The Ingólfshöfði headland is 19 km away, and the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is about 40 km from the hotel. The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, a lake cluttered with gleaming icebergs, can be driven to in around an hour. From here, you can continue a Ring Road adventure into the Eastfjords. Traveling in the opposite direction, you can reach the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in the same amount of time, then head to Reynisfjara beach, Myrdalsjokull glacier, and the waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

There are not many villages or towns near Hotel Skaftafell, though you can find basic amenities and services at Kirkjubaejarklaustur, also an hour away, while Vík and Höfn are each about 100 minutes' drive.

Facilities and Amenities

All 63 rooms of Hotel Skaftafell are comfortable and modern, with en suite bathrooms, satellite TVs, desks, and free Wifi. Twin and triple varieties are available. They all promise to have spectacular views, some of which are over the largest ice cap in Europe, Vatnajokull. A breakfast buffet is served each morning, and each evening, you can dine on an a la carte menu at the restaurant or enjoy a drink at the bar. Lunch is also served, packed lunches and kids' meals are available, and the second-floor bar with glacier views has a happy hour.

The hotel is family-run by descendants of the Skaftafell farmers. Staff at the hotel will be happy to help you book local excursions, such as glacier hiking in Skaftafell, boat tours on Jokulsarlon, and ice cave tours with the local guide from October to April.

Parking is free for all guests. There is also a minimarket and a meeting room on site, and charges are made in EUR.

Why Choose Hotel Skaftafell?

Hotel Skaftafell is a spectacular choice of accommodation in the southeast of the country, particularly for those eager to explore Iceland’s nature and those exploring the Ring Road. Check availability by choosing a date.