One of the questions we get asked most often is “Where should I stay when we come to the ice caves” so hopefully we can shed some light on the best locations to stay in this area. We always recommend that you stay in the local area when coming to visit us as the weather can be unpredictable, so it is best to eliminate any long drives from your itinerary.

We suggest staying no further than Kirkjubæjarklaustur to the West or Höfn to the East. We do not recommend driving to and from Reykjavík in one day as we are located around 4.5 hours from the capital and weather conditions in the winter can be unpredictable leading to road closures and the limited daylight hours mean it can be a long and dark journey.

There are a lot of hotels and guesthouses within a 1 hour drive so we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites to help with your trip planning.*

Kirkjubæjarklaustur:

This is a small town around 125km from our meeting location. Home to the stunning Systrafoss double waterfall, there are some great local walks as well as a small supermarket, ATM and local pool with geothermal hot tubs. The restaurant Systrakaffi offers local food and a good selection of beer and the gas station has hot dogs and ice cream perfect for a meal on the run. 

Hotel Magma: This is a new hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur and consists of smaller rooms within the main building and then gorgeous grass roofed cabins overlooking a lake. These cabins have a fresh modern interior. There is also a Bistro offering breakfast and dinner.

Hotel Laki: A mixture of hotel rooms and small cabins set away from the main Route 1. This hotel offers lovely views, perfect for Northern Lights hunting but with the convenience of the nearby town.

Skaftafell-Hnapavellir:

Hotel Skaftafell is 50km from our winter meeting location. This is a traditional family run hotel in the perfect location with glaciers in the backyard and the entrance to the National Park just 2 minutes’ drive away. The food in the hotel is delicious with an excellent seasonal menu, however if you fancy something lighter, you only have to cross the main road to go to the gas station which offers freshly cooked meals all day as well as a small well stocked supermarket offering supplies and gifts.

The potato storage is a family run guesthouse apartment on a small farm. It is perfect for those wanting self-catering accommodation or a little more flexibility if travelling with children. It is located in the village of Svínafell just along from Skaftafell, so the convenience of the gas station is just down the road. 

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon 30km from our winter meeting location is one of the newest hotels in the area. Boasting a swish interior and a sauna in the basement this is a popular choice with those looking for a high-end choice in the area. Enjoy a drink on the terrace overlooking the fields out to the sea.

Gerði-Höfn 

Hotel Hali is 15km from our meeting location in the Gerði area. This hotel also has a small café and museum on site and is a great choice if you want to minimize your drive to the ice cave and also want to learn a bit about the history of the area at the Thórbergur centre.

Skýrhusið is a guest house in the same area as Hotel Hali. It is a cozy guesthouse offering a comfy and economical choice close to our meeting location.

Hotel Smyrlabjörg 35km from is a favorite among our staff, as this traditional hotel offers the best Christmas buffet, and our annual visits are a highlight of the calendar. The location is quiet, set back from the road with good local food and clean accommodation. 

Guesthouse Lilja 50km from base is a popular guesthouse with modern accommodation, not quite as far as Höfn but close enough to access the amenities with a short drive to town. 

Milk Factory 80km  is a great choice in Höfn, with views over the mountains and glacier but on the doorstep of the main town. A good choice when choosing to stay in town. 

*Please note that these distances are based on the meeting location of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon which could be subject to change if the location of the ice cave differs. Please get in touch for more up to date information for the current season.