Where to Stay Between Reykjavik and Akureyri: A Route Guide

The Quick Western Route: Borgarfjörður and Hvítá

If you have only one night to break the journey, aim for Borgarnes, a town of about 2,000 people on a peninsula in Borgarfjörður, roughly 75 kilometres north of Reykjavik via Route 1. It is a practical overnight stop with a handful of guesthouses and hotels, and it puts you within 30 minutes of the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where a lava field filters clear water into the Hvítá river. Book here if you want an easy first day and a short detour to the waterfalls before continuing north.

For a more scenic stop, push on to the Hvítá river valley near Reykholt, about 100 kilometres from Reykjavik. Here you will find a cluster of rural hotels and guesthouses set among birch woods and hot springs; the area is also home to the Snorralaug hot spring and the medieval studies centre at Reykholt. Rooms in this area typically range from budget farm stays to mid-range country hotels, and the main advantage is quiet: you are away from the ring-road traffic and close to the river. I would book Reykholt over Borgarnes if you value scenery over convenience.

The Northern Detour: Skagafjörður and Varmahlíð

The most rewarding overnight stop on the northern half is Varmahlíð in Skagafjörður, about 290 kilometres from Reykjavik. From here you can visit the historic site at Reynistaður and the Glaumbær turf farm, a preserved 18th-century farmstead that is now a museum. The valley is also known for horse breeding, and you will see plenty of Icelandic horses. Accommodation is limited to a few hotels and guesthouses, so book ahead in July and August. The drive from Varmahlíð to Akureyri is about 95 kilometres and takes just over an hour on Route 1.

If you are travelling in winter, check road conditions before committing to this stretch; the mountain pass at Öxnadalsheiði, north of Varmahlíð, can be closed in bad weather. In summer, the detour to the fishing village of Hofsós, 30 minutes north of Varmahlíð, is worth it for the infinity pool overlooking the fjord. I would choose Varmahlíð over the larger town of Sauðárkrókur if you want a quieter base, but Sauðárkrókur has more amenities and a wider choice of hotels.

The Eastern Alternative: Mývatn and the North

If you are heading to Akureyri from the east, the natural stop is Reykjahlíð on the shore of Lake Mývatn, about 280 kilometres from Akureyri. The area is a geothermal wonderland: you can walk around the pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir, visit the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and see the boiling mud pools at Hverir. Accommodation is mostly in small hotels and guesthouses, and it fills up quickly in summer. The drive from Mývatn to Akureyri takes about an hour and a half on Route 1, passing theGoðafoss waterfall.

Mývatn is not on the direct Reykjavik–Akureyri route, but it is a worthwhile detour if you have at least two nights. From Reykjavik, the drive to Mývatn is about 470 kilometres and takes around six hours, so you would need to overnight somewhere en route, such as Varmahlíð or Akureyri itself. If you are short on time, skip Mývatn and stick to the western route. If you have three or more days, the eastern loop via Mývatn is the more spectacular choice.

Where I Would Book, and What to Skip

For a single overnight between Reykjavik and Akureyri, I would book a guesthouse in Reykholt: it breaks the drive roughly in half, gives you access to the Hraunfossar waterfalls, and is quieter than Borgarnes. For two nights, I would split the journey with one night in Varmahlíð and one in Akureyri, which gives you time to explore Skagafjörður and the turf farm at Glaumbær. Avoid trying to drive the whole route in one day if you want to see anything; the 390 kilometres take at least four and a half hours without stops, and the scenery deserves more.

Skip the temptation to book a hotel in Blönduós unless you need a halfway stop for a late arrival; it is a service town with limited appeal. Also, do not rely on finding last-minute accommodation in Varmahlíð or Reykjahlíð in July—book at least a month ahead. For the best weather and road conditions, travel between June and August; in winter, check the Icelandic Road Administration website for closures before setting out. I would book through a site that allows free cancellation, given how quickly conditions can change.