Travel slow

Iceland is full of incredible sights, so of course you‘ll want to see everything as fast as you can- but we here at Hostelling International encourage you to take it slow and sustainable. Slow travel is a way to immerse yourself in a country, and besides, aren’t holidays supposed to be relaxing?

Here are our picks for our best hostels to stay for an extended break:

Vík

Vik is one of the most popular towns for a stopover when travelling the South Coast or Ring Road, and it’s easy to see why. With plenty of amenities and next to some of the best sites, Vik makes a great base for exploring the wild of Iceland while also keeping close to civilization. Vik Hi Hostel has spacious rooms as well as private cottages, and the view over the coast will make for a great morning with the local breakfast. You also get to hang out with their three resident dogs, which is a bonus. Just around the corner you can explore Dyrhólaey sea arch and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, and a couple hours down the road is Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach.

Skyrhusið

Skyrhusid makes for the perfect base for the East of Iceland. In the heart of Vatnajökull National Park, it’s a ten minute drive from Jökulsárlón and the Diamond beach. A stone’s throw from Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull, Skyrhusid puts you right in the action. It makes for an ideal base for seeing Skaftafell nature reserve with its diverse landscape and many walks, including Iceland’s highest peak Hvannadalshnúkur. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy many activities on the glacier such as hiking, ATV and caving, while those wanting a more relaxed experience can have a lie in in Skyrhusids comfortable rooms or admire the view from their window. The modern kitchen makes for a great place to cook dinner, or hop over to Þórbergssetur for food and a bit of culture at the museum.

Berunes

Located on a tranquil farm on the edge of the East Fjords, Berunes is a perfect place to unwind. The cottages make for the perfect place to take a break from road tripping and sitting back, reading a book and leaving your stress behind. The hostel has a well-equipped kitchen as well as a pop up restaurant during summer, so you can do as much or as little cooking as you want. Kayak hire is available in the fjord, but the area is also ideal for walking around and taking in the history at the small church.

Húsey

Húsey is a far-flung hostel and horse farm in the East Fjords with no other buildings in sight- if you want to experience remote Iceland, this is the place for it! Húsey makes for a great place to get away from it all, sit back and stroll leisurely. Walk down to the beach to see the seal colony or take one of their horse riding tours, ideal for beginners or advanced riders. Wifi is limited, making it a great place for a digital detox and connecting with the nature in front of you.

Korpudalur

If the spectacular nature and surroundings won’t convince you to stay long at Korpudalur, the breakfast certainly will- the ingredients are as local as it can get, with homemade jam and fresh bread. Cloud-shrouded mountains are the backdrop to this hostel, with the area home to many species of birds and plants. The hostel is a converted farmhouse and is as cozy as it gets, and make a great break from the bumpy roads of the West Fjords. There are many hikes in the area-which the owners have taken care of documenting- and you could do one every day for a week without getting bored. A short drive away are the towns of Ísafjörður and Flateyri, with their rich history and legends.