Stays in Reykhólahreppur
Reykhólahreppur is a rural municipality on the south coast of the Westfjords, where Route 60 skirts the wide tidal flats of Breiðafjörður bay. Stays here range from a countryside hotel with cottages to a small HI hostel, both reachable within minutes of the village of Reykhólar. It suits slow, self-driven exploration of the Westfjords rather than a one-night stopover.
Stays in Reykhólahreppur put travellers on Route 60, the Vestfjarðavegur that carries the Westfjords Way south from Route 1 near Bifröst along the edge of Breiðafjörður bay. The municipality is sparsely built, so the choice of accommodation stays short and specific rather than crowded with options. Hótel Bjarkalundur anchors the area with countryside rooms and a handful of cottages a short taxi ride from the Vaðalfjöll hills, while Reykhólar HI Hostel keeps a budget bed a few minutes' walk from the village cafe. Both work as a stopover between Snæfellsnes and Ísafjörður, or as a base for the bay's seal colonies and bird cliffs, though neither suits a traveller chasing nightlife or late restaurants.
Reykhólahreppur in numbers
What to expect
- Route 60 running along Breiðafjörður, the main road link toward Ísafjörður and the rest of the Westfjords
- Reykhólar village, with a geothermal seawater pool fed by the area's natural hot springs
- Breiðafjörður's low islands and skerries, a nesting ground for seabirds and a haul-out for seals
- Vaðalfjöll, the hills a few minutes from Hótel Bjarkalundur, visible from the main road
- A short list of stays: one countryside hotel with cottages and one HI hostel, no large resorts
- Long driving distances to services, with Ísafjörður Airport over two hours away by road
Local tips
- Fill the tank before Route 60 narrows west of Reykhólar, service stations thin out fast in the Westfjords.
- Book the cottages at Hótel Bjarkalundur ahead in summer, they are a small handful and go first.
- Bring cash or a card that works offline, village shops in Reykhólahreppur are few and small.
- Plan winter driving around daylight, Route 60 can ice over and daylight hours run short.
- Pack binoculars for Breiðafjörður, the islands off Reykhólar hold some of the region's densest seabird colonies.
- Treat this as a Westfjords base for a night or two, not a full week's itinerary on its own.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stay in Reykhólahreppur?
Reykhólahreppur has two practical bases: Hótel Bjarkalundur, a countryside hotel with rooms and cottages near the Vaðalfjöll hills, and Reykhólar HI Hostel, a budget option a short walk from the village cafe. Both sit just off Route 60, so neither requires much of a detour from the main Westfjords road.
What types of accommodation does Reykhólahreppur have?
The municipality keeps a short list rather than a wide one: a countryside hotel with standard rooms plus a few separate cottages, and a hostel affiliated with Iceland's HI network. There is no large resort or chain hotel here, which fits the area's low-key, rural character.
When is the best time to visit Reykhólahreppur?
Late spring through early autumn gives the longest daylight for driving Route 60 and watching the seabird colonies on Breiðafjörður's islands. Winter visits are workable but call for flexible plans, since the road can ice over and daylight hours shrink sharply by December.
How far is Reykhólahreppur from the nearest airport?
Ísafjörður Airport, the nearest airport to the properties in Reykhólahreppur, is over two and a half hours away by road. Most travellers reach the municipality by car via Route 60 rather than by air, usually as a stop between Snæfellsnes and the northern Westfjords.
Is Reykhólahreppur a good stop between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords?
Yes, Reykhólahreppur sits directly on Route 60 where the road from Route 1 near Bifröst turns north into the Westfjords, making it a natural overnight stop for travellers heading between Snæfellsnes and Ísafjörður. The short choice of stays keeps planning simple rather than overwhelming.
What can you do near Reykhólar besides drive the Westfjords Way?
Reykhólar's geothermal seawater pool, fed by the area's natural hot springs, is the village's main draw beyond the road itself. Breiðafjörður's islands just offshore hold seal haul-outs and dense seabird colonies, best appreciated with binoculars from the shoreline near the village.