Stays in Reykjahlíð
Reykjahlíð is the small village on Lake Myvatn's northern shore where the Ring Road meets one of Iceland's most concentrated geothermal landscapes. It works as a base for the Nature Baths, Dimmuborgir and Hverir, with stays ranging from lakefront studios to a working farm resort.
Reykjahlíð sits directly on Route 1, Iceland's Ring Road, on the northern shore of Lake Myvatn, roughly 95 km east of Akureyri. The village itself is small, a handful of streets built around the lake rather than around tourism, but its position puts travellers within a short drive of the geothermal Nature Baths, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, and the bubbling mud pools at Hverir. Stays here range from a lakefront studio and shared-bathroom guesthouses to a working farm resort with its own hot tub, suiting road-trippers on a single overnight stop and travellers settling in for two or three nights to properly explore the surrounding volcanic terrain.
Reykjahlíð in numbers
CoastalMyvo The Studio apartment at Geiteyjarströnd 4
FamilyMývatn apartments
GeothermalHlid Cottages
CouplesBirkilauf
GeothermalFosshotel Mývatn
Northern LightsVogafjós Farm Resort
GeothermalAska, Modern Cabin
CouplesEldá Guesthouse Rooms with private bathroom
FamilyMývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
CouplesSlow Travel Mývatn - Óli's Homestay-Private house v
FamilySlow Travel Mývatn - Þúfa - Private Homestay
Ring RoadVogar Travel Service
CouplesEldá Guesthouse
CouplesHlid Bed and Breakfast
FamilyVogahraun 4
CouplesHlid Huts
FamilyEldá apartments
GeothermalHlid Hostel
What to expect
- Direct access to Route 1, the Ring Road, running through the village itself
- Myvatn Nature Baths, a geothermal pool complex, a short drive from most stays
- Dimmuborgir's lava formations and Hverir's mud pools within easy reach
- A mix of lakeside guesthouses, a full-service hotel and a working farm resort
- Genuinely dark skies on the lake's eastern shore for aurora viewing between September and April
- A small, walkable village core with the lake shore a few minutes from most rooms
Local tips
- Book two nights rather than one if the Nature Baths, Dimmuborgir and Hverir are all on your list, rushing all three in a single day is possible but tight.
- Choose a stay on the eastern shore, away from the village's modest streetlights, if aurora viewing between September and April is a priority for your trip.
- Fill your tank in Reykjahlid before continuing the Ring Road loop, fuel stops thin out fast on the more remote stretches toward Egilsstadir or Husavik.
- Pack for gravel roads if a Dettifoss day trip is planned, the approach road slows the drive further in poor weather beyond the paved Ring Road itself.
- Confirm whether your room has a private bathroom before booking, several of the village's budget stays mix shared and private facilities across different rooms.
- Visit the Nature Baths early morning or late evening in peak season, the pools get busy by midday once tour buses arrive from Akureyri.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Reykjahlíð for the Myvatn Nature Baths?
Hlid Cottages sits closest at 2.7 km, while several other guesthouses and Fosshotel Mývatn stay within a short drive, all close enough for an early morning or late evening soak before or after the day's tour-bus crowds arrive.
What types of accommodation are available in Reykjahlíð?
The village offers a lakefront studio, shared and private-bathroom guesthouses, standalone cabins and cottages, a full-service hotel and a working farm resort with its own hot tub, covering most budgets and travel styles along the lake.
What is the best time to visit Reykjahlíð?
Summer, June through August, gives long daylight for hiking and easier driving, while September through April suits travellers prioritizing the northern lights, though winter driving on the surrounding roads demands real caution and advance planning.
How far is Reykjahlíð from Akureyri?
About 95 km, roughly an hour and a quarter by car along the Ring Road, making Reykjahlíð a realistic overnight stop for travellers circling Iceland rather than a long detour off the main route through the north.
Is Reykjahlíð a good base for the northern lights?
Yes, particularly stays on the lake's quieter eastern shore, away from the village's modest streetlights, where several properties offer genuinely dark skies for aurora viewing on clear nights between September and April of most years.
Can you visit Dettifoss and Godafoss from Reykjahlíð?
Yes, Dettifoss is about a 50-minute drive and Godafoss roughly 49 km, in opposite directions from the village, making Reykjahlíð a practical single base for both without backtracking through Akureyri on the same road trip.