Stays in Iceland
Family · Blönduós

Family-Friendly Stays in Blönduós, Iceland

Blönduós is a small Ring Road town where the Blanda river meets Húnaflói Bay, roughly halfway between Reykjavík and Akureyri, and it makes a calm overnight stop for families breaking up the drive north. The family-tagged stays are varied. Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse, rated 9.1 on more than 1,300 reviews, has family rooms with balconies on the beachfront and a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. Brekkukot Cottages, at 9.7, offers family rooms with a kitchenette, and Hunavellir Guesthouse, 6 km from Route 1, adds a summer outdoor pool, a playground and an indoor sports area. Several holiday homes with two or three bedrooms complete the choice.

Blönduós is a quiet service town split by the glacial Blanda river, with the small wooded island of Hrútey in its current and the open water of Húnaflói Bay to the west. Its angular modern church is the landmark seen from the Ring Road. Around it lie the farms of Húnavatnssýsla, the Vatnsdalur valley and lakes such as Svínavatn, an open landscape where horses graze along the roads.

14 staysUpdated October 12, 2026

Where to stay

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Space and Kitchens for Families on the Road

I would stop in Blönduós with children because it splits the long drive between Reykjavík and Akureyri at a sensible point and offers real space. Many stays have family rooms or several bedrooms, most include a kitchen or kitchenette, and free parking is the norm. Ratings are strong: Brekkukot Cottages reaches 9.7, the two-bedroom cottage in town 9.4, and Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse 9.1 over more than 1,300 reviews.

The address I would book first is Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse. It has direct beachfront access, a sun terrace and a garden with sea views, and its family rooms come with private bathrooms, balconies and parquet floors. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, which spares parents from cooking after a long drive. Hótel Blönduós is the classic hotel option, with family rooms that have private bathrooms, balconies and sea views, a sun terrace and a restaurant, rated 8.6. Guesthouse Kiljan, just off the Ring Road, has views of Húnaflói, a restaurant with a bar and rooms with private or shared bathrooms. All three are an easy walk from the beach and the river.

Self-catering families have good options. Brekkukot Cottages, rated 9.7, has family rooms with private bathrooms, a kitchenette, a dining table, a sun terrace and a patio. The two-bedroom cottage in town, rated 9.4, has a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and a garden with mountain views. Summerhouse Torfalundur is a three-bedroom holiday home with a full kitchen, a living room, a spacious garden and a terrace with mountain and river views. Kiljan Apartments & Rooms offers apartments with a fully equipped kitchen. Gladheimar Guesthouse has family rooms with private bathrooms, all on the ground floor, practical with strollers.

For children who need to burn energy, Hunavellir Guesthouse is the obvious choice. It sits 6 km from Route 1, with mountain views and some rooms overlooking Lake Svínavatn, and offers a summer outdoor swimming pool, a playground and an indoor sports area. Its 7.9 rating is lower than others, but the facilities are hard to match for families. The Hvammur 2 guesthouses offer family rooms with mountain views, shared bathrooms, a garden and a hot tub, and the Red House adds an outdoor fireplace. Húnaver Guesthouse, 118 km from Akureyri Airport, has family rooms with private bathrooms, full kitchens and barbecue facilities on its terrace.

Larger groups can spread out further. Apartment dome Hof í Vatnsdal is a spacious apartment with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor seating area in the Vatnsdalur valley. Fornilækur Guesthouse has recently renovated rooms with private bathrooms and a balcony or terrace overlooking the garden, the sea or the river. My advice is to choose the town if you want to walk to the beach and the river with young children, and the countryside if you have a car and prefer more space and darker skies. Either way, the drive on to Skagafjörður or Akureyri the next morning is short.

A traveler's take

I recommend Blönduós to families driving the Ring Road between Reykjavík and Akureyri who want a calm night and space for the children. My first choice would be Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse for its beachfront setting and on-site restaurant, or Hunavellir Guesthouse in summer for its pool and playground. Our advice is to walk across to Hrútey, the wooded island in the Blanda river linked to town by a footbridge, before dinner.

Summerhouse TorfalundurFamily
Blönduós

Summerhouse Torfalundur

★★★★★5.0(8)
Family

A pet-friendly holiday home with a hot tub and mountain views in Blönduós

Why guests love it

Summerhouse Torfalundur is a three-bedroom holiday home in Blönduós with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room and a spacious garden. The terrace looks over mountains and a river, and the hot tub sits outside for evenings after a day on the road. Barbecue facilities, free WiFi and private parking are included, and pets are welcome. Guests give it a perfect 10 across 8 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a calm, self-catered base for a family or small group.

5.0Guest score
Available
Brekkukot Cottages, BlönduósFamily
Blönduós

Brekkukot Cottages, Blönduós

★★★★★4.9(472)
Family

Family cottages with kitchenettes and mountain views near Blönduós

Why guests love it

Brekkukot Cottages in Blönduós offer family rooms with private bathrooms, each with a kitchenette and a dining table, which suits families who want to eat in. Guests also get a sun terrace, a patio, free WiFi and mountain views. The listing mentions convenient access to local attractions without naming them. Guests rate it 9.7 across 472 reviews, an excellent score on a solid sample, though nothing suggests a restaurant on site.

4.9Guest score
Available
Cottage - two bedroomsFamily
Blönduós

Cottage - two bedrooms

★★★★★4.7(169)
Family

A two-bedroom cottage with mountain views and a fully equipped kitchen

Why guests love it

I recommend this two-bedroom cottage to families and couples driving the Ring Road who want a practical stop in Blönduós. It has a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine, and a garden and terrace with mountain views suit outdoor dinners. Free private parking and WiFi are included. A washing machine is a real help midway through a long road trip. Guests rate it 9.4 across almost 170 reviews, a top score.

4.7Guest score
Available
Brimslóð Atelier GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse

★★★★★4.6(1355)
Family

Beachfront guesthouse with sea views and an outdoor fireplace

Why guests love it

Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse stands on the beachfront in Blönduós, with direct access to a private beach, a sun terrace and a garden with sea views. Family rooms have private bathrooms, balconies and parquet floors. An on-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and there is a bar and an outdoor fireplace. Guests rate it 9.1 across 1,355 reviews, a very large sample for a small guesthouse.

4.6Guest score
Available
Hvammur 2 GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Hvammur 2 Guesthouse

★★★★★4.3(282)
Family

Mountain-view family rooms with a hot tub and shared kitchen in Blönduós

Why guests love it

Hvammur 2 Guesthouse in Blönduós has family rooms with mountain views and shared bathrooms, which is worth knowing before booking. Guests can use a garden, a terrace, a lounge and an outdoor hot tub, plus a shared kitchen and free private parking. Hiking is nearby. With an 8.6 score from 282 reviews, I recommend it to families and couples on a budget who accept shared facilities.

4.3Guest score
Available
Hótel BlönduósFamily
Blönduós

Hótel Blönduós

★★★★★4.3(445)
Family

Family rooms with sea-view balconies and a restaurant in Blönduós

Why guests love it

Hótel Blönduós has family rooms with private bathrooms, a balcony and sea views, plus soundproofing, a tea and coffee maker and a hairdryer in each room. Families can use the sun terrace, eat at the restaurant and have a drink at the bar. WiFi is free in public areas, private parking is free, and a tour desk helps with outings. Pets are welcome. Guests rate it 8.6 across 445 reviews.

4.3Guest score
Available
Gladheimar GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Gladheimar Guesthouse

★★★★★4.3(68)
Family

Ground-floor family rooms with private bathrooms and a terrace in Blönduós

Why guests love it

Gladheimar Guesthouse offers family rooms with private bathrooms and showers, all on the ground floor, which is easier with luggage and small children. There is a terrace, and WiFi and on-site parking are free. The listing puts it 147 km from Akureyri Airport, so Blönduós works as a stop on the Ring Road rather than a destination. A rating of 8.5 across 68 reviews is good. I would choose it as a practical overnight for a family in the north.

4.3Guest score
Available
Fornilækur GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Fornilækur Guesthouse

★★★★★4.3(296)
Family

Renovated rooms with balconies and views, plus family-friendly facilities

Why guests love it

Fornilækur Guesthouse in Blönduós has recently renovated rooms with private bathrooms, each with a balcony or terrace facing the garden, the sea or the river. Children get indoor and outdoor play areas, and there is a sun terrace, a garden and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast is served daily and parking is free. It is a family-minded stop on the Ring Road, with a good rating.

4.3Guest score
Available
Hvammur 2 Guesthouse Red HouseFamily
Blönduós

Hvammur 2 Guesthouse Red House

★★★★★4.3(195)
Family

Mountain-view family rooms with a hot tub and shared kitchen in Blönduós

Why guests love it

Hvammur 2 Guesthouse Red House in Blönduós has family rooms with mountain views and shared bathrooms. Guests can use a sun terrace, a garden, an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub, plus a shared kitchen and a lounge. WiFi is free in public areas, and the guesthouse is pet-friendly. With an 8.5 score from 195 reviews, I recommend it to budget families and travellers with pets who accept shared facilities.

4.3Guest score
Available
Húnaver GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Húnaver Guesthouse

★★★★★4.1(126)
Family

Family rooms with kitchens, mountain views, and a terrace for barbecues

Why guests love it

Húnaver Guesthouse in Blönduós is 118 km from Akureyri Airport and offers family rooms with private bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens. Guests can sit in the garden or on the terrace, which has mountain views and barbecue facilities. Free WiFi and private parking are included. Guests rate it 8.2 across 126 reviews. Barbecue and outdoor seating make evenings easy. Mountain views come with the stay.

4.1Guest score
Available
Kiljan Apartments & RoomsFamily
Blönduós

Kiljan Apartments & Rooms

★★★★★4.0(205)
Family

Self-catering apartments and rooms with a hot tub and mountain views

Why guests love it

Kiljan Apartments & Rooms in Blönduós offers self-catering apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, or rooms with a seating area, all with mountain and garden views. A communal hot tub, a garden and a BBQ area are available, and Wi-Fi is free. The Blanda River is 1 km away and Blönduós Harbour 2 km. Guests rate it 8.0 across 205 reviews, and I would pick it for road trippers who want a kitchen and a hot tub.

4.0Guest score
Available
Hunavellir GuesthouseFamily
Blönduós

Hunavellir Guesthouse

★★★★★4.0(622)
Family

Mountain views, a summer pool, and activities near Blönduós

Why guests love it

Hunavellir lies 6 km off the Ring Road, with rooms that face the mountains and some that overlook Lake Svínavatn. The extras suit families: a summer outdoor swimming pool, a playground and an indoor sports arena. Horseback riding, hiking and fishing can be arranged. The pool is a summer feature, so check the season before counting on it. A sensible rural stop for families on a budget.

4.0Guest score
Available
Guesthouse KiljanFamily
Blönduós

Guesthouse Kiljan

★★★★★3.9(378)
Family

Fjord views and a restaurant just off the Ring Road

Why guests love it

Guesthouse Kiljan sits just off the Ring Road in northern Iceland, with views of the Húnaflói Fjord. Rooms come with either private or shared bathrooms, so check which you are booking. There is an on-site restaurant with a bar, free WiFi and a furnished terrace with barbecue facilities. Guests rate it 7.7 across 378 reviews, which is on the lower side, so read recent comments before booking.

3.9Guest score
Available
Apartment dome Hof í VatnsdalFamily
Blönduós

Apartment dome Hof í Vatnsdal

★★★★★3.9(43)
Family

Spacious apartment dome with garden, mountain, and river views

Why guests love it

The Apartment dome at Hof í Vatnsdal has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, enough for a family of five or six to spread out. A fully equipped kitchen covers every meal, which matters in a valley far from restaurants, and the terrace and patio face the garden, the mountains and the river. Hiking trails start nearby. The guest score of 7.7 from 43 reviews is modest, so I would read recent comments before booking.

3.9Guest score
Available

Local tips

  1. 1Book Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse or Brekkukot Cottages early in summer, as they are the best-rated family stays in town.
  2. 2Pick Hunavellir Guesthouse between June and August if your children want an outdoor pool and a playground.
  3. 3Choose a holiday home with a washing machine, such as the two-bedroom cottage in town, on a longer road trip.
  4. 4Ask for a ground-floor family room at Gladheimar Guesthouse if you travel with a stroller.
  5. 5Walk to Hrútey island in the Blanda river for a short, flat outing close to the town centre.
  6. 6Plan a detour into the Vatnsdalur valley the next morning before continuing towards Akureyri.

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Family · Frequently asked questions

Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse has family rooms with balconies and a restaurant on the beachfront, and Brekkukot Cottages offers family rooms with a kitchenette. Hunavellir Guesthouse adds a summer outdoor pool, a playground and an indoor sports area, and Gladheimar Guesthouse has ground-floor family rooms.

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