Stays in Hella
Hella is where I would sleep if a trip mixes the south coast with a summer day in the Highlands: the village sits on Route 1 about 94 km east of Reykjavík, on the Ytri-Rangá, one of Iceland's best salmon rivers. Of the 30 stays we list around it, the average guest score is 9.31 across 6,820 reviews, and the list reads like the countryside it sits in: farm guesthouses, cottages, horse farms and glass or mirror cabins such as ÖÖD Hekla Horizon and Audkula Dome Cabin. I would pick the village itself to walk to the thermal pool (a 25 by 11 m main pool with hot tubs and slides), the Olís station on Þrúðvangur and the grocery shops, and a farm out of town for a darker sky and Hekla on the horizon. Landmannalaugar is reached by the F225 and F208, roads for 4x4 vehicles only, with a river crossing; highland buses run only from June to late September, so never attempt it in a two-wheel-drive rental or outside that window. The trap is a busy summer weekend: the Töðugjöld farmers' festival takes the second weekend of August, and Landsmót, the national horse show, came to Hella in 2008 and 2022. Keep an hour for the Caves of Hella at Ægissíða: four of the twelve man-made caves are open to the public.
Hella lies on Route 1, about 90 kilometres east of Reykjavík, which makes it a practical stop for travellers exploring South Iceland. The small town on the Ytri-Rangá river gives direct access to volcanic landscapes and well-known waterfalls along the south coast. Accommodation in and around Hella is mostly guesthouses and independent cottages, suited to travellers who want quiet and nature close by. The town works as a base for trips to the Golden Circle, the south coast and, in summer, the Highlands, with Hekla volcano on the horizon. Dining options are limited, but many stays have equipped kitchens, an advantage on longer stays when driving back to a restaurant every night is not appealing.
Hella in numbers
FamilyNest Retreat Iceland - Mirror Houses by the Rangá river
Adults-only lodges with a sauna, hot tub and views of the Rangá river
Why guests love itNest Retreat Iceland is an adults-only lodge stay in Hella, near the Rangá river and a few kilometres from Route 1. The evenings centre on an outdoor hot tub, a sauna and an outdoor fireplace, with a garden, a sun terrace and a barbecue area for meals outside. Free WiFi and private parking are included, and Seljalandsfoss is 37 km away. Guests rate it 9.9 across 33 reviews. Children are not accepted.
FamilyÁskot Cottages
Mountain-view cottage with a kitchenette and terrace near Hella
Why guests love itÁskot Cottages in Hella offers a one-bedroom holiday home with a bathroom, suited to couples or small families. The ground-floor unit has a terrace, a garden and mountain views, plus a kitchenette, a washing machine and free WiFi. An EV charging station is available, and Seljalandsfoss waterfall is 48 km away. With a 9.8 score from 340 reviews, I recommend it to couples and small families driving the south coast.
CouplesSkeiðvellir Panorama house
Comfortable holiday home with mountain views and an equipped kitchen
Why guests love itSkeiðvellir Panorama house is a one-bedroom, ground-floor holiday home near Hella, 38 km from Þjófafoss waterfall, with a living room and a terrace facing the mountains. The fully equipped kitchen allows a hot meal after a day of driving, and free private parking makes arrival simple. With a single bedroom, it suits a couple or a parent travelling with one child better than a larger family. I would book it for hiking and quiet nights; guests rate it 9.8 from 16 reviews.
Northern LightsAurora Sky
A renovated holiday home with mountain views and a private balcony
Why guests love itAurora Sky is a recently renovated holiday home in Hella with a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace and a balcony facing the mountains, so family meals and quiet evenings are easy. Private parking on site helps with early starts along the south coast, and Seljalandsfoss waterfall is 32 km away, a good first stop with children. The listing does not give the number of bedrooms, so I would confirm the sleeping layout before booking for a larger family.
FamilyLoa's Nest
Family rooms with mountain views and a shared kitchen in Hella
Why guests love itLoa's Nest in Hella offers family rooms with private bathrooms and garden or mountain views. A lounge and a shared kitchen are open to guests, and the sun terrace, garden, outdoor seating and picnic area give room to spend the evening outside. WiFi and on-site private parking are free. With a 9.7 rating across more than 2,100 reviews, it is one of the best-rated stays in the area, and a sound base for the south.
FamilySkeiðvellir Villa
Spacious villa in Hella with mountain views and a full kitchen
Why guests love itSkeiðvellir Villa in Hella is a comfortable ground-floor unit with three bedrooms, a living room and a terrace with mountain views. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and free WiFi, and free private parking is included. It is 38 km from Thjofafoss. Guests rate it 9.6 across 64 reviews, a high score for a family-sized unit. Everything sits on one level.
FamilyÖÖD Hekla Horizon - Mirror Houses
Mirror houses with mountain views, private kitchenettes, and a hot tub
Why guests love itÖÖD Hekla Horizon is a set of four-star mirror houses with a distinctive design. Rooms are family rooms with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, a refrigerator, a tea and coffee maker, parquet floors and mountain views. Guests can use a sauna, a hot tub and a seating area, and WiFi and private parking are free. The listing puts it 25 km from Thjofafoss. Guests rate it 9.5, though only 161 have reviewed it so far.
CouplesAudkula Dome Cabin
Dome cabin with kitchenette, garden views, and outdoor seating near Hella
Why guests love itAudkula Dome Cabin is a dome cabin just off Route 1 near Hella, set up as a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, a kitchenette, a garden, a terrace and outdoor seating. WiFi and private parking are free, and the garden and river views suit a quiet evening. Seljalandsfoss is 35 km away. It is small, so it fits a couple or a parent with one child better than a bigger family. Guests rate it 9.5, with 247 reviews.
CoastalGuest House Svetlana
Family rooms with kitchenettes and views, pet-friendly in Hella
Why guests love itI recommend Guest House Svetlana to families and couples who want spacious family rooms with their own kitchenette in Hella. Each room has a private bathroom, a kitchenette, a dining area and a work desk, with balconies or patios looking over the sea, the garden or the mountains. There is a sun terrace, a garden and free WiFi, and pets are welcome. Seljalandsfoss is 44 km away. Guests rate it 9.5 across 160 reviews.
FamilyHellatún Guest House!
Comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, kitchen facilities, and a hot tub
Why guests love itI recommend Hellatún Guest House to families and couples who want comfort and a kitchen in the Hella area. Rooms have private bathrooms and kitchen facilities, and there is a hot tub, a sun terrace and a garden, plus free WiFi and free private parking. An EV charging station helps electric-car travellers, and pets are welcome. Seljalandsfoss is 48 km away. Guests rate it 9.5 across more than 360 reviews, a very high score.
CouplesVesturás lodge
Luxury tent experience with private terrace and kitchenette near Hella
Why guests love itVesturás lodge is a luxury tent in Hella for couples who want something more distinctive than a standard room. Each tent has a private bathroom, a kitchenette and an outdoor seating area with garden views, and check-in is private. I like that it is a comfortable base for the South Coast, 48 km from Seljalandsfoss, with free parking on site. With a 9.5 rating from 50 reviews, I would choose it for the setting, not for large groups.
FamilyLog house with a view - Bjalki
Cozy log house with mountain views and a fully equipped kitchen
Why guests love itBjalki is a log house with one bedroom and a living room, so I see it as a fit for a couple or a small family with one or two young children. The fully equipped kitchen and barbecue handle every meal, and the terrace and patio face the garden and mountains, a good spot for children to play while dinner cooks. Free private parking helps for day trips, with Þjófafoss waterfall 22 km away. Larger families will need more bedrooms.
Waterfall viewLaxá Lodge
Spacious five-bedroom villa with a hot tub near Seljalandsfoss
Why guests love itLaxá Lodge is a spacious five-bedroom villa in Hella, 36 km from Seljalandsfoss, with a private entrance, a fully equipped kitchen, and a garden with a terrace. A hot tub, free WiFi and on-site parking are included. Five bedrooms make it a fit for a large family or a group sharing the cost. Its 9.4 rating rests on only 8 reviews, so treat it as promising rather than proven.
FamilyFaxaflatir Apartments
Apartment-style stays in Hella with private kitchens and mountain views
Why guests love itFaxaflatir Apartments offers apartment-style units in Hella with free WiFi, air-conditioning and balconies. Each unit has a private bathroom, a kitchen and a dining area, which suits families and couples who want to cook. Seljalandsfoss is 34 km away and Reykjavík Domestic Airport 94 km. A 9.4 rating comes from 26 reviews, a small sample. I would choose it for a family on the South Coast who wants a kitchen and a balcony.
FamilyGaddstaðir 32
Private holiday home in Hella with a garden and kitchenette
Why guests love itGaddstaðir 32 is a ground-floor holiday home in Hella with a private entrance, a garden and a patio. Inside there is a kitchenette and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, and WiFi is free. Seljalandsfoss is 34 km away, and Reykjavík Domestic Airport is 96 km from the property. A 9.3 rating across 77 reviews is strong. I would choose it for a small family that wants a private entrance and a kitchenette on the South Coast.
Glacier viewUgla Gistihús (Ugla Guesthouse)
Comfortable guesthouse in Hella with kitchenettes and a sun terrace
Why guests love itUgla Gistihús is a guesthouse in Hella with rooms that have a private bathroom, air-conditioning and a kitchenette, a handy mix for families who want to make breakfast or a simple dinner themselves. There is a sun terrace and a garden, a bar and a minimarket on site, free WiFi and private parking. Seljalandsfoss is 36 km away, so it works as a practical South Coast night rather than a resort. Guests rate it 9.3.
GeothermalBorgarbæli
A two-bedroom holiday home with a hot spring bath and mountain views
Why guests love itBorgarbæli is a two-bedroom holiday home near Hella with two ways to soak outside: a hot spring bath and a separate hot tub. Children get an outdoor play area and a playground, and the fireplace sets the tone indoors once the light goes. The fully equipped kitchen and dining area cover every meal, with lake, garden and mountain views. My suggestion for a day out is Þjófafoss waterfall, 23 km away. Guests rate it 9.3 from 17 reviews.
FamilyMargrétarhof
A holiday home in Krókur with a hot tub and garden views
Why guests love itI recommend Margrétarhof to families and couples who want a private holiday home with a hot tub in the Hella area. It stands in Krókur, with a garden, a terrace, garden views and free WiFi, and inside there is a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a fireplace. The hot tub and the fireplace make it a good choice for cool evenings. Guests rate it 9.3 across more than 200 reviews, a top score.
CoastalTiny and cosy house in the countryside
A cosy countryside house with sea, garden, and mountain views
Why guests love itI would choose this small countryside house near Hella for a couple who want quiet. It has one bedroom, a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen with a stovetop and toaster, plus free Wi-Fi. The sun terrace and garden have sea, garden and mountain views, and there is an outdoor fireplace and dining area. Guests rate it 9.3 across 63 reviews. It is a tiny house, so I would pick it for two people who enjoy a slow pace and outdoor evenings.
CouplesAfternoon Cottages
Self-catering cottages at Svínhagi, on the road from Hella toward Hekla
Why guests love itThese are renovated, self-contained cottages in open country, with river and mountain views and a terrace, and they suit people who want space and quiet more than a village. The layout works for couples and small families who cook: a full kitchen in each unit with a stovetop, microwave and fridge, a private shower room and parking in front of the door. The setting is the reason to come: you are on the Hekla side of the south, within reach of Þjórsárdalur, Gjáin and Hjálparfoss, and of the Highlands road in summer. The downsides are equally clear. It is a drive back to Hella for dinner, the last part of the route is rural, and a short Ring Road trip will lose time on the detour. Guests rate it 9.2 across 330 reviews in our data.
CoastalGuesthouse Hateigi 2
Beachfront guesthouse in Hella with family rooms and mountain views
Why guests love itGuesthouse Hateigi 2 in Hella has direct beachfront access and a garden. Family rooms look over the garden and the mountains, and each has a kitchen with a refrigerator, a stovetop and a microwave. Private parking is free, and the front desk is open 24 hours with daily housekeeping. Guests rate it 9.2 across 142 reviews. Each room has its own kitchen.
FamilyJóhönnu Hús
Spacious holiday home with a private hot tub and garden in Hella
Why guests love itJóhönnu Hús is a spacious holiday home in Hella, 49 km from Seljalandsfoss, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It has a private garden, a terrace with outdoor seating, a fully equipped kitchen, free WiFi and a hot tub. Pets are welcome. Guests rate it 9.2 across 66 reviews, and the space suits families or a group travelling together. The hot tub is private, not shared.
Waterfall viewÁrbakki Horsecenter cottage
A pet-friendly cottage with mountain views and a full kitchen near Hella
Why guests love itÁrbakki Horsecenter cottage is a ground-floor apartment near Hella with a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom and barbecue facilities, so meals with children are simple. The garden, terrace and balcony face the mountains and give little ones room to play, and the ground floor spares you stairs with a buggy. Pets are accepted. Seljalandsfoss is 42 km away for a day on the south coast. The bedroom count is not stated, so I would check it first.
FamilyLandhotel
A quiet country hotel with a garden, bar, and restaurant near Hella
Why guests love itLandhotel works as a calm country base rather than a town stay: it lies 27 km from Hella, with a garden, a bar and a restaurant on site. Rooms have a private bathroom and a seating area, breakfast is a daily buffet and the front desk is staffed around the clock, handy after a late drive. Families and couples both suit it. Plan on a car, since nothing else is within walking distance.
Glacier viewFarmer's Guest House
Countryside holiday home with volcano views and farm animals near Hella
Why guests love itI recommend Farmer's Guest House to families who want a countryside holiday home near Hella. The bright, modern house has a full kitchen, a TV and mountain views from every room, plus a garden with views of the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes. Horses and sheep live on the property, which children tend to enjoy. Free WiFi and parking are included. Guests rate it 9.0 across more than 330 reviews.
CoastalGuesthouse Hateigi 3
Beachfront guesthouse in Hella with fully equipped kitchens and sea views
Why guests love itGuesthouse Hateigi 3 in Hella has direct beachfront access and views of the sea and the mountains. Rooms have private entrances, parquet floors and fully equipped kitchens, and family rooms with private bathrooms are available. Free WiFi, private parking and an outdoor play area complete the setup. There is no restaurant or bar on site. Guests rate it 9 across 159 reviews.
CouplesGlacial Glass Cabin
Elegant country house with river views, a hot tub, and a full kitchen
Why guests love itGlacial Glass Cabin is a country house near Hella with a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a spacious terrace facing the river, plus a hot tub for the evening. For a family, the kitchen and terrace make meals and fresh air easy, and private parking helps with south coast day trips, with Þjófafoss waterfall 25 km away. The description does not state the number of bedrooms, so I would confirm the layout before booking with children.
FamilyBeindalsholt
Family rooms with kitchens, a garden, and scenic views near Hella
Why guests love itFamilies get real self-catering space here: the family rooms come with a private entrance, a kitchen and a dining area, so meals do not depend on a restaurant. A garden and a terrace give children room outside, and WiFi is free. Hella sits on the South Coast route, with Seljalandsfoss 48 km away and Thjofafoss 41 km, so day trips stay short. I would pick it for a family that wants to cook and keep a flexible rhythm.
FamilyTindasel - The Farm
Family rooms with mountain views, spa facilities, and a heated pool
Why guests love itI would choose Tindasel - The Farm for a family that wants a spa after a day of driving. The family rooms have private bathrooms and face the garden or the mountains, and the spa facilities include a sauna, a hot tub and a heated pool. A modern restaurant serves dinner and a buffet breakfast. Seljalandsfoss is 36 km away. Guests rate it 8.8 across 130 reviews, and I would pick it for quiet evenings rather than for a lively town.
FamilyTraditional Cabins with Hekla volcano view
Traditional cabins with a garden and a view of Hekla volcano
Why guests love itThese traditional cabins near Hella face Hekla, one of Iceland's best-known volcanoes, which gives children something to look at from the garden and terrace. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and a dining area, so family meals are easy, and streaming services help on a wet evening. Free private parking is on site, and Þjófafoss waterfall is 14 km away for a short outing. The listing does not give bed numbers, so I would confirm the layout first.
What to expect
- A well-placed base for the south coast and the Highlands.
- Right on Route 1, which makes getting around easy.
- Views of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes.
- Varied stays, often with equipped kitchens.
- Dark rural skies suited to northern lights viewing in winter.
Local tips
- Book early, especially in high season, as there are fewer options than in Reykjavík.
- Cook your own meals: many stays have kitchens, useful given the small number of restaurants.
- Check road conditions before setting off, especially in winter, when they change fast.
- Pack for all weather, even in summer, conditions are unpredictable.
- Look for stays with outdoor hot tubs, which many properties around Hella offer.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Which areas are best for staying in Hella?
Most accommodation in Hella is on the edge of town or in the surrounding countryside, with open views over volcanic landscapes. There are no distinct districts as in a city, so choose based on distance to Route 1 and features such as a kitchen or a hot tub.
What types of accommodation are there in Hella?
Hella mainly offers guesthouses, independent cottages and holiday homes. Many have kitchens or kitchenettes for self-catering, and some properties also have outdoor hot tubs for an evening soak under the stars, which suits travellers spending several nights in South Iceland.
When is the best time to visit Hella?
It depends on your plans. Summer, from June to August, brings long days and open roads, including those into the Highlands. Winter, from October to March, is the season for northern lights, but roads can be harder and daylight is short. Spring and autumn are quieter.
Where should you stay in Hella to see the northern lights?
To improve your chances, choose a stay outside the town, away from light pollution. Many cottages and guesthouses in the surrounding countryside have open views of the night sky, and an outdoor hot tub makes watching the aurora far more comfortable on a cold night.