Traveling Iceland’s Ring Road is a bucket-list experience. It’s the nickname for the country’s main highway which follows its coastal areas and alongside popular attractions like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Lake Myvatn. With plenty of Airbnbs along the way, booking them for your journey is a no-brainer with most including kitchens allowing you to save on pricey dining out. These options are listed for a clockwise trip, starting near Keflavik Airport by the Blue Lagoon, traveling to Reykjavik, Akuryeri, Lake Myvatn and the South Coast before returning through the famous Golden Circle route.
Lovely Cabin Near the Blue Lagoon
Just a short drive from Keflavik Airport and the legendary Blue Lagoon, by booking this cabin you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights right from the porch. Located in a beautiful nature reserve, it sleeps up to four guests in two bedrooms and three beds, with the water flowing in straight from the natural springs. It includes a kitchen, TV with lots of DVDs and Wi-Fi should the weather prevent you from heading outdoors.
Cozy Room in Hvammstangi
A perfect stop just north of the Ring Road, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik, this brightly colored home offers a cozy room by the sea for two, where you can gaze out at the water and watch for wildlife right outside your window. You’ll be close to the amenities in town, including a pool, Seal center and grocery store, which are about 10 minutes away on foot. It includes access to the kitchen, living room and bathroom, as well as a balcony and terrace.
Siglufjordur Apartment with a View
This two-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to five guests offers a spectacular view over the fjord and the village of Siglufjordur, the northernmost town on Iceland’s mainland. A small fishing town, it’s so picturesque it was frequently used as a filming site for the TV series “Trapped.” It includes a veranda for enjoying the fresh air with a view, and a charcoal BBQ for grilling, Wi-Fi, TV and a full kitchen.
Studio By the Sea, Svalbardsstrond
Studio-W is located less than a 10-minute drive from Akureyri, the Capital of the North. It sleeps up to three in one double bed and a sofabed and includes a small kitchen with basic essentials for putting together simple meals and a terrace for relaxing with a view. You’ll also have free, Wi-Fi, access to a washer/dryer and a shared hot tub for soaking under the stars.
Þúfa Óli´s Homestay, Lake Mývatn
This secluded two-bedroom home sits in a lava field among the moss, birch and wild vegetation in the Lake Myvatn area known for its desolate craters, bubbling mud pools and geothermal caves. A stay here puts you within a 15-minute drive of the Myvatn nature baths which provides a much less touristy experience than the Blue Lagoon for soaking among breathtaking nature. From the first floor of the home, you’ll enjoy a view of the mountains and the lake with its many islands formed from explosion craters. It includes Wi-Fi, a full kitchen with all the essentials and a washer/dryer.
Barn Studio by the Sea, Seydisfjordur
This studio by the sea offers a beautiful view over the fjord, just an eight-minute walk to the town center of Seydisfjordurof, the “heart of culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland.” The most historically interesting town in the Eastfjords, it’s made up of multicolored wooden houses and surrounded by waterfalls and snowcapped mountains while hosting an international community of artists, musicians and craftspeople. The studio includes a king-size bed and a single lounge bed with a pure Icelandic wool mattress in the living area. Wi-Fi and a kitchen are included too.
Aurora Cabins, Hofn
The Aurora cabins are tiny houses located near Höfn, South-East Iceland’s capital and a popular tourist center for those traveling the Ring Road near Hornafjörður fjord while offering scenic views of Vatnajökull. You’ll be in a secluded spot overlooking the mountains and glacier, away from light pollution, ideal for enjoying the northern lights yet it’s conveniently right off the main road. The cabin accommodates up to four adults in three beds and comes with free Wi-Fi and a kitchen.
Reynir Cottage, Vik
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Iceland near the town of Vik and the South Coast’s famous black sands, this cozy two-bedroom cottage sleeps up to five guests. It includes a terrace for relaxing with a beautiful view of the black sand beach that was named one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches on earth by Islands Magazine, Dyrhólaey peninsula and Mýrdalsjökull. You’ll also have a kitchen for cooking up your own meals, Wi-Fi and a TV, although most of the time you’ll probably want to be out exploring. The area is renowned for its rock formations that rise up out of the sea, like the Trolls of Vik, with legend telling they were formed when trolls attempted to drag three ships ashore.
Magical Stay Near Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Hvolsvöllur
This two-bedroom cottage offers stunning nature views near one of the most beautiful waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss which plunges nearly 200 feet. What makes it especially unique is that you can even walk behind the cascades – viewing the northern lights behind the veil is a rare but unforgettable experience. The cottage itself has Wi-Fi, a kitchenette with all the essentials, including a stove and microwave, a living room with a flat-screen TV, a master bedroom with a double bed and a loft with another double bed.
Golden Circle Cabin with Sweeping Views and Hot Tub
As you return via the Golden Circle route, this gorgeous log cabin sits high atop a hill providing a sweeping vista over the lake and valley from its spacious deck with a bubbling hot tub. It has two bedrooms plus a sleeping loft, accommodating up to eight, and includes a new kitchen with all the essentials and then some, like a Senseo coffee maker. You’ll also have a washer/dryer and necessities for the little ones like a high chair and portable crib.
Cozy Little Cottage in the Golden Circle
Just 20 minutes from the center of Reykjavik in the Golden Circle near Thingvellir National Park, this one-bedroom cottage sleeps up to six. It sits within a peaceful, picturesque area with access to a hiking trail, while a 30-minute walk leads to beautiful Helgufoss waterfall. Newly built, the cottage is warm and cozy, heated with hot water that comes from the geothermal area in the valley. It includes a kitchen, TV, washing machine and Wi-Fi.
