Escaping constant notifications and endless scrolling is easier when you’re surrounded by glaciers, fjords and quiet fishing villages instead of traffic and to‑do lists. Iceland is one of the best places in the world for a digital detox, and the west of the country offers exactly the kind of calm, spacious landscapes that make it natural to switch off.
If you’re planning a trip to reset your mind and reduce screen time, here are some practical digital detox tips in Iceland – and how staying with Ourhotels.is can help you actually follow through.
Start your detox in Borgarfjörður – slow down by the river Hvítá
Borgarfjörður is a gentle introduction to the Icelandic countryside: green valleys, powerful rivers and historic sites, all within easy reach of Reykjavík. It’s the perfect first stop to put your phone away and breathe.
Base yourself at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, just a short drive from Borgarnes. Surrounded by open fields and mountain views, it naturally nudges you to look out the window instead of at a screen. Use this area to:
– Take “offline walks” along the river: leave your phone in your room and follow the paths by the Hvítá river. Focus on the sound of the water and the changing light instead of trying to capture the perfect photo.
– Visit hot springs and waterfalls without rushing: nearby attractions like Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls are ideal for slow, mindful visits. Give yourself a rule: no social media until the evening, if at all.
– Create a simple morning ritual: at Hvítá Inn, start the day with a quiet breakfast, a notebook and a map instead of your phone. Plan your day on paper – it’s surprisingly calming.
Move to the sea in Stykkishólmur – let the fjord set the pace
Stykkishólmur, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is a charming harbor town with colorful houses and wide views over Breiðafjörður Bay. It’s small, walkable and peaceful – exactly what you want for a digital detox in Iceland.
Staying at The Stykkishólmur Inn with Ourhotels.is puts you right in the heart of this calm coastal atmosphere. To deepen your detox here:
– Replace scrolling with sea views: sit by the harbor or climb up to Súgandisey lighthouse and simply watch the boats and birds. Give yourself 20–30 minutes with no devices – just the sound of the wind and the waves.
– Take a low‑tech boat tour: explore the islands of Breiðafjörður and focus on the experience instead of your camera roll. Take a few photos at the start, then put your phone away and enjoy the silence and birdlife.
– Walk the town at dusk: Stykkishólmur is especially peaceful in the evening. Wander the streets, listen to your footsteps on the old wooden sidewalks and notice the details of the houses and harbor lights.
Go further west to Ísafjörður – where the fjords do the unplugging for you
If you truly want to get away from it all, the Westfjords are ideal. Ísafjörður, the region’s main town, is surrounded by steep mountains and deep fjords that naturally make you feel far from everyday life.
At Ísafjörður Inn, you’re close to the harbor, the mountains and the quiet streets of town. This is where your digital detox in Iceland can go from “trying” to “living it”:
– Embrace limited connectivity: some areas in the Westfjords have weaker mobile signal – use this as a feature, not a bug. Let yourself be unreachable for a few hours while you hike or explore nearby fjords.
– Hike with intention: choose a simple trail above Ísafjörður or take a day trip to nearby villages like Suðureyri or Flateyri. Keep your phone on airplane mode and pay attention to your breath, the crunch of gravel and the smell of the sea.
– Read, write, rest: bring a book or journal and spend an evening at Ísafjörður Inn without TV or social media. Reflect on your trip, write down what you’re grateful for and notice how your mind slows down.
Practical digital detox tips for your Iceland trip
Wherever you stay with Ourhotels.is – Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn or Ísafjörður Inn – these simple strategies make it easier to disconnect:
– Set clear “offline hours”: decide in advance when you’ll be offline each day (for example, from breakfast until dinner). Tell friends or family before you travel so you don’t feel pressured to respond instantly.
– Use airplane mode as your default: keep your phone on airplane mode and only turn data on briefly once or twice a day to check essential messages or maps.
– Bring analog backups: a paper map, printed booking confirmations and a small notebook reduce the need to constantly unlock your phone.
– Turn your camera into a tool, not a distraction: take a few photos, then put your phone away. You’ll remember more from what you actually saw than from what you tried to capture.
– Replace screens with simple rituals: morning walks, evening tea, reading, stargazing or watching the midnight sun (in summer) are all easy, screen‑free pleasures in Iceland.
– Travel light on apps: uninstall or log out of social media before you arrive. Keep only what you truly need for navigation and communication.
Why west Iceland is perfect for a digital detox
The west and Westfjords regions combine accessibility with real remoteness. In one trip you can:
– Ease into the countryside at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður
– Slow down by the sea at The Stykkishólmur Inn
– Completely unwind among dramatic fjords at Ísafjörður Inn
Ourhotels.is connects these places into a natural digital detox route through Iceland. Each inn offers comfortable, straightforward accommodation that keeps the focus on what’s outside your window: rivers, mountains, harbors and wide Icelandic skies.
If you’re looking for a way to reset, reduce stress and come home feeling genuinely refreshed, consider planning your own digital detox journey through west Iceland with Ourhotels.is – and let the landscape do most of the work for you.
