Drinking tap water in Iceland is not just safe – it’s one of the purest, freshest waters you’ll ever taste. For many visitors, the idea of filling a bottle straight from the tap (or even a stream) can feel unusual, but in Iceland it’s part of everyday life. Knowing how and where to drink tap water can also help you save money, reduce plastic waste, and travel more sustainably while exploring the west of Iceland with Ourhotels.is.
Tap water in Iceland comes from natural springs and glacial sources, filtered through layers of volcanic rock. This natural filtration means the cold tap water is exceptionally clean and mineral-rich, without the need for heavy chemical treatment. When you stay at any Ourhotels.is property – whether it’s Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, The Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn – you can confidently drink straight from the tap in your room, the lobby, or the restaurant.
Many guests are surprised when locals insist they skip bottled water entirely. In fact, buying bottled water in Iceland is often considered unnecessary. A reusable bottle is all you need. At Hvítá Inn, just inland from Borgarnes in the beautiful Borgarfjörður region, you can fill your bottle before heading out to explore waterfalls, hot springs, and lava fields. The water here is crisp and cold, perfect for hikes and road trips around West Iceland.
In some places, you might notice a faint sulfur smell from the hot water. This is completely normal and comes from geothermal heating, not from the cold drinking water. The key is simple: always drink from the cold tap. If you’re staying at The Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, turn on the cold tap, let it run for a few seconds, and then fill your glass or bottle. You’ll get pure, glacier-fed water without any aftertaste or odor.
The same applies in the Westfjords, where Ísafjörður Inn makes a perfect base for exploring dramatic fjords and remote villages. The tap water in Ísafjörður is exceptionally fresh, and you’ll often find that it tastes better than most bottled water you’ve tried elsewhere. Staff at Ourhotels.is properties are always happy to reassure you about water quality and show you where to refill before you head out for a day of sightseeing.
Here are a few simple tips for drinking tap water in Iceland during your stay:
– Always use the cold tap for drinking and refilling bottles.
– Let the water run for a few seconds if it hasn’t been used in a while.
– Bring a reusable bottle to cut down on plastic waste and save money.
– Don’t worry if the hot water smells like sulfur – that’s just geothermal energy at work, not your drinking water.
By choosing tap water, you’re not only enjoying some of the cleanest water in the world, you’re also traveling more sustainably. Ourhotels.is encourages guests to refill rather than buy plastic bottles, whether you’re waking up at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, watching the harbor at The Stykkishólmur Inn, or relaxing after a day in the Westfjords at Ísafjörður Inn.
Wherever you go in Iceland, you can trust the tap. And when you stay with Ourhotels.is in the west of Iceland, you’ll always have easy access to fresh, safe drinking water – straight from nature, straight from the tap.
