Honest notes from people who live here.
Driving, weather, food, and what's actually open. Written by the team that runs the four hotels — and re-checked when conditions change.
Headlight habits in Iceland: when to use lights and why visibility changes fast
Navigating Iceland’s ever-changing light and weather means keeping your headlights on isn’t just courteous—it’s essential. From foggy mornings by Hraunfossar to low-sun…
Grábrók Crater: A 30-Minute Volcano Hike Off Iceland’s Ring Road
Grábrók is a 3,600-year-old crater with a staircase to its rim, right beside the Ring Road 20 minutes from Hvítá Trucks (book…
Understanding Icelandic Road Conditions and Warning Signs
Discover Iceland’s wild beauty at your own pace with a self-drive adventure that takes you from roaring waterfalls to windswept fjords. This…
Cloud-ceiling planning for scenic drives: choosing fjord routes when highland views are socked in
When the highland passes disappear into low clouds, Iceland’s fjord-hugging roads come alive. By sticking closer to the coast, you’ll trade hidden…
Valagil Ravine: A Lava-Walled Waterfall Hike in Álftafjörður
Valagil is a quiet lava-walled ravine and waterfall at the head of Álftafjörður, about 30 minutes south of Ísafjörður. An easy, mostly…
When ferries make sense instead of driving
Skip the long fjord detours and let Iceland’s dramatic coast unfold from the deck of a ferry. From Brjánslækur to Stykkishólmur or…
Best Travel Tips for Visiting the Westfjords
Discover the Westfjords’ Hidden Wonders with Ourhotels.is as your home base. Whether you arrive under the midnight sun in summer or chase…
Kaldidalur (Road 550): The Highland Gravel Drive Without an F-Road Permit
Kaldidalur Road 550 is Iceland's most approachable highland gravel drive, linking Húsafell toward Þingvellir past Langjökull and the Ok volcano. It's not…
Traveling with seniors in Iceland
Discover Iceland’s stunning Westfjords and West Iceland at a relaxed pace—ideal for travelers 60 and over. Plan a 7–10-day escape during the…
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge: The Hidden Ravine Near Arnarstapi
Rauðfeldsgjá is a narrow, wadeable gorge near Arnarstapi tied to the Bárður saga. Read what to expect before you go, then base…
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling in the Westfjords
Discover the Westfjords—an untamed corner of Iceland where jagged fjords plunge into the sea, puffins nest on towering cliffs, and hidden hot…
Þverárrétt Sheep Round-Up: Joining Iceland’s Réttir in Borgarfjörður
Every mid-September, thousands of sheep pour down off the West Iceland highlands into Þverárrétt, a stone sorting pen built in the 1850s.…
Litlibær: A Turf-House Café for Waffles on the Ísafjarðardjúp Drive
Litlibær, a restored 1895 turf farmhouse in Skötufjörður, serves coffee and homemade waffles each summer — a genuinely local stop on Route…
Driving in fog in Iceland
Discover the dreamlike allure of Westfjords and West Iceland as mist-draped mountains and coastal roads beckon you into an otherworldly adventure. Our…
Driving the Westfjords Way from Ísafjörður: The Vestfjarðaleiðin Loop
Plan the Westfjords Way (Vestfjarðaleiðin), Iceland's 950km touring loop, from Ísafjörður. Route notes, timing, and gravel-road tips — stay at the Ísafjörður…
Why sunsets feel personal
Few experiences feel as intimately yours as an Icelandic sunset. Picture yourself on the terrace of Hvítá Inn, watching golden light dance…
The Ultimate Guide to Icelandic Road Trips
Discover the wild beauty of West Iceland on your own terms with Ourhotels.is. Wind your way from the iconic Golden Circle and…
The ‘one-lane bridge’ practice loop near Westfjords: how to get comfortable early in your trip
Master One-Lane Bridges with Confidence on a gentle 10 km loop just outside Ísafjörður. You’ll cross three charming one-lane bridges—each offering unique…
Flateyri: The Old Bookstore and the Avalanche Barrier Above Town
Flateyri pairs Iceland's oldest original bookshop, dating to 1914, with the avalanche barriers built after the 1995 disaster. A short drive from…
Northern Lights over Ísafjörður: Aurora Hunting from a Westfjords Town
Plan an aurora night from Ísafjörður: best season, how fjord walls shape the view, and short drives toward Tungudalur for darker skies.…
What Icelandic drivers expect from tourists
Plan your perfect Iceland road trip with local know-how and cozy stays. Respect speed limits on gravel roads and narrow bridges, keep…
Is winter driving in Iceland safe?
With Ourhotels.is as your basecamp, winter driving in Iceland turns into a safe—and unforgettable—adventure. From November’s dancing northern lights to March’s clear,…
Sturlaugsá & the Bjarnarhöfn Area Hot Water: Where to Soak Near Stykkishólmur
Where can I soak near Stykkishólmur? A practical guide to the town pool, the tiny natural pot at Landbrotalaug, and the saga-linked…
Eiríksstaðir Viking Longhouse: Leif Eiríksson’s Birthplace in Dalir
The Eiríksstaðir Viking longhouse in Dalir is a full turf-and-timber reconstruction of Erik the Red's farm, where Leif Eiríksson was likely born.…