Skip to content
✶ Field notes from people who live here — honest, local hotels in Iceland.
Field notes

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.

Showing Driving field notes only. Show all notes →
Region
Topic
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
19 FEB

Why simplicity brings clarity

Discover the quiet magic of West Iceland, where gentle landscapes and secluded villages strip away the noise of everyday life. Stay in…

SNæFELLSNES · DRIVING
6 JUL

Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss: The Iconic Mountain 40 Minutes from Stykkishólmur

Kirkjufell mountain and its Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall are about 40 minutes from the Stykkishólmur Inn. Read honest driving times, the best photo spot,…

Stay nearby: The Stykkishólmur Inn by Ourhotels · from 28,000 ISK
WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
10 MAR

Best Road Trip Stops Near Ísafjörður Iceland

Discover the hidden gems of Iceland’s Westfjords on an unforgettable road trip from Ísafjörður. Marvel at Dynjandi’s cascading tiers, hike the remote…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
10 MAR

The Best Scenic Drives in the Westfjords of Iceland

Explore the Westfjords by car with three unforgettable routes—from Ísafjörður to the jewel-like Dynjandi waterfall, along the remote Strandir coast loop, to…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
6 JUL

Tungudalur: Waterfall, Forest and Ski Slope in Ísafjörður’s Backyard Valley

Tungudalur is the forested valley just outside Ísafjörður with a waterfall, planted woodland and the town's winter ski area. Here is how…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
10 MAR

What to Pack for a Trip to Iceland in Any Season

Experience Iceland’s ever-changing beauty with smart packing and flexible planning. No matter the season—whether you’re chasing summer’s midnight sun or winter’s Northern…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Þingvellir via Uxahryggir: A Summer Back Road from the Hvítá Valley

Reach Þingvellir National Park, Iceland's UNESCO rift-valley parliament site, via the summer-only Uxahryggir mountain road from Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður. Book direct…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
SNæFELLSNES · DRIVING
6 JUL

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…

Stay nearby: The Stykkishólmur Inn by Ourhotels · from 28,000 ISK
WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
5 MAR

The ‘one-lane bridge’ practice loop near Ísafjörður: how to get comfortable early in your trip

Master Iceland’s iconic single-lane bridges just north of Ísafjörður on a relaxed loop road that builds your confidence—away from busier routes and…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 MAR

A realistic ‘plan B’ day in Keflavík Airport when wind shuts down your original itinerary

Stuck at Keflavík Airport? Don’t let fierce winds ground your Icelandic adventure. After a quick coffee and snack, choose between the steamy…

SNæFELLSNES · DRIVING
5 MAR

The ‘one-lane bridge’ practice loop near Snæfellsnes Peninsula: how to get comfortable early in your trip

Warm up for Iceland’s iconic one-lane bridges with a gentle 30–45 minute practice loop just outside Snæfellsnes. With almost no traffic, you’ll…

SNæFELLSNES · DRIVING
4 MAR

The ‘one-lane bridge’ practice loop near Snæfellsnes Peninsula: how to get comfortable early in your trip

Before you dive into Iceland’s wildest drives, build your confidence on a low-stress one-lane bridge loop just off the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Heading…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
6 JUL

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.…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Víðgelmir Lava Cave: Touring Iceland’s Biggest Cave

A Vidgelmir lava cave tour takes you into Iceland's largest lava cave, about 45 minutes up the Hvítá valley from the Hvítá…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
8 FEB

What it’s like driving at midnight sun

Experience the magic of Iceland’s midnight sun on a self-drive adventure: endless golden light, quiet winding roads and dramatic coastal vistas beckon…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
4 MAR

How to handle pool etiquette at a local pool in Vík: showers, rules, and unspoken norms

Discover the soothing magic of Vík’s geothermal swimming pool—just remember to shower before you swim, keep noise to a minimum, and respect…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

The Agricultural Museum at Hvanneyri: Tractors, Turf and Wool

Ten minutes from the Hvítá Inn, the Agricultural Museum of Iceland at Hvanneyri holds the country's largest farm-machinery collection, plus the Ullarselið…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
10 MAR

Best Scenic Drives Near Ísafjörður

Discover Iceland’s dramatic Westfjords at your own pace—base yourself at the cosy Ísafjörður Inn (book via Ourhotels.is) and tackle three unforgettable drives:…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
20 FEB

Why comfort is found in basics

Discover the unadorned charm of Iceland’s Westfjords and West Iceland with Ourhotels.is, where genuine comfort means fresh air, warm linens and a…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

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…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
20 FEB

Why expectations fade quickly

Arrive in West Iceland expecting sunshine and smooth roads—and soon you’ll discover that the real magic lies in the unexpected. Trade rigid…

WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Sturlureykir Horse Farm: Rye Bread Baked in Hot Ground

Sturlureykir horse farm near Reykholt bakes hverabrauð rye bread in geothermal ground and serves it warm while you meet Icelandic horses. About…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

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…

Stay nearby: Hvítá Trucks by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WEST ICELAND · DRIVING
6 JUL

Watching Salmon Leap at Laxfoss on the Norðurá

In July and August, wild Atlantic salmon hurl themselves up Laxfoss on the Norðurá, one of Iceland's top salmon rivers. Watch for…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
Check rates Best rate from 19,000 ISK