Landing in Iceland after a long flight can feel magical—until jet lag kicks in. The time difference, long summer days or dark winter mornings, and the excitement of exploring can all throw off your sleep. With a few smart strategies, though, you can adjust quickly and make the most of every moment in the West of Iceland.
Here are practical tips for beating jet lag in Iceland, with ideas on how to use Ourhotels.is locations—Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn—as comfortable bases while your body clock resets.
Jet Lag Basics in Iceland
Iceland is on GMT year-round and doesn’t use daylight savings time. Depending on where you’re coming from, that can mean a big shift. Add in midnight sun in summer or long nights in winter, and your internal clock may need a little help.
The key is to start adjusting as soon as you arrive: get daylight at the right times, stay hydrated, and ease into local time instead of fighting it.
1. Use Daylight to Your Advantage
Natural light is one of the strongest tools for resetting your body clock.
– If you arrive in the morning:
Try to stay awake and get outside. A walk along the coastline in Stykkishólmur or a gentle stroll by the river near Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður can help signal to your body that it’s daytime.
– If you arrive in the evening:
Keep lights low, avoid bright screens, and head to bed at a reasonable local time. At Ísafjörður Inn, you can wind down with a quiet evening in your room after a short walk through the town, then let the calm of the fjord help you relax.
In summer, when it barely gets dark, blackout curtains in your room at Ourhotels.is properties can be a lifesaver. Close them fully to create a night-like environment even when the sun is still up.
2. Hydrate and Eat Lightly
Flights are dehydrating, and dehydration makes jet lag feel worse.
– Drink plenty of water on the plane and during your first day in Iceland.
– Avoid too much alcohol and caffeine, especially late in the day.
– Eat lighter meals at first—soups, fish, and simple local dishes are easier on your system than heavy, late-night dinners.
When staying at Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn, use your first evening to have a calm, moderate meal and then relax rather than rushing into a packed schedule.
3. Plan a “Soft Landing” Night
Instead of driving long distances right after landing, consider a gentle first day and night.
– Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (near Borgarnes) is ideal if you’re arriving in Keflavík or Reykjavík and heading west. It’s close enough to reach without a long drive, but far enough from the city to feel peaceful. You can check in, stretch your legs by the river, and let your body start adjusting in a quiet rural setting.
– The next day, once you’ve had a proper night’s sleep, you’ll be better prepared for exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or continuing north.
4. Keep Your First Day Simple
Overloading your first day with activities can make jet lag worse.
Instead, try:
– A relaxed walk around Stykkishólmur if you’re staying at Stykkishólmur Inn—explore the harbor, enjoy the sea air, and keep moving without overexerting yourself.
– A short scenic drive and a few photo stops rather than a full-day hike.
– An early evening back at your hotel to unwind, shower, and sleep at a normal local time.
Ourhotels.is locations are well-placed for this kind of gentle start: you’re close to nature and small-town charm without the stress of big-city noise or long commutes.
5. Sync Your Sleep Gradually
If you’ve crossed many time zones, you might not adjust in a single night. Aim to shift your schedule by 1–2 hours per day.
– Go to bed and wake up at local times, even if you don’t sleep perfectly the first night.
– Avoid long daytime naps. If you must nap, keep it under 30 minutes and before mid-afternoon.
– Use a warm shower or bath in the evening to help your body relax before bed.
At Ísafjörður Inn, for example, you can combine a calm evening walk by the fjord with a warm shower and a quiet night in your room—simple routines that help your body understand it’s time to rest.
6. Move Your Body, But Don’t Overdo It
Light movement helps circulation and fights fatigue.
– After checking in at Hvítá Inn, walk along the river or nearby countryside instead of collapsing on the bed.
– In Stykkishólmur, a gentle walk up to the lighthouse or around the harbor offers fresh air and soft exercise.
– In Ísafjörður, stroll through town or along the waterfront, taking in the mountains and sea without pushing yourself too hard.
Avoid intense workouts on your first day; they can leave you more exhausted and make it harder to sleep.
7. Manage Light in Summer and Darkness in Winter
Iceland’s extreme seasons can either help or hinder your jet lag, depending on how you use them.
– In summer (midnight sun):
– Use blackout curtains in your room at Ourhotels.is properties to create darkness at night.
– Wear a sleep mask if you’re sensitive to light.
– Still get outside in the morning and midday to anchor your body clock.
– In winter (short days):
– Get as much daylight as you can during the few bright hours—walks around Stykkishólmur or Ísafjörður are perfect for this.
– Keep indoor lighting warm and cozy in the evening, but not overly bright right before bed.
– Consider a gentle, warm drink and a book in your room to wind down.
8. Use Your Hotel as a Recovery Base
Where you stay can make a big difference in how quickly you recover from jet lag. Ourhotels.is locations in West Iceland are designed to be comfortable, calm bases while you adjust:
– Hvítá Inn (Borgarfjörður, near Borgarnes):
Ideal first or last night stop when driving to or from Reykjavík. The quiet riverside setting helps you decompress after travel and ease into Icelandic time.
– Stykkishólmur Inn:
A charming harbor town stay on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s easy to balance gentle exploration with rest here—perfect when you’re still a bit jet-lagged but eager to see the coastline and islands.
– Ísafjörður Inn:
Nestled in the dramatic Westfjords, this inn offers a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by mountains and sea. It’s a great place to slow down, sleep deeply, and wake up refreshed before exploring the region.
By choosing these smaller, well-located inns through Ourhotels.is, you avoid the stress of long late-night drives or noisy city centers while your body is still adjusting.
9. Give Yourself a Buffer Day
If possible, don’t plan your most ambitious activities—like long hikes, boat tours, or long driving days—for your first 24 hours. Instead:
– Spend your first night at Hvítá Inn, then explore Borgarfjörður and nearby sights at a relaxed pace.
– Move on to Stykkishólmur Inn once you’re feeling more rested, using it as a base for day trips around Snæfellsnes.
– Continue to Ísafjörður Inn when you’re fully adjusted and ready for the dramatic landscapes of the Westfjords.
This gentle progression westward lets your body adapt while you still enjoy new places each day.
10. Listen to Your Body
Finally, pay attention to how you feel. If you’re extremely tired, it’s better to rest at your hotel than to push through and risk feeling unwell for several days.
Ourhotels.is properties are set up so you can comfortably spend a quiet evening in: read, plan the next day, or simply enjoy the view from your window. Sometimes the best way to beat jet lag is to allow yourself one slow, restorative night.
By combining smart sleep habits, light exposure, hydration, and a calm place to stay—like Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn—you can minimize jet lag and start enjoying West Iceland from your very first day.
