If you know anything anecdotal about Iceland, it’s that the island boasts expansive ocean and mountain views, waterfalls, volcanoes, and craters of eruptions long past. At the best Iceland Airbnbs, nature is the number one amenity, but city escapes offer plenty of perks too.
In Reykjavik, there are enough options to make your head spin: midcentury beauties with plenty of room for the whole family, Scandi-style apartments, and harbor-view condos. Whether you’re circumventing the entire Ring Road (highly recommend!), taking on the southern coast (great for a long weekend), or making a voyage to the Westfjords (the ultimate summer road trip), the Airbnbs dotting Iceland’s outer limits all put the landscape first. Floor-to-ceiling windows are far from uncommon, hot tubs are usually a given, and room-darkening shades are ready to give you a pause from summer’s midnight sun.
Choosing the right place to lay your head is just as important—both aesthetically and logistically—as picking your itinerary. Ahead, we pulled together nine Icelandic Airbnbs surrounded by natural wonders to put on your dream travel wishlist.
Perks: Hot tub, full kitchen, ski-in/ski-out, BBQ, crib upon request
At this wood-paneled villa—a quick drive from the self-proclaimed whale capital of Europe, Húsavík, and within reach of the Myvatn area known for its lava rock fields, bubbling mud pits, hot springs, and craters—the proximity is reason enough to book a stay. The roomy one-bedroom has a dedicated workspace, cushy wraparound seating in the living area, and a direct line between the hot tub and the house so you can beeline out back for a pre-bedtime soak. Skip heading into town for dinner and put a meal together from the comfort of home and its well-stocked, midcentury-style kitchen. From $716 per night.
Perks: Bathtub, private outdoor space, free parking, piano, dishwasher
It’s not often that you find mid-century in the middle of Reykjavik—the interiors tend to lean more stark and Scandinavian around town—but this four-bedroom home close to downtown is a design lovers’ gem for a reason. Guests can spot the omnipresent Mt Esja from the kitchen balcony (one of three outdoor spaces). There’s plenty of seating in the living area for game nights, movies, and story swapping, but the backyard dining space is a strong competitor on warm(er) summer nights. From $496 per night.
Perks: Heated floors, hot tub, nearby hiking trails, volcano views
Three walls of floor-to-ceiling glass ensure that you’ll be surrounded by beauty on your stay in this secluded studio: It’s as close as you can get to the wilderness outside your door without catching a breeze. Because of the tight space for two here, we’d suggest it as an intimate hideaway for a couple of lovebirds on a honeymoon or otherwise. The space is layered with cozy details, from the textured chairs in the dining nook to the mood lighting in the bedroom. Even the shower looks out onto a pristine landscape of rolling hills and mountains to heighten the relaxation of a long soak, with heated floors to meet you when you step out of the steam. When you need to reacquaint yourself with civilization, the town of Hella is just a 30-minute drive away. From $643 per night.
Perks: Patio, dishwasher, nearby hiking trails, crib
Known as Iceland’s Capital of the North, Akureyri is the second largest city in the country. Restaurants, hot springs, bars, museums, cafes, and one of the world’s northernmost botanical gardens (not to mention a wealth of nature excursions in the surrounding area) are all within reach, but this two-bedroom villa wrapped in driftwood paneling and surrounded by glass windows is a welcome retreat from the bustle of the city. The interiors are a perfect example of the inviting moodiness the country excels at cultivating—complete with ambient lighting and throw blankets on every lounge chair. The stark landscape outside your windows, meanwhile, is an ideal backdrop for taking in the midnight sun or the aurora borealis in winter. From $389 per night.
Perks: Smart TV with streaming, in-unit washer and dryer, sauna, sound system, indoor fireplace
This angular three-bedroom set in the birch woodlands of Borgarnes is an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, closer to the fishing villages of the Snaefellnes Peninsula (such as Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, and Lóndrangar, which should all be on your itinerary) and the Borgarfjordur region that’s known for puffin sightings in the summer months. Take your morning coffee on the patio alongside sips of fresh mountain air, or retreat indoors for more creature comforts with a minimalist twist. There, luxe linens top the beds and the Finnish sauna awaits after a long day of hiking. Or you could always default to a day of full relaxation on the couch in front of the smart TV, just you and a full queue on Netflix or YouTube. From $568 per night.
Perks: Freestanding bathtub, pool, hot tub, smart TV with streaming, indoor fireplace
Spend your time taking in the sights of the Golden Circle—Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and Silfra Fissure—then plop yourself in the middle of it all. This one-bedroom A-frame faces the glacial expanses of the Úlfljótsvatn Lake, whose waters are best appreciated before the blaze of fireplace or from the heated pool just outside your doorstep. The remoteness of your location is also ideal for marveling at the Northern Lights when they pass your way, with no city lights obscuring your view. From $877 per night.
Perks: EV charger, lake access, outdoor shower, sauna, bath tub, in-unit washer and dryer
If you’re traveling with a multigenerational crew who all have different ideas of what “vacation” signifies, this three-bedroom modern farmhouse clad in concrete and Siberian larch has a little something for everyone. Adventurers and photographers can enjoy proximity to not one, but two serene lakes, while an expansive book collection, outdoor shower, and sauna will help homebodies and health nuts find their bliss. Being backed right up against Snaefellnes’s sights ensures that a day-long excursion is always within reach, and rest assured that you can come back to a peaceful landing pad at sundown, with soothing, minimally furnished places to lay your heads. From $1,183 per night.
Perks: Hot tub, patio, BBQ, free parking, dishwasher
Westfjords’s hippest area, Flateyri, is a hub for creatives. This brooding, Victorian-style villa with room for four guests certainly has enough character to welcome any incoming artists with its bohemian interiors—a hodgepodge of painted wood and brick—that feel like something out of a mystery novel, complete with antlers, ornate chandeliers, and moody furnishings. The open-plan space is brightened by windows that offer direct portals to the impossibly beautiful landscapes that are synonymous with Iceland, along with glimpses of the private garden and terrace equipped with a hot tub and gas grill. Just beyond your new lodgings near the harbor, you can take a quick jaunt to all the buzzy restaurants, bars, and cafés the town has to offer. From $677 per night.
Perks: Elevator, private outdoor space, Wi-Fi, dishwasher, Nespresso machine
Downtown Reykjavik is the obvious destination for first-time visitors, but there’s something beautiful about waking up to the sounds of boat horns and harbor workers conversing over coffee instead. This one-bedroom is a 10-minute walk from the buzz of downtown without feeling out of touch—there are plenty of restaurants, bars, plus the iconic hot dog stand all within quick reach. Inside, the terrazzo bathroom is especially charming, and a bed is cleverly tucked behind a curtain for privacy. From $257 per night.
