Where should I base myself to see the Diamond Circle?

Lake Mývatn (Reykjahlíð) is the natural base. From here Goðafoss is about 50 minutes west, Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi roughly an hour to an hour and a half north-east, and Krafla and the Mývatn Nature Baths are on the lake's own doorstep. There are only three or four real hotels in the whole Mývatn area, so book early — this guide lists every one our partner carries.

How many hotels are actually in the Mývatn and East Iceland area?

Genuinely few. Our partner lists six bookable hotels across the entire volcanic north-east and East Iceland: four clustered around Lake Mývatn, one in the fjord town of Egilsstaðir (at Hallormsstaður forest), and one in Höfn, the glacier-lagoon gateway in the south-east. This is one of the most remote and least-developed hotel regions in Europe — the small count is the reality of the place, not a gap in our list.

What is the Mývatn Nature Baths and is it better than the Blue Lagoon?

The Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin) are the north's answer to the Blue Lagoon — a milky-blue geothermal lagoon fed by the Krafla borehole, with sweeping views over the lake and the lava fields. It is smaller, cheaper and far quieter than the Blue Lagoon, and for many visitors that makes it the better experience. Staying at a Mývatn hotel puts you minutes away, so you can go late when the tour buses have left.

When can I see the northern lights around Mývatn?

From roughly late September to early April, on clear dark nights. Mývatn's remoteness and near-zero light pollution make it one of Iceland's best aurora regions — you can often watch from your hotel car park. Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast (vedur.is), give it a few hours after dark, and be patient. December and January give the longest nights but the roughest driving.

Is Mývatn worth visiting in summer if there are no northern lights?

Absolutely — summer is when the Diamond Circle is easiest to drive and the midnight sun keeps the waterfalls lit past midnight. Mývatn's geothermal fields (Hverir, Krafla, the Grjótagjá cave), the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir and the birdlife on the lake are all at their best from June to August. Only the aurora is off the table; everything else is more accessible.

How do I get to Mývatn from the UK?

Fly into Keflavík (KEF) near Reykjavík — the only practical UK gateway — then drive. Mývatn is about six hours north-east by car, so most people either fly on to Akureyri's small domestic airport (about 50 minutes' drive from the lake) or build Mývatn into a multi-day Ring Road loop. [Search UK flights to Keflavík (KEF)](/flights?to=KEF).

Do I need a 4x4 to visit Mývatn and the Diamond Circle?

Not for the main sights. The Ring Road (Route 1) and the paved Diamond Circle roads to Goðafoss, the Nature Baths, Hverir and the western Dettifoss viewpoint are fine in a standard 2WD in summer. You only need a 4x4 for the F-roads into the highlands (Askja, the interior) and for winter driving, when a proper 4x4 with winter tyres is strongly advised.

What are F-roads and can I drive them to reach these hotels?

F-roads are unpaved mountain tracks into Iceland's highland interior — legally 4x4-only, often with unbridged river crossings, and closed except in high summer (roughly late June to September). You do not need any F-road to reach the hotels in this guide; all six sit on or just off paved main roads. F-roads are only relevant if you add an interior detour like Askja.

How far is Höfn from Mývatn, and why stay there?

Höfn is a long way — around four hours' drive south along the east coast, so it is a different leg of the trip rather than a day trip. You stay in Höfn because it is the gateway to Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon, and Diamond Beach, plus the Vatnajökull glacier tongues. On a full Ring Road loop, Höfn is the natural overnight between East Iceland and the south coast.

What is there to do around Egilsstaðir and East Iceland?

Egilsstaðir is East Iceland's hub, sitting by Lagarfljót lake near Hallormsstaður — Iceland's largest forest. From here you reach the Eastfjords' fishing villages (Seyðisfjörður with its rainbow street, Borgarfjörður eystri for puffins), Hengifoss waterfall, and quiet fjord drives that most Golden Circle day-trippers never see. It is the calm, green counterpoint to Mývatn's raw volcanics.

How many days do I need for Mývatn and East Iceland?

Two nights at Mývatn covers the Diamond Circle and the Nature Baths comfortably. Add one night at Egilsstaðir for the Eastfjords and one at Höfn for the glacier lagoon, and you have a four-night north-east-and-east leg. Most people fold this into a 7–10 day full Ring Road loop rather than treating it as a standalone trip.

When are hotels around Mývatn cheapest?

Shoulder season — roughly May and September — and the deep winter months outside Christmas. July and August peak demand pushes the handful of Mývatn hotels to their highest rates, and because inventory is tiny they sell out weeks ahead. If you want a summer stay at the lake, book as early as you can and check live prices on each hotel's page for your exact dates.

Is Mývatn good for couples or for families?

Both, in different ways. Couples get the geothermal baths, the midnight sun and aurora nights, and genuinely dramatic scenery with almost no crowds. Families get safe, easy waterfall walks, the Grjótagjá cave, birdlife on the lake and the novelty of steaming ground at Hverir — just factor in the long drives between sights and pack layers for changeable weather.

What should I pack for the weather around Mývatn?

Layers, always. Even in summer the north-east can swing from sun to sideways rain in an hour, and the geothermal areas are windy. Bring a waterproof shell, warm mid-layers, sturdy walking shoes, and swimwear for the Nature Baths. In winter add thermals, a proper insulated coat, gloves, and grippy footwear for icy paths — and never underestimate an Icelandic wind chill.

What is the etiquette at Icelandic geothermal pools and baths?

Shower thoroughly without swimwear before entering the water — this is a strict, non-negotiable rule at every Icelandic pool and lagoon, including the Mývatn Nature Baths. Rinse off soap, keep noise down, and follow the posted signs. It keeps the lightly-chlorinated (or unchlorinated) natural water clean for everyone. Take it seriously; locals do.

What currency does Iceland use and will my UK cards work?

The Icelandic króna (ISK). Iceland is almost entirely cashless — UK debit and credit cards, including contactless and mobile wallets, work everywhere from hotels to remote petrol pumps. You rarely need cash at all. Note that unmanned fuel stations sometimes require a card with a PIN, so make sure you know yours before a long drive north.

Is Iceland expensive, and how bad is it in the remote north-east?

Iceland is one of Europe's priciest countries, and the remote north-east is no cheaper — limited competition keeps hotel and restaurant prices firm. Save money by booking accommodation early, self-catering some meals, filling up on fuel and groceries in Akureyri or Egilsstaðir before the empty stretches, and prioritising the free natural sights (waterfalls, geothermal fields) over paid attractions.

Can I drive the whole Ring Road through Mývatn, and how long does it take?

Yes — Route 1 passes right through Mývatn, and the full loop is about 1,330 km. Rushed, it can be done in five to six days, but seven to ten is far more comfortable and lets you actually stop. The north-east section around Mývatn and the Eastfjords is one of the loop's scenic highlights, so don't sprint through it to reach the south coast.

Do hotels around Mývatn include breakfast, and where do I eat?

Most of the Mývatn hotels offer breakfast as an included rate or a paid add-on — check the board type on each hotel's live page before you book. Dining options in the area are limited, so hotel restaurants matter more here than in a city; the Fosshotel and Berjaya properties have their own restaurants. Stock up on supplies in Akureyri or Egilsstaðir, because there are no big supermarkets at the lake itself.

Should I visit Dettifoss from the east or west side?

The western viewpoint (Route 862) is paved and accessible in a 2WD, giving the classic head-on view of Europe's most powerful waterfall. The eastern side (Route 864) is gravel, rougher and better for closer, more rugged angles — but it can be tough in a small car. For most visitors staying at Mývatn, the paved west side is the easier, safer choice, especially outside high summer.

Back to Blog

Hotels

Best Hotels in Mývatn, the Diamond Circle & East Iceland 2026: Every Bookable Stay from the Geothermal North to the Glacier Lagoon

7 July 2026•16 min read•By JetMeAway Scout

The volcanic north-east and the fjords of East Iceland are where the Ring Road earns its reputation. Base yourself at Lake Mývatn — a geothermal wonderland of steaming ground, lava fields and a milky-blue nature lagoon — and the entire Diamond Circle opens up: thundering Dettifoss, the horseshoe canyon of Ásbyrgi, and the "waterfall of the gods" at Goðafoss. Push on and you reach the green calm of Egilsstaðir and the Eastfjords, then Höfn, the gateway to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This is the emptiest, most spectacular corner of Iceland — and it has only a handful of hotels.

That is the honest headline of this guide: across Mývatn, Egilsstaðir and Höfn combined, our partner lists just 6 bookable hotels. There are no luxury resorts and no big-brand towers out here — the region is too remote for that. What there is instead is a small, well-run set of 3-star hotels that put you within minutes of the geothermal baths, the waterfalls and the aurora. We've listed every single one below, with live prices and honest notes on who each suits.

If you're planning a full Ring Road loop, this leg pairs naturally with the buzzier north around Akureyri and the south-coast sights near South Iceland. Every hotel name links straight to its live page — real-time rates, all taxes shown, a date picker for your trip. No markups, no booking fees.

Jump to a hotel: Boutique & Mid-Range Hotels · FAQs

Compare live Mývatn hotel prices · UK flights to Keflavík (KEF)

At a glance — every bookable hotel in the region, before the full reviews:

Hotel	Area	Best For	From / night
Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels	Mývatn	Lakeside base, most reviewed	~£311
Hótel Laxá	Mývatn	Modern rooms, quiet setting	~£347
Fosshotel Mývatn	Mývatn	Design-led, near the baths	~£332
Fosshotel Myvatn	Mývatn	Alternate Fosshotel listing	~£357
Hotel Hallormsstadur	Egilsstaðir	Eastfjords & forest	~£316
Hotel Höfn	Höfn	Glacier-lagoon gateway	~£513

Boutique & Mid-Range Hotels in Mývatn & East Iceland

There is no separate luxury or budget tier out here — the region's entire hotel supply sits in one honest mid-range band of comfortable 3-star properties. Four cluster around Lake Mývatn for the Diamond Circle, one anchors Egilsstaðir and the Eastfjords, and one sits in Höfn for the glacier lagoon. These are numbered continuously below.

Around Lake Mývatn

The lake and its village, Reykjahlíð, are the strategic base for the whole north-east — minutes from the Mývatn Nature Baths, the Hverir mud pots, Krafla and the Grjótagjá cave, and within easy reach of Goðafoss, Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi.

Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels — Mývatn, Iceland

1. Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels — Mývatn · 3★ · 2,633 reviews · from ~£311/night. The most-reviewed hotel on the lake and, for most visitors, the default Mývatn base — a large, reliable property in Reykjahlíð with its own restaurant, right where you want to be for the geothermal baths and the Diamond Circle. With more than 2,600 reviews behind it, it's the safe, proven choice for a first stay in the region. For: first-timers who want the best-known, most-booked address on the lake.

Hótel Laxá — Mývatn, Iceland

2. Hótel Laxá — Mývatn · 3★ · 2,178 reviews · from ~£347/night. A modern, low-slung hotel set slightly apart from the village on the lake's south side, prized for its clean contemporary rooms and big panoramic windows onto the lava landscape — a genuine asset on an aurora night. The quieter, more design-conscious alternative to the busier Reykjahlíð hotels, with a restaurant of its own for the nights when driving out isn't an option. For: couples and photographers who want calm, modern rooms and a view.

Fosshotel Mývatn — Mývatn, Iceland

3. Fosshotel Mývatn — Mývatn · 3★ · 1,685 reviews · from ~£332/night. Part of Iceland's respected Fosshotel chain, this is the most design-led stay on the lake — a striking modern build using local stone and timber, positioned for quick access to the Nature Baths and Hverir. It pairs the polish of a national brand with a genuinely dramatic setting, and its restaurant is one of the better dinner options in an area short of them. For: travellers who want contemporary style and dependable chain standards at the lake.

Fosshotel Myvatn — Mývatn, Iceland

4. Fosshotel Myvatn — Mývatn · 3★ · 179 reviews · from ~£357/night. A second listing for the Fosshotel at Mývatn, carried separately by our partner with its own live rate and availability — worth checking alongside entry 3, as the two can differ on price and open dates for the same excellent lakeside property. If the main Fosshotel listing is sold out for your nights, this alternate listing sometimes has the room you need. For: anyone comparing every rate to lock in a Fosshotel stay on their exact dates.

East Iceland — Egilsstaðir & the Eastfjords

Push east from Mývatn and the landscape softens into fjords, forest and Iceland's largest lake, Lagarfljót. Egilsstaðir is the regional hub and the springboard to Seyðisfjörður, Hengifoss and the puffin cliffs of Borgarfjörður eystri.

Hotel Hallormsstadur — Egilsstaðir, Iceland

5. Hotel Hallormsstadur — Egilsstaðir · 3★ · 111 reviews · from ~£316/night. Set at Hallormsstaður, on the shore of Lagarfljót lake inside Iceland's largest forest just south of Egilsstaðir, this is the calm, green counterpoint to Mývatn's raw volcanics — a peaceful East Iceland base for the Eastfjords, Hengifoss and the quiet fjord drives most visitors miss. It's a modest, honest country hotel in a genuinely lovely setting, ideal for breaking the long Ring Road stretch between the north-east and the south. For: Ring Road travellers wanting an overnight in the tranquil, wooded heart of East Iceland.

Höfn — Gateway to the Glacier Lagoon

Four hours south of Egilsstaðir along the east coast, Höfn is the fishing-town base for Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and the Vatnajökull glacier tongues — the natural overnight between East Iceland and the south coast.

Hotel Höfn — Höfn, Iceland

6. Hotel Höfn — Höfn · 3★ · 2,505 reviews · from ~£513/night. A well-established, heavily-reviewed town-centre hotel in Höfn — the langoustine capital of Iceland — and the obvious base for a day at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach an hour to the west. With over 2,500 reviews it's the region's proven glacier-gateway stay, complete with its own restaurant for the celebrated local langoustine after a day on the ice. It's the priciest hotel in this guide, reflecting Höfn's role as a must-book stop on the south-east loop, so lock in your dates early. For: Ring Road travellers overnighting to reach the glacier lagoon and Vatnajökull.

Explore more of Iceland

Planning a full loop of the island? This north-east-and-east leg slots between the two busiest hubs on the Ring Road. To the west, Akureyri is the "capital of the north" and the closest big base to Mývatn, while the country's main gateway and nightlife are covered in our Reykjavík hotels guide.

Continuing south and west from Höfn, our South Iceland guide covers the black-sand beaches, Vík and the Golden Circle overspill, and the West Iceland guide rounds out the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the road back to Keflavík. Stitch all five together and you've got the whole Ring Road, hotel by hotel.

Best Hotels in Mývatn, the Diamond Circle & East Iceland 2026: Every Bookable Stay from the Geothermal North to the Glacier Lagoon

Boutique & Mid-Range Hotels in Mývatn & East Iceland

Around Lake Mývatn

East Iceland — Egilsstaðir & the Eastfjords

Höfn — Gateway to the Glacier Lagoon

Explore more of Iceland

Mývatn & East Iceland Hotels FAQs

Read next

Best Hotels in West Iceland, Snæfellsnes & the Westfjords 2026: Kirkjufell, Dynjandi & the Wild West

Best Hotels in Tokyo for Every Budget — 49 Real Picks From £38 (2026)

Best Hotels in South Iceland & the Golden Circle 2026: Every Real Stay from Selfoss to Vík

Plan Your 2026 Trip Now