Explore North Iceland

Reykjadalur, the valley you wake up in

The valley of the Reykjadalsá river, where the hotel stands in the village of Laugar: a place of its own, and a peaceful summer base for discovering North Iceland.

By road: You are here
Drive: On foot
Time needed: An evening, or a slow morning
Best: Every day of the season

Hótel Laugar from across the river: white buildings with red roofs under the green hillside — The hotel from across the Reykjadalsá

Reykjadalur is the green valley of the Reykjadalsá river, between Mývatn and the coast at Húsavík. The ring road passes through it at Laugar. For most of the year, village life centres on the school, with a few farms and a pool fed by the hot ground the place is named for. In summer, Hótel Laugar opens too.

Goðafoss is a quarter of an hour west along the ring road, and Mývatn half an hour east, making the valley a central base for the Diamond Circle. After a day on the road, there is time for a drink on the terrace to the sound of the river, the pool before dinner, or the pond at midnight, still light.

In late August, the nights begin to darken again. On a clear night, with a little luck and enough aurora activity, you may catch the first northern lights of the season.

You do not need a car to explore the valley itself. Both the pool and the river path are within walking distance of reception.

The village, on foot

The poolSundlaugin Laugum, a minute on foot: a big outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a children’s pool, a cold tub, a sauna and an outdoor shower. Open 10:00 to 21:00 in summer, paid at the pool; the gym upstairs is paid separately. Complimentary towels at the hotel reception.
The riverThe Reykjadalsá is two minutes on foot from the hotel. Follow the river path from the village. Flat, quiet, and loud with birds in June.
GolfA golf course at Laugar, paid separately. Ask at reception.

Around us, by car

Horse ridingNearby, paid separately. Ask at reception.
Day tours from the villageKip runs private day tours across North Iceland from Laugar, including Askja once the highland roads open. Snow Dogs Iceland at Vallholt, about 13 km away, takes you out with the huskies.

The village pool and hot tubs at Laugar from the air, the hotel behind — The village pool, a minute on foot

Table and chairs on the deck at the edge of the pond — The seats by the pond

The Reykjadalsá river winding through the valley under a red evening sky — Evening over Reykjadalur

The village on foot

You are here · On foot

Measured on OpenStreetMap roads, October 2026

Reception is the red square. The pool, Kip, the river path and the shop are minutes on foot.

Pairs with

Questions

Where is Reykjadalur?

In North Iceland, between Akureyri, Húsavík and Mývatn. The ring road passes through the valley at the village of Laugar, where the hotel is, about 15 km from Goðafoss and 30 km from Lake Mývatn.

What can I do at Laugar without a car?

Swim at the village pool a minute from the hotel, walk the river path along the Reykjadalsá, and come back for happy hour on the terrace from 16:00 and dinner from 18:00.

Is there a shop or petrol station in Laugar?

Yes. The N1 station and Dalakofinn are about ten minutes on foot from reception, in the village.

Two to four nights in Laugar

The whole circle from the same room. Book direct for our best available rate.

Book direct

You finish on the hotel’s own booking page.