Hotels in Iceland thin out fast once you leave Reykjavik, which is why self-catering rentals have become the go-to for most visitors. Condé Nast Traveller UK has rounded up 16 of the country's best Airbnbs, chosen by an editor who has visited Iceland 15 times and vetted each listing on Superhost status, guest reviews, amenities, decor and — crucially for a country this spread out — driving distance from airports and natural sights.
The picks cover every kind of traveller. Couples get The Lakeview Retreat in Selfoss, a handy base about an hour from the capital and close to the Golden Circle route. Families are pointed towards a luxury lodge at Laxfoss, while bigger groups can take the Oak House Villa in Mosfellsbær, just outside Reykjavik. Design lovers get the Svartaborg Villa up in Húsavík in the country's far north — whale-watching territory — and anyone prioritising the view can book the Deluxe Villa in Hvolsvöllur, well placed for the waterfalls and black-sand coast of the south.
One theme runs through the whole list: the Northern Lights. Because Iceland sits under the auroral oval, a strong night of activity means you can potentially watch the lights from any of these properties, whether it's a downtown apartment or a secluded cabin deep in the lava fields. That's a real advantage over city hotels, where light pollution can spoil the show.
The bigger takeaway is how you structure an Iceland trip. The south coast between Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur and Vík packs in waterfalls, glaciers and hot springs; the north around Húsavík and Mývatn offers geothermal bathing and midnight-sun summers. Renting a car is near-essential outside Reykjavik, and booking stays that come with private saunas or hot tubs turns the wait for the aurora into part of the holiday rather than a chilly stakeout. Choosing rentals over hotels also buys you space and kitchens in a country where eating out adds up quickly.
For anyone planning a first trip — or a return visit with a different route — the list is a shortcut to stays that pair well with the country's main driving loops, from a weekend in the capital to a full ring-road circuit. Source: Condé Nast Traveller UK.
