These expertly curated cabin rentals set among the island nation's legendary remote landscape prove Iceland’s natural beauty can't be topped
Iceland is a destination as alluring as they come. The natural beauty is spectacular. The architecture is inspiring. And the locals? Well, their hospitality is known to be warm even on the coldest days, leaving not much more to be desired from the Land of Fire and Ice.
Which explains why we here at FM HQ have a slight obsession with the place. From #vanlifing to surfing, camping to glamping, experimental landscape photography to disconnecting under the Northern Lights, nearly any adventure you can imagine is possible in Iceland. (It doesn’t hurt it’s almost impossible to take a bad photo here, either.)
Iceland is where you come to experience nature in its purest form. Where national parks are at your doorstep, fjords are your friends, the Ring Road is your guide, and waterfalls and hot springs become the background music to your grand adventure. It’s also where vacation rentals and Airbnb cabins seamlessly blend into the landscape as if they were meant to be there all along. Even the glamping in Iceland is as epic as it gets.
Whether this frozen island is calling to you for a big adventure or a slow, quiet escape, we’ve hand-picked our 14 favorite Iceland Airbnbs and cabins for just that. And so much more.
A sleek summerhouse with a view of the sea? It’s no wonder we've fallen in love with this idyllic prefab cabin. A 30 minute drive from Reykjavík and Blue Lagoon hot springs, with two bedrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows providing uninterrupted views of the sea just walking distance away, the cottage at Manta North is just as much an experience as it is a destination. With touches such as heated flooring, tapered (dripless) candlesticks, and black-out curtains, it's the sprawling deck that will call your name at night to take in the dark skies above. No matter how many days you book here, it won’t be enough.
Two hours by car from Reykjavik, four dream-worthy glass, wood, and steel-constructed cabins await. Under the careful eye of the Dedlers, a young family based in Selfoss, these stunning glass cabins blend into the landscape in such a way you soon wouldn’t be able to imagine this part of the country without. Whether you soak in your outdoor private hot tub, cook up a meal in the kitchenette, or spend the evening in bed under the stars, the remote location in the Icelandic countryside only adds to the peace and serenity you’re sure to find here.
For starters, this dreamy, minimalist lofted retreat has a jaw-droppingly low nightly rate of around $100/night on Airbnb. (We know, we couldn’t believe it either.) Located in the exclusive residential area of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, the city center is a mere 10-minute drive away, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafés, art galleries, summer music festivals, nightlife, and more.
Built in 1884, this darling Garden Cottage has been given an update by the owners of Reykjavík Trading Co., a local design studio. With an eclectic mix of handmade furniture from California, Scandinavia, and Mexico, as well as a greenhouse, communal garden, and chickens roaming the grounds just behind the house. This is also where you’ll find The Shed, the design studio’s workshop—stop in for a coffee and to see what the designers are working on.
This rustic A-frame is located on Fossar Farm, where your super host David and his wife Sunneva, along with their four children, 400 sheep, two dogs, and a cat, live not far away (if needed). This craftsman home with heated floors, a bubbling brook called Jónskvísl filtered by lava rocks from the nearby lava field, and the ability to sleep five, is the perfect hideaway for exploring the southern part of the country. Complete with magnificent views of Vatnajökull, the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland, and Öræfajökull, an ice-covered volcano, this rental is straight out of a fairy tale.
Overlooking the lava coastline, this eco-friendly barn house is as comfortable as it is earth-conscious. Take a dip in the geothermal outdoor wood-fired hot tub, put your bare feet against the geothermal floor heating, and enjoy the electricity generated by a hydroelectric power station. With thoughtful touches such as robes for every guest to make the trek to the hot tub bearable and a Nespresso machine and French press for every type of coffee lover, the place is high on the hygge charts. Guests will also find a guidebook with recommendations for everything from food to local attractions courtesy of the host, Kristinn.
Only 35 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavík, this comfy cabin is a remote spot made for enjoying the beauty of the aurora borealis and the Golden Circle route (an hour away) at an affordable price. Spend your days exploring the walking trails, setting off on a hike through the mountains, or taking in the garden where free-roaming Icelandic horses love to visit. The open bohemian living room leads into a fully equipped kitchen with a small refrigerator, oven, stove, toaster, electric kettle, and pots and pans for cooking so you can settle in and feel right at home.
Right on the edge of Snæfellsnesjökull National Park, this cozy cottage really lives up to the name. While the furnishings are basic, the location on Snæfellsnes Peninsula more than makes up for it. With the harbor and sea cliffs nearby, don’t forget your binoculars for panoramic mountain views, bird watching, and whale watching from nearby Olafsvik.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, an outdoor jacuzzi, panoramic sauna, a 55" HDTV with Apple TV and Netflix, and 115 square meters of space, this luxury villa is worth the splurge. And, with three golf courses in the area, easy access to the Golden Circle and Gullfoss waterfalls, as well as the Geysir, Kerið geothermal area, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park and Laugarvatn Lake, knowing you have one no-expenses-spared home to return to after a long day of exploring makes it worth every penny.
As part of a gated and private 1200-acre estate where Games of Thrones was shot and where Vikings settled more than 1,000 years ago, this luxury farmhouse is so much more than a fancy home. With a natural hot spring, trout fishing, and multiple historical landmarks on site, the estate's exclusive access is part of what makes a stay at this Airbnb so unique. Wild sheep roam the grounds and 30 different types of birds live in the area, so the natural beauty here is just as cool as the history.
With an amazing view of Katla Volcano, a wood-heated hot tub filled with fresh glacial water, a sauna, and unhindered access to the South coast and Hrifunes Nature Park, this three-bedroom cabin is the perfect spot for taking in the pristine natural beauty of Iceland. Drive to Vatnajökull, Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, and the Westman Islands to fill your days and spend your nights soaking under the Northern Lights at this southern escape.
Venture off the beaten path and settle into 600 acres of mountaintop beauty tucked into the wilds of west Iceland. Hiking trails are just steps away from this beautiful cottage and were formed over hundreds of years thanks to the sheep who migrate through this area. A 4WD vehicle is necessary for reaching the cabin in the winter (November to April), which certainly adds to the adventure and charm of staying here.
While we’ve never met a tiny house we didn’t like, this one takes the Icelandic cake. Built in the middle of a 300-year-old lava field and with stunning views overlooking the lake, this tiny homestead is perfect for families or couples. Rent a bike from the property owner and make use of the maps they provide, highlighting all the best hiking and biking routes in the area—you can even pedal the 37-kilometer loop around the nearby lake, all on wild roads.
With close highway access for those nervous about a road trip amongst the remote Icelandic landscape, and with the Golden Circle and Þingvellir nearby, this luxury getaway makes exploring this part of the country comfortable and easy. The hosts even offer help in arranging day tours on quads/ATVs or on horseback—which shouldn’t be passed up on.
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