Jokuksarlon is one of the icons of South Iceland: a lagoon filled with icebergs floating to the sea.
It is worth seeing it at sunrise, sunsets and under the norther, lights.
Therefore, you may be asking where to stay near Jokulsarlon?
On this page, I am sharing with you all my accommodation tips:
- Map and areas to stay
- Best hotels near Jokulsarlon
- Alternative options
- …
Best Jokulsarlon hotels – quick answers
If you don’t want to read the entire article, here are my short answers.
This selection is completely independent, based on my experiences and research. I visited the region anonymously, making my own choices, and paying all my bills in full.
Can you stay at Jokulsarlon?
No. There is no accommodations right at Jokulsarlon.
No Hotel, no hostel, no B&B, no campsite.
There is just a carpark and food places during the day.
Best hotels near Jokulsarlon
There are 3 hotels within 30min drive of Jokulsarlon:
- Hali Country hotel – the closest, 15min drive away
– see photos and availability - Hotel Smyrlabjorg – 30min away on the East – dated, but clean and practical, I enjoyed my stay
– see photos and availability - Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – 30min away on the West
– see photos and availability
All 3 are opened Summer and Winter.
Other accommodations near Jokulsarlon
But close to Jokulsarlon, you can also find guesthouses and farmstays.
They are all located East of Jokulsarlon. Consider:
- Ekra Glacier Lagoon – guesthouse with several rooms and nice decorations
– see photos and availability - Skyrhusid hostels – rooms with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Guesthouse Kálfafellsstadur – rooms in a house with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Vagnsstadir Guesthouse – quiet and without light pollution
– see photos and availability - Lækjarhus Farm Holidays – with a range of different accommodations (including for larger groups)
– see photos and availability
Closest town near Jokulsarlon
The closest “large” town near Jokulsarlon is Höfn.
If you want to stay in a place with several restaurant option and the feel of a town, this is your best choice.
I have stayed at Höfn Berjaya Iceland Hotel. Right by the harbor it was clean and practical – see photos and availability
Otherwise, check out the best rated accommodations in Höfn
And for an article more general about where to stay on the Iceland South Coast, check out this one.
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Where to stay near Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach – map + tips
Map of best areas to stay to visit the lagoon or beach with icebergs
There are 5 main options to stay not too far from Jokulsarlon:
- The country side East of Jokulsalron (less than 30min away)
- The countryside West of Jokulsalron (less than 30min away)
- The town of Höfn, 1h away – The closest town near Jokulsarlon
- The Edrhaun lava field area, 1h40 away – Surrounded by lava, with expansive views, close to Skaftafell
- The town of Vik – 2h30 drive away – It is far away, but it is the main hub to explore south Iceland
I telling you more about each in the rest of the article.
Is it worth staying near Jokulsarlon?
I think it is worth visiting Jokulsarlon lagoon and Diamond beach several times with different conditions of light, tide, clouds…
Therefore it is better ot stay as close as possible to limit driving times.
And if staying in Winter, you can have a chance to see the northern lights above it!
If staying in the area, you can enjoy:
- Visiting the Jokuksarlon lagoon under different conditions – learn more
- Admiring the icebergs on the black sand (blue, white and black) at Diamond Beach – learn more
- Visit the neighboor Fjallsarlon, another stunning lagoon with glacier (just west of Jokulsarlon) – learn more
- Take a boat tour or kayak on the lagoon to get closer to the glacier: Book your seat on an amphibian vehicle or choose the classic Zodiac boat
- In Winter, visit an ice caves departing from Jokulsarlon – the best ice caves to visit require a strong 4WD vehicle departing from the lagoon. This is a great experience you should not miss! – see options
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Option 1 – Countryside East, less than 30min away
To the East of Jokulsarlon, towards the town of Höfn is where you can find the most accommodation options close to Jokulsarlon.
You can find hotels, guesthouses and farmstays.
The closest are 10 to 15 min away from Jokulsarlon.
Hotel Smyrlabjorg
I am sorry, I forgot to take pictures of accommodations during my stay…
This hotel is 30 min away from the lagoon.
It is a really practical option with family room accommodating up to 4 adults.
Plus there is a restaurant on side, open in the evening with a large choice of food
The design is very countryside and a bit dated. But it is clean, spacious and smooth-running.
I enjoyed my stay here.
– see photos and availability – and book!
Other best rated accommodations options are
- Hali Country hotel – the closest, 15min drive away
– see photos and availability - Ekra Glacier Lagoon – guesthouse with several rooms and nice decorations
– see photos and availability - Skyrhusid hostels – rooms with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Guesthouse Kálfafellsstadur – rooms in a house with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Vagnsstadir Guesthouse – quiet and without light pollution
– see photos and availability - Lækjarhus Farm Holidays – with a range of different accommodations (including for larger groups)
– see photos and availability
Option 2 – Countryside West, less than 30min away
West of Jokulsarlon, the glacier leaves less space along the road for buildings.
You can consider:
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
It you enjoy beautiful design, this is the best option around Jokulsarlon.
It also has a spa, a restaurant and a bar with smaller food items.
It is quite central between Skaftafell and Jokulsaron
– see photos and availability
Litla-Hof Gueshouse
with stand-alone cottages and rooms with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Option 3 – Town of Höfn, 1h away
If you are looking for more restaurant options and a more lively ambiance, you should consider the town of Höfn.
It is 1h away East of Jokulsarlon.
It is a great location to stop before heading to the East fjords.
In town, you can enjoy the harbor and its fishing boats.
And head to see the sculptures by the sea.
You can find different types of accommodations in town and around.
Hotels in Höfn
- Höfn Berjaya Iceland Hotel
I have stayed at Berjaya Iceland Hotels (before called Edda Höfn) and spent a great night.
The hotel is right by the harbor. It is clean and practical.
– see more photos and availability - Hotel Jökull
Outside of town, with modern and warm design
– see more photos and availability
Other accommodations in Höfn
But you can also find guesthouses, apartments and hostels such as
- Guesthouse Dyngja, also right by the harbour
It has studio, apartment and rooms with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Old Airline Guesthouse
Rooms with shared bathrooms
– see photos and availability - Höfn Hostel
– see photos and availability - Apartment to rent by the sea with simple yet practical design
– see photos and availability
–> Otherwise, check out the best rated accommodations in Höfn
Option 4 – Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Eldhraun area (1h40 away)
Between Jokulsarlon and Vik (but closer to Vik) is a large lava area.
The field is the result of one of the greatest eruptions in recorded history: the eruption named Skaftareldar lasted several months over 1783 and 1784.
It is one of the largest filed with a size of 564km2
As it is almost 250 years old, vegetation has come back. Moss is covering the lava and trees have grown in the middle.
Its name means “Fire lava”
The area also has lava tubes and caves.
When people mention “the lava field in Iceland”, they normally mean this one.
Around it you can find small settlements such as Kirkjubæjarklaustur with accommodations. They are mostly guesthouses and farmstays.
You can consider:
- Hotel Klaustur
a modern hotel with large windows to enjoy nature!
Bar and restaurant on site.
– see photos and availability - Magma Hotel
Rooms with Nordic design in peaceful surroundings, with small oustide areas.
– see photos and availability - Dalshöfdi Guesthouse
Along a river, you can stay in apartments or rooms with shared bathroom.
– see photos and availability - Lækjaborgir Guesthouse
Bungalows and studios that are very charming, to feel almost alone in nature
– see photos and availability
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
Option 5 – Town of Vik, 2h30 away
Hotel Vik i Myrdal
Vik is way further away, but it is the main hub along the South Coast.
This is a very central locations to explore all the area.
If you are not going on a road trip and want to stay several nights in one place, this can be a great option.
You can find a large choice of accommodations with hotels, guesthouses, hostels, apartments…
Hotels in Vik
- Hotel Katla
I had the chance to stay in this hotel in Summer and in Winter. And they have added some stunning rooms.
Good restaurant on site.
Not all rooms have the modern design you can see below. Make sure to check the pictures relating to the room you are booking.
See more photos and availabilities - Hotel Vik i Myrdal
I also had the chance to stay there during a Summer trip.
This is a stunning hotel with modern design.
It has a restaurant and you can walk to town.
– See photos and availabilities - Hotel Kria
Modern design with large windows to enjoy nature
Restaurant on site
– See photos and availabilities
Other accommodations in Vik
And you can also consider:
- Guesthouse Galleri Vík
Mostly rooms with shared bathrooms, in the heart of town.
– See photos and availabilities - Guesthouse Carina
In a beautiful house with great views
– See photos and availabilities - Guesthouse Reynir
Outside town, more isolated. Great stay in Nature.
– See photos and availabilities
–> Otherwise check out the best rated accommodations in Vik
FAQs
Camping near Jokulsarlon
Wild camping near Jokulsarlon is not allowed. Don’t look at forums that date back! It used to be allowed but not anymore.
There is no campsite by the lagoon.
The closest campings near Jokulsarlon are:
- Svinafell Campground (45min)
- Skaftafell Camping to the west (50min)
- Camping Höfn to the east (1h)
How much time do you need in Jokulsarlon
If you just want to see the icebergs floating on the lagoon towards the sea, and have a look at Diamond beach, you can plan 2h.
But you could really stay the day:
- Watching the shapes and colors of the icebergs
- Taking a boat tour
- Taking an ice cave tour in Winter
- Listing for the cracks in the glacier
- Walking on the black sand beach to discover all the crazy icebergs
- Seeing it under the sun, in the fog, at sunrise, at sunset, under the stars
- …
Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?
- All my favorite things to do in North Iceland – read article
- Tips to plan your Iceland road trip – read article
- Tips to rent a car in Iceland – read article
- Tips to drive around Iceland – read article
- Itinerary suggestions – read article
- 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures – read article
- The best stops on the Ring Road – read article
- The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
- 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article
- Top 5 places to see around Myvatn – read article
- 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland – read article
- The 10 best lava caves in Iceland – read article
- The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – read article
- The Golden Circle – read article
- The Snaefellsnes peninsula – read article
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