Guidebook Updates for Iceland

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Air Iceland Connect has been absorbed by Icelandair; all routes still operate as before.
• Glacier Guides is now part of Arctic Adventures.

• As the Blue Lagoon has recently closed to visitors for short stretches in response to volcanic activity along the nearby Sundhnúkur fissure, it's a good idea to check its current opening status before booking a visit.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may also apply:

• Given increased volcanic and seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years, drivers may want to ask locally about any road closures/detours before heading toward the peninsula.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Brúarás GeoCenter Café has closed.
• Brugghús Steðji microbrewery has closed.
• Egils Guesthouse has closed.
• Borgarnes Hostel has closed.
• The Kria Guesthouse in Borgarnes has permanently closed. Kria Cottages, about four miles south of Borgarnes, remain open (+354 869 0115, [email protected]).

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• The Old Apothecary in Seyðisfjörður has closed.
• Havarí organic farm has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Skyr Guesthouse in Hveragerði has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Sólvík restaurant in Hofsós is now Retro Mathús (+354 497 4444).
• Lónkot guesthouse near Hofsós has closed.
• Hannes Boy restaurant in Siglufjörður has closed.
• Lónsá guesthouse in Akureyri has closed.
• Cross-country bus #610 (between Akureyri and Reykjavík over the Highland passes) is no longer running. The only way to access the Highlands is through a private tour company.
• Mývatn Activity bike rental/tour company is no longer in business.
• Guesthouse Reykjahlíð in Mývatn has closed.
• Hotel Gígur (in Skútustaðir, on Lake Myvatn) no longer has a restaurant; the space is now the local visitors center.
• Post-Plaza Guesthouse in Húsavík has closed.
• Kaldbaks-Kot (cottages) in Húsavík has a new email address: [email protected].

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Safe Travel desks at What's On tourism offices are no more, but SafeTravel.is still has updated info on driving, road conditions, and weather.
• There are now only two What's On tourism offices on Laugavegur street (at Laugavegur #5 and #54).
• Two bus companies offer service to/from Keflavík Airport: Flybus and Airport Direct.
• The National Gallery of Iceland now charges a single admission (2,200 ISK) for its three branches in town.
• The I Heart Reykjavík tour company is no longer in business.
• The Volcano House has closed.
• The Pearl no longer has any sections that are free to enter.
• The Geysir clothing store on Skólavörðustígur street has closed, as has the Salvation Army (Hertex) store on the corner of Garðastræti and Ránargata.
• Hrím Eldhús and Hrím Hönnunarhús housewares shops on Laugavegur have closed.
• Several recommended restaurants have closed: Kaffi Vínyl, Bergsson Mathús, Messinn Granda Seafood Restaurant, and The Coocoo's Nest.
• Stofan Café is now Café Rosenberg.
• The Icelandair Hótel Marina is now Berjaya Reykjavík Marina Hótel.
• Hótel Hilda has closed.
• Heiða's Home hotel is now an AirBnB.
• The Galaxy Pod Hostel has closed.
• The Viking Village Hótel in Hafnarfjörður is now Hótel Viking.
• Hlíð Hótel in Hafnarfjörður is now Hlíð Fisherman's Village.
• Edda's Farmhouse in Town has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• The Katla Geopark Exhibition Center has closed. Some of its exhibits have moved into the Vík tourist information office (which is now called the "Katla Visitors Center").
• Icelandair no longer operates Hotel Vík. It is now Hotel Vík í Mýrdal, with 78 rooms (+354 487 1480, [email protected]).
• Iceland By Bus, which ran buses from Reykjavík to Þórsmörk, has ceased operations. South Coast Adventure runs Þórsmörk buses from Hvolsvöllur and other points along the South Coast.
• Hótel Selið has closed.
• Álfasteinn Country Home has closed.
• Fosshotel Hekla has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• The Volcano Museum in Stykkishólmur has closed.
• We now recommend booking a visit to the Vatnshellir Cave at least several days in advance.
• Fjöruhúsið café in Hellnar has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• Hotel Edda Höfn is now Berjaya Höfn Hotel (+354 444 4850, [email protected]).
• Guesthouse Dyngja in Höfn has new contact info: +354 896 0702, [email protected].
• Skyrhúsið Guest House, west of Höfn, is now part of Hostelling International and has a new phone number: +354 899 8384.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• The new Dýrafjarðargöng tunnel cuts about an hour off the driving time between Ísafjörður and the Dynjandi waterfall through the Central Peninsulas. This route is now the one we recommend over the slower (albeit more scenic) route via Hrafnseyri and the Hrafnseyrarheiði pass.
• Ísafjörður's tourist information office in has moved to the south end of town (Neðstakaupstað), next to the Westfjords Heritage Museum.
• Gamla Bakaríið restaurant in Ísafjörður has closed.
• Bolungarvík's Natural History Museum has closed.
• Litlabýli Guesthouse in Flateryri has closed.
• Ráðagerði Guesthouse in Patreksfjörður has closed.

For books printed before April 2024, the following may apply:

• There are no longer any flights to the islands from mainland Iceland. The only way to get to the islands is by 40-minute ferry (accessible from Landeyjahöfn, just 10 minutes south of highway 1 on the South Coast).
• At the SEA LIFE Trust Visitor Center, the two beluga whales are no longer in the "care pool," but have been released to a sanctuary in Klettsvik Bay.
• Aska Hotel has closed.
• Guesthouse Hrafnabjörg has closed.
• Hótel Eyjar is now Westman Islands Inn, with new owners and new contact info (+354 868 5228, [email protected]).