Where to Stay in Husavik: Kaldbak-Kot Cottages

Many people visiting the central-north region of Iceland choose to stay in Akureryi, assuming that the country’s second largest city will offer more to see and do than the tiny village  (population: 2500) of Husavik. And if you want nightlife and multiple restaurants to choose from, it’s probably wise to follow suite. But if you want to settle into village life in Iceland and enjoy some of the peaceful natural surroundings of Iceland, consider staying in Husavik, about an hour’s drive east of Akureryi, instead.

There are only a handful of options to choose from in Husavik; the Husavik Guesthouse is located right in the village and offers comfortable, clean rooms with shared bathrooms, free breakfast, and wireless internet. Rates start at 65 euros for a single and 95 for a double. The Fosshotel Husavik is a better option for those seeking a more traditional hotel, but it is more expensive. Rates range form 80 euros for a single room in low season to 210 euros for a double room with a view in high season. It’s located within walking distance from the harbor and offers 70 rooms, a restaurant, and an onsite pub.

However, the place that gets my vote for best accommodation in Husavik is Kadbaks-Kot, a group of self-catering cottages located just outside town.  There are 18 cottages in all, but they are scattered amongst landscaping and trees that help conceal them and make the property appear much more intimate than it is. From the front of my cabin, all I could see was a small pond, and beyond that, the green cliffs that dropped off into the bay, with the mountains standing tall across the fjord.

Each cottage has a bathroom with shower, a TV, wireless internet access, and a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, toaster, coffee maker, and all the cooking utensils, pots and pans, plates and glasses you’ll need. Each cottage also has a private deck with chairs and BBQ grill, and there are two jacuzzi tubs for guest use. The small cottage with one bedroom is plenty spacious for a couple; cottages with sleeping attics or two, three, four, or even five bedrooms are perfect for families. There is also one very small house, ideal for single travelers on a budget, which offers no kitchen or bathroom (shared facilities are a few steps away).

Rates range from 95-135 euros for the one bedroom cottages, depending on the season, and 168-280 euros for the five-bedroom villa. The single cabin with no facilities costs 42-69 euros. The cottages are open year round, breakfast is available for a small fee, and there is an additional charge for linen rentals, unless you bring your own.

The cabins are not luxurious by any means, but they are clean and comfortable. It’s a short walk (about 15 minutes) into the town of Husavik, and there’s lots to do nearby. Stock up on supplies at the large Bonus grocery store in Akureyri, or the smaller market in Husavik, cook yourself a feast, and take in the view of the sunset over the fjords from your private deck.

The cottages are a two-minute drive from Husavik, or you can easily walk there in under 15 minutes.

If you get as lucky as I did, you may step outside after nightfall, hoping to check out the stars, and instead be greeted with the sight of the brilliant green Northern Lights dancing above your head.