Hotels in Seydisfjordur

The ferry from Europe arrives on Thursdays, so it's near impossible to find a room for Wednesday or Thursday nights in summer without booking far in advance. Early June is also difficult, because of the Á seyði festival. Many arriving passengers move on to Egilsstaðir, which has more choices and is only 26km (16 miles) away. At press time, a new guesthouse in Seyðisfjörður was under construction; check with the tourist information office, which can help book accommodations anywhere in the region.

The friendly, offbeat Hafalden Youth Hostel, Ránargata 9 (tel. 472-1410 or 891-7010; fax 472-1610; www.simnet.is/hafaldan; 7 units, none w/bathroom. 5,600kr/$90/£45 double; 2,400kr/$38/£19 sleeping-bag accommodation in 4-person room; 750kr ($12/£6) sheet rental; MC, V; closed Oct 16-Apr 14) has straightforward bunk-bed rooms, Wi-Fi, and access to a guest kitchen, Internet terminal, and washer/dryer. The common room, with large windows overlooking the fjord, is a perfect spot for writing postcards.

In Mjóifjörður, Brekka (tel. 476-0007; mjoi@simnet.is) offers a few bedrooms, with a guest kitchen, plus two cottages with small private kitchens (6,800kr/$109/£54 double; 5,200kr/$83/£42 sleeping-bag accommodation; 8,000kr/$128/£64 cottage). A basic cafe (11am-5pm daily July 1-Aug 15) serves sandwiches and cakes.