Laugar City
Small village in Northeast Iceland, near hot springs
A northern Iceland farming village with nearby hot springs, Laugar offers river fishing, small thermal pools, and upland trails. Travelers arrive for quiet guesthouses and simple lamb stews after long daylight hikes.
Laugar at a Glance#
Costs: $120-200 per day (Iceland prices) - iceland is expensive; expect higher prices for food and lodging.
Safety: Very safe; natural hazards more relevant - very safe from crime; watch weather and winter road conditions.
Best Time: June-August (best for daylight and access) - midnight sun for hiking; summer roads open and mild.
Why Visit Laugar?#
Named for its geothermal springs, Laugar draws visitors who want Icelandic hot pools, volcanic scenery and easy access to hiking routes. Travelers come to soak in mineral-rich baths, sample hearty Icelandic lamb and skyr, and watch steam rise over mossy lava fields. The village’s small-scale character makes it ideal for people looking to combine outdoor exploration with low-key local hospitality.
Best Things to Do in Laugar#
Laugar Bucket List#
Laugar thermal pools - Local geothermal pools popular with residents for soaking and relaxing year-round.
Laugar village centre - Compact village with cafés, guesthouses, and services serving the surrounding rural area.
Nearby hiking trails - Marked rural paths offering mountain views, birdwatching, and access to lava landscapes.
Local sheep farms - Family farms offering seasonal lamb products and insight into Icelandic pastoral life.
Small folk museums - Regional museums with exhibits on local history, fishing, and rural traditions nearby.
Scenic road lookouts - Roadside pullouts providing unobstructed views over valleys and distant volcanic formations.
Mývatn - Geothermal area with pseudocraters, lava fields, and rich birdlife near northeastern Iceland.
Dettifoss waterfall - Powerful waterfall on the Jökulsá river, accessible via marked routes and viewing platforms.
Best Time to Visit Laugar#
Visit Laugar in June-August for long daylight, mild weather and the best hiking conditions. Winters are cold and snowy with short days - great for northern lights hunters or winter-sports fans.
June - August
8 - 15 °C (46 - 59 °F)
Mild, endlessly bright days - best for hiking, hot springs and driving the highlands; midges rare, so outdoors are truly enjoyable.
December - February
-8 - 2 °C (18 - 36 °F)
Dark, cold and dramatic - aurora potential, frozen landscapes and winter activities, but limited daylight, tricky roads and frequent storms require flexibility.
April - May & September - October
0 - 10 °C (32 - 50 °F)
Changeable and dazzling - waterfalls and valleys wake up in spring; autumn offers colours and fewer visitors, but weather shifts quickly.
Laugar's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 13°C. Moderate rainfall (637 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Laugar#
Laugar in the Mývatn area is best reached via Akureyri (AEY) for short transfers or Keflavík (KEF) with a longer coach or domestic flight. There’s no rail network - buses and car are the practical options.
Akureyri Airport (AEY): Akureyri is the nearest commercial airport for Laugar (the Mývatn-area Laugar). Domestic flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) to Akureyri operate frequently; on arrival a bus or drive to the Mývatn/Laugar area takes about 1-1.5 hours. Bus transfers cost roughly ISK 2,000-4,000 depending on operator and season.
Keflavík International Airport (KEF): Most international travellers arrive at Keflavík. From KEF take the Flybus or airport coach to Reykjavík (45-60 minutes, ISK ~3,500-4,000) then either a domestic flight to Akureyri or a direct coach (e.g., from Reykjavík to Mývatn/Laugar, seasonal services operate; journey by road is about 5-6 hours). Coach prices Reykjavík-Mývatn vary but are generally a few thousand ISK.
Train: Iceland has no passenger rail network.
Bus: Intercity coaches connect Reykjavík, Akureyri and the Mývatn area; operators such as Strætó and private coach services run seasonal routes. From Akureyri or Reykjavík, buses to Laugar/Mývatn take 1-6 hours depending on origin - expect fares in the range of ISK a few thousand (check operators for exact current prices). Local buses around Mývatn are limited; many travellers use rented cars or taxis for local mobility.
How to Get Around Laugar#
For Laugar the practical travel pattern is KEF→Reykjavík→Akureyri/Laugar by coach or domestic flight, or drive the Ring Road. Renting a car is the most convenient for local exploration; buses are OK for point-to-point travel.
- Car hire (ISK 8,000-20,000/day) - Renting a car is the most flexible and common way to explore the Mývatn/Laugar area. Road conditions are generally good on the Ring Road and main connectors; four-season tyres and careful winter driving are essential in snowy months.
- Intercity coach (ISK 2,000-8,000) - Scheduled coach services link Reykjavík and Akureyri with Mývatn/Laugar (frequency varies by season). Coaches are economical for longer transfers but can be long journeys; book seasonal services in advance.
- Domestic flight (to Akureyri) (ISK 6,000-12,000 (one way)) - Domestic flights from Reykjavík to Akureyri are quick (about 45 minutes) and useful if you want to shorten the road journey. From Akureyri it’s a further 1-1.5-hour drive to Laugar.
- Local taxi (ISK 1,500-6,000) - Taxis are useful for short hops and transfers from bus stops to guesthouses. They can be costly for long distances across rural Iceland; agree a price in advance for inter-town trips.
- Bicycle (ISK 1,500-4,000/day) - In summer, cycling around the Mývatn area is possible on quiet roads and tracks - suitable for experienced cyclists given distances and weather exposure. Expect basic bike hire in regional centres.
- Walking - Laugar and the immediate Mývatn trails are excellent for walking and short hikes; many natural attractions are within walking or short driving distance. For longer hikes bring proper gear and check weather forecasts.
Where to Stay in Laugar#
Laugar / Mývatn area - ISK 6,000-18,000/night
Laugar is small; most budget stays are in the Mývatn/Reykjahlíð area. Expect guesthouses and cottages close to geothermal features.
Vogafjós Guesthouse (Mývatn area) - Farmstay-style rooms near the lake.
Dimmuborgir Cottages & Guesthouse - Basic cottages close to nature sites.
Laugar / Mývatn - ISK 12,000-28,000/night
Mid-range accommodation clusters around Mývatn: comfortable hotels with on-site dining and easy access to geothermal attractions and hiking trails.
Fosshótel Mývatn - Comfortable hotel with restaurant and views.
Hotel Vogar (nearby) - Good mid-range base for exploring the region.
Laugar / Mývatn - ISK 20,000-45,000/night
There are no large luxury resorts here; the best options are high-end guesthouses and well-appointed hotels around Mývatn with excellent views.
Fosshótel Mývatn - Top local property with good facilities.
Selected boutique lodges (Mývatn area) - Higher-end rural lodges and private cottages.
Shopping in Laugar#
Shopping in Laugar is very basic - small shops cover essentials and local produce. For more extensive shopping, including outdoor gear and a wider supermarket selection, you’ll need to travel to a larger regional town such as Akureyri.
Local craft or specialty shopping is limited, so plan purchases ahead if you need specific items.
Nightlife in Laugar#
Nightlife in Laugar is low-key and focused on guesthouse dining or local cafés rather than bars or clubs. If you’re after music or late-night venues, larger towns nearby offer more options but require a drive.
