Wilderness Center is a picturesque rural retreat in East Iceland. It has a spa, museum, and even a restaurant with wonderful dishes made from local ingredients.
Wilderness Center is far from any urban settlement, situated right on the edge of one of Europe’s largest uninhabited areas—the Highlands. It combines old aesthetics with the surrounding views of mountains to create an ideal location for any adventure. All of this works thanks to the friendly and accommodating staff.
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Your reservation includes complimentary tea, access to the spa located on the property, and made-up beds. You can book a room in one of three buildings.
Old Farmhouse is the oldest of the three, constructed in 1939. A family once lived here. During your stay, you’ll feel like you jumped back in time. The furniture and floors have been preserved throughout the years.
Historically, the museum building combines sleeping, socializing, and working in one package. Of course, it’s more known today for the first two. The dormitory on the first floor allows people to share stories and laughs before going to sleep.
The new hotel building captures the nostalgic charm of the Old Farmhouse. Wooden furniture, vintage decorations like rotary phones, and other details help create this atmosphere of dated beauty. The rooms offer modern comforts, including private bathrooms.
The rooms have either one double bed or two single beds, and all fourteen have private bathrooms. They are located in the new hotel building and offer either mountain or river views. Room facilities: Heating, WiFi, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, el...)
The rooms have either one double bed or two single beds, and all fourteen have private bathrooms. They are located in the new hotel building and offer either mountain or river views.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, electric kettle.
A room with a double or single bed recessed in a closer and a private bathroom. It has the privacy of a private room but the warmth of a shared one. It’s all due to the closet bed that hides away from the rest of the space. These four rooms are in th...)
A room with a double or single bed recessed in a closer and a private bathroom. It has the privacy of a private room but the warmth of a shared one. It’s all due to the closet bed that hides away from the rest of the space. These four rooms are in the new hotel building. Through the window, you can enjoy views of the mountains or river.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, electric kettle.
The room has one double bed and two single beds. It features a private bathroom with a bathtub. The single Landowner's Suite is located on the second floor of the Museum Building and offers views of the mountains and river. Room facilities: Heating, ...)
The room has one double bed and two single beds. It features a private bathroom with a bathtub. The single Landowner's Suite is located on the second floor of the Museum Building and offers views of the mountains and river.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, bathroom with shower and bathtub, hairdryer, electric kettle.
The room has a large double bed and two single beds. It features a spacious private bathroom with a shower. The windows provide a beautiful view of the mountains. This family room is located in the new hotel building. Room facilities: Heating, WiFi, ...)
The room has a large double bed and two single beds. It features a spacious private bathroom with a shower. The windows provide a beautiful view of the mountains. This family room is located in the new hotel building.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, electric kettle.
Each room has two single beds and shares a bathroom with the other three rooms. The windows offer views of the mountain, river, or garden. These rooms have a nostalgic feeling unique to the Old Farmhouse building. Room facilities: WiFi, Heating, and ...)
Each room has two single beds and shares a bathroom with the other three rooms. The windows offer views of the mountain, river, or garden. These rooms have a nostalgic feeling unique to the Old Farmhouse building.
Room facilities:
WiFi, Heating, and other amenities, like an electric kettle, are found in the communal room.
The dormitory is part of the Museum Building and has six double beds in the same room. All guests share the same bathroom. Instead of views, the dormitory is more of a place for conversations. Room facilities: Heating, WiFi, and other amenities, like...)
The dormitory is part of the Museum Building and has six double beds in the same room. All guests share the same bathroom. Instead of views, the dormitory is more of a place for conversations.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, and other amenities, like an electric kettle, are found in the communal room.
It’s part of the dormitory, with the only difference being that curtains and thin walls separate these double beds. Guests share the same bathroom with the dormitory residents. Room facilities: Heating, WiFi, and other amenities, like an electric ket...)
It’s part of the dormitory, with the only difference being that curtains and thin walls separate these double beds. Guests share the same bathroom with the dormitory residents.
Room facilities:
Heating, WiFi, and other amenities, like an electric kettle, are found in the communal room.
The restaurant, located at the Old Farmhouse, uses local produce to create homemade, delicious dishes. The staff prepares various meals using Icelandic lamb, fish, and vegetables. Between 8:00 and 10:00, dig into a breakfast buffet. Enjoy a variety o...)
The restaurant, located at the Old Farmhouse, uses local produce to create homemade, delicious dishes. The staff prepares various meals using Icelandic lamb, fish, and vegetables.
Between 8:00 and 10:00, dig into a breakfast buffet. Enjoy a variety of foods to charge your battery for the adventures that await you, including freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, or simple cereal. All of them will go well with fresh coffee, tea, or just a simple cup of juice.
Between June 1st and September 31st, at 12:00 and 16:00, enjoy coffee and cake at the museum. For a more sugar-rich diet, slap some jam or whipped cream on top of pastry.
Dinnertime is between 18:00 and 21:00. It’s a family-style meal, with people sitting around a table, sharing stories and laughing. Enjoy a roasted Icelandic lamb dish with potatoes and assorted vegetables, or choose a fish dish. Inform the staff of any dietary restrictions you might have to be served something else.
Step back in history with a visit to the center's exhibition, offering a glimpse into the average life of an Icelander in East Iceland. Discover the struggles and adventures they encountered in their daily lives. This exhibition, opened in 2016, is a...)
Step back in history with a visit to the center's exhibition, offering a glimpse into the average life of an Icelander in East Iceland. Discover the struggles and adventures they encountered in their daily lives. This exhibition, opened in 2016, is a must-visit on this property. It utilizes old farm buildings and folktales to narrate history visually, enhanced by a 30-minute audio guide.
Ticket prices:
Adults - 2700 ISK (around 19.38 USD).
Seniors - 2160 ISK (around 14.47 USD).
Children 0 - 5 - Free.
Children 6 - 15 - 900 ISK (around 6.46 USD).
The exhibition is open from May 15 - September 15.
Installing a crib in a room is possible at an extra fee, and the same goes for extra beds. If you need it, please contact the Wilderness Center before you book a room. Contact staff about securing a place at the dinner table. Seats are limited. If yo...)
Installing a crib in a room is possible at an extra fee, and the same goes for extra beds. If you need it, please contact the Wilderness Center before you book a room.
Contact staff about securing a place at the dinner table. Seats are limited.
If you cancel a reservation 1 to 15 days before the check-in date, you will be charged 100% of the cancellation fee. If you cancel a reservation 16 to 30 days before the check-in date, you will be charged 50% of the cancellation fee.
Check-in hours are from 16:00 to 22:00.
Check-out is by 10:30. For a fee, you can check-out at 12:30.
Regular check-in ends at 22:00. If you’re unable to make it, you have to inform the staff.
Yes, your reservation includes free access to the spa if you stay for a night or more. If you are just visiting during the day without booking a room, you can use the spa for a fee. The spa bathhouse features a Finnish sauna, a hammock near a fireplace, and two locker rooms with showers and bathrooms. Outside, you can cool down in the cold pool or relax your muscles in the hot pool.
Breakfast is served between 8:00 and 10:00.
Wilderness Center restaurant is open for breakfast between 8:00 and 10:00.
Between 12:00 and 16:00, you can grab cake and coffee at the museum. However, this only applies between June 1st and September 31st
You can grab dinner between 18:00 and 21:00.
Located far from any urban area, the Wilderness Center is perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. However, their appearance is not always guaranteed due to aurora conditions and weather.
Skriduklaustur Cultural Center
This historical site houses the ruins of a 16th-century monastery. On the first floor, there's a restaurant where you can enjoy home-baked cake and a homemade meal.
Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss Waterfalls
If you’re up for a hike, visit the mesmerizing Hengifoss waterfall. On the way, stop and enjoy the views of Litlanesfoss. See two sights for the effort of a single hike.
Hallormsstadaskogur Forest
Hallormsstadaskogur is Iceland's largest forest, covering around 740 hectares. It boasts a diverse landscape and multiple marked trails for visitors to explore.
Egilsstadir Town
The largest town in East Iceland, Egilsstadir, is near the Wilderness Center. Located near Lagarfljót Lake, home to the lake monster Lagarfljótsormur, the town has an airport from where you can leave for Reykjavik.
Rjúkandi Waterfall
Found not far from Route 1, this waterfall has a combined height of 305 feet (93 meters). It’s unique due to the mist that forms from the cascading water. To see this phenomenon, plan your visit between spring and summer, either in the morning or late afternoon.
