The Unplanned Stop That Turns Into the Highlight

Hvolsvöllur might not be one of the big names in Iceland – it’s not Reykjavík, Akureyri or even Vík. In fact, most travellers pass right through it without realizing they’ve been here. And to be fair, the name doesn’t exactly help. Even once you’ve seen how it’s written, you still have no clue how to pronounce it (for the record: it’s roughly “Kvols-vote-lur”).

For many, Hvolsvöllur is a quick stop at the N1 gas station for a toilet break and maybe a snack. They might notice the tall TV tower (which, during Christmas, glows like a Nordic Eiffel Tower), and then – they’re off again. But that’s where they miss out.

Because what most travellers don’t know is that Hvolsvöllur is so much more than a quick pit stop. It’s the perfect place to base yourself in Iceland – a place with character, and access to almost everything that makes Iceland so unforgettable.

This blog is for those who want to know why locals love it here, why so many guests tell us, “I wish I had stayed longer,” and why some end up doing exactly that – extending their stay from one night to three, or more.

Location, Location, Location

You’ve heard it before: location, location, location. And when travelling in Iceland, it really makes all the difference. Here’s what many first-time visitors do: they book all their nights in Reykjavík and do day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the Blue Lagoon, and beyond. That sounds fine – until you spend half your trip stuck in traffic, driving the same stretch of road twice a day, every day.

Others do the opposite – they rush around the island, spending one night in each place. Every day is a new check-in, unpacking, repacking, and hurrying to the next spot. You see a lot, but you experience very little. Our recommendation? Base yourself in one or a few great locations.

And that’s exactly what Hvolsvöllur offers. It’s perfectly placed in the heart of South Iceland: a short drive from waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and the famous highlands. From here, you can easily reach:

• Golden Circle: Geysir, Gullfoss & Þingvellir:  about 1 hour

• Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss: 15–35 minutes

• Landmannalaugar: 2 hours

• Westman Islands (ferry at Landeyjahöfn): 25 minutes

• Vík: 1 hour

• Þórsmörk: about 1 hour

• Reykjavík: 1.5 hours

And that’s just the famous stuff. Locally, we’ve got hidden gems like Gluggafoss, Þríhyrningur, Stóri-Dímon, and Landeyjahöfn – all within 10 to 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate base for exploring South Iceland, without all the unpacking and backtracking. And since the weather can vary a lot from one area to another, staying here gives you flexibility – choose each day’s adventure based on where the weather’s best. 

Self-Drive Iceland: Slow Your Roll, Enjoy the Ride 

If you’re doing a self-drive trip through Iceland, this is where your journey can truly slow down. Too many travellers make the rookie mistake: they drive straight from the airport to Vík, rush through the black sand beach, squeeze in Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and end the day exhausted. Instead, take the smarter route — stop in Hvolsvöllur. It’s the ideal self-drive stopover: safe, scenic, and full of local character. You’ll have time to explore without backtracking, and the views (and Icelandic horses) are right on your doorstep. Staying at Midgard means you don’t have to pull over dangerously for photos — the landscapes are literally built into your stay.

So if you’re planning your Iceland self-drive itinerary, slow your roll. Spend the night here, recharge, and discover what happens when you actually give yourself time to breathe between the waterfalls.

Hvolsvöllur in the heart of South Iceland (or the centre of the universe, how we call it)

Right in the middle of all this is our little town of Hvolsvöllur – a proper Icelandic countryside town with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

We’ve got two gas stations, a supermarket, swimming pool, ice cream shop, pharmacy, gym, a big trampoline, a few bars and restaurants, a frisbee golf course, and even a hot dog factory. Add some playgrounds, football fields, an incredible volcano museum, and plenty of farmers’ shops – and you get the picture.

It’s home to about 1,000 people: friendly, down-to-earth, and always ready to lend a hand. Hvolsvöllur hosts fun local events throughout the year, from community gatherings to the locally famous “Meatsoup Festival”. It’s small enough to walk everywhere, but we definitely recommend having a car to explore all the magic that lies beyond the town limits. For anyone on a self-drive adventure through South Iceland, Hvolsvöllur couldn’t be easier — well-connected roads, nearby fuel stops, and endless photo opportunities without the crowds.

Midgard Base Camp – our home

And at the centre of it all sits Midgard Base Camp – our home. It’s not just a hotel or a hostel; it’s more like staying at a friend’s house… if your friend happens to have a rooftop sauna, hot tub with Northern Lights views, a shoe dryer, towel warmer, and the coziest beds in Iceland. Our rooms are basic, you won’t find a TV on the wall – but why on earth would you need a TV, when outside the magic is waiting to be explored.

Everything here has been designed with the traveler in mind. The furniture is hand-built, the rooms are spotless clean, and the vibe is impossible to describe – you just have to feel it. And then there’s the Midgard Restaurant, under the same roof. It’s one of the top-rated restaurants in South Iceland, known for honest, hearty dishes made from scratch with local ingredients. Locals love it. Travellers love it. We love it.

Midgard isn’t just a place to stay – it’s where the community gathers. For self-drive travellers, it’s the perfect combination of freedom on the road and comfort at the end of the day. We host concerts, stand-up comedy, and the first Christmas beers of the season. Big names like Ásgeir Trausti and Mugison have played here, and on those nights. People drive from Vík, Selfoss, even Reykjavík –  because it’s the place to be. Midgard is where travellers and locals meet – over good food, live music, and shared adventures.

Adventures Right on Your Doorstep

Under the same roof, you’ll find Midgard Adventure – our very own tour company, operating since 2010. We specialize in super jeep tours, hiking trips, and highland adventures, all guided by locals who grew up in this landscape or call this land their home.

From Hvolsvöllur, we reach the highlands fast – less time on asphalt, more time exploring. We take guests to Þórsmörk, Landmannalaugar, and Fjallabak, crossing rivers, lava fields, and landscapes that change every few kilometers. Whether you’re hiking world-famous trails like Laugavegur or Fimmvörðuháls, or discovering our secret local routes, this is hiking heaven. And for trail runners, it’s paradise.

At the end of each adventure, you come back to Base Camp – where the beer is cold, the food is warm, and the rooftop hot tub is waiting.

The Perfect Balance Between Adventure and Comfort

Days spent out in the wild. Evenings spent warm and cozy. That’s what life looks like in Hvolsvöllur. Here, you get the perfect mix: nature, community, comfort. As we like to say, Hvolsvöllur isn’t the middle of nowhere – it’s the middle of everything (or the “centre of the universe” how we jokingly call it). So here’s our invitation: Stop rushing past. Slow down. Unpack your bag. Grab a local beer. See what happens. Chances are, you’ll love it here. Because Hvolsvöllur might not have been on your bucket list – but once you’ve stayed, you will wish you had found it sooner. And if you’re planning your Iceland self-drive adventure, make sure Hvolsvöllur isn’t just a place you pass — make it the place you pause.