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North Iceland

Visit North Iceland, Iceland

Visit North Iceland, Iceland

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Wild and remote, north Iceland rewards those who make it here with little-visited historic towns, large thundering waterfalls and vast swathes of volcanic wasteland watched over by the brooding peaks of volcanoes.

Quirky Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, is in this region, as well as the heritage town of Siglufjörður, once known as the ‘herring capital of the world’. You can go whale watching in Húsavík, laze in geothermal baths overlooking the ocean, meander between bubbling mud pools or feast on ‘lava bread’ baked in the hot, steamy ground.

Our specialists have explored the main sights and the lesser-known ones, and they’ll carefully plan your visit to north Iceland as an individual, tailor-made trip to match your preferences. They’ll use their first-hand knowledge and experience to guide you on where to go and what to do.

You could hike through black lava fields and to crater summits, birdwatch around otherworldly Lake Mývatn, explore the scenic fjordlands of the Troll Peninsula, photograph Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, or laze in natural baths with views of volcanic fields that offer a more serene environment than the far more commercial Blue Lagoon.

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Places to visit in North Iceland

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting North Iceland, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring North Iceland

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in North Iceland, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of North Iceland

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around North Iceland

    Photos of North Iceland

    • Dettifoss
      Dettifoss
    • Hiking around Lake Mývatn
      Hiking around Lake Mývatn
    • Humpback whale, Akureyri
      Humpback whale, Akureyri
    • Dettifoss
      Dettifoss
    • Pseudocraters, Lake Mývatn
      Pseudocraters, Lake Mývatn
    • Eyjafjörður, north Iceland
      Eyjafjörður, north Iceland
    • Dettifoss
      Dettifoss
    • Akureyrarkirkja, Akureyri
      Akureyrarkirkja, Akureyri

    Our expert guides to exploring North Iceland

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting North Iceland, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate North Iceland at its best.

    • Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls
      Humpback whale

      Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls

      Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls

      Iceland is shaped by fire, ice and folklore. Whether you’re a summer or winter visitor, you’ll find lots to experience here, from whale watching to hiking through ice caves and even bathing in beer. Iceland specialist Katy shares her highlights.

      8 min read

      Read this guide
    • Seeing the northern lights in Iceland: a Q&A
      Northern lights in Iceland

      Seeing the northern lights in Iceland: a Q&A

      Seeing the northern lights in Iceland: a Q&A

      Located just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has one of the best positions for northern lights viewing in the world. We share our advice on how to witness the phenomenon, from joining guided tours to staying in well-located hotels.

      6 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for North Iceland

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit North Iceland. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing North Iceland

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting North Iceland, and which use the best local guides.

    • Geosea geothermal baths
      Geosea geothermal baths

      Geosea geothermal baths

      Geosea geothermal baths

      Take part in an Icelandic tradition and relax in the Geosea Geothermal Baths just outside Húsavík and enjoy the sleek design, balmy waters and views as far as the Arctic Circle. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some whales.

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    • Family rafting
      River rafting in north Iceland

      Family rafting

      Family rafting

      North Iceland’s West Glacial River runs through a steep, stony canyon in the heart of the wilderness and plays host to family-friendly rafting trips with slow-moving water for swimming, rapids for exhilaration and the chance to brew hot chocolate in a natural spring.

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    • Hauganes whale watching & sea angling
      Hauganes whale watching

      Hauganes whale watching & sea angling

      Hauganes whale watching & sea angling

      One of the world’s premier whale watching destinations, Hauganes is the jumping-off point for boat trips around Eyjafjörður, where you’re almost guaranteed to spot humpback whales and possibly minke whales, white-beaked and bottlenose dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

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    • Drangey Island boat tour
      Drangey Island

      Drangey Island boat tour

      Drangey Island boat tour

      Sheer cliffs drop into the sea on tiny Drangey Island, an uninhabited outcrop that’s home to thousands of nesting seabirds. A dramatic ascent by rope and ladder takes you to the summit for panoramic views and a chance to learn about saga-era outlaws.

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    • Varmahlíð horse riding
      Icelandic horses

      Varmahlíð horse riding

      Varmahlíð horse riding

      Ride out into the Icelandic countryside on a one-hour ride that offers the chance to experience the country’s distinct breed of horses known for their gentle nature, sure-footedness and unusual additional gaits not seen in other breeds.

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    • Small group tour to Dettifoss Waterfall
      Dettifoss in winter

      Small group tour to Dettifoss Waterfall

      Small group tour to Dettifoss Waterfall

      This half-day, small-group tour takes in three Icelandic waterfalls, including the thundering cascade of Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and the more peaceful Selfoss waterfall. Along the way, you’ll learn about Iceland’s geology and the myths and traditions surrounding the falls.

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