North Iceland Travel Guide
Anne Christine Persson, Tuesday 9 January 2018This North Iceland travel guide is what you need for an extended weekend in the region.
Iceland has become one of my favourite destinations and I was so fortunate to visit no less than three times in 2017. See more here and here. My last visit to the great country was particularly amazing, as the trip was to the beautiful North Iceland. In the summer time, you will find green hills and rock and lava formations along the rugged coast. And as you can imagine in the winter time, it will be winter wonderland. The nature in the region is incredibly and it is an ideal place to go whale watching, which was one of the main reasons for this trip.
I was invited to go by Icelandair and it is a treat to visit the country with someone, who knows the country so well. Icelandair’s premium economy class is a fantastic deal, as on some flights you will be seated in business seats, so it feels like you are seated on fluffy clouds. To get to North Iceland you fly to Reykjavik’s international airport Keflavik. With an easy bus ride to their domestic airport you switch to a smaller propeller airplane, which will take you to Akureyri. The domestic airport is located in the centre of Reykjavik, so it is so easy to do a stopover in the Icelandic capital.
Flying into Akureyri is quite thrilling as you fly in between magnificent mountains and land on a rather short runway right by the edge of the fjord. While the North Icelandic is rather grand, the towns are small but quaint and cosy. We travelled the area and stayed in different towns along the coast. It is the best way to experience the magic of North Iceland. I have divided the travel guide into West of Akureyri and East of Akureyri. My best advice is to rent a car and drive around the region, although you can find public transportation for most places.
West of Akureyri
Where to stay:
Sigló Hótel
In the cosy, small fishing village of Siglufjördur, you will find Sigló Hotel. It is located right in the harbour and make sure to book a room facing the water. Wake up to the sound of splashing water and seagulls. You might even spot a harbour porpoise from your window. They have an outdoor hot tub, where you in the evening can spot northern lights while soaking in the warm water. Definitely one of the best hotels on the coast. Snorragata 5
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri
This hotel is located right in the middle of Akureyri and is an ideal spot to stay when flying in and out of the region. The rooms are light, the beds are cosy and from some rooms you have an aerial view of the town. The restaurant serves a delicious creamy fish soup, the best I tried in the north. Thingvallastraeti 23
www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/akureyri
What to do:
Lýtingsstaðir
At this farm, you can learn of the history of the Icelandic horse and visit the traditional stables of the horses. They also arrange excursions on horseback around the area for shorter or longer rides. If you are not feeling that adventurous, petting a horse is included in a visit. Skagafjarðarvegur
The Herring Era Museum
Until about 50 years ago Siglufjördur was one of the biggest herring fishing villages. Fishermen from around the Nordic region came to the city during the summer to fish. This went on for many years and transformed the village. It also led to overfishing and suddenly there were no more herring in the sea. The town was almost a ghost town for many years. But local initiatives opened a museum telling the story of the fishing boom in the north and pumped life into the town again. The museum is divided into three buildings and is an interesting peak into the past. Snorragata 15
Infinity Blue
An infinity pool right on the coast in the town of Hofsós will make you jump into a swimsuit no matter what the weather is like. It is located with the view of Skagafjördur and the rugged coast line of the north. We even spotted a whale while splashing around in the pool. Only in Iceland… Hofsósbraut
Whale Safari with Arctic Sea Tours
The whale safari was one of the most extraordinary experiences I have tried. Dressed in thermal clothing, we went out in a rib boat, which is definitely the best way to see the majestic creatures of the sea. You can travel long distances rather quickly. If you spot the water and air coming from the blow hole of a whale in the distance, you can be there within seconds/minutes. Groups of whales normally swim around an area, so you will need to move fast.
Seeing humpback whales so close to you, playfully swimming around the boat is incredible, almost spiritual. A couple of times we were surrounded by a group of 11-12 humpback whales. We spotted a whale breaching, where the whale throws itself up into the air and splashes into the water. An adventure of a lifetime. We tried the whale safari at Arctic Sea Tours in Dalvik. And they also do excursions in larger boats, if the rib boat is a bit too high flying… literally. Hafnarbraut 22
Bjórbödin Spa
Although dressed in thermal clothing, we were somewhat frozen when we got back to shore. Not far from Arctic Sea Tours in Dalvik is Bjórbödin Spa. The best place to go to warm up afterwards. A wooden bathtub all to yourself with a bath of beer. Well, the yeast used to make beer does amazing things to your skin. And right next to the bath tub you have your own beer dispenser, so you can really relax. They also have a sauna and outdoor spa for the viking in you. Ægisgata, Dalvik
Where to eat
KK Restaurant
At KK Restaurant in the small town of Sauðárkrókur, you will find some of the best food in the region. They work mainly with local produce in the best sustainable way possible. A lot of great fresh fish, blueberries and folald, the meat from Icelandic horse, which is surprisingly tender. Aðalgata 16
East of Akureyri
Where to stay
Fosshotel Húsavik
Great hotel in the small town of Húsavik. Most rooms with big windows facing the fjord, which will also give you a great position for northern lights sightings. Ketilsbraut 22
www.fosshotel.is/hotels/fosshotel-in-the-north/fosshotel-husavik/
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri
This hotel is located right in the middle of Akureyri and is an ideal spot to stay when flying in and out of the region. The rooms are light, the beds are cosy and from some rooms you have an aerial view of the town. The restaurant serves a delicious creamy fish soup, the best I tried in the north. Thingvallastraeti 23
www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/akureyri
What to do
The Húsavik Whale Museum
After a whale safari, this is the best place to go. You can learn about the history of whaling in Iceland, while walking around the skeletons of the giant animals on display. Hafnarstétt 1
Buggy Tour with Húsavik Adventures
If you are going to Iceland, it is almost mandatory trying a buggy tour. Going off road in lava fields in the small buggies is one of the best ways to experience Iceland. We went for a drive in a lava field just before sunset and while going back to Húsavik, we had an amazing view of the sunset and the fjord. Hafnarstétt 11
Geological tour
Iceland is one big geological wonder. So many places to explore and the north does not disappoint. Here are some of the best geological spots in the north to see.
Ásbyrgi, the horseshoe shaped rock wall, which according to Nordic mythology was made by one of the horseshoes on the god Odin’s eight legged horse Slejpner. The more scientific reason is that it was created by a glacial flood many, many years ago from the river of Jökulsá a Fjöllum after two ice ages.
Dimmuborgir, an entire forest of iant lava formations.
Namaskard, mud pools and fissures
The waterfall Dettifoss
Mývatn Nature Baths
Everyone goes to public pools in Iceland. Why? Because the geothermal is great for the body and soul. It is fun. They serve drinks in the pool. The geothermal water is cooled to 38-40 degrees for your convenience, unlike other places where it is heated for your convenience. And you have the view of lava fields, mountains and lakes like here at Mývatn Nature Baths. And they have a steam room with natural steam coming directly from the geothermal area below. Jarðbaðshólar, Mývatn
Where to eat
Vogafjós
This restaurant is not to be missed. It is located in the same building as a cowshed with windows to the cows. Gives the phrase from farm to table a whole new meaning. The cows provide milk for the food and the delicious ice cream for dessert. From the restaurant you have the view of the lake Mývatn and you can see the sun set over the lake while enjoying great food. I can recommend the lamb. Vogafjós, Mývatn
Salka Restaurant
Smoked puffin, fish soup and juicy lamb are on the menu in this cosy restaurant in the harbour of Húsavik. Locals and tourists alike join for delicious food and atmosphere in the town’s best restaurant. Garðarsbraut 640
When to go:
I would go at any time of the year. It depends on whether or not you want to experience snow or sun. However, for a whale safari you need to go between March and November. It varies whether or not you want to go by rib boat or normal boat.
How to get there:
Icelandair flies to the international airport in Reykjavik, Keflavik. From there take an airport bus to the domestic airport in the centre of Reykjavik. You should definitely combine with a one or two night stopover in Reykjavik. Check guide here and here.
Why:
Because it is crazy beautiful nature. There are whales and puffins (depending on season). And the Icelandic people are fun to meet.