North Iceland Travel Guide (Akureyri & Beyond)

Reykjavik gets called the capital, but Akureyri has earned its own nickname, the capital of the North, and once you spend time up here, it’s easy to see why. North Iceland has its own slower pace, its own weather, and an entire cluster of geothermal wonders, waterfalls, and fjords that most Ring Road itineraries barely give a day to. Here’s our North Iceland travel guide…

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If you’re planning a stop in North Iceland, here’s what this guide covers: what comprises the region and where it actually sits, Akureyri itself, what I’m calling the wider Mývatn and Húsavík clusters (which we’re covering properly here rather than spreading thinly across two posts), and of course the glorious Skagafjordur and Trollaskagi.  I’ll cover how to actually get here, where to stay, and where to eat once.

What Comprises North Iceland? Where Is It?

North Iceland stretches along the country’s northern coast, roughly from the Vatnsnes Peninsula in the northwest to the Mývatn area and beyond in the northeast, with Akureyri near the center of it all as the region’s obvious hub. It’s a truly large stretch of the country, more spread out than the South Coast or Snaefellsnes, so don’t expect a single tidy loop; this is a region best tackled in clusters rather than one clean route.  It’s quieter, somewhat wilder, in a wild country and delightfully empty of people if you find the right places.

Iceland has several routes and circles – defined road trip plans that you can use to see stunning parts of the country, you’ll find much of north Iceland in the Arctic Coast Way and I wrote about that here.

Akureyri

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city by population, though at around 19,000 people, calling it a city is generous; it’s really a town, just one with a somewhat outsized cultural footprint for its size.

The Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights of Akureyri

Akureyri’s traffic lights have glowed as small red hearts since the summer of 2008, part of a “Smile with Your Heart” campaign that, by coincidence, arrived just months before Iceland’s financial crash. It’s a small touch that turned into a real piece of identity for the town: the lights stayed long after the crash, the campaign message outlived its original moment, and locals have since defended them fiercely; a 2025 proposal to remove them was widely and firmly rejected by residents and regular visitors alike.

There’s now a dedicated “selfie traffic light” near the Hof Cultural House, framed to catch Akureyrarkirkja church in the background, and it’s one of the most charming photo stops in the whole country, free, quick, and unmistakably Akureyri.

• How to get to the Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights: throughout downtown Akureyri, the selfie light sits near the Hof Cultural House.
• How long to spend at the Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights: 10-15 minutes.
• Parking: free on nearby streets.

The Icelandic Aviation Museum

Located right at Akureyri Airport, the Icelandic Aviation Museum traces the country’s flying history from the earliest fragile aircraft through to the search-and-rescue and military planes that now sit parked on the tarmac outside, several of them open for you to climb into. It’s a proper collection rather than a token roadside display, restored cockpits, old instrument panels, and enough context on Iceland’s isolation-driven relationship with aviation to make the exhibits click. A really good option if the weather’s turned, or if you’ve got an hour to kill before a flight, and more engaging than the “airport museum” label suggests.

• How to get to the Icelandic Aviation Museum: at Akureyri Airport.
• How long to spend at the Icelandic Aviation Museum: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: from US$15 per person; you can prebook your tickets here.
• Parking: free at the airport.

The Akureyri Museum

This Icelandic Museum gives a proper dive into the town’s own history, settlement, growth, and the slow, occasionally stalled development that eventually turned Akureyri into the northern hub it is today. You’ll move chronologically from the earliest Norse settlers through the herring-boom years and into the modern town, with old photographs and everyday objects doing a lot of the storytelling rather than dense wall text. The garden setting alone is worth a few minutes, and it combines nicely with a wider wander through the older part of town it sits in, so don’t rush straight past it on the way to somewhere flashier.

• How to get to Akureyri Museum: Aðalstræti 58, in the older part of town.
• How long to spend at Akureyri Museum: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: from US$22 per person (combo ticket covering Akureyri Museum plus six other town museums).
• Parking: free nearby.

Book Akureyri Museum entry here, a single ticket that also covers Nonni’s House, the Toy Museum, and four other small museums around town if you want to make a proper day of it.

Akureyri Botanical Gardens

This gloriously peaceful spot in the middle of town is home to thousands of plant species, native and non-native, and a nice change of pace after a day of waterfalls and lava fields. Paths are easy and flat, benches are everywhere, and even in a town this far north, the variety on display, much of it flowering through summer, catches people off guard. LYST, one of the better cafés in Akureyri, is right nearby, and it’s worth combining the two for a slower morning or afternoon rather than treating the gardens as a five-minute detour.

If you’d rather explore Akureyri’s highlights with someone else doing the narrating, this private walking tour takes in Ráðhústorg, Akureyrarkirkja, and Hafnarstræti before ending here at the Botanical Gardens.  It’s a good option if you’d rather have the town’s history explained as you go.

• How to get to Akureyri Botanical Gardens: a short walk from downtown Akureyri.
• How long to spend at Akureyri Botanical Gardens: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free nearby.

Horseback Riding from Akureyri

Riding an Icelandic horse, it is truly a unique thing to do in Iceland.  is one of the more memorable ways to spend a couple of hours near Akureyri, out across open farmland with Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains as a backdrop. The breed’s famous additional gait, the tölt, makes for a smoother ride than most first-timers expect, and the outfits operating around here tend to be small, family-run farms rather than tourist-scale operations, so groups stay small and personal.

For the full picture on the breed itself, the gaits, the thousand-year history, and the etiquette around approaching them safely, read my Icelandic Horses guide. One easy way to experience Icelandic horses, book a horseback riding tour from Akureyri here.

Eat Local Specialities in Akureyri

Akureyri is a good stop for food.  You’ll find fewer of the lines/requirements for booking tables that you’ll need on the South Coast.  And it’s worth building in time to actually eat well rather than just refuel between stops. Free-roaming lamb, fresh-off-the-boat fish, and proper Icelandic ice cream all come up on menus around town, alongside the ubiquitous Icelandic hot dog; order it “with everything” if you want the full local experience.

One way to do it without the guesswork: the Akureyri Food Walk, a guided route through several of the town’s best spots and a few hidden gems in one outing, letting someone who actually knows the town do the picking for you.

The Forest Lagoon

Akureyri’s own geothermal spa, the Forest Lagoon is tucked into Vaðlaskógur forest on the hillside above Eyjafjörður, and is a quieter, more sheltered alternative to Mývatn Nature Baths further east. Two warm pools connect to swim-up bars, a Finnish-style dry sauna delivers proper fjord and mountain views, and a cold plunge pool rounds out the hot-cold routine that bathing culture here calls for. Forest Bistro sits right on site for something to eat afterward. Considerably less crowded than the South’s big-name lagoons, and close enough to town that it’s an easy add to an Akureyri day rather than a special trip out.

• How to get to Forest Lagoon: in Vaðlaskógur forest, a short drive from central Akureyri.
• How long to spend at Forest Lagoon: 2 hours or more.
• Entry: from US$80 per person (includes towel and one drink) – prebook your ticket here.
• Parking: free on site.

Whale Watching in Eyjafjörður

Eyjafjörður, Akureyri’s fjord, is one of Iceland’s better whale watching spots, and tours run right from town. Minke and humpback whales are the regulars, with the occasional blue whale in season.

We’ve covered the full picture, boat types, timing, and what to expect in our whale watching guide.

• How to get to Whale Watching tours in Eyjafjörður: tours depart from Akureyri harbor, a short walk from downtown.
• How long to spend on a Whale Watching tour in Eyjafjörður: 2.5-3 hours, depending on the operator.
• Costs: from US$105 per person. You can reserve your places on an Akureyri whale watching tour here.
• Parking: free on nearby streets close to the harbor.

Akureyri’s Giant Viking Beer Can

An enormous, wonderfully random two-story-tall beer can standing next to the Einstök brewery, one of Akureyri’s more unusual photo stops. (Although you can’t park just outside, you’ll need to either do a drive-by or find somewhere nearby). 

For more on Iceland’s drinking culture and where to drink alcohol, see our alcohol guide.

• How to get to the Giant Viking Beer Can: Furuvellir 17, a 15-30 minute walk from central Akureyri.
• How long to spend at the Giant Viking Beer Can: Less than 5 minutes; it’s a photo stop.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free nearby.

Fun fact:  Akureyri is home to the world’s northernmost Domino’s Pizza, confirmed, a real Atlas Obscura entry, sitting at 65.688°N, just below the Arctic Circle. You can find Domino’s Pizza in Akureyri here.

What to See in the North Beyond Akureyri (there’s a LOT!)

This section covers what I’ve called the Mývatn and Húsavík clusters in full depth.

Dettifoss

Dettifoss is one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls by volume.  Europe’s most powerful waterfall (according to many websites in Iceland).  The Rhine Falls in Switzerland disagree.  The name Dettifoss means “fall/collapse” (detta) waterfall, and these falls are 100 meters wide and fall 44 meters.   Again, you can visit from both sides.  We pick the west bank, as the road is paved all the way; the road from the east is gravelled.

It’s an enormous and thunderous wall of glacial water dropping into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. It’s wild and largely unfenced, which is exactly why it feels more impressive than waterfalls with a viewing platform and a gift shop attached. There is, however, a viewing platform and lots of rocks by the edge that you can clamber on (carefully) for a better view.  The roar reaches you well before the falls come into view, and standing close enough to feel the spray hit you is fabulous. Each access walkway offers a noticeably different angle on the falls, so if time allows, it’s worth seeing both sides rather than picking just one.

Depending on whether they’ve finished the viewing points and signage or not, you might see notices on the trails “Easier Way” and “More Difficult”.  There’s no difference, but they do go to different viewpoints.  If I were to pick just one, I’d go to the “more difficult”, not because it’s more difficult, but because you get a “front-on view of the falls”.  However, the “easier way” takes you to the top of the falls, and from there it’s easy to walk onto the smaller Selfoss.

Whichever way you to it’s a glorious sight.  And even better, the parking is free.  While access to many of the waterfalls, glaciers, and geothermal areas in Iceland is free, parking, which is often on private land, is paid for.  The average is around 1000 ISK per car (£6/USDUS$8/€7).  It mounts up when you’re visiting a few sites in a day. 

Most (but not all) of the sites allow you to pay via a card machine on site (there are cameras EVERYWHERE at these parking lots; you can’t get around the parking fees), but there’s often a line, so many use a parking app to pay.  Of course, there’s a fee for doing that of 89 ISK per transaction.  (Although you can sign up for a monthly subscription of 490 ISK if you think you’re going to use it a lot).  We aim for the card machine every time; those fees also add up.  There’s more on parking and also the fees for EACH of the major attractions in Iceland in my guide here.

• How to get to Dettifoss: off Route 862 (west side, paved) or Route 864 (east side, gravel, better views).
• How long to spend at Dettifoss: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free

If you’d prefer to explore Dettifoss as part of a guided day out from Akureyri, then this Diamond Circle Tour with Waterfalls takes in Dettifoss along with the rest of the cluster in one trip.

Ásbyrgi

Ásbyrgi means “Shelter of the Gods” or “God’s Camp,” and it’s a horseshoe-shaped canyon in the same national park system as Dettifoss.  Icelandic legend has it that Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse, left the hoofprint that formed it.

The canyon walls rise steeply on either side, birch woodland fills the floor, and a short walking trail leads to Botnstjörn, a small pond tucked at the canyon’s rounded end, quiet enough that it barely feels like the same region as Dettifoss a short drive away.

• How to get to Ásbyrgi: north of Dettifoss on Route 85.
• How long to spend at Ásbyrgi: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Húsavík (Whale Watching & Whale Museum)

Húsavík is Iceland’s whale-watching capital with high success rates, the best shot you’ll have at blue whales in season, and a lovely harborside whale museum (really it is a fabulous museum) to fill in the gaps between sightings. The town itself is worth a wander too, a working fishing harbor with a striking timber church, Húsavíkurkirkja, overlooking the water, and enough cafés and small shops around the harbor to fill a spare hour before or after a boat trip.

We didn’t head out on a boat in Husavik (we’ve whale-watched in a variety of places over the years, the best being Alaska, where, while on a local ferry, the skipper declared that we were stopping to enjoy the pod of whales that surrounded us. That feels untoppable.  But the whale museum in Husavik is fabulous; it looks tiny, but it packs a lot in, and we come away much more educated.  The skeletons of the whales (all but one died naturally) are fascinating, as is the description of how the skeletons are cleaned.

Meanwhile, the whaling season has started again in Iceland.  Oh yes.  After a 2 years hiatus, the whalers have caught and killed two fin whales.  A five-year whaling permit was issued by Iceland’s interim government in 2023, so it means that these killings are legal.  The 2026 quota is 150 fin whales and 168 minke whales.  The fin whale is the second-largest animal on earth, after the blue whale.  It is classified as vulnerable to extinction.  Whale hunting is a divisive issue in Iceland, but polls suggest that the majority of Icelanders want it to end.

I’ve covered both the tours and the museum more extensively in my whale watching guide; it’s worth reading before you book anything here.

• How to get to Húsavík: on Route 85, a coastal town northwest of Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Húsavík: half a day, more if you’re doing a boat tour.
• Entry: free to visit the town; boat tours and museum entry ticketed separately.
• Parking: free in town.

The Geosea Sea Baths.

If geothermal sea baths perched on a cliff above Skjálfandi Bay in Húsavík, warm mineral-rich seawater with a view out over the water where you might spot a whale between soaks sounds like your idea of bliss, then this is the right place to come. The infinity-edge design means the pools appear to run straight into the bay itself, and with three separate temperature pools plus a swim-up bar, it’s built for lingering rather than a quick dip.

Sunset visits are worth planning around if your schedule allows; of course, during summer that would be pretty late, but the light over the bay at that hour is one of the better views in this area.

• How to get to Geosea: on the outskirts of Húsavík.
• How long to spend at Geosea: 1.5-2 hours.
• Entry: from US$59 per person.  You can prebook Geosea entry tickets here.
• Parking: free on site.

Mývatn

The Lake Mývatn area is a huge part of what to see in North Iceland, a shallow volcanic lake surrounded by craters, lava formations, and geothermal features packed in closer together than almost anywhere else in Iceland. It’s the lake that’s called Mývatn; the small township here is called Reykjahlíð, but everyone will know what you mean when you say Mývatn.

The birdlife is a real draw here too; the lake’s name literally means “midge lake,” and in early summer that’s no exaggeration, though the ducks and other waterfowl drawn to the same abundance make it one of the best birdwatching spots in the country. Most of the stops that I’ve detailed below are within a short drive of its shores, so basing yourself nearby for a night (or longer) makes the whole lot far easier to cover properly.

One word of warning: the midges and other small insects are a real pain.  You’d be wise to pack a headnet.  I’ve covered this in my guide of what to pack for Iceland.  We didn’t have to use a headnet at Mývatn, despite packing it, because it was so darned windy nothing could land on me!

If you prefer to have someone else drive and narrate? This Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn day tour from Akureyri covers much of this set of attractions in a single day.

Mývatn Nature Baths (“Earth Lagoon”)

The North’s answer to the Blue Lagoon has milky blue geothermal water drawing on the same volcanic activity that shapes the rest of this area, with noticeably smaller crowds than its southern counterpart.   You can see what it looks like here.  Two main pools sit at different temperatures, plus a scattering of smaller steam-filled nooks worth seeking out if you want somewhere quieter than the main pool. The setting does a lot of the work here too, low hills and lava fields ringing the water rather than a car park, giving it a wilder feel than most geothermal lagoons on the Ring Road.

• How to get to Mývatn Nature Baths: a short drive from the lake, signposted off Route 1.
• How long to spend at Mývatn Nature Baths: 2-3 hours.
• Entry: from US$63 per person.  You can prebook your tickets here.
• Parking: free on site.

Námafjall Hverir

If you’re driving Iceland’s Ring Road anti-clockwise (to take in the highlights of the South Coast first), then you’ll come across this geothermal area as you enter the Lake Mývatn area.  It’s a truly alien-looking geothermal area, bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and bare orange-red earth with almost no vegetation at all. It smells exactly like you’d expect a sulphur field to smell, and it’s worth every second of that. Stick to the marked paths here (although the markings can be pretty faint in places); the ground really is as hot as it looks in places, and the crust around some vents is thinner than it appears. Give yourself time to walk the full loop rather than just the closest few pots; the far side has some of the most active vents in the whole field.

Like many of the attractions in Iceland, there’s no one here, either to man the parking or to shout at people if they walk off the defined tracks.  It’s a very low-touch approach to tourism.  You’ll find it at many of the accommodation options as well, with self-check-in and out.

• How to get to Námafjall Hverir: just east of Mývatn on Route 1.
• How long to spend at Námafjall Hverir: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: 1,200 ISK via kiosk or Easypark app

Grjótagjá

This small lava cave with a geothermal pool inside was once a popular bathing spot before the water temperature became unpredictable and, at times, dangerously hot. It picked up extra fame as a Game of Thrones filming location, and if you’re a fan of the show you’ll recognize the entrance before you enter!

 Swimming is no longer allowed, but the cave itself, glowing blue water lit from above through the crack in the rock, is worth a look regardless; just don’t expect to get in the water.

• How to get to Grjótagjá: a short detour off Route 860, close to Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Grjótagjá: 15-20 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Stóragjá

Another fissure cave in the same volcanic system as Grjótagjá, it’s quieter and less visited, with its own small pool inside, similarly best admired rather than swum in these days. It sits close enough to Grjótagjá that pairing the two into one stop makes sense, and because far fewer people bother with the detour, it feels the more atmospheric of the pair, usually without another car in sight. Bring a torch, or use your phone’s; the interior is darker than Grjótagjá’s, and the pool isn’t always easy to make out from the entrance.

• How to get to Stóragjá: near Reykjahlíð, close to Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Stóragjá: 15-20 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Dimmuborgir

A sprawling field of twisted, cave-riddled lava formations, truly one of the stranger landscapes in the country, and easy walking trails wind through the middle of it rather than just around the edge. There are a variety of different distance walks here, all easy.

The name translates to “dark castles,” and once you’re inside the formations it’s easy to see why: arches, pillars, and hollowed-out chambers rise on every side like something built rather than formed. A few different loop lengths are marked, so pick based on how much time you’ve got rather than trying to force the longest one in.

The most iconic feature here is the Lava Church – it’s a lava tube with a dome ceiling.  You’ll need to take the Church Route (Kirkjuhringurinn).  It’s a 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) trail.  You’ll need to allocate about an hour to go there and back.

Dimmuborgir is a popular cruise ship stop, and there’s a café, toilets (paid for), and of course the obligatory souvenir shop.

According to Icelandic folklore, Dimmuborgir is the home to the “Yule Lads,” a bunch of mischievous trolls who form part of Icelandic Christmas traditions.  There’s more on them here.

• How to get to Dimmuborgir: signposted off Route 848, near Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Dimmuborgir: 1-2 hours, depending on which trail you take.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Skútustaðagígar

This cluster of pseudocraters along the lake’s southern shore was formed by steam explosions rather than actual volcanic eruptions.  There’s an easy walking loop connecting several of them.  This is also popular amongst cruise ship passengers and tours and can get busy. 

The shapes are surprisingly varied for something formed by the same process; some are shallow rings barely rising off the ground, others deep enough to hold their own small ponds.

• How to get to Skútustaðagígar: on the south shore of Lake Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Skútustaðagígar: 45-60 minutes for the full loop.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Goðafoss

The “Waterfall of the Gods” is named for the legend that Iceland’s lawspeaker and local chieftain Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði symbolically threw statues of the old Norse gods into it after the country officially converted to Christianity around 1000 AD.

It’s wide, symmetrical, and one of the more effortlessly photogenic stops in this area.  There are viewpoints that sit on both sides of the river, each giving a noticeably different angle on the falls, and the short walk between them is flat; there’s an easy bridge between the two over the river, and the walk is easy enough for most fitness levels. Winter visits bring ice formations along the edges that summer never shows.

• How to get to Goðafoss: right off Route 1, between Akureyri and Mývatn.
• How long to spend at Goðafoss: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Kolugljúfur Canyon

This dramatic river canyon in the northwest has two waterfalls tumbling through it, named for a legendary troll woman, Kolugrýla, said to have fished for salmon from its rocks. Quieter and considerably less visited than the Mývatn cluster, a network of short boardwalks and viewpoints runs along the canyon rim, giving several different vantage points over the falls without needing to scramble anywhere. There’s a lot of this in visiting Iceland: drive a distance, get out of car, put on warm clothes, hike a bit, take a few photos, hike back to the car, discard clothes, set off again. 

It’s an easy detour if you’re already heading through the northwest on Route 715.  It’s one of the most dangerous places in Iceland (apparently), I imagine, because of the people scrambling down the rocks to try and get a better photo.

• How to get to Kolugljúfur Canyon: off Route 715, near Víðidalstunga in the northwest.
• How long to spend at Kolugljúfur Canyon: 30-45 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Kálfshamarsvík

A remote, wind-battered cove on the Skagi peninsula, dramatic basalt columns, an old abandoned fishing settlement, and a lighthouse, truly one of the quieter, more atmospheric stops in North Iceland precisely because so few people make the detour out here. The abandoned buildings add a slightly eerie edge, and the basalt formations along the shoreline rival anything found on the South Coast, just without the crowds.

Bring proper layers; the wind here is relentless even on an otherwise calm day.

• How to get to Kálfshamarsvík: at the tip of the Skagi peninsula, a detour off Route 745.
• How long to spend at Kálfshamarsvík: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: free.

Hvítserkur

This striking basalt sea stack on the Vatnsnes Peninsula, shaped enough like a drinking dragon or a rhinoceros dipping its head into the sea, depending who you ask, that it’s become one of the most photographed rock formations in the country. A viewing platform above the beach gives the classic shot, but walking down onto the sand itself, tide and conditions permitting, gives a far better sense of scale than photos from above ever quite capture. Low tide is the easier time to attempt it.

It’s also known as the Troll Rock in northwest Iceland.   The name means “white shirt” in Icelandic and is named for the gull droppings that coat it in summer.   The troll name is because it looks like a troll or a dragon (yeah, I can see that). 

It’s a long (26 kilometers, 16 miles) drive on a good but gravel road to get here.  The road does deteriorate slightly as you get closer, but it’s only a few kilometers.  The safest way to get down to the rocks and the beach is to take the trail from the parking lot directly to the beach.  (Head straight to the beach, not along the trail to the viewpoint).  You can scramble down the cliff, past the” danger sign”, from the viewpoint (we did), but it’s not recommended, and I certainly wouldn’t do it if it’s wet or windy, as you’ll end up a splodge on the beach.

• How to get to Hvítserkur: on the east coast of the Vatnsnes Peninsula, off Route 711.
• How long to spend at Hvítserkur: 20-30 minutes.
• Entry: free.
• Parking: 1,100 ISK via Parka app only.

The Icelandic Seal Center

This small museum is based in Hvammstangi, on the same Vatnsnes Peninsula as Hvítserkur, so you can potentially drive around the north of the peninsula to get to it from Hvítserkur.  The center focuses on Iceland’s seal populations and where to responsibly spot them nearby. Exhibits cover both harbor and grey seals, the two species found around Iceland’s coast, along with practical advice on where nearby you’re likely to see them in the wild without disturbing them. It’s a quick stop rather than a half-day outing, but a useful one if seals are anywhere near a priority for this leg of the trip. We’ve covered seal watching more broadly in our wildlife guide.

• How to get to the Icelandic Seal Center: in the town of Hvammstangi.
• How long to spend at the Icelandic Seal Center: 45-60 minutes.
• Entry: from US$16 per person.  You can prebook tickets here.
• Parking: free nearby.

Map of Attractions in North Iceland

Here’s our map of every stop in this guide; you can also see the map here.

Exploring Skagafjörður & Tröllaskagi

Just west of Akureyri sits another whole drive of attractions that are worth knowing about: the Skagafjörður and Tröllaskagi coastline, distinct enough from both Akureyri and the Mývatn cluster that it’s earned its own guide rather than just a subsection here.

However, briefly you should stop by.

• The Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður, a properly excellent set of preserved boathouses and exhibits from Iceland’s herring-boom years, worth far more time than its size suggests. Book Herring Era Museum tickets here if you’re planning a stop
• The Icelandic Horse History Centre
• The basalt columns and famous infinity-edge swimming pool at Hofsós
• Sauðárkrókur Beach
• Glaumbær Turf Farm & Museum.

Once again, here’s my guide to Skagafjörður and Tröllaskagi

Visiting North Iceland

There are two real ways to get to North Iceland, and the right one for you depends on how much of the rest of the country you’re planning to see along the way.

Visiting North Iceland As Part of the Ring Road

The most common approach, North Iceland as one leg of a full Ring Road trip, usually arriving from the East Fjords or Snaefellsnes side depending on your direction of travel. Give this stretch more time than the map suggests; the Lake Mývatn area alone can easily fill a full day.

Visiting North Iceland by Flying into Akureyri

Akureyri has its own domestic airport with regular short flights from Reykjavik.  It’s a real option if you want to base yourself in North Iceland specifically without driving the whole Ring Road to reach it.

How to Get to North Iceland

By road, Akureyri is roughly 390 kilometers (240 miles) from Reykjavik via Route 1, about 5-6 hours of driving without stops.

Where to Stay to Explore North Iceland

Akureyri has the most choice of accommodation by far, but a couple of stops further out are worth booking specifically if you’re spending real time in this region.

• Hoepfner Historical House (Akureyri): a good, central base in the center of town.
• Siglo Hotel (Siglufjörður):  This is a natural stopover if you’re also exploring the Skagafjörður/Tröllaskagi coastline.
• Northern Comfort Inn:  This is the standout of this group, with a free washing machine (and dryer!), a properly well-equipped self-catering kitchen, and plenty of space.  My favorite place to stay in Iceland.  Book rooms early here.
• Vogahraun 4 (Mývatn):  A great option near the lake; it’s also within stumbling distance of the fabulous Daddi’s pizza, which does eat-in and takeaway options.

How Long to Visit North Iceland

Two to three days is the absolute minimum here, one for the Akureyri area itself, at least one more for the Mývatn/Húsavík cluster, and a spare half-day if you’re detouring out to Hvítserkur, Kálfshamarsvík, or Skagafjörður.

Grocery Shopping in North Iceland

Akureyri has the best selection by a clear margin, both Bónus and Krónan, plus a Vínbúðin for alcohol (Iceland’s state-run off-license, since supermarkets don’t sell it). There’s also a small Vínbúðin at Mývatn, though with shorter opening hours than Akureyri’s. For groceries at Mývatn itself, Krambúðin Reykjahlíð is the local option, smaller and noticeably more expensive than the Akureyri stores, worth stocking up before you arrive if you can.

Food & Drink Options in North Iceland

Akureyri has the widest range of food and drink options here; Greifinn is a solid, well-regarded choice in town. Out at Mývatn, options are fewer, but actually good. Fish and Chips Lake Mývatn does exactly what it says, and Daddi’s Pizza is fabulous, cost-effective, and worth seeking out specifically rather than settling for whatever’s closest to your accommodation. If you’d rather have someone else do the choosing, the Akureyri Food Walk covers several of the town’s best spots, including a taste of that free-roaming lamb, in one guided outing.

FAQs on North Iceland

Got questions about visiting North Iceland? Here are quick answers to what we’re asked most.

Is Akureyri worth visiting?

Yes, and not just as a stopover. It’s small enough to see properly in a day but has real character of its own, worth treating as a destination rather than a fuel stop on the way to Mývatn.

How far is North Iceland from Reykjavik?

Around 390 kilometers (240 miles) to Akureyri by road, roughly 5-6 hours of driving, or about 45 minutes by domestic flight.

Can you fly directly to Akureyri?

Yes, Akureyri Airport has regular domestic flights from Reykjavik, a real option if you’d rather not drive the whole way.

What’s the connection between North Iceland and the Diamond Circle?

The Diamond Circle covers the Mývatn/Húsavík/Dettifoss/Goðafoss driving route in lighter form; this guide is the more definitive, detailed version of that same cluster. See our Diamond Circle guide for the quick overview, and come back here for the depth.

Is North Iceland less touristy than the south?

Actually, yes, though that’s changing. The Mývatn area gets real crowds in summer, but Akureyri and the outlying stops like Kolugljúfur or Kálfshamarsvík are considerably quieter than anything on the South Coast.

Final Words on North Iceland

North Iceland doesn’t need to sell itself as hard as the South Coast or Golden Circle, and that’s the point. Akureyri’s heart-shaped traffic lights, a truly alien geothermal field at Námafjall Hverir, a waterfall named for the old gods, this region is worth way more than just a detour on the way to somewhere else.

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