North Iceland

Stunning destinations of the North

North Iceland is one of Iceland’s largest and most varied travel regions, stretching from the farming communities of the northwest to the volcanic landscapes around Lake Mývatn and the remote coastline of the northeast. Akureyri is its main urban center, while smaller towns, islands and fishing villages are spread across fjords, valleys and peninsulas.

The Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way connect many of the region’s best-known places, but North Iceland is not defined by a single route. Visitors can move between whale-watching towns, horse country, geothermal areas, historic settlements, ski areas and some of Iceland’s most sparsely populated coastline.

The Region at a Glance

• Main road: Route 1/Ring Road runs through the region
• Major touring routes: Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way
• Towns and villages: Akureyri, Húsavík, Sauðárkrókur, Siglufjörður, and many more
• Main islands: Grímsey and Hrísey
• Natural highlights include: Lake Mývatn, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Tröllaskagi, and Vatnsnes, and many others
• Highland access: Routes into the interior are seasonal and may require a suitable 4x4
• Travel season: Year-round on main roads; some coastal, mountain, and Highland routes are more seasonal
• Good to know: North Iceland stretches far beyond Akureyri and the Diamond Circle, with remote peninsulas, islands, fishing towns, and farming regions across the north coast

What Defines North Iceland?

North Iceland has a stronger regional center than many parts of the country, with Akureyri serving as an important hub for services, culture, education and transport. Beyond the town, communities remain closely tied to fishing, farming, horse breeding and coastal life.

The region also has a distinctly northern character. The Arctic Circle crosses Grímsey; winter brings long hours of darkness, and summer brings exceptionally long days. Major routes such as the Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way make it possible to explore the region in very different ways, from concentrated natural highlights to slower journeys through small coastal communities.

How the Landscape Changes Across North Iceland

The landscape shifts steadily from west to east. In Skagafjörður and the northwest, broad valleys, farmland, and low coastal areas dominate. Around Tröllaskagi, the terrain becomes much steeper, with high mountains dropping toward narrow fjords and fishing towns.

East of Eyjafjörður, the landscape becomes increasingly volcanic. Around Lake Mývatn and Krafla, lava fields, craters, geothermal areas and wetlands sit close together. Further north and east, rivers have cut through the landscape around Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi, before the land opens out again toward the low, exposed peninsulas of Melrakkaslétta and Langanes.

The History and Life in North Iceland

North Iceland has been settled since the early years of Iceland’s history, and many of its communities developed around farming, fishing, trade and the church. Hólar became one of the country’s most important religious and educational centers, while Skagafjörður developed a strong farming and horse-breeding tradition that remains closely associated with the area today.

Along the coast, fishing shaped towns such as Siglufjörður, which grew rapidly during Iceland’s 20th-century herring boom. At its peak, the industry transformed the town into one of the country’s busiest fishing centers before the herring disappeared from local waters in the late 1960s.

That history is still visible across North Iceland today, from working harbors and farms to turf houses, churches, museums and small communities where local industries continue to shape daily life.

These are only a few examples of the interesting sites that can be found all over North Iceland.

Getting to Know North Iceland's Areas

North Iceland has six main areas, each with its own landscape, history, and pace of life. The sections below introduce each area and what sets it apart.

1. Eyjafjörður: Home to Akureyri and the Islands

Akureyri has more hotels, restaurants, and services than anywhere else in the region, which makes it the natural base for a first visit. From here, a short ferry reaches Hrísey in about 15 minutes, while Grímsey takes a 25-minute flight or a three-hour ferry from Dalvík.

Grímsey also hosts puffins from around May to mid-August, so travellers visiting outside that window should expect the island itself, not the birds, to be the main draw. Choose Akureyri as a base if convenience matters more than proximity to Mývatn or Húsavík.

• Best for: town amenities, island day trips, first-time bases
• Main bases: Akureyri
• Allow: 1 to 2 days
• Known for: Akureyri town center, Botanical Garden, Akureyri Church, Hlíðarfjall ski area, Hrísey, Grímsey

2. Mývatn and Þingeyjarsýsla: Waterfalls and Geothermal Areas

Mývatn and Þingeyjarsýsla bring geology and wildlife together in one area. Lake Mývatn formed over 2,000 years ago in a major volcanic eruption, and the area is still geologically active. Near the lake, Hverir has bubbling mud pots, and the Krafla area has the blue Víti crater lake.

Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, drops about 44 m (144 ft) into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. The paved west road stays open most of the year, but the gravel east road usually closes in winter. Goðafoss sits along the Ring Road on the way to Mývatn. On the coast, Húsavík is known for whale watching in Iceland and has its own whale museum.

Around Mývatn, try hverabrauð, a sweet rye bread baked in hot ground for about 24 hours. It is often served with smoked trout from the lake.

• Best for: waterfalls, geothermal areas, volcanic landscapes
• Main bases: Mývatn, Húsavík
• Allow: 1 to 2 days
• Known for: Dettifoss, Goðafoss, Hverir, Krafla, Mývatn Nature Baths, whale watching

3. Tröllaskagi Peninsula: Fishing Towns on the Coast

Getting to this peninsula means driving through mountain tunnels between Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður. This makes it a longer route than other parts of the region. Dalvík offers another spot for whale watching, while Siglufjörður rewards a slower visit with its harbor and herring history.

Nearby Hjalteyri adds a quieter stop, with its own herring-era remains still standing and no set hours or entry fee. This area suits travellers with time for a coastal detour.

• Best for: fishing towns, coastal scenery, winter sports
• Main bases: Dalvík, Siglufjörður
• Allow: 1 day
• Known for: Herring Era Museum, Fjallabyggð ski area

4. Skagafjörður: Horse Country and Hofsós

Horse farms spread across the countryside here, making this the region's center for Icelandic horse breeding. Several farms near Sauðárkrókur offer riding tours, while the nearby village of Hofsós adds a geothermal pool overlooking the fjord.

This area is for anyone who'd rather spend a morning around horses than rush between famous stops. Glaumbær, a turf farm museum, shows how people lived until 1947, and Hólar has the country's oldest stone church.

• Best for: horse riding, countryside, quieter pace
• Main bases: Sauðárkrókur
• Allow: 1 day
• Known for: horse farms, Hofsós geothermal pool, Glaumbær turf farm, Hólar cathedral

5. Húnaflói and Vatnsnes: Seals and Quiet Villages

Seal colonies gather along the rocky shore near Hvítserkur, with Hvammstangi serving as the main base for the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Further along the Ring Road, Blönduós adds a geothermal pool and the Icelandic Textile Center, which covers the region's wool and weaving history. This area works best as a stop along the way between regions.

• Best for: seal watching, quiet villages, off-route stops
• Main bases: Hvammstangi, Blönduós
• Allow: 1 day
• Known for: Hvítserkur, seal watching, Icelandic Textile Center

6. Melrakkaslétta and Langanes: The Far Northeast

This area lies beyond the Diamond Circle and is often overlooked by visitors. On Melrakkaslétta, the villages of Raufarhöfn and Kópasker sit about 3 km (2 miles) from the Arctic Circle. Raufarhöfn is home to the Arctic Henge, a basalt monument on a hill above the village.

Þórshöfn is the main village of Langanesbyggð, which includes the Langanes peninsula. Choose this part of North Iceland if you have extra time and want to continue beyond the better-known Diamond Circle rather than turn back toward Akureyri.

• Best for: Arctic Circle views, birdwatching, remote coastline
• Main bases: Raufarhöfn, Þórshöfn
• Allow: 1 day
• Known for: Arctic Henge, birdlife, Earthquake Centre in Kópasker

Where to Stay in North Iceland?

Akureyri has the widest choice of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in the region. Around Lake Mývatn, most stays are in and near Reykjahlíð, close to the geothermal sites. Húsavík suits travellers who plan to go whale watching. Book early for summer, since the most popular stays fill up first.

The Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way

The Diamond Circle and Arctic Coast Way are two routes that link the region's highlights into a single trip. The Diamond Circle connects Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi Canyon, and Húsavík in one loop. From Akureyri, the loop is about 310 km (193 miles), or more than four hours of driving before stops.

The Arctic Coast Way runs 900 km (560 miles) along the north coast, from Hvammstangi to Bakkafjörður. It opened in 2019 and passes several peninsulas, including Vatnsnes, Tröllaskagi, and Melrakkaslétta. About a third of the route is gravel, so a 4x4 can be useful, particularly when road conditions are poor.

Best Time to Visit North Iceland

North Iceland transforms throughout the year, from nearly endless summer daylight to long, dark winter nights lit by the aurora. Each season brings its own reason to visit, so the right time depends on what you want to experience.

Summer (June to August)

Long daylight hours and the midnight sun make driving and hiking easy. Whale watching peaks now, and midges swarm at Mývatn, mainly in early June and August. Highland F-roads usually open from late June to early September.

Autumn (September to October):

Quieter roads, cooler weather, and northern lights returning from late August. Whale watching tours run until about October.

Winter (November to March)

Long dark nights are ideal for the northern lights. Roads can close with little warning, so check safetravel.is before heading out. The Mývatn Nature Baths stay open year-round for a warm soak against the cold.

Spring (April to May)

Snow begins to melt in the highlands, and seals and seabirds return to the coast. Whale watching tours start around April, and the northern lights fade by mid-April.

How to Get to North Iceland

North Iceland lies about 390 km (242 miles) from Reykjavík, so it helps to pick your route early. You can drive from Reykjavík in about five hours or fly to Akureyri in about 45 minutes. Buses and ferries cover the rest, including the islands of Grímsey and Hrísey.

• By Car: The Ring Road connects North Iceland to both Reykjavík and East Iceland. Driving times change with weather and road conditions, so check umferdin.is before setting out. The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel east of Akureyri is one of only two toll roads in Iceland, and it has no booths.
• By Air: Icelandair flies from Reykjavík to Akureyri several times daily. Norlandair also runs regional flights from Akureyri to Grímsey.
• By Bus: Strætó, Iceland's main public transportation network, operates daily service between Reykjavík and Akureyri. Services become more limited outside the main towns.
• By Ferry: The Grímsey ferry leaves from Dalvík, and the Hrísey ferry leaves from Árskógssandur. Sailings are reduced in winter, so check the seasonal timetable before you travel.

How Many Days Do You Need in North Iceland

Two to four days covers Akureyri, the Diamond Circle, and Mývatn. Five or more days adds the Arctic Coast Way and Tröllaskagi.

Plan Your Trip to North Iceland

North Iceland brings together waterfalls, whale watching, volcanic landscapes, and quiet coastal towns in one region. Akureyri and Lake Mývatn both work well as bases for exploring North Iceland. Akureyri offers easier access to town services and Eyjafjörður, while staying near Mývatn puts you closer to the Diamond Circle’s volcanic and geothermal landscapes.

Build in extra time for the smaller towns and islands along the way. Grímsey sits in the far north, while Blönduós anchors the west. North Iceland covers a lot of ground, from Arctic Circle islands to horse farms and geothermal pools.

Find out more on Visit North Iceland