North Iceland travel guide

About North Iceland

Northeastern Region is one of the traditional eight regions of Iceland, located in the north of the island. The biggest town in the region is Akureyri, with a population of 19,542 in 2024.

Places to visit in North Iceland

1. 

   Mývatn

   Nature · 7 mi from centre

   A shallow volcanic lake surrounded by craters, lava formations and abundant birdlife. Drive or cycle the loop road around it, and bring a head net in summer, when midges swarm near the water.

2. 

   Goðafoss

   Nature · 20 mi from centre

   A wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, an easy stop just off the Ring Road. Walk both banks for different angles; the eastern side has a path down close to water level.

3. 

   Dettifoss

   Nature · 28 mi from centre

   One of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, plunging into a gray canyon inside Vatnajökull National Park. The eastern access road is gravel, so the paved western approach is usually the easier choice.

4. 

   Akureyrarkirkja

   Religious · 34 mi from centre

   The landmark Lutheran church of Akureyri, reached by a long staircase from the town center. Its stepped design echoes basalt columns, and inside you can look for a stained-glass window that came from Coventry Cathedral in England.

5. 

   Húsavík

   Neighborhood · 39 mi from centre

   A harbor town on Skjálfandi Bay known as one of Iceland's best places for whale watching. Tours run mainly from spring through autumn; dress in layers even in summer, since it is cold on the water.

6. 

   Ásbyrgi

   Nature · 38 mi from centre

   A horseshoe-shaped canyon with sheer cliffs and birch woodland, part of Vatnajökull National Park. A short trail leads to a pond at the head of the canyon, and the cliff-top path gives wider views.

7. 

   Krafla

   Nature · 17 mi from centre

   A volcanic area east of Mývatn with a crater lake, steaming lava fields and a geothermal power station. Stay on marked paths, since the ground near the vents can be thin and extremely hot.

8. Mývatn Nature Baths

   Entertainment

   A geothermal lagoon with milky blue water overlooking the lava fields near Lake Mývatn. It is quieter than the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík, but booking ahead is still wise in the summer months.

Things to do in North Iceland by type

16 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

• Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 7 experiences Arctic Coastline and Craft Brews: Microbrewery Tour from Akureyri
• Cruise & Water Tours 5 experiences Akureyri Classic Whales in the Midnight Sun - Night Cruise
• Outdoor activities & Adventure 3 experiences Classic Whale Watching from Dalvík

Top experiences in North Iceland

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 16 available.

Cruise & Water Tours

Whale Watching in Big Boats

• 3 hours
• Free cancellation

From $99 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Small Group Adventure: Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss, Selfoss and Godafoss Day Tour from Akureyri

• 8 hours

From $256 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Aurora Borealis Adventure: Northern Lights Tour from Akureyri

• 2.5 hours

From $145 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Arctic Coastline and Craft Brews: Microbrewery Tour from Akureyri

• 4.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $293 per adult

Spa & Wellness

Vok Baths - Ticket

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $57 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Godafoss Waterfall, Forest Lagoon and Christmas House Day Tour from Akureyri – Small Group Tour

• 4 hours

From $222 per adult

Outdoor activities & Adventure

Northern Lights 4x4 Expedition: Semi-Private Tour from Akureyri

• 2.5 hours

From $298 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Northern Lights and Geosea Baths: A Perfect Evening Escape

• 5 hours

From $427 per adult

Outdoor activities & Adventure

Classic Whale Watching from Dalvík

• 3 hours
• Free cancellation

From $88 per adult

Where to stay in North Iceland

Popular hotels in North Iceland, out of 96 properties you can book.

Kea by Keahotels

• Akureyri
• 8.03 reviews

From $134 per night

Hotel Siglo by Keahotels

• Siglufjordur

From $132 per night

Hotel Akureyri

• Akureyri

From $150 per night

Akureyri - Berjaya Iceland Hotels

• Akureyri

From $138 per night

Hestasport Cottages

• Blonduos

From $218 per night

Hotel Laxa

• Akureyri

From $159 per night

Lava Apartments

• Akureyri

From $93 per night

Hótel Laxá

• Akureyri

From $144 per night

Fosshotel Husavik

• Husavik

From $105 per night

Nordurland by Keahotels

• Akureyri

From $195 per night

Centrum Hotel

• Akureyri

From $131 per night

Skald Hotel Akureyri, Curio Collection by Hilton

• Akureyri

From $204 per night

Best time to visit North Iceland

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit North Iceland is January, May and July to August, when average daytime highs are around 28–60°F and rain falls on about 15 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

North Iceland weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 33° 30° 84%
• Thu 22 Oct 34° 26° 53%
• Fri 23 Oct 28° 16° 27%
• Sat 24 Oct 28° 20° 38%
• Sun 25 Oct 30° 27° 65%
• Mon 26 Oct 27° 25° 45%

Know before you go

Currency

Icelandic króna (ISK)1 US dollar ≈ kr121

Language

Icelandic

Calling code

+354

Driving

On the right

Time zone

Atlantic/ReykjavikUTC+0

Capital

Reykjavík

Upcoming public holidays in Iceland

• Thu 24 DecChristmas EveAðfangadagur
• Fri 25 DecChristmas DayJóladagur
• Sat 26 DecSt. Stephen's DayAnnar í jólum
• Thu 31 DecNew Year's EveGamlársdagur
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's DayNýársdagur
• Thu 25 MarMaundy ThursdaySkírdagur

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to North Iceland

These are the airports closest to central North Iceland. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• AEY Akureyri Airport33 mi (52 km) from the city centre
• HZK Húsavík Airport33 mi (54 km) from the city centre
• OPA Kópasker Airport58 mi (93 km) from the city centre

Getting around North Iceland

Aircraft in Iceland are like buses or trains elsewhere - they're the main form of internal travel other than the roads. Be warned though, that the ride can be a bit bumpy if you're entering one of the fjords like Akureyri.

By car

A car offers the most flexibility for travel around Iceland. Numerous agencies rent vehicles, and ferries allow individuals to bring their own car with them. Rental prices are high (try to book as far in advance as you can) - expect to pay at least 4000 kr per day for a two wheel drive vehicle, and upwards of 12,000 kr per day for a four-wheel-drive vehicle; these prices include basic car insurance, but additional insurance may be purchased to protect against damage from gravel or other common mishaps.

By bus

Scheduled trips between Icelandic towns are operated by Strætó bs. Tours to attractions are provided by scheduled buses from various companies, including Reykjavík Excursions (who also operate the FlyBus), Trex, Sterna Travel[dead link], NetBus and SBA-NORÐURLEIÐ. Long distance bus travel can cost several thousand kronur and is sometimes more expensive than flying. For example, a one way trip from Reykjavík to Akureyri costs 10,340 kr, while flying costs 8,925 kr (as of May 2019).

By bicycle

Cycling is a good way to experience Iceland, and provides a very different experience to other means of transport. You should bring your own touring bike, as buying a bike locally can be expensive. Traffic in and out of Reykjavík is heavy, otherwise, it's OK. You can cycle safely on the Ring Road, or take the bike on the buses serving the Ring Road (they are equipped with bicycle racks) and do side trips.

North Iceland travel FAQ