TOP 5 BEST PLACES IN NORTHERN ICELAND

1. AKUREYRI

Akureyri is the second largest city in Iceland and the cultural centre of the north. It is located on the shores of Eyjafjörður Fjord, which is surrounded by mountains and offers beautiful natural scenery.

AKUREYRARKIRKJA

BOTANICAL GARDEN

Akureyri Botanical Garden, also known as Lystigarðurinn, is the northernmost botanical garden in the world. It contains more than 7,000 plant species, including native Icelandic species. Entrance is free. For more information, visit https://www.lystigardur.akureyri.is/en.

FIORD EYJAFJÖRÐUR

A popular spot for whale watching, kayaking trips or fishing.

AKUREYRI CITY MUSEUM

This museum focuses on the history of the region and everyday life in Iceland. It is located in the historic old Nonni's House. For more information, please visit the website https://www.minjasafnid.is/en.

2. MÝVATN

The area around Lake Mývatn (Mývatn means "Mosquito Lake") is one of the most stunning places in northern Iceland. The area offers unique geothermal phenomena, beautiful nature and rich fauna.

LAKE MÝVATN

Lake Mývatn and its surroundings were formed by volcanic eruptions many thousands of years ago, leaving a landscape full of craters and lava formations. It is the fourth largest lake in Iceland and is known for its biodiversity, especially the large number of birds.

Mývatn nature baths are similar to the better known Blue Lagoon, but they are cheaper and less crowded.

MÝVATN NATURE BATH

This natural thermal spa is located near Lake Mývatn. It is a complex of geothermally heated pools with a sauna and a swim-up bar, with water temperatures of around 36-40°C. The water is fed from a depth of 2.5 km.

Myvatn nature baths are similar to the better known Blue Lagoon, but are cheaper and less crowded. A day ticket will set you back 7,400 ISK. You can book on the website https://myvatnnaturebaths.is/.

PSEUDO-CRATERS SKÚTUSTAÐIR

These craters were formed by steam explosions as lava flowed across the marshes. A short walk around these craters provides a spectacular view of the lake and its surroundings.

HVERIR GEOTHERMAL AREA

This area is full of mud pools, fumaroles and sulphur springs. It is located close to Mount Námafjall. With its colour and steam rising from various places, it looks like a lunar landscape.

KRAFLA VOLCANO

It is an active volcanic area with the Víti crater, which contains a turquoise lake. Krafla is known for several eruptions in the past, which created a fascinating landscape of lava fields and geothermal springs.

3. DETTIFOSS WATERFALL

Dettifoss Waterfall, located in the north of Iceland, is one of the most impressive natural phenomena in Europe. It is considered to be the most massive waterfall on the continent due to the combination of its height and the huge volume of water that flows over it. The waterfall measures 44 m in height and 100 m in width.

Dettifoss Waterfall is considered the most massive waterfall on the continent.

It is fed by the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, which flows from Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, with a total flow of over 200 m³/s.

FUN FACT

The Dettifoss waterfall appeared in the science fiction film Prometheus (2012) in the opening scene, highlighting its imposing appearance and dramatic atmosphere.

ACCESS

East Bank (Route 864): offers panoramic views of the entire waterfall. The road is less traveled but more traffic-intensive.

West Bank (Route 862): easier access for cars, groomed trails and viewing platforms near the waterfall. You will also find refreshments and public restrooms.

4. HUSAVÍK

Húsavík is a picturesque town in the north of Iceland, located on the shores of Skjálfandi Bay. It is known as the "whale watching capital" and offers a unique combination of natural beauty, marine life and Icelandic culture.

WHALE WATCHING

Húsavík is one of the best places in the world for whale watching thanks to the abundance of marine life in the Gulf of Skjálfandi. The most commonly spotted species include humpback whales, fin whales, killer whales and sometimes blue whales.

You can try a cruise with North Sailing, which offers whale watching on period fishing boats from the 20th century. Prices start at ISK 11,990 per person. To book, visit the website https://www.northsailing.is/.

The small town of Husavík is known as the "whale watching capital".

MUSEUM OF WHALES

This modern museum, also known as Hvalasafnið, is dedicated to whales and their conservation. It includes exhibitions of whale skeletons, information on whale biology, ecology and the history of whaling.

Tickets cost ISK 2 500. For more information, visit https://hvalasafn.is/en/.

HUSAVÍKURKIRKJA CHURCH

This beautiful wooden church has been a symbol of the town since 1903.

5. GOÐAFOSS WATERFALL

Godafoss, known as the "Waterfall of the Gods", is one of the most beautiful and important waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the northern part of the island, close to the main road number 1 (Ring Road), making it an easily accessible tourist attraction.

BASIC INFORMATION

• Height: The waterfall is approximately 12 metres high.
• Width: It extends over a width of 30 metres.
• River: located on the Skjálfandafljót River, which rises in the Vatnajökull Glacier.
• Location: about 35 km east of Akureyri and about 50 km from Lake Mývatn.

THE LEGEND OF GOÐAFOSS

The waterfall got its name at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, when Iceland adopted Christianity as its state religion. According to legend, Thorgeir Thorkelsson, the legislator of the Althing (Iceland's parliament), threw pagan statues of Norse gods into the waterfall as a symbol of the transition from paganism to Christianity. Since then, the waterfall has been known as the "Waterfall of the Gods."