Northern Iceland is a region from the Langanes Peninsula to the Hrútafjörður fjord. The eastern part of the area includes majestic highlands and powerful glacial rivers and waterfalls, and the main attraction of the more densely populated western part is its history and heritage.
Content:
- Features of the northern region
- Akureyri
- Husavik
- Lake Myvatn is the pearl of the North
- Five reasons to visit Northern Iceland
Features of the northern region
The largest city in the north of Iceland is Akureyri in Eyjafjordur. Despite the fact that there are only 17,000 people in Akureyri, its facilities serve the entire northern part of the country, it has a university and a large hospital. Akureyri Church is beautiful and very well known, and there is a famous botanical garden near the city center. Not far from Akureyri is the popular Kyanaskugur campground, as well as one of the best ski resorts in Iceland, Hlidarfyal Mountain.
Not far from Akureyri is the Goðafoss Waterfall, an ideal stop when traveling east from Akureyri. Right on the Arctic Circle, there is the island of Grimsey with the northernmost settlement in Iceland. The island can be reached by boat from Akureyri.
Northern Icelanders are very proud of their heritage, and there are many folk museums in the region. The largest of them are the Gloomber Folk Museum in Skagafjordur and the Akureyri Museum. However, there are many smaller, but no less interesting museums. Notable exhibitions in the area include the Textile Museum in Blonduos, which displays traditional textiles from Icelandic homes, the Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsos (Skagafjörður), which tells the story of Icelanders who moved to America in the 19th century, and the Herring Museum in the beautiful town of Siglufjörður.
The history of the North-West of Iceland includes many dramatic fairy tales. One of them is told in the saga of Grettis, the famous criminal Grettir the strong, who hid on the island of Drangea in the 11th century. The island is well fortified by steep sea cliffs on all sides, and Grettir held out there for three years, until finally magic won.
Another historical site is the old Bishop's Hall in Hjaltadalur, where the Academy of Tourism, Marine Biology and Horse Training currently exists. Northwest Iceland is the most developed area of Iceland when it comes to horse breeding and training, so it is ideal for riding on one of the many farms in the region.
There are many natural wonders in the eastern part of Northern Iceland, including Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi and Lake Mývatn, and the town of Húsavík is the center of whale watching in the North.
Akureyri
Akureyri, the capital of the North, is an important center of services, culture and trade. The city has about 17,000 inhabitants.
The city is located in the Eyjafjordur fjord, among the picturesque mountains. One of them is the Hlíðarfjall mountain, where some of the best ski slopes in Iceland are located. Akureyri is home to the northernmost 18-hole golf course in the world, Jaðarsvöllur, and it offers the opportunity for an unforgettable game of golf in the midnight sun - for those who come to Iceland at the end of June.
Akureyri has a rich cultural life with many museums, the North Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, the Akureyri Theater and the Akureyri Church with two towers, next to the so-called "Art Canyon", where the famous Akureyri Art Museum is located. Notable museums in the city are the Museums of Industry and Flight, as well as Nonnahus and Sigurhadir, which celebrate famous writers from Akureyri.
Husavik
An hour's drive east of Akureyri is Husavik, a whale watching center with very high rates of successful whale encounters, about 98% to be exact. Although the percentage is very high, you should not expect that you will see a whale jumping out of the water, most likely it will be a tail or fin.
Husavik is also home to Iceland's only traditional sailing ships, the two-masted schooners Haukur and Hildur. There are several good restaurants in Husavik that have a variety of seafood dishes.
There are several other interesting sights in Husavik. The church, designed by the Icelandic architect Rongvaldur Olafson, is over 100 years old, and many consider it one of the most beautiful churches in Iceland. The unique whale Museum in Husavik is another reason to visit this picturesque city. Two other interesting museums are located in Husavik, in the House of Culture - the Maritime Museum and the one-of-a-kind phallological museum - the museum of penises.
Lake Myvatn is the pearl of the North
If you drive a little east from the city of Akureyri, you can come to one amazing and unique place in Iceland and the main attraction of the northern region – Lake Myvatn, Myvatn. This place is often called the "pearl of the north". The literal translation of the name of the lake sounds like - "Mosquito Lake", which it got its name due to the huge number of different midges living in this area, we immediately warn you, none of the 300 species of midges on the lake does not bite, but it is better to have a mask from midges, because flies climb all around: in the nose, mouth, eyes. There are about 40 small islands inside the lake, and there are a lot of trout in the lake. Islets and an extremely winding coastline collect a huge number of waterfowl of various species. On the eastern shore of the lake is the park of the Dimmuborgir lava formations. The volcanic landscape around the lake is impressive with its colors, volcanoes and colorful craters.
Geothermal pool on Lake Myvatn, Jarðböðin við Mývatn
Natural thermal springs Myvatn, Myvatn were opened in 2004 and very soon became a popular tourist attraction in Iceland. Moreover, the thermal pools near ...
Five reasons to visit Northern Iceland
Come to Lake Myvatn and walk between the rocks in the mysterious place of Dimmuborgir.
Whale watching in Husavik.
Feel the power of Dettifoss Waterfall and stroll through the majestic gorges of Jokkulsa.
Visit Grimsey, the northernmost settlement in Iceland, and cross the Arctic circle.
Try riding in Skagafjordur, the stronghold of the Icelandic horse, or Skjaldarvík near Akureyri
