North Iceland Travel Guide - Free Web & App

Your ultimate guide to North Iceland. Discover top landmarks, proposed trips, and local tips. Free on the web or via the Evendo companion app.

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North Iceland
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North Iceland combines volcanic Lake Mývatn, powerful waterfalls, whale watching, fjords, Arctic wildlife and historic villages for a memorable journey.

Volcanic Landscapes and Northern Shores

North Iceland stretches across a broad, varied region of lava fields, glacial valleys, fjords and open coastal landscapes, with the town of Akureyri often serving as its principal urban gateway. Around Lake Mývatn, volcanic craters, pseudo-craters, steaming ground and dark lava formations create one of the country's most distinctive landscapes, while the powerful Goðafoss waterfall lies along the historic route between Akureyri and the lake. Farther east, the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river cuts through the dramatic landscapes of Jökulsárgljúfur, including Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi within Vatnajökull National Park.
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Fjords, Fishing Towns and Living Heritage

The region's western and northern edges are shaped by Eyjafjörður, Skagafjörður, Húnaflói and the mountainous Tröllaskagi peninsula. Fishing communities such as Húsavík, Dalvík and Siglufjörður retain strong maritime identities, while Skagafjörður is closely associated with Iceland's horse-breeding tradition and the open-air heritage museum at Glaumbær. Húsavík is widely known as a base for whale-watching excursions, although sightings remain dependent on season and sea conditions. Akureyri combines botanical gardens, museums, cafés and cultural venues with access to surrounding waterfalls, ski areas and hiking country.

Seasonal Travel and Northern Atmosphere

North Iceland rewards a flexible itinerary. Summer brings long daylight, accessible roads and opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, whale watching and exploring the region's geothermal bathing traditions; winter offers snow-covered scenery and possible aurora displays, but daylight is limited and road conditions can change rapidly. Distances between attractions are considerable, facilities are concentrated in settlements, and some highland roads are seasonal. The region's character lies in the contrast between active geology, productive farms, fishing harbours and wide, sparsely settled landscapes beneath a strongly changing northern sky.

When is the best time to visit North Iceland?

Best: June–August · 14–17°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January350
February240
March440
April530
May1030
June (best)1430
July (best)1730
August (best)1530
September1240
October750
November350
December250

Getting to and around North Iceland

How to get there

Akureyri is the region's principal air and road gateway, with domestic flights from Reykjavík and road connections along the Ring Road. International visitors commonly arrive through Keflavík International Airport near Reykjavík and continue north by hire car, coach or domestic flight, rather than travelling directly into North Iceland from overseas. Húsavík and other coastal settlements are reached by road, while destinations such as Mývatn, Goðafoss, Skagafjörður and the eastern national-park landscapes are linked by established routes. Seasonal bus services and organised excursions may provide alternatives, but routes and frequencies vary, so check current arrangements before travelling.

Transportation

A car is generally the most flexible way to explore North Iceland because attractions and settlements are widely dispersed. The Ring Road connects Akureyri, Mývatn and the eastern approaches, while other routes follow fjords, peninsulas and valleys; some roads are gravel or liable to seasonal closure. Public buses connect selected towns but are not a comprehensive sightseeing network, and remote attractions may require an organised excursion or careful self-drive planning. Highland F-roads, where open, require appropriate vehicles and adherence to current conditions. Walking and cycling are rewarding on suitable routes, but they do not replace motor transport across the region's distances.

Best attractions in North Iceland

North Iceland's attractions range from the volcanic basin of Lake Mývatn to the fjord settlements of the north coast. Around Mývatn, visitors can explore the pseudocraters at Skútustaðagígar, the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the steaming ground of Námafjall and the distinctive volcanic formations near Kálfaströnd, while nearby Goðafoss is one of the region's most accessible major waterfalls. Húsavík provides access to whale-watching waters in Skjálfandi Bay, and the western fjords lead towards Hólar, Glaumbær and the historic fishing town of Siglufjörður. Farther east, Vatnajökull National Park encompasses the powerful Dettifoss, the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon and the river landscapes of Jökulsárgljúfur. Akureyri offers museums, gardens and cultural venues between excursions into Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains.

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Best landmarks in North Iceland

North Iceland's defining landmarks are largely geological and shaped by water, ice and fire. Goðafoss marks the Skjálfandafljót river with a broad, powerful drop, while Dettifoss on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum is among Europe's most forceful waterfalls by volume. The same river has carved Ásbyrgi, a dramatic horseshoe-shaped canyon within Vatnajökull National Park. Around Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Skútustaðagígar and the geothermal slopes of Námafjall reveal the region's volcanic character. Human landmarks add another layer: Hólar Cathedral occupies a historic ecclesiastical site, Glaumbær preserves turf-roofed farm buildings, and Siglufjörður's Herring Era Museum records the town's fishing heritage. Akureyri's position at the head of Eyjafjörður gives the regional centre a landmark setting between water, farms and mountains.

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Best restaurants in North Iceland

North Iceland's food culture is rooted in farming, fishing and the cold northern seas. Menus and local shops commonly draw on Icelandic lamb, dairy products, rye bread, fish and other seafood, while skyr remains a familiar regional ingredient and everyday food. Akureyri has the broadest selection of cafés, bakeries, restaurants and bars, with further dining options in Húsavík, Mývatn, Sauðárkrókur, Siglufjörður and other larger settlements. In smaller villages and rural areas, choices may be limited to the facilities attached to guesthouses, hotels or seasonal visitor businesses, so meal planning matters on longer drives. Farm shops and local producers can provide an opportunity to buy regional food, although opening arrangements vary. Traditional country hotels, village cafés and harbour-side eateries offer a more grounded experience of food connected to northern farms and fishing communities.

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Best bars in North Iceland

North Iceland is not a clubbing destination, and evening entertainment is concentrated in established settlements rather than at remote natural attractions. Akureyri has the region's most developed after-dark scene, with pubs, bars, cafés and cultural venues serving residents, students and visitors, while Húsavík, Dalvík, Sauðárkrókur and Siglufjörður offer quieter places to meet for a drink or informal evening meal. Traditional local pubs and hotel bars are often more characteristic than dedicated nightclubs, and smaller communities may have limited or seasonal opening arrangements. In summer, long daylight keeps the landscape active late into the evening; in winter, a cosy indoor atmosphere, local cultural programming and the possibility of seeing the northern lights generally matter more than late-night entertainment.

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Best nightclubs in North Iceland

North Iceland is not a clubbing destination, and evening entertainment is concentrated in established settlements rather than at remote natural attractions. Akureyri has the region's most developed after-dark scene, with pubs, bars, cafés and cultural venues serving residents, students and visitors, while Húsavík, Dalvík, Sauðárkrókur and Siglufjörður offer quieter places to meet for a drink or informal evening meal. Traditional local pubs and hotel bars are often more characteristic than dedicated nightclubs, and smaller communities may have limited or seasonal opening arrangements. In summer, long daylight keeps the landscape active late into the evening; in winter, a cosy indoor atmosphere, local cultural programming and the possibility of seeing the northern lights generally matter more than late-night entertainment.

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Best shops in North Iceland

Shopping in North Iceland is concentrated in Akureyri and the larger coastal towns rather than around isolated waterfalls, lava fields or national-park viewpoints. Akureyri provides the widest choice of independent shops, galleries, food retailers, outdoor equipment and locally made gifts, while Húsavík, Siglufjörður, Sauðárkrókur and other settlements have smaller selections. Regional products may include Icelandic wool garments, knitwear, crafts, jewellery, photographic art and food from farms or fishing communities; in Skagafjörður, equestrian connections are also part of the area's identity. Museum shops and small galleries can offer more place-specific purchases than generic souvenirs. Rural farm shops and roadside businesses are useful for local food when open, but distances and seasonal trading patterns mean visitors should not expect continuous retail services outside the main settlements.

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North Iceland essentials

Currency and Payment
Iceland uses the Icelandic króna, abbreviated ISK. Debit and credit cards, including contactless payments, are widely used in Akureyri, Húsavík, larger visitor facilities and many accommodation businesses. Smaller rural services, unattended facilities or temporary vendors may be less predictable, so carrying a modest amount of cash is sensible even though cash payments are not normally required for everyday travel. Cash machines are more readily found in larger settlements than at remote attractions. Visitors should also ensure that their payment card and PIN work abroad and should not rely on finding banking services in sparsely populated areas.
Safety
North Iceland's principal risks arise from changing weather, winter driving, remote roads, rough ground and powerful natural features rather than from urban crime. Check road and weather conditions before setting out, allow extra time, and never assume that summer conditions will persist throughout a journey. Keep well back from waterfalls, cliffs, unstable edges and geothermal areas, and remain on marked paths where they exist. Sea conditions can change quickly during boat trips, while daylight is limited in winter. Mobile coverage is not universal in remote areas, so share your route and expected return time when travelling beyond the main settlements.
Emergency Situations
Call 112 in Iceland for police, fire, ambulance and urgent rescue assistance. Give the operator your name, phone number, precise location, nearby road or landmark, and details of the incident; GPS coordinates can be particularly useful in open countryside. In a vehicle breakdown or weather-related delay, remain with the vehicle when it is safer than walking and contact the relevant assistance service or 112 if there is immediate danger. For non-urgent medical care, seek current advice from local health services or the national healthcare information service, as facilities are concentrated in larger settlements such as Akureyri.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow marked paths, keep away from fragile lava and geothermal ground, close farm gates, and give sheep, horses and nesting birds plenty of space. Do take all rubbish with you and respect private land, local quiet and conservation notices. Do not drive off marked roads, cross barriers or enter closed areas to reach a viewpoint or photograph. Around waterfalls and cliffs, avoid unstable edges and obey warnings even when other visitors ignore them. Ask before photographing people, farms or working animals closely, and remember that access, bathing and camping rules vary between individual sites.
Local Tips
Akureyri is a useful base for Eyjafjörður and Goðafoss, Húsavík suits visitors combining coastal culture with whale watching, and the Mývatn area is convenient for volcanic and geothermal sights. For a broader circuit, plan separate days for the Tröllaskagi coast, Skagafjörður and the Jökulsárgljúfur landscapes rather than treating them as short detours. Summer's extended daylight makes long drives easier, while winter itineraries should remain flexible. Local museums and heritage sites add context to landscapes that can otherwise appear purely geological, particularly around Hólar, Glaumbær and Siglufjörður.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHalló[HAH-loh]
GoodbyeBless[bless]
YesJá[yow]
NoNei[nay]
Please/You're welcomeGjörðu svo vel[GYOHR-thu svoh vel]
Thank youTakk fyrir[tahk feer-ir]
Excuse me/SorryAfsakið[AHF-sah-kith]
How are you?Hvernig hefur þú það?[KVER-nik heh-ur thoo thadh]
Fine. And you?Fínt. Og þú?[feent oh thoo]
Do you speak English?Talarðu ensku?[TAH-lahr-thoo en-skoo]
I don't understandÉg skil ekki[yeh skil eh-ki]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseÉg ætla að sjá matsedilinn, væri það svo sniðugt[yeh EYT-lah ath shau mat-seh-dil-in, VYEH-ri thahd svoh sni-thukt]
I don't eat meatÉg borða ekki kjöt[yeh BOR-tha eh-ki chyot]
Cheers!Skál![skowl]
I would like to pay, pleaseMig langar að borga, væri það svo sniðugt[mih lan-gahr ath bor-gah, VYEH-ri thahd svoh sni-thukt]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjálp![khyawlp]
Go away!Farðu í burtu![FAHR-thu ee bur-thu]
Call the Police!Hringðu í lögregluna![hring-thu ee leu-gre-gluna]
Call a doctor!Hringðu í lækninn![hring-thu ee laik-nin]
I'm lostÉg er villtur[yeh air vil-thur]
I'm illÉg er veikur[yeh air vay-kur]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ég ætla að kaupa...[yeh EYT-lah ath koy-pa]
I'm just lookingÉg er bara að skoða[yeh air bah-ra ath sko-tha]
How much is it?Hvað kostar það?[kvath kohs-tahr thahd]
That's too expensiveÞað er of dýrt[thahd air ohf deert]
Can you lower the price?Geturðu lækkað verðið?[GYEH-tur-thoo ligh-kath vair-thith]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hvað er klukkan?[kvath air kluk-kahn]
It's one o'clockKlukkan er eitt[kluk-kahn air eyt]
Half past (10)Hálf tíu[howlf tee-oo]
MorningMorgunn[mor-gunn]
AfternoonSíðdegis[seed-deh-gis]
EveningKvöld[kvolth]
YesterdayÍ gær[eeg yair]
TodayÍ dag[eeg dahg]
TomorrowÁ morgun[ow mor-gun]
1Eitt[eyt]
2Tvö[tvuh]
3Þrjú[thryoo]
4Fjögur[fyur-gur]
5Fimm[fimm]
6Sex[sehx]
7Sjö[syaw]
8Átta[ow-tha]
9Níu[nee-oo]
10Tíu[tee-oo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hvar er...[kvar air]
What's the address?Hvað er heimilisfangið?[kvath air hame-ee-lis-fan-gith]
Can you show me (on the map)?Geturðu sýnt mér (á kortinu)?[GYEH-tur-thoo seent mair (ow kawr-tin-oo)]
When's the next (bus)?Hvenær kemur næsta (strætisvagn)?[KVER-nair keh-mur nyesta (strait-is-vagn)]
A ticket (to ....)Miða (til ....)[mee-tha teel]

History of North Iceland

Volcanic Formation and Glacial Change

North Iceland's physical character was shaped by repeated volcanic activity, lava flows, tectonic movement and glacial erosion over geological timescales. The volcanic systems around Lake Mývatn produced craters, lava formations and geothermal features, while rivers descending from the northern highlands carved deep gorges farther east. Glacial action helped form the region's broad fjords, including Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður, and continues to influence its valleys and coastlines. These processes created the landscapes later used for farming, fishing, travel and tourism, but they should be understood as geological development rather than human history.

Settlement in the Viking Age

Norse settlement expanded across Iceland during the late ninth and early tenth centuries, and North Iceland became a region of farms, assemblies and coastal communities. The Icelandic sagas preserve memories of families and conflicts associated with places such as Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður, although saga narrative and historical evidence are not identical. Fertile valleys supported livestock farming, while fjords provided access to fishing and maritime travel. The region's scattered farms and settlement patterns still reflect the importance of a combination of pasture, haymaking, freshwater and access to the sea.

Medieval Power and Church Heritage

During the medieval period, northern Iceland contained influential farms, churches and ecclesiastical centres. The old bishopric at Hólar in Hjaltadalur, founded in the eleventh century, became one of Iceland's principal religious and educational institutions and remained a bishop's seat until the eighteenth century. Its cathedral and historic setting preserve an important chapter in Iceland's Christian and literary history. At Reykholt in Skagafjörður, the remains and traditions associated with the chieftain and saga writer Snorri Sturluson connect the region with the political and intellectual world of medieval Iceland.

Farming, Fishing and Northern Towns

For centuries, the economy of North Iceland depended on sheep farming, hay production, horse breeding, fishing and the exchange of goods along the coast. Towns grew as harbours and trading centres became more important, particularly around Eyjafjörður and the northern fishing coast. Siglufjörður prospered during the twentieth-century herring boom, and its Herring Era Museum records the industry, migration and working life that transformed the town. Akureyri developed into a major northern service and commercial centre, while smaller settlements retained close links with surrounding farms and fishing grounds.

Tourism and Landscape Conservation

Improved roads, coastal travel and later the Ring Road made North Iceland increasingly accessible to visitors during the twentieth century. Interest grew around its waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, geothermal areas, whale-watching waters and historic sites. Protection and management became increasingly important as visitor numbers rose: Jökulsárgljúfur was incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park, and fragile areas around Mývatn and geothermal sites require careful visitor behaviour. Modern North Iceland therefore combines working communities and established tourism with continuing efforts to protect habitats, geological formations and cultural landscapes.

North Iceland in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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Cities in North Iceland

The towns and cities of North Iceland, and the easiest places to base yourself.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to North Iceland

Discover North Iceland with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan, book, and explore effortlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and maps
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Heading to North Iceland? Evendo offers the ultimate travel guide experience, complete with detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, restaurants, and more. Download now and explore like a local!

  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Planning a trip to North Iceland? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. Our comprehensive app is designed to help you make the most of your journey, offering detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

Explore the awe-inspiring Godafoss Waterfall, marvel at the geological wonder of Lake Myvatn, or take a relaxing dip in the Myvatn Nature Baths. Discover the charm of Akureyri, North Iceland's capital, and indulge in culinary delights at renowned eateries like Rub 23 and Strikid. Evendo provides rich, detailed descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip.

But Evendo doesn't stop there. Our app allows you to effortlessly book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences in North Iceland. No more hassle of searching multiple platforms; Evendo has it all in one convenient place.

With features like a comprehensive history of North Iceland, essential travel tips, a 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby attractions, and curated local advice, you'll experience North Iceland like a true local. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Download Evendo today and start your adventure!

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