North Iceland Akureyri
3
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Three days in North Iceland and Akureyri take you to the most extraordinary volcanic and geothermal landscape in Iceland outside the south, from the capital of the north with its extraordinary flower-filled streets to the Myvatn volcanic lake, the Krafla caldera with its vivid blue acid lake, and Husavik, the whale watching capital of Europe where humpback whales feed in the extraordinary Skjalfandi bay. This route covers the essential North Iceland. Akureyri's extraordinary botanical garden and the Hof cultural centre, the Godafoss waterfall of the gods, the extraordinary Myvatn lake with its bizarre lava formations, the Krafla geothermal area with the Viti crater lake, and the extraordinary Husavik whale watching with the finest cetacean encounter in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Jun to Aug for whale watching. Winter for northern lights.
Getting There
Fly Reykjavik to Akureyri (45 min) or drive 5 hours via Ring Road.
Getting Around
Car essential. Akureyri walkable. Car for Myvatn and Husavik.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 40,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly short walks
DAY 1
AKUREYRI AND GODAFOSS
MORNING
AKUREYRI OLD TOWN AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
Akureyri is the most extraordinary city in North Iceland, its extraordinary location at the head of the Eyjafjordur fjord with snow-capped mountains above giving the finest fjord city setting outside Reykjavik. The remarkable Akureyri Botanical Garden at 65 degrees north is the most northerly botanical garden in the world, its extraordinary collection of Arctic and temperate plants entirely free to visit. The extraordinary Akurekirkja church above the town gives the finest panorama over the fjord. Garden free. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
GODAFOSS, WATERFALL OF THE GODS
Godafoss is the most historically significant waterfall in Iceland, the site where the lawspeaker Thorgeir threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall in the year 1000 AD when Iceland converted to Christianity. The extraordinary horseshoe waterfall dropping 12 metres across a 30-metre width is the finest accessible waterfall in North Iceland. The remarkable viewing points on both sides of the river give entirely different perspectives. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive back to Akureyri
AFTERNOON
AKUREYRI CULTURE AND THE HOF CENTRE
Akureyri's extraordinary Hof cultural centre on the harbour contains the finest concert hall in North Iceland and gives the finest view over the Eyjafjordur from the harbour promenade. The extraordinary Akureyri Museum tells the remarkable story of the city's settlement and fishing heritage. The extraordinary Nonnahus, the childhood home of the famous Icelandic author Jon Sveinsson, gives the finest literary heritage in North Iceland. Museum entry approx 1,200 ISK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Eyjafjordur fjord drive south from Akureyri along the western shore gives the most extraordinary fjord panorama in North Iceland, the extraordinary snow-capped Kerling mountain at the fjord head visible from the road. The extraordinary Hjalteyri village with its remarkable converted herring factory is the finest hidden fjord village in Eyjafjordur.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Paris, Akureyri Outstanding Akureyri cafe on the main street. Coffee and Icelandic pastries. | Lunch: Strikid, Akureyri Outstanding harbour restaurant. Local Arctic char and North Iceland lamb. | Dinner: Rub23, Akureyri Outstanding modern Icelandic. Local seafood and lamb with the finest wine list in North Iceland.
DAY 2
MYVATN AND KRAFLA
MORNING
LAKE MYVATN AND THE LAVA FORMATIONS
Lake Myvatn is the most extraordinary volcanic lake in Iceland, its extraordinary shallow waters teeming with the highest diversity of duck species in Europe and the remarkable Skutustadagigar pseudocraters formed by steam explosions 2,300 years ago. The extraordinary Dimmuborgir lava formations south of the lake give the finest basalt castle landscape in Iceland, the remarkable Church Cave and the extraordinary Church Pillars columns outstanding. Lake and lava fields free. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE KRAFLA CALDERA AND VITI CRATER
The Krafla caldera north of Myvatn contains the most extraordinary volcanic crater lake in Iceland, the Viti crater filled with extraordinary vivid turquoise geothermal water at 60 degrees. The remarkable lava field from the Krafla fires of 1975 to 1984, still steaming in places, gives the most extraordinary recent volcanic landscape in North Iceland. The extraordinary Leirhnjukur geothermal area with its boiling mud vents is outstanding. Entirely free. Travel: 20 min drive to Nature Baths
AFTERNOON
THE MYVATN NATURE BATHS
The Myvatn Nature Baths are the most extraordinary geothermal bathing pool in North Iceland, their extraordinary blue-green geothermal water rich in minerals at 36 to 40 degrees and the remarkable steam mist rising from the lake in all weathers giving the finest bathing experience outside the Blue Lagoon. The extraordinary views over the Myvatn lake from the pool are outstanding. Entry approx 5,500 ISK. Book in advance.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hofdi nature reserve on the eastern shore of Myvatn is the most extraordinary hidden birch wood in North Iceland, its extraordinary small peninsula of ancient birch trees above the extraordinary lake giving the finest peaceful walk at Myvatn entirely away from other visitors. The extraordinary reflections of the Myvatn pseudocraters in the lake from Hofdi are outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Guesthouse or hotel breakfast Early departure for Myvatn before the tour groups. | Lunch: Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe, Myvatn Outstanding farm cafe beside the lake. Local skyr and Myvatn Arctic char. | Dinner: Hotel Gigur restaurant, Myvatn Outstanding lakeside restaurant. Local North Iceland lamb and Arctic char.
DAY 3
HUSAVIK WHALE WATCHING
MORNING
DRIVE TO HUSAVIK
The drive from Myvatn or Akureyri to Husavik follows the extraordinary Skjalfandi bay coastline, the remarkable view of the whale feeding grounds visible from the road before arrival. Husavik is the most extraordinary whale watching town in Europe, its extraordinary harbour the departure point for the finest humpback whale encounters accessible from any town in Iceland. The remarkable Husavik Whale Museum on the harbour tells the extraordinary story of the whales and their relationship with the town. Travel: 2.5 hour whale safari
MIDDAY
HUSAVIK WHALE WATCHING
The Husavik whale watching boats venture into the extraordinary Skjalfandi bay where humpback whales feed on capelin throughout summer, with minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and occasional blue whales also visible. The extraordinary experience of watching humpback whales breach within metres of a small wooden boat is the finest wildlife encounter in Iceland. Success rate above 98 percent in June to August. Multiple operators from the harbour. Approx 10,000 to 14,000 ISK. Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
HUSAVIK TOWN AND THE ARCTIC COAST
Husavik's extraordinary waterfront with its remarkable painted wooden houses, the Husavik Church built in 1907 with the finest view over the Skjalfandi bay and the remarkable Exploration Museum telling the story of space exploration and the Apollo astronauts who trained near Husavik in 1965 are outstanding. The extraordinary Skjalfandi bay whale feeding grounds visible from the harbour promenade give the finest single sea view in North Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Husavik Exploration Museum is the most extraordinary hidden museum in North Iceland, dedicated to space exploration and the extraordinary NASA Apollo astronauts who trained on the Myvatn volcanic landscape in 1965 and 1967 as preparation for walking on the Moon. Entry approx 1,800 ISK. The finest single surprising museum in Iceland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Husavik Coffee before the whale watching departure. | Lunch: Salted Bull burger, Husavik Outstanding casual restaurant in Husavik. Local lamb burger and North Iceland fish tacos. | Dinner: Naustid, Husavik Outstanding harbour restaurant. Local haddock and North Iceland langoustine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Akureyri, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Kea or 1862 Nordic Hotel. City centre location. Approx 18,000 to 35,000 ISK. Husavik, Night 3 Fosshotel Husavik or Husavik Cape Hotel. Harbour location. Approx 18,000 to 30,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Book Husavik whale watching in advance for July and August. Success rates above 98 percent in summer.
2. The Myvatn Nature Baths are far less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. Book in advance. Approx 5,500 ISK.
3. Godafoss is most extraordinary in early morning light before tour buses arrive from Akureyri.
4. Akureyri's free public transport (free buses within the city) is unique in Iceland. Unusually affordable.
5. The Krafla Viti crater lake is most extraordinary in morning mist. The vivid blue colour is extraordinary.
6. Myvatn midges are intense in June and July. Bring a head net. They don't bite but form enormous clouds.
Total Budget
20,000 to 40,000 ISK/day