North Iceland Akureyri
5
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Five days in North Iceland and Akureyri give you the full extraordinary range of the most diverse region in Iceland, from the capital of the north and the Godafoss waterfall to the Myvatn volcanic lake and the Krafla caldera, the Husavik whale watching and the extraordinary Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe, and the extraordinary Asbyrgi horseshoe canyon carved by a catastrophic glacial flood. This route covers the complete North Iceland. Akureyri old town and Godafoss, the Myvatn lake, Krafla and the Myvatn Nature Baths, Husavik whale watching and the Exploration Museum, the extraordinary Dettifoss and Selfoss waterfalls in the Jokulsargljufur canyon, and the extraordinary Asbyrgi horseshoe canyon with its remarkable birch forest and the Icelandic folk tradition of hidden people.
Best Time To Visit
Jun to Aug for whale watching and all roads. Winter for northern lights.
Getting There
Fly Reykjavik to Akureyri (45 min) or drive 5 hours Ring Road.
Getting Around
Car essential. Dettifoss requires a road vehicle.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 42,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate
DAY 1
AKUREYRI
MORNING
AKUREYRI OLD TOWN AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
Akureyri at the head of the 60km Eyjafjordur fjord is the most extraordinary city in North Iceland, its extraordinary compact old town of wooden houses on the steep hillside above the harbour and the remarkable Akureyrikirkja church giving the finest city panorama in the north. The extraordinary Botanical Garden at 65 degrees north is the world's northernmost botanic garden, its remarkable collection of native and temperate plants including the extraordinary rose garden entirely free. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
GODAFOSS, THE WATERFALL OF THE GODS
Godafoss dropped its way into Icelandic history in 1000 AD when the lawspeaker Thorgeir threw his Norse god statues into the extraordinary horseshoe waterfall after Iceland converted to Christianity. The remarkable 12-metre drop across a 30-metre width is the finest accessible waterfall in North Iceland. The extraordinary viewing points on both banks give entirely different perspectives on the falls. Entirely free. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
MYVATN FIRST VIEWS AND THE PSEUDOCRATERS
The first afternoon at Myvatn gives the extraordinary initial view of the volcanic lake and its remarkable series of Skutustadagigar pseudocraters, formed by steam explosions through lava 2,300 years ago and entirely walkable. The extraordinary Myvatn lake itself hosts the highest diversity of duck species in Europe, the remarkable Arctic terns nesting on the lake islands and the extraordinary birdlife making it the finest birding destination in Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Eyjafjordur fjord drive south of Akureyri gives the most extraordinary fjord panorama in North Iceland. The extraordinary Hjalteyri village with its converted herring factory is the finest hidden fjord community. The Kerling mountain visible at the fjord head is extraordinary. Entirely free. The finest drive in the Akureyri region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Paris, Akureyri Outstanding Akureyri cafe. Coffee and Icelandic pastries. | Lunch: Strikid, Akureyri Outstanding harbour restaurant. Local Arctic char and North Iceland lamb. | Dinner: Hotel Gigur, Myvatn Outstanding lakeside restaurant. Local North Iceland lamb and Myvatn Arctic char.
DAY 2
MYVATN AND KRAFLA
MORNING
DIMMUBORGIR LAVA FORMATIONS AND MYVATN BIRDLIFE
Dimmuborgir south of Myvatn is the most extraordinary lava formation landscape in North Iceland, its remarkable Church Cave, Church Pillars and extraordinary basalt arches formed by lava flowing over a wetland 2,300 years ago. The remarkable Myvatn lake birdlife in the extraordinary surrounding wetland gives the finest duck and wader diversity in Iceland. The extraordinary Hofdi birch woodland on the eastern shore is the finest peaceful walk at Myvatn. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
KRAFLA CALDERA AND THE VITI CRATER LAKE
The Krafla caldera contains the extraordinary Viti crater lake, its vivid turquoise geothermal water at 60 degrees the most extraordinary natural colour in North Iceland. The remarkable Krafla fires lava field from 1975 to 1984, still steaming in places, gives the most recent volcanic landscape in Iceland accessible by road. The extraordinary Leirhnjukur geothermal area with its boiling mud and sulphur vents is the finest on the Myvatn circuit. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MYVATN NATURE BATHS
The Myvatn Nature Baths give the extraordinary geothermal bathing experience of the Blue Lagoon at a fraction of the crowd and slightly lower cost. The remarkable blue-green mineral-rich water at 36 to 40 degrees and the extraordinary steam mist rising from the lake views are outstanding. The experience of bathing in geothermal water with the extraordinary Myvatn volcanic landscape around is unique in Iceland. Entry approx 5,500 ISK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Grjotagja lava cave at Myvatn is the most extraordinary hidden geothermal cave in North Iceland, a beautiful lava cave with a warm geothermal lake inside used for bathing for centuries. Too hot to swim in now due to volcanic activity, but extraordinary to walk through. Entirely free. Made famous by the TV series Game of Thrones.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe Outstanding farm cafe at Myvatn. Local skyr, fresh cheese and Myvatn Arctic char. | Lunch: Picnic at Dimmuborgir Pack provisions. The lava formations are the finest picnic landscape in North Iceland. | Dinner: Hotel Gigur or Sel restaurant Outstanding Myvatn lakeside restaurants. Local lamb and Arctic char.
DAY 3
HUSAVIK
MORNING
HUSAVIK TOWN AND THE WHALE MUSEUM
Husavik is the whale watching capital of Europe, its extraordinary harbour the departure point for the finest humpback whale encounters accessible from any European town. The Husavik Whale Museum on the harbour tells the complete story of the whales with extraordinary skeleton displays and the remarkable account of the 1948 blue whale stranding, the finest whale museum in the North Atlantic. The extraordinary Husavik Church above the harbour gives the finest view over the Skjalfandi bay. Museum entry approx 2,000 ISK. Travel: 2.5 hour whale safari
MIDDAY
HUSAVIK WHALE WATCHING IN THE SKJALFANDI BAY
The Husavik whale watching boats venture into the Skjalfandi bay where humpback whales feed on capelin in extraordinary concentrations throughout summer. The extraordinary experience of watching humpback whales breach and tail-slap within metres of the boat is the finest wildlife encounter in Iceland. White-beaked dolphins are commonly seen and blue whales appear occasionally. Multiple operators from the harbour. Approx 10,000 to 14,000 ISK. Success rate above 98 percent. Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE EXPLORATION MUSEUM AND HUSAVIK EVENING
The Husavik Exploration Museum is dedicated to space exploration and the remarkable NASA Apollo astronauts who trained on the Myvatn volcanic landscape in 1965 and 1967 as preparation for the Moon. The extraordinary connection between the Icelandic volcanic landscape and lunar exploration is the finest hidden story in North Iceland. The extraordinary Husavik harbour at evening with the whale boats returning is outstanding. Museum entry approx 1,800 ISK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tjornes fossil beds north of Husavik are the most extraordinary fossil site in Iceland, the extraordinary 3-million-year-old marine sediments containing remarkable shells and marine fossils visible in the cliff face along the coastal road. Entirely free. The most extraordinary geological hidden gem in North Iceland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Husavik Coffee before the whale watching departure. | Lunch: Naustid, Husavik Outstanding harbour restaurant. Whale watching boats visible from the tables. | Dinner: Salted Bull, Husavik Outstanding casual Husavik restaurant. Local lamb burger and North Iceland fish tacos.
DAY 4
DETTIFOSS AND ASBYRGI
MORNING
DRIVE TO DETTIFOSS VIA THE EAST BANK
The drive from Husavik to Dettifoss along the extraordinary Jokulsa a Fjollum river canyon follows Route 862 on the east bank, the remarkable basalt canyon walls visible from the road. The extraordinary scale of the Jokulsa canyon becomes apparent on approach to Dettifoss, the river having carved through 100 metres of basalt plateau in an extraordinary geological spectacle. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
DETTIFOSS AND SELFOSS, EUROPE'S MOST POWERFUL WATERFALL
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, the Jokulsa a Fjollum river delivering 200 cubic metres of grey glacial water per second over a 44-metre drop into the extraordinary canyon below. The extraordinary noise, spray and sheer volume of grey water make it the most viscerally impressive waterfall in Iceland. The extraordinary Selfoss waterfall 1km upstream is entirely different, a wide braided cascade of remarkable delicacy. Both entirely free. Travel: 45 min drive to Asbyrgi
AFTERNOON
ASBYRGI HORSESHOE CANYON
Asbyrgi is the most extraordinary geological feature in North Iceland, a 3.5km horseshoe-shaped canyon 100 metres deep carved by a catastrophic glacial flood from the Vatnajokull glacier 8,000 years ago and then partially carved again 3,000 years ago. The extraordinary birch forest filling the canyon floor and the remarkable Icelandic folk tradition that this is the hoofprint of the Norse god Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir give it unique cultural character. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Asbyrgi canyon forest is the most extraordinary hidden peaceful space in North Iceland, the extraordinary birch woodland at the bottom of the 100-metre canyon walls giving complete shelter from wind in all weathers and an extraordinary sense of enclosure. The Icelandic belief in hidden people is strongest at Asbyrgi. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Husavik Breakfast before the Dettifoss drive. | Lunch: Picnic at Dettifoss Pack provisions. No facilities at the canyon. Eat beside Europe's most powerful waterfall. | Dinner: Restaurant in Husavik or Myvatn area Outstanding North Iceland lamb and Arctic char on the return.
DAY 5
CANYON AND RETURN
MORNING
THE JOKULSA CANYON HIKE
The Jokulsa a Fjollum canyon between Dettifoss and Asbyrgi is the most extraordinary river canyon in Iceland, its extraordinary 25km length and 100-metre depth carved by repeated catastrophic glacial floods giving the finest gorge walk in the country. The walk from Asbyrgi south toward Dettifoss gives the extraordinary canyon views from the rim. The remarkable Hljodaklettar echo rocks, basalt formations with extraordinary acoustic properties, are the finest hidden geological feature in the canyon. Travel: 1 hour drive to Akureyri area
MIDDAY
RETURN DRIVE VIA THE EYJAFJORDUR
The return drive from the Husavik area to Akureyri via the extraordinary Eyjafjordur valley gives the finest farewell to North Iceland, the remarkable snow-capped mountains above the fjord and the extraordinary Akureyri city skyline with Akurekirkja visible from the approach road. The extraordinary Dalvik village ferry to Grimsey, Iceland's only Arctic Circle island, is accessible from this road for an extraordinary optional extension. Travel: On the Ring Road
AFTERNOON
AKUREYRI DEPARTURE
The final afternoon in Akureyri gives the extraordinary Laugavegur city walk, the remarkable Nonnahus literary museum and the finest coffee in North Iceland at Cafe Paris. The extraordinary Akureyri Art Museum gives the finest contemporary Icelandic art outside Reykjavik. The Akureyri Airport is 3km from the city centre. Flights to Reykjavik run approximately hourly throughout the day.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Grimsey island ferry from Dalvik is the most extraordinary optional extension in North Iceland, the 3-hour crossing to Iceland's only Arctic Circle island giving the most extraordinary puffin colony accessible from North Iceland and the extraordinary certificate of crossing the Arctic Circle. Ferry approx 8,000 to 12,000 ISK return. The finest hidden extension to the North Iceland itinerary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Dettifoss drive Early departure for the canyon. | Lunch: Picnic in the Jokulsa canyon Pack provisions for the canyon walk. | Dinner: Rub23 or Strikid, Akureyri Outstanding farewell North Iceland dinner. Local lamb and Arctic char.
Where To Stay
Akureyri, Night 1 Hotel Kea or 1862 Nordic Hotel. City centre. Approx 18,000 to 35,000 ISK. Myvatn, Nights 2 to 3 Hotel Gigur or Vogafjos. Lakeside location. Approx 18,000 to 30,000 ISK. Husavik, Nights 4 to 5 Fosshotel Husavik or Husavik Cape Hotel. Harbour. Approx 18,000 to 32,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Book Husavik whale watching well in advance for July. Success rate above 98 percent in summer.
2. Dettifoss at dawn has no other visitors. The most powerful waterfall in Europe is extraordinary in morning mist.
3. The Myvatn Nature Baths are far less crowded and cheaper than the Blue Lagoon. Book ahead. Approx 5,500 ISK.
4. Asbyrgi canyon is the finest free natural site in North Iceland. The Icelandic belief in hidden people is strongest here.
5. Akureyri buses are entirely free within the city, the only free public transport in Iceland.
6. Myvatn midges in June and July are intense but don't bite. Bring a head net for walking around the lake.
Total Budget
20,000 to 42,000 ISK/day