Attractions in North Iceland (Akureyri, Mývatn)
Land of midnight sun, whales, and volcanic wonders 🐋🌋
Showing 53 attractions · Sorted by importance
Akureyri Art Museum
📍 Akureyri
🖼 Art GalleryA premier contemporary art museum in North Iceland, offering engaging modern exhibitions in a family-friendly space located on the city's famous Art Street.
Akureyri Botanical Garden
📍 Akureyri
🌿 GardenOne of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, featuring thousands of Arctic and temperate plant species in a serene, family-friendly setting.
Ásbyrgi Canyon
📍 Vatnajökull National Park
🏛 LandmarkA magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon with 100-meter high cliffs and a rare forest floor, part of the Diamond Circle route.
Dettifoss Waterfall
📍 Vatnajökull National Park
🏛 LandmarkEurope's most powerful waterfall, featuring an immense volume of grey glacial water crashing into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
📍 Reykjahlíð
🏔 Scenic ViewA labyrinth of dramatic lava caves and towering rock pillars that resemble a ruined medieval fortress.
Glaumbær Heritage Site
📍 Varmahlíð
🏰 CastleOne of Iceland's most iconic historic sites, featuring a large complex of connected turf buildings that showcase authentic medieval and 18th-century rural architecture.
Goðafoss Waterfall
📍 Akureyri
🏔 Scenic ViewKnown as the 'Waterfall of the Gods,' this major historic site is where the Lawspeaker threw his pagan idols to symbolize Iceland's conversion to Christianity in 1000 AD.
Húsavík Whale Museum
📍 Húsavík
🔬 ScienceAn educational center featuring eleven full-size whale skeletons and in-depth exhibits on marine biology and the history of whaling.
Hvítserkur
📍 Blönduós
⛱ BeachA unique 15-meter high basalt rock stack resembling a drinking dragon, located on a dramatic black sand beach.
The Diamond Circle
📍 Circular
🚗 Road Trip250km paved route (1-2 days). This premier touring route connects some of Iceland's most famous sites including Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss waterfall, Ásbyrgi Canyon, and the whale-watching hub of Húsavík.
The Herring Era Museum
📍 Siglufjörður
🏘 Town / VillageAn award-winning maritime museum recreating the early 20th-century herring boom within restored harbor buildings and wooden warehouses.
Akureyri Swimming Pool
📍 Akureyri
🌊 Water ParkA premier public swimming complex featuring multiple heated pools, impressive water slides, and hot tubs popular with families.
Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon Trail (Dettifoss to Ásbyrgi)
📍 Dettifoss
🥾 Hiking & Cycling33km challenging 2-day trek through Vatnajökull National Park with approximately 250m elevation gain. Features include the Dettifoss waterfall, Hljóðaklettar basalt formations, and Ásbyrgi canyon.
The Arctic Coast Way
📍 Hvammstangi
🚗 Road Trip900km route (3-12 days) following the coastline of Northern Iceland. Primarily paved with some well-maintained gravel sections. It passes through 21 fishing villages and offers prime views of the Arctic Ocean and the Northern Lights.
The Diamond Circle Cycling Route
📍 Akureyri
🥾 Hiking & Cycling250km challenging multi-day cycling circuit (3-5 days) covering Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss, and Húsavík. High elevation changes on gravel and paved roads. Bike rental: Icebike (icebike.is).
Akureyrarkirkja
📍 Akureyri
🏰 CastleThis landmark modernist church, designed by the same architect as Hallgrímskirkja, is a central historic and cultural icon of the northern capital.
Hverfjall Crater
📍 Reykjahlíð
🏔 Scenic ViewOne of the world's most symmetrical tephra craters, offering a moderate climb with panoramic views of the volcanic landscape.
Hverir Geothermal Area
📍 Reykjahlíð
🏔 Scenic ViewA Martian-like landscape at the foot of Námaskarð pass filled with bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and vivid mineral colors.
The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum
📍 Svalbarðseyri
🖼 Art GalleryA colorful museum showcasing the raw creativity of self-taught artists and traditional folk art, set in a scenic location overlooking the fjord.
Tjörnes Peninsula
📍 Húsavík
🏔 Scenic ViewA coastal recreation area famous for its fossil-rich cliffs, diverse birdlife, and sweeping views of the North Atlantic.
Viti Crater Lake
📍 Reykjahlíð
🏔 Scenic ViewA stunning volcanic crater in the Krafla area containing an opaque teal-blue lake, accessible via a short hike.
Böggvisstaðafjall Ski Resort
📍 Dalvík
⛷ Ski Resort45-325m, 7 runs, 5km pistes, Dec-Apr season, 2-3 lifts. A historic ski area offering well-groomed runs for all levels and serving as a base for heliskiing adventures.
Daladýrð Petting Zoo
📍 Akureyri
🐄 FarmA delightful farm park where families can interact with traditional Icelandic farm animals like sheep, horses, goats, and pigs.
Forest Lagoon (Skógarböðin)
📍 Akureyri
♨ Hot Spring37-40°C geothermal water discovered during the construction of the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel. The facility is integrated into the Vaðlaheiði forest with two infinity pools, a sauna, and a cold tub.
GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths
📍 Húsavík
🧗 AdventureAn outdoor geothermal center featuring infinity pools filled with warm seawater on a cliffside overlooking the Arctic Circle.
Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort
📍 Akureyri
⛷ Ski ResortA major outdoor activity hub offering downhill skiing in winter and mountain biking and hiking trails during the summer.
Húsavík Harbor
📍 Húsavík
🏘 Town / VillageA scenic historic harbor known for its traditional wooden boats, vibrant waterfront houses, and its role as the whale watching capital of Iceland.
Hverfjall Crater Rim Loop
📍 Reykjahlíð
🥾 Hiking & Cycling4.5km moderate hike involving a steep ascent to the crater rim with approximately 160m elevation gain. Typical duration 1.5-2 hours. One of the world's best-preserved tephra cones.
Lake Mývatn Cycling Loop
📍 Reykjahlíð
🥾 Hiking & Cycling37km easy cycling route on a mostly flat paved road circling the lake. Typical duration 3-5 hours with minimal elevation gain. Bike rental: Hike and Bike (hikeandbike.is) or Mývatn Activity (myvatnactivity.is).
Lake Mývatn Loop
📍 Reykjahlíð
🚗 Road Trip36km paved loop (2-4 hours) following Route 848 and Route 1 around the lake. Features includes the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Hverfjall crater, and the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Sandvíkurfjara
📍 Hauganes
⛱ BeachA serene black sand beach featuring outdoor geothermal hot tubs and scenic views of the Eyjafjörður fjord.
Sigurgeir's Bird Museum
📍 Mývatn
🔬 ScienceThe largest private bird collection in Iceland, showcasing nearly all native species in a modern facility overlooking the bird-rich Lake Mývatn.
Skarðsdalur Ski Resort
📍 Siglufjörður
⛷ Ski Resort200-650m, 10 runs, 5.5km pistes, Jan-May season, 4 lifts. Known for its deep snow, modern lodge facilities, and dramatic scenery on the Tröllaskagi peninsula.
Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters
📍 Reykjahlíð
🏔 Scenic ViewA unique collection of grassy pseudocraters formed by steam explosions, offering scenic walking paths along Lake Mývatn.
Tindastóll Ski Area
📍 Sauðárkrókur
⛷ Ski Resort445-918m, 5 runs, 3.7km pistes, Jan-Apr season, 2 lifts. Offers some of the best vertical drops in North Iceland and floodlit slopes for night sessions.
Tröllaskagi Peninsula Scenic Drive
📍 Akureyri
🚗 Road Trip200km scenic loop (4-6 hours) via Route 82 and 76. Paved road through dramatic mountain passes and several tunnels. Highlights include the village of Siglufjörður, the infinity pool at Hofsós, and whale watching in Dalvík.
Vogafjós Farm Resort
📍 Mývatn
🐄 FarmA working farm and restaurant where guests can watch cows being milked through glass windows and taste fresh homemade dairy products.
Borgarsandur
📍 Sauðárkrókur
⛱ BeachA vast and accessible black sand beach perfect for long walks, birdwatching, and enjoying the mountain scenery of Skagafjörður.
Grenjaðarstaður
📍 Húsavík
🏰 CastleA historic turf farm and former chieftain's seat that houses an extensive collection of artifacts reflecting the region's agricultural and social history.
Húsavíkurkirkja
📍 Húsavík
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic 1907 wooden church built in the Swiss chalet style, widely considered one of the most beautiful churches in Iceland.
Skútustaðagígar
📍 Skútustaðir
🏛 LandmarkA collection of unique pseudo-craters on the shores of Lake Mývatn, formed by steam explosions when lava flowed over wetlands.
The Exploration Museum
📍 Húsavík
🔬 ScienceA unique museum dedicated to the history of human exploration, famously featuring the Apollo astronauts who trained in the nearby lunar-like highlands.
Grettislaug and Jarlslaug
📍 Sauðárkrókur
♨ Hot Spring39°C natural stone-lined pools named after the Icelandic Saga hero Grettir the Strong. Two circular pools located on the coast with panoramic views of Drangey Island and the Skagafjörður mountains.
Hauganes Hot Tubs
📍 Hauganes
♨ Hot Spring38-40°C geothermal hot tubs located directly on a black sand beach. Features boat-shaped tubs and traditional circular pools overlooking the Eyjafjörður fjord, emphasizing a natural coastal experience.
Hlíðarfjall Mountain Bike Trails
📍 Akureyri
🥾 Hiking & CyclingVarious mountain biking trails ranging from easy to expert. Includes technical downhill tracks and cross-country gravel paths. Elevation gain varies significantly. Bike rental: Hlíðarfjall (hlidarfjall.is).
Icelandic Aviation Museum
📍 Akureyri
🔬 ScienceA fascinating discovery center documenting Iceland's flight history through a vast collection of vintage aircraft, helicopters, and interactive exhibits.
Kaffi Kú
📍 Akureyri
🐄 FarmA unique 'Cowshed Cafe' located on a dairy farm where visitors dine on an elevated loft overlooking the cows in their modern barn.
Kjarnaskógur Forest
📍 Akureyri
🥾 Hiking & CyclingThe region's primary outdoor recreational park, featuring extensive hiking and mountain biking trails and large family-friendly playgrounds.
Mt. Súlur Trail
📍 Akureyri
🥾 Hiking & Cycling11km moderate to challenging day hike with 950m elevation gain. Typical duration 5-6 hours round trip. Offers panoramic views of Akureyri and Eyjafjörður fjord.
Tjörnes Peninsula Drive
📍 Húsavík
🚗 Road TripApproximately 60km paved stretch of Route 85 connecting Húsavík to Ásbyrgi. Known for its high fossil-rich sea cliffs, puffin colonies at Voladalstorfa, and expansive views towards Grímsey Island on the Arctic Circle.