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Looking to visit North Iceland? At Fjallsárlón, we know a thing or two about epic Icelandic adventures. While our home base is the breathtaking Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon in the southeast, we are also passionate about exploring every wild corner of this incredible country, including the untamed wonders of Northern Iceland.
If you love the outdoors or are a thrill-seeker, you’ll definitely fall in love with the North Iceland attractions. Once you see its roaring waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and quirky villages, you’ll know exactly what we mean. And most importantly – you will not want to leave!
However, since there are so many wonders in Iceland, planning your activities can be a headache. So, our handpicked guide will provide you with the absolute best places to visit in Northern Iceland, along with local tips, hidden gems, and a dash of that famous Icelandic fun.
If you want to visit Northern Iceland and truly explore, you may want to start in Akureyri. This lively town is where most travelers begin their northern adventure, and for a good reason!
It is surrounded by snowy mountains, and it is perched at the tip of the Eyjafjörður fjord. Moreover, Akureyri has a vibrant café scene, quirky museums, and even heart-shaped traffic lights. In short, there is something for everyone.
If you decide to spend some time in Akureyri, make sure you do not miss:
Lake Mývatn is a geothermal playground that comes with bubbling mudpots, steamy hot springs, and bizarre lava formations. It is a top spot for birdwatchers that visit Northern Iceland and anyone fascinated by Iceland’s volcanic origins.
Some of the places you cannot skip are:
Speaking of North Iceland waterfalls, Goðafoss is where legend meets raw power. It is located right off Route 1 between Akureyri and Mývatn. This horseshoe-shaped cascade is considered a must-see, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light is truly magical.
The name comes from an epic moment in Icelandic history, when pagan idols were said to be tossed into the falls during the country’s conversion to Christianity.
If you want some drama during your adventure, Dettifoss delivers in spades. This thunderous giant is Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
When you are near the waterfall, you will feel the ground shake beneath your feet from the viewing platforms. This is the moment you will realize nature gets no more exhilarating than this.
For some people, the main goal of visiting Iceland is to see whales. And Húsavík is the place to go whale watching in the country.
From April to October, the odds of spotting humpback whales, minke whales, and playful dolphins are sky-high. Tours leave from the colorful harbor, and the town itself has charm. So you will not regret adding it to your things to do in Northern Iceland.
Siglufjörður is a storybook fishing village with a big personality. Once, it was Iceland’s herring capital. However, now it is home to the award-winning Herring Era Museum – three buildings of interactive exhibits and salty tales.
In summer, you can catch the Folk Music Festival or hike the surrounding Trollaskagi mountains for jaw-dropping views.
Rising 15 meters above the waters off the eastern coast of the Vatnsnes Peninsula, Hvítserkur is a dramatic basalt sea stack forged by centuries of relentless ocean erosion. Resembling a towering sea beast leaned over for a drink, this distinctive basalt sculpture stands as one of North Iceland’s most famous sights.
Local legend tells that the formation was once a troll from Strandir who set out to tear down the bells of Þingeyrarkirkja church, only to be frozen into solid rock when caught by the morning sunrise.
Aldeyjarfoss is a jaw-dropping North Iceland waterfall, hidden in the highlands and plunging over geometric basalt columns. You will need a 4×4 and a sense of adventure to get here, but the reward is a view unlike any other.
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, expect to see similar surroundings. The isolation means you will often have this natural wonder all to yourself.
Hofsós is a sleepy seaside village famous for its infinity-edge geothermal pool, where you can soak while gazing across Skagafjörður fjord.
It is also home to the Icelandic Emigration Center, which tells the fascinating story of Icelanders heading to North America. This is the place to slow down, breathe, and enjoy small-town Icelandic hospitality.
Kolugljúfur is a dramatic canyon carved by the Víðidalsá river and filled with thundering waterfalls (Kolufossar). Legend says it was once home to a giantess named Kola.
The rim walk is a perfect spot for photos, so if you want incredible memories, this is where you need to go.
If you decide to explore Northern Iceland, make sure you pay attention to a few things for the best experience.
While the South Coast gets the crowds, Northern Iceland rewards explorers with wide-open spaces, wild landscapes, and a sense of discovery. With fewer tour buses and plenty of hidden corners, it is a dream for independent travelers. Plus, you can combine your northern road trip with a Fjallsárlón glacier adventure in the southeast, and you will have the ultimate Iceland itinerary.
Ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Check out our tours and make your Icelandic dream a reality – north, south, and everywhere in between!
At Fjallsárlón, we are all about adventure, wild landscapes, and getting up close to Iceland’s raw nature. Our home turf is Southeast Iceland, and we have plenty of activities to offer, but we also believe everyone with extra time should explore Iceland to the fullest. So, for those with a week to spare, North Iceland… Continue reading Spend a Week in North Iceland Without Rushing
FjallsárlónAs explorers and locals at Fjallsárlón, we spend our days surrounded by icebergs, glaciers, and the endless drama of Southeast Iceland’s wild landscapes. And, if there is one thing we see over and over, it is travelers zipping through the region on a rushed South Coast itinerary – snapping photos at Jökulsárlón and then dashing back to Reykjavík.
FjallsárlónAs Fjallsárlón local guides, we know that Icelandic winter is for true adventure seekers, and North Iceland is where the magic of winter really comes alive. While our home base is the glacial wonderland of Southeast Iceland, we are endlessly inspired by the wild, snow-dusted expanses of the north.
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