Blönduós

Understand

There is no exaggeration in describing North Iceland as Iceland in miniature. It is an area of extremes: The lush farmland of Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður, the rugged mountains of Tröllaskagi many capped by small glaciers, the almost desert-like landscapes of the far north-east, and Grímsey sitting on the Arctic Circle. The region as a whole is characterised by wide bays and fjords, surrounded by mountains on two sides and long river-shaped valleys on the third. It is probably the region in Iceland best suited for outdoor activities, but the north is also interesting for its cultural heritage. As Iceland's second largest urban area, Akureyri is an important centre for art and commerce. Many of the smaller villages offer an experience that rustic, rural Iceland with its deep traditions in farming and fishing.

See

thumb|Goðafoss Hólar í Hjaltadal –The former seat of the bishop of North Iceland, in Skagafjörður. The current cathedral is from the 18th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in Iceland, and it contains religious artefacts from the 15th century onwards. Also the location of a folk museum and a small agricultural university. Goðafoss is one of Iceland's most magnificent waterfalls. It is just off the ring road 50 km east of Akureyri in Fossholl. Ásbyrgi is a very unusual, and very large, cliff formation 60 km east of Húsavík, in Jökulsárgljúfur said to be the hoofmark of Odin's horse.

Do

thumbnail|Hofsós outdoor geothermal swimming pool with a magnificent view over the fjord North Iceland is probably the best destination in Iceland for outdoor adventure or activity tours. Practically anything that's available somewhere in Iceland, is available in the North.

Horse riding - Many people come to Iceland in part to try out the Icelandic horses. Skagafjörður, in North Iceland, is the often regarded as the home of the Icelandic horse, and is a great place to either just give it a try or to set off on a longer riding tour. If you're not going by Skagafjörður, there are various other horse rental options dotted around the region. Swimming - There are swimming pools in almost every village. Those heated by geothermal power are usually outdoors. The swimming pool in Hofsós provides one of the finest views over the nearby fjord. Soaking - In addition to swimming pools, there are several other hot pools to visit in North Iceland. Grettislaug is a pool fed by a natural hot spring just a few meters from the sea in Skagafjörður, about 20km north of Sauðárkrókur. The Nature Baths by Mývatn are another option, forming a sort of less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon in the Southwest. River rafting - The glacial rivers of Skagafjörður are, hands down, the best rivers for rafting in Iceland. Several companies offer rafting tours, they are mostly based around Varmahlíð. Skiing - Unlike most of the rest of the country, North Iceland offers some good skiing. Akureyri is a pop…

Stay safe

Safety concerns are not much different in the north than elsewhere in Iceland. However, the climate is understandably harsher, and during winters it can get much colder than in Reykjavík or more southern regions.

Go next

North Iceland has fjords on either side: the West Fjords and the East Fjords (in East Iceland). Both area easily accessible by car or by bus. With well-equipped 4x4s or on specially arranged tours, it's possible to go onto the highlands and cross Iceland by crossing either Kjölur or Sprengisandur. These are the only routes across the island.

There are seasonal flights from Akureyri to London, Zurich and Amsterdam.