North
The North runs from Blönduós through Akureyri to Mývatn and Húsavík. Ring Road is reliable, but mountain passes like Vaðlaheiði and Öxnadalur can ice over. Dettifoss and Goðafoss are essential stops.
Destinations in North
Reykjahlíð
Village on the eastern shore of Lake Mývatn. Service hub for the Mývatn area with accommodations, pool, and gas.
Mývatn
Lake Mývatn
Geothermal lake and volcanic area. Pseudocraters, lava formations, Dimmuborgir, Hverir, Krafla, and Europe's most powerful waterfall Dettifoss nearby.
Jarðböðin
Mývatn Nature Baths
Geothermal spa on the shores of Lake Mývatn. Sulfur-rich blue waters with panoramic views of the lake and Krafla volcano.
Dimmuborgir
Dark Castles
Lava field with dramatic rock formations resembling castles and caves. Associated with Icelandic folklore of trolls and Yule Lads.
Hverir
Námaskarð
Active geothermal area near Mývatn. Boiling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and vibrant orange/yellow mineral deposits. Strong sulfur smell.
Dettifoss
Europe's most powerful waterfall. 100m wide, 44m drop into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Located in North Iceland. Rough gravel road approach.
Goðafoss
Waterfall of the Gods
Spectacular horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river. Symbolic site where Iceland adopted Christianity in 1000 AD.
Akureyri
Capital of North Iceland
Largest town in North Iceland. Botanical gardens, Christmas house, whale watching. Gateway to the Mývatn region.
Ásbyrgi
Massive horseshoe-shaped canyon in Vatnajökull National Park. Legend says it was formed by Odin's horse Sleipnir. Birch forest inside.
Siglufjörður
Historic herring fishing town in North Iceland. Herring Era Museum, surrounded by mountains. Connected by the only tunnel-road in the region.
Heimskautsgerðið
Arctic Henge
Monumental stone circle inspired by Norse mythology and the Edda poems. Located in Raufarhöfn. Still under construction.
Skógarböðin
Forest Lagoon
Geothermal spa in Akureyri overlooking Eyjafjörður. Modern infinity pool surrounded by birch forest. Opened in 2021.
GeoSea
Geothermal Sea Baths
Unique geothermal sea baths in Húsavík. Ocean-front infinity pools with views of Skjálfandi Bay and whales.
Sauðárkrókur
Largest town in Skagafjörður. Icelandic horse country. Historic turf houses at Glaumbær nearby.
Dalvík
Fishing town in Eyjafjörður north of Akureyri. Ski resort, whale watching, and ferry to Grímsey.
Ólafsfjörður
Small town in northern Iceland, on the Tröllaskagi peninsula.
Hvammstangi
Small town on the Vatnsnes peninsula, known for seal watching.
Hofsós
Small village in the Westfjords, near the Atlantic Road.
Húsavík
Small town in northern Iceland, near the Mývatn area.
Varmahlíð
Small town on the north coast, near Mývatn.
Laugarbakki
Small town on the north coast, near Hofsós.
Blönduós
Small town in northern Iceland. Access to the Westfjords.
Grímsey
Small island in the Arctic Circle, north of Iceland.
Skagafjörður
Skagafjord
Region in northern Iceland known for its fjords and horses.
Tjörnes
Peninsula in northern Iceland with cliffs and bird colonies.
Towns & places in North
Weather and how to drive there.