Travel to Northern Iceland

Imagine snow-capped mountains, volcanic craters, strange lava formations, roaring waterfalls, rolling pastures full of grazing horses, idyllic seaside villages, whale-inhabited coastlines and steaming geothermal fields that look like the surface of Mars. That, in a nutshell, is what you can experience on a holiday in North Iceland.

North Iceland is home to many unusual attractions, many of which are rooted in Norse mythology. Here can visit Goðafoss (“Waterfall of the Gods”), Tröllaskagi (“The Peninsula of the Trolls”) and the Dimmuborgir (“Dark Castles”) lava formations, which according to folklore is the connection to the underworld.

Of course, the biggest attractions here are the volcanic sites in the Lake Mývatn area, including the Hverir (Námafjall) geothermal area, the Krafla caldera and the Hverfell crater.

From the region’s largest city, Akureyri, it’s easy to visit all the jewels of North Iceland. This includes the whale watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík, and Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Not to mention geothermal spas like Earth Lagoon and the Forest Lagoon. 

To explore North Iceland at your own pace, a self-drive itinerary is highly recommended. Don’t want to drive? Join a guided small group tour or book a private guide and driver. You can also fly to Akureyri in under 45 minutes from the Reykjavik domestic airport.

Although summer is the most popular travel season, you can visit at any time of year. A winter vacation in North Iceland allows you to experience the region’s top attractions in addition to the possibility of seeing the northern lights.

Each region of Iceland is unique, so why not see them all? To drive around the entire Ring Road at a relaxed pace, we recommend a tour of 10 days or more.

Whatever tour you choose, you'll take advantage of all our signature benefits. This includes a hand-marked map with your route, accommodation and highlights, our Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide, a 24/7 helpline during your tour and much more.

When you're ready to start planning your tour to North Iceland, get in touch via our toll-free numbers or live chat. We'll help you make the most of your time here!