North Iceland holiday travel

The sites and vistas of North Iceland stretch from small agricultural communities and seaside fishing villages to glacier–capped mountains and areas of volcanic activity. Islands off the coast make for exciting daytrips, with their wealth of natural beauty and wildlife like whales, puffins and seals.

Where to stay – hotels

Most of the more upscale, five–star hotels in North Iceland can be found in the region of Akureyri, which is the capital city of this region. A broad range of activities centred on culture and history here make Akureyri a popular area to book North Iceland hotel.

If you’re planning on heading into the more remote areas of North Iceland, booking a hotel may require a little bit more advanced planning. It’s advisable to book North Iceland hotel online. You’ll most likely be surprised at the savings this can afford you.

Quaint bed and breakfasts and summer cottages are an attractive hotel option for North Iceland. Husavik is another North Iceland city rich with hotels and other tourist services. A great selection of North Iceland hotel in this area can be found by clicking here.

What to do

Whale watching off the coast of Skjálfandi Bay is a popular activity with tourists from all over the world. Exploration of these marvellous creatures can also be undertaken on land at the Húsavík Whale Museum. A boom in the fishing industry has blessed this region with excellent infrastructure for exploring the open seas.

A unique breed of Icelandic horses dots the rolling hillsides. Riding tours are easily arranged for those with a spirit for the outdoors. In addition, it’s easy to organise white–water rafting expeditions at Skagafjöršur.

You’ll find most of the region’s museums and more refined programmes in Akureyri. There are also several staged performances and festivals put on in this area that can add even more charm to your visit during various times of the year.

During the 1800s, there was a mass exodus on the order of 20 per cent of the entire population of Iceland. These emigrants were bound for the Americas, and their journey has been catalogued at the Emigration Centre in Hofsós.

What to see – by car hire

Car hire is the most comfortable way to see North Iceland. You can pick up a vehicle in Akureyri and then head out to the more remote and mountainous terrain. Hire cars in North Iceland is easily arranged online with phenomenal savings.

The towering rock arch of Hvitserkur is located in Hunafjordur. The waterfalls of Dettifoss are the most massive in all of Europe, and are best seen by hire car. Many other feats of natural beauty can be found in North Iceland.

The cliffs at Myvatn are known all around the world for their unique beauty. The panoramic views from Dimmuborgir Cliff are outstanding.

From the North Iceland capital city of Akureyri, there are many quaint fishing villages that you can drive to by hire car. These include Husavik, Olafsfjordur and Dalvik.