Can you swim in Lake Mývatn area?

Not the lake itself, but the Mývatn Nature Baths are a geothermal lagoon with milky-blue mineral water and mountain views — quieter than the Blue Lagoon.

The most powerful waterfall in Europe by volume, in Vatnajökull National Park. The west bank (Road 862) is paved and easier; the east bank offers closer views.

When can you see the Northern Lights in North Iceland?

September to April on clear, dark nights. The north's long winter nights and inland dark-sky areas make it excellent for aurora hunting.

How many days do you need in North Iceland?

Two to three days to cover Akureyri, the Diamond Circle and Mývatn comfortably without rushing.

Is the Mývatn area good in winter?

Yes, for Northern Lights, geothermal bathing and snowy landscapes — but check that the Dettifoss and mountain roads are open.

What geothermal areas are in North Iceland?

Hverir (Námaskarð) boiling mud pots, Krafla volcano and Leirhnjúkur lava fields, plus the Mývatn Nature Baths — all near Lake Mývatn.

Iceland · North Iceland

North Iceland

Akureyri, Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss and the Diamond Circle

Kanna kennileiti Skoða kort

🕐

From Reykjavík

5 h drive / 45 min fly

🏙️

Main town

Akureyri

☀️

Best time

Jun–Sep

✈️

Nearest airport

Akureyri (AEY)

🛣️

Road conditions

Paved Ring Road

🐋

Top activity

Whale watching

Verður að sjá

Valdar náttúruperlur

Helstu kennileiti Íslands á North Iceland

Kanna

Kort yfir North Iceland

120 kennileiti á korti — síaðu eftir flokki og smelltu á pin.

Bókaðu upplifun

Vinsælar upplifanir

Leiðsögðar ferðir með hæstu einkunnir á North Iceland

Skoða allar ferðir

Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

Frá

$200

Bóka núna

Hvar á að gista

Hótel á North Iceland

Handvaldar gistimöguleikar um allt svæðið

guest house

Acco Gistiheimili

Norðurland

Bright, modern guesthouse in North Iceland, offering comfortable rooms with bunk beds and scenic views.

$100–$200/nightSkoða hótel

apartment

Hvar á að borða

Veitingastaðir á North Iceland

Valdir veitingastaðir til að borða og drekka

Gott að vita áður

Ferðaráð

Staðbundin þekking til að kanna North Iceland

🐋

Whale watching

Húsavík is Europe's whale-watching capital. Book June–August for the best sightings and bring motion-sickness tablets.

🦟

Midges

Lake Mývatn literally means 'midge lake'. In summer bring a head-net for the calm days around the water.

❄️

Winter roads

The road to Dettifoss (862/864) and mountain passes can close in winter. Check road.is before setting out.

♨️

Geothermal

Skip crowds at the Blue Lagoon — the Mývatn Nature Baths and GeoSea in Húsavík are cheaper and just as blissful.

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Fuel

Akureyri and Húsavík have full services; fill up before the Mývatn–Dettifoss loop where stations are sparse.

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Distances

The Diamond Circle is ~250 km. Give it a full day and start early in shoulder season for daylight.

Núverandi veður

Akureyri, North Iceland

Lifandi veðrið er tímabundið óaðgengilegt — athugaðu heildarspána fyrir núverandi skilyrði.

Fara dýpra

Tengdar handbækur

Ítarlegar handbækur til að skipuleggja ferð á North Iceland

Gott að vita

Algengar spurningar

Allt sem þú þarft að vita um North Iceland

What is the Diamond Circle?

A ~250 km loop in North Iceland linking Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss (Europe's most powerful waterfall), Ásbyrgi canyon and the whale-watching town of Húsavík.

Where is the best whale watching in Iceland?

Húsavík in North Iceland — nicknamed the whale-watching capital of Europe — with high summer sighting rates for humpbacks, minke and even blue whales.

How do I get to North Iceland from Reykjavík?

Drive the Ring Road (~5 hours to Akureyri) or fly Reykjavík–Akureyri in about 45 minutes.

Is Akureyri worth visiting?

Yes — Iceland's 'Capital of the North' has a charming centre, botanical gardens, good restaurants, a ski resort and is the gateway to the whole region.

Halda áfram að kanna