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By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 17th June 2023 | Updated: 7th January 2024
North Iceland is not only home to the capital of the North and quaint fishing villages left, right, and centre, but also the Arctic Coast Way. You can go from driving through colourful towns with frozen seas to icy peaks and seal-covered peninsulas, and not to mention all of the waterfalls, hot springs, and lava fields you come across.
The north is truly a land of contrasts and being close to the Arctic Circle the seasonal changes of the midnight sun and northern lights are even more wonderful. So here is the best North Iceland itinerary and the top things to do in North Iceland.
📍 North Iceland Itinerary – Day 1: Vatnsnes Peninsula & Hvammstangi
📍 North Iceland Itinerary – Day 2: Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður & Dalvík
📍 North Iceland Itinerary – Day 3: Akureyri, Mýtavn & Hverir
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide
North Iceland Itinerary Map
North Iceland Itinerary – Day 1:Vatnsnes Peninsula & Hvammstangi
If continuing on from a trip in West Iceland continue along Route 54 before heading south along Route 60 and reaching the ring road Route 1. Turn left here bearing north and head to Sæburg.
From Sæburg head up along the edge of Hrútafjörður on Route 1 before taking Route 72 up Miðfjörður towards Hvammstangi and the Vatnsnes Peninsula.
This area is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes as well as seal colonies, so continue up the gravel roads onto Route 711 and up to either Svalbarð farm or Illugarstaðir farm. Both of these are known as places where the seals like to sun themselves on the land so wrap up warm, dust off those hiking boots and get exploring!
Once you’ve had your fill of seals, (which could be hours they are rather cute!), then head back the way you came to the village of Hvammstangi and have a wander through the area on foot. There are often fresh fish being dried on the beaches here and local cafes on the fjord edge have some of the nicest fish dishes going. Spend the night at Hrútafjörður Sæburg HI Hostel, just a short way back down Route 1.
North Iceland Itinerary – Day 2: Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður & Dalvík
The next day begins by heading out on Route 1, then north on Route 76 out along the coast of North Iceland. Be aware that along here the roads are often quite twisty and can turn from tarmac to gravel in an instant, all the while you are on the edge of a cliff above a fjord.
Stop at the first main town you reach Siglufjörður, once famed for its herrings now for its colourful buildings with a snowy backdrop.
Continue along Route 76 through the 11km long Héðinsfjörður Tunnels under the mountains, (very odd to drive through if you haven’t driven through many mountain tunnels before!), to Ólafsfjörður another quaint town at the mouth of the Eyjafjörður.
After reaching here take Route 82 and another mountain tunnel, the 3.5km long one-lane Múli, (which you will have to take turns in driving through as it is only one lane wide), then follow the road along one of the longest fjords in Iceland, Eyjafjörður, to Dalvík. Meaning ‘valley bay’ Dalvík is a wonderful little town with only 1,400 inhabitants, where everyone knows everyone, we’re talking about the café is owned by the hostel owner, who knows the garage owner who is also a fisherman kind of town!
Stay at the Dalvík HI Hostel out in the red cabins on the edge of the town. With access to a hot spring fed tub and sauna, all within the backdrop of the snow-peaked mountains what more could you want.
North Iceland Itinerary – Day 3: Akureyri, Mýtavn & Hverir
After a night under the stars head south down Route 82, before reaching Route 1. Take this road to the east and the town of Akureyri at the base of the fjord. This unofficial capital of the north is a wonderful city to explore for an hour or two, with museums, a botanic garden, and a beautiful church built in 1940 alongside some rather good cafes.
Once you’ve had your fill of Akureyri though the next stop on the route is Goðafoss, seen from Route 1 but by far the best way to really experience the waterfall is to get up close and personal with it by walking one of the footpaths along the edge of it.
From Goðafoss head back on Route 1 heading to the east to Mýtavn a volcanic lake, with naturally heated waters that is often full to the brim with birdlife. Here is also where Mýtavn Nature Baths are located, known as the ‘blue lagoon of the north’, so be sure to stop in them for a warming dip.
Personally, we much preferred them to the real blue lagoon purely as there were very few people there.
Just around the corner from the baths is Hverir, a bubbling mud, steaming stones, Mars-like landscape that is sure to dry you off from the bathing! There is no other way to describe this area than like being on another planet, it is so surreal seeing steam billowing out of mounds of rocks and mud bubbling in pools.
Following along Route 1 on a ring road trip then continue on to Seyðisfjörður in the east for your next night. From here you can continue with our East Iceland Itinerary.
Top Things to do in North Iceland
There are many major attractions and less well-known things to see in the North of Iceland, but here are our top places you must visit, see and stay at:
There are 3 major towns in North Iceland, Akureyri the unofficial capital of the North, Dalvík a haven for whale watching, and Húsavík. We visited both Akureyri and Dalvík amongst numerous other towns and villages but these are the ones you have to see for yourself.
1. See the seals at Hvammstangi
Situated on the Vatnsnes peninsula, Hvammstangi is a wonderful little town all about the seals! This small bustling village, just a short drive off Route 1, is the place to go if you want to eat fresh fish dishes, (make sure you go to Sjávarborg!) see seals, and maybe if you’re lucky even the odd whale.
The peninsula that Hvammstangi lies on is abundant with wildlife and home to the largest seal colonies in the country, including at Svalbarð farm and Illugarstaðir farm. There are also numerous beautiful lighthouses that lie along the coastline, so there really is something for everyone! If you don’t see any seals in the wild you can stop by the Seal Center in Hvammstangi instead.
2. Explore the colourful town of Siglufjörður
Siglufjörður is quite possibly the most colourful fishing town in the north of Iceland. With regular snowfall on the surrounding mountains, the colourful buildings in the harbour look even more colourful than imaginable.
The town has a rich history of herring fishing with numerous links to the sea, so a wander around the harbour is a must. With a Herring Era Museum, old piers, and numerous harbourside restaurants serving the local catch of the day, what more could you ask for in this wonderful setting? This town is also often used for Icelandic TV dramas so you may recognise a view or two!
3. Stay in Dalvík
Located along Iceland’s longest fjord lies the wonderful port town of Dalvík. Meaning ‘Valley Bay’, Dalvík with its mountain background and port side views, is a coastal town with great links for skiing, sea tours, and hiking, so take your pick of the activities and explore what the town has to offer!
As well as the activities the town itself has some of the loveliest people we met on our trip. The local cafe owner also runs the hostels within the town and a number of bright red cabins (which have a sauna and hot spring tub with views over the mountains!) and best of all, is full of wonderful stories to tell about the local history and family traditions.
So be sure to drop by Gisli Eirikur Helgi Kaffihûs Bakkabrædra, have the fish soup or a homemade cake, and say hello!
City Guide – What to do during a trip to Reykjavík
4. Drive The Arctic Coast Way
The south may have the Golden Circle Route but the north has the Arctic Coast Way! From Hvammstangi in the West to Bakkafjörður in the East, this new route is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in Iceland, taking in 17 communities and 21 villages along the way.
5. Experience the power of Goðafoss
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland is Goðafoss, and rightly so. The sheer amount of water that cascades over the 30-meter-wide river before falling 12 meters is mind-blowing. You can most definitely hear it and feel the water spray before you see it.
6. Take a dip in Mýtavn & visit Hverir
Alongside Route 1 lies the volcanic lake of Mýtavn, where old lava flows and hot springs bubble away. The landscape is almost otherworldly throughout Iceland, but the area around Mýtavn is on another level, you could literally be on Mars!
With the Mýtavn Nature Baths, or the blue lagoon of the north to the east, and the bubbling hot springs and mud pots of Hverir further down the road from there, this area of Iceland is not to be missed.
Where to stay for your North Iceland itinerary
With 8 HI Hostels in North Iceland, you have a lot of choices to pick from, however, we chose to stay at Sæburg and Dalvík, each having their own unique traits. If you want to book either of these hostels head to Hostelworld for the best rates.
Sæburg HI Hostel – The farm hostel by the sea
Situated on Route 1
Open 1st March – 31st October
37 beds in dorms and private rooms
Parking on-site
Outdoor geothermal hot tub with incredible views over Hrútafjörður! Just a short dash from changing rooms (also heated by geothermal waters!)
Free Wifi
Washing machine access
Dalvík HI Hostel – The hostel in a small town with big views
Situated on Route 82
Open year-round
36 beds in dorms and private rooms
Parking on-site
The main hostel is situated on the main street of Dalvík, but we stayed in the Vegamot Old Farmhouse Cottage, originally the owner’s great-grandmother’s house, then an old cow shed before being turned into the beautiful cottage it is now! It also comes with access to a Sauna and hot tub!
Free Wifi
Computer access
Fancy extending your trip to North Iceland and visiting some of the other regions to see what they have to offer? Check out our posts on East Iceland, South Iceland, and West Iceland.
North Iceland Itinerary FAQs
Is North Iceland worth visiting?
100% yes! The snow-topped peaks around the fjords, the colourful fishing villages, the fresh food, what more could you want? Well, how about the 260km Diamond Circle Route, considered to be the northeast’s version of the Golden Circle Route in the southwest? Taking in numerous waterfalls, lakes, and canyons all of which call north Iceland home, this route makes visiting North Iceland worth it just for the views!
How to get to North Iceland
There are three ways to get to North Iceland. One is by road, having driven from elsewhere in Iceland via the Ring Road, one is by flying into Akureyri Airport which doesn’t have many international flights, and the last is by arriving via ferry into one of the fjords. This last option isn’t used very often as the ferry crossing times can be quite long and doesn’t always allow for tourists.
How to get around North Iceland
The best, and sometimes the only way to get around in North Iceland is via car. You can pick up a rental from the airport in Akureyri if you haven’t already elsewhere in Iceland, and hit the gravel roads in all their glory!
In all seriousness, North Iceland was the one region in Iceland where we came across gravel road after gravel road, and they soon get really time-consuming to drive on… But all of them we drove ended up taking us to some of the most beautiful places we have ever been.
We cover driving in Iceland much more in our 7 days exploring Iceland’s Ring Road post.
Renting a car in North Iceland
If you are visiting North Iceland, then we highly recommend renting a car so you can get out and about to see the sights and locations you wouldn’t necessarily be able to otherwise. If you have travelled from Reykjavik then you will have hired a car at Keflavik Airport already, but if you arriving into Akureyri Airport, then you will need to get one there.
Check out Rentalcars.com for the best deals for your trip.
Where to eat in North Iceland
North Iceland quite possibly has the most diverse range of food going in Iceland. There is, of course, no shortage of fresh seafood to try, in particular around the very northern fjords, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try them all! Be sure to stop by these places and try what they have to offer:
Sjávarborg in Hvammstangi for fresh fish dishes with a view over the harbour.
Hannes Boy in Siglufjörður for the catch of the day, in a bright yellow building in the harbour.
Gisli Eirikur Helgi Kaffihûs Bakkabrædra (yes it’s a mouthful!) in Dalvík for traditional fish soup, homemade cakes, and a beer from the local microbrewery.
When is the best time to visit North Iceland?
This depends on what you want from your trip. If you want to experience the best hikes and Midnight Sun, then opt for visiting from June til August, if you want to see the Northern Lights, then the winter, October through to March, is the best. If you want to road trip then we recommend visiting in a shoulder season, between the summer peak and the winter.
Is Akureyri worth a visit?
Yes, Akureyri is worth a visit, although there are plenty of other towns that are well worth a visit too as well. These include Siglufjörður, Dalvík, and Hvammstangi.
North Iceland Tours
Conclusion: The Best North Iceland Itinerary & Top Things to do
So there is our North Iceland itinerary and top things to do in North Iceland. From the fishing villages to the seal colonies and all the incredible landscapes in between, North Iceland is somewhere that should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
Planning your own trip to North Iceland? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.