Visit North Iceland is responsible for marketing and promoting North Iceland, a friendly and tranquil area with a population of 36 thousand, including Akureyri, the largest town outside Reykjavík, and several historic coastal towns. The most visited attractions are Vatnajökull National Park, where you find Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, and Lake Mývatn geothermal region with hot springs, volcanic areas, craters, geothermal nature baths, and fantastic lava formations. Here you'll find magical winters, Iceland's most popular ski area, energizing off-piste skiing slopes, the 13 Yule Lads (Santas), and unique locations for Northern Lights observation.
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Chase the Northern Lights in North Iceland
Have you ever looked up on a cold winter night and wished the sky would put on a show just for you? Up here in North Iceland, the aurora borealis tends to do exactly that. With clear skies, wide-open landscapes and minimal light pollution, it’s one of the most magical spots in the country to witness those shimmering curtains of green, pink and violet. -
New hotels under construction in and near Akureyri in North Iceland
Travellers and agencies will have plenty of new options when looking for accommodation in Akureyri and nearby in the near future. This spring, announcements have been made about two new hotels in Akureyri, with the third one close to being completed this year at Grenivík – just a half an hour's drive away from Akureyri. Increased availability of direct flights to North Iceland year-round, both scheduled and chartered, has increased the demand for hotel rooms as well as the increased number of visitors to Iceland in general. -
Thanks for Vestnorden 2025!
Last week, Akureyri became a gathering point for the North when the 40th Vestnorden Travel Mart filled both the Sports Hall and Hof Cultural and Conference Center with energy and collaboratio -
Justin Bieber in North Iceland for new video and album
World famous pop star Justin Bieber came to visit North Iceland in the spring of 2025 to record his new album.
Top destinations
Aldeyjarfoss
Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is considered the most beautiful one in the river Skjalfandafljot. The waterfall is framed with long, natural basaltic columns.
Arctic Henge
Similar to its ancient predecessor, Stonehenge, the Arctic Henge is like a huge sundial, aiming to capture the sunrays, cast shadows in precise locations and capture the light between aligned gateways.
Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi is one of the wonders of nature, a well-forested horse-shoe shaped canyon in Öxarfjörður. Ásbyrgi is a part of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, within the Vatnajökull National Park.
Dettifoss
The Dettifoss waterfall is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, 500 cubic meters of water per second plunge over the edge
Goðafoss
The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.
Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur is a 15 m-high sea stack just off shore on the eastern side of Vatnsnes. Good seal spotting place at the estuary of the Sigridarstadir lake, south from the stack.
Kálfshamarsvík
Kálfshamarsvík is a small cove in the northern part of Skagi, with unusual, beautifully formed sea cliffs of columnar rock, created about 2 million years ago
Direct flights to North Iceland
Akureyri International Airport is located only 3 km from the center of Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Akureyri Airport has a relaxing atmosphere and flexible services. The airport is well located for international flights, only 3 hours from London and 6.5 hours from New York.
Akureyri International Airport serves domestic flights, a series of inbound charters, outbound charters and incoming private jets. It is also the base for ambulance flights in Iceland.
Winter Magic
Activities
Jeep and glacier tours
Many travel agencies specialize in different kinds of jeep exhibitions. A jeep tour on a glacier with breathtaking views is an unforgettable experience.
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Snowmobile and snowcat tours
Many agencies offer snowmobile and snowcat tours. They are suitable for anyone looking for a little excitement and adventure while on vacation.
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Travel suggestions
Húsavík and Jökulsárgljúfur
Visit the whale watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík and discover how glacial floods shaped Iceland thousands of years ago in Ásbyrgi canyon. In the Vatnajökull National Park you'll also find Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.
Edge of the Arctic
Go on the northernmost point of Iceland, picturesque lighthouses and the amazing Arctic Henge. The Langanes peninsula has a great variety of birdlife, there are many sea stacks to explore and hiking trails.
Víðidalur and Austur-Húnavatnssýsla
Discover natural wonders like Kolugljúfur and Vatnsdalshólar as you travel through an area where so many events of the Icelandic history transpired. In the town of Blönduós, take a walk through the old town and see how Iceland's textile has been made through centuries.
Skagi and Skagafjörður
Experience adventure as you go whitewater rafting or on a horseback ride. Skagi and Skagafjörður offer scenic views from the coast and places where you can take a step back into Icelandic history.
Miðfjörður and Vatnsnes
Discover the towns of Laugarbakki and Hvammstangi, and experience natural wonders like Hvítserkur and Borgarvirki.
Eyjafjarðarsveit and Grenivík
Driving around Eyjafjörður Countryside has long been a very popular route, which is not surprising since the area has a lot to offer and is one of the most prosperous counties in the country.
Þingeyjarsveit and Mývatn
Explore on of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Goðafoss waterfall. Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area is widely known as it is a natural wonder like no other.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the little big city of Iceland. It is large enough to offer a rich selection of entertainment, art and culture, yet small enough to be very personal and close to nature. It‘s easy to be fascinated by Akureyri with it‘s with brightly painted wooden houses, cosy bars and steep streets leading down from the hills into the friendly city centre.
