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, the13 Yule Lads (Santas), and unique locations for Northern Lights observation.
- Explore the regions of Iceland:
- North Iceland
- East Iceland
- South Iceland
- Reykjanes
- West Iceland
- Westfjords
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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Film in North Iceland
Destinanation management plan
The Destination Management Plan for North Iceland presents a plan for the development of tourism services for the three years of 2021-2023. There is focus on the development of the destination as a single entity, as much work and investment has been devoted to building up the image of North Iceland ever since the year 2003.
Part of the Destination Management Plan is a list of priorities for projects that must be completed in order to ensure strong tourism services. These projects are submitted by municipalities and tourism clusters.
Click here to see a summary of the plan
Sustainability
Sustainable tourism might be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity, and tourism in Northern Iceland takes this responsibility seriously. Through the development of specific projects such as the Arctic Coast Way or the Birding Trail, a more balanced distribution of visitors is achieved which relieves visitor pressure on individual natural areas. By developing sights and attractions in remoter areas, the economically weaker communities benefit from tourism as a new source of local income.
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Destination management plan has been published
For the first time, a summary of the Destination management plan has been published in English. -
HIP Festival Mini
Hvammstangi International Puppet Festival is a puppet festival hosted in Hvammstangi, a small village in Northwest Iceland, which celebrates live action contemporary puppetry in theatre and film. -
Direct flights to North Iceland from Frankfurt
German airline Condor is bringing travellers to Iceland for the first time. From May to October in 2023, Condor will be flying once a week from Frankfurt to Akureyri in the north and to Egilsstaðir in the east of Iceland. -
Explore the waterfalls in North Iceland
In North Iceland, you'll find numerous beautiful waterfalls.