Norðurland eystra

Norðurland eystra, or Northeast Iceland, is a region of striking contrasts where the country's second-largest town, Akureyri, sits at the head of Eyjafjörður — Iceland's longest fjord. The region stretches from the mountainous Tröllaskagi peninsula in the west to the remote Melrakkaslétta plain near the Arctic Circle in the east, encompassing volcanic highlands, fertile valleys, and a coastline dotted with fishing villages. Lake Mývatn, with its otherworldly volcanic landscapes, is one of Iceland's most visited natural attractions and lies within this region.

The northeast has a more continental climate than the south and west coasts, with colder winters, warmer summers, and less rainfall. This creates a landscape of birch woodlands, open moorland, and dramatic lava formations. The region is rich in geothermal activity — hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents are found throughout, from the Mývatn Nature Baths to the fumaroles near Krafla volcano.

Akureyri serves as the cultural and commercial capital of northern Iceland, with a university, botanical garden, and a surprisingly vibrant arts scene for a town of its size. Beyond it, the region rewards slow exploration: abandoned herring stations, island bird sanctuaries, and some of Iceland's most dramatic coastal scenery.

Summer (June–August) is the prime season, with long days, mild temperatures (10–16°C in Akureyri), and most roads and services open. July is the warmest month and peak time for birdwatching at Lake Mývatn and the island sanctuaries of Hrísey and Grímsey. The midnight sun is fully visible from late May through July.

Shoulder seasons (May, September) offer fewer crowds and beautiful light, though some highland roads and ferry services may be closed. Winter brings heavy snow and limited daylight, but Akureyri has a surprisingly active cultural calendar, and the Mývatn area is one of the best places in Iceland for northern lights viewing.

Key events include the Akureyri Summer Arts Festival (June–July), the Herring Era Festival in Siglufjörður (July), and various local village celebrations throughout the summer. The Icelandic National Day (June 17) is celebrated enthusiastically across the region.

Akureyri is the regional hub, connected to Reykjavík by Route 1 (the Ring Road, roughly 390 km, about 4.5 hours) and by domestic flights (45 minutes). Within the region, Route 1 connects Akureyri to Húsavík (about 1 hour northeast), Lake Mývatn (about 1.5 hours), and Egilsstaðir to the east.

Strætó buses serve Akureyri and connect to Reykjavík and some towns, but service is infrequent and often limited to summer. Local buses within Akureyri are free. A car is strongly recommended for exploring the region, especially the Tröllaskagi peninsula, the Mývatn area, and the remote northeast coast.

Ferries connect Dalvík to the island of Hrísey (15 minutes) and Grímsey (3 hours). There is no rail service. Akureyri airport has regular flights to Reykjavík. Taxis are available in Akureyri and Húsavík but scarce elsewhere.

• Akureyri — the capital of North Iceland, known for its botanical garden, cultural institutions, and vibrant café scene set at the head of Eyjafjörður.
• Húsavík — Europe's whale-watching capital, with boat tours offering sightings of humpbacks, minkes, and blue whales in Skjálfandi Bay.
• Dalvík — a fishing village on Eyjafjörður, gateway to Hrísey island and host of the annual Fiskidagurinn mikli (Great Fish Day) festival.
• Ólafsfjörður — a quiet town on the Tröllaskagi peninsula, connected to Dalvík by tunnel and known for its trout fishing.
• Siglufjörður — a picturesque fjord town at the tip of Tröllaskagi, famous for the Herring Era Museum and its dramatic mountain setting.
• Reykjahlíð — the village on the shore of Lake Mývatn, base for exploring the lake's volcanic landscapes and geothermal baths.
• Þórshöfn — a remote fishing village on the Langanes peninsula, near seabird cliffs and the Arctic Circle.
• Raufarhöfn — the northeasternmost village in Iceland, near the Arctic Henge sculpture and Melrakkaslétta's wild coastline.
• Kópasker — a small village on Melrakkaslétta, near the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river and Dettifoss.
• Grenivík — a tiny fishing village on the eastern shore of Eyjafjörður with views across to the Tröllaskagi mountains.
• Hrísey — a peaceful island in Eyjafjörður, known for birdwatching, especially ptarmigan, and accessible by a short ferry from Dalvík.
• Grímsey — Iceland's northernmost inhabited island, straddling the Arctic Circle, home to vast puffin colonies and dramatic sea cliffs.
• Laugar — a small settlement in Fnjóskadalur valley, known for its hot pool and as a gateway to the Vaglaskógur birch forest.

Akureyri's dining scene leads the region, with restaurants serving fresh North Atlantic seafood alongside traditional Icelandic fare. Strikið, Rub23, and Akureyri's harbour-side fish shops are standouts. Húsavík has developed its own culinary identity, with Húsavík Fish Restaurant serving locally caught fish.

The region's fishing heritage means fresh cod, Arctic char, and herring appear on most menus. Smoked lamb from local farms is a regional specialty. The Icelandic hot dog and lamb soup remain staples at roadside stops throughout the northeast.

Options thin out rapidly outside Akureyri and Húsavík. Self-catering is advisable in the more remote areas, with local Bónus and Krónan supermarkets in Akureyri and smaller shops in Mývatn and Siglufjörður.

Akureyri is the cultural capital of the north, home to the Akureyri Art Museum, the Akureyri Church (with its distinctive modernist architecture), and the Nonni House, a museum dedicated to the beloved Icelandic author Jón Sveinsson. The town's botanical garden, established in 1912, is one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world.

The Herring Era Festival in Siglufjörður (July) celebrates the town's history as the herring capital of Iceland, with music, dancing, and the town's excellent Herring Era Museum. Húsavík's Whale Museum is one of Iceland's most visited museums outside Reykjavík.

Smaller festivals and cultural events dot the summer calendar across the region, from the Great Fish Day in Dalvík (August) to local craft fairs and music events. The Akureyri Summer Arts Festival brings theatre, music, and visual art to various venues across town.

• Whale watching from Húsavík — boat tours in Skjálfandi Bay offer some of the best whale sighting rates in Europe, with humpback whales reliably present from April through October and occasional blue whale sightings.
• Exploring the Mývatn volcanic landscape — from the bizarre lava formations of Dimmuborgir to the explosive craters of Hverfjall and the Krafla volcanic area, the Mývatn region is an open-air geology textbook.
• Soaking in Mývatn Nature Baths — a geothermal lagoon set among lava fields, offering a less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon with stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
• Driving the Tröllaskagi peninsula — a scenic coastal route passing through mountain tunnels and fishing villages, with dramatic views of fjords, waterfalls, and Iceland's highest coastal mountains.
• Crossing the Arctic Circle on Grímsey — the ferry or flight to Grímsey offers the chance to stand on the Arctic Circle itself, surrounded by puffin colonies and endless ocean.