74 Best Sights in North Iceland, Iceland

This Sauðárkrókur attraction, enhanced by VR technology, presents an immersive exhibition based on the legendary and bloody chapter of Iceland’s history known as the Age of the Sturlungs (1220–64), which marked the end of Iceland’s independence. At the on-site restaurant Grána Bistro, you can fill up on good local food.

Legend has it that this extraordinary, horseshoe-shape landmark is the hoofprint of Odin’s giant eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. Alternatively, it could have been created by a massive ancient glacial flood, although no reliable eyewitnesses were around at the time to confirm either story, so we’ll never know for sure. From the car park, several trails of varying lengths meander through the well-vegetated areas; the shortest and most popular trail (1 km [½ mile]) leads to the serene, green Botnstjörn Pond.

With unlimited ice-cold Kaldi beer on tap within arm's reach, you won't be tempted to slurp your beer bathwater—not that you could, even if you tried. The beer in these stylish kambala tubs isn't for drinking. It's a special blend of geothermal water and young, unfermented beer with added brewer's yeast, packed with skin-conditioning B vitamins and minerals. A little essential oils and beer soap cap off your 25-minute soak, after which plush carpets, warm blankets, and daybeds await for postbath relaxation. The spa is located in the town of Árskógssandi, just south of Dalvík.

Europe’s most powerful waterfall dispatches an average flow of 193 meters (633 feet) cubed per second with a breathtaking force that makes the earth vibrate beneath your feet. The immense column of white-foaming water thunders over a 45-meter (147-foot) drop creating a magnificent and formidable vision of the sheer force of nature. Expect to see terrific rainbows when the sun is shining. From the parking lot off Route 862, there’s a 15-minute trail through otherworldly rocky plains. Dettifoss can also be viewed from the east side of the falls off Route 864, but this road can often be hazardous in winter so it's vital to check road conditions before setting out.

Southwest of Hverfjall is this mesmerizing lava field known as Dimmuborgir, or "Dark Castles," a labyrinth of tall and twisted formations where you can choose between short and longer signposted routes through the eerie yet enchanting landscape. The best views are available in September when the fiery reds and oranges of the dwarf birch trees contrast brilliantly with the jagged black peaks, crags, and crevices within. It's also fun to visit during the holiday season when the Icelandic Yule Lads take up residence in Dimmuborgir's many hiding spots.

With sheer vertical drops on all sides, Drangey rises sharply out of the sea, creating one of the region’s most iconic images. To the south of the island is a remarkable sea stack named Kerling ("old woman" in Icelandic) and farther east is the island Málmey. Besides hosting a legion of diving birds (puffins, guillemots, and auks), Drangey was once the home of legendary Saga hero Grettir, who spent the last three years of his life there in exile. The remains of his turf house can still be seen on the island.

For the perfect soundtrack to your visit, head to this museum, where you can listen to some traditional folk music and try your hand at a range of antique Icelandic instruments, such as the fiddle and drone zither.

This beautiful infinity pool offers sensational Arctic views of the shimmering Skjálfandi Bay and the Flateyjarskagi Peninsula. While you relax in the geothermally heated seawater, you can wave to folks on whale-watching tours sailing by and point with excitement at large whales breaching in the bay. The mineral-rich water is said to help with skin conditions such as psoriasis. For your comfort, towel, swimsuit, and bathrobe rentals are available.

North of Varmahlíð on Route 75, this is an excellent example of traditional Icelandic turf farms and features a church and several buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century. Among its fascinating artifacts is a beautifully crafted willow-root basket said to have been made by the legendary outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur. Adding to its historical significance is the fact that Glaumbær is an ancient farmstead (existing long before the buildings we see today) and was once home to Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, the first European white woman to travel to America.

North Iceland’s landmark waterfall dazzles with its symmetrical torrents, cascading thunderously into an impressive canyon cut through a 7,000-year-old lava field. Conveniently located just off the main road, Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) is renowned not only for its beauty, but also for the Saga Age legend that gave it its name. As the story goes, in 1000 AD, Þorgeir of Ljósavatn decided that Iceland would peacefully adopt Christianity and cast the pagan idols into the falls.

Located 15 minutes from Dalvík, several marine containers are now employed as hot tubs installed on the black sand beach at Hauganes, providing a delightful beach spa experience and a great place to warm up after a cool sea swim. There are three traditional tubs and then one that's been remade into a ship's hull for the kids. Showers and changing facilities are next to the tubs.

The glorious herring fishing history of Siglufjörður is well preserved in five old harborside buildings at this superb museum. Covering the entire period of the town’s glory days, these beautifully curated exhibition spaces offer a remarkable glimpse into an industry that once generated more than a quarter of the country’s export income. A visit to this museum also gives you free admission to the Folk Music Museum.

The "Echo Cliffs" is an extraordinary labyrinth of rock formations, located on the west side of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon off Route 862. There are two trails from the parking lot to this remarkable attraction: one is a short (1-km [½-mile]) there-and-back path leading to a magnificent rock named The Troll, and another longer trail (3 km [2 miles]) takes a ring around the areas and is more challenging. The name of the attraction comes from the honeycomb textures of the rocks, which act as sound processors amplifying the reverberating sound of the river.

The unlimited sea views over the fjord from this open-air swimming pool are especially pretty during the summer months. As it lacks shelter from the north, it can get somewhat choppy when the wind picks up. After your soak, take the quick hike down the shore to see some truly stellar basalt columns by the water.

An extraordinary episode of nature can be found at Hólmatungur where unique rock formations frame a verdant, well-vegetated oasis bustling with cascading waterfalls and clear-water springs. Hólmatungur is accessed via Route 887. Nordic Natura offers drop-offs and pickups for those wishing to hike in the area.

This excellent museum is entirely dedicated to whales with a number of splendid installations. The center provides detailed information on the whale's habitat along with its biology and ecology. Learn about the species in the North Atlantic in detail, as well as whale stranding and natural history. The facility also includes a full and intact skeleton of a 25-meter-long (82-foot-long) blue whale.

A unique and unusually large church by Icelandic standards, Húsavíkurkirkja is the town’s most iconic landmark attraction and focal point of postcards and images. It was built to accommodate the entire community at the time it was built in 1907 and still serves the public with regular services and ceremonies. Some residents modeled for the large altar painting depicting the resurrection of Lazurus, but not everyone was happy with the result.

This legendary 15-meter (49-foot) sea stack is shaped remarkably like a giant rhino drinking from the sea. Fueling imaginations since time immemorial, Hvítserkur is said to have been a night troll caught in the sunrise while making its way to the old convent at Þingeyrar to complain about the bells. Hvítserkur translates to "white shirt" and refers to the white color from the accumulation of bird droppings. To reach this obligatory photo op, turn off Route 711 north of Ósar Hostel. A trail leads from the parking lot to a viewing platform.

A 6.3-km (4-mile) detour off the Ring Road on Route 721 leads to Þingeyrakirkja, a unique 1877 church constructed of basalt and limestone and located in a picturesque setting next to the lovely Lake Hóp. Make sure you visit this attraction when it's open so you can marvel at the interior, which features a 15th-century altarpiece and an extraordinary dome-shape, midnight-blue ceiling, covered with countless golden stars. Next to the church is a visitor center offering light refreshments.

An aqueous gem amid mountains and lava fields, Lake Mývatn is fed by cold springs in the lake bottom and warm springs in the northeastern corner. The shallow lake—it's 37 square km (14 square miles) yet averages only 2.4 meters (8 feet) deep—teems with birds and insects, including the swarming midges for which the lake is named. These tiny flies are essential in the bird food chain.

Waterfowl migrate long distances to breed at Mývatn: 115 species of bird have been spotted in the area, including 28 duck species. Indeed, the lake has Europe's greatest variety of nesting ducks, including some—the harlequin duck and Barrow's goldeneye—found nowhere else in Europe. Dozens of other kinds of waders, upland birds, and birds of prey also nest here. Be sure to stay on established trails and pathways, as nests can be anywhere. During summer you might find a head net useful to protect yourself against the huge midge swarms.

A waterfall in a forest is a rare treat in Iceland, and while it might be only a few meters tall, the lovely Leyningsfoss is nonetheless impressive. A short walk on one of the delightful forest trails leads to this enchanting spot, where you can sit down on one of the wooden benches and enjoy a few moments of pure bliss.

This masterpiece of nature was discovered by a farmer who was out looking for his sheep. He crawled through a small opening inside a cave to discover an underground realm of peculiar ice sculptures. Tours to Lofthellir are operated directly from Mývatn with Geo Travel ( geotravel.is). Getting to Lofthellir involves a very bouncy 45-minute drive on a rugged track southeast of Hverfjall, followed by a 25-minute walk across a ropey lava field. And, yes, just like the farmer, you will have to crawl through a small opening to get to this frozen treasure.

The north’s answer to the Blue Lagoon, the Mývatn Nature Baths contain a unique blend of minerals, silicates, and geothermal microorganisms. Much paler (and less green) than its southern counterpart, this nature bath has lovely views over the lake that are especially enchanting at sunset. It’s a warm and wonderful place to relax, and if it gets too hot you can order an in-bath glass of cold beer.

Iceland’s only seal museum features a fun and informative exhibition detailing all the seals of the Arctic and North Atlantic with information on Iceland’s seal colonies and why seals are such a significant part of Icelandic culture, tradition, and folklore.

Mývatn, with its feast of midges, is a paradise for birds and well known for its abundance of waterfowl. At Sigurgeir's Bird Museum, located in an impressive turf-topped circular building by the lake, an exhibition of the country's most extensive private collection of taxidermy birds is on display, featuring specimens of nearly every species known to breed in Iceland.

The famed Textile Museum in Blönduós is all about the þráður or the “thread,” and uses this theme to weave together a cohesive and inventive exploration of Icelandic textiles. Stop by to learn about Iceland’s beautiful national costumes, the history of the Icelandic sweater, and the intricacies of embroidery, or just check out which local textile designer is currently showcasing their wares there.

Providing plenty of leafy respite from the vast treeless expanses of Iceland, the Vaglaskógur forest off Route 836 in Fnjóskadalur is one of the few original birch forests surviving Iceland’s “Little Ice Age” and the settlers’ needs for building materials and fuel. Trees here cover 300 hectares of land and are unusually tall, ranging from 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet). Listening to "Vor í Vaglaskógi" by rock band Kaleo is a must when visiting this ancient national treasure.

To mark the location where the Arctic Circle transects the island, the Orbis et Globus (Circle and Sphere) was commissioned and installed in 2017. The artwork, which is a 3-meter (10-foot) concrete sphere, was designed by Kristinn E. Hrafnsson in collaboration with Studio Grandi. The orb is moved once a year to reflect the changing position of the Arctic circle. The 3.7 km (2.3 miles) from the harbor to the Arctic Circle is a three-hour round-trip.

Inspired by Stonehenge in England, the Arctic Henge is an impressive work of art, albeit incomplete, located atop a desolate hill in Raufarhöfn. Featuring a 10-meter-tall (32.9 feet) stone archway at the center and surrounded by four smaller arches, the attraction is designed to behave like a sundial, but one that also frames the sun and other celestial sources of light such as the auroras. The unfinished Arctic Henge is rooted in Icelandic mythology sourced from the ancient Eddic poem, Völuspá (the prophecy of the seeress), and once complete, it will feature a giant sunlight-scattering crystal and a circular perimeter of stone pillars, each symbolic of one of the 72 dwarfs of Völuspa. The stones are easy to spot once you get to the town of Raufarhöfn.