Discover the understated magic of Northwest Iceland – where rolling green meadows meet dramatic mountain vistas in perfect harmony. This often-overlooked region offers a gentler landscape than its rugged Westfjords neighbor, creating an ideal addition to any North Iceland itinerary. While sweeping fjords give way to pastoral scenes dotted with charming farmsteads, the area’s true wealth lies in its remarkable Viking Age heritage sites – particularly Þingeyrar, where medieval scholars crafted Iceland’s legendary sagas beneath the roof of an ancient monastery.
Must-See Gems of Northwest Iceland
Journey along the iconic Ring Road from Þingeyrar toward Akureyri and discover Sauðárkrókur – a delightful coastal town where panoramic views of Skagafjörður fjord unfold. Don’t miss Drangey Island, legendary lair of saga hero Grettir the Strong, whose tale comes alive at Grettislaug – the geothermal pool where he reportedly bathed. Just 30 minutes inland awaits Hólar í Hjaltadal, an ecclesiastical powerhouse that shaped northern Iceland’s spiritual and educational landscape for over four centuries.
Further north along Route 76, the charming fishing village of Siglufjörður beckons with its colorful houses and fascinating Icelandic Emigration Center at Hofsós. History buffs will appreciate how this picturesque harbor town preserves stories of Icelanders who sought new lives across the Atlantic.
The crown jewel of the region, Eyjafjörður fjord, stretches like a liquid highway toward Akureyri – Iceland’s vibrant northern capital. With 15,000 residents enjoying surprisingly mild weather, this cultural hub combines stunning fjord views with excellent dining and museums. As Iceland’s second-largest urban area, Akureyri makes the perfect base for exploring nearby treasures like the birding paradise Grímsey Island or taking scenic drives to coastal villages like Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður.
Traveler’s Tip: For smooth exploring, check ferry schedules from Dalvík to Hrísey Island in advance – this serene ‘Pearl of Eyjafjörður’ offers exceptional tranquility just offshore.
Exploring Húnaflói Bay & Beyond
While the 230km Ring Road stretch between Brú and Akureyri might seem uneventful at first glance, strategic detours reveal Northwest Iceland’s hidden wonders. Head north from Hvammstangi village to the Vatnsnes Peninsula, where curious seals populate black sand beaches. History comes alive at Þingeyrar’s ancient assembly grounds, while small-town charm awaits in Sauðárkrókur and Siglufjörður’s colorful harbors.
The Untamed Beauty of Skagi Peninsula
A 23km drive north from Blönduós along Route 74 transports you to Skagi Peninsula’s windswept beauty. This hauntingly beautiful landscape of tussocked moors and mountain lakes culminates at Skagaströnd – a fishing town with an unlikely cultural treasure.
Despite its industrial harbor, Skagaströnd surprises visitors with Spákonuhof museum, dedicated to Iceland’s legendary 10th-century prophetess Þórdís. Walk through recreations of her mountain dwelling, encounter symbolic ravens, and unravel tales of her pivotal role in Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. The museum’s centerpiece – a striking wax figure of the clairvoyant sage – brings Viking Age mysticism vividly to life.
From Skagaströnd, adventurous travelers can navigate Route 745’s gravel paths deeper into the peninsula’s untamed wilderness, where the raw beauty of coastal Iceland reveals itself in every sweeping vista.
Buckle up for an unforgettable journey along Iceland’s dramatic northern coast! Route 745 treats adventurous drivers to one of the country’s most spectacular coastal drives, tracing the rugged eastern shoreline of Húnaflói bay. Just 15km north of Skagaströnd, prepare to be awestruck by the 10km-long Króksbjarg cliffs – where the Fossá river transforms into a glittering waterfall as it dramatically plunges over the cliffside into the sea below.
Discover Iceland’s Spiritual Roots at Þingeyrar
A short 6km detour north from the Ring Road along Route 721 brings you to the sacred grounds of Þingeyrar, a must-visit before continuing to Akureyri. Stepping onto this hallowed ground is like entering Iceland’s medieval storybook. Imagine Viking-age lawmakers debating at the original assembly site, and the very spot where Iceland’s first monastery took root in 1133! For over four centuries, devoted monks carefully preserved Iceland’s cultural treasures here, transcribing legendary sagas that would shape the nation’s identity. Though the monastery disappeared after Iceland’s Protestant Reformation in 1550, its powerful legacy lives on.
Þingeyrakirkja: Where History Meets Heavenly Beauty
Today, Þingeyrakirkja church stands as a stunning testament to Iceland’s spiritual heritage. Marvel at the incredible effort that built this 19th-century masterpiece – massive basalt blocks painstakingly transported across the frozen Hóp lagoon by sledge. While its imposing grey exterior dominates the landscape, step inside to discover one of Iceland’s most magical interiors. The celestial blue ceiling sparkles with a thousand golden stars above glowing white walls and rustic green pews. Don’t miss the richly carved 17th-century pulpit (perhaps crafted in Holland) or the beautifully preserved alabaster altarpiece that once graced England’s Nottingham monastery.
Wild Wonders of the Vatnsnes Peninsula
Adventurers with their own wheels will love exploring the untamed Vatnsnes peninsula via Route 711. This rugged finger of land east of Húnaflói bay treats visitors to panoramic views that stretch across the water to the jagged peaks of the West Fjords. Keep your camera ready! The peninsula’s sheltered coastal areas reveal emerald pastures where Icelandic horses graze peacefully alongside flocks of greylag geese. As you follow the winding coastal road, make sure to stop at Ósar beach – your best chance to spot adorable seal pups basking on black volcanic sands during summer months.
Nature sculpted its perfect masterpiece 18km east of Geitafell: the dramatic Hvítserkur rock formation. Rising 15m from the foaming surf, this basalt marvel resembles some mythical sea creature frozen mid-emergence from the waves. Time your visit at low tide to walk right up to this stunning natural sculpture.
Seal Spotting Adventures
For the ultimate seal encounter, join Selasigling’s boat tours operating from Hvammstangi mid-May through September. Their charming vessel Brimill whisks you away to Midfjörður’s secluded southwestern sands – home to dozens of seals completely undisturbed by road traffic. With experienced guides and nearly guaranteed sightings, you’ll capture incredible memories (and photos!) of these playful creatures in their natural habitat.
Journey Through History at Varmahlíð
Following Route 75 north from the Ring Road brings you to Varmahlíð – your gateway to thrilling whitewater rafting excursions and fascinating historical sites. Just 15 minutes up the road awaits the magical turf village of Glaumbær farm, preserving authentic 18th-century Icelandic life. Wander through the charming row of grass-roofed cottages – their crooked doorways and rambling structures look straight from a fairy tale. Each room reveals how rural families survived centuries of harsh winters, from ingenious food storage solutions to beautifully painted storage trunks. History buffs will love standing where Snorri Þorfinsson – the first European child born in North America – returned to spend his final days.
The Vibrant Charm of Sauðárkrókur
Skagafjörður fjord’s crown jewel, Sauðárkrókur (population 2,600), charms visitors with its colorful wooden houses and bustling waterfront. Stroll along the harbor to watch fishing boats unload their catch, visit Iceland’s unique fish-skin tannery, and soak up the pioneering spirit. Don’t miss boat excursions to mythical Drangey island – home to Grettir’s Saga adventures – and a rejuvenating dip in the legendary Grettislaug hot springs (said to have maintained outlaw Grettir’s strength!). With excellent horse riding across the picturesque Skagafjörður countryside surrounding the town, Sauðárkrókur offers perfect mix of culture, nature and adventure.
Eastern Skagafjörður’s Hidden Gems
The 100km coastal drive from Sauðárkrókur to Siglufjörður along Routes 75-76 reveals stunning fjord scenery. Make time to visit Hólar í Hjaltadal – once northern Iceland’s religious and educational heart during the Middle Ages. Today, this peaceful agricultural college campus features an understated yet fascinating cathedral and serves as the trailhead for breathtaking hikes through Hjaltadalur valley to Dalvík. Further north awaits Hofsós, celebrated for its award-winning swimming pool overlooking the fjord and fascinating Emigration Center honoring Icelanders who sought new lives in North America.
Discover Skagafjörður’s Hidden Gems: From Ancestral Journeys to Viking Legends
Tucked away in Iceland’s northern reaches, the Skagafjörður region offers travelers far more than dramatic landscapes – it’s where living history breathes through emigration stories, centuries-old cathedrals, and sagas that echo off sea cliffs.
Hofsós: Where North America Meets Icelandic Roots
This sleepy harbor village of 200 residents surprises visitors with two extraordinary experiences. For North Americans tracing Icelandic ancestry, Hofsós serves as a pilgrimage site. The award-winning Vesturfarasetrið (Icelandic Emigration Center) overlooking Skagafjörður tells the moving story of 20,000 Icelanders who sought new lives across the Atlantic:
- “New Land, New Life” Exhibition: Step inside restored historical buildings filled with personal artifacts from 19th-century immigrants
- Prairie Photographs: Hundreds of evocative images capturing Icelandic settlements in North Dakota and Manitoba
- Genealogy Services: Researchers help visitors uncover family connections (book ahead during summer months)
Iceland’s Most Dramatic Swimming Experience
Just minutes from the emigration center, Hofsós’ geothermal pool will steal your breath – and not just from the warmth. Designed by the Blue Lagoon’s architect, its infinity-edge design creates the illusion of swimming right into Skagafjörður, with Drangey Island rising majestically from the sea. Local tip: Visit at midnight during summer for a magical twilight soak!
Skagafjörður Boat Adventures
The harbor below the pool serves as launch point for unforgettable sea excursions:
- Wildlife & Island Explorer: 2-hour tours to Malmey Island’s puffin colonies and the Þórðarhöfði peninsula’s seal populations
- Sea Angling Expeditions: Try catching cod or haddock with local fishermen (gear included)
Hólar í Hjaltadal: Iceland’s Medieval Spiritual Heart
Drive 12km through emerald valleys to discover Iceland’s northern capital of culture and religion from 1106-1798. Today, this tiny settlement whispers stories of medieval scholarship through two surviving treasures:
The Red Stone Cathedral
A Baroque masterpiece carved from local sandstone in 1763, Hólar Cathedral guards priceless artifacts:
- A 15th-century Nottingham-made altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary
- Ornate German woodcarvings gifted by Bishop Jón Arason
- Erró’s striking modern mosaic honoring Arason’s legacy (look for his bones beneath the chapel floor!)
Don’t miss the ancient bishop’s press – Iceland’s first printing machine commissioned in 1530 – displayed near the agricultural college.
Drangey Island: Where Viking Legends Soar
Rising like a fortress from Skagafjörður’s waters, the sheer cliffs of Drangey host one of Iceland’s great adventure tours. Birdwatchers come for the cacophony of 200,000 nesting seabirds (puffins, guillemots, and razorbills), while saga fans follow in the footsteps of outlaw hero Grettir the Strong.
Conquering the Outlaw’s Lair
Drangey Tours (departing Reykir harbor) includes:
- Boat journey beneath 180-meter cliffs teeming with birdlife
- Heart-pounding ascent via cliffside paths (sturdy footwear required!)
- Visit to Grettir’s hidden hollow – his 3-year hideout from enemies
- The legendary “shrinking” spring where Grettir collected water (accessible only by rope!)
Living Saga Tip: Local guides masterfully recount Grettir’s dramatic story – from his freezing 7.5km swim across “Grettislaug” to the saga’s famously bawdy humor about his… ahem… Viking manhood.
Beyond the Headlands: Siglufjörður’s Calling
As Route 76 winds northeast, the mountains part to reveal Siglufjörður – once the “Herring Capital of the North.” But that’s another story awaiting discovery…
Prepare for an unforgettable journey as Route 76 leads you through a pulse-quickening tunnel into Iceland’s northernmost gem – Siglufjörður. This vibrant fishing town clings dramatically to steep mountain walls where the Arctic Circle lies just a whisper away. Imagine swapping latitudes with Alaska’s wilderness as you explore colorful houses lining Túngata, where the scent of oak-smoked herring still drifts from harbor factories.
Nordic Hiking Paradise
Siglufjörður transforms into a hiker’s dreamscape during summer months. Grab trails maps from the Herring Museum and choose your adventure:
The Eyrafjall Circuit (5-7 hours) delivers cinematic fjord views from Hafnarhyrna’s 687m summit before descending through Hvanneyrarskál – a romantic hideaway from the herring boom era. For seasoned trekkers, the Kálfsdalur Challenge (10-14 hours) rewards with abandoned WWII stations and coastal vistas along Nesnúpur’s slopes.
Where Herring Built a Town
Step back into Siglufjörður’s bustling past when this harbor teemed with ten thousand workers during the “silver of the sea” era. The award-winning Herring Era Museum brings this history alive across three immersive exhibits:
Boathouse Chronicles
Walk a reconstructed 1950s dock among historic fishing vessels. Board the oak-hulled Týr SK33 and imagine braving Arctic waters before modern steel ships revolutionized fishing.
Fish Factory Secrets
Discover how herring oil lit European cities and became beauty product gold. Vintage machinery reveals the surprisingly glamorous afterlife of these silvery fish.
Herring Girls’ Legacy
In the restored salting station dormitory, faded Cary Grant photos and nail polish graffiti whisper stories of the resilient women who powered Iceland’s fishing industry.
Eyjafjörður’s Coastal Magic
Journey westward along Route 82 where glacier-carved mountains plunge into steel-blue waters. This agricultural heartland bursts with summer life – watch for ptarmigan darting between hay barrel treasures wrapped like giant marshmallows.
Gateway Adventures
From whale-watching hub Dalvík to revitalized Ólafsfjörður (now connected via modern tunnels), this coast delivers drama. Though functional fishing towns may lack prettiness, their authentic harbors offer departure points for unforgettable sea journeys.
Hrísey Island Sanctuary
Don’t miss this ptarmigan paradise at Eyjafjörður’s mouth. These Arctic grouse transform from snow-white winter camouflage to speckled summer plumage – a living symbol of Iceland’s seasonal magic.
With improved tunnel access shrinking distances, Siglufjörður’s blend of maritime history and mountain adventures awaits. Whether tracing herring girls’ footsteps or summiting windswept peaks, Iceland’s northern frontier leaves visitors breathless in every season.
Hrísey Island: Iceland’s Serene Sanctuary in Eyjafjörður
Nestled like a hidden teardrop at the mouth of Eyjafjörður fjord, Hrísey Island emerges as a peaceful paradise just a 10-minute ferry ride from Árskógssandur. Measuring 7.5km long and 2.5km wide, this tranquil oasis ranks as Iceland’s second-largest island yet hosts fewer than 200 residents – perfect for travelers seeking authentic Icelandic charm away from the crowds.
A Fishing Heritage Reborn
Once a bustling herring port with 340 residents, Hrísey has transformed into a quiet haven where brightly painted homes dot the hillside above a cozy harbor. While the fish factory closed in 1999, new life came through unexpected avenues. The island now hosts Iceland’s National Quarantine Center, originally established for importing Scottish Galloway cattle, and ambitious reforestation projects combat erosion on Hrísey’s volcanic bedrock.
Discovering Hrísey Village
Stroll through streets where colorful houses offer panoramic fjord views. Don’t miss Norðurvegur’s geothermal swimming pool – fed by the island’s own borehole, this 12.5m gem offers warm relaxation with mountain vistas. Three color-coded hiking trails beckon adventurers from the island’s southern tip, ranging from a gentle 2.3km loop to challenging 5km coastal routes revealing dramatic cliffs and bird-filled skies.
A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Hrísey boasts Iceland’s largest ptarmigan population – these protected birds strut confidently through gardens and streets, especially in August trailing fluffy chicks. More famous (or infamous) are Europe’s largest Arctic tern colony. Visitors beware: protective parents divebomb intruders near nesting sites! Golden plovers and eider ducks complete this avian spectacle, though their northern breeding grounds remain off-limits to protect delicate ecosystems.
Eastern Eyjafjörður’s Wild Frontier
Venture east of Akureyri to discover Iceland’s accessible wilderness. Beyond the Ring Road, Route 83 leads to Grenivík village – your gateway to the dramatic Látraströnd coastline. Towering peaks like snow-capped Kaldbakur (1167m) frame abandoned farms where settlers waged epic battles against Arctic elements until WWII. History buffs shouldn’t miss Laufás’ unique turf-roofed church and farmhouse, a living museum 10km south of Grenivík.
Hiking Through History
Challenge yourself on the epic 4-5 day circular trek from Grenivík. Traverse rugged Látraströnd coast past ghost farms like Látur, abandoned since 1942. The trail weaves through Uxaskarð pass to Keflavík – site of an incredible survival tale where an 11-year-old girl once wintered alone after her family perished. Continue through Þorgeirsfjörður to Hvalvatnsfjörður, where mountain road F839 climbs back to civilization. Note: snow often lingers until mid-July at higher elevations.
Grímsey Island: Where Iceland Meets the Arctic
Forty kilometers north of mainland Iceland, volcanic Grímsey proudly straddles the Arctic Circle. This 5km² outpost delivers adventure with purpose – cross into the Arctic realm while exploring cliffs teeming with 36 bird species. The compact village Sandvík charms with its hardscrabble beauty and fascinating heritage.
Arctic Circle Adventures
Landing here is half the thrill – watch as planes scatter birds from the runway before touching down. Follow Grímsey’s only road past geothermal pools (open for three or more swimmers) to the iconic Arctic Circle monument at Básar airport. Snap photos with the ceremonial marker and picnic bench that literally puts you astride 66°33’N.
Chess, Culture & Viking Legends
Discover Grímsey’s surprising chess legacy at Múli community center, where Daniel Fiske’s 19th-century marble chess set honors the island’s Viking gaming tradition. Local children still learn chess in school, and you can challenge new friends at the outdoor table by the shop. Nearby, marvel at the Kerling sea stack – said to be a petrified troll from local legend who formed Grímsey during a mythical excavation gone wrong.
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