North Iceland · Iceland
A volcanic lake ringed by lava fields and mudpots, with Iceland's second city and its best whale watching a short drive away.
Photo: Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Mývatn is North Iceland's answer to the Golden Circle: a compact area packed with geothermal fields, lava formations and an otherworldly volcanic lake, but with a fraction of the crowds since it sits a full day's drive from Reykjavik.
The region rewards a slower pace than a day trip — Hverir's roaring steam vents, Dimmuborgir's lava pillars and Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls are all close together, while Akureyri, Iceland's genuine second city, and Húsavík, the country's best whale-watching town, are both under an hour away.
It's also one of the best bases for exploring the north as a whole, whether you're driving the full Ring Road or flying directly into Akureyri to skip the long drive from Reykjavik.
Why visit
North Iceland's case rests on genuine geological drama with far fewer crowds than the south.
Roaring steam vents and bubbling mudpots on a stark, colourful, almost lunar landscape.
The same volcanic drama, without anywhere near the same tour bus traffic.
Calm bay waters and a high density of humpback and other whale species through the summer.
A proper working town with good restaurants, unlike some of Iceland's more purely scenic stops.
Goðafoss and Dettifoss both rival the south coast's headline falls for sheer drama.
Main attractions
North Iceland's core sights cluster tightly around Lake Mývatn, with two of the country's most powerful waterfalls a short drive further.
A shallow volcanic lake dotted with pseudocraters and rich in birdlife, formed by a massive basalt lava eruption 2,300 years ago.
Tip The short Höfði peninsula walk gives some of the lake's best photo angles.
A stark, almost lunar geothermal field of roaring steam vents, bubbling mudpots and mineral-stained orange earth beneath Námafjall mountain.
Tip Stay on the marked paths — the ground here is scalding and unstable underfoot.
An eerie labyrinth of twisted lava pillars, caves and arches, formed when a lava lake drained and left its crust collapsed and standing.
Tip The longer loop trail gets you well away from the crowds near the car park.
A striking horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, its name meaning 'waterfall of the gods.'
Tip Trails on both sides of the river offer different, equally good angles.
One of Europe's most powerful waterfalls by volume, thundering into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon with a spray visible from a distance.
Tip The rougher east-side road gives closer views, but the west side has an easier, paved approach.
Iceland's genuine second city, a compact, colourful town at the head of Eyjafjörður fjord with good restaurants and a striking modernist church.
Tip Climb the steps to Akureyrarkirkja for the best view down the town's main street.
A picturesque fishing town on Skjálfandi Bay, widely considered Iceland's best base for whale watching.
Tip Book an early morning tour for the calmest water and best sighting odds.
Things to do
North Iceland rewards mixing geothermal walks with wildlife and a proper town stop in Akureyri.
Iceland's best whale-watching odds, with humpback, minke and sometimes blue whales spotted through the summer months.
Tip Dress far warmer than you think you need to — the boat deck is cold even in summer.
A quieter, cheaper alternative to the Blue Lagoon, with the same warm, mineral-rich water and far fewer crowds.
Tip Sunset makes for the best light over the surrounding landscape.
A straightforward climb up the rim of this near-perfectly symmetrical explosion crater, with sweeping views over Mývatn.
Tip The full rim loop takes about an hour, though the short climb alone is worth it too.
Several marked trails wind through the pillars and arches, ranging from a quick 20-minute loop to a longer hour-plus circuit.
Tip Local folklore holds these formations are home to Iceland's Yule Lads — ask locally for the stories.
One of the most visceral waterfall experiences in Iceland — the ground itself seems to shake near the viewing platform.
Tip A waterproof layer is essential — the spray carries a long way on a windy day.
A relaxed afternoon of cafés, a good bookshop and the excellent botanical garden, a rare treat this far north.
Tip The free botanical garden is worth an hour even outside peak bloom season.
Local food
North Iceland leans on traditional preserved foods alongside fresh fish from Húsavík and Akureyri's harbours.
A traditional smoked lamb, historically cured over smouldering birch or dried sheep dung, served thinly sliced.
Where to try it Restaurants and guesthouses around Akureyri and Mývatn.
A traditional wind-dried fish snack, often eaten with a thick smear of butter, sold at petrol stations and markets alike.
Where to try it Supermarkets and fish shops in Húsavík and Akureyri.
A reliable breakfast staple across the north, often served with local berries in season.
Where to try it Cafés in Akureyri and guesthouses around Mývatn.
Excellent in Húsavík especially, a working fishing harbour where the catch barely travels before it's served.
Where to try it Harbourside restaurants in Húsavík and Akureyri.
A dense, dark rye bread, often served alongside smoked fish or lamb at breakfast buffets.
Where to try it Guesthouses and cafés around Mývatn.
Iceland's famous caraway schnapps, a fitting way to end a day of geothermal walking in Akureyri's bars.
Where to try it Bars and restaurants in Akureyri.
Accommodation
Most visitors split their nights between Akureyri and a guesthouse near Mývatn itself.
Transport
North Iceland is reached either by a long Ring Road drive or a short domestic flight.
The region's sights are spread along Route 1 and a few short side roads.
When to go
Summer gives the easiest driving and long daylight, while winter offers a real shot at the aurora away from Reykjavik's light pollution.
Easy driving, long daylight and the best whale-watching season.
Excellent aurora viewing, though some roads and the airport can face weather delays.
Quiet, with good early-season aurora chances and mild weather.
Increasing daylight, though some minor roads may still be closed.
Worth planning around: Avoid Hverir on still, windless days if you're sensitive to sulphur smell — it lingers close to the vents.
Itinerary
Built around Mývatn's geothermal core, with Húsavík's whale watching and Akureyri's town centre either side.
Hverir, Dimmuborgir and Goðafoss.
Iceland's mightiest waterfall, whale watching and a real town.
Travel tips
A handful of practical notes make North Iceland far easier to plan around.
FAQ
Yes — it's North Iceland's geothermal and volcanic highlight, with far fewer crowds than the south coast or Golden Circle.
Yes, widely considered so — its calm bay waters and whale density are hard to match elsewhere in the country.
About 5-6 hours by car, or a 45-minute flight to Akureyri followed by a short drive.
Yes — local tours from Akureyri and Mývatn village cover the main sights and whale watching.
Dettifoss is more powerful by volume and rawer in feel, while Gullfoss is more accessible and better set up for visitors.
Two to three days covers Mývatn's geothermal sights, the waterfalls, Húsavík and Akureyri at a relaxed pace.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Lake Mývatn & North Iceland, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
South-East Iceland, Iceland
A glacier lagoon and ice cave country at the edge of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume, with icebergs drifting to a black sand beach.
Don't miss Watching a seal surface between drifting icebergs at Jökulsárlón, Vatnajökull's blue-white ice cap rising behind the lagoon.
Explore Destination — Jökulsárlón and VatnajökullNorthwest Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's remote northwest arm, a maze of fjords with towering bird cliffs, a red sand beach and some of the country's least-visited scenery.
Don't miss Lying flat on the grass at the top of Látrabjarg as thousands of puffins bob on the sea far below, utterly alone but for the birds.
Explore Destination — The WestfjordsCentral Highlands, South Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's remote volcanic highlands, home to a natural hot spring, rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains and the multi-day Laugavegur trek.
Don't miss Soaking in Landmannalaugar's naturally warm stream as the low sun turns the surrounding rhyolite mountains shades of orange, pink and green.
Explore Destination — Landmannalaugar & the HighlandsRead next
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