North Iceland Holidays
North Iceland Holidays
Despite being a sparsely populated region of farmland and fishing villages, North Iceland boasts some of the country’s biggest attractions. Dettifoss waterfall in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, whilst the fishing towns of Húsavík and Akureyri are known as Iceland’s whale watching capital. Click to see North Iceland in summer with our video.
Board a traditional oak boat and sail out in search of minke whales with the stunning snowcapped peaks of Víknafjöll as the backdrop. Lake Mývatn is the region’s biggest draw; created by a large basaltic lava eruption 2,300 years ago, the shallow lake and its islands are surrounded by volcanic landforms including black lava fields, cones and calderas, as well as wetlands which attract huge numbers of ducks. The area’s Nature Baths are a less touristy alternative to the Blue Lagoon – enjoy a relaxing dip amidst clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the Earth’s surface or swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres. 25 miles off the mainland lies Grímsey island, the northernmost inhabited Icelandic territory.
This remote, rocky island is home to just 100 people as well as a summer population of a few million sea birds. A day trip by plane offers travellers the opportunity to set foot inside the Arctic Circle as well as to experience nature at its most raw.
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Nestled in a fjord on the northern tip of Iceland, the small fishing village of Dalvik is the ideal place to embark on a whale watching adventure. Sailing on traditional, oak boats the friendly crew will help you to spot the marine life as you head from the harbour and out towards the Arctic Circle. Dolphins and whales – including humpbacks and minkes – have been spotted on 98% of tours so there’s an excellent chance of a sighting. Enjoy a grill of freshly caught fish before returning to shore. From mid-May to the end of June it is possible to sail further out for the chance to see migratory blue whales – the largest mammal on Earth. Ask a Regent Iceland Specialist to book your whale watching tour.
Siglo Hotel
The country’s most northerly town, Siglufjörður clings precariously to the foot of steep rugged mountains which enclose an isolated narrow fjord on the very edge of Iceland: the Arctic Circle is only 40km away. Nestled amongst the restored, colourful, fishermen’s harbour, the newly opened Siglo Hotel is a highlight of any trip north. Relax in your window seat and enjoy picturesque views over the glassy surface of the fjord before tucking into freshly caught fish or succulent lamb in restaurant Sunna. In the evening, sample Sunna Bar’s signature cocktails and relax in the outdoor hot tub before retreating to your elegant room for a peaceful and luxurious night’s sleep.
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