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North Iceland
Actually more to the north east

The Town of Húsavik inhabits 2.500 people, consists of Húsavík town on the Tjornes peninsula and further south the agricultural area Reykjahverfi. Town of Húsavik is a perfect centre for individual tourists and groups traveling in the north-east of Iceland.

Accomodation in and around Husavik are few Fosshótel Húsavík, the Guesthouse Árból, Kalbaks-Kot Cottages, Rauðaskriða and Þórðarstaðir. Sleeping bag facilities and campground offered in Heiðarbær. The campsite of Húsavík is at the north edge of town and offers good accommodations.

Restaurants are in good variety among those are Fosshótel Húsavík which has a good restaurant and Sports Bar. Salka restaurant is located by the main street, housed in the renovated store building of Iceland?s first coop founded in 1882 by farmers in the district. Down by the harbor is Gamli Baukur restaurant, in a house which is a replica of a 19th century restaurant in Húsavík.

The area around Húsavíks offers an ample selection of easy hikes through varied landscape, e.g. along the shores of the bay, along the town river Búðará where one can stroll in a beautiful groomed park, around the Lake Botnsvatn where trout fishing is free of charge, or up the Húsavík- mountain, 417 m. above sea level, where on a clear day one is rewarded with an excellent view north to Grímsey on the Arctic Circle, and Vatnajökull to the south, Europe´s largest glacier.

Húsavík Church has, since it was dedicated in 1907, served as a symbol for Húsavík, regarded by many Icelanders to be the most beautiful wooden church in the country.

Tourism has been growing very rapidly in the last few years, especially in connection with Whale Watching tours on Skjálfandi-bay from Húsavík harbor on traditional renovated fishing boats. Such has the growth been in these tours that Húsavík town is now well known as The Whale Watching Capital of Europe.

Main industries in Húsavík are fishing and fish processing but also different service industries, both public and private, agriculture in Reykjahverfi, and tourism.

Tourist attractions in the area:
Húsavík Whale Centre, (Hvalamiðstodin - founded in 1998) is Iceland?s only centre dedicated to the study and appreciation of these mammals. A new exhibition opened in 2002 which offers fact-filled information, skeletons and skulls of whales and other items which educate about the species of whales in Icelandic waters and the history of whaling around Iceland.

Camping areas in north Iceland

Guesthouses in north Iceland

Hotels in north Iceland

Other accommodation

Car rentals that service north Iceland

Horse rentals in Iceland

Other tourist information about Iceland

The Fish Factory tour can be arranged through the Whale Centre, Information Centre ? to view the fish processing and learn about the methods and the Icelandic quota system.

The Museum-House, (Safnahusid) is the District Culture Centre and was opened in 1980. It consists of; District Folk Museum, Maritime Museum (which opened in 2002), Natural History Collection, District Archives, Photo Archives and Collection of Paintings.

The Húsavík Library (located in the same building as Safnahusid) offers divergent services including internet access (free of charge) which many tourist appreciate.

Húsavík Swimming pool - is a nice year round geothermal heated outdoor pool, with hot pots, a steam bath, a special warm pool and slides for children. It is open from early morning until late in the evening. Heiðarbær Swimming pool - in Reykjahverfi is open daily in the summer. Heiðarbær is about 15 km south of Húsavík on the way to Mývatn.

Being located near the Arctic Circle the Town of Húsavík enjoys 24 hours daylight in summer, and the midnight sun often gives the sky a unbelievably beautiful glow. In the winter when the nights are long the night sky is frequently decorated with the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and stars. (A research station for the study of the Northern Lights is situated at Mánarbakki, further north on the peninsula).

The central point of Húsavík municipality is near many of Iceland's most beautiful and acknowledged natural treasures. The river Laxá, renowned as one of Iceland?s best and most beautiful salmon-fishing rivers is just to the south. Laxá flows from Lake Mývatn through Laxárdalur and the canyon Laxárgljúfur where one finds the hydroelectric power plant Laxárvirkjun, first section built in 1939. Inside the plant cultural art exhibitions are held in the summer-months (32 km. away). Near the power plant, at the museum Grenjaðarstaður (open in the summer) one can visit the biggest preserved 19th century turf building in Iceland. Lake Mývatn ? This most popular tourist resort in Iceland is only 45 min. drive away with its spectacular nature and rich bird life. The lake is Iceland?s fourth largest and the region provides nesting grounds for one of the world?s largest concentrations of duck species.

Also located near Mývatn are the extraordinary lava formations called Dimmuborgir. Námaskarð, solfataras (sulphurous mud springs) and fumaroles (steam springs), Skútustaðagígar, a cluster of pseudo craters. Not far from Mývatn is Kröfluvirkjun, a geothermal power plant, transforming the earth's heat into electricity. Approximately 45 min. drive to the southwest is the
beautiful Goðafoss in the glacial river Skjálfandafljót. On the way one can stop to visit The Transportation Museum at Ystafell which opened a special exhibition in year 2000.

North of Húsavík, the Tjörnes peninsula is known for fossilized seashells from pre-historic times some of which are on display at Hallbjarnarstaðir fossil Museum. Little further north Mánárbakki Museum houses an interesting collection of household items from the 1920´s.

The National Park in Jökulsárgljúfur (Glacier river canyon) is about 65 km. northeast of Húsavík. Fantastic rock and earth formations have created Hólmatungur, Hljóðakletta and Ásbyrgi. Nearby in Jökulsá á Fjöllum is Europe´s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, 44 m high, with average water discharge of 180 m3 per second. Less than half day drive from Húsavík, in the wilderness of the interior are some well known places of interest such as Herdubreid, queen of Icelandic mountains?. At its root is the oasis Herðubreiðarlindir.

Mt. Askja a huge volcanic caldera in the Dyngjufjöll mountains; and mt. Kverkfjöll a geothermal area in the northern edge of Vatnajökull glacier. The above is just to give you some ideas of what you can enjoy and explore during your next visit to Húsavík.

Enjoy Iceland