- Reykjavík to Akureyri
- 390 km
- Driving
- ~5 h
- Dettifoss drop
- 44 m
- Diamond Circle loop
- ~250 km
North Iceland at a glance
North Iceland centres on Akureyri, a town of about 20,000 at the head of the Eyjafjörður fjord, an hour's drive from the volcanic area around Lake Mývatn. Between them and the coast lie some of Iceland's biggest waterfalls and Húsavík, the best place in the country for whale watching. Most of the sights are linked by the Diamond Circle, a 250 km loop.
Lake Mývatn
Mývatn is a shallow lake formed by a lava eruption 2,300 years ago and surrounded by pseudocraters, lava formations and geothermal fields. Drive the 36 km road around the lake and stop at Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall, Grjótagjá, the steaming Hverir field at Námafjall and the Krafla caldera. End the day at the Mývatn Nature Baths.
About the name: Mývatn means "midge lake". In June and July clouds of non-biting midges can be intense on calm days; a head net helps.
The Mývatn Nature Baths are cheaper and quieter than the Blue Lagoon. Book a time slot in summer.
Book Mývatn Nature Baths ↗Dettifoss and Jökulsárgljúfur
Dettifoss is a thundering grey curtain of glacial water from Vatnajökull. The west side (Route 862, paved) has a large car park and the best views of the full width; the east side (Route 864, gravel, summer only) lets you get closer to the spray. Continue north through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon to Hljóðaklettar and Ásbyrgi.
Húsavík whale watching
Skjálfandi bay is rich in krill and sees humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises almost year-round, with blue whales occasionally passing in early summer. Tours run on traditional oak boats or fast RIBs, typically for 3 hours, with very high sighting rates from April to October. See our whale watching map.
Most Húsavík operators offer a free second trip if you don't see whales.
Book Húsavík whale watching ↗Where to stay in North Iceland
Akureyri has the most hotels, restaurants and year-round services. Mývatn is ideal for exploring the lake and Krafla, and dark skies make it a great place for the northern lights. Húsavík suits whale watchers.
Rooms around Mývatn are limited and book out early in summer.
Hotels at Lake Mývatn ↗Plan your trip to North Iceland
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mývatn from Akureyri?
Lake Mývatn is about 100 km east of Akureyri, around 1 hour 15 minutes by car on Route 1 via Goðafoss.
Which side of Dettifoss is better?
The west side, via paved Route 862, has a better view of the whole waterfall and is open longer each year. The east side, via gravel Route 864, gets you closer to the falls but is usually only open in summer.
Is North Iceland worth visiting in winter?
Yes, especially for the northern lights and snowy landscapes around Mývatn. Akureyri has an airport and a ski area. Some gravel roads, including to the east side of Dettifoss, are closed in winter.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.