Húsavík

Why I recommend it

Húsavík has that rare combination of being well known without feeling overly busy or commercial. Whale watching is the obvious reason to come, and for good reason: boats head straight out into Skjálfandi Bay from the harbour, making this one of Iceland’s classic places to look for whales. But even if you are not going out on a boat, I would still make time for Húsavík. The harbour is lovely to walk around, the mountains across the bay are beautiful, and the whole town has a relaxed atmosphere that feels very different from Reykjavík. It is one of those places where slowing down for a few hours adds more to the experience than simply ticking off another stop.

What to do

Start around the harbour and give yourself some time to wander rather than rushing straight to your next destination. If whale watching is on your list, this is absolutely the place I would do it. Afterwards, visit the Whale Museum if you want to learn a little more about the animals you just saw. If you have more time, finish the day at GeoSea and soak in the geothermal water while looking out over Skjálfandi Bay. And while you are there, there is one thing you absolutely have to do: put on “Húsavík” from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Walking around the harbour with that song playing somehow makes the whole experience even better.

Good to know

Whale watching is weather-dependent, so build a little flexibility into your plans. North Iceland can change from calm and sunny to cold, windy and wet surprisingly quickly, and tours can be affected by sea conditions. Also, do not treat Húsavík as just a standalone destination. It works really well as part of the Diamond Circle and combines easily with places such as Ásbyrgi, Jökulsárgljúfur, Dettifoss, Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss.