Introduction
The Northeastern Region (Norðurland eystra) centres on Akureyri — Iceland's second-largest urban area (population 19,000) and the capital of the north. The region includes the Mývatn volcanic area, Húsavík (Europe's whale-watching capital, the setting for the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga), Dettifoss (Europe's most powerful waterfall), and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon section of Vatnajökull National Park. This is the part of Iceland that feels most like its own country — distinct weather patterns, a different light, and the sense of being genuinely far from Reykjavik.
Overview
Akureyri has a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel for its size — a botanical garden (the world's most northerly, free entry), good restaurants, a ski area at Hlíðarfjall (the best in Iceland, December-May), a thriving craft-beer scene, and direct flights from Reykjavik (45 minutes). Heart-shaped red traffic lights are the town's quirky trademark. Mývatn, 90 km east, is a volcanic wonderland and the northeast's crown jewel: pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, the dark-lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the Mývatn Nature Baths (geothermal lagoon — far quieter, smaller, and cheaper than the Blue Lagoon), the Krafla caldera with its boiling Víti crater lake and mudpots at Hverir, and the Grjótagjá cave (a geothermally heated cave featured in Game of Thrones — now too hot to bathe in but still visitable). Húsavík, on the Skjálfandi Bay, offers humpback whale watching with sighting rates above 98% and the GeoSea geothermal sea baths overlooking the bay. Dettifoss — 100 metres wide, 44 metres tall, fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull — thunders into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon with a force that Ridley Scott used to open the film Prometheus. Ásbyrgi, the horseshoe-shaped canyon at the northern end, is a birch-filled natural amphitheatre. The Diamond Circle tourist route connects Húsavík, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Mývatn in a loop from Akureyri — one of Iceland's great driving circuits and far less crowded than the Golden Circle.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Mývatn Nature Baths, Krafla caldera and Víti crater, Hverir mudpots, and Grjótagjá cave. A full day's exploration, ideally with an overnight at one of the guesthouses around the lake.
Europe's whale-watching capital — humpback sighting rates above 98% from April to October. Multiple operators in the harbour (traditional oak boats and larger vessels). Blue whales occasionally appear in summer. The GeoSea geothermal sea baths on the cliff above town are the perfect post-tour warm-up.
A loop from Akureyri connecting Húsavík, Ásbyrgi canyon, Dettifoss, Mývatn, and Goðafoss (the waterfall of the gods, where Iceland's conversion to Christianity was symbolised by throwing Norse idols into the falls in 1000 AD). Less crowded than the Golden Circle and equally spectacular.
Botanical garden, Akureyri Church, excellent restaurants and craft beer, the Hlíðarfjall ski area (Iceland's best, December-May), and a warm microclimate sheltered by the surrounding mountains. A natural base for exploring the northeast, with direct flights from Reykjavik and car rental offices.
Northeastern Region Travel Notes
- Akureyri has direct flights from Reykjavik (45 min, multiple daily) — consider flying one way and driving the other to save a full day of Ring Road driving.
- Mývatn midges (tiny flies) can be intense in summer, especially June-August. They don't bite but swarm around faces. A head net (available in Akureyri shops) helps. The name Mývatn literally means “midge lake”.
- Dettifoss is accessible from both the east (Route 862, paved) and west (Route 864, gravel) sides of the canyon. The east side is easier but the west side gives the classic spray-in-your-face viewpoint.
- Grjótagjá cave: the water is now too hot for bathing (40-50°C and unpredictable). It is open for viewing only. Do not enter the water.
- The Diamond Circle loop is approximately 260 km from Akureyri and takes a full day with stops. Fuel up in Akureyri or Húsavík — services are sparse between.
- Goðafoss is right on the Ring Road between Akureyri and Mývatn — an easy stop in both directions. Parking areas on both sides of the river.
Cities in Northeastern Region
This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.