Places you'll visit
AkureyriNorthwest Iceland
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AkureyriNorthwest Iceland
North Iceland express trip
Choose a tailor-made North Iceland trip and let dramatic fjords, steaming hot springs, and crisp Arctic light shape each day. Work with local travel designers to tailor your route, pace, and accommodations, and add meaningful encounters with fishermen, farmers, and regional storytellers.
Designed for travelers who value authenticity and comfort, our Iceland trips can include small-scale guesthouses, private guides, and flexible routing that follows the season and your interests. Secure your dates now and start planning a truly personal northern adventure.
North Iceland express trip highlights
- Explore dramatic waterfalls and volcanic landscapes: Tailor-made drives reveal powerful North Iceland waterfalls and lava fields.
- Soak in natural hot springs and geothermal pools: Relax in secluded geothermal pools chosen for you.
- Wildlife watching and whale excursions: Personalized whale-watching trips from quiet northern harbors bring close encounters with minke and humpback whales.
- Chase the Northern Lights and midnight sun: Flexible itineraries maximize Aurora sightings or endless summer light.
- Meet locals and savor Icelandic flavors: Enjoy curated farm visits and family-run restaurants where chefs tailor dishes to the season.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North West Iceland, Akureyri and Godafoss | • Morning flight Reykjavik to Akureyri • Pick up a rental car • Akureyri • Lystigardurinn botanical gardens • Godafoss waterfall and viewpoints | Myvatn area |
| 2 | Lake Myvatn | • Hverir geothermal fields • Leirhnjukur lava fields • Dimmuborgir lava formations • Skutustadagigar pseudo craters • Grjotagja lava cave and geothermal spring • Viti crater viewpoints • Hverfjall crater viewpoints | Myvatn area |
| 3 | Diamond Circle and Husavik | • Dettifoss waterfall • Jokulsargljufur canyon drive • Asbyrgi horseshoe canyon • Botnstjorn pond • Vesturdalur valley hike options • Hljodaklettar basalt formations • Raudholar hills • Husavik whale watching • GeoSea geothermal sea baths | Myvatn area |
| 4 | Reykjavik | • Transfer to Akureyri Airport • Domestic flight Akureyri to Reykjavik • Hallgrimskirkja tower for panoramas • Laugavegur stroll • Tjornin pond • Old harbour • Harpa Concert Hall • Solfar Sun Sculpture waterfront | Reykjavik |
| 5 | Departure day | • Transfer to Keflavik Airport for departure |
Day01
North West Iceland, Akureyri and Godafoss
Begin your Iceland travel adventure with a morning flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri, then pick up your rental car and head straight into the easygoing feel of North Iceland.
Start with time in Akureyri itself, strolling the charming downtown, dipping into a museum or two, and wandering the Lystigardurinn botanical gardens. With the city behind you, continue to Godafoss, the picture-perfect Waterfall of the Gods, where simple walking paths lead to the best viewpoints for photos and a powerful first taste of the north.
Day02
The wonders of Lake Myvatn
Lake Mývatn is one of the best places to visit in Iceland for volcanic scenery and geothermal activity. Walk among the bubbling fields of Hverir and Leirhnjúkur, wander Dimmuborgir’s dramatic lava formations, and stop at the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters on the lake’s edge.
Continue to Grjótagjá, a lava cave with a geothermal spring, then take in the craters of Víti and Hverfjall for sweeping views. If you want an extra detour, add Stuðlagil canyon to see towering basalt columns and a bright blue glacial river.
Day03
Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur and Husavik
Visit Dettifoss, often described as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, then follow the 25 km Jokulsargljufur canyon to Asbyrgi’s horseshoe-shaped cliffs and the turquoise Botnstjorn pond. Continue into Vesturdalur to see the surreal Hljodaklettar basalt formations and the colourful Raudholar hills, with time for a hike along quiet trails framed by striking geology.
End the day in Husavik with tailor-made whale watching and a relaxing soak in the GeoSea geothermal sea baths.
Day04
Akureyri to Reykjavik
Today, your Iceland itinerary shifts from the north back to the capital in one smooth, sightseeing-filled day. Transfer to Akureyri Airport for a short domestic flight to Reykjavik, with memorable aerial views of fjords, basalt landscapes, and the rugged interior below.
After landing, spend the day exploring Reykjavik’s compact downtown on foot. Head up Hallgrimskirkja’s tower for panoramic views, stroll Laugavegur for cafés and local design, then slow down by Tjornin and the old harbour. Finish along the waterfront with Harpa Concert Hall and the Solfar Sun Sculpture on the coastline.
Day05
Departure day
On departure day, enjoy a relaxed final morning in Reykjavik. After breakfast, take a short stroll through the city center or along the old harbour for last photos and a final coffee, and pick up any remaining souvenirs on Laugavegur.
Then transfer to Keflavik Airport in good time for check-in and your flight home.
