PHOTOS: Visit the natural gem that is North Iceland
A view over Mývatn lake. Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) in the far south-west corner of the country, and many spend their entire Iceland stay in the South West Iceland area and in the capital Reykavik.
Puffins on the island of Grímsey. Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
For those who love nature, stunning landscapes, spectacular mountain ranges, hiking trails and awe-inspiring glaciers, a trip to North Iceland could be the ideal thing.
MORE: North Iceland towns featured in our ‘Around Iceland 2015’ series
Akureyri
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Blönduós
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Dalvíkurbyggð
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Fjallabyggð
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Norðurþing
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Sauðárkrókur
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Þórshöfn
Brightly coloured houses in Akureyri. Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
Getting there
A rental car might be the best option, although there is also a direct bus service from KEF Airport to the North Iceland town of Akureyri and other public transport possibilities . There are also direct flights from Reykjavik to Akureyri Airport.
Hvítserkur rock. Photo: Flickr/Julien Carnot
North Iceland
The region is home to some real gems of town and country: the urban centre of Akureyri, the fishing towns of Hrísey and Siglufjörður, the puffin-paradise Arctic island of Grímsey, the stunning Mývatn lake, and the awesomely powerful Dettifoss waterfall – to name but a few.
MORE: Islands of Iceland IV: Grímsey
Stóra-Víti volcanic crater. Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
The region boasts an excellent road network, including Iceland’s ring road, known as Highway 1, meaning getting around should be relatively trouble-free.
MORE: Official Visit North Iceland website
The north of Iceland is a fantastic area of Iceland to explore, no matter what time of year you are visiting or what your plans and ambitions are.
The hot springs of Námafjall. Photo: Flicker/Matito
Dettifoss waterfall. Photo: Flicker/Daniel Knieper
Þingeyri Church. Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
Hvammstangi seal Photo: Flicker/Jennifer Boyer
