Akureyri
The northern capital, whales at Husavik and waterfalls without the coaches.
Photo: Kaldbakstindur (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Good to know
You can travel to the Schengen area, which includes Iceland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa…
Iceland follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ag…
The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area…
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Iceland. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty…
Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Entry and exit requirements section – updated information on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Editorial change.
Domestic flights from Reykjavik take 45 minutes. Driving the north route takes about 5 hours in good conditions.
Husavik, an hour east, has the highest whale sighting rates in Iceland from June to August.
Godafoss is 40 minutes from town, right by the Ring Road, and takes 30 minutes to see properly.
Lake Myvatn combines geothermal fields and nature baths in one easy day loop from Akureyri.
Local knowledge
Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.
Sighting rates from Husavik are far higher and the boats are out in calmer water. It is worth the hour from Akureyri.
Book an experience
Verified operators in Akureyri, booked direct through KLNK.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for whale watching at Husavik, Lake Myvatn, Godafoss and far fewer visitors than the south coast.
45 minute domestic flights from Reykjavik, or a 5 hour drive on the Ring Road via Blonduos.
June to August has the highest sighting rates from Husavik, often above 95 percent on humpback trips.
Yes. Hlidarfjall is 10 minutes from town and usually runs from December to April.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Iceland guide. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Iceland. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
U.S. Department of State currently advises normal precautions (level 1 of 4). Advice differs slightly between governments, so check your own country's advisory before you travel.
Travel information last reviewed 18 August 2026. Compiled from European Commission Newsroom, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and Tourpublish Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.
Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to Iceland as a whole.
Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.
Photography: Kaldbakstindur (CC BY-SA 4.0); Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0); No machine-readable author provided. Bjarki S assumed (based on copyright claims). (Public domain).