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Travel Trade

Visit North Iceland is responsible for marketing and promoting North Iceland, a friendly and tranquil area with a population of 36 thousand, including Akureyri, the largest town outside Reykjavík, and several historic coastal towns. The most visited attractions are Vatnajökull National Park, where you find Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, and Lake Mývatn geothermal region with hot springs, volcanic areas, craters, geothermal nature baths, and fantastic lava formations. Here you'll find magical winters, Iceland's most popular ski area, energizing off-piste skiing slopes, the 13 Yule Lads (Santas), and unique locations for Northern Lights observation.

Featured Projects

Go on a unique adventure following 900 km of coastal roads close to the Arctic Circle.
Brand Guidelines and marketing for the Diamond Circle.

  • easyJet arrives from Manchester to Akureyri

    The inaugural flight of easyJet from Manchester to Akureyri was completed today on a windy but bright morning in North Iceland. easyJet now offers flights from both London Gatwick and Manchester Airport twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

  • Vestnorden 2025 will be in Akureyri

    This week it was announced that the next Vestnorden Travel Trade Show will be held in Akureyri in the autumn of 2025.

  • Agents in Manchester invited to discover direct flights to North Iceland

    Held at Chill Factor(e), the premier indoor ski and snow sports centre in the North of England, the event 'Get the North Iceland Feeling' saw almost 50 attendees learn more about North Iceland, Iceland and importantly the opportunities available as a result of the new twice-weekly easyJet Manchester to Akureyri flights this winter.

  • No effect on tourism in North Iceland by eruption on Reykjanes

    A new fissure eruption started on Reykjanes Peninsula on August 22, at 9:26 PM by Sundhnúksgígar crater, marking the sixth eruption in the area since December 2023. The eruption's effects are localized to the eruption site with road closures and do not threaten people.
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Top destinations

Aldeyjarfoss
Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is considered the most beautiful one in the river Skjalfandafljot. The waterfall is framed with long, natural basaltic columns.
Arctic Henge
Similar to its ancient predecessor, Stonehenge, the Arctic Henge is like a huge sundial, aiming to capture the sunrays, cast shadows in precise locations and capture the light between aligned gateways.
Ásbyrgi
Ásbyrgi is one of the wonders of nature, a well-forested horse-shoe shaped canyon in Öxarfjörður. Ásbyrgi is a part of Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, within the Vatnajökull National Park.
Dettifoss
The Dettifoss waterfall is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, 500 cubic meters of water per second plunge over the edge
Goðafoss
The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.
Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur is a 15 m-high sea stack just off shore on the eastern side of Vatnsnes. Good seal spotting place at the estuary of the Sigridarstadir lake, south from the stack.
Kálfshamarsvík
Kálfshamarsvík is a small cove in the northern part of Skagi, with unusual, beautifully formed sea cliffs of columnar rock, created about 2 million years ago
Kolugljúfur
As you drive along Víðidalur, you will come to Kolugil Farm which stands beside the Víðidalsá river. Just below the farm, the waters flow peacefully downwards to plunge into the deep, rugged gorge called Kolugljúfur.
Námafjall
At the foothills of this spectacular volcanic mountain is an expanse of hot springs called Hverir that are known for their variety. You will also discover fumaroles, mud pools and mud pots that all seem to be boil with relentless energy.
Direct flights to North Iceland
Akureyri International Airport is located only 3 km from the center of Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Akureyri Airport has a relaxing atmosphere and flexible services. The airport is well located for international flights, only 3 hours from London and 6.5 hours from New York. Akureyri International Airport serves domestic flights, a series of inbound charters, outbound charters and incoming private jets. It is also the base for ambulance flights in Iceland.

Unique Activities

Bathing & wellness
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Birdwatching
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Hiking
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Horseback Riding
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Whale Watching
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White water rafting
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Midnight Sun
During the summertime, you can see the sun go down and then back up again in a matter of minutes. This is truly an Arctic unique experience.
Northern lights
The chances of seeing the Northern Lights are 66% during a three nights stay in North Iceland, and 90% for a five nights stay.

Winter Magic

Activities
Jeep and glacier tours
Many travel agencies specialize in different kinds of jeep exhibitions. A jeep tour on a glacier with breathtaking views is an unforgettable experience.
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Ski Iceland
Whether you are a beginner or an extreme skier you're in the right place
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Snowmobile and snowcat tours
Many agencies offer snowmobile and snowcat tours. They are suitable for anyone looking for a little excitement and adventure while on vacation.
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Yule Lads
13 Yule Lads live in Iceland, the sons of the old trolls Grýla and Leppalúði.
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Travel suggestions

Skagi and Skagafjörður
Experience adventure as you go whitewater rafting or on a horseback ride. Skagi and Skagafjörður offer scenic views from the coast and places where you can take a step back into Icelandic history.
Eyjafjörður and islands
Discover enchanting fishing villages, rich in history and options for food and drinks. 
Edge of the Arctic
Go on the northernmost point of Iceland, picturesque lighthouses and the amazing Arctic Henge. The Langanes peninsula has a great variety of birdlife, there are many sea stacks to explore and hiking trails.
Húsavík and Jökulsárgljúfur
Visit the whale watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík and discover how glacial floods shaped Iceland thousands of years ago in Ásbyrgi canyon. In the Vatnajökull National Park you'll also find Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.
Víðidalur and Austur-Húnavatnssýsla
Discover natural wonders like Kolugljúfur and Vatnsdalshólar as you travel through an area where so many events of the Icelandic history transpired. In the town of Blönduós, take a walk through the old town and see how Iceland's textile has been made through centuries.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the little big city of Iceland. It is large enough to offer a rich selection of entertainment, art and culture, yet small enough to be very personal and close to nature. It‘s easy to be fascinated by Akureyri with it‘s with brightly painted wooden houses, cosy bars and steep streets leading down from the hills into the friendly city centre.
Eyjafjarðarsveit and Grenivík
Driving around Eyjafjörður Countryside has long been a very popular route, which is not surprising since the area has a lot to offer and is one of the most prosperous counties in the country.
Þingeyjarsveit and Mývatn
Explore on of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Goðafoss waterfall. Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area is widely known as it is a natural wonder like no other.
Miðfjörður and Vatnsnes
Discover the towns of Laugarbakki and Hvammstangi, and experience natural wonders like Hvítserkur and Borgarvirki.

Film in North Iceland

Practical Information

Icelandic Water
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Icelandic Krona and Creditcard use
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Icelandic Weather
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Road Conditions in Iceland
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What to Pack for the Seasons
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Safe Travel
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Destinanation management plan

The Destination Management Plan for North Iceland presents a plan for the development of tourism services for the three years of 2021-2023. There is focus on the development of the destination as a single entity, as much work and investment has been devoted to building up the image of North Iceland ever since the year 2003.

Part of the Destination Management Plan is a list of priorities for projects that must be completed in order to ensure strong tourism services. These projects are submitted by municipalities and tourism clusters.

Click here to see a summary of the plan

 

Sustainability

Sustainable tourism might be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity, and tourism in Northern Iceland takes this responsibility seriously. Through the development of specific projects such as the Arctic Coast Way or the Birding Trail, a more balanced distribution of visitors is achieved which relieves visitor pressure on individual natural areas. By developing sights and attractions in remoter areas, the economically weaker communities benefit from tourism as a new source of local income.

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