Arctic Coast Way - Norðurstrandarleið

25/01/2024

Whale watchers haven't had to go far out from Akureyri the past weeks to spot humpback whales. They have been seen in the "Pond" in Akureyri, just outside of the city centre. Not exactly common sight but not very unusual either, as pilot whales are also often spotted in the Pond in summer.

15/09/2023

In Hvalvík near the town of Kópasker, you'll find fantastic sea stacks and rock formations.

20/06/2023

Black sand beaches on the Arctic Coast Way 😍

15/06/2023

Slow down, unwind and experience the calmness of the Arctic Coast Way as you travel along.

16/03/2023

The Arctic Coast Way is measured by moments. Follow the signs in North Iceland and go off the beaten track.

18/11/2022

The lighthouse at the whale watching capital of Iceland - Húsavík. Looking over the Skjálfandi bay where whales can be found almost all-year round.

13/11/2022

The iconic lighthouse at Kálfshamarsvík. This 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. At the beginning of the 20th century, fishing boats plied the waters and there was a small community of about 100 inhabitants at Kálfshamarsvík. However, by around 1940 the village had become deserted.

09/11/2022

At the small village Raufarhöfn, is this iconic lighthouse. A small road leads up to the lighthouse on steep cliffs. A picnic bench offers the option to enjoy food with spectacular views, like this one in the Midnight sun.

14/09/2022

This lighthouse sits just outside of Siglufjörður, called Sauðanesviti. It was built in 1933-1934 and has breathtaking views in all directions.

12/09/2022

As you travel along the Arctic Coast Way, discover the lighthouses along the shoreline. They often look the same but pay attention to the details - each one is unique.

Discover the first tourist route in Iceland along the Arctic Coastline. Go off the beaten track to discover the true nature of Iceland.

05/08/2022

There are a variety of hiking trails along the Arctic Coast Way. So whether you're looking for a romantic stroll along the beach or a tough hike up a mountain then you should be able to find something that suits you.

You can find more information about hiking trails along the Arctic Coast Way here - https://www.arcticcoastway.is/en/see-do

28/07/2022

Hvítserkur is a beautiful 15 meter tall basalt rock that stands on a black beach in Vatnsnes peninsula. Near Hvítserkur is one of the best seal watching places in the country. There seals lay on the sand and swim in the sea every day of the year.

26/07/2022

Puffins also known as sea parrots can be seen on the Arctic Coast Way. Puffins spend most of their time on sea. They only come to shore to lay their eggs and spend a few months in Iceland.

You can see these beautiful birds on a few locations along the Arctic Coast Way, for an example in Drangey island, Húsavík and Grímsey island.

https://www.arcticcoastway.is/en/see-do -and-puffins

24/07/2022

Hofsós is a beautiful picturesque fishing village on the eastern shore of Skagafjörður Fjord. It is known for its unique basalt formations at Staðarbjargavík and the infinity pool Hofsóslaug where you have a great view over the fjord and Drangey island.

Take a break, walk around the village and enjoy a moment on the beautiful pier in this beautiful town.

21/07/2022

If your looking for a unique place to catch the midnight sun then you should travel to the Arctic Henge set in Raufarhöfn, one of the most remote and northernmost villages in Iceland.

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.

https://www.northiceland.is/en/place/arctic-henge

13/06/2022

* Hero Experience * Seaside Bites and Icelandic Cuisine in Blönduós

Meet other food lovers in this half-day workshop and taste and learn about Icelandic cuisine and its connection with Iceland’s unique natural history. Your hosts share their expertise and teach you all about using natural and wild food and the raw ingredients that can be found in northern climes. They will explain how food, in bygone days, was preserved for the long winter and how modern Icelanders still use this traditional food with a modern twist.
This exciting food tour starts at Brimslóð Atelier in Blönduós and makes the first stop at the small and sheltered cove of Selvík in Húnaflói, where seals can often be seen. Upon arrival on the beach, Inga and Gísli will cook and offer a taste of seafood prepared over open fire with various local ingredients. If conditions are right, seaweed will be collected, as well as seawater to be boiled down to make salt over an open fire.
Learn more: https://www.arcticcoastway.is/.../seaside-bites-and...

06/06/2022

* Hero Experience * Take a step back in time to the Herring Era

The Herring Era Museum is an award-winning enterprise and Iceland's largest maritime and industrial museum, aiming to recreate Siglufjörður’s days of the herring boom, when it was the fishing capital of Iceland.
You will have a chance to join the herring girls in their bright yellow skirts as they gut and pack herring into wooden barrels, gossiping and shouting to the dockworkers. Should you feel like trying, we have extra skirts and knives, and our expert herring girls will show you how to properly process herring!
Our local accordion player will make sure to set the right atmosphere, playing traditional fishermen's songs as the herring girls sing along - followed by a dockside ball where we can all join in and dance!
Afterwards, there is an informative tour around the Museum's three different buildings with a local guide to give you an insight into the magnificent and captivating herring industry.
Learn more: https://www.arcticcoastway.is/.../take-a-step-back-in...

30/05/2022

* Hero Experience * Arctic Snorkeling with Puffins

Puffins are often referred to as “clowns of the sea”, and one of the collective names for them is a “circus” of puffins, which seems appropriate. This eccentric species with their colourful bills is high on the wish-to-see list of most visitors to the Nordic countries. But on Grímsey Island, the only community in Iceland located on the Arctic Circle, you have the unique chance to witness the bustle and commotion of these agile little “clowns” not only in the air but also underwater, as they are perfect divers. Snorkeling in the ocean by the Arctic island is a unique adventure and – depending on the weather – you might even snorkel across the Arctic Circle!
Learn more: https://www.arctictrip.is/project/arctic-snorkeling/

23/05/2022

*Hero Experience* - Coastal Culture and Norse Mythology
On this day tour, you will experience the Arctic region in all its various aspects and discover the northernmost parts of the Icelandic mainland which are among the least explored frontiers on the traveler’s map. You will come close to the Arctic Circle and fall under the spell of stories from Norse mythology when you visit the Arctic Henge and listen to stories about fishing in Raufarhöfn, the so-called Arctic Village. Taste the local food such as fresh fish straight out of the Arctic waters. On the Melrakkaslétta peninsula where time seems to have stopped, you will experience the special natural atmosphere of the subarctic zone.
Learn more: https://www.arcticcoastway.is/.../coastal-culture-and...

16/05/2022

* Hero Experience * - From Cod to Bacalao Hauganes

Iceland has a great history of fishing and processing fish, we in Hauganes are no exception. First you will sail out into the Eyjafjörður bay which opens into the North Atlantic, on our traditional oak boat and go Sea Angling. There you will most defenitely catch a large Cod which you can take with you to the shore. The guides at Whales will tell you all about fishing in the current and older times. When we come back to shore, our neighbours at Ektafiskur will greet you and show you around their bacalao producing facilities. Making salted cod / Bacalao used to be a huge industry for export in Iceland and existed in practically every town around the country, however today they are one of the few producers of bacalao left in North Iceland. So what happened? Find out a few more interesting things, see how the process works; from fishing the codfish up from the north Atlantic ocean, to the moment – months later – when we ship the finished product to Italy or Spain – or on your dish in their restaurant .
After the tour you will enjoy a delicious meal at the renowned restaurant Baccalá bar in Hauganes.
Learn more: https://whales.is/tours/cod-to-bacalao/

09/05/2022

*Hero Experience* - Sailing the Edge of the Arctic

Summer Solstice at the Arctic Circle. Endless days and the magical midnight sun. There is nothing like sailing at the Arctic Circle during Summer Solstice.
Live and sail onboard the award-winning electric sailboat Opal for 3 days and 2 nights. Set sails from Husavik harbour to explore the remote Islands and majestic coastline at the Edge of the Arctic. Our experienced crew will guide you along to discover the hidden treasures and historical settlements of the north. All meals onboard cooked by our very own arctic chef – inspired by local traditions and ingredients.
The journey will be full of exploration and experiences.
Learn more: https://www.northsailing.is/tour/arctic-circle-tour-iceland/

02/05/2022

*Hero Experience* - Meet Icelandic sheep and learn about sustainable food at Ytra-Lón on Langanes

Join your hosts who run a sustainable farm in one of the most remote corners of Iceland; as far as it is possible to be from Iceland’s capital, and experience a different rhythm of life.
Spring in Iceland is a very special time of the year with its seasonal highlight of lambing, the busiest time of the year for a farmer, but also very rewarding with all the newborn lambs bleating for care and attention.
From the long winter break, the island awakens into a new life: the lambs are born, the sun is back, shining practically 24/7, and migrating birds arrive filling both day and night with their vibrating voices.
Mirjam and Sverrir, your hosts, will share the pattern of their daily life with you. You visit the sheep with their lambs and perhaps have the chance to bottle-feed one of these home-bred lambs and find out the traditional ways of sheep farming. You can observe (and perhaps assist in) the training of sheepdogs, learn all about sustainable products, and enjoy helping the farmers to prepare traditional meals with products from the farm.
Learn more: https://www.ytralon.is/tour/join-arctic-farm-life

21/02/2022

You'll find multiple sea stacks along the Arctic Coast Way. This is Hvítserkur, on Vatnsnes peninsula.

Learn more: https://www.arcticcoastway.is/

05/02/2022

Lighthouses are prominent on the Arctic Coast Way. Because of how they are located, they are also perfect spots to view and photograph the Midnight Sun. In winter and all-year-round in fact, they still play an important role in navigation at sea.

25/01/2022

Hofsá river runs through the small town Hofsós. Once upon a time, it was one of the busiest trading ports in North Iceland but did not evolve to become a bigger town like many others in North Iceland. It's one of the most picturesque towns though, with a beautiful basalt column shore.

21/01/2022

At Hauganes you'll find tubs filled with geothermal warm water where you can bathe, and those brave enough could enjoy a short dip in to the cold North Atlantic Ocean as the tubs are at the beach!

To maximize the ocean view, this tub has been shaped like a boat. Ahoy!

19/11/2021

It's the season of Northern lights 😍

11/10/2021

When travelling the Arctic Coast Way, be on the lookout for lighthouses. From there, the views of the coast are incredible.

https://www.arcticcoastway.is/en/see-do

Discover the first tourist route in Iceland along the Arctic Coastline. Go off the beaten track to discover the true nature of Iceland.