Below are suggestions for day trips to explore the northeast of Iceland. Húsavík is the main base and all tours start and end here. Feel free to pick the one you like the most, complete all of them in several days or take your time and just take parts of them. If you complete all tours you’ll discover the northeast from east to west. Whenever possible each tour offers a different rout on the go and return to make sure you see as much as possible.
If not mentioned otherwise, the tours are suitable for regular cars. If you want to complete all tours, a 4×4 WD car is recommended. Each hiking area offers hiking paths with different levels of difficulty and length so they suit everyone.
Please note that all tours are open during the summer month June, July and August. Snow might come early and stay long or be missing entirely, the weather is different every year. To make sure that the tour you selected is doable check road.is for the actual road condition on a daily basis.
More hidden gems and real insights can be explored with a local guide. They can also take you to places that are nor reachable with a regular car or unsafe for inexperienced drivers. Learn more about their offers here.
There are many things to think of when you pack your luggage: socks, drinking bottle, a hat,… but don’t forget the most important item: time. Make sure you have enough time to allow impressions to sink it, enjoy the moment, be there with all your senses. Make sure you can there is time to fully soak int he moment or activity without being in a constant rush. If this is what you are aiming at, then the following suggestions for day trips may be of great help. Promise, it will be a great adventure and if there is something you might regret then it is not staying longer in the area.
Hiking Trails around Húsavík
There are many beautiful hiking trails around Húsavík perfect for a short evening stroll or an entire day trip. They all start and end in Húsavík. Read more>
Hiking Trails near Húsavík
Whether it is the Diamond Circle, Mývatn Area, Ásbyrgi or Krafla: each area has hiking paths of various length and levels of difficulty and something suitable for everyone’s taste. Read more>
Day Trip 1: Whales, Húsavík and the Ocean
This day is entirely entitled to whales and the ocean: starting with a whale watching tour, education about whales and a life-size blue whale skeleton at the whale museum to a real polar bear. The day ends in the comfortable warmth of a geothermal sea bath. Read more>
Day Trip 2: Edge of the Arctic
This day trip leads around the northeastern corner of Iceland only 3km away from the Arctic Circle and includes Ásbyrgi canyon, remote nature and the Arctic Henge. A great tour for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Read more>
Day Trip 3: Gems of Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon
Dettifoss waterfall and Ásbyrgi canyon are well known, but the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon has much more to offer. There are many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. A tour especially suitable for hiking enthusiasts. Read more>
Day Trip 4: Diamond Circle
The Diamond Circle can be described as a magnificent circuit of about 260km in the Northeast of Iceland, which includes some of the most stunning sights and of the most scenic landscapes in the whole country. Read more>
Day Trip 5: Highlights of Mývatn
Mývatn area has some of the most remarkable landscapes in Iceland, such as Dimmuborgir lava formation, Hverfjall mountain and Grjótagjá cave. At Sigurgeir’s bird museum one gets to see the rich bird-life at any time of the year. Read more>
Day Trip 6: Time Travel and Waterfalls
Goðafoss und Aldeyjarfoss are among the most beautiful waterfalls in the north of Iceland while Grenjaðarstaður turf house and Ystafell Transportation Museum allow guests to travel back in time and learn more about life in the past. Read more>