Winter in Akureyri: the Undiscovered North
Itinerary
Day 1 – Start your trip in Akureyri
Today your winter adventure around northern Iceland begins. You’ll land in the charming small town of Akureyri (2nd largest city in Iceland and home to 20,000 Icelanders), pick up your car and settle in for the night in a centrally located city hotel. Today is free for you to explore the town and the surrounding area. Dramatic landscapes await you wherever you go and your vehicle is equipped to tackle snow and rain. The only thing to keep in mind is short daylight hours in winter!
Day 2 – Akureyri – Myvatn
After breakfast you’ll leave Akureyri and head towards Myvatn, a stunning volcanic lake surrounded by hot springs, waterfalls and incredible rock formations. In Myvatn you can often spot the northern lights from the comfort of your hotel, but nothing beats the beauty of Aurora Borealis from out in the wilderness with no light pollution, when it shines in all its glory. Together with your guide and a small international group you’ll head to some of the best spots to chase the elusive light show. You will also learn how best to photograph them, so have your camera at the ready! Don’t forget to layer-up with warm clothes as this tour takes place quite late at night.
Day 3 – Husky sled & hot springs
Today adventures continue. After breakfast you’ll hop in your car and drive to a local husky farm. If the snow conditions are good, you’ll hop on the wooden sleigh and your “musher”, the dog handler, will skilfully lead a pack of 8-10 Siberian huskies through the snowy landscape. You can also try your hand at “stirring” with the help of your guide. After the tour you’ll spend some time on the farm, where you can pet the friendly dogs and take photos. The huskies are treated as family members here, and you’ll quickly notice that. After you’ve spent some time with the dogs and warmed up after your ride, you can explore the area more, enjoy a spot of lunch or just relax in your warm hotel. You will also have your entrance to the Myvatn natural baths booked for today, a perfect place to warm up and help your body relax, recover and get ready for tomorrow.
Day 4 – Super-jeep tour to Dettifoss waterfall
Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel to head straight for the main attraction – Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, 44m high and 100m wide. Set by one of Iceland’s scenic canyons, it can’t fail to leave you impressed. Take in the sights and the powerful sounds of masses of water, mud and sand crushing. Legend has it that you won’t be the same after witnessing Dettifoss up close.
The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please, whether it’s exploring the region further or enjoying a spot of souvenir shopping (the hand-knitted jumpers created by the local women are one of a kind masterpieces and will keep you warm during your adventures).
Day 5 – Húsavik region
Today brings an easy drive to Husavik. In only an hour you’ll be by the coast and, as it happens, in the “whales capital”. Here it’s all about the large marine mammals and although the winter months aren’t the best time for whale spotting in Husavik, you may be in luck. The best thing to do is check in on the site at random to see whether you can book a tour (and if not – be patient, we’ve got you covered).
Husavik is a quaint little town worth a visit, and the real highlight is the incredible Geosea thermal baths. The spa is perched on the edge of the cliff with unobstructed views of the Atlantic and the water temperature around 38 degrees. It’s a place you won’t want to leave, so take your time (we’ll pre-book your tickets).
Day 6 – Back to Akureyri & beer spa
Spend the morning in Húsavik and the surrounding area, pop into the whale museum and enjoy the ocean views. Next you’ll head back to Akureyri for another couple of nights. The drive is short and you’ll have time to make stops and enjoy the scenery before heading for another spa experience. This time a beer spa! Hop into a tub made from kambala wood and enjoy soaking in a mixture of beer, water, hops and yeast. Fancy a pint? There’s a tap right by your side (bath water is for bathing only – we know you know, but just in case). After about half an hour soaking in beer you can move to a relaxation room and chill there for a bit. There’s also an outdoor area with huge hot tubs and incredible views of the mountains!
Days 7-8 – Akureyri: whale watching & departure
Today you’ll finally have a (very good) chance of spotting the whales. Pack warm clothes before heading to Hauganes, a small fishing village just 30 min north of Akureyri, for a whale watching tour. Aboard a traditional fishing boat you’ll go in search of humpback whales that reside in the area. The knowledgeable guide will tell you about their behaviour and help you spot these gentle giants in the waves. After about three hours you will dock back at the harbour.
After that head to the stunning Forest Lagoon for some serious relaxation. Set on the banks of Iceland’s longest fjord and surrounded by birch and pine trees, this spa will help you restore your energy like no other. There are 2 incredible heated pools, swim up bars, a cold pool and a Finnish sauna. And an innovative bistro whipping up delicious meals if you feel hungry! You’ll then spend another night in Akureyri before heading home.
On the day of departure, you’ll return your rental car and fly back home with wonderful memories.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Winter in Akureyri - 5 days/4 nights itinerary
If you haven’t got a whole week to play with, but would still like a slice of Icelandic North, worry not. We’ve condensed this winter adventure to give you a well rounded experience of Akureyri and its surroundings, while matching direct flights from London. Four nights, three exciting Nordic experiences and a couple of out-of-this-world natural SPAs. Hop in!
