North Iceland

North Iceland is home to the Arctic Coast Way (a 550-mile coastal road) and the Diamond Circle (Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík). It's filled with rolling farmland, rugged mountains, retreating glaciers, roaring waterfalls, deep canyons, isolated fishing villages, and bubbling hot springs. Akureyri is the largest town outside of the Capital Regions. Grímsey straddles the Arctic Circle. Life revolves around the midnight sun and the (nearly) polar night. While nothing is remotely close together. It takes planning and patience to travel around North Iceland. But those with both will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. Note: North Iceland is so vast that it's sometimes divided into two sections. The Northwestern Region borders West Iceland and the Westfjords. The Northeastern Region borders East Iceland.

Eyjafjörður is the longest fjord in Iceland. The fjord is lengthy (37 miles) and narrow (only nine miles at its widest point). Mountains line both sides. Several rivers flow into it. Hrísey, Iceland's second-largest island, lies in the middle of it. Plus Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, sits on its southwestern coast. Its airport's runway even juts into the water. For stunning views of the fjord, go on a whale-watching cruise or a coastal drive.

Akureyri is the (unofficial) capital of North Iceland. The largest town outside of the Capital Region (population 18,000) sits on Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in the country. The other sides are surrounded by mountains. The Vikings first arrived this area in the 9th century. The Danes were using it as a seasonal trading camp by the 17th century. Then a permanent farming settlement was established in 1778. During World War II, the British and the Norwegians set up an air base here. It protected American, British, and Russian convoys against German submarines. It wasn't until the early 21st century that Akureyri turned its attention to fishing. Akureyri continues to grow as Icelanders leave the countryside. Wooden houses from the 19th century fill its downtown. Churches, museums, a large library, and a new cultural house do, too. The Akureyri Botanical Garden and a surprising number of golf courses lie on the outskirts of town. While the tiny Akureyri Airport is actually an international airport with a growing list of (seasonal) European connections.

Akureyri International Airport (AEY) is the third-largest airport in Iceland. It's really quite small, though! Flights to Akureyri first started in the 1920s. Since there wasn't an airport, they had to be seaplanes that could land in Eyjafjörður (the long fjord). Construction of the airport didn't begin until the 1950s. The single runway sits three-kilometers south of town atop an old landfill. It looks like you're flying straight into the water. Then an actual terminal was finally added in the 1960s. In the last few years, seasonal, international flights (Amsterdam, London, Zürich) have begun flying here, so construction is currently underway for an expanded ramp and terminal. Its main destination is still Reykjavík (the domestic airport), from which there are multiple flights each day. As with that airport, you don't need to arrive here very early. It only takes a few seconds to walk between the entrance, the check-in counter, and the gates. There's a small café with drinks and snacks. Security doesn't really exist (shh). Plus it's a quick walk out to the planes once a flight is announced. If only all air travel could be this easy.

Does Santa Claus live in Akureyri? It certainly seems like it at Jólahúsið. The Christmas House is a shop, or rather a collection of shops, about ten minutes south of Akureyri Airport (head south, instead of north into the center town). You really can't miss it. The festive campus has numerous buildings. A tower, the first thing you'll see from the road, might be the world’s largest advent calendar. Its windows count up to December 25th, and its interior has fairytale scenes that were painted by an Icelandic artist. Eplakofin (the Apple Shed) sells sugar-glazed apples. Svarta Húsið (the Black House) offers more sweets and year-round Nordic gifts. The Christmas House itself has decorations, ornaments, toys, and Yule Lads (Icelandic Christmas trolls), many of which were made right in Iceland. While outside, the Christmas Garden has a miniature Icelandic church and turf-roofed houses, as well as a wishing well. It looks like you'll be starting your holiday shopping early this year. Open daily 12-6 pm.

There's a striking circular building along the waterfront in Akureyri. It's Menningarhúsið Hof (the Hof Cultural Centre). The building was inspired by Icelandic columnar igneous rocks. There are spaces for cultural and artistic events, concerts, and conferences. It also has a music school, a restaurant, a gift shop, and an information center for tourists. Open daily with seasonal hours.