Diamond Circle — Route & Tips
North Iceland's Grand Tour
The Diamond Circle is North Iceland's answer to the Golden Circle — a roughly 250 km long circuit from Akureyri or Húsavík that connects the main highlights of the north. The name was chosen in reference to the Golden Circle, but the route is far less crowded and offers a wilder, rougher nature experience.
The Route (Recommended Order)
| Stop | Highlight | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Húsavík | Whale watching (in the morning!), Whale Museum | 3–4h |
| 2. Ásbyrgi | Horseshoe-shaped canyon, birch forest | 1–2h |
| 3. Dettifoss | Europe's most powerful waterfall | 1–2h |
| 4. Selfoss | Broad waterfall, 2 km from Dettifoss | 30 min. |
| 5. Mývatn | Pseudo-craters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Námaskarð | 3–5h |
| 6. Krafla/Víti | Volcanic crater with green lake | 1h |
| 7. Mývatn Nature Baths | Hot bath to relax (in the evening!) | 2h |
| 8. Goðafoss | Waterfall of the Gods | 30 min. |
Time Required: At least 2 full days, ideally 3 days. Only possible as a day trip if you skip whale watching and half of the Mývatn highlights.
Practical Tips for North Iceland
- Accommodation: Akureyri has the most options. Directly at Mývatn: Hotel Laxá (upscale, from €200), Dimmuborgir Guesthouse (mid-range, from €120), Hlíð Campsite (€20). In Húsavík: Fosshotel Húsavík (from €150)
- Food: RUB23 in Akureyri (creative international cuisine), Strikið in Akureyri (panoramic view), Gamli Baukur in Húsavík (fish & chips), Vogafjós Cowshed Café at Mývatn (you eat next to the cows — seriously, the cows stand behind a glass wall while you have breakfast)
- Hofsós Pool: 30 minutes west of Akureyri lies perhaps the most beautiful swimming pool in Iceland: An infinity pool with views over the Skagafjörður fjord to the mountains on the other side. Entrance: about 1,000 ISK (€7). Absolute insider tip!
- Weather: The north is drier than the south, but colder in winter. Snowfall possible from October to April. The mountain passes (e.g., Öxnadalur) can be dangerous in snow — check road.is!
