North Iceland — Overview
North Iceland is the counterbalance to the touristy south. Fewer visitors, rougher landscapes, but at least as spectacular. The region stretches around the Eyjafjörður (Iceland's longest fjord, 60 km) and the Mývatn Lake — a geological wonderland.
Getting There: From Reykjavík via the Ring Road to Akureyri is 389 km (about 5h). Alternatively: Domestic flight from Reykjavík to Akureyri (45 min., from €67). The north can ideally be included as part of a Ring Road tour or as a standalone 3–5-day tour from Akureyri.
The Diamond Circle route connects the highlights of the north: Húsavík → Ásbyrgi → Dettifoss → Mývatn → Goðafoss on a roughly 250 km loop. It is North Iceland's answer to the Golden Circle and far less crowded.
The north also has a climatic difference: It is drier than the south (the rain usually comes from the southwest), but colder in winter. However: More sunshine hours in summer and more stable weather. The midnight sun is even more dramatic in Akureyri (65°N) than in Reykjavík — the sun doesn't actually set in June.
