Húsavík, Iceland: travel guide
A colourful harbour town in the north, known for whale watching
A picturesque fishing town on Skjálfandi bay in north Iceland, widely regarded as the whale-watching capital of Europe, with the wooden Húsavíkurkirkja church and the GeoSea geothermal sea baths.
About Húsavík
Húsavík is a small fishing town on Skjálfandi bay in the north of Iceland, widely known as a centre for whale watching. Colourful houses, a working harbour and a small wooden church that overlooks the bay give it an inviting setting, with mountains across the water.
Things to do in Húsavík include taking a boat trip to see whales, visiting the whale museum, relaxing in the GeoSea geothermal sea baths and eating fresh fish in the harbour restaurants. The town is a good base for exploring the Diamond Circle and the north-east.
Húsavík suits wildlife lovers and those exploring north Iceland. The summer months are the most reliable for boat trips, while winter is quiet and atmospheric.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
Last updated
Top places to visit in Húsavík
Húsavíkurkirkja
landmark · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A charming 1907 wooden church of Norwegian timber, the gingerbread landmark of Húsavík's harbour.
Húsavík Whale Museum
wildlife · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A non-profit museum on whales and the marine ecosystem of Skjálfandi bay, with full skeletons hung from the ceiling.
GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths
thermal · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Infinity geothermal sea-water baths on the cliffs above Húsavík, with panoramic views over the bay and, in summer, the midnight sun.
Skjálfandi Bay
marine · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The whale-watching bay off Húsavík, where humpback, minke and even blue whales are regularly sighted on boat tours.
Ásbyrgi Canyon
canyon · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast horseshoe-shaped canyon in Vatnajökull National Park, in legend a hoofprint of Odin's horse Sleipnir, with sheer 100 m walls and a woodland floor.
Dettifoss
nature · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Reputedly Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, a colossal 44 m curtain thundering through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
Lake Mývatn
lake · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A shallow, birdlife-rich volcanic lake ringed by pseudo-craters, lava pillars and geothermal wonders — the heart of the Diamond Circle.
Hverir (Námafjall)
geothermal · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An ochre geothermal field of bubbling mud pots and hissing fumaroles beneath the Námafjall ridge near Mývatn.
Dimmuborgir
lava-field · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A surreal field of towering lava pillars and arches by Lake Mývatn, in folklore the home of the Yule Lads and trolls.
Mývatn Nature Baths
thermal · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The north's answer to the Blue Lagoon: milky-blue geothermal baths overlooking Lake Mývatn, far quieter than the south-west.
Things to do
- Húsavík Classic Whale Watching Wildlife · 3 h · from ISK 12,900 per person
- Húsavík RIB Whales & Puffins Wildlife · 2 h · from ISK 19,900 per person
- GeoSea Sea Baths Wellness · 2 h · from ISK 6,200 per person
- Diamond Circle from Húsavík Sightseeing · 10 h · from ISK 22,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Whales & Diamond Circle 10 h · from ISK 26,900
Where to stay in Húsavík
- Húsavík Harbour about ISK 28,000 per night
The whale-watching town's harbour area, steps from the boats, museum and church.
Hotels
- Fosshótel Húsavík 3-star · ISK 24,000 to ISK 46,000 per night
- Húsavík Cape Hotel 4-star · ISK 28,000 to ISK 54,000 per night
- Guesthouse Árból ISK 16,000 to ISK 34,000 per night
Where to eat
- Naustið Seafood, Icelandic · about ISK 7,000 per person
- Salka Restaurant Icelandic, Pizza, Seafood · about ISK 5,000 per person
- Gamli Baukur Seafood, Icelandic, Bar · about ISK 5,500 per person
- Heimabakarí Bakery, Café · about ISK 1,600 per person
Getting to Húsavík
Nearest airport: Akureyri (AEY), about 54 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Húsavík
- Strætó bus from Akureyri By road from Akureyri · common
Scheduled Strætó buses run from Akureyri to Húsavík via Laugar and Mývatnssveit. Source: visitakureyri.is
- Fly to Akureyri, then bus or car By air from Reykjavík · common
Icelandair serves Akureyri from Reykjavík; Húsavík is reached overland from there. Source: visitakureyri.is
Getting around
- Car Rental Self useful for some trips
Húsavík has no local public transport and the town is walkable, so a hire car is useful for reaching sights further afield such as Mývatn.
- Walking
Best time to visit Húsavík
- Jan 1°C
- Feb 2°C
- Mar 1°C
- Apr 6°C
- May 11°C
- Jun 14°C
- Jul 14°C
- Aug 14°C
- Sep 11°C
- Oct 6°C
- Nov 3°C
- Dec 1°C
More in Iceland
Frequently asked questions about Húsavík
- What are the main places to visit in Húsavík?
- Places covered in our Húsavík guide include Húsavíkurkirkja, Húsavík Whale Museum, GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths, Skjálfandi Bay, Ásbyrgi Canyon.
- Where should I stay in Húsavík?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Húsavík: Húsavík Harbour.
- How do I get around Húsavík?
- Ways to get around Húsavík covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Húsavík?
- Average daytime highs in Húsavík run from 1°C in Jan to 14°C in Jul.