Attractions - Iceland

Attractions - Reykjavik

North Iceland

Sustained volcano and glacier activity have combined over the last 10,000 years to turn Northern Iceland into an Arctic wonderland. Your journey to this wild corner of the world will bring you on a whistle-stop tour of some of the world’s finest cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers – not to mention the delightful architecture and historical significance of centres like Siglufjordur and Holar.

The amazing Myvatn lake area may not be your first stop as you travel around Northern Iceland, but to leave the region without spending at least a few days here would be absolutely unforgivable. The cluster of volcanoes that surround Myvatn has created one of the world’s most astonishing natural landscapes. Myriad fissures, craters and hot springs make this the perfect spot for a leisurely week of strolling, exploring, camping and whatever else takes your fancy. The lake itself is dotted with over fifty curious-looking islands which were formed when molten lava flowed into the water. Take a bus, bike or car and tour around the water’s edge – at whatever pace suits you best – then head north to the wonderful Jokulsargljufur National Park. The park is often described as “Iceland’s Grand Canyon” – seemingly as a draw for wealthy American tourists – but, in truth, the comparison does Jokulsargljufur no justice.

Cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers

The same logic must have been in operation when Detifoss waterfall – at the southern end of the park – was christened the “Niagara of Europe”. Subtract Niagara’s awful kitsch and let your imagination run wild – then you’ll have some idea of Detifoss’s splendour. The canyon from which the park derives its name is another unforgettable experience – 100m deep, 500m wide and littered with some of Europe’s finest waterfalls. Obviously, Mytvan and Jokulsargljufur attract a large share of Iceland’s tourists, but few visitors stay in the area long enough to experience the eerie Langanes peninsula or the ancient port of Raufarhofn. If you have the time, you won’t regret straying from the beaten track.

Further north, the brooding Trollskagi peninsula juts out into the Arctic ocean. Travel right to its end and spend a while in Siglufjordur, possibly Iceland’s most picturesque town. Thankfully, the colour and tradition of Siglufjordur’s architecture remains unspoiled by tourism and tacky shops, leaving you with a strong sense of the town’s past as a hardy Arctic fishing community. Before leaving the Trollskagi peninsula, visit historic Holar, a religious settlement that dominated Iceland’s intellectual scene from 1106 to the Reformation. While at Holar, have a look around the red sandstone church. Built in 1757 with money raised across the whole of Scandinavia, the church is now filled with fascinating artwork. The most important thing to remember when you are in Northern Iceland is not to let the wonderful Myvatn and Jokulsargljufur completely overshadow the unmissable attractions around the rest of the area.

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