This is the ultimate introduction to the diverse wonders of North Iceland, a region brimming with epic landscapes, idyllic fishing villages and world-class geothermal spas. You’ll begin with a couple of nights in Reykjavik before flying north to Akureyri, basing yourself in a stylish and contemporary cottage with its own fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor hot tub. From here, you’ll trace the picturesque coastline of the Troll Peninsula to reach Siglufjörður, a town nestled beneath rugged peaks on the edge of a fjord, just shy of the Arctic Circle. Then, you’ll have two full days to explore the Diamond Circle – 250-kilometre circuit linking several of North Iceland’s highlights, including a pair of majestic waterfalls, the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Lake Myvatn and Husavik, Iceland’s best whale watching hotspot. Of course, there will also be ample opportunity to try out some of the country’s finest geothermal lagoons, such as the Forest Lagoon, Earth Lagoon (formerly Myvatn Nature Baths) and GeoSea.
Akureyri & the Diamond Circle
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Discover the wonders of Iceland’s wild and rugged far north, where otherworldly landscapes and remote, fjord-side villages set the scene for epic adventures.
» 7 day tailor-made holiday
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £2,435 pp incl. flights
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1 » Fly to Keflavik
Your trip begins by flying to Keflavik, where you’ll take a shuttle bus transfer from the airport to Reykjavik – a journey of around 45 minutes. Check into your city centre hotel and get ready to enjoy your first night in the Icelandic capital, taking your pick from a plethora of excellent restaurants, eclectic food halls and buzzing bars.
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Day 2 » Optional excursions from Reykjavik
You have a whole day free to spend as you please. Perhaps you’ll opt to stay in Reykjavik, taking the opportunity to explore the city’s famous sights such as Hallgrimskirkja (the iconic, rocket-shaped church), Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur), Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager monument. There are plenty of museums worth checking out too, including Perlan, which provides a fascinating insight into the natural history and geology of Iceland, the Settlement Exhibition, and the National Museum of Iceland.
Alternatively, you could choose from a whole host of excursions and attractions in the wider region. For instance, you could join a guided tour of the Golden Circle or the South Coast – both of which boast a wealth of awe-inspiring natural wonders – embark on a whale watching adventure from the Old Harbour, or experience the thrill of dog sledding on wheels. A geothermal soak at the Sky Lagoon, just 10 minutes outside of Reykjavik, is another fabulous option.
Stay: Hotel Reykjavík Centrum, Iceland
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 3 » Fly to Akureyri
After breakfast, make your way to Reykjavik Domestic Airport to catch a short flight (around 45 minutes) to Akureyri, Iceland’s ‘Capital of the North’. On a clear day, the approach is spectacular, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and Iceland’s longest fjord (Eyjafjörður). On arrival, collect your hire car and drive to your stylish and secluded four-bedroom cottage, beautifully situated on a hillside on the opposite side of the fjord, just 5-10 minutes from Akureyri. Your cottage features a spacious living room, a fully-equipped kitchen and a private patio and outdoor hot tub – a perfect base for exploring Iceland’s far north.
Once you’ve settled in, why not make the most of your first day in North Iceland by taking a trip to the nearby Forest Lagoon? It’s one of Iceland’s standout geothermal spas, tucked away among a cluster of pine and birch trees overlooking the Eyjafjörður fjord.
Stay: Heiðin
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 4 » Explore Siglufjörður
A continental breakfast will be delivered to your cottage this morning, setting you up for the day ahead. Then, make the delightfully picturesque drive along the eastern shoreline of the Troll Peninsula to Siglufjörður – Iceland’s northernmost town, which sits on the edge of a narrow fjord, wedged between rugged mountains that remain snow-capped for much of the year. The final stretch of the drive brings you through a tunnel that burrows through the mountains, connecting Siglufjörður to the neighbouring town of Ólafsfjörður.
Be sure to visit the wonderful Herring Era Museum, which, spread across several buildings, tells the story of Siglufjörður’s transformation from a tiny shark fishing village into the main hub of Iceland’s herring fishing industry by the 1950s. You might also be interested in stopping by the Folk Music Centre, housed in one of Siglufjörður’s oldest buildings, perhaps followed by craft beer tasting at the local, family-run brewery, Segull 67. There’s also delicious fish and chips to be had when you get peckish, or, for a more refined dining experience, head to the Hotel Siglunes or Hotel Siglo. If time allows, you could also go for a short hike – there’s no shortage of scenic trails nearby. Later on, return to your cottage, perhaps stopping at the Beer Spa en route. There’s also the possibility to take a short ferry ride to the island of Hrisey, renowned for its rich variety of birdlife in the summer months.
Stay: Heiðin
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 5 » Diamond Circle part one: Godafoss, Lake Myvatn & Dettifoss
Today, you’ll begin your exploration of the Diamond Circle – a 250-kilometre circuit linking several of North Iceland’s most striking attractions. Although it can be completed in a single day, we recommend taking your time and splitting it across two days, starting at Godafoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Then, continue to Lake Myvatn, whose abundant birdlife and otherworldly volcanic landscapes make it one of the region’s highlights. Here, you’ll find the dramatic lava formations of Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá lava cave, Krafla caldera and Hverir, a lunar-like landscape punctuated by boiling mud pots and hissing fumaroles. There’s also the chance to enjoy a geothermal soak at the Earth Lagoon (formerly known as Myvatn Nature Baths), whose milky-blue, mineral-rich water strongly resembles that of the Blue Lagoon.
Finally, head northeast to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland, which thunders dramatically into a canyon from a height of 45 metres. It flows from the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which is fed by the mighty Vatnajökull glacier – Europe’s largest glacier – and its ferocious roar can be heard long before you see it. When you’re ready, return to your cottage and spend the evening relaxing before returning to the Diamond Circle tomorrow.
Stay: Heiðin
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 6 » Diamond Circle part two: Husavik & Ásbyrgi Canyon
Today, we suggest setting your sights on Husavik, the oldest town in Iceland, towards the northern end of the Diamond Circle route, around an hour’s drive from your accommodation. It’s one of the very best places to go whale watching in Iceland, with an abundance of species frequenting the nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay – most notably humpbacks and minke whales, but occasionally also blue whales and fin whales. Besides a whale watching tour, a trip to the GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths is a must. Carved into a cliffside directly overlooking the bay, the curved, infinity-edge pools here are filled with geothermally heated seawater, setting it aside from most other Icelandic geothermal lagoons. You might even be fortunate enough to spot whales while you bathe. Husavik was also the filming location for the popular movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga in 2020, and there is a small museum dedicated to this.
From Husavik, it’s around a 45-minute drive to your next stop, Ásbyrgi – a horseshoe-shaped canyon steeped in Icelandic folklore, believed by Viking settlers to be the hoof-print formed by Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged flying horse from Norse mythology. Flanked by sheer cliffs, the canyon floor is carpeted by birch and willow forest, which you can explore via easily accessible hiking trails. After taking in the views, you’ll have completed the five main attractions along the Diamond Circle. It’s then time to return to your cottage for one last night.
Stay: Heiðin
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 7 » Return to UK
After breakfast, return to Akureyri Airport and drop off your hire car before flying to Reykjavik. Then, take a shuttle bus transfer back to Keflavik for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Gallery
To book call us on:
At a glance…
Discover the wonders of Iceland’s wild and rugged far north, where otherworldly landscapes and remote, fjord-side villages set the scene for epic adventures.
» 7 day tailor-made holiday
» Accommodation: Superior A higher standard of accommodation with a better range and quality of facilities, often in a good location (typically 4 stars)
» Price from: £2,435 pp incl. flights
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