Region
Northwest Iceland
7 towns & places · 3 attractions · 3 h from Reykjavík
Horse country and quiet fjords between the Westfjords and Akureyri: seal colonies on the Vatnsnes peninsula, the basalt troll of Hvítserkur, and the turf farms of Glaumbær — Iceland as it looked a century ago.
- 7 towns & places
- 3 attractions
- 3 h from Reykjavík
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Tours in the northwest
Browse all day tours →Scheduled day tours don’t reach the northwest yet — this is road-trip country. Put it in a custom itinerary and we’ll plan the route, stays and stops around it, or see it as part of a multi-day package.
Towns & places in the northwest
All 7 places →
From the team’s own list
Where locals eat in the northwest
Northwest Iceland — frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Northwest Iceland?
Hvítserkur, the basalt sea stack that looks like a drinking troll; the seal colonies on the Vatnsnes peninsula; Kolugljúfur canyon; and Glaumbær, one of the best-preserved turf farms in the country. Skagafjörður behind it is Iceland's horse-breeding heartland.
Is it worth stopping on a Ring Road trip?
Yes, and it is the stretch most people drive straight through. Half a day off Route 1 gets you the Vatnsnes loop and Hvítserkur; a full day adds Skagafjörður and the turf farms.
How far is it from Reykjavík?
About three hours to Blönduós, three and a half to Sauðárkrókur — far enough that it works better as a stop on a longer route than as a day trip.
Where do you see seals?
The Vatnsnes peninsula, from the shore at Illugastaðir and Hvítserkur. They haul out on the rocks and sandbanks and are visible year-round; stay on the marked paths and keep your distance rather than walking out to them.
Can you go horse riding here?
This is the place for it. Skagafjörður has bred Icelandic horses for centuries and has more of them than people; short rides for beginners and multi-day treks both run out of the valley.
Is it good for northern lights?
Very. There is almost no light pollution once you leave the villages, and the season runs roughly September to mid-April. As anywhere, you still need a clear sky and solar activity on the night.
Trip planning — free, no commitment
Put the northwest on your route
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