Activities for All Seasons in North Iceland: Museums, horseback, hot baths and more

North Iceland is famous for snowy winters and bright summer nights. But despite the stark contrast, activities in the region are a lot less seasonal than one might think.

Here are five of the region’s top activities for all seasons.

Soak in hot water and local bath culture

North Iceland has an abundant amount of hot water that fills up heating systems along with entire afternoon plans – locals love to visit their local sundlaug to soak in outdoor hot pots and catch up with other guests. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in local life, and relax along the way.

Every community, large and small, has their own public pool (in part due to mandatory swimming lessons).

Sundlaug Akureyrar is by far the largest pool, with multi-temperature hot pots and two swimming pools, plus a steam room and three waterslides. Seeking a more local atmosphere? Try the community pools at Sauðárkrókur, Hvammstangi and Dalvík. Completely away from the crowds? Stop at the rural Þelamörk, Hrafnagil and Lundur in Öxarfjörður. With a view? Hofsós has a gorgeous cliff-edge location and the pools at Grenvík and Skagaströnd

Visit one of the luxury lagoons

In addition to the public pools, North Iceland has three bath resorts designed as an upgrade to Iceland’s bathing culture.

Mývatn Nature Baths is the northern version of the Blue Lagoon; milky-blue hot-spring water in the middle of the Mývatn lava. The lagoon itself is large, with plenty of little corners for a more private experience, and a swim-up bar. The lagoon is set to open a new facility early 2026.

In Húsavík, the GeoSea is a cliff-edge infinity pool overlooking the Skjálfandi Bay. The scene begs for a selfie, drink in hand. The visit combines well with a whale watching tour, as three hours on sea make a hot bath very tempting. With luck, guests can spot a spout from a whale somewhere in the distance.

Newest of the three is the Forest Lagoon on the outskirts of Akureyri. The lagoon opened its (wooden) doors in 2022, after a geothermal reservoir was discovered during the construction of the nearby Vaðalheiðar Tunnel. Attached to the main lagoon is an excellent sauna and a cold plunge.

Understand the region through its museums

North Iceland signifies Iceland’s affinity for museums and exhibitions. Akureyri alone has enough places to sustain some days and thousands of steps, from a four-floor art museum to an airplane-hanger dedicated to Iceland’s aviation history.

Akureyri is a settlement founded on commerce, a trade hub dating back to the era of Danish merchants. The Akureyri Heritage Museum (Minjasafnið) is located inside a former villa, with an old garden designed for leisure rather than livestock. Its largest artifact is the black wooden church, from 1846. Attached to the property are Nonni’s House, the former home of a beloved author, and the Toy Museum.

In the words of the Lonely Planet, the Akureyri Art Museum (Listasafn Akureyrar) is the “best art museum beyond Reykjavík” and a sense of pride among locals.The museum covers four floors, and showcases classic and contemporary pieces, from photography to performance pieces, Icelandic to international.

Life in North Iceland is tied to the ocean and the best way to understand the region is through its maritime history. Siglufjörður – once among Iceland’s largest towns – can not be fully understood without a visit to its award-winning Herring Museum. In Húsavík, whale skeletons capture the imagination at the Whale Museum. Both are open year-round.

Watch for whales

Watching for whales is, sure, an activity more related to summer when the largest whales flock to their northern feeding grounds of Skjálfandi Bay and Eyjafjörður. Some species, however, stick around for winters, although they may leave individually at some point for mating in warmer waters.

Outside of summer, expect to spot humpback whales and minke whales, along with white-beaked dolphins and an occasional school of orcas roaming the seas.

Húsavík – Iceland’s whale watching ‘capital’ – has no tours during the dead of winter. Meanwhile, some tour operators in Eyjafjörður have at least one daily departure year-round.

Ride horses through wild landscape

Horse riding tours, short and long, for beginners and advanced riders are offered all over North Iceland, all year around. Here is a list of horse farms. 

Skagafjörður is a stronghold for the Icelandic horse, home to the famous horse round-up Laufskálarétt each fall. Some farms stop offering short tours over winter. June - August is the best time for long, multi-day trips.

And don’t forget to eat ice cream

In Icelandic culture no particular weather is ‘ice cream weather’. It is, simply, always time for ice cream. In Akureyri, Brynjuís is a landmark ice cream vendor in the old part of town, a nice walk from the center. And after all that walk, you deserve a bragðarefur.