Best of Northeastern Region

Northeastern Iceland's Essential Wonders

Northeastern Iceland features diverse geological formations, from the 44-meter-high Dettifoss—Europe's most powerful waterfall—to the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon. The Mývatn region contains mineral-rich geothermal baths, the Dimmuborgir lava fields, and the Hverfjall tephra cone. Geothermal activity is concentrated at the Námafjall sulfur springs and Krafla's volcanic caldera. Further inland, the remote Askja caldera holds the deep Öskjuvatn lake. Cultural history is preserved at the Siglufjörður Herring Era Museum and the 19th-century turf houses at Laufás.

Karel Stojaspal / CC-BY-SA

Myvatn Nature Baths

Geothermal outdoor thermal baths with mineral-rich waters and scenic views, featuring amenities such as a café and swim-up bar.

Zairon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Dettifoss

A waterfall with a height of 44 meters and width of 100 meters, known for its powerful water flow and scenic natural surroundings.

Simisa / CC BY-SA 3.0

Krafla Caldera

Explosion crater within a volcanic system featuring a striking lake with vivid blue to green colors influenced by geothermal activity.

Bjarki Sigursveinsson / CC BY-SA 2.0

Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir is a large area of unusually shaped lava fields east of Mývatn in Iceland.

Nojhan / CC BY-SA 1.0

Námafjall

In this geothermal area, you can admire colourful sulfur crystals and try to hike a short trail.

Bernello / CC BY-SA 4.0

Mývatn

This eutrophic lake (meaning of high biological productivity) takes its name from a large number of midges that occupy this area during…

Sixlocal / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hverfjall Crater

Hverfjall is a tephra cone or tuff ring volcano in northern Iceland, to the east of Mývatn.

Zairon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Asbyrgi Canyon

Ásbyrgi is a glacial canyon and forest in the north of Iceland, located approximately 38 kilometres east of Húsavík on the Diamond Circle…

Selfoss

Selfoss is a waterfall on the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum in the north of Iceland.

Javier G. R. / CC BY-SA 3.0

Aldeyjarfoss

The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is situated in the Highlands of Iceland at the northern part of the Sprengisandur Highland Road.

Slimguy / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Askja

Askja is an active volcano situated in a remote part of the central highlands of Iceland.

Opani dk / CC BY-SA 3.0

Öskjuvatn

Öskjuvatn is a lake in the Highlands of Iceland. Its surface area is about 11 km².

Aliochad / CC BY-SA 3.0

Herring Era Museum

The Herring Era Museum is located in Siglufjörður, Iceland. It is Iceland's largest maritime museum and the only Icelandic museum to have…

Santiago Puig Vilado… / CC BY-SA 3.0

Old Turfhouse Laufás

A well-preserved 19th-century farmstead featuring traditional Icelandic turf-roofed architecture. The site includes a timber church built in 1865 and interiors furnished with period tools and household items, illustrating rural life in Northern Iceland.