Northern lights over Húsavík harbour, Iceland's whale-watching capital
🇮🇸Iceland💎 Hidden Gem

Húsavík

✦8/10

Wildlife lovers wanting whale watching in combination with excellent aurora viewing

Aurora Score
8/10 ✦
Daily Budget
$150/day
Access
🛤️ Moderate
Dark Hours (Winter)
22h

About Húsavík

Húsavík is a small fishing town on Iceland's north coast with the remarkable double distinction of being Europe's whale watching capital and an excellent aurora viewing base. Sitting just below the Arctic Circle at 66°N, it has longer winter nights than Akureyri and significantly less light pollution. The GeoSea geothermal sea baths, where warm mineral-rich water meets the cold Arctic sea, are a local highlight — and watching the northern lights from a hot outdoor pool as humpback whales breach in the distance is a genuinely unique experience. The town gained unexpected fame from the Eurovision film 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'. Year-round whale watching tours have a very high sighting success rate, with humpback whales, minke whales, and even blue whales regularly spotted.

Best Time to Visit

OctNovDecJanFebMar

Monthly Weather & Aurora

MonthAvg TempDark HoursAurora Chance
Jan★ Best-4°C22hHigh
Feb★ Best-3°C17hHigh
Mar★ Best-1°C11hMed
Apr+3°C4hLow
May+7°CMidnight sun—
Jun+11°CMidnight sun—
Jul+13°CMidnight sun—
Aug+12°CMidnight sun—
Sep+8°C5hMed
Oct★ Best+4°C13hHigh
Nov★ Best0°C19hHigh
Dec★ Best-3°C22hHigh

Activities

Whale WatchingNorthern Lights ToursPuffin ToursGeothermal BathsMidnight Sun ToursHorse RidingNorthern Lights PhotographyKayakingPhotography ToursGlacier HikingGeothermal PoolsHikingWildlife WatchingMidnight Sun ViewingHot Spring BathingAurora CampVolcano Hiking

Getting There

1h drive from Akureyri (with its airport) or 4.5h from Reykjavik. No direct flights — car hire or organised tours from Akureyri.

Accommodation Highlights

  • ✓Harbour Guesthouses
  • ✓Boutique Hotels
  • ✓Geothermal Lodges

Location

💎 Hidden Gem

Húsavík is one of PolarTourist's hidden gems — a lesser-known destination that offers an exceptional aurora experience without the crowds.

Budget Estimator

3 nights21 nights
Budget
$788
Typical
$1,050
Comfort
$1,470

Based on avg $150/day in Húsavík. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.

Quick Info

LanguageIcelandic (English widely spoken)
Regionsubarctic
Coordinates66.04°N, -17.34°E

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Plan by Month

OctNovDecJanFebMar

🏨Where to Stay(10)

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Gistihúsið við Höfnina

Gistihúsið við Höfnina

⭐ 4.9

Dalbraut 1, 465 Bíldudalur, Iceland

hotel
Sigló Hótel by Keahotels

Sigló Hótel by Keahotels

⭐ 4.8

Snorragata 3, 580 Siglufjörður, Iceland

hotel
Hótel Kvika

Hótel Kvika

⭐ 4.7

816 Þorlákshöfn, Iceland

hotel
Laxhús

Laxhús

⭐ 4.6

Norðausturvegur Laxamýri, XJC7+M6P, 641 Laxamyri, Iceland

hotel
Seljavellir Guesthouse

Seljavellir Guesthouse

⭐ 4.5

8Q4R+6J2, Seljavellir, 781 Höfn, Iceland

lodging

Hótel Húsavík

⭐ 4.4

Höfði, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

hotel

Árból Guesthouse

⭐ 4.4

Ásgarðsvegur, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

guest house

Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant

⭐ 4.4

Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland

hotel

Fosshotel Húsavík

⭐ 4.3

Ketilsbraut 22, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

hotel

Hotel Viking

⭐ 4.2

Íþróttahúsið Strandgötu, Strandgata 53, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland

hotel

🍽️Where to Eat(10)

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Pizzakofinn

Pizzakofinn

⭐ 4.8

Garðarsbraut 20 640, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

pizza restaurant
Hérna

Hérna

⭐ 4.8

Stórigarður 11, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

cafe
Húsavík öl

Húsavík öl

⭐ 4.8

Héðinsbraut 4, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

brewpub
Nesti

Nesti

⭐ 4.7

Garðarsbraut 2, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

restaurant
Grill 66

Grill 66

⭐ 4.6

Garðarsbraut 64, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

restaurant

Vogafjós Farm Resort

⭐ 4.6$$$

Vogar, 660 Myvatn, Iceland

restaurant

Hlodufell Restaurant & Bar Husavik

⭐ 4.5

Héðinsbraut 3, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

restaurant

Lava Restaurant

⭐ 4.4$$$$

Nordurljosavegur 9, 240 Grindavik, Iceland

restaurant

Gamli Baukur

⭐ 4.3$$

Hafnarstétt 9, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

restaurant

Fosshotel Húsavík

⭐ 4.3

Ketilsbraut 22, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

hotel

🎯Things to Do(10)

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Husavik Adventures

Husavik Adventures

⭐ 4.8

Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

point of interest
Friends of Moby Dick - Whale Watching

Friends of Moby Dick - Whale Watching

⭐ 4.7

Hafnarstétt 35, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tourist attraction
Húsavík Viewing Point

Húsavík Viewing Point

⭐ 4.7

Garðarsbraut 70, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

scenic spot
Gentle Giants - Husavik Whale Watching

Gentle Giants - Husavik Whale Watching

⭐ 4.6

Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tour agency
North Sailing - Húsavík Whale Watching

North Sailing - Húsavík Whale Watching

⭐ 4.6

Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tour agency

Húsavík Harbor

⭐ 4.6

2MW3+7HF, Hafnarstétt, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tourist attraction

Húsavík Whale Museum

⭐ 4.6

Hafnarstétt 1, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tourist attraction

Salka Whale Watching

⭐ 4.6

Garðarsbraut 7, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tour agency

Húsavíkurhöfn

⭐ 4.6

2MW3+PGW, 640, 640 Húsavík, Iceland

tourist attraction

ArcticSeaTours

⭐ 4.6

Hafnarbraut 22, 620 Dalvík, Iceland

tour agency

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Húsavík?+
The best months for aurora viewing in Húsavík are 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3. Húsavík has an aurora score of 8/10.
How much does a trip to Húsavík cost?+
The average daily budget in Húsavík is around $150 USD, covering accommodation, meals, and activities.
How do I get to Húsavík?+
1h drive from Akureyri (with its airport) or 4.5h from Reykjavik. No direct flights — car hire or organised tours from Akureyri.
What activities are available in Húsavík?+
Popular activities in Húsavík include Whale Watching, Northern Lights Tours, Puffin Tours, Geothermal Baths, Midnight Sun Tours, Horse Riding, Northern Lights Photography, Kayaking, Photography Tours, Glacier Hiking, Geothermal Pools, Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Midnight Sun Viewing, Hot Spring Bathing, Aurora Camp, Volcano Hiking.