We travelled to North Iceland in winter to see what it’s really like, flying directly into Akureyri and using it as a base to explore the region.

From whale watching on frozen fjords to swimming in geothermal lagoons and driving to dramatic waterfalls, this trip covers some of the best sights in North Iceland.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Flying to Akureyri
02:59 An early disclaimer
03:23 Why here, why now?
04:47 Day one - whale watching
07:19 Let it snow!
09:34 Forest Lagoon
11:47 Road trip!
12:26 Goðafoss
13:33 Lava, pools and mud
14:59 Jaja Ding Dong
16:33 Our accomodation
16:53 So, what do I think?

We share what it’s like visiting in winter, when to go to avoid crowds at the lagoon, how accessible everything is by car, and whether North Iceland works as a more relaxed alternative to the busy south coast.

We were there during Iceland’s Ash Wednesday celebrations, when children dress up and go from shop to shop singing for sweets – a little like Halloween, Icelandic-style.

And on our final night, one last attempt to see the Northern Lights.

If you're planning a winter Iceland road trip, this guide should help you decide whether North Iceland deserves a spot on your itinerary. Also in the next video we'll go through all the bits it would be useful to know; where we stayed, hire cars, shopping prices (it's not as bad as I was expecting) and what clothing to bring.

This is the route we took on our trip - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/65.6817686,-18.0906929/Go%C3%B0afoss+Waterfall,+645,+Iceland/Lava+field+Dimmuborgir,+H3RQ%2BF3Q,+660+Sk%C3%BAtusta%C3%B0ir,+Iceland/Grj%C3%B3tagj%C3%A1,+J4G8%2BGQX,+660+Reykjahl%C3%AD%C3%B0,+Iceland/Hverir,+J5RR%2B978,+660+Reykjahl%C3%AD%C3%B0,+Iceland/H%C3%BAsav%C3%ADk,+640,+Iceland/@65.7837234,-18.1801481,101209m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m34!4m33!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x48cd7e6a481f369f:0x7ebbcdaa4e0d1d3b!2m2!1d-17.5501918!2d65.6827782!1m5!1m1!1s0x48cd9f2312044dd9:0x801f4d9f36622316!2m2!1d-16.91228!2d65.5912203!1m5!1m1!1s0x48cd9ef0df2feebd:0x79e8f6d9c5fd9511!2m2!1d-16.8830077!2d65.6263565!1m5!1m1!1s0x48cd9f0ad5adea6d:0x100c72506334f2fc!2m2!1d-16.809311!2d65.6409144!1m5!1m1!1s0x48cd42159e4b2c3b:0x30afb44cc03c202f!2m2!1d-17.343908!2d66.047451!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIyNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D - warning, the road from Hverir to Husavik was a little tricky in the snow of February.

Here's where we stayed - https://www.booking.com/hotel/is/downtown-akey-apartments.en-gb.html?age=6&aid=964694&app_hotel_id=9956128&checkin=2026-11-21&checkout=2026-11-24&from_sn=android&group_adults=2&group_children=1&label=hotel_details-5F9D9Ae%401769375770&no_rooms=1&req_adults=2&req_age=6&req_children=1&room1=A%2CA%2C6&chal_t=1772387205287&force_referer=

For the ultra loyal subscribers, it took us exactly 34 minutes from seatbelt light going out, to getting through to arrivals!

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