Húsavík at 66 Degrees North

Húsavik is a small town with 2500 inhabitants located in the north of Iceland. According to the “Book of Settlements”(Landnámabók), Húsavík was the first settlement in Iceland colonised by Scandinavia. This small town today lives mainly from tourism and fishing.

The wooden church of Húsavík is a little architectural gem from 1907. In winter, you can go skiing in Húsavík and also experience the Northern Lights. In any season, you can visit the museums in town, the most popular being the Whale Museum. There’s also the Museum of Exploration.

The famous Icelandic Phallological Museum (a collection of more than two hundred penises from varies mammals) was born in Húsavík, then in the height of its popularity was transferred to Reykjavík in 2013. The Fjúk Art Centre offers exhibitions and artist residencies. Hotels, guesthouses, shops, cafes and restaurants scatter around the small town. Húsavík is neither large nor the most entertaining town in Iceland, but it is a rather charming little place and deserves to be known.

Húsivík town holds an annual festival called Mærudagar, on the last weekend of July; the city divides into three areas and each area with a different colour. The people take great pleasure in decorating their neighbourhood with flags, banners and balloons pink, green and orange. 

It is a festival that brings together the people of Húsavík and  those who have connections there. One can enjoy a varied musical program, and other attractions take place near the port. In 2016, the festival will have its 22nd anniversary leaving the little town buzzing for days, like in the years before.

In Húsavík, best known as the European capital of whale watching,  you can whale watch from May to October, and take a boat starting from Húsavík where you can delightfully sail around the beautiful bay of Skjálfandi. There is so much to see! In particular,  you can observe Lundey Island (Puffin Island) where thousands of birds find refuge every summer.

If you come from the east and Myvatn, Husavik can be reached on the road number 85, much of which is missing asphalt. If you arrive from the west and Akureyri, you will cross the valley to join Kaldakinn on road number 85. Just before reaching Húsavík town,  you will find a hot water bath installed by residents( initially built to relieve a skin infection).  Around Husavik, there are many fantastic places to visit: Myvatn, Asbyrgi, Dettifossto name a few.

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Six waterfalls in southern Iceland

Gullfoss

Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, is without a doubt the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Located on the famous Golden Circle where you'll find Geysir and the Thingvellir National Park, these natural beauties are a must visit in the south of Iceland. The waterfall is 32 meters high, and the surrounding canyon reaches 70 meters high. Gullfoss waterfall is on the white river Hvítá, which is powered by the second largest glacier in Iceland, Langjokull. 

Besides it being a beautiful natural site, Gullfoss also has a troubled history. In the early twentieth century, English investors wanted to buy Gulfoss, which then belonged to the farmer Tómas Tómasson, for use in the production of electricity. The farmer refused to sell Gullfoss but instead decided to rent the waterfall; his daughter Sigridur who loved Gullfoss did everything to cancel this contract, even threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if investors began to build near Gullfoss infrastructure. After years of legal battles, the rental contract was canceled. Sigridur is considered Iceland's first environmentalist. Tómas's son became the owner of the waterfall and sold it to the Icelandic government. In 1979, the waterfall became a nature reserve.

Seljalandfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a very famous waterfall in Iceland, situated on the road between Selfoss town and the Skógafoss waterfall. This cascade, born on Seljalandsá river forms a fall of 60 meters. Seljalandfoss is well-known in Iceland for being a unique waterfall because you can walk behind it.  

A little further west, you can admire the waterfall Gljúfrabúi, also known as Glúfrafoss. You can access it from the farm Hamragarðar that is accessible from the road.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is a well-known frequently visited waterfall situated on the Skóga river. Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland with a drop of 60 meters and is 25 metres wide. 

According to local legend, the first Viking, who settled in the area, Thrasi Thorolfsson, hid treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. Legend says that local landowners found the treasure chest a few years later, but unable to grasp the ring on the side to open it, the treasure chest eventually disappeared.

Svartifoss

The waterfall, known for its long basalt columns, is in the Vatnajökull National Park. To get to the "black waterfall", you have to walk for 45minutes on a  well-marked easy path and along the way, you will find benches to rest. The return hike back is a little quicker because the road is downhill. 

In winter, expect more time and be careful because the path is very slippery; we highly recommend you use crampons.

Háifoss

Waterfall Háifoss, the second largest in Iceland, is located near the Heklavolcano in southern Iceland, on Route 32. At the river Fossa, there is a drop of 122 meters. You can hike starting from the historical farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, and after a three-hour walk, you will find the waterfall along the river.

Safety information for Icelandic waterfall lovers

The summer of 2015 has seen a rise in tourism in Iceland, and an increase in incidences involving visitors unaware of the dangers of getting too close to the edge of steep waterfalls. Yes! Icelandic nature is powerful and energetic, but also, let’s not forget to respect that it’s sometimes fragile too. There is still little infrastructure around the waterfall sites listed above. Pathways and fences are few, so please be careful! And remember! “no fence” is not an invitation to get as near as you wish. At Gullfoss, some pathways don't include chains and barriers preventing access to the most dangerous areas near the waterfall. Take in the lovely view of course… but don't let the view take you!

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Four museums in Reykjavik not to be missed

Ljósmyndlistasafnið Reykjavíkur

The Reykjavík Museum of Photography is located on the top floor of the Grófarhús  building on Tryggvagata, which is also home to the city‘s public library. Admission is free and it is open every day from 12.00 to 19.00 (18.00 on Friday) and on weekends from 13.00 -17.00.

Founded in 1981, the museum boasts a collection of more than six million photographs, with both Icelandic and international photography, amateur and professional. There you can find portraits, press photos, commercial photography, and the museum also keeps family photo albums and private collections. The collection dates back from 1860 to present day. Each year, the museum organizes about a dozen exhibitions on different themes.

Árbærsafn

Árbærsafn is a historic outdoor museum located in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík. The museum is made up of over twenty buildings that form a central square, a village and farm and it  aims to show the Icelandic way of life at different times. It was erected on the site of the former Árbær farm in 1957.

From the 1st of  June to the 31st of August, the museum is open daily, from 10 am to 5pm. During the rest of the year, it is possible to arrange private visits by appointment or there is the option of taking part in a tour, that takes place at at 1pm everyday. Admission is 1,500 kroner (11 euros) per person and free for children under 18 years of age. There are  many events held here during the year, such as the days of crafts, the annual exhibition of old vehicles or the Christmas exhibition.

In summer, do not be surprised to see sheep and goats wander the gardens of the museum. There is also a souvenir shop, a charming café (home of Dillon) and a library on the premises.

Listasafnið Reykjavíkur

The city of Reykjavík Art Museum is located in three different buildings, scattered around the capital. Hafnarhus is in the city center, Kjarvalsstadir is located in Klambratún and Asmundarsafn park. The museum displays the work of the three most famous artists of Iceland; painters Erró and Kjarval, and the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. 

There are also regular exhibitions, usually lasting three or four months from Icelandic and international artists. In all, the museum has a collection of 17,000 works, and also hosts conferences and events regularly. The museum is open all year from 10.00 to 17.00, and the entry cost is 1500 Kronur.

Nýlistasafnið

The museum of the performing arts, more known as NYLO is an organization run by artists. Founded in 1978 by two local artists, Niels Hafstein and Magnús Pálsson, the museum was created to provide a space where artists could discuss Icelandic cultural policies. 

For the past 35 years, NYLO has been offering a varied artistic and cultural program and often non-mainstream, which includes performance, video sessions, concerts, poetry evenings and theater. NYLO is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 12.00 (13.00 on the weekends) to 17.00 and the entrance is free.

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Supermarket shopping in Iceland

When preparing a trip to Iceland, it is useful to know where you can go shopping. All the Icelandic towns and villages have at least one supermarket or you may have the option of going to a fish market, bakery or grocery store.

Supermarket shopping is by far the cheapest. Bónus, the supermarket chain, is the most inexpensive of Iceland, and you will find this store easily in major cities thanks to its pink smiling pig logo. If you're in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, there is a large Bónus in the district of Grandi. You may be lucky enough to be served by the wonderful cashier Fransisca Mwansa, an immigrant from Zambia, who is known as "the happiest cashier of Iceland". It transforms the bland experience of your shopping into a  Christmas tale (and if you think I am exaggerating, you‘ve clearly not had the pleasure of meeting her)! 

The supermarket is emblematic and was the subject of a book of poems by Andri Snær Magnuson; built as the Divine Comedy of Dante, the poems take you through the shelves of the supermarket,  beginning with Paradise (fruit and vegetables) and Hell (meat department) and finally to Purgatory (detergents).

The fruit and vegetable selection at Bónus is quite limited if you want more choice, try the Krónan or Nettó supermarkets. Stores such as Samkaup Urval, Samkaup Strax, 10-11 and Hagkaup are more expensive than the previous ones, but often it is possible to find a more  international selection. Hagkaup, kind of similar to Marks and Spencers, sells cosmetics , clothes and decorative items in addition to more traditional products; this is the place to go if you want to buy a French goat bûchette, jar of duck fat or organic milk.

At the supermarket check-out, the cashier will usually ask how many bags you intend to use, as you will have to pay for these when purchasing your goods. It also makes sense to buy reusable bags which are stronger and more durable.

In larger cities, you will also have a choice of small neighborhood shops, such as Melabúðin in the Vesturbær neighborhood of Reykjavík, shops selling local and organic products, such as Lifandi markaður or Heilsuhúsið, and specialty stores such as the cheese shop,Óstabúðin, on Skölavorðurstígur, which is also a  restaurant.

Most of the petrol stations also have convenience stores with deli counters and coffee. Kiosks that sell hot dogs and sweets known as sjóppa are located throughout many of the towns.

It is forbidden to display cigarettes in stores in Iceland, so the cashier will keep them behind the counter. Alcohol can only be bought in the off-license Vínbúð, which is owned by the state and controls the sale of alcohol.

Supermarkets are generally open from 10 or 11 to 6 p.m., and open at noon on Sunday. In larger cities, stores such as  10-11, Hagkaup or Samkaup are open round the clock.

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