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1 húsavík aerial panorama 2017📷 Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0

Húsavík

Húsavík, Iceland

History

A small harbour town on Skjálfandi Bay, the usual starting point for whale-watching boats, with a wooden church above the waterfront. Book the boat trip ahead in summer and dress warmly even on sunny days.

Húsavík lies on Skjálfandi Bay in northern Iceland and is regarded as the whale-watching capital of the country. Twenty-four cetacean species have been recorded in the bay, including humpback whale, blue whale, orca and sperm whale. The main season runs from May to September.

The town has the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907, which can be visited in summer. The Whale Museum is housed in a former slaughterhouse, and another museum is devoted to the history of exploration. The region was settled early by Vikings. The film “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” (2020) also brought the town greater fame. Book boat tours early in the high season and bring warm clothing, even when it is sunny.

Nearest town
Húsavík, Iceland
Category
History & culture
GPS
66.0449, -17.3389

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.

Sources

Nearby

Goðafoss vattenfall© FredN · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Goðafoss

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DettifossWithRainbow© Andreas Tille · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Dettifoss

Ásbyrgi, Iceland
Lake Mývatn – Iceland lake Northern Lights (Unsplash)© Vincent Guth vingtcent · CC0
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Lake Mývatn

Reykjahlíð, Iceland
Akureyri, Iceland 20150505 175850© dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0
History

Akureyri

Akureyri, Iceland

Campsites nearby

All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Húsavík?

Húsavík is in Húsavík, Iceland, at GPS 66.0449, -17.3389. It is about 49 km from Reykjahlíð.

Can you camp near Húsavík?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Tjaldsvæðið á Húsavík, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Húsavík?

Places worth a stop nearby: Goðafoss (41 km), Dettifoss (50 km), Lake Mývatn (51 km) and Akureyri (53 km).

When is the best time to visit Húsavík?

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)