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Húsavík
ℹ️Practical info — Húsavík
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Book your whale watching tour in advance, especially during the summer months.
- Dress warmer than you think you need to for boat tours, as it gets very cold on the water.
- Visit the Whale Museum before your tour to better identify the species you might see.
- There is ample free parking near the harbor and church.
🍽 Food
Find highly rated seafood restaurants directly facing the harbor.
Traditional Icelandic fish stew, available at cozy local bistros.
Check out the local microbrewery or bars for regional taps.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The Whale Museum shop has the best selection.
Local stores near the harbor sell excellent windproof and waterproof gear.
Perched on a cliff with amazing views, quieter early in the day.
A small but peaceful park in the upper part of the town.
Water temperature…
Húsavík, located on the northern coast of Iceland, is widely recognized as the country's first permanent settlement and is celebrated as the 'Whale Watching Capital of Europe.' The town overlooks Skjálfandi Bay, where nutrient-rich currents attract a diverse array of whale species, making it the premier destination for marine wildlife tours. Historically, the area's legacy began around 860 AD when Swedish Viking Garðar Svavarsson overwintered here, naming the island Garðarshólmur. The skyline is dominated by the Húsavíkurkirkja, a distinctive wooden church built in 1907, which is regarded as one of Iceland's most iconic architectural landmarks. Beyond tourism and commercial fishing, Húsavík is a center for marine biology and research, anchored by the comprehensive Húsavík Whale Museum. Recently, the town gained global pop-culture fame as the setting for the film 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.' Its location provides handy access to the Diamond Circle route, featuring wide-open natural wonders like Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss waterfall.
- Location: Iceland
- Top sights: The Húsavík Whale Museum · The Exploration Museum · Húsavíkurviti
- Nearby: Reykjahlíð (49 km)
- Population: ~3.234
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -4 | -3 | -3 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 1 | -2 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 102 | 86 | 93 | 78 | 77 | 60 | 84 | 93 | 120 | 128 | 122 | 119 |
Geography
Facts
- Húsavík was settled in 860 AD, predating the traditional founding of Reykjavík.
- Up to 11 different species of whales can be spotted in Skjálfandi Bay.
- The Húsavíkurkirkja was built in 1907 in a distinct Swiss challet style.
- The Húsavík Whale Museum features a massive complete Blue Whale skeleton.
- The town offers GeoSea, a unique geothermal sea-water spa experience.
- Húsavík serves as a primary hub for the popular Diamond Circle tourist route.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Húsavík (9)
The Exploration Museum🏛 museum
The Exploration Museum in Húsavík is dedicated to the history of human exploration, including the Apollo astronaut training.
The Culture House🏛 museum
A museum of regional culture, featuring maritime exhibits and a whale skeleton.
Frequently asked questions
Is Húsavík really the whale capital?
Is the Whale Museum worth visiting?
What are the GeoSea baths?
Are there links to the 'Eurovision Song Contest' movie?
How long does a whale watching tour take?
Húsavík: where is it located?
Húsavík: what is there to see?
Húsavík: when is the best time to visit?
Húsavík: why is it worth visiting?
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