“The place the mountains sing by means of the screams of seagulls
The place the whales can reside ‘trigger they’re mild folks”
Should you’re something like me, your mid-2020 concerned a LOT of binge watching. You most likely watched each new present, collection, and film that was launched on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and so forth.
And for those who, too, have been the epitome of a sofa potato that 12 months, then likelihood is you noticed the pleasant Netflix movie “Eurovision Music Contest: The Story of Hearth Saga.” Starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, the movie follows a unusual duo from Iceland as they notice their goals to compete within the Eurovision Music Contest.
And for those who noticed that film, you then have been additionally launched to the little Icelandic city of Húsavík.
Husavik was well-known because the whale watching capital of Iceland effectively earlier than the Eurovision Netflix movie. However now it is also drawing guests who need to expertise Lars and Sigrit’s hometown for themselves.
An introduction to Húsavík
Húsavík is a small Icelandic city that sits on Skjálfandi Bay within the far north of Iceland. It is dwelling to roughly 2300 folks, and may hint its historical past again to the very first Norseman who arrived in Iceland within the 12 months 870.
It’s served by a small regional airport, and in any other case is roughly an hour’s drive away from Akureyri, the “capital” of north Iceland.
The city is not a big one, however there’s truly a good quantity to do right here. So do not simply e book your whale watching journey after which head again to Akureyri or on to Myvatn! Keep some time and absorb the appeal that Sigrit sings about within the Oscar-nominated “Husavik (My Hometown)” music.
High issues to do in Husavik in in the future
You possibly can technically tick every part off this Husavik to-do checklist in simply in the future – although for those who can keep in a single day, I’d extremely suggest that!
Listed below are the highest issues to do in Husavik:
1. Go whale watching
If you wish to expertise a few of the greatest whale watching in Iceland, then Husavik is the place you need to be. The city sits on Skjálfandi Bay, the place three completely different nutrient-rich ocean currents converge to help quite a lot of species of whale year-round. You possibly can spot every part from humpbacks to minke whales to even blue whales, plus porpoises and dolphins.
The whale watching in Husavik is considered a few of the greatest in all of Europe, and through the summer season months particularly you are virtually assured to identify one thing.
A number of corporations supply whale watching excursions in Húsavík, both in conventional wood boats or in RIB boats (rigid-bodied zodiaks that go quick). Excursions normally final about 3 hours, and most corporations will offer you a heat set of coveralls to put on.
I did this tour in a standard boat, and cherished with the ability to spend a while up within the higher part for excellent views. (And we have been fortunate sufficient to see a pair whales, too!)
You probably have extra of a necessity for pace, a RIB tour like this could be higher for you. Or, there’s one firm that provides “silent” whale excursions on a carbon-neutral boat, which is fairly cool.
Ebook your whale tour within the morning and get your day began early!
2. Go to the Whale Museum
Since you will already be on the harbor after your whale watching tour, you could as effectively go to the Húsavík Whale Museum (and you will get a reduction for those who present your whale watching tour ticket, too!).
This small museum packs a giant punch, protecting not solely all of the completely different whale species you will discover in Iceland, but additionally the historical past of the nation’s relationship with the marine mammals.
The museum has an enormous assortment of whale skeletons on show, essentially the most spectacular of which being a full blue whale skeleton. You may be in awe standing subsequent to it and realizing how huge these whales truly are!
3. Discover the lovable city
After that, you’ll be able to spend a while exploring Husavik (town heart just isn’t giant, so this may not take lengthy!). Get your images of the enduring Húsavíkurkirkja (Husavik Picket Church), after which take pleasure in lunch close to the water.
4. Go horseback driving
This afternoon, I like to recommend occurring a horseback driving tour with Saltvik Farm, only a quick drive exterior of city. Their “Seaside Tour” is a 2-hour driving tour that can take you all the way down to a black sand seaside within reach of snow-dusted mountains.
You may get to journey an lovely Icelandic horse, and have the prospect to check out their additional gait referred to as the Tölt, which is type of like a speed-walk.
There are lot of locations to go horseback driving in Iceland, however I actually assume the surroundings right here overlooking Skjálfandi Bay is a few of the greatest!
5. Soak at Geosea
After a morning at sea and a day on horseback, you will have earned your self a while stress-free on the thermal swimming pools at Geosea.
The infinity-style Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths sit up on a hill to the north of Husavik, as soon as once more with improbable views out over Skjálfandi Bay and its mountains.
There are three related scorching swimming pools right here crammed with mineral-rich saltwater, together with saunas and a swim-up bar. The vibe right here is sort of relaxed (and these baths are kid-friendly), and it is easy to whereas away an hour or two whereas soaking within the swimming pools – and absorbing the views.
You possibly can e book tickets forward, although you’ll be able to typically additionally stroll up and buy tickets right here most days.
RELATED: 10 Important Ideas for Visiting Iceland Scorching Springs and Thermal Baths
6. Have fun Eurovision at Jaja Ding Dong
I can not write a publish about Húsavík today with out mentioning a spot that is embracing the city’s popular culture fame: a bar and cafe referred to as Jaja Ding Dong (a reference from the Netflix movie).
The bar totally embraces its supply materials, serving up cocktails with names like “Hearth Saga” and “Double Hassle.” (In addition they serve actually scrumptious pizzas for those who’re craving a type of.)
Jaja Ding Dong is related to the Cape Resort in Husavik, and in addition presents entry to a brand new museum-style Eurovision exhibit. The exhibit covers Iceland’s historical past within the precise Eurovision Music Contest, and in addition has a room crammed with props and costumes from the Netflix movie. Entry is 1500 ISK (or 1000 ISK if you buy one thing on the bar).
Kudos to the homeowners right here for seizing on such an incredible alternative and creating such a enjoyable area!
7. Eat scrumptious seafood
Should you simply need to seize drinks at Jaja Ding Dong and exit for dinner elsewhere, undoubtedly e book your self a desk at Naustið. Right here deliciously contemporary seafood dishes are served up in a comfortable historic dwelling that is been renovated right into a restaurant.
Enjoyable reality: the home the restaurant is in dates again to 1930, and was the primary home in Husavik to have a bath put in! The well-known tub now sits exterior Naustið and is now used as a flower planter.
Bonus: Diamond Circle
Have you ever been satisfied to spend a while in Húsavík? If that’s the case, you’ll be able to truly use the city as a base to go to another close by websites, too, together with those who make up the “Diamond Circle.”
Websites on this common driving route embody the Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls, in addition to Lake Myvatn and the Hverir geothermal space. (Godafoss is 25 minutes from Husavik, Lake Myvatn about 50 minutes, and the west facet of Dettifoss is 1.5 hours away.)
The place to remain in Husavik
Every part was bought out in Husavik once I visited, so my pal Kate and I stayed in Akureyri as an alternative. However for those who do need to keep in a single day in Husavik itself, listed here are some good choices:
When to go to Húsavík
You possibly can technically go to Husavik any time of 12 months, however for essentially the most daytime and greatest climate for issues like whale watching and horseback driving, you will need to go to through the summer season months (June-August), or on both facet of summer season (like in Could or September).
Visiting in September or October can also be not unhealthy, as you will have an opportunity of recognizing the Northern Lights.
Who desires to plan a visit to Husavik now?